The Rhombus team truly understands what schools need. Their exceptional service and solutions make our schools safer and our jobs easier.Michael RushTechnology Project Coordinator , Laguna Beach Unified School District
Laguna Beach Unified School District (LBUSD) serves thousands of students and employs hundreds of staff in a vibrant coastal town known for its thriving art scene and tourism. Committed to the safety and well-being of its community, students, and staff, LBUSD recognized the need to enhance its school security.
Facing challenges with an outdated security camera system, LBUSD sought a modern solution to alleviate the strain on their IT team and leadership. They turned to Rhombus for a state-of-the-art, cloud-managed camera system, improving safety and future-proofing the district for years to come. This initiative was led by Michael Rush, Technology Project Coordinator at LBUSD, who guided the district through the selection process and highlighted the transformative benefits of Rhombus for their schools.
Challenge
LBUSD's security needs were unique, requiring a system capable of securing open-air schools while respecting neighbor privacy. Their previous setup, fraught with frequent updates and reliability issues, left critical footage vulnerable to compromise.
Solution
Enter Rhombus, a cloud-managed security system tailored for LBUSD's needs. Rhombus enhances reliability and ease of use by eliminating server maintenance and resolving video issues. It stores footage on cameras for up to 90 days, reducing the tech team's workload and improving incident response. Advanced search features, seamless integration with systems like Informacast, and user-friendly pairing with Apple TV make it practical for daily use by faculty and administrators.
Enhanced Reliability and Security
LBUSD welcomes significant improvements in the reliability and security of their surveillance system with Rhombus’ cloud-managed solution. This upgrade will eliminate frequent server maintenance, resolve video artifacts and data loss, and allow footage retention for up to 90 days directly on the cameras. It will reduce the tech team's workload and increase system reliability, providing peace of mind for administrators.
Why Rhombus? Side-by-Side Test
To determine the best cloud solution for LBUSD, Michael Rush, Technology Project Coordinator, conducted a side-by-side comparison between Rhombus and a competitor. He designed a "worst-case scenario" test, placing one camera from each provider behind a screened window.
"With the Rhombus camera, I easily adjusted the settings to achieve a clear image capable of capturing license plates. In contrast, the competitor's closed platform required me to contact support to make any adjustments. Despite those adjustments, the competitor's camera still failed to provide sufficient clarity for license plate detection."
Improved Search and Investigation Capabilities
Rhombus is expected to transform the district's ability to conduct timely and effective investigations. The advanced search functionalities, including color search and license plate recognition, will make it easier to locate specific incidents quickly.
This improvement is projected to drastically reduce the time and effort required to review footage, enabling administrators and security personnel to respond to incidents more efficiently and effectively, thereby enhancing the safety and security of the school campus.
Seamless Integration and Usability
The integration capabilities of Rhombus are set to provide Laguna Beach USD with unmatched flexibility and ease of use. The open API will allow for seamless integration with existing systems like Informacast, preserving the district's previous investments and ensuring operational continuity.
This capability, combined with user-friendly features such as Apple TV integration for quick camera access, will make the system more accessible and practical for daily use by Principals, Vice Principals, and other faculty members.
