Steve Birkmeier

The advent of a truly new market for the physical security industry is a rare occurrence. Particularly rare is a new market that is both fast-growing and provides an environment that is not just conducive to application of physical security technologies but that actually demands it. Such is the case with the market for legalised marijuana. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: what are the security challenges of protecting the cannabis industry?

The new year 2019 is brimming with possibilities for the physical security industry, but will those possibilities prove to be good news or bad news for our market? Inevitably, it will be a combination of good and bad, but how much good and how bad? We wanted to check the temperature of the industry as it relates to expectations for the new year, so we asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: How optimistic is your outlook for the physical security industry in 2019? Why?

In many regards, 2018 was a turbulent year for the physical security marketplace, driven by evolving technologies and changing customer needs, among other factors. Year-end is a great time to reflect, so we asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: What caused the most disruption in the physical security marketplace in 2018? 

Physical security technologies operate successfully in many different markets, but in which markets do they fall short? Physical security is a difficult challenge that can sometime defy the best efforts of manufacturers, integrators and end users. This is especially the case in some of the more problematic markets and applications where even the best technology has to offer may not be good enough, or could it be that the best technology has not been adequately applied? We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable to reflect on instances when the industry may fall short: Which segments of the physical security industry are most under-served and why?

In the simplest terms, video systems capture and record video. But supporting these basic operations are a growing number of other functions that expand usefulness and the ability to interact with related elements in a larger system. As video system functionality expands, we asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What is the most important function of a CCTV system and why?

Even the most advanced and sophisticated security systems are limited in their effectiveness by a factor that is common to all systems – the human factor. How effectively integrators install systems and how productively users interface with their systems both depend largely on how well individual people are trained. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What is the changing role of training in the security and video surveillance market?

Where does the time go? Before you know it, here we are at mid-year reflecting on an eventful first half of 2018 in the physical security market. It’s also a good time for our Expert Panel Roundtable to pause and look ahead at what we might expect in the second half of the year. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What technology development will have the greatest impact in the second half of 2018?

You could say concerns about privacy are “trending” in our increasingly data-driven world. Unease about how Facebook and other high-tech companies use and share data dominates the news, and the full impact of new European Union (EU) regulations is about to be felt around the world. By May 25, companies that collect data on EU citizens will need to comply with strict new rules around protecting customer data, as enumerated in the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). But how do the new regulations, and broader concerns about privacy, affect the physical security market? We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: How do privacy issues and regulations, such as GDPR, impact physical security systems and how they are managed?

The reviews are in, and ISC West was another hit. Brisk attendance and a comprehensive lineup of the industry’s top companies and products contributed to another successful show for Reed Exhibitions. Our Expert Panel Roundtable, who have attended many such events, added their own reflections to the industry’s post-ISC glow. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: How successful was ISC West 2018 for security industry exhibitors and visitors?

A big trade show, such as the upcoming ISC West, has a lot to offer for attendees. How, can attendees maximise the value they get out of ISC West? For advice, we go to our Expert Panel Roundtable, all seasoned veterans of many big trade shows. Specifically, we asked the panel: How can attendees get the most out of a big trade show like ISC West?

How much does a security system cost? We all know that total costs associated with systems are substantially higher than the “price tag.” There are many elements, tangible and intangible, that contribute to the costs of owning and operating a system. Taking a broad view and finding ways to measure these additional costs enables integrators and users to get the most value from a system at the lowest total cost of ownership (TCO). However, measuring TCO can be easier said than done. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable to share the benefit of their collective expertise on the subject. Specifically, we asked: How should integrators and/or end users measure total cost of ownership (TCO) when quantifying the value of security systems?

For many years, cybersecurity was the unmentioned elephant in the room. Possible vulnerability of IP-connected devices to a cyber-attack was seldom, if ever, mentioned, and even the most basic measures to prevent such an attack were not implemented. For the last couple of years, however, the physical security industry has begun talking more about cybersecurity, in some cases with an abounding enthusiasm typical of the newly-converted. Have our discussions sufficiently addressed the long-standing lack of awareness? We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: Are we talking enough about cybersecurity? Or too much? (And why?)

Technology is changing at a break-neck pace, and the security marketplace is currently being bombarded by a wealth of new capabilities and innovations. But what will be the impact? Which of the currently-hyped new innovations will have a major impact, and which will fade over time? And even acknowledging the long-term significance of various technologies, what can we expect to be the more immediate effect? We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What new security technology is poised to have the greatest impact in the second half of 2017?

