Device and Embedded Control Systems

Around the world, regardless of industry, the infrastructure that manages production flow in a plant, traffic flow in the streets or surveillance in a shopping center, is seldom developed in an ideal compatibilty environment.

While management authorities use the available tools around them to predict what is likely to occur and what infrastructure investments should be made, often shifts occur in technology that force equipment to be replaced before a full return on investment has been achieved, or the full potential of new equipment cannot be realised while older equipment is part of the overall network.

It was with these issues in mind that PMP Software designed our VCS (Video Control Server) system for the New South Wales Roads & Traffic Authority. The aim was to allow the operations centre to be able to use the full power of new equipment, and to ensure a fully open system (with no vendor lock-in) along with associated cost savings while managing the centre with existing equipment in a fully integrated environment. For the operators of the environment the system can be configured such that all manufacturer's equipment will function with the same operational interface, no matter the protocol required for this type of equipment. This feature saves having to train every operator in different manufacturers equipment and standards by presenting each system transparently to the user. The system additionally takes care of managing the communications, ensuring that costs are kept to a minimum.

In creating a single system to manage the environment a number of other features could now be incorporated into a controlled environment. Privacy and Security is at the heart, with the capability of now being able to see in real time such items as who is using the equipment, what are they using it for, who has access to particular information and what field of view. With this type of security outside bodies such as emergency services can be given access. More commercial use can be given to the system via the World Wide Web or television stations with a different degree of access and security. Service contracts can be written where the service contractor can be responsible for ensuring equipment is fully functional by dialling in and checking equipment and the security logs can be used to verify work being performed. In summary the PMP Video Control Server system allows:

• Effective utilisation of existing staff and equipment resources without additional investment
• New equipment to be augmented rather than the expense of full system replacements
• Increased security and privacy compliance, with full audit trails
• Authorisation controls over who has visibility of what, for both employees and third parties alike
• Improved operator efficiency is gained from only needing to understand one environment
• Cost savings can be made in many areas ranging from efficient use of communications such as dial up, through to operator efficiency and maximising the life of equipment.
• Low risk implementation, as the system is purpose designed for the application, and is already fully developed and in active service in other environments.

A Business Intelligence Solution consists of the following elements:

• A database of information, such as customer information, demographic information and psychographic information
• Software with the business logic to process the information
• A user interface to make it easy and user friendly to enter information and to get a proper output in terms of tables, graphs, charts, maps etc.

How can PMP Software help you?

Our team of developers, project managers, business analysts and test managers have extensive experience in the development and implementation of Video Control and other device control systems. Please contact us to discuss your interest and challenges in this particular area.