Net Payne

March Networks, a video security and video-based business intelligence provider, announces that the rapidly growing U.S. convenience store chain Yesway has selected its Searchlight for Retail solution for advanced video surveillance and analytics. Yesway is currently deploying March Networks Searchlight for Retail in 136 locations across Iowa, Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Texas, Nebraska, New Mexico, South Dakota and Wyoming. The c-store chain, which is operated by an affiliate of Brookwood Financial Partners, LLC, is expanding across the U.S. and plans to standardise on March Networks as it moves forward. Asset protection investigations Brandon Pohlman, Yesway Safety & Asset Protection Manager, said the company selected Searchlight for its scalability and centralised management features as well as its powerful exception-based reporting capabilities. Through its combination of high-quality video surveillance, point-of-sale (POS) transaction data and analytics, Searchlight helps Yesway visually monitor operations at all of its sites and quickly analyse transaction data for anomalies. “Having our video surveillance, POS data and analytics together on one easy-to-use platform is a huge advantage for Yesway,” said Pohlman. Using the software, the c-store can rapidly search and sort all of its transactions and match them with corresponding video clips. The company can also group higher-risk transaction types like refunds and assign risk factors to its stores based on the number of these transactions. “The insights uncovered by Searchlight have helped Yesway reduce its shrink levels and improve the speed and efficiency of asset protection investigations,” Pohlman said. Advanced system management software Yesway is also deploying March Networks 8000 Series Hybrid NVRs for reliable video recording In addition to asset protection, Searchlight also delivers valuable business intelligence through the integration of video analytics including people counting, queue length and dwell time. Several different Yesway departments use Searchlight’s information to monitor operations, merchandising and customer service across the organisation. Iverify, a full-service interactive security company and March Networks certified partner, managed the Yesway installation. Marty Brakel, Iverify National Account Manager, said March Networks’ products are ideal for the c-store market. “March Networks Searchlight is a professional-grade solution for customers like Yesway that need robust loss prevention tools and the ability to manage hundreds of locations simultaneously,” said Brakel. In addition to Searchlight, Yesway is also deploying March Networks 8000 Series Hybrid NVRs for reliable video recording, and March Networks SE2 Series IP Cameras for high-quality video capture. It is managing the solution with March Networks Command Enterprise, advanced system management software that simplifies multi-site video management. Improve customer satisfaction “With March Networks’ complete solution for c-stores, organisations like Yesway can cut losses and improve customer satisfaction as well as operational efficiency,” said Net Payne, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer, March Networks. "Because Searchlight is also available as a hosted service, c-stores and other retailers can enjoy all the benefits of this powerful solution for a low monthly fee. They can have peace of mind knowing that March Networks’ trained professionals are monitoring and maintaining the health of the video system on their behalf.”

March Networks®, a global provider of intelligent IP video solutions, is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with Oncam, a provider of 360-degree video capture and business intelligence technology, to add Evolution 12 and 05 Mini cameras to its comprehensive video portfolio. The 360-degree cameras provide exceptional surveillance coverage, clear high-definition video and are available in a wide range of models and mounts, making the devices an ideal complement to March Networks’ banking, retail and transportation solutions. 360-degree surveillance technology The partnership enables certified systems integrators to purchase the Evolution cameras directly from March Networks as part of a complete solution and enjoy a single point of contact for technical support via March Networks’ Customer Care team. “March Networks is committed to partnering with technology providers such as Oncam, whose specialisation in 360-degree surveillance technology adds proven value to our intelligent video systems,” said Net Payne, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, March Networks. “We look forward to providing these best-in-breed cameras to our customers and continuing to work with Oncam to jointly develop future capabilities.” Evolution 12 and 05 Mini cameras March Networks and Oncamplan to collaborate on future camera software as part of a shared product roadmap Fully integrated with March Networks Command™ video management software and 8000 Series Hybrid NVRs, the Evolution 12 and 05 Mini cameras capture high resolution, 360-degree views, eliminating blind spots and often reducing the number of cameras required to monitor a scene. The cameras’ patented de-warping technology enables organisations to virtually pan, tilt and zoom within recorded video as easily as in live video, which allows users to access critical evidence whenever it is needed. Delivering advanced low-light performance and Power over Ethernet (PoE), the 360-degree cameras have no moving parts to maintain and come with a standard three-year warranty. March Networks integrated solutions March Networks and Oncam plan to collaborate on additional camera software features that will work with March Networks 8000 Series recorders, as part of a shared product roadmap. “March Networks’ advanced video solutions are used by an extensive and growing customer base worldwide,” said Jumbi Edulbehram, Regional President, Americas, Oncam. “Through interoperability as a March Networks partner, we are pleased to provide Oncam’s 360-degree technology to deliver additional value and increased situational awareness as part of March Networks’ integrated solutions.” March Networks will showcase the Evolution cameras as part of its intelligent video solutions in Booth 25041 at the International Security Conference and Exposition (ISC West), 5th-7th April, at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre in Las Vegas.

