Brickcom CCTV Network / IP Cameras

Today’s environment has evolved into something that according to some may seem unexplainable. But in the context of video surveillance, this is something that we understand. Allow me to shed some light and understanding in terms of security and why it truly is a necessity. Security is not a luxury, it is a necessity. An essential practice now peaking the interests of all businesses small and large. A video surveillance system is a cost effective option that does not require monitoring fees. As business slows, temporarily shuts down or closes, an increase in vacant properties is inevitable. This pandemic will continue to put severe pressure on many businesses around the country. With so many considered non-essential, it is really sad to see how many must shutter their doors and lay off employees. Keeping an eye out for suspicious activity using a commercial grade surveillance system that supports advanced analytics, may end up saving your potential customers thousands of dollars down the road. Demand for video surveillance and security products We can certainly draw on the conclusion that security is a “need” more so than a “want”. Times like this just further cement that thought process. In today’s economic spiral, people aren’t actively looking for lighting controls or home theaters. What they look for is a way to keep their loved ones safe, protect their homes, businesses and property. Video surveillance technology provides added security for you, your family and your business In my opinion, you will see video surveillance and security product sales skyrocket in the coming months and years. It has been reported that response times for first responders may be impacted as a result of COVID-19, leaving those with bad intent more time to ransack a property knowing that law enforcement may be slow to respond. Criminals will always take advantage of the situation. All we can do as a community is use common sense, stay vigilant through these odd times and watch out for one another. For some of us that may mean mitigating risks with technology. Affordable video monitoring solutions Having a solution that can quickly and securely share video footage may be the difference between identifying a perpetrator and becoming a victim. Ella, a video search platform developed by IC Realtime, makes every second of video instantly searchable and shareable, either with the authorities or your neighborhood social apps. Plus it is compatible with any RTSP streaming device. To wrap this up, it’s not about pointing out the obvious, it’s really about bringing awareness as to how technologies can be implemented to provide peace of mind without breaking the bank. Video surveillance technology is a way to do that and provide added security for you, your family and your business.

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.

Large event venues spend significant resources on physical security, and the vast majority invest in video surveillance systems as a way of monitoring public areas such as parking lots, garages and seating, as well as “backstage” areas such as loading docks and offices. Even though the camera footage is often preserved for investigating incidents, for the most part, video footage goes untapped because – realistically – security staff cannot constantly and efficiently monitor cameras in real-time or review the high volumes of archived video. Video analytics powered by Artificial Intelligence Increasingly, event venues are overcoming this challenge and maximising this video data by investing in intelligent video surveillance. In this article, I will explore how the combination of traditional surveillance and groundbreaking video content analytics enables event venues to not only optimise physical security and safety, but also improve customer service, streamline operations, and gather valuable business intelligence. Deep learning and artificial intelligence-based video content analytic systems detect, identify, extract, and catalog all the objects that appear in video footage based on classes and attributes such as gender, appearance similarity, color or size. This – along with behavioral detection, such as object interactions, dwell times, and navigation paths, as well as face and license plate recognition – enables searchable, actionable and quantifiable analysis of video. The technology makes it easy for users to accelerate post-event investigations, improve situational awareness, and derive critical business insights from video data. Accelerate post-event investigations, improve situational awareness, and derive critical business insights Accelerating investigations Where there are crowds, it’s not uncommon for medical or criminal incidents to transpire. In the aftermath, security teams must quickly understand the scene and, by making video searchable, video analytics helps them efficiently gather information or evidence from multiple camera. Whereas a manual search of video footage would require hours, if not days, of valuable time and staff resources – while being subject to human error – a video content analytics system enables effective multi-video search using a variety of filters, so that post-incident investigations can be focused and, thereby, accelerated. For instance, if witnesses claim that a man in a yellow shirt caused a disturbance and then drove away in a blue pickup truck, security could filter video to review instances where people or vehicles matching those descriptions appeared, and then focus their investigation on relevant video evidence. For the same example, if the perpetrator was still at large in the venue, security managers would want to track the person’s movements and, ultimately, apprehend him. Using the same cataloged metadata that drives video search, intelligent video surveillance accelerates real-time response to developing situations from threats and suspicious behaviors to emergencies, or even any behavior that requires closer monitoring or intervention. Something as mundane as an unwieldy queue forming at a concession stand can alert logic that increases operators’ situational awareness and ability to effectively intervene. By understanding developing situations in real-time, they can respond more quickly to prevent or solve a problem. Rule-based real time alerts Users can configure rule-based real-time alerts, based on specific scenarios – such as when people counts in the defined space next to the cashier are higher than the specified threshold, indicating a queue, or when vehicles are detected dwelling in a no-park zone or sensitive security area. In the case of the offender in the yellow shirt, security could configure alerts to notify for appearances of men in yellow shirts or blue pickup trucks within the event complex. If they’re able to extract the perpetrator’s face or license plate from the video search, security officers can also