Raytec CCTV Cameras

A total of £1.6 billion worth of goods are reported as ‘lost’ to in-store theft in supermarkets each year, with figures increasing steadily. The presence of self-checkout systems have increased in supermarkets, as well as other industry retailers. By 2021, we’re globally on track to have 468,000 self-checkout machines in operation, nearly double the 240,000 in existence since 2016. While this increase comes with such benefits as reduced wait times for customers and staff costs, it also comes with a risk of retail theft at self-checkouts. With the circumstances the world now finds itself in i.e. mass unemployment, financial uncertainty, the retail industry has seen an influx in these types of petty crimes, hitting retailers during an already turbulent period. While retailers are taking precautions to protect themselves and their patrons in this new era of in-person shopping, it’s important to ensure the business itself is protected. A popular method to combat these fears is to employ on-site security personnel, however, as we continue to adapt to new operating guidelines, retailers must begin thinking past the immediate future, and begin implementing long-term security solutions to prepare for life after lockdown such as strong CCTV systems with remote access. How has the security industry adapted its services to a post-lockdown world? Technological innovations like thermal recognition are key to adapting security systems for a post-lockdown world. Businesses which previously relied on facial recognition now must update their methods to account for shoppers wearing masks on-site and in-store. By 2021, we’re globally on track to have 468,000 self-checkout machines in operation, nearly double the 240,000 in existence since 2016 Biometric systems are now able to identify people with face masks, and thermal recognition such ADT’s Thermi-Scan system which can track human body temperature without the need for contact. Implementing these safe protocol procedures protect both employees and customers against virus outbreaks such as COVID-19. The need for these advances in video surveillance will reportedly increase the biometric facial recognition market by 14 per cent by 2027. Artificial intelligence has been hailed recently as the way forward for remote security needs, and whilst business-owners continue to navigate procedures of returning to work post-lockdown, having remote access to real-time security monitoring is essential now more than ever. What are the main measures stores can take to prevent or reduce theft? Strategically placing a multi-camera surveillance system to ensure clarity, eliminate blind spots, and deter thieves should be top priority. It’s equally essential to invest in a system which has an efficient playback programme, particularly in situations where reviewing important footage efficiently can offer vital information to the police force. Advances in video surveillance will reportedly increase the biometric facial recognition market by 14 per cent by 2027 As business-owners continue operating at reduced hours and with limited on-site staff, being able to access camera footage quickly and remotely is a key factor to consider. Whether owners opt to receive an alert on a mobile device allowing them to review notifications, or if their system is monitored by a remote security centre, it’s important to be able to access footage quickly for added efficiency and ease. Facial recognition and AI have been popular points of discussion in relation to security cameras and CCTV. While careful considerations must be taken prior to utilising any sort of facial recognition technology, including conducting a Privacy Impact Assessment, the benefits include being provided with real-time tracking of repeat offenders which immensely helps the prevention of in-store theft. Here are some key points to consider when choosing in-store surveillance: Assess your needs – To get the best out of your security system, it is essential to analyse what your requirements are for your business as they might have changed to adapt to a post-lockdown world Camera setup – With store layouts shifting to accommodate social distancing guidelines, it’s important to re-evaluate the current set-up of any security cameras. Depending on any layout updates, it might be important to consider operating multiple cameras in one area to ensure a peripheral view and eliminate any blind spots Camera positioning – For optimal performance, check that light sources are not obstructing your view such as glare from the sun. It is also worth considering the height at which cameras are installed to maximise surveillance Check the focus – It is worth testing camera lenses bi-monthly to ensure that lighting or weather hasn’t affected the focus of the lens, resulting in a blurry visual Remote access – As guidelines continue to evolve, ensure you’re able to access any necessary camera footage quickly and safely in case of emergency Will we begin to see a reduction of theft as new technology is implemented? We’re beginning to see incidents of shoplifting and theft being taken more seriously by law enforcement. In the coming months, for the first time in Britain nearly twenty shoplifters who were either caught red-handed or identified on CCTV will be appearing before magistrates. While currently these court cases are being pursued by a private police force, these actions come after a Government plea to high-level police to prosecute shoplifters stealing under £200. Retailers have long voiced concerns that forces have abandoned low-level thefts and these steps are small but show that businesses are being heard. As innovations in surveillance security continue, we’ll be seeing a move away from human involvement which will create a more reliable and efficient system able to rely on machine learning and analytics. While there have been wider strides made in utilising AI for surveillance, these are largely being used currently by local governments to alert police forces to threats of criminal activity. It’s not unreasonable to think that in the near future, these types of smart technology will be employed by private businesses to analyse suspicious behaviour or possible theft. However, as we see an increase in the advancement of security technology, we anticipate that those inclined to commit in-store theft will adapt their methods, therefore retailers should look to regularly evaluate their security needs to keep risks at bay.

