MOBOTIX CCTV Mounts

  Ergonomics are a critical, but often misunderstood aspect of designing control rooms for security. Ergonomics have a deep impact on the integrity of an operation, and the issue goes beyond the control room furniture. Matko Papic, Chief Technology Officer of Evans Consoles, divides ergonomics into three areas: physical (reach zones, touch points, monitors); cognitive (the individual’s ability to process information without overlooking a critical element) and organisational (how the facility operates in various situations; e.g., is it adequately designed for an emergency event?). He says the Evans approach is to determine the precise placement required for each element an operator needs, and then to design and build console furniture to position it there. Basically, the idea is to tailor the control room to the operation. What tasks must an operator perform? Are they manageable or should they be divided up among several operators? Control room design should accommodate the need to collaborate, and be flexible enough to adapt to various situations. It all begins with understanding the information that needs to be processed, says Papic. Increased productivity in the workplace Because personnel are often stationed at a specific console, desk or workstation for long hours, physical problems and productivity issues can result, says Jim Coleman, National Sales Manager, AFC Industries. Ergonomically designed furniture and related products have been proven to increase productivity and alleviate physical stress in the workplace. Ergonomic furniture solutions are crafted for the ultimate in safety, adaptability, comfort and functionality. Coleman says AFC Industries can tailor furniture to specific needs and environment. For example, a height-adjustable workstation can be combined with adjustable monitor arm mounts to create a relaxed, comfortable environment. Furniture offers modern designs, comfortable ergonomics, and comprehensive features. Rugged materials withstand the 24/7 use of command control centres. Health benefits of ergonomic workstations A sedentary office environment is often an unhealthy one. “For people who sit most of the day, their risk of heart attack is about the same as smoking,” says Martha Grogan, Cardiologist at the Mayo Clinic. Ongoing research and studies have shown that a change in posture (i.e., using ergonomic sit-to-stand workstations) is an effective means to combat these negative health issues. Using sit-to-stand workstations helps to eliminate musculoskeletal disorders caused by long-term sitting. They can also improve productivity and focus from the increased blood flow. Energy levels can rise and employees burn more calories. Control room design should accommodate the need to collaborate and be flexible enough to adapt to various situations “The ergonomic environment we create for control rooms involves considering every need of the staff at each workstation and their equipment, as well as workflow within the entire room,” says Coleman. “From the proper setting of screen focal lengths to sound absorption and glare reduction, each requirement and phase of a control room design is a necessary process to ensure the protection and safety of people and property.” Emergency operations centre “The military has figured out that you are more alert when you are standing,” says Randy Smith, President of Winsted, and the realisation is guiding emergency operations centre (EOC) design toward sit-stand. “As soon as there is an emergency, everybody stands up,” Smith adds. Designing EOC environments also requires systems be integrated with annunciating signal lights to facilitate communication among operators. Winsted’s sit-stand consoles can be combined with a motorised M-View monitor wall mount, enabling a 60-inch wall monitor to be raised and lowered to match the positioning of the sit-stand console. Larger, wall-mounted screens are easier to use for operators, since a larger monitor size can make it easier to read text on a screen, for example. Combining the larger monitor with sit-stand capabilities provides the best of both options. Many operators today stand for 50 percent of their day, says Smith. Ergonomic standards guide the design of Winsted’s control room consoles, including ISO 11064 standards for the design of control centres. The furniture also is designed to accommodate industrial wire management (larger wire bundles), unlike furniture that might be bought in an office supply store. Read part 3 of our Control Rooms series here {##Poll37 - How well do you incorporate ergonomics into your control rooms?##}