identify and track the specific person and vehicle of interest. Intelligent video surveillance users can compile “watchlists” Object recognition is helpful for tracking specific, identified threats, but it can also be leveraged for locating missing persons or vehicles or offering VIP services to guests who comply. Intelligent video surveillance users can compile “watchlists” – that include persons of interest, such as past agitators, recognised criminals or terrorists, missing persons or VIPs – to be alerted when matches for these faces appear in video. Face recognition can also be used to differentiate recognised employees from visitors that are not authorised to be in certain spaces in order to prevent security breaches. Because camera conditions aren’t always optimal for “in the wild” face and license plate recognition – where lighting conditions or camera angles don’t always allow for a pristine face or plate capture – it is critical to have a comprehensive video content analysis tool for triggering alerts based object classifications and non-personally-identifiable parameters. Optimising operations based on business intelligence While having real-time situational awareness is crucial for proactive intervention to developing situations, understanding long-term activity and trends can be equally important for an events venue or stadium. With video analytics, video surveillance data can be aggregated over time to generate statistical intelligence, trend reports, and data visualisations for operational intelligence. This capability transforms video surveillance from a siloed security tool to an intelligence platform with broad value for business groups across the organisation. Marketing departments can gain visitor demographic information for targeted advertising and product placements. On-site retailers can uncover how visitors navigate their stores and the products or spaces that draw the most attention. Property management can follow heatmaps demonstrating where visitors dwell and the durations they stay at certain exhibits or areas, to base rental and leasing fees on actionable and quantifiable intelligence. Operations managers can more effectively plan and hire staff for events, by analysing visitor traffic trends, entry and exit points and occupancy statistics.   Video surveillance data can be aggregated over time to generate statistical intelligence For these reasons and more, event organisations that already rely on CCTV networks should consider how to better leverage those existing investments to deliver substantial value across the organisation. By making video searchable, actionable and quantifiable, intelligent video surveillance empowers event managers to enhance public safety and physical security, while also streamlining operations and improving customer service.

Promise will showcase the incredible versatility of its purpose-built servers and storage at Security Show Japan Promise Technology will be showcasing a wide range of open platform server and storage solutions in demonstrations with partners throughout the surveillance ecosystem, covering storage, Video Management Software (VMS), Intelligent Video Analytics (IVA), network and support at Security Show Japan in Tokyo from March 7th-10th 2017. On display at the Promise booth (SS7309) is the new Vess A6120 Series, a complete 1U 4-bay product line with a management server, analytics server and recording server. Promise will showcase Network Video Recorders (NVRs) for small, mid-sized and large-scale projects with a wide range of external storage solutions for scaling, tiering and hardening. Additionally, 9 ecosystem partners will be showcasing their integrated solutions at the Promise booth. Purpose-built for video surveillance Promise is the developer of the open storage platform for video surveillance and will showcase the incredible versatility of its purpose-built servers and storage at Security Show Japan. The Vess A-Series NVR platform will be on display, highlighting its optimised performance for small, mid-sized and large-scale installations. The Vess A6120 Series are advanced and reliable surveillance servers for analysis, management and recording and can be deployed as building blocks for the deployment of a comprehensive video surveillance system. For visitors requiring a robust and high-capacity surveillance storage platform, Promise will showcase VSkyCube and the VTrak E5000 Series which are dedicated solutions for handling the retention and throughput challenges facing security professionals. Diverse partner ecosystem 9 storage, VMS, IVA, Network and Support partners will be showcasing their integrated solutions together with Promise, including: Storage partners DataCore Software will showcase its SANsymphony virtualisation solution together with the Vess A6120 to demonstrate how the integrated solution meets the requirements of data management for scale up, tiering, disaster recovery and much more. OliveTech’s Splentec NAS OS will be showcased on the Vess A3340. The WORM (Write Once Read Many) solution will be demonstrated for users requiring a higher level of security to ensure original data is not erased or edited. VMS "With our recently expanded portfolio of solutions, we will be showcasing our most versatile line-up of solutions ever" Milestone System’s XProtect VMS is certified with the complete line of Vess A-Series NVRs and visitors can experience live on-site demos of the integrated solution. V-Internet Operations (VIO) ArgosView is a Japanese Linux-based VMS that is fully compatible with Vess A-Series NVRs. IVA L9 Global’s Masking 5 solution enables users to quickly apply video masks to obscure objects on the screen required for privacy reasons. HBInnovation’s facial recognition software will be demonstrated together with the Vess A2600 to showcase the solutions advanced capabilities for criminal analysis. Brickcom’s IVA suite, which can be bundled with solutions such as the Vess A3340 NVR, will be showcased at the Promise booth, highlighting its analysis capabilities in intrusion detection, tampering detection and much more. Network Nissho Electronics’ NVT Phybridge PoE extension switch will be showcased in a demo with VIO’s ArgosView and Vess A-Series NVRs to highlight how the PoE extension switch can extend the standard limit of PoE+ from 100m to 700m. Support NEC Networks and System Integration (NESIC) provide world-class support for all Promise’s products throughout Japan. “It is very exciting to have such a diverse range of partners join us at Security Show because we can demonstrate how our collaborative solutions are helping deliver a safer future for people in Japan and around the world,” said Muneo Kobayashi, President, Promise Technology Japan. “Plus, with our recently expanded portfolio of solutions optimised for video surveillance, we are pleased to be showcasing our most versatile line-up of solutions ever.”