We all know that having CCTV around your home can help to protect you and your family. Without CCTV, you could end up in danger and an intruder could get away with breaking into your house, hurting your loved ones and stealing your possessions. Similarly, without CCTV in the office, you’ll be leaving yourself open to all kinds of damage and could lose a lot of equipment in the process. In short, making sure you have CCTV is important for both home and business security. However, it can be improved to become a more effective system so that you’re better protected, and can even deter a potential intruder without having to panic. In our world of ever-changing technology, we’re able to upgrade and enhance our CCTV systems so they can become a monitored system. Remote CCTV monitoring is an ideal way to protect everyone and everything whether you’re at home or at a workplace. What is remote CCTV monitoring? For a long time, CCTV was one of the best ways to keep your home, the office and people safe. But people started to notice that it would only deter people so much of the time and often the cameras were ignored by intruders. They would just cover their faces and hope for the best as they steal from a home, office or any other premises. Remote CCTV monitoring is a system that can loop into your existing CCTV, or come preinstalled with a new system. This technology sends a feed to a control room full of trained operators that are on call 24/7. Within this control room, operators are able to respond to any sort of distress call or unauthorised movement on the property line.  How does it work? Remote CCTV monitoring works by attaching to a live feed of your CCTV system, existing or new, so that the signal and images can be passed to a team of operators. These operators are on hand 24/7 so that if there is a problem, you know that you're safe in the hands of a specialist team. The specialist team has been trained to mitigate the chances of somebody breaking into your home when the system is triggered; similarly they call the local authorities instantly so that the potential intruder has less time to flee the scene. This is especially important if an intruder is already inside your property because they have less time to steal your items and leave. Without CCTV in the office, you’ll be leaving yourself open to all kinds of damage and could lose a lot of equipment in the process One of the biggest questions that revolve around remote CCTV monitoring is the idea of operators watching the CCTV at all times. Luckily most remote CCTV monitoring systems will incorporate a motion detection system to accompany your CCTV. Motion detection offers the ability to alert a control room if there is an unauthorised entry to the property line. These motion detection systems are state-of-the-art and so, depending on the system that you choose, they can watch over your property from a number of angles. Once the motion detection system has been triggered and the alert has been sent to the control room, then and only then will the operators get involved. This means that until the motion detection system has been triggered, nobody will watch your live CCTV feed. After one of the systems has been triggered, one of the specialist operators will instantly jump into action. This means that they can take different measures to deter any potential intruder and make sure that they do everything in their power to stop any damage or theft from the premises. In addition to the motion detection system and CCTV, you are able to opt for a public address (PA) system too. This means that an operator is able to shout commands through the PA system and potentially scare away any intruder. The intruder will also be warned about the fact that local authorities have already been called to the location.  Remote monitoring versus traditional CCTV Motion detection offers the ability to alert a control room if there is an unauthorised entry to the property line Having a monitored CCTV system means that you're able to better protect yourself, your business, employees and even your loved ones. Whether you're at home or in the office, having someone looking over your shoulder protecting your every move is something that can be appreciated by everybody. The biggest problem with just having traditional CCTV, is that it is a reactive system. This means that rather than stopping crime, a CCTV system just records it. While the thought is that having a CCTV camera visible can deter some intruders, there's no real evidence to suggest that it stops anybody; anyone can simply cover their face and carry on breaking into your home, office or even your car. As mentioned, remote CCTV monitoring is going to tackle that problem and make sure that someone is on hand to protect you at all times.

