United States of America (USA) News

School buses are the safest vehicles on the road – 70 times safer than cars, light trucks and vans. Yet an average of 33 school-aged children are killed each year in bus-related accidents in the United States; the majority of those deaths occur in the “danger zone,” the 10-foot area surrounding the bus, because of passing motorists who disregard a bus’ stop arm. Spencer Community School District, located in northwestern Iowa and serving more than 2,400 students, is one of...

Bank One is the nation's sixth-largest bank holding company, with more than 1,000 banking centers and business offices in 23 states and multiple countries.  Much of the company's growth has come as a result of mergers and acquisitions, which have also resulted in a mix of video surveillance systems.   Surveillance systems at some of the acquired locations had been in operation for more than 20 years, and some sites still used film cameras.  Other locations possessed the lates...

The ClientThe World Series of Poker is the oldest and most prestigious poker tournament and in 2005, it was the biggest it has ever been.  More than 32,000 participants took part in the three-week summer tournament at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, with more than $52 million in prize money at stake.The SituationThe Rio's team of three hard-working technicians and Honeywell's field support team faced several challenges in installing and integrating the World Series of Poker...

Finishing our two-part look at the Government's ‘partial regulatory impact assessment' on the SIA's approved contractor scheme (ACS). The document does say that among the SIA's aim is “to strengthen the extended police family by encouraging and supporting further engagement of the private security industry.  The scheme could be a key contributor in helping the police to tackle crime and disorder and reducing the fear of crime.” It does not go into more detail.  The do...

Organization  Archipelago Marine Research Ltd is a world leader in the field of fisheries monitoring and marine environmental assessment. Based in Victoria, British Columbia, Archipelago has been providing marine biological services since 1978. The firm is responsible for monitoring analysis of several commercial fisheries, providing over 10,000 days of at-sea observing per annum. Successfully managed commercial fisheries must ensure that harvesting practices fit within long-term resource c...

The munitions group at Maryland’s Naval Surface Warfare Center was in an access control quandary.  A Sign-in/out log had proved impractical and electronics were too expensive or too dangerous due to the potential of explosion.  The unlikely solution came from a nearby cow pasture.Call it bovine intervention. That’s the best way to describe the solution ESTECH, an electronic security systems integrator located in Annandale, Va., selected to solve the access control quagmire...

Dortronics Systems, Inc. Provides University of Boston With Custom Solution For Dormitory Access System.The “Made in the USA” found on all Dortronics Systems, Inc. products confers more than just a country of origin or sense of national pride.  To John FitzPatrick, Vice President of Dortronics Systems, Inc., it also means being able to bring quality commercial off-the-shelf or custom electromagnetic locking devices to market quickly using the in-house engineering expertise and p...

Airport Shutdowns Cost MillionsIn the last two months of 2001 there were 30 airport shutdowns in the United States alone.  Breaches in security resulting in shutdowns, cost the airline industry millions of dollars. Over 1,000 flights were delayed and 434 planes had to have their passengers exit for re-screening.In the past, shutdowns have typically been the result of a security breach at the checkpoint. These breaches have mainly been caused by:A person running through the airport without s...

OrganisationThe Manitoba Taxicab Board is an independent quasi-judicial tribunal created under the authority of the Manitoba Taxicab Act.  The Taxicab Board is responsible for regulating the operation of taxicabs in the City of Winnipeg.ChallengeDue to the nature of the occupation, taxicab drivers are frequently victims of robbery, physical assault and even murder.  In many cases, incidents are not even reported to the police.  However, with the most recent murder of Mr. Pritam De...

AC2000 SE provides advanced security to Irish PortCEM Systems has supplied its AC2000 SE integrated security management system for installation at Port of Cork, Ireland.  The contract was awarded by ADT Fire & Security and will be supported by an advanced CCTV system and intercom network, part of a major contract ADT has signed with the Port of Cork to provide an advanced integrated security system.The AC2000 SE (Standard Edition) system has been safeguarding many high security faciliti...

