The days of CCTV could be numbered due to a versatile new digital camera - and that could be good news for a Coventry-based company.

Active Communications has installed two of the revolutionary cameras at Birmingham firm Etrinsic and is confident the new technology could lead to a major shift in the surveillance industry.

Etrinsic in Stratford Road, Shirley, hired Active to install two more MOBOTIX digital recording network cameras after it was so impressed with the first one.

Nigel Eccles, sales office manager at Active Communications in Eastern Green, said the camera was an all-in-one network camera, recorder and player with sound, motion sensor, ISDN and video management solution. He said the benefits of using the system were its low maintenance for a high return.

"One of the functions is that it is a surveillance camera which runs across the Internet," he explained. "It uses the network connection to undertake a number of functions which are programmed directly into the camera. It can be run off a PC anywhere and more cost effective to run."

"The camera is unique and in terms of initial set-up costs, it is on a par with other systems but in terms of long-term running costs, it is minimal. It can even be used for domestic use on a broadband system so you could watch everything that's happening at your house while you were away on holiday. It can be set-up to watch what is happening at your company or house from another location. The uses are endless. It has movement sensors and you can take photos and because it runs off the network cable, no software is needed. The people we have offered a free demonstration to have been amazed and we are confident of a very high take up."

Etrinsic web architect Craig Davies said the company, which has an annual turnover of about £20 million, was using the system for surveillance purposes.

"We had one installed at the front of the building and now we have a second in the car park and we have just bought a third for the area at the back of the offices," he said. "We have web cameras around the inside of the building but with these cameras placed outside, you can see who is coming into the building and who is in the car park and it is ideal because it is also weather proof. The web aspect means you can operate it from home and check the cameras to have a look at everything that is happening and you can't do that with CCTV."

"In these cameras, there are infra-red passive detectors and it can be set up to email or text you to inform you there is an intruder. All the functions mean we find it re-assuring when we are away from the office to double-check our security."

PICTURE CAPTION: Etrinsic chief executive Colin Davies, Active Communications partner Pete Jacobs and Etrinsic web architect Craig Davies.