Wireless surveillance systems are attractive to customersas they are cost-effective and easy to install Various studies, market statistics and forecasts project growth for the surveillance market from 2016 to 2020. Besides needs ranging from traditional analogue cameras to IP network cameras, more and more consumers also have a high interest in intelligent surveillance systems. Along with safety, these systems provide additional details for users in applications such as people counting and object tracking. As terrorist attacks become more serious, people and governments are eager to find solutions to prevent incidents and protect safety and property. Therefore, with the increased demand for security products, surveillance companies are pushing themselves to launch more innovative and higher quality products for customers to satisfy a variety of needs. Wired vs. wireless surveillance system Surveillance applications can be separated into two types – wired surveillance systems and wireless systems. An original wired surveillance system requires much more equipment to complete an entire system, such as switches and cables. However, wireless surveillance systems are attractive to customers as they are easy to install and also save the cost of wiring. Hence, more and more consumers tend to search for wireless surveillance solutions for their flexibility and cost effectiveness. What are WiFi, 3G and 4G? Before introducing wireless surveillance systems, it’s important to have a clear understanding of the differences among WiFi, 3G and 4G. WiFi is a local area wireless computer networking technology that allows electronic devices to network without cords or cables. WiFi is based on the IEEE802.11 network standard, and different protocols will provide different features. WiFi mainly uses the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz ISM radio bands. Meanwhile, the data transfer is protected and encrypted by WPA and WPA2 security standards, and the EAP authentication standard. WiFi could be the most popular wireless communication protocol, which can be used for indoor and outdoor applications. Differences between WiFi, 3G and LTE (4G) 3G is short for third generation, which means the third generation of mobile telecommunications technology. 3G telecommunication networks support services that provide an information transfer rate up to 700 kbps (3.5G uplink 5.7Mbps). Unlike WiFi service, which users access through networking hotspots, users of 3G must be subscribed to a service provider to get network connectivity. Most devices connect to the 3G network through their SIM card or a 3G data card. In contrast to 3G, WiFi has a distance limitation; the device must stay close to the access point to ensure network connectivity. However, 3G transmission is broader; as long as there is a signal, the device can connect to the network easily. 4G (LTE) is the fourth generation of mobile telecommunications technology. LTE stands for Long Term Evolution. It’s a term used for a particular type of 4G that delivers the fastest mobile Internet experience. 4G is ideally suited for services that demand more capacity, such as video streaming, mapping and social networking. Compared with 3G, users are able to have up-to-date information faster than ever, regardless of upload or download data. 4G means that a network offers peak data rates of at least 100 Mbps for high-mobility communication like users in cars or trains, etc., and at least 1 Gbps for low mobility communication such as pedestrians and stationary users. Wireless surveillance system advantages Wireless surveillance combines wireless transmission with network video surveillance to create a powerful solution that overcomes the challenges that prevent many people from installing surveillance and monitoring systems. These challenges can include distance, lack of network infrastructure, environmental conditions, and costs. Wireless systems can overcome these obstacles and work exceptionally well for monitoring separate building units or rural areas where there is a long distance between two sites. There are also numerous add-ons for wireless systems. Wireless surveillance systems perfectly protect the structural integrity and maintaina building’s beauty without sacrificing safety Cost-effective: Wire-free Wireless surveillance systems are an undeniably cost-effective solution for the users, not only saving the material cost but also the time of installation and maintenance. Implementing a wired surveillance system can be a massive issue for installers and also extremely time consuming due to various challenges of placement. Therefore, a wireless IP surveillance system can offer a more affordable solution for the user, and this financial benefit can continue for a couple of years after the installation through maintenance cost savings. Building protection and aesthetic Wireless installations keep the building’s aesthetic appearance intact as users do not have to worry about wires and the means to conceal them. Instead, users can enjoy a safe environment