South Washington County Schools
Key Metrics:
50% reduction in investigation time using video analytics, actionable insights, and search tools.
Energy savings achieved by shutting down a full rack and a half of servers, lowering air conditioning needs.
Increased user satisfaction due to the intuitive interface and improved image quality. Complaints about usability and downtime have dropped to near zero.
Background
South Washington County Schools, the sixth-largest district in Minnesota, serves 19,000 students across multiple campuses. Robert Berkowitz, Director of Technology, oversees infrastructure and data systems, while Napoleon Genereux, Safety & Security Manager, handles physical security and emergency management. The district prioritizes a secure, technology-driven learning environment, focusing on operational efficiency, security, and infrastructure.
The Challenge
Before switching to Verkada, South Washington County Schools relied on traditional hard drive storage for its security cameras. As the system aged, hard drives began to fail, leading to significant downtime, frequent maintenance issues, and gaps in coverage. "The hard drives predictably failed, and the maintenance and upkeep became unsustainable," said Berkowitz.
With a growing network of cameras and a small staff, the district struggled to maintain the aging system. The district also had to manage two separate networks: one for cameras and one for data, complicating IT management and adding unnecessary strain on resources.
The Solution
Verkada’s cloud-based solution provided the district with an efficient, scalable alternative. With CIT, their trusted technology partner for over a decade, the district deployed over 1,800 cameras and 60 intercoms, all integrated into one platform.
A key advantage was Verkada's low bandwidth consumption—cameras use only 20-50 Kbps in steady state, a fraction of the 1-2 Mbps typical of traditional cloud cameras. This low bandwidth allowed the district to consolidate their previously separate camera and data networks into a single network. They can also schedule off-peak uploads, minimizing real-time network strain.
"Verkada cameras are so bandwidth efficient that we were able to run both our data and cameras on the same network on their own VLANs," Berkowitz explained. "It was a big step forward in simplifying maintenance and reducing complexity."
Additionally, Verkada’s SCIM integration allowed the district to automate the onboarding and offboarding process for camera and access permissions. By integrating directly with the district’s identity management system, users can be automatically provisioned and de-provisioned based on their status in the directory. "We can quickly grant or revoke access from a security group in Active Directory, which saves us significant time and ensures accuracy," Berkowitz added.
Partnering for Success: CIT’s Decade-Long Support
CIT played an integral role in deploying the system. With over 10 years of experience working with the district on network design and architecture, CIT’s deep understanding of the district’s operations enabled a seamless rollout and ongoing support.
"CIT knows our buildings and the nuances of working in a school environment," said Genereux, "They understand the strict requirements during school hours and the logistical challenges of working around students and staff. Their ability to coordinate maintenance within these conditions is invaluable."
The Results: Streamlined Operations and Improved Security
Reduced Hardware and Energy Costs
Switching to Verkada’s cloud-based system eliminated the need for on-premise hardware storage. The district was able to shut down a full rack and a half of servers, resulting in significant energy savings. "We no longer have the heat-producing servers running 24/7, and our air conditioning settings were changed to reflect that," said Berkowitz.
Energy Savings: Reduced the need for air conditioning by removing physical servers from the data center.
Space Optimization: Smaller physical footprint with fewer racks and cooling requirements.
Improved Network Efficiency and User Management
By reducing the bandwidth needs of their security system, South Washington County Schools consolidated their previously separate networks into one. The transition to Verkada’s cameras significantly reduced network strain, enhancing performance and simplifying IT management.
Lower Bandwidth Utilization: Verkada cameras operate at just 20-50 Kbps in steady state, compared to the 1-2 Mbps consumption of traditional cloud cameras.
Consolidated Network Infrastructure: The district no longer requires separate networks for data and cameras, making it easier to manage and maintain.
Automated User Management: The SCIM integration streamlined the onboarding and offboarding process for users, allowing rapid provisioning and deprovisioning of camera access based on Active Directory status.
Increased User Satisfaction and Security
The ease of use and higher image quality drastically improved user satisfaction. Staff can now leverage intuitive search tools to quickly find footage based on simple criteria like a description of clothing, cutting investigation times by at least 50%.
50% Faster Investigations: The district uses Verkada’s AI-powered search tools to locate individuals quickly, reducing the time needed to investigate incidents by half.
Improved Footage Sharing: Previously, the district had to mail physical copies of footage for investigations and insurance claims. With Verkada, staff can share footage via a secure link, speeding up the process significantly.
Integrating Intercoms with Video Security
In addition to upgrading their camera system, South Washington County Schools replaced their aging intercom units. The district had relied on a legacy intercom system that was hardwired to specific locations and was failing due to age. Verkada’s cloud-managed intercom system, however, provides greater flexibility, security, and ease of use.
Increased Flexibility and Streamlined Workflows
With the new intercom system, staff are no longer tied to fixed locations to manage entries. “The old system required someone to be at a specific desk, but now with Verkada, staff can manage access from wherever they are,” said Berkowitz. This mobility supports smoother operations and more efficient call management across locations like secure vestibules and loading docks.
Remote Call Management: Verkada’s intercom system allows staff to answer calls and grant entry through existing telephone systems and Verkada applications, like the iPad-based Desk Station, Verkada Pass mobile app, and Verkada Command. “"With the Verkada Desk Station, our main greeter can use an iPad to answer calls," said Berkowitz. "But if they step out to lunch, a back-up staff member can still answer calls right from their own desk using their phone."
Flexible Call Receiving: Using Verkada’s call flow functionality, administrators can easily route calls to multiple receivers if unanswered, boosting response rates and speed. "If the front office doesn’t answer a call, it automatically routes to other staff members like the custodian, ensuring someone is always available to grant access," explained Genereux.
Enhanced Security and Accountability
Verkada Intercoms include a built-in security camera, providing the district with visual clarity into incoming calls as well as detailed audiovisual logs for call events. By pairing their Intercoms with neighboring Verkada cameras, they gain comprehensive coverage to key entryways.
Informed Entry Decisions: "The intercom camera is very clear, so our staff can get a good idea of who they are talking to before they open the door," shared Berkowitz.
Full Situational Awareness: "When someone comes to our building, we have the camera in our intercom, but we also have neighboring cameras in the vestibule that are all connected to that interaction, in the same system," noted Berkowitz.
Easy Investigations: "We have a complete audiovisual log of every intercom exchange. This record gives us peace of mind in case any issues do come up," shared Genereux.
Complete Audit Logs: “Having intercoms integrated with cameras means we now have a record of both audio and video for every visitor. This has added a new level of security, as staff can clearly see who they’re talking to before granting access,” noted Genereux.
Looking Ahead: Expanding Use Cases and Continuing Innovation
With Verkada’s platform fully deployed, the district is exploring new applications for the technology. They've tested air quality sensors to monitor temperature fluctuations in critical areas like the data center and are considering expanding their access control system further.
"Verkada continues to add features that we didn’t even realize we needed but now can’t live without," Berkowitz said. "The system has been a tremendous success for our district."
Attend a webinar to learn about Verkada Intercom, or see it in action with a personalized demo.