As security industry buzzwords go, “convergence” is perhaps the best known and most pervasive. We have been hearing about convergence in our market for almost 20 years. We have heard it’s happening soon. We have heard it’s inevitable. And yet, for all the talk of convergence, it has sometimes seemed there has been more talk than action. We wanted to check in with our Expert Panel Roundtable and get their latest takes on this most enduring of industry buzzwords. We asked this week’s panel: Has convergence happened yet in the physical security market? And what exactly does it mean?

There are many benefits of security systems, and some may be more obvious than others. Certainly, when choosing security systems to be installed, end users have goals and expectations for the systems in mind. But are there other benefits or opportunities that customers may not have thought of? It’s an interesting question, so we asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: Considering security systems integration, what is the biggest (or most common) missed opportunity?

Most technology companies have one goal in mind: to provide customers with high-quality, affordable products that can efficiently help streamline operations. Whether it's surveillance cameras, video management software, access control technology or any other type of security device, today's leading organisations invest in expertise in these product segments and strive to produce the highest quality solutions. To effectively fulfill this task, technology providers are always searching for emerging components to make their products and services even stronger. Oftentimes, a key aspect necessary to build a comprehensively robust solution involves finding like-minded partners that share a common goal and are willing to work together to create an integration that increases insight and intelligence.The interoperability between systems, devices and different types of applications should be intuitive and fast Key factors for security integrations A basic factor in a partnership is openness. For an integration to perform seamlessly for the end user, the platform through which the technologies converge must follow standard protocols, easily operate with other platforms, allow freedom and customisation, and provide adaptability. The interoperability between systems, devices and different types of applications should be intuitive and fast, enabling more time to be spent on analysing critical data and responding to security events. The puzzle of a complete security solution contains many pieces, and it's often necessary to fuse together aspects from various providers to create a best-in-breed technology offering. When organisations collaborate, the end result is a simplified solution with an increased level of value. As threats become more severe and complex, customers demand solutions that combine different security and business elements into a single interface that can address a wide variety of risks. A unified security system requires a strong collaboration between technology providers and integrated solutions Interconnected security devices Users used to only look at specific security devices - such as cameras or door alarms - as each having a strong, autonomous purpose, but now, every device plays an important interconnected role. And the progression of the Internet of Things (IoT) has made this transition even easier, as maintaining a consistent and uniform communication and interconnectivity between devices has now become the norm. The IoT has also made it so that partnerships must not only exist between manufacturers, but also within the customer's organisational structure. Although exceptionally beneficial, the IoT brings with it an increased amount of cyber vulnerabilities. As security systems are networked to increase flexibility, the door is opened to a number of potential threats that could compromise the entire enterprise. This risk highlights the need for an internal partnership and knowledge sharing between a company's physical security professionals and its IT team. IT experts should be pulled into security decisions and positioned as collaborative partners to assist with software updates, data safety protocols and solving complex network challenges, ultimately leading to a more cyber secure solution.Partnerships are beneficial to both the companies involved and their customers Knowledge sharing and learning Aside from cybersecurity, the latest prominent security attacks and events have focused primarily on soft targets, such as schools, concerts or shopping malls. This has caused many technology providers to venture into different vertical markets, and strong partnerships streamline this crossover. Innovators can extend their geographic reach and purpose through integrations with other like-minded manufacturers or integrators to add new levels of functionalities. Of course, a partnership cannot operate properly and to the best of its ability without a core component: learning. In today's evolving business and risk environment, knowledge is critical. A shared knowledge base can open up new opportunities and lead to the strengthening of security across many levels. A truly powerful, unified security system requires a strong collaboration between technology providers and integrated solutions. Partnerships are beneficial to both the companies involved and their customers, and the results created through these alliances can reach far beyond a user's expectations, offering enhanced flexibility and extensive safety options.

