Wow, I'm getting a lot of feedback on here. I can't thank all of you enough for your insight.
I just got off the phone with the company, and they were reluctant to give me the model numbers of the new equipment they would be installing. He finally agreed, and will be sending the info to my friend later today. At least he said he will.
For those that are confused at what is going on I'll try to explain again. Sometimes I don't give a thorough enough explanation and I apologize for that.
I am trying to figure out if I really want to take on this job. I am pretty sure I can do it, but I want to get all my ducks in a row first. What better place to go then to this forum.
My friends current contract is up, and he is questioning whether he wants to pay the monthly cost. It will be lower than before, but still $445 a month. When I contacted the company about a shorter contract, they said they can do it, but it will be for the same cost. So the monthly bill would even be higher.
The charge is for all new equipment, and support. I just think the equipment that they are using, and charging an arm and a leg for, is way overkill for what he is using it for. It is for some security, but mainly so he can check on a bin site, and his other buildings when he is gone.
This what they are charging for:
Main Site
1-Axis 12-Ch Tower Recorder - 6TB
8-Axis 5MP Bullet - Optimized IR, WDR, Lightfinder
2-Point 2 Point Bridge
1-Axis 8 Port POE Switch
2-UPS Battery Backup
1-Certified Configuration and programming
Site 2 (10 miles away)
1-8-Ch NVR with POE Switch 4TB
4-Axis 5MP Bullet - Optimized IR, WDR, Lightfinder
2-Point 2 point Bridge
1- UPS Battery Backup
1- Certified Configuration and programming
And the software they are using is Exacqvision. Is anyone familiar with that?
The reason for the P to P bridge is because at each site there are cameras that are too far away to run a line, or there is no good way to run a line to the other building where the server is at. The P to P is not going between the main site and the site 10 miles away.
I just talked to a friend of mine that does networking, etc. and installs cameras if someone really wants them, and he says that this company is good, but put in overkill for their equipment. He used to work for them until he started his own business. He says I can get good equipment for a lot cheaper. He did say he could send his people to install it once I got the equipment, but I can install it for a lot less.
I would just have some questions for some of you once I decided to do the install, and hope someone would be willing to give a little of their time. I know I would need two servers, and I would use BI, but how will that work with 2 different sources of BI? What will my friend have to do with his phone, computer and iPad if he has 2 sources? These are just a few questions I have since I have never had 2 different sites of cameras.
How hard is it to install P to P bridges?
I have installed my own software and equipment, but I am nowhere near as good as many of you are on this site. This is a great place, with great people.