Significant technological advancements have created endless possibilities in how security is not only deployed, but also leveraged by the end user – the customer. For example, customers can now view surveillance at eight different offices in eight different states from a single, central location. A security director can manage an enterprise-wide access control system, including revoking or granting access control privileges, for 10,000 global employees from a company’s headquarters. However, with that increased level of system sophistication comes an added level of complexity. After successfully completing the installation of a security system, integrators are now expected to formally and contractually prove that the system works as outlined in the project specification document. Tom Feilen, Director of National Accounts for Koorsen Security Technology explains that this formal checks and balance process is gaining momentum in the security industry. The step-by-step process of Acceptance Testing is more commonly being written into bid specifications, especially for projects that require the expertise of an engineer and/or architect. Simply put, it is a way for the end user to make sure the system they paid for works properly and is delivered by the integrator as outlined in the project’s request for proposal. While Acceptance Testing can be a time consuming process, it is a valuable industry tool. It is estimated that at least 95 per cent of integrated security systems today have been brought through the Acceptance Testing process. Security systems have become more complicated in recent years. The introduction of IP-based, enterprise-wide and integrated solutions have all opened the door to more sophisticated access control and surveillance systems than ever thought possible. This process can vary depending upon the size of the project, but for a larger scale project, it is not uncommon for Acceptance Testing to take several weeks from start to finish. This timeline can be especially lengthy when the project involves hundreds of devices, such as access control readers, surveillance cameras, video recorders, intrusion sensors, and intercom systems. Most integrated security systems today have been brought through the Acceptance Testing process What is involved in the Acceptance Testing process? While the specific process can vary from integrator to integrator, many follow a similar process with their customer to ensure the system works accurately and that the customer has the proper certification documentation. The initial part of the process typically involves generating a report of each device installed as part of the system. This list enables the systems integrator to systematically test each device ensuring that individual devices are not specific points of failure for the overall system. For example, in a building equipped with a system that automatically releases the egress doors upon the fire alarm activation, it is important to make sure each door’s electro-magnetic locking system is operating properly. The systems integrator would not only test that a door releases when the fire alarm sounds, but also to make sure the access control system is notified if the door is propped open or held open longer than in normal usage parameters. For a door that is also monitored by a surveillance camera, part of the testing would also involve making sure that an image being transmitted to a video monitor is coming from the correct surveillance camera and that the actual angle of the image is what the customer has requested and is correctly labelled as such. If a device does not function as it should, it is then added to a punch list that would require the systems integrator to repair that device within a certain period of time. Once repairs are made, the system integrator would then submit a letter to the client stating that every device has been tested and works properly. It is also important for the integrator that once the testing process is complete to obtain a customer sign off (Certificate of Acceptance) on all systems tested and documentation provided. This limits liability once the system is turned over. From a safety perspective, Acceptance Testing is also used to verify that T-bars and safety chains are installed on cameras that are mounted in drop ceilings. It can confirm that panels are mounted in a room that is properly heated and cooled to avoid major temperature swings. Also, as part of the Acceptance Testing checklist, it can insure that power supplies that drive all the security systems are properly rated with the recommended batteries for back-up. And, that emergency exist devices or card readers are not mounted more than 48-inches above ground. An Acceptance Testing process serves to protect the end user's investment After the project is complete, Acceptance Testing protects both parties involved against liability issues. One example is if the building has a fire and the functionality of the life safety system comes into question. Acceptance Testing can be used to prove that the system was able to function as specified and dispel any concerns about its performance. At that time, all close out sheets are turned in, along with as-built drawings and a manual providing a complete listing of each device and system installed. Today, these manuals not only come in paper form as part of a large binder, but also digital files saved to a disc. The benefit of providing the customer with a binder or documentation of the system is that should the end user/customer replace the person who manages security at the company, valuable information will not leave with that former employee. While this checklist to close out a project may appear trivial at first, it is an important part of the security project process. By implementing an Acceptance Testing program, it serves to protect the end user’s investment, ensuring that the systems integrators hired for the project is knowledgeable and provides quality work. For the integrator, it helps towards the end goal of a satisfied customer.

