Ingersoll Rand Access Control Accessories

The physical security market continues to experience growth as users look to capitalise on the promises of emerging technologies and because of this, 2017 proved to be a great year for Oncam. In fact, this year was the best year in Oncam's history in terms of sales, as 360-degree fisheye cameras have gone from being a “specialty” camera used only in certain applications to a primary device for enabling total situational awareness. Today, many of our customers leverage 360-degree cameras exclusively to provide extensive coverage inside a facility or in a large outdoor area, with traditional narrow field-of-view cameras used only at “choke” points. Increase in cybersecurity threats and breaches At the end of 2016, we predicted a major trend this year would be an increase in cybersecurity concerns for users of physical security systems, and we were right. An increase in cybersecurity threats and breaches have put organisations on watch. Based on this and the adoption of more IT-centric infrastructure and protocols, there is significant collaboration between IT and physical security, and true “convergence” is finally starting to happen. The adoption of video analytics also continued to increase this year, as most video surveillance projects involved the use of some form of analytics and data analysis. Demand for safeguards As we move into 2018, the trends of 2017 will roll over, and cybersecurity will continue to be a major issue. Suppliers of hardware and software will put an even greater emphasis being cyber secure and end users will increasingly demand safeguards. Additionally, the deployment and use of advanced analytics based on newer artificial intelligence-based technologies will continue to increase. It will be the technology providers that find ways to allow users to capture additional value from the information collected by security systems that will accelerate growth. Oncam made significant investments in new products that leverage analytics and cloud technologies. In 2018, we will continue to invest in the development of new products, with a focus on solutions for particular applications across industry segments. Beyond our technology advancements, we've invested significantly in boosting our sales force in the Americas and adding industry experts to ensure sustained customer and partner success with our solutions. From our vantage point, Oncam is well positioned to capitalise on opportunities for growth in the coming year.

2017 was quite an interesting and eventful year for the physical security industry. The economy has been robust and technology has become progressively sophisticated—with interactive services, cloud computing and network-based solutions taking charge to provide new insights to installers and their end-user customers. The Internet of Things is creating increasingly integrated solutions, with a heightened emphasis on total connectivity. Changing security expectations World events have also put the spotlight on the need for comprehensive security at public events, tourist attractions and schools and campuses. Security is an expectation and systems integrators are becoming trusted advisors to their customers, who are looking to them to solve problems or issues. Residential systems are more robust and now, are migrating to the commercial side of the business. There’s a blurring of the lines of technology—many of the products that come to the security industry originate from the consumer side. This proposition is also changing expectations by both residential and commercial customers, who want common, easy operation from their smartphone or user interface. Unexpected was some of the biggest deals in the industry, including acquisitions by dominant companies who grew even larger and continued ongoing consolidation on the manufacturing side. Those who remain will need to be progressive and step up their game with the latest proven technologies. Selling hardware isn’t the end game any longer. It’s providing solutions that generate revenue for security dealers and offer a solid return on investment for the end-user. In addition, solutions need to be easier for the user, and integrate many different systems and components across the enterprise. Cybersecurity safeguards End users want to get the most out of their solutions—and they want to be able to have more than safety and security. They are looking for the types of products that yield insights into system performance and give them the data the need for greater control and to proactively address any challenges or problems before they occur. Downtime is not an option and therefore, there’s an increased emphasis on consistent power so solutions are always on and running reliably. For security dealers and integrators, physical security and cybersecurity services will be part of their offerings and no longer separate disciplines Cybersecurity is a dominant conversation in the security industry these days and that buzz will continue into 2018. Because solutions are increasingly network connected, they have vulnerabilities that will have to be addressed by service providers and manufacturers. Manufacturers will need to take the upper hand in providing hardened products—testing and certifying for cybersecurity safeguards. That is not an easy task and can be expensive, but it needs to be done. Because cybersecurity is in constant evolution, many will go the route of outsourcing this component of their manufacturing