American University – On the Forefront of Education and Security

“I think that the Pelco Endura system really makes policing on a college campus considerably easier.”
– Michael McNair, Chief of Police

Mission
Named one of the most “wired” campuses in the nation, American University in Washington D.C. has a history of breaking ground with its technology. And when the university decided to upgrade its analog security system to IP, it looked no further than Pelco and the Endura system. Starting in the 1980s, the American University Department of Public Safety began installing analog cameras and access control systems on campus. But when Chief of Police Michael McNair joined the department in 2003, he sought to update and upgrade the existing system.

Solution
McNair turned to Integrated Security Technologies (IST), a Virginia-based system integrator with Pelco IP products. The university and IST studied the available technology and agreed on the Pelco Endura system – launching the upgrade with a hybrid system and a four- to five-year plan to migrate everything to Endura. Endura MDD units are used to integrate the existing keyboards to both the matrix switch and Endura hardware so all cameras can be displayed and controlled from the existing controller.

Result
The installation increases video coverage of the 76-acre campus, covering parking lots, the main quad, entry points to the campus and non-dorm buildings and some interior locations where high-value items are stored and used.