As we take a look back on 2017, there are a number of trends we need to highlight — all of which have redefined our industry. Cybersecurity played a huge role in physical security, driven by the increase in the use of the Internet of Things (IoT) and the overall interconnectivity between devices and expanding cloud technologies. Although exceptionally beneficial, the IoT also brings with it an increased amount of cyber vulnerabilities. As security systems are using the Internet more and more to integrate a variety of technologies, the door is open to a number of potential threats that could compromise the entire enterprise. Safeguarding against hacking Now more than ever, manufacturers need to provide secure products and guidelines to safeguard from potential hacking. In many ways, this understanding comes from partnerships throughout the industry and combining the knowledge base across multiple platforms. Today, convergence is more a reality than it has ever been. The integration of separate systems (for example, video surveillance and access control) is of increasing interest to stakeholders. Organisations are hungry for data and seek to gain as much information as possible about their business, daily operations, an emergency situation or security breach and beyond.The simple fact is that convergence is no longer just “nice to have”; but it is now a requirement Seeing the big picture But there is little value in disparate pieces of information. To find the knowledge behind captured data, it must be combined and presented in an intelligent way — allowing the user to see the “big picture” and make informed decisions based on this comprehensive view. In the security market, the ability to analyse both video surveillance and access control data enhances awareness by allowing users to gain greater insight and facilitate faster response. Combining the data into a single management platform ensures ease of use and understanding of critical data points. Arteco’s 2017 success At Arteco, we pride ourselves on delivering a wide array of options to help users gain new levels of intelligence to build stronger business programmes and enhance safety initiatives. We understand that video systems cannot be siloed. That’s why we focus so heavily on ensuring we integrate seamlessly with a wide variety of third-party systems. The simple fact is that convergence is no longer just “nice to have”; but it is now a requirement. Therefore, we’ll continue to see more efforts on building technology partnerships and easing integration challenges in the coming year. The companies that make it easy for platforms to communicate and provide value to customers through the integration will lead the way. Looking back on the year, 2017 in many ways has been a year of arrival for Arteco. We have been serving the video and intelligence markets for years but now we feel we are primed for larger success. We continually hear that we are the right product at the right time, and that is incredibly rewarding. We believe 2018 will be the year of wider market acceptance as users look to reach higher levels of intelligence across their businesses.

The security industry will continue to see consolidation through acquisition in 2017. At the advent of IP camera adoption, we saw a great decline in large vertically integrated companies, which spurred a new era of innovation within smaller IP camera manufacturers, VMS providers and other hardware companies for storage and managed switches.   We are now living in a new era of consolidation that is taking us full-circle back to vertical integration. Ultimately, the industry as a whole suffers because this consolidation will stifle innovation until the next big technology disruption takes shape. Interoperability across different verticals  This time last year, we noted that the marketplace was moving toward converged technologies and the need for alarm management across multiple platforms into a common interface, turned out to be a popular request. If anything, we are only seeing just the beginning phases of this transition. The biggest surprise is that interoperability is not only confined to security technology, but also extends to parallel systems such as building automation, safety and environmental controls, and even Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software. Using Video Event Management Software (VEMS) alongside these intelligent platforms proves to be a valuable verification process for many new and exciting vertical markets. Arteco plans to continue the revenue growth and brand awareness achieved in 2016 Event-based video security software At Arteco, our highest growth sectors tend to be slightly insulated from economic fluctuation in the sense that we focus on securing critical infrastructure (electrical utilities and communications) as well as corporate and education campuses. Unfortunately, the continued growth in active shooter incidents have made physical security concerns top of mind for many organisations regardless of economic impact. The unexpected repercussions are that many new security technologies are emerging that cater to real-time event notification on both the macro and micro level. The exciting part of this trend is that users are leveraging a layered approach with multiple autonomous applications working together toward a common goal to improve security, which will hopefully ensure a high level of protection.  Business growth and challenges Business has continued to grow year-over-year, and 2016 was a huge step forward for Arteco not only in terms of revenue growth, but also increased brand awareness in the United States and abroad. Our biggest challenge continues to be the crowded VMS market, which is filled with lower cost or even free substitute products. We are making great strides in overcoming this challenge by having a wonderful team of people, both on the technical and sales side of the organisation, who are focused on finding new and innovative ways to advance intuitive, open and affordable event-based and intelligent video security software into 2017. See the full coverage of 2016/2017 Review and Forecast articles here 

The advent of a truly new market for the physical security industry is a rare occurrence. Particularly rare is a new market that is both fast-growing and provides an environment that is not just conducive to application of physical security technologies but that actually demands it. Such is the case with the market for legalised marijuana. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: what are the security challenges of protecting the cannabis industry?

