Tift Regional Medical Center – S2 Case Study

Tift Regional Medical Center was dissatisfied with the facilities existing Legacy access control system, constant hardware failures, and an antiquated security command center. They also desired a system that offered ease of expansion to the main hospital facility and remote offices located throughout South Georgia. Environmental Services Director, John Lindsey, contacted CooperCraft to conduct a site visit and discuss the options. The decision was made to contract with CooperCraft Communications to replace the existing system with a combined solution of Digital Sprite 2 DVRs from Dedicated Micros and the S2 NetBox from S2 Security Corporation.

One of the main challenges of the project was bringing a new system online without disrupting normal security routines, creating issues for operation of access controlled doors and losing video surveillance capabilities. The process was started by installing a temporary command center and completing redesigning the permanent command center with modular work tables, monitors supports and officer storage. Ten Hybrid (analog/IP) Dedicated Micros DVRs were installed to support 70 existing cameras along with the installation of 50 new Pelco dome cameras. The S2 system nodes were deployed into data closets throughout the facility and integrated into the TRMC network. Once all nodes were online, CooperCraft methodically merged 65 doors from the existing legacy system into the new S2 system over a 48 hour weekend with minimal down time. Since the initial installation TRMC has added approximately 30 more doors, 70 more cameras, and 4 more Dedicated Micros Hybrid DVRs.

For this large-scale deployment, S2 NetBox and Dedicated Micros solution offered the highest level of flexibility, scalability and ease of implementation. The combined functionality of the S2 and Dedicated Micros technology was easily installed without the need to run new cable or to configure special databases. The S2 NetBox integrates with Dedicated Micros’ DVRs over a standard IP network. Events detected by the access control and alarm monitoring systems of the S2 NetBox can initiate video recording; likewise, video motion detection by the recorder can trigger alarms on the S2.

Tift Regional has continued to add to the S2 system throughout the main hospital. The panic system, intrusion detection system, and temperature sensors have been integrated to the system. CooperCraft is currently working on a project for Tift Regional to integrate energy management into the S2 system. TRMC is continuing to expand the use of the S2 system throughout the facility’s locations.