TDSi News

How do hardware improvements drive better physical security?

New software developments have dominated technology innovation in the physical security industry for years, making more things possible to the benefit of integrators and end users. However, hardware is another important piece of the puzzle. No matter how great your software, the system doesn’t perform unless the hardware works too. In our enthusiasm over software developments, let’s not overlook the latest in the hardware world. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: How...

TDSi appoints Keith Beech to the logistics team in Poole to handle post-COVID-19 products distribution

Integrated security manufacturer TDSi is pleased to announce the appointment of Keith Beech to its Logistics Team, based at the company’s Headquarters in Poole, Dorset. Keith’s expertise in managing the shipping and movement of TDSi’s integrated security products, to partners and customers around the world, is particularly important during the post-COVID-19 restrictions and transition to the new normal. Social distancing regulations TDSi’s Managing Director, John Davie...

Beyond video analytics, what are the benefits of AI and machine learning?

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning have made a big splash in the physical security market, transforming video analytics to a new level of accuracy. In fact, the terms have become common buzzwords throughout the industry. However, the potential for AI and machine learning to impact the physical security industry goes far beyond their ability to improve video analytics. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: Beyond better video analytics, how can artificial intelligence...

What are the new trends and opportunities for biometrics?

A shift toward touchless devices during the coronavirus pandemic has been a boon to the biometrics sector. Another factor in the recent increase in use of biometrics is lower prices, which are a symptom of a maturing market and of new technology capabilities. Increasingly, integration of biometrics with access control and other security systems is expanding use cases and sales numbers. For additional insights, we asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What are the new trends and opport...

What are the physical security challenges of smart cities?

The emergence of smart cities provides real-world evidence of the vast capabilities of the Internet of Things (IoT). Urban areas today can deploy a variety of IoT sensors to collect data that is then analysed to provide insights to drive better decision-making and ultimately to make modern cities more livable. Safety and security are an important aspect of smart cities, and the capabilities that drive smarter cities also enable technologies that make them safer. We asked this week’s Expert...

What are the challenges of retrofits, and how can they be overcome?

Retrofit projects provide new levels of physical security modernisation to existing facilities. However, retrofits come with their own set of challenges that can frustrate system designers and defy the efforts of equipment manufacturers. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What are the biggest challenges of retrofit projects, and how can they be overcome?

TDSi to continue hosting Table Talks sessions for its partners and end users during COVID-19 pandemic

Integrated security manufacturer TDSi is pleased to confirm its continued programme of Table Talks sessions for its partners and end users. TDSi began hosting these regular sessions during the Lockdown phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, to deliver technical and informational content to interested parties. TDSi’s Table Talks are free online discussion and training sessions with a Roundtable of its key technical and commercial team members. Each session features TDSi’s security experts,...

Which technologies will disrupt the security industry in the second half of 2020?

The first half of 2020 has been full of surprises, to say the least, and many of them directly impacted the physical security market. The COVID-19 pandemic created endless new challenges, and the physical security market has done our part to meet those challenges by adapting technology solutions such as thermal cameras and access control systems. In the second half of 2020, we can all hope for a return to normalcy, even if it is a “new normal.” In any case, technology will continue t...

What is the role of manufacturers in providing after sales support?

Traditionally, dealer-installers and/or integrators provide the front line of support to end user customers after a sale. Because integrators assemble and provide the “solution” – often using products from multiple manufacturers – they are most familiar with the total system and can troubleshoot any problems. However, manufacturers may be better equipped to deal with specific problems after a sale and also to provide a variety of resources to end-users. It’s a delic...

What are the security challenges of the oil and gas market?

Protecting the oil and gas market is key to a thriving economy. The list of security challenges for oil and gas requires the best technology solutions our industry has to offer, from physical barriers to video systems to cybersecurity. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: what are the security challenges of the oil and gas market?

Which security technology is most misunderstood, and why?

The general public gets much of its understanding of security industry technology from watching movies and TV. However, there is a gap between reality and the fantasy world. Understanding of security technologies may also be shaped by news coverage, including expression of extreme or even exaggerated concerns about privacy. The first step in addressing any challenge is greater awareness, so we asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: Which security industry technology is most misundersto...

TDSi launches Track and Trace module for EXgarde software to detect people infected with COVID-19

Integrated security manufacturer TDSi is proud to announce the launch of the new free Track and Trace module for its powerful EXgarde security management software. Track and Trace is designed to help organisations investigate and map the movement of people potentially infected with COVID-19 (or any other dangerous pathogen), so those who have come into potential contact can isolate or seek medical testing/assistance. Fighting the spread of COVID-19 Access control systems are very well placed...

How can cybersecurity impact physical security (and vice versa)?

We are all more aware than ever of the need for cybersecurity. The Internet of Things is a scary place when you think about all the potential for various cyber-attacks that can disrupt system operation and negatively impact a customer’s business. Because most physical security systems today are IP-based, the two formerly separate disciplines are more intertwined than ever. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: How can cybersecurity challenges impact the physical security of a...

What is the cloud? (Can we all agree?)

Cloud systems are among the fastest-growing segments of the physical security industry. The fortunes of integrators can improve when they embrace a recurring monthly revenue (RMR) model, and cloud systems are expanding the services and features manufacturers can provide, from remote diagnostics to simplified system design. But for all the success of cloud systems, there remains confusion in the market about the exact definition of “cloud”. Or does there? We asked this week’s Ex...

What is the changing role of women in security?

There was a time when men dominated the physical security industry. On second thought, that time is today. Even with increasing numbers of women entering our community, it’s an industry that is still mostly populated by men. But change is coming, and the industry as a whole is benefiting greatly from a surge in female voices. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What is the changing role of women in security?

How have standards changed the security market?