The safeguarding of premises through the monitoring of entrance and exit points has traditionally been a very manual aspect of security. Human operators have been relied on to make decisions about who to admit and deny based on levels of authorisation and the appropriate credentials. But the access control business, like many industries before it, is undergoing its own digital transformation; one where the protection of premises, assets and people is increasingly delivered by interconnected systems utilising IoT devices and cloud infrastructure to offer greater levels of security and protection. Modern access control solutions range from simple card readers to two factor authentication systems using video surveillance as a secondary means of identification, right through to complex networks of thermal cameras, audio speakers and sensors. These systems, connected through the cloud, can be customised and scaled to meet the precise requirements of today’s customer. And it’s the ease of cloud integration, combined with open technologies and platforms that is encouraging increasing collaboration and exciting developments while rendering legacy systems largely unfit for purpose. Remote management and advanced diagnostics Cloud technology and IoT connectivity means remote management and advanced diagnostics form an integral part of every security solution.Cloud technology and IoT connectivity means remote management and advanced diagnostics form an integral part of every security solution. For example, as the world faces an unprecedented challenge and the COVID-19 pandemic continues to cause disruption, the ability to monitor and manage access to sites remotely is a welcome advantage for security teams who might otherwise have to check premises in person and risk breaking social distancing regulations. The benefits of not physically having to be on site extend to the locations within which these technologies can be utilised. As an example, within a critical infrastructure energy project, access can be granted remotely for maintenance on hard to reach locations. Advanced diagnostics can also play a part in such a scenario. When access control is integrated with video surveillance and IP audio, real-time monitoring of access points can identify possible trespassers with automated audio messages used to deter illegal access and making any dangers clear. And with video surveillance in the mix, high quality footage can be provided to authorities with real-time evidence of a crime in progress. Comprehensive protection in retail Within the retail industry, autonomous, cashier-less stores are already growing in popularity The use of connected technologies for advanced protection extends to many forward-looking applications. Within the retail industry, autonomous, cashier-less stores are already growing in popularity. Customers are able to use mobile technology to self-scan their chosen products and make payments, all from using a dedicated app. From an access control and security perspective, connected doors can be controlled to protect staff and monitor shopper movement. Remote management includes tasks such as rolling out firmware updates or restarting door controllers, with push notifications sent immediately to security personnel in the event of a breach or a door left open. Remote monitoring access control in storage In the storage facility space, this too can now be entirely run through the cloud with remote monitoring of access control and surveillance providing a secure and streamlined service. There is much to gain from automating the customer journey, where storage lockers are selected online and, following payment, customers are granted access. Through an app the customer can share their access with others, check event logs, and activate notifications. With traditional padlocks the sharing of access is not as practical, and it’s not easy for managers to keep a record of storage locker access. Online doors and locks enable monitoring capabilities and heightened security for both operators and customers. The elimination of manual tasks, in both scenarios, represents cost savings. When doors are connected to the cloud, their geographical location is rendered largely irrelevant. Online doors and locks enable monitoring capabilities and heightened security for both operators and customers They become IoT devices which are fully integrated and remotely programmable from anywhere, at any time. This creates a powerful advantage for the managers of these environments, making it possible to report on the status of a whole chain of stores, or to monitor access to numerous storage facilities, using the intelligence that the technology provides from the data it collects. Open platforms power continuous innovation All of these examples rely on open technology to make it possible, allowing developers and technology providers to avoid the pitfalls that come with the use of proprietary systems. The limitations of such systems have meant that the ideas, designs and concepts of the few have stifled the creativity and potential of the many, holding back innovation and letting the solutions become tired and their application predictable. Proprietary systems have meant that solution providers have been unable to meet their customers’ requirements until the latest upgrade becomes available or a new solution is rolled out. This use of open technology enables a system that allows for collaboration, the sharing of ideas and for the creation of partnerships to produce ground-breaking new applications of technology. Open systems demonstrate a confidence in a vendor’s own solutions and a willingness to share and encourage others to innovate and to facilitate joint learning. An example of the dynamic use of open technology is Axis’ physical access control hardware, which enables partners to develop their own cloud-based software for control and analysis of access points, all the while building and expanding on Axis’ technology platform. Modern access control solutions range from simple card readers to two factor authentication systems using video surveillance as a secondary means of identification Opportunities for growth Open hardware, systems and platforms create opportunities for smaller and younger companies to participate and compete, giving them a good starting point, and some leverage within the industry when building and improving upon existing, proven technologies. This is important for the evolution and continual relevance of the physical security industry in a digitally enabled world. Through increased collaboration across technology platforms, and utilising the full range of possibilities afforded by the cloud environment, the manufacturers, vendors and installers of today’s IP enabled access control systems can continue to create smart solutions to meet the ever-changing demands and requirements of their customers across industry.

