Ava brings together video and sensor tech for smarter security

Ava Security has launched the ability to use third-party sensors with Ava Aware Cloud, the open data platform for building and facilities intelligence.

By merging video security with sensor technology, the company aims to help organisations unlock the enhanced situational awareness of security along with facility management, staff wellbeing and productivity.

Siloed, unconnected systems are a big challenge for organisations looking to access greater insights and build better security, the company states.

In addition, integrations either require heavy, custom development, a single vendor lock-in when moving to certain cloud vendors.

To combat these challenges, Ava is offering organisations the ability to use the Ava Aware data platform with third-party sensors to capture insights into their sites' activities and environmental conditions.

Users can set rules for real-time notifications and alerts for readings such as abnormal noise levels, temperature, proximity, touch, humidity, smoke, vape, chemicals and gas, allowing organisations to act fast on environmental incidents.

Sensor data is combined with video security footage through a single interface, allowing organisations to get a picture of the security incidents that could impact their facilities, assets and people, the company states.

For instance, by associating a sensor with a camera, facility operators and IT would see the sensor alarm and the real time video associated with that sensor, such as an open emergency door.

Ava Security is initially launching this quarter integrations with the Halo smart sensor from IPVideo Technology and the tiny wireless sensors from Disruptive Technologies, according to a statement.

Customers also have the option to integrate with other sensor providers of their choice through Ava's open API platform.

As a cloud native and open platform, Ava Aware customers can gain immediate access to new features and value over time, the company states.

The Ava Aware Cloud is also flexible, allowing customers to:

• Connect sensors in minutes, set up rules, and notify users in real time
• View sensors on intuitive floor plan maps
• Associate sensors with cameras with drag and drop
• Remotely monitor sensors from anywhere in the world
• Secure sensor data through end-to-end encryption, SSO and 2-factor authentication

Ava Security head of video engineering and co-founder Sam Lancia says, "There is immense power in the visibility gained by combining the data from sensors with intelligent video security systems as it creates a far clearer picture for an organisation.

"Historically, this wasn't possible because systems were too difficult to set up, often disconnected from one another, and organisations had to rip and replace existing investments to install software and devices from a single provider.

"Ava's open architecture solves this problem for organisations, providing them with a cost effective and flexible solution that utilises the best technology on the market.

"We already have keen interest from a range of customers across different verticals such as real estate, education and retail.