Columbus Youth Education Center Technology & Security Modernization
Creating a safer, more connected learning environment through integrated security, access control, and network infrastructure.
Access Control · Video Surveillance · Visitor Management · Intercom Systems · Network Infrastructure · Physical Security
Facility Coverage & Camera Deployment
Strategic positioning of 22 interior and 6 exterior panoramic cameras throughout the facility ensures complete visibility of classrooms, hallways, entrances, and outdoor areas.
Client Overview
A Columbus-area youth education center partnered with DLM to upgrade its security, visitor management, and facility technology systems. The organization needed a solution that would improve student safety, simplify staff operations, and provide greater visibility throughout the facility while maintaining a welcoming environment for students, parents, and visitors.
Business Challenges
- Limited visibility throughout classrooms, hallways, and common areas
- Need for improved monitoring of exterior gathering areas and parking lots
- Difficulty managing visitors entering the facility
- Desire to remotely grant access without requiring staff to leave their work areas
- Need to secure multiple staff-only entrances
- Requirement for a scalable solution that could grow with the organization
- Desire for a single platform to manage security and facility access
Project Scope
DLM designed and deployed a complete security and access management solution that provides visibility, control, and simplified administration throughout the facility:
- 22 interior security cameras installed
- 6 exterior panoramic cameras providing wide-area coverage
- 2 intercom-enabled access-controlled entrances
- 3 additional access-controlled staff doors
- Centralized management platform
- Mobile access and remote administration capabilities
- Event-based video and access activity reporting
Results
- Improved student safety
- Greater visibility throughout the facility
- Better visitor management
- Simplified employee access management
- Faster response to visitors
- Reduced reliance on physical keys
- Improved exterior monitoring
- Centralized security administration
- Enhanced operational efficiency
Project Details
Location
Columbus, Ohio
Industry
Education / Youth Services
Project Type
Security & Access Modernization
Systems Deployed
- Interior Security Cameras (22)
- Exterior Panoramic Cameras (6)
- Video Intercom Systems (2)
- Electronic Access Control (5 doors)
- Centralized Management Platform
- Mobile Access Administration
- Event-Based Reporting
Solution Deep Dive
Intelligent Video Surveillance
DLM installed 22 interior cameras covering classrooms, hallways, entrances, common areas, and activity spaces. For exterior coverage, six panoramic cameras were strategically positioned to monitor building entrances, parking lots, drop-off areas, and outdoor gathering spaces. These cameras provide significantly wider coverage than traditional cameras, reducing blind spots while improving situational awareness around the property. The video system allows authorized personnel to view live and recorded video from anywhere, search recorded events quickly, receive activity notifications, review incidents from multiple camera angles, and maintain visibility across the entire campus from a centralized platform.
Smart Visitor Management
Two primary entrances were equipped with video intercom systems that allow staff to see, communicate with, and grant access to visitors before entry. When a visitor presses the intercom button, designated staff members can receive the call directly on their mobile device, workstation, or facility management station. This enables personnel to respond from anywhere in the building without leaving students or interrupting operations — improving visitor screening, response times, staff efficiency, student safety, and overall control of facility access.
Access Control System
DLM secured five total doors throughout the facility. The two primary entrances utilize full video intercom and access control functionality, while three additional staff entrances utilize electronic access control to manage employee access throughout the day. Authorized administrators can add or remove users in seconds, create custom access schedules, lock or unlock doors remotely, review door activity history, issue temporary credentials when needed, and manage the entire system from a single interface. This provides significantly greater control compared to traditional keys while simplifying day-to-day administration.
Centralized Security Management
One of the key goals of the project was reducing complexity. Rather than requiring multiple systems to manage cameras, intercoms, and door access, DLM implemented a unified platform that allows staff to monitor and manage security operations from a single dashboard. This provides simplified administration, faster incident response, unified event reporting, reduced training requirements, and easier future expansion.
DLM Takeaway
Modern Security Technology for Modern Learning Environments
This project demonstrates how modern security technology can do more than simply record video. By combining intelligent surveillance, visitor management, mobile intercom communications, and centralized access control, DLM helped create a safer, more efficient environment for students, staff, and visitors while providing administrators with powerful tools to manage facility security from anywhere.