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The security operator interacts with the system in real-time through an easy-to-use, object-oriented, graphical user interface called the
Operator Command Station (OCS). The OCS allows command and control of the system from a centralized location or from multiple
locations. Its Action Menu consists of a set of graphical "buttons" which, when clicked, allow the operator to service alarms, implement
procedures, monitor transactions, verify personnel access, and control security points.
The design of the interface permits users to operate the system without reference material. User prompts assist the operator,
decreasing the probability of error. When a specific alarm is selected for processing from the Alarm Scoreboard, buttons that are invalid for
that alarm gray out, and are inactive if clicked. Buttons valid for that alarm are highlighted and active.
Once the operator has selected an alarm or option for processing, all displayed prompts and options are context-sensitive and appropriate
for that alarm event. Therefore, operators can quickly access and control doors, input/output points, maps, cameras, and intercoms, as
well as use run user-defined macros, directly from the OCS. Users may acknowledge alarms, view resolution instructions, and release
the alarm after the situation is rectified. OCSs are typically deployed at security duty stations. An OCS usually runs in the command
center as well, either on a dedicated client or on the server. A single, server-based OCS is included with all EnterpriseSMS base packages.
ALARM SCOREBOARD
The Alarm Scoreboard is the default display at the OCS. Events defined as alarms are displayed on the scoreboard as they occur,
ordered by status (unacknowledged first); within status by priority (more critical first); and within priority by alarm time (oldest first).
The scoreboard itself lists many data items related to the alarms, including:
- Alarm Description
- The security point in alarm
- Date and time of the alarm
- Status (unacknowledged or acknowledged)
- Device State (Alarm, Secure, Open, Closed, Bypassed, Enabled, Disabled (Ds), Message (Ms), Event Activity (Ea), or other user-defined device states)
- Controller (the operator who has acknowledged a particular alarm)
- Alarm Priority
- Badgeholder Name (if the alarm is caused by a badge event)
The scoreboard displays all alarm events currently active in the system, and accepts and logs all actions taken on that alarm by an
operator. If more alarms exist than can be shown on the computer screen, the user may use the scroll bar to view the entire list.
An OCS may be configured to automatically display instructions and maps on alarm selection, or to display them when a button is clicked.
Alarm resolution instructions are displayed to the operator in a step-by-step format. When the user completes each step, he or she
may optionally type a line of remarks. When the remarks are completed, the user clicks Done. This allows the user to proceed to
the next resolution step; both the completion of the prior step, and the entered remarks, are posted to the system activity logs.
ACTION MENU
The Control Menu displays buttons that execute essential control options. The available buttons and their functions:
Acknowledge assigns responsibility for an alarm to the acknowledging operator. If clicked without an alarm selection,
the system will automatically select the most critical unacknowledged alarm.
Release removes an acknowledged alarm from the scoreboard. The device status of the generating device must be Secure
(Se), Unbypass (Un), or Closed (Cl) in order to be released. Keyboard
Grab and Grab All allow the operator to take control of one or all alarms that have been acknowledged by another operator. Once
an operator has acknowledged an alarm, he/she must complete its processing unless another operator uses Grab to assume responsibility for it. Optional Feature.
Bypassed devices do not send alarms to the scoreboard. Identical alarms from a bypassed device are deleted from the
scoreboard, except for the first occurrence of the alarm. Bypass is primarily used to take "stuttering" devices off line until they are serviced.
Instructions displays the user defined alarm resolution instructions for the selected alarm. Users are prompted to enter
remarks as each individual instruction step is completed.
Door Control allows a security operator to lock or unlock single doors or groups of doors. Optionally, the use of door control
may be subject to supervisory approval or restricted from use by certain operators.
Control Panel permits the user to turn the automatic display of instructions and maps on or off, control the number of
unacknowledged alarms presented to the security operator at a time, and to control the blink rate and beep volume of unacknowledged alarms on the scoreboard.
Events allows the operator to execute user-defined macros from the OCS. For example, a macro called Bomb Threat could be
created which would open certain doors and activate audible safety alert devices. Like Door Control, an operator's ability to
execute macros may be subject to supervisory approval, or restricted. Optional feature.
CCTV displays a selection list of monitors, cameras, and allows camera control (Zoom, Focus, Pan/Tilt/Zoom) using the mouse.
When an alarm is received from a device with a defined camera view, that view is instantly displayed on the video monitor when
selected by the OCS operator. Optional feature.
Badge Query provides the ability to access badgeholder information for identity verification. The user enters either a
badge number or badgeholder name; the system retrieves and displays that badgeholder's personnel information. If
badgeholder pictures are stored in the system, their picture is also displayed. Security operators may deactivate badges and
reset the antipassback status of a badge from the screen. Optional feature.
Intercom permits a user to automatically open a selected intercom channel. Like camera views, intercoms are associated
with security points. If an alarm is received from a specific device, the intercom channel between the operator and that point is automatically opened.
Guard Tour supports an unlimited number of multiple, concurrent tours that can be initiated, paused, and stopped from the OCS.
Guards can check in at tour points using inputs and/or readers. Alarms are generated if check-in times are missed. Once a tour
begins, the system process maintains the current status of the tour and generates appropriate messages should unexpected
events occur during the tour. All tour activities are posted to the system logs.
An operator's use of command-related features such as Door Control, Events, and Device Control may be restricted, requiring
the approval of an authorized operator before the command is issued. When a security operator requests a restricted action, a
message appears on an authorizing OCS requesting approval. The Approve button authorizes the request, permitting the requested action.
Device Control permits the security operator to turn output devices on or off, either singly or as a group. Devices may be
turned on or off either permanently (until the next scheduled state change), or for a specified amount of time.
Login is used when a new operator takes responsibility at a particular OCS.
Shutdown logs the user out of OCS. It automatically executes when a new operator logs in.
MAPS
Facility maps can be viewed by switching from the scoreboard window to the Maps window. When an alarm is received at the scoreboard,
and selected by its operator, the map on which the security point in alarm appears displays. Maps may be related in the database, allowing
users to zoom in/out, or pan right, left, up, and down. The map database may be filtered by facility, city, area, and type, providing
efficiency for enterprise-wide system installations.
The creation or modification of maps is accomplished using the advanced drawing features of AutoCAD. Existing maps in .DXF file
format may be easily imported into EnterpriseSMS and further processed with the definition of alarm areas, security points, and other related data.
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