At the beginning of 2017, MOBOTIX and RealNetworks established their strategic partnership. Almost everyone has known RealNetworks since the 1990s, when the Seattle-based company introduced the first online audio streaming solution, RealAudio®. Years of continuous innovation and multiple generations of RealVideo® then gave birth to the company’s most well-known product, RealPlayer®, which is still used millions of times every day for streaming and downloading videos. More recently, RealNetworks has been steadily expanded its expertise in the area of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. “Our innovative strength, quality standards and commitment to high-quality, customer-oriented solutions form the basis of our strategic partnership with RealNetworks,” explains Thomas Lausten, CEO of MOBOTIX AG. Facial and mood recognition MOBOTIX and RealNetworks see enormous market potential for further joint projects and customised solutions SAFR™, the latest solution from RealNetworks, is an exceptionally accurate, artificial intelligence-based system for facial and mood recognition that has been optimised for the challenges of live video. MOBOTIX and RealNetworks see enormous market potential for further joint projects and customised solutions. “MOBOTIX cameras have an excellent market reputation for high quality, cyber security, reliability and direct applicability for facial recognition.” “Our partnership has grown rapidly as we also share the same values, such as a commitment to quality, innovation, data security and building strategic partnerships to generate synergies for both our companies and our customers,” says Mathias Grünwald, Senior Lead Account & Service Management at RealNetworks. “The new MOBOTIX is increasingly developing into a base platform for a multitude of industry specific tasks – Beyond Human Vision,” says Lausten. Identify cyber security Since joining the company, Lausten has transformed MOBOTIX from a highly secure but self-contained product provider into an open and flexible solution and system platform that continues to identify cyber security as its top priority. This means that all MOBOTIX products are now ONVIF-compliant, there is a dedicated NAS solution and, with the MOBOTIX MOVE series, a PTZ camera has been launched on the market as a complementary independent product line. “Artificial Intelligence will play an increasingly important role in all areas of IT, meaning video surveillance as well – and with Konica Minolta, we have a leading technology partner by our side in this area,” explains Christian Heller, MOBOTIX Sales Director for Germany, Austria and Switzerland. “In conjunction with our new openness and our drive to produce cyber-safe products and solutions, we can work with our strategic partners like RealNetworks to strengthen the market and develop new solutions for a variety of vertical markets,” he adds. Video surveillance cameras SAFR facial recognition solutions based on MOBOTIX cameras are already being used in numerous vertical markets MOBOTIX's partnership with RealNetworks and SAFR demonstrates this in unique ways: “We are currently working together on an exciting project for a high-profile European museum,” says Lausten. The museum uses SAFR live analytics at the entrance and other locations within the museum to automatically count the number of people by time of day, using demographic breakdowns, such as gender and age. The same system can also analyse people’s moods. This solution is made possible by the combination of versatile, high-precision MOBOTIX cameras and the equally high-precision SAFR facial recognition platform. SAFR facial recognition solutions based on MOBOTIX cameras are already being used in numerous vertical markets. “Since MOBOTIX cameras were designed as the best video surveillance cameras and SAFR is regarded as the leading facial recognition platform for live video, together, we are able to deliver solutions that go far beyond recognition,” says Grünwald. “Beyond Human Vision means more than just monitoring video from a camera feed. Together with our selected strategic partners, MOBOTIX is creating solutions based on artificial intelligence that make events predictable and that can initiate countermeasures to protect the environment, valuables and people,” emphasises Lausten.

