It Started with a Budget Bleed
Three years ago, a facilities manager from a well-known aviation engineering company in Pampanga made a call that would soon transform how they managed their security system—and their budget. His tone was calm, but underneath the surface, we could sense the frustration.
“We’re spending almost half a million pesos every year just to renew software licenses,” he explained.
“And the worst part? We’re stuck. We can’t even upgrade our cameras without running into compatibility problems.”
We’ve heard stories like this before—businesses locked into outdated systems that no longer serve them, paying ongoing fees for software that barely meets modern requirements. But this case was unique. It wasn’t just about high costs. It was about wasted potential.
Here was an aviation engineering firm—highly technical, forward-thinking, and driven by precision—but grounded by an inflexible and expensive surveillance system.
And that’s where our story begins.
The First Look: A System Ready to Evolve
When we visited the site for an initial consultation, we were welcomed into a clean, efficient office filled with blueprints, engineering models, and large wall monitors displaying various aircraft component diagrams.
But in their security room? A different story.
The setup was functional, but dated. Their existing CCTV cameras were locked into a video management software (VMS) platform that required annual license renewals—amounting to ₱400,000 yearly. Every attempt to integrate newer cameras from other brands had failed or required workarounds that made the system fragile.
“We wanted to add two new cameras last year, but the VMS didn’t support them. So we just didn’t bother,” said one of their IT staff.
This was a team used to solving engineering problems on aircraft fuselages and avionics. But here, they were stuck with a system that demanded more from them than it gave.
The Challenge in Full View
After our audit, we found the core issues were threefold:
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Annual License Fees – The VMS software required payment just to continue using features already installed.
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Vendor Lock-in – The system only supported specific camera brands, limiting upgrades and flexibility.
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Limited Performance – Their current setup only supported up to Full HD (1080p), which paled in comparison to newer camera capabilities.
But we also saw a huge opportunity. Many of their cameras were still in good working condition—they just needed a better backend system. If we could re-platform their system and make it more brand-agnostic, they could save money and scale without being held hostage by licenses or brand politics.
Designing the Escape Plan
Our recommendation? A full migration to a license-free, open-platform video management system that would:
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Eliminate annual fees
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Accept input from any major camera brand
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Handle up to 4K video resolution
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Offer a user-friendly interface for live viewing, review, and export
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Be future-proof, scalable, and highly reliable
We didn’t just pitch them a new system—we showed them a vision of freedom, of not having to ask for permission (or pay extra) every time they needed to upgrade.
They liked what they saw. Within a few days, the project was greenlit.
Migration Day: Switching Gears, Not Planes
We always say migration projects are like heart transplants. You can’t afford any downtime, and everything must continue to function smoothly as new parts are introduced.
To avoid disrupting operations, we scheduled the switchover during a long weekend when most staff would be off-site. Our team arrived early, armed with custom-configured NVRs (network video recorders), fresh hard drives, and new 4K-capable IP cameras.
We began by disconnecting the existing VMS while leaving the wiring and cameras in place. Then came the exciting part—onboarding their existing hardware into the new system. We were able to retain over 60% of their original cameras, saving them money right from the start.
Then we installed the new 4K cameras in areas where higher detail was critical—entry points, inventory zones, and hangar access gates.
“This looks clearer than our meeting room projector,” one of the engineers joked as we displayed a real-time 4K feed of their parking lot.
The new system didn’t just look better. It worked better. It was faster, more responsive, and easier to use. Our techs trained their staff that same day, walking them through the new VMS dashboard, teaching them how to access multi-camera playback, export footage, and assign different access levels to users.
Immediate Results—and Long-Term Wins
By the time the work week resumed, their new system was up and running, and not a single second of security footage had been lost.
And the feedback?
“This is the first time I feel like our security system is working with us,” said their head of operations.
“Before, it felt like we were always trying to make it behave.”
More importantly, they were no longer shackled to a yearly ₱400,000 bill just to keep their software alive. That’s ₱400,000 they could now redirect toward maintenance, expansion, or better training.
Beyond Resolution: What 4K Surveillance Really Means
The transition to 4K wasn’t just a flex. It was a necessity. In a high-security, detail-sensitive industry like aviation engineering, being able to clearly see what happened, who entered, and what went missing—down to the smallest motion—is critical.
From clearly reading ID badges to capturing license plates of delivery vehicles, the system’s enhanced clarity meant faster incident resolution and fewer blind spots.
We also provided them with expandable storage options that would allow them to store months’ worth of footage, with smart retention settings and instant backup.
Unexpected Wins: Multi-Brand Freedom
As they began expanding their premises the following year, they were able to add new cameras from different brands—all plug-and-play compatible with the system we installed.
No special licenses. No IT headaches. Just seamless integration.
“It feels weird not having to call the VMS vendor every time we want to add a camera,” said their head tech.
“But it’s a good kind of weird.”
The Story Today: A System That Grew With Them
Today, their surveillance system includes:
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Over 40 cameras, including both Full HD and 4K units
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Two backup servers with automatic redundancy
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Off-site viewing and remote access
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A fully license-free video management system
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Quarterly checkups and preventive maintenance by our team
Best of all? They’ve saved over ₱1.2 million in license fees over the last 3 years—while dramatically improving the quality and reliability of their security system.
What We Learned: Why Listening is Everything
This case reminded us of a valuable lesson: Most clients know what they need. They just need someone to listen and help them get there.
This aviation firm didn’t need a revolutionary idea. They needed a better way to do what they were already doing—more efficiently, more affordably, and with less friction.
We just helped make it possible.
Final Thoughts: Security Shouldn’t Be a Subscription
At CCTV Pampanga, we believe in solutions that grow with you—not charge you just to stand still.
Whether you’re running a tech-heavy operation, a factory, a construction site, or even a small office, you deserve security solutions that are powerful, scalable, and license-free.
Just like this aviation firm, you don’t have to be stuck with expensive, brand-locked systems. There’s a better way.
Thinking of Upgrading? Let’s Talk.
We’re always happy to sit down and help businesses find the right solution—whether it’s saving costs, improving image clarity, or just getting the freedom to choose the cameras and systems that work for you.
📍 Visit us at: GF VVD Building, 125 Capitol Blvd., City of San Fernando, Pampanga
📞 Call or Viber us: 0925-550-6674
🌐 Learn more: www.cctvpampanga.com
📧 Email us: info@cctvpampanga.com