The Security Audit tool is the latest complement to March Networks’ existing Security Updates and Advisories program March Networks, a global provider of intelligent IP video solutions, introduces an innovative, new Security Audit tool to help systems integrators evaluate and improve the security of their video installation configurations and provide additional assurance to their customers. Analyses security of configurations The Security Audit capability, now available in March Networks’ GURU Smartphone Application 2.3, automatically analyses and rates how secure the configurations of installed March Networks 8000 Series and March Networks RideSafe GT Series hybrid video recorders are, based on a list of industry-recognised points of weakness. The tool then provides guidance on how to make a configuration more secure, such as changing a password that’s been left at the default setting or closing ports that don’t need to be open. Technicians can act on the recommendations to further harden the system, and email a report to themselves, a supervisor or a customer for future reference, all using their smartphone or tablet and a wireless connection to the recorder. Proactive tracking of vulnerabilities The Security Audit tool is the latest complement to March Networks’ existing Security Updates and Advisories program, through which the company proactively tracks potential vulnerabilities reported by the US Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT) and, where appropriate, conducts in-depth investigations across the March Networks product line. If a product is impacted, March Networks provides a software update and notifies customers and partners via a subscriber-based email communication. “The GURU Security Audit provides technicians with a very quick and convenient way of assessing the security of the configuration by running through a checklist and offering fixes for possible errors,” said Daniel Cremins, Global Product Management Leader for March Networks. “Video surveillance devices are like any other on the network. They need to be securely configured to help maintain the security of corporate networks and the data that runs over them.” "Video surveillance devicesneed to be securely configuredto help maintain the security of corporate networks and thedata that runs over them" “Some vendors are providing integrators with guidelines to check recorders for configuration vulnerabilities, but as a leader in the video surveillance space, we wanted to go one step further.” Automating process for systems integrators A checklist on a piece of paper can easily get lost or left behind. It also takes time for a technician to double-check each potential vulnerability at a customer site. The GURU Security Audit automates the process, saving systems integrators time and helping ensure nothing has been overlooked. “With systems integrators carrying multiple product lines, technicians have to remember small points of difference between different video systems, and also possess a very solid understanding of networks in general,” said Net Payne, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, March Networks. “This new security audit tool is designed to make it as easy as possible for a technician to review the security of a configuration before they leave a customer site. It’s a great addition to our leading cybersecurity program and to the many capabilities already available via the GURU app.” GURU Smartphone App March Networks’ GURU Smartphone App runs on iPhones, iPads and Android devices and can be downloaded for free from the App Store or Google Play. It works in conjunction with unique QR codes on all March Networks new generation hybrid NVRs and IP cameras to help systems integrators easily access serial numbers and warranty status, troubleshoot possible issues, access product tutorials and manuals, do wireless provisioning and process product returns immediately from the field using a smartphone or tablet. In addition, GURU’s recently added Installation Audit tool enables integrators to run reports on any 8000 Series or RideSafe GT Series system. The report includes a comprehensive snapshot of a system’s key configuration details, including: device, network and storage information; disk status; text channels; camera data rates; and a thumbnail image of each connected camera’s field-of-view. The information is packaged automatically, along with location and installation pictures, to provide integrators and their customers with a complete overview of their March Networks system installations and help them more accurately manage even the most extensive video network. March Networks will demonstrate its free GURU Smartphone Application in Booth 1614 at the ASIS International Annual Seminar and Exhibits, September 12-14 in Orlando, Florida. Save

When video analytics first emerged in the security industry about a decade ago, there were high hopes it would instantly transform the landscape of video surveillance. Problem was, the technology was not mature and, in essence, was oversold as far as its capabilities. Analytics such as heat mapping, directional and license plate recognition technology have improved, lending themselves to applications beyond security and into the realm of actionable business intelligence Integrators and their customers were disappointed. Analytics were not as stable as they were purported to be, and the software rules engines to set "exceptions" and alarms were unwieldy. But like other technology, time and increased implementation has erased many challenges, and now, systems integrators can be confident to revisit video analytics. Best of all, analytics such as heat mapping, directional and license plate recognition technology have improved, lending themselves to applications beyond security and into the realm of actionable business intelligence. As a bonus: They are easier to use and deploy. Video analytics for retailers Retailers and others are clamouring to get more from their video surveillance specifications, and that’s just what’s happening. Not only can cameras be used for security, but they can be tied to customer traffic patterns and therefore provide marketing data—such as how long someone lingers at a display, the most travelled area in a store, and when lines become long at cash registers so management can bring in more checkout personnel to ensure a positive customer experience. Video can be tied to inventory, alerting management when stocks are running low and more. For the integrator, that makes for an easier sale, and in addition, more recurring monthly revenue from the end user based on these additional applications. Not only can cameras be used for security, but they can be tied to customer traffic patterns and therefore provide marketing data to ensure a positive customer experience Video analytics data and security Now that video analytics has stepped up its game to provide critical marketing metrics, and with businesses needing to improve operations and gain targeted customer data, the implementation of the technology is expected to continue to grow. “Video analytics work,” says Net Payne, chief marketing officer of March Networks, Ottawa, Canada. “They have become much more refined and mature than they were 10 years ago. The algorithms that drive analytics have been optimised, and the level of accuracy has certainly improved. You combine those things and you have a better recipe for success.” Payne says analytics have also been integrated with simple visualisation tools and dashboard reporting that aggregate and analyse the information coming in from the analytics -- giving integrators and their customers an easy-to-understand snapshot of data. "They (video analytics) have become much more refined and mature than they were 10 years ago. The algorithms that drive analytics have been optimised, and the level of accuracy has certainly improved. You combine those things and you have a better recipe for success", says Net Payne, CMO of March Networks Part of the change has simply been a by-product of the passage of time, he says. “The companies that are still here have had a longer time to optimise analytics and use them in real-world settings. They understand what end users and installers are looking for and are working to deliver what they want. Analytics can analyse real-world business problems and solve those challenges reliably.” For the installer, installation and programming has of course moved to the smart phone, with applications and tools integrators can use in the field, like the company’s offering called GURU. His advice on moving to analytics? Understand not all solutions are created equal. “Integrators need to do their due diligence on products. They should ask about proof of concepts and pilot programs. One of the things we do with our integrator partners is conduct a proof of concept with them, understanding what they are looking for and of course, understanding what their customer’s business goals are. There are different ways to spec analytics and different price points. They need to make sure they have all the information on the customer’s objectives to guide them to the right solution.”