A standard is a document that establishes uniform engineering or technical criteria, methods, processes, and/or practices. Standards surround every aspect of our business. For example, the physical security marketplace is impacted by industry standards, national and international standards, quality standards, building codes and even environmental standards, to name just a few. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: How have standards changed the security market as we know it?

How does audio enhance security system performance?

Video is widely embraced as an essential element of physical security systems. However, surveillance footage is often recorded without sound, even though many cameras are capable of capturing audio as well as video. Beyond the capabilities of cameras, there is a range of other audio products on the market that can improve system performance and/or expand capabilities (e.g., gunshot detection.) We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: How does audio enhance the perf...

What is the role of security systems in case of fire or other emergency?

When a fire or other emergency occurs in a building or facility, first responders depend on every available resource to ensure a safe and orderly evacuation and response. One element in any response plan is the facility’s physical security systems, including access control, video surveillance and intrusion detection. How can these systems contribute to an orderly response to a chaotic situation?  We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What is the role of security systems...

What impact are data analytics having on security?

We live in an era of Big Data. Surrounded by a flood of information, more companies are looking for ways to analyse that information (data) and systematically extract intelligence that can help them operate more efficiently and profitably. The data obsession has extended to the physical security industry, too, where large amounts of data have historically been a little-used byproduct of our access control and even video systems. But the picture is changing. We asked this week's Expert Panel Roun...

What are the security challenges of protecting utilities?

Utilities are an important element of critical infrastructure and, as such, must be protected to ensure that the daily lives of millions of people continue without disruption. Protecting utilities presents a unique range of challenges, whether one considers the electrical grid or telecommunications networks, the local water supply or oil and gas lines. Security technologies contribute to protecting these diverse components, but it’s not an easy job. We asked this week’s Expert Panel...

What is the biggest change in the security industry since 2010?

Ten years is a long time, but it seems to pass in an instant in the world of security. In terms of technology, 2010 is ages ago. Changes in the market have been transformative during that decade, and we called on our Expert Panel Roundtable to highlight some of those changes. We asked this week’s panelists: What was the biggest change in the security industry in the 2010-2019 decade?  

What should be the security industry’s ‘New Year’s resolution’?

The new year is several weeks old, so it is safe to say that many of our New Year resolutions have fallen by the wayside. Despite the limited success of our personal resolutions, the new year is a great time to take stock, look ahead, and plan to make 2020 the best year yet. Thinking about our industry as a whole, we asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What should be the security industry’s “New Year’s resolution?” 

TDSi launches GARDiS cyber secure and web embedded access controller

Integrated security manufacturer, TDSi is proud to announce the launch of its new web server embedded GARDiS access controller. Designed to be fully cyber secure, as well as easy and quick to install, the new controller is available in one, two or four door versions to suit all requirements and budgets.  GARDiS Controller TDSi’s Managing Director, John Davies commented, “The new GARDiS Controller is the latest addition to our full integrated GARDiS range and has been laun...

2019 through security lenses: green energy meets intruder detection, body-worn cameras and a boom in artificial intelligence

2019 was a big year for the Expert Panel Roundtable. The range of topics expanded, and we had more participation from more contributors than ever before. In closing out the year of contemplative discussions, we came across some final observations to share. They can serve both as a postscript for 2019 and a teaser for a whole new year of industry conversations in our Expert Panel Roundtable in 2020.  

SORHEA and TDSi announce that they are going to participate in Intersec Dubai 2020 global trade fair

SORHEA has announced that they are inviting industry professionals, security personnel and interested individuals for the 21st edition of Intersec Dubai 2020, the world’s trade fair for safety, security and fire protection. Integrated access control systems SORHEA will be present on stand SA-N37 with TDSi, one of the main suppliers of integrated access control systems in the United Kingdom, also member of VITAPROTECH Group. The event will be an opportunity for SORHEA to present the diff...

TDSi to unveil latest GARDiS integrated security solutions product line at Intersec 2020 in Dubai

Integrated security systems manufacturer, TDSi will be joining its Vitaprotech Group partner, SORHEA on stand SA-N37 at Intersec 2020 in Dubai, from 19th-21st January 2020, where it will be unveiling and launching an exciting new GARDiS product. TDSi’s Managing Director, John Davies commented, “We are very excited to be launching a new product at Intersec 2020. Vitaprotech’s Acquisition of TDSi has enabled the acceleration of some product development projects in our pipeline....

Which security markets are likely to embrace the cloud?

Cloud applications are an everyday facet of business these days, exemplified by systems such as Office 365, Salesforce.com and Dropbox. The physical security market is also embracing the cloud after overcoming some initial concerns and thanks to improvements in cloud offerings. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: which security markets are likely to embrace the cloud?

TDSi appoints Emily Phillips as its new internal customer advisor to enhance customer service

Integrated security manufacturer TDSi is proud to announce the appointment of Emily Phillips as its new Internal Customer Advisor, based at the company’s Poole headquarters. Emily’s new role will see her assisting customers from across the company’s UK and international export markets. Managing Director of TDSi, John Davies commented, “Our Customer Support services team plays a key role in delivering TDSi products, services and support to our customers, ensuring every pu...

What are some unusual applications of surveillance cameras you have seen recently?

The role of video surveillance is expanding, driven by all the new ways that video – and data culled from video – can impact a business. As a growing population of video cameras expands into new fields of view, we asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What is the most unusual application of surveillance cameras you have seen recently?

What factor is most overlooked when installing security systems?

Tools such as standard operating procedures (SOPs) and checklists ensure that every factor is considered when installing a physical security system – or do they? Security system installations are detailed projects, and any overlooked detail is a missed opportunity to make the system better. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What is the most overlooked factor when installing physical security systems?