Esri ArcGIS integration for Genetec Security Center
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Physical security operations increasingly rely on spatial context. Combining Genetec Security Center data with an enterprise-grade Geographic Information System (GIS) unlocks richer situational awareness and faster decision-making. Esri's ArcGIS platform is the undisputed leader in geographic information systems and delivers the most advanced mapping and spatial analysis capabilities on the market.
The ADDONXPERT ArcGIS plugin connects Genetec Security Center and ArcGIS through a bi-directional integration in which each platform keeps its role: Security Center remains the source of truth for security entities (cameras, doors, readers, ALPR cameras, intrusion inputs, etc.) and their attributes, while ArcGIS becomes the authoritative system of record for spatial location and mapping, including building floor level on georeferenced floorplans.
• Comprehensive integration: Support both ArcGIS Enterprise (on-premise/hosted) and ArcGIS Online (SaaS).
• Secure delta synchronization: Communication with the ArcGIS REST API at configurable intervals, transferring only the differences between the two systems.
• Automatic entity placement: Automatic placement of Security Center entities on the correct area and map (building, floor) based on ArcGIS location data.
• Automatic creation of areas and maps: Optional generation of areas and maps in Security Center from the ArcGIS data structure.
• Configurable attribute mapping: Mapping between Security Center attributes and ArcGIS feature attributes, with a per-attribute source of truth.
• Logging and diagnostics: Detailed logs, validation messages, dedicated error map for entities that fail synchronization - for easier monitoring and auditing.
• Enterprise-scale deployments: Designed for large installations - up to 100,000 synchronized entities.
• Security Center failover support: The plugin supports automatic failover to a backup server, like any Security Center role.
• Native Security Center integration: The plugin is installed as a standard Security Center role and is fully configured from the Config Tool.
The ArcGIS plugin lets security operators get the best of both worlds: the operational richness of Genetec Security Center and the mapping power of Esri ArcGIS, combined in a smooth, maintainable integration.
Plugin features
Technical diagram
Configuration in Config Tool
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In the Security Center Config Tool, the ArcGIS plugin is configured in three sections:
- ArcGIS communication: feature server URL, API key, synchronization interval and timeout
- Custom configuration: main Security Center map, errors map
- Field mapping: mapping between Security Center attributes and ArcGIS attributes, with source of truth per attribute
Key features and capabilities
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| sync Synchronization | |
| Bi-directional synchronization | Bi-directional communication between Genetec Security Center and ArcGIS via the ArcGIS REST API. |
| Delta synchronization | Only the differences between the two systems are transferred on each cycle, optimizing bandwidth and performance. |
| Configurable interval | Synchronization cadence configurable between 60 and 3600 seconds, with a minimum interval enforced by the plugin. |
| Synchronization timeout | Maximum duration of a synchronization cycle is configurable; a warning is raised if exceeded. |
| map Mapping and positioning | |
| Automatic entity placement | Placement of Security Center entities on the correct area and map (building, floor) based on authoritative geospatial data in ArcGIS. |
| Georeferenced floorplans with floor level | Support for multi-floor georeferenced floorplans managed in ArcGIS. |
| Main Security Center map | Definition of the main map on which synchronized entities are placed. |
| Errors map | Dedicated map receiving entities for which synchronization failed, to facilitate diagnosis. |
| Automatic creation of areas and maps | Optional generation of areas and maps in Security Center from the ArcGIS structure. |
| swap_horiz Attribute mapping | |
| Security Center / Esri ArcGIS mapping | Configurable mapping between Security Center attributes (properties, custom fields) and ArcGIS feature attributes. |
| Per-attribute source of truth | Per-attribute definition of the system that owns the value: Security Center or ArcGIS. Values from the source of truth overwrite the other side. |
| Automatic entity association | Security Center entities are matched to their ArcGIS feature automatically - the ArcGIS ID is managed by the plugin, with no custom field to create or configure. |
| shield Security and connectivity | |
| Secure HTTPS connection | Communication with the ArcGIS feature server exclusively over HTTPS. |
| API Key authentication | Authentication to ArcGIS via an API Key provided by the ArcGIS administrator. |
| bug_report Diagnostics and monitoring | |
| Validation messages | OK, warning and error messages displayed in the Config Tool to reflect the plugin status. |
| Detailed logging | Traces accessible through the Windows Event Viewer and Security Center Trace Recorders. |
| Performance monitoring | Performance monitoring subsystem integrated in the plugin. |
| integration_instructions Genetec integration | |
| Native Security Center role | The plugin is installed as a standard Security Center role and is configured from the Config Tool. |
| Failover support | Automatic failover to a backup server, with a list of servers allowed to run the role. |
| Enterprise-scale deployments | Designed for large installations - up to 100,000 synchronized entities. |
| Security Center compatibility | Compatible with Security Center 5.11, 5.12, 5.13 and 5.14. |