OPTEX and RAYTEC, both OPTEX Group companies, will be exhibiting at SICUR (25-28 February, Hall 10, Stand A37) with their Spanish speaking team to showcase its new outdoor detection sensors and the latest suite of renowned LED lighting solutions, and engage with the market. OPTEX sales, marketing and technical team, will be attending one of Spain’s largest security fair to support successful growth in the Iberian region and to have the opportunity to hear the voice of the market. Part of the engagement is to showcase the new outdoor sensors, including the QXI series a family of compact, outdoor sensors that complements the existing suite of short-range outdoor PIR’s. A particular benefit of the new range is that the sensors are specifically designed to be mounted at heights of up to 2.7m, making them less obvious to intruders and out of reach from vandals. Reliable outdoor detection The sleek design makes them ideal for both residential and commercial buildings and the sensors will trigger both intruder alarms and CCTV. The event will also see the preview in Iberia of VXI-CMOD, OPTEX’s 180° day/night Wi-Fi camera module that can be easily integrated with its best-selling outdoor sensor VX Infinity (VXI) to create a visual verification solution. The VXI series provides highly reliable outdoor detection and is used for both residential and commercial applications, detecting intrusions in courtyards, gardens, driveways and secured car parks. For larger and bespoke projects, the team will demonstrate how LiDAR technology can be tailored to suit niche applications, including transportation, critical infrastructure, museums and other high value assets. Intrusion alarm systems SICUR has been a great event for us in the past and I look forward to exhibiting there again" The award-winning laser RLS-2020 series is now Grade 3 compliant meaning it can be added to indoor graded intrusion alarm systems, giving installers the opportunity to enhance site security by adding virtual walls and ceilings, as well as thrown object detection. Corinne Vaughan, Regional Sales Manager for RAYTEC, says: “SICUR has been a great event for us in the past and I look forward to exhibiting there again.” Milton Acosta, Regional Sales Manager for Iberia, adds: “SICUR provides the ideal platform for OPTEX and RAYTEC to connect with our partners, discuss projects, technical requirements and gather industry feedback, as well as showcase a selection of our new solutions that are generating greater demand across Iberia to potential future customers.” Number plate recognition systems Beside its core intrusion detection portfolio, OPTEX will be showcasing its innovative ViiK vehicle sensor, which has been named as part of the SICUR Innovation Gallery 2020 by a panel of industry experts. ViiK’s technology combines both microwave and ultrasonic waves to detect vehicles for a range of operations, while having the ability to ignore human traffic. The sensor requires no civil engineering works and can be easily mounted on the ground, making it ideal for historic city centres or other locations where digging is not possible. ViiK sensors can also be part of a solution to trigger ANPR cameras and LED lights to increase the capture rate of number plate recognition systems. The values of adding LED light on enhance the performance of not only ANPR systems but also security and safety applications will be demonstrated by RAYTEC.