By joining forces with Nelysis, MOBOTIX has, for the first time, entered into a partnership with a company that is one of the world’s leading providers of cybersecurity solutions. Nelysis solutions protect customers’ network infrastructures and systems to ensure physical security and protect control systems. For instance, the ‘Vanguard’ complete solution from Nelysis minimises customers’ risks of external and internal hacker attacks as well as operational downtimes. This can guarantee comprehensive cyber- and network security for our shared customers around the world" “It was very important to us to have a leading cybersecurity expert in our partner network,” explains Hartmut Sprave, CTO of MOBOTIX AG. “In keeping with our realignment as a complete solution provider that works closely together with global partners to develop cyber-secure, decentralised and energy-efficient systems, including for new, vertical markets, it’s important for us to work with a partner whose core competence is ensuring the cybersecurity of network infrastructures and systems,” says Sprave. Meeting the demand for cybersecurity solutions Enrico Dani, CEO of Nelysis Europe, affirms: “As a MOBOTIX Technology Partner, we can support MOBOTIX in continuing to expand the use and functionalities of MOBOTIX systems to meet the growing demand for specific cybersecurity solutions. We’re convinced that our technological expertise represents added value for the unique MOBOTIX technology, and that this can guarantee comprehensive cyber- and network security for our shared customers around the world.” The market for network infrastructures and the applications installed on them is becoming increasingly complex. More and more frequently, proprietary solutions are being replaced by technology partnerships in our increasingly networked world. This calls for working together with partners from adjacent technology sectors to fulfil the intertwined requirements and challenges of the future that customers face in terms of ensuring cyber-secure network and IT solutions. Integrating technologies to benefit customers The two companies are reviewing how they can optimally integrate one another’s features to benefit their customers“MOBOTIX is taking the exactly right approach as far as this is concerned,” says the Nelysis Europe CEO. “There will be a shift in mentality along the entire value-added chain – from employees, to suppliers, through to distributors and customers. MOBOTIX is pursuing an excellent path here, and we’re looking forward to going this route with MOBOTIX,” says Enrico Dani. At the moment, MOBOTIX and Nelysis are working on integrating one another’s technologies. The two companies are reviewing how they can optimally integrate one another’s features to the benefit of their customers. “We decided to partner with MOBOTIX because the company has been focussing on cybersecurity since many years. It makes perfect sense for us to work together with a company that considers IT security to be their core competency,” emphasises Dani. “Nelysis and MOBOTIX are working together so that they can soon provide their shared customers with outstanding, cyber-secure solutions,” says Sprave.

CNL Software, globally renowned Physical Security Information Management (PSIM) software firm, is pleased to announce that it will be showcasing the latest enhancements to its IPSecurityCenter PSIM solution as an ecosystem partner on the MOBOTIX stand IF1330 at IFSEC International 2019. MOBOTIX is a global manufacturer of high-quality intelligent IP video systems and sets standards for innovative camera technologies and decentralised security solutions with the highest level of cybersecurity. IPSecurityCenter PSIM solution CNL Software will demonstrate how its PSIM technology helps increase situational awareness, integration and management of vast estates of sensors, systems and devices as well as a wide range of enhancements to enable large-scale federated systems to support critical national infrastructure. With over 15 years of development, IPSecurityCenter leads the PSIM market with its features With over 15 years of development, IPSecurityCenter leads the PSIM market with its features, performance and sophistication and boasts a continuous development program that recently added advanced biometric authentication to the platform. Ever-increasing global IoT devices Every year billions of dollars are spent developing new technology to help reduce new threats as they emerge. And this means more data. By 2025 there will be 75 Billion Internet of Things (IoT) devices online, that is almost 10 devices for every person. CNL Software will discuss what this means for the industry and how security professionals can help to prepare for more information inside of the control room. “We are delighted to partner with MOBOTIX at IFSEC and look forward to meeting with their extensive ecosystem to discuss how we can build on our technical partnership," says Adlan Hussain, VP Marketing - CNL Software. "One of our strengths is our ability to work with leading technologies within the security, life safety and facilities management industries. We have developed an open platform and adopted an open approach to working with our partners which enables the creation of cutting-edge solutions that leverage data to solve complex security challenges.” Mission-critical security systems Providing a single view of all of an organisation's mission-critical security systems, IPSecurityCenter helps increase emergency preparedness, deliver intelligence to the point of need and provides process guidance to enhance security responses. Beyond the timesaving and efficiency benefits of automation, IPSecurityCenter enables processes that are essential to any modern security department; including scheduled reporting, dashboard overviews, incident logs, continuous process improvement initiatives, training drills, system healthcare checks and much more.