IDTECK 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

Nedap’s uPASS Reach long-range UHF readers in combination with IDTECK elevator384 access control system were installed To optimise the monitoring and management of all vehicles and people access points at the company’s headquarters, the Vietnam Post and Telecommunication group (VNPT) recently upgraded the building’s entire access control and surveillance system. Nedap’s uPASS Reach readers were selected to facilitate hands-free access and elevator management. Located in central Hanoi (Vietnam), VNPT is one of the largest companies of the country. With 1,000 employees working at the HQ, manageable vehicle and people access control systems are needed to guarantee a convenient and secure flow of people. The entire project included access control readers for automatic vehicle identification at the building’s parking facilities, elevator management and hands-free door access. Elevator management In order to control the 6 passenger elevators in the building’s 27 floors, Nedap partner Techpro successfully installed Nedap’s uPASS Reach long-range UHF readers in combination with the elevator384 access control system of IDTECK (Korea). Only people with an authorised access credential can operate elevators with call buttons. All exit doors at the stairs are also equipped with Nedap's uPASS readers for tracking purposes. With this solution, VNPT ensures convenient and secure hands-free elevator access to all of its authorised employees and registered visitors. Nedap’s uPASS Reach offers long-range identification up to 5 meters [16 ft] using the latest UHF technology. Based on battery-free, passive technology, the uPASS Reach reader is a cost effective and enduring solution for hands-free building and parking access. Convenient building access By using Combi cards featured with UHF and Mifare technology, VNPT facilitates a one card solution for employees and visitors, allowing them authorised access to the 184 doors and elevators throughout the entire premises. Employees and visitors benefit from using a single access credential throughout the facility, from the car park to their office door, making it a cost efficient identification solution. Excellent results Techpro Co. Ltd. Director, Mr. Do Duc Hau, is pleased with the excellent results of the system. “The system has been working well since its completion in 2013. The system helps the company and visitors to enjoy a well-managed elevator system, and provide people tracking and time attendance. With 1000 employees and visitors in the buildings 27 floors, before the installation, the elevator system was always busy and it took a long time to call an elevator. Additionally, it was hard to manage the working time of the employees. With the new systems this is not an issue anymore. As one of biggest telecom providers in Vietnam, with hundreds of daily visitors it was often a burden to manage visitors in and out for VNPT’s security department. The new installation helps to conveniently grant access to authorized visitors to the right floor and the right department. Visitor information can now also be stored and provide support for management purposes”.

 IDTECK's FINGER007, professional T&A Software has been integrated to manage precise time and attendance dataArabian American Oil Company also known as Saudi Aramco is government-owned national oil company of Saudi Arabia. It is the largest oil corporation in the world with the largest crude oil reserves and production. Running over 100 oil and gas fields in Saudi Arabia, the company produces over 3.4 billion (540,000,000 m³) barrels of crude oil annually.In order to manage the large group of employees in their branch offices all over Saudi Arabia, the HR department of the Saudi Aramco headquarter office needed to retool its time and attendance system to reduce the payroll costs as well as the effectiveness in management. This included a prevention method for unauthorised overtime and card misuse. There were many cases of "buddy punching", which refers to the act of clocking in for other employees who might be late or absent. In addition, the time and attendance system had to integrate with their existing payroll and HR management system to apply payroll rules that are consistent and fair to every employee.IDTECK's distributor in Saudi Arabia region, Aflak Electronics Industries Co., has introduced FINGER007 access controller integration with T&A Software for precise time and attendance of their employees.IDTECK's intelligent standalone fingerprint access controller, FINGER007, delivers top of the line time & attendance and access control applications in a single device. High user efficiency is guaranteed as various identification modes; fingerprint, proximity card and PIN (Personal Identification Number) are supported. Arabian American Oil Company also known as Saudi Aramco is government-owned oil company of Saudi Arabia Best of all, fingerprint identification eradicates any possibilities of proxy attendance, which has known to be the weak point of proximity card T&A devices as the employees can generate false T&A data by using someone else's card to record clocking in and out time.Working alongside with IDTECK's FINGER007, professional T&A Software has been integrated to manage precise time and attendance data. IDTECK's Software Development Kit has been utilised to create one of a kind T&A software, which reflects user's request and regional characteristics. The T&A Software collects T&A data from FINGER007 for further processing and analysis to generate meaningful attendance reports. The software allows users to run multiple shifts and various work schedules without any manual calculations. Processing time, which used to take hours with conventional time clock T&A system, has reduced to just few simple clicks of a button.After the successful implementation of the new time and attendance system, the HR department of Saudi Aramco has been able to realise numerous benefits and satisfaction on their investment. The HR department of Saudi Aramco was pleased with how the time and attendance system reduced their payroll process. They no longer had to calculate employee time and input data in to the payroll system manually. Employees also achieved an immediate benefit by eliminating the need for employees to carry around RF cards or remember password numbers. Using only their fingerprint, employees can identify themselves more quickly and precisely.

 IDTECK access control system has ensured safety at TOBB Economics and Technology UniversityTOBB Economics and Technology University, located in Ankara, the capital city of Turkey, is one of the largest technical institute in its region. School's new dormitory building is a signature space that supports the academics and personal growth of residents, provides a place where programmes and events are hosted, and most importantly, provides a home-away-from-home for 1,500 students. The student dormitory complex is consisted of 4 block buildings, which are respectively 18 stories high.Staying the dormitory provides a lot of benefits to the students. It offers convenient access to classes and campus events and most importantly, it provides much needed security to the students that are living away from home for their first time. Nevertheless, Dormitory buildings go through constant exposure to students, faculty, staffs and in some cases, unwanted solicitors and intruders. It is the responsibility of the university to present safe atmosphere where students could study and socialise with one another as well as privacy during their own hours. This is promoted as better describing a living and learning community that is part of the larger academic institution.As the school officials requested, all the entry doors of the dormitory buildings are remained locked all times to prevent the entry of the unauthorised personnel. 118 units of SR10 SMART Card readers were installed on every entry doors and students are allowed access if they present their access card to the reader. 34 units of iTDC-SR access control panels, which are capable of controlling up to 4 doors, are deployed to control the readers. ELEVATOR384 verifies the user and activates the buttons for the floors the student is permitted In addition, properly securing the elevator systems has helped eliminate the risk of the misfortunate events from taking place. With the SR10 SMART Card reader installed right below the floor button of the elevator, students must present his or her access card to the reader and the elevator system, ELEVATOR384, verifies the user and activates the buttons for the floors the student is permitted to. Accessible floors can be set for each card holder (student) by the system administrator and they were able to monitor all the floors. Elevator control played a large role in establishing a comprehensive Access Control System.A key part of this project was that the students didn't have to replace their existing student identification card with a new card equipped with access card capability as the access control system as well as the elevator control system was compatible with SMART Card (MiFARE).On this large project, IDTECK's Turkish distributor, Optimum Guvenlik, was able to beat out other access control suppliers due to the great performance of the IDTECK product. Their recent project at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey was a great success and it has left a great impression for Optimum Guvenlik and IDTECK products. Students and dormitory personnel were fairly satisfied with the IDTECK access control system as it ensured safety and provided better environment to live and work.