The Home Depot builds a strategic advantage with actionable intelligence from Verint Video Solutions Every week, more than 22 million customers visit The Home Depot.  The world's largest home improvement retailer operates more than 1600 stores across North America, with 2002 sales topping $58 billion.  And with a new store opening its doors every 43 hours, The Home Depot is also the country's fastest growing retailer, evidence of its success in offering "the ultimate home improvem...

Founded in 1926, Mercyhurst College, named one of the “Best Colleges” by U.S. News & World Report and The Princeton Review, is a leading liberal arts college.  Located in Erie, Pennsylvania, Mercyhurst’s 75-acre main campus has 50 buildings and supports over 3,500 students, faculty and staff.  In 1991, the college purchased a 100-year-old seminary for a second campus called Mercyhurst North East. At that site, nestled in the bluffs just west of the New York state...

New Fujitsu Solution offers Industry-Leading Biometrics Authentication Technology for High- Security applications in Global Markets Fujitsu Europe Limited, one of the world's leading suppliers of hard disk drives and computer peripherals and a market leader in document management scanners, today announced the arrival of its new ‘contactless' palm vein authentication device to the EMEA market as part of Fujitsu´s global launch.  With this unique device, Fujitsu is strivin...

OrganizationO'Bresky Enterprises has been Subway franchisee within the Minneapolis -St.Paul area for the past 13 years and currently owns and operates 16 locations.ChallengeO'Bresky Enterprises installed CCTV systems about 10 years ago but of the recorders were analog VCRs.  Tired of having to deal with high maintenance tape management unreliable picture quality, President Dan O'Bresky began his extensive research on digital recorders.   "The great thing about digital re...

Meeting the customer's needs Grouse Mountain required a CCTV system to monitor four orphaned grizzly bears inside their dens during the hibernation period. The video data,to be used for understanding the behavior and habits of grizzly bears during winter, then needed to be stored for future evaluation.Factors that had to be taken consideration for the den itself:1) It is a confined area with no illumination and high humidity.2) There are minimal opportunities (if any) to gain access inside the d...

Kraft Foods, is a global leader in branded foods and beverages, marketing many well known brands including cereals, snacks and beverages in more than 150 countries worldwide.  In April 2005, the company expanded its presence in the Egyptian market with the acquisition of local biscuit and snack-food maker “Family Nutrition”.  As part of this expansion Kraft invested resources in the Cairo factory including an upgrade in building security. As part of a complete security solu...

IR illuminators and vari-focal lenses from Rainbow CCTV are being used to monitor child development at a clinic in Minneapolis.The University of Minnesota is internationally respected for its childcare work, which includes analysis of cognitive development and reactions to visual stimuli in the young, particularly infants with attention deficit disorders.For the analysis to be valid the youngsters need to concentrate fully on what is presented to them from a computer screen and staff have create...

Xstrata Copper's emergency and protective services superintendent at Mount Isa Mines, Darren Bracey, says Cardax FT, as a tool, provides better control of access management health and safety systems and he wouldn't hesitate to recommend it.Tracey: "The powerful software leads itself well to integration with other third party software applications to allow better management of security, health, safety, access control and contractor management".Mines present numerous challenges when it c...

Panasonic Security Systems repeated its highly successful “I got IT!” Plasma TV give-away promotion at the ASIS show in Orlando, FL this month following the success of the promotion kick-off at the ISC-West Show in April of this year. Three additional lucky individuals will receive Panasonic 42” Plasma TVs at their doorsteps after being spotted wearing Panasonic “I got IT!” buttons on the show floor last week in Orlando. A total of three Plasma TVs were awarded over...

Digital System enhances security and helps resolve day-to-day issuesOutstanding customer service has helped make DHL one of the world's most recognised name brands. From its early days shuttling merchandise receipts between San Francisco and Honolulu, to its current status as a global express provider, DHL has focused on ensuring immediate, reliable and secure customer service.  To support that primary objective, the company has often turned to technology to improve efficiencies and conveni...