with an aesthetic and clean placement. Wireless surveillance systems perfectly protect the structural integrity and maintain a building’s beauty without sacrificing safety. For users who have these particular kinds of surveillance needs, wireless solutions can perfectly match their expectations. Flexible and scalable: Less infrastructure limitation For an environment that lacks a complete infrastructure, it would be difficult to build a wired surveillance system. Digging and burying a fibre network may not be desirable for all locations, such as historical monuments, farms, parking lots or wilderness. However, a wireless solution can conquer this challenge by using a wireless infrastructure for connectivity. Cameras do not need to be permanently located next to a wired network; instead, they can be set up anywhere as long as the signal can be reached. Moreover, wireless solutions are available for even the largest scale deployments, and are also available in ruggedised enclosures for deployment in all weather conditions. Meanwhile, the entire wireless surveillance system setup can be moved to a new location easily and quickly. Conclusion Consumers have more and more excellent options when it comes to wireless surveillance security systems. Wireless systems now offer complete functionality, flexibility, and ease of use compared to wired system. The innovative technology promises users a better and safer living environment, and surveillance companies will continue developing more valuable products and solutions.

The VessOne channel bundle for Japan includes the Vess A2200 NVR with hard disk drives integrated by Promise At Security Show Japan, Promise Technology announced the VessOne channel bundle for Japan which includes the Vess A2200 NVR appliance with hard disk drives integrated by Promise along with the latest IP cameras from Brickcom and the customer’s choice of video management software (VMS) from either Milestone Systems or Brickcom. VessOne offers easy one-stop shopping of a total solution that has been tested to deliver the highest levels of performance and reliability for a wide range of video surveillance projects. Latest Promise security solutions In addition to announcing the VessOne bundle at Security Show, Promise will showcase its latest line of Vess NVR appliances, external storage solutions and Surveillance Cloud in joint demos with its partners from throughout the video surveillance ecosystem at its display (booth SS3322) from March 8 – 11 at the Tokyo Big Sight. “The Promise display at Security Show is a great representation of what we are all about in surveillance – working together with our partners, whether they are hardware, software or service vendors, to offer a complete line of solutions and services to meet the needs of any surveillance project,” said John van den Elzen, General Manager, Surveillance Business Unit, Promise Technology. “In Japan, Promise is very dedicated to allying with local partners to enrich our surveillance solutions to support our customers in handling the dynamic and demanding business challenges of the Japanese market.” Promise video surveillance partner ecosystem Promise’s partners will be onsite to help visitors learn more about the great flexibility and high-performance solutions the company offers to security professionals, including: VMS and IP camera demonstrations: Promise will showcase Milestone XProtect VMS in addition to Brickcom’s IP cameras and VMS in hands-on demonstrations which will allow visitors to experience the unique benefits these solutions offer when paired with Promise Vess NVR appliances and external storage. Promise Surveillance Cloud: The Promise Surveillance Cloud setup in Taiwan will be showcased at the event. The Surveillance Cloud is a complete and integrated solution for service providers that not only includes Vess NVRs and VSky scale-out storage, but also a customised software solution from Promise that manages the system and the installation and configuration of the IP cameras. Promise will partner with HB Innovation to showcase how their facial recognition technology works seamlessly with Vess NVRs Facial Recognition with HB Innovation: There is a growing importance on providing more ways for recorded date to be used to provide intelligence that can be acted upon to thwart risks, make better business decisions and much more. Promise will partner with HB Innovation to showcase how their facial recognition technology works seamlessly with Vess NVRs and storage to provide more intelligent video surveillance. Onsite service partner: Promise not only partners with software and hardware vendors but also onsite service partners, such as Link at Japan and NEC Networks & System Integration Corporation, which is critical in video surveillance where downtime is not acceptable. Surveillance without boundaries: Learn how Nissho Electronics and Promise are partnering to meet the security needs of long-range remote sites, such as outlying Japanese islands, up to 40km away who require high-quality surveillance solutions.