to third parties well-versed in threat detection and hardening. Hardened products will also need to evolve with new emerging attacks. For security dealers and integrators, physical security and cybersecurity services will be part of their offerings and no longer separate disciplines. Intelligent access control solutions Manufacturers no longer operate in silos. They are working with systems integrators to more fully understand their needs and those of the end-user. Manufacturers are also partnering with technology providers—bringing in the expertise of others so their solutions are comprehensive and holistic. We will continue to see integration of formerly disparate components, open systems and open APIs. There will also be strong migration to access control systems with edge intelligence and power over Ethernet, leveraging existing cabling for network connectivity. The winners will be those who take the lead in providing cyber secured and hardened products, as well as companies who partner with others to bring best of breed solutions to market. The losers will be those who continue to develop proprietary, closed systems and fail to recognise the importance of network connectivity for real-time, proactive reporting. Without networked power, the facility cannot yield the proper insights it needs to stay reliably connected 24/7 Ongoing partner success LifeSafety Power® has been working consistently and diligently on elevating the status of power from unintelligent hardware device to network-connected component that yields rich data for the user and allows the installer to provide remote monitoring and managed power services. We have changed the paradigm of power but there’s additional work to do to get people to understand the new, critical role power plays in comprehensive enterprise and campus security. Now, security installers can help the end user know what’s happening with locks, access control, gates or other connected solutions and fix problems before they happen. Without networked power, the facility cannot yield the proper insights it needs to stay reliably connected 24/7. We have also had continued, ongoing successes with our many partners in the access control community and that’s where we will further focus our efforts in 2018—working with leading security solution providers to present the best technologies and solutions that are reliable, certified and present the types of insights security dealers need to offer customers to provide the highest levels of service. This will also help security dealers and integrators differentiate themselves and compete more effectively in the crowded marketplace.

Part 1 in our Intercoms in Security Series Lambert-St. Louis International Airport uses Code Blue intercoms Organisations are demanding a new level of interoperability among mission-critical security systems. Intelligible audio, the ability to hear, be heard and be understood, is critical to communication, which is essential to the core security processes within an organisation, as well as to emergency situations. Intelligible audio provides a platform to optimise various processes, including the use of security officers. “Our main thrust is to ensure our clients see intelligible and interoperable audio, not as an option, but as instrumental to their budget optimisation, stakeholder communication and risk mitigation efforts,” says Jim Hoffpauir, President of Zenitel North America, a manufacturer of intercoms and other communications solutions. Iintercoms in building safety and security  The role of intercoms in building safety and security is a given across many markets, and that use is growing. Intercoms are used in campus call boxes, elevators, muster locations, and for emergency notification. The trend is toward video, audio and access control, all tied together. There is also an emphasis on providing intelligible audio in any environment, even demanding ones. The education market has historically been a large sector for intercoms. Emergency phones and intercoms traditionally have been found throughout education settings, including colleges and universities, where they remain quite popular. Expanding markets for two-way communication In recent years, however, their popularity has also grown within the healthcare and mass transit sectors, where their versatility allows authorities to react to emergency situations while also providing a wide range of applications for non-emergency situations, such as car trouble or requests for directions. Intercoms can fulfill a variety of emergency and non-emergency needs in places like downtown Santa Ana, California (Photo courtesy Code Blue) “Markets of all sizes and shapes can benefit from a two-way communication solution that can help individuals place calls for assistance with first responders, police departments or customer service representatives,” says David Fleming, Chief Design Officer for Code Blue Corp. Intercoms for public and private sectors Aiphone is another intercom manufacturer for which education is a big market. Bruce Czerwinski, U.S. General Sales Manager, Aiphone Corp., says about 80 percent of both public and private K-12 and higher education campuses are using at least one intercom in some form. That percentage grows to nearly 100 percent for hospitals, which are using intercoms as nurse-call stations and at parking facilities, exterior door entries, nurseries and pharmacies, he says. "About 40 percent of commercial units – from strip malls to large, multi-tenant