Vastly improved security for staff and visitors the goalDVTel Inc., multiple award-winning market leader in delivering integrated IP security solutions for surveillance and monitoring, today announced that the City of Los Angeles is in the midst of a major upgrade to security system capabilities and coordination, using the DVTel Intelligent Security Operations Center (iSOC) platform.  With the Network Video Management System (NVMS) at its core, the iSOC will enable the City of LA to eventua...

Casino saves millions through ease of integration and installationDVTel Inc., multiple award-winning market leader in delivering integrated IP security solutions for surveillance and monitoring, today announced that the Muscogee Creek Nation of Oklahoma has installed the DVTel Network Video Management System in their Tulsa Creek Nation Casino, one of Oklahoma’s premier gaming destinations.  The network video system manages approximately 420 cameras covering the entire casino complex....

Henry Bros.Electronics, Inc. (Amex: HBE), a turnkey provider of technology-based integrated electronic security solutions, today announced that it has been awarded a $1.1 million contract with the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey to upgrade the existing Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) system throughout the Port Authority's PATH system.Under the terms of the contract, Henry Bros.  Electronics will install new system servers that are capable of controlling more than 600 cameras th...

The Nike ExperienceYou are at the right place, but absent from view are glass-on-glass high-rises compacted together over the typical concrete and asphalt corporate terrain.  But then, this is anything but typical.  You are about to enter the hallowed halls of one of sport’s holiest sites.   You have arrived at Nike World Headquarters (WHQ).  The 185-acre campus sprawls out in front of you and the size and complexity is staggering. Everything would have to be custo...

OrganizationPacific Western Transportation ensures children within the Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows, B.C. area travel to and from school safely.  With the experience of serving the school bus industry for the past years, they have been transporting children within the area for the past 4 years for School District #42.  With 33 employees in the Maple Ridge division, they maintain 25 school buses to serve the 21 routes — 15 regular routes and routes for special needs children.Chall...

iOmniscient and DVTel integrate their product solutions The intelligent surveillance industry is rapidly expanding, with consumers recognising the benefits of artificial intelligence behind the cameras of traditional surveillance systems. iOmniscient, the world leader in Intelligent Surveillance has just announced an integration partnership with DVTel, a highly regarded provider of IP cameras, network video and audio recording and monitoring and analysis tools. iOmniscient's products are now...

Ottawa-based network management specialists and DVR manufacturers Mach Networks have been specified to provide mobile video surveillance systems for the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) in California. March Networks' reseller and channel partner Diversified Security Solutions Inc. secured the contract through its Viscom Division in a deal worth $1.5 million, that includes a three-year maintenance agreement.  The programme will see some 80 light rail vehicles (LRVs) equipped...

The Tulsa Creek Nation Casino is one of Oklahoma's premier gaming destinations.  The casino, open around the clock and seven days a week, offers a unique brand of entertainment with an array of over 1400 casino games, including blackjack, poker, slot machines, and many others.  With the completion of a $4.6 million expansion project in December 2005, the casino increased to a total size of 81,000 square feet.  Creek Nation Casino has 650 employees, and over 300,000 visitors from 4...

Eastman Kodak Company is the world leader in helping people take, share, enhance, preserve, print and enjoy pictures - for memories, for information, for entertainment.  With sales of $13.3 billion in 2003, the company comprises several businesses: Health, supplying the healthcare industry with traditional and digital image capture and output products and services; Graphic Communications Group, offering on-demand color printing and networking publishing systems consisting of three wholly ow...

Arizona State University is one of the premier metropolitan public research universities in the U.S. Enrolling more than 57,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students on three campuses in metropolitan Phoenix, including the historic main campus in Tempe, ASU maintains a tradition of academic excellence in core disciplines, and has become an important global center for innovative interdisciplinary teaching and research.ChallengeSince 1997, ASU’s identification/access “Sun...