Wavestore, developer of highly secure and open platform Video Management Software (VMS) solutions, will be hosted by three of its technology partners at ISC West, which is taking place at the Sands Expo, Las Vegas on 10th -12th April 2019. Visitors to the Feenics, Mobotix and Raytec booths will have the opportunity to see how easy it is to benefit from a fully integrated security system with Wavestore at its heart. Wavestore VMS solution As a truly independent company, Wavestore focuses solely on the development of its highly secure VMS platform to deliver an ever-evolving feature set and ensures compatibility with associated devices and sub-systems from its technology partners. If the requirement is just for video, or there is a need for a fully integrated solution from one to tens of thousands of cameras and devices, Wavestore is able to demonstrate how its VMS can help deliver a scalable and completely future-proof solution for your next project. Wavestore has a well-established Technology Partner programme that allows users to benefit from seamless integrations across a host of best-in-breed brands" “Wavestore has a well-established Technology Partner programme that allows users to benefit from seamless integrations across a host of best-in-breed brands encompassing cameras, access control, video analytics and much more”, says James Smith, Managing Director of Wavestore. “In addition, Wavestore’s open platform is fully compliant with ONVIF profile-S, bringing enhanced flexibility to camera choice, enabling users to achieve maximum return on investment from their security solutions.” VMS Upgrade Bundles As well as demonstrating the latest features of Wavestore’s VMS, the team will also be highlighting how choosing Wavestore can help reduce the total cost of ownership through provision of free technical support and flexible VMS Upgrade Bundles, which enable partners to stay up-to-date with the very latest features over time, without signing up to expensive recurring support contracts. The Wavestore team will be demonstrating the latest features of its award-winning VMS on the Feenics booth (22130), Mobotix booth (16089) and Raytec booth (22075).

The announcement that Wavestore’s open platform Video Management Software (VMS) has been successfully integrated with Raytec’s lighting solutions means that operators are now able to match the security requirements for individual locations throughout a site, with a wide range of lighting options which are managed directly from Wavestore’s front-end ‘one screen, total control’ display. Automated lighting solution Raytec and Wavestore’s technical teams have worked closely together to develop an intelligent lighting solution which can be controlled via Wavestore’s VM Raytec and Wavestore’s technical teams have worked closely together to develop an intelligent lighting solution which can be controlled via Wavestore’s VMS by simply clicking on fully customisable buttons. The solution also enables the ideal lighting for each situation to be automatically selected when a moving object is detected or by metadata triggered events from other systems and software, such as access control, ANPR, alarm sensors, cameras, face recognition and other forms of video analytics. “There are so many different reasons why our end-user clients may need supplementary lighting and this smart solution provides them with the flexibility to choose from a long list of options which exactly meets their requirements,” said Enrico Bizzaro, Head of Integrations for Wavestore. Licence plate reader and video surveillance system “Our clients tell us that minimising energy costs and light pollution is important to them and so this integrated solution has been designed to ensure lights are only turned on when needed. This could be, for example, at an access control reader location in order to visually verify the identity of a card holder or to enhance the ability to read the number plate of a vehicle entering a site. Lighting is also quite often used to add to the deterrent factor of a video surveillance system and in this respect, operators can choose different options such as SOS, Hi-Lo and Wave light effects.” The benefits offered by the deep level of integration between the two technologies are available as standard across Wavestore Premium, Enterprise and Ultimate channel license levels. Wavestore VMS supports Hybrid LED illuminators Wavestore was the first VMS to support Raytec’s Hybrid LED illuminators which brings the benefits of White light and IR technology into a single unit. With less cabling required, the 2-in-1 solution reduces installation costs as well as negating the capital cost of deploying two separate lighting units. Wavestore enables the Hybrid LED illuminators to be controlled individually or as a group with all commands, such as scheduled on/off timings and brightness, securely authenticated by Wavestore to prevent unauthorised access to the illuminators over the network.