campus settings – are using intercoms" Up to 70 percent of larger multi-family facilities are also using intercoms. And that percentage is even higher in older, heavily populated Eastern cities. Many locales have laws mandating the use of audio and video intercoms on buildings beyond a threshold number of units. About 40 percent of commercial units – from strip malls to large, multi-tenant campus settings – are using intercoms, says Czerwinski. In the past year, Aiphone’s emergency stations have become very popular, particularly in campus settings; both commercial and higher education. Also, a growing number of unmanned parking garages are using the stations to allow patrons to immediately reach first responders or security personnel. Each of these markets still has growth potential, but by its sheer size, the commercial market offers the greatest opportunities, according to Aiphone. Video-enabled IP intercoms Intercom usage differs widely in various global markets, according to Craig Szmania, CEO of 2N USA, a manufacturer of IP intercoms. In the North American market, intercom usage is relatively low compared to the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region, where intercoms are a more mature market. Security, convenience, systems integration and IP-versus-analogue adoption are driving usage and growth to more than 20 percent year-over-year. More and more video-enabled IP intercoms are seen as an integral part of a system wide security and video solution, according to Szmania. “Our intercom portfolio targets all the major verticals, but we have had particular success in the education sector – K-12 and universities,” says Szmania. “These end users are looking for specific features in securing their campuses, providing convenience to their administrators, employing programmability for differing use scenarios throughout the campus, and integration to their telephony or other systems.” More and more video-enabled IP intercoms are seen as an integral part of a system wide security and video solution Szmania says the latter point is becoming a particular need in light of a requirement for campus-wide communication and coordination in emergency situations. “Our intercoms integrate seamlessly with third party solutions such as Cisco’s telephone systems that are the communication backbones of many schools and campuses,” he adds. IP-based solutions in residential verticals Considering near-term growth potential, single family and multi-tenant residential verticals have fantastic opportunities for increased usage of door stations/intercoms in the United States, according to Szmania. The company has entered this space over the last several years and has grown to be a market leader in IP-based integrated solutions, especially in the home automation space. The adoption of IP networked solutions for condominiums and apartments is just taking off, driven in part by consumer demand for mobile-anywhere video, audio and door control. The service is also a driver for integrator/dealer adoption of the technology to provide recurring monthly revenue (RMR). 2N has also achieved triple-digit growth in commercial building installations over the past two years. Building owners, IT departments and security managers want and need a networked solution for control and security. 2N’s open platforms are a good fit, says Szmania. Read part 2 of our Security Intercoms series here

The Z-Wave Alliance, an open consortium of leading global companies deploying the Z-Wave smart home standard, announces the addition of ASSA ABLOY to the Alliance Board of Directors. Owner of leading and trusted lock brands such as Yale, Mul-T-Lock and ABLOY, ASSA ABLOY joins principal members ADT, Alarm.com, FIBARO, Huawei, Ingersoll-Rand, Jasco Products, LEEDARSON, LG Uplus, Nortek Security & Control, SmartThings, and Sigma Designs. Smart security and connected access control “ASSA ABLOY was already a leader in the smart lock industry and is clearly making moves to become a global force in smart security and connected access control,” said Mitchell Klein, Executive Director of the Z-Wave Alliance, “The entire Alliance will benefit from ASSA ABLOY’s contribution to the Board of Directors and leadership in the future.” The ASSA ABLOY Group is a global leader in door-opening solutions, manufacturing a range of products for commercial and consumer markets. The group has a complete range of door opening products, solutions and services for institutional, commercial and consumer markets, and a worldwide leading position in smart door locks. Currently offering Z-Wave enabled smart door locks, ASSA ABLOY made big news recently with the acquisition of August Home, another Alliance member and manufacturer of Z-Wave smart lock solutions. Z-Wave-enabled digital smart locks “We have strongly supported Z-Wave through our Yale smart locks and plan to play an even bigger role as a decision maker in the growing Z-Wave Alliance,” commented Kevin Kraus, Director Technology and Integration Support for Yale Residential at ASSA ABLOY Americas. “As a Board member, we want to help in developing global Z-Wave product requirements as we build out our smart lock offerings in various regions around the world.” As a principal member, ASSA ABLOY will participate in developing global Z-Wave product requirements and in promoting Z-Wave enabled digital smart locks worldwide.The Z-Wave Alliance has over 600 member companies worldwide and over 2100 certified smart home and IoT devices.

