In every sensitive, industrial, tertiary, or public site, security relies on a wide range of systems: access control, fire detection, intrusion detection, CCTV, and more. The VMS (Video Management System) plays a central role in managing video streams, but it often remains confined to an isolated scope. This is where Panorama, the SCADA solution developed by CODRA, brings real added value. Instead of replacing the existing system, Panorama integrates it and connects it with other safety and operational systems. The goal: to offer a global, coherent, and contextualized view that facilitates real-time decision-making.
An Essential but partial component of the security system
The VMS forms the backbone of any CCTV infrastructure. It manages video capture, distribution, and recording, enables live viewing and playback, and sometimes supports event analysis through motion detection or facial recognition algorithms.
As a key tool for monitoring, it provides valuable visual traceability in case of an incident or investigation. However, in complex environments—such as industrial sites, airports, healthcare facilities, or office buildings—the VMS rarely operates alone. It coexists with numerous systems: access control, intrusion detection, fire alarms, and Building Management Systems (BMS), among others.
In such contexts, its specialization also becomes its limitation:
- The VMS does not always communicate with other security systems (fire alarms, access control, gas detection, etc.)
- It cannot visually correlate an event (e.g., an intrusion alarm) with other contextual data from the BMS or energy system
- Operators often have to switch between multiple interfaces, multiplying information sources and increasing the risk of error.
Panorama: Unifying VMS and security systems
Developed by CODRA, Panorama is an open, interoperable SCADA solution. Its purpose is not to replace VMS platforms but to integrate them into a single, unified interface alongside other critical site systems.
Panorama: an integrated SCADA solution, not a substitute
Panorama typically builds on an existing VMS and centralizes its data for smarter use. For example, when an intrusion alarm is triggered, the corresponding camera feed appears automatically. In case of a fire, relevant footage can be accessed instantly. This contextual approach enhances situational awareness and reduces response time.
Thanks to its high-performance HMI (Human-Machine Interface), a hallmark of the Panorama suite, the operator can monitor all safety systems in real time through a clear, ergonomic environment.
Unified and intuitive supervision
From the Panorama suite, the operator can access all essential information: CCTV, access control, building management, and technical alarms. Video streams are integrated into a consistent overview, simplifying decision-making and improving coordination of response actions.
Toward convergence of safety, security, and operations
Integrating VMS technology within Panorama is part of a broader vision: the convergence of technical and security systems. Thanks to its compatibility with standard protocols (ONVIF, Modbus, BACnet, OPC UA), Panorama connects devices together and enables cross-analysis of data—for example, linking a video alarm to an electrical fault or maintenance event.
A Step Toward Smart Buildings and Industry 4.0
Panorama becomes a central control hub where SCADA, maintenance, and security converge. In intelligent buildings or connected factories, this interconnection promotes responsiveness, prevention, and operational continuity. Security is no longer isolate, it becomes an integral part of overall site performance.
The VMS remains an essential tool, but it cannot, on its own, provide a comprehensive view of site security. By integrating it into a supervised environment, Panorama enables operators to shift from a monitoring approach to an intelligent supervision mode: a true Unified Control Center. CODRA does not aim to compete with existing systems but to connect them and unlock their full value. With Panorama, CCTV becomes an interconnected link in a global chain, serving safety, performance, and operational continuity.