The Z-Wave Alliance, an open consortium of global companies deploying the Z-Wave smart home standard, announces the addition of leading ICT solutions provider, Huawei, to the Alliance Board of Directors. Huawei joins principal members ADT, Alarm.com, FIBARO, Ingersoll-Rand, Jasco Products, LEEDARSON, LG Uplus, Nortek Security & Control, SmartThings, and Sigma Designs. Huawei is a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider with innovative solutions, products and services used in more than 170 countries and regions. Many Z-Wave Alliance member companies, including Aeon Labs, LEEDARSON and FIBARO are part of Huawei’s OceanConnect pre-integrated IoT ecosystem. Promoting partnerships among members The Z-Wave ecosystem has seen unprecedented growth in the last several years, with most major tech manufacturers, service providers and telcos putting Z-Wave inside their smart home solutions. As a Z-Wave Alliance Principal Member, Huawei will take on a greater role in leading the Alliance and help guide future initiatives as well as promote partnerships among members. “We are honoured to increase our role in the Z-Wave Alliance by joining the Board of Directors,” said Yang Qin, Cloud Communication Marketing Director of Huawei Cloud Core Network Product Line. “Z-Wave is a very important technology for the smart home and other vertical industries, and joining the Alliance is important for Huawei to promote the Z-Wave technology widely used in the IoT industry.” “Huawei has long been an active member of the Z-Wave Alliance and joining the Board of Directors demonstrates their commitment to the growth of IoT in the smart home and to Z-Wave’s leadership role in those markets,” said Mitchell Klein, Executive Director. Z-Wave Alliance membership now has over 600 members worldwide, with over 2100 smart home and IoT certified devices.

August Home joins over 450 members in supporting the Z-Wave standard in smart homes all over the world The Z-Wave Alliance, a global membership organisation dedicated to advancing the popular Z-Wave wireless smart home protocol, welcomes leading smart lock provider August Home to its membership. August Home joins over 450 members in supporting the Z-Wave standard in smart homes all over the world. August Smart Lock Pro August Home has also announced the August Smart Lock Pro (Z-Wave), which will be sold exclusively through the professional installation channel. With Z-Wave Alliance membership, August Home will receive Z-Wave certification for the August Smart Lock Pro (Z-Wave) and will begin distributing to custom home installers this fall. The August Smart Lock is one of the top selling smart locks and August Home is a recognised leader in the smart home. Adding Z-Wave interoperability gives security and CE installers the ability to integrate the August Smart Lock into their Z-Wave installations. Mainstream smart home adoption “August Home has been a leader in mainstream smart home adoption and we’re thrilled to welcome them to the fold,” said Mitchell Klein, executive director of the Z-Wave Alliance. “The August Smart Lock Pro (Z-Wave) will allow existing security dealers for Z-Wave-backed systems like ADT, Vivint, Qolsys and Alarm.com to potentially integrate August into their projects. We continue to see reputable brands in the space committing to the Z-Wave standard; it is a testament to our reach, interoperability and strong device security.” "Z-Wave is already the market leader in wireless control with millions of compatible products trusted for reliability and interoperability," said Nate Williams, CRO for August Home Inc. "By joining the Z-Wave Alliance, we are bringing access control through the August Smart Lock, which is the number one selling lock in retail, to our professional installers and security channels." Connected home ecosystems Z-Wave represents one of the largest connected home ecosystems, with 1700 certified devices and 70 million Z-Wave IoT products shipping into the market. The Z-Wave standard can be found in over 90% of professionally installed smart security systems, making it the de facto platform for the home security market and connected devices. The Z-Wave Alliance Board of Directors includes ADT, FAKRO, FIBARO, Ingersoll-Rand, Jasco Products, LEEDARSON, LG Uplus, Nortek Security & Control, SmartThings, and Sigma Designs. Z-Wave Alliance are exhibiting at ISC West 2017 between April 5th-7th at Booth 26065.