Arteco’s VCA video analytics system is their latest new product, signalling a move from machine vision-based analytics to deep learning video analytics. A server – separate from the Arteco video management system (VMS) – manages the algorithms for the analytics. Arteco has been field-testing the product for a year and a half and had planned to launch it officially at ISC West in March (which was postponed). In lieu of the trade show launch, the company has been presenting the product (along with partners) through a series of webinars. The deep learning video analytics product operates out of the box – “just turn it on,” says Steve Birkmeier, Arteco VP of Sales. Functionality is based on “training” of pre-classified objects, such as differentiating between a person, an animal, a vehicle, or just clutter. The deep learning library focuses on people and vehicles. Detection and identification The new system detects everything in the field of view The new system detects everything in the field of view and only identifies what the operator is looking for, thus reducing false alarms. Any identified object is provided with an accuracy reading (e.g., 92% confident it is a human.) The system can be set up from the graphical user interface (GUI). Arteco VCA (video content analysis) also uses analytics rules, such as “if A+B=C, then do D.” Therefore, an abandoned object may elicit a different response than a violated area. With roots in the industrial automation market of the early-2000s, Arteco offers an event-based video management system (VMS) platform. That is, their emphasis is on identifying and providing video at the moment something happens rather than managing a vast amount of video that shows, in effect, nothing of interest. Arteco’s system, providing functionality expected in a full-featured VMS, is designed around the need to react to exceptions and events. Video verification “We can pull in events from any type of system and provide the related video,” says Steve Birkmeier, Arteco VP of Sales. “It can be access control, fire, intrusion, perimeter security, radar or microwave barriers, vape sensors, license plate recognition, or whatever.” An open connector, xml framework enables Arteco to interface with other systems and provide video verification of events. In addition to a focus on event-based video, Arteco also emphasises ease of use, building on their 20-year history with video analytics. Another point of differentiation is their open architecture that easily and repeatably enables incorporation of third-party “events.” Finally, Arteco’s systems are competitively priced (less expensive), including flexible pricing and licensing structure to maximise value for a customer.  In addition to security, there are multiple operational applications that use video verification In addition to security, there are multiple operational applications that use video verification. For example, integration with warehouse management software using metadata from warehouse surveillance video can provide a searchable database. An operator can enter a purchase order number, for instance, and the system provides video associated with that sale.  The role of video in physical security Arteco has traditionally been a strong player in the utilities vertical, where event-based video management is useful to keep watch on high-value assets located in remote areas with little physical security. Another strong vertical is car dealerships in the United States, including security and loss prevention applications as well as integration with fleet management (using RFID and/or license plate reading). Arteco’s heat mapping capabilities can help a car dealer analyse customer activity to guide merchandising decisions, in the same way a retail store might. Big-box stores are another application for Arteco’s combination of marketing analytics, security and loss prevention.  Arteco’s strength is also proving useful in the emerging, highly regulated cannabis industry. State regulations require that each marijuana plant be tagged, and systems are required to provide total chain of custody records from “seed to sale.” In the case of Arteco, video associated with a specific plant tag is available at each stage of growth, production and sale. Coronavirus and video management The analytics can detect when people are grouped together closer than 2 meters As an Italian company, Arteco has already applied its deep-learning VCA product at city centers in Italy, which was hard hit by the novel coronavirus. The analytics can detect when people are grouped together closer than 2 meters, for example, and can provide an alarm if social distancing requirements related to the coronavirus are not being observed. The system can also detect and confirm the use of face masks at an entrance. Tracking that number – the percentage of customers who comply – in real time might offer additional peace of mind for high-risk customers entering a store, for example. Birkmeier contends the world has been changed forever by the pandemic, although acceptance over time of new technologies being introduced will vary greatly by geographic location. Already, in the last decade or so, acceptance of video surveillance has been greater, even in the U.S. market, he says. ”More often you hear ‘why don’t you have cameras’ rather than ‘I don’t like these camera here,’” he comments.

Arteco, a global provider of intelligent video management solutions, announced the appointment of Eric Vorbeck to the position of Western Regional Sales Manager for the United States. In his role at Arteco, Vorbeck will call on his more than 13 years of experience in security, technology and sales to focus on developing new avenues of business as well as adding valuable support in servicing the company’s expanding customer base in the Western United States. Prior to joining Arteco, he was Western Region Sales Director for 3VR. Previously, he held the role of Vice President of Sales and Operations at CV Reps. Over the course of his career, he also worked with Mace Security International and Northern Video Systems. Eric has been a strong supporter of Arteco’s business and technology development over the course of his career, and has been instrumental in enhancing lead generation and sales efforts in the West Enhancing sales in western part “Arteco's focus on helping users pinpoint events and alerts quickly, and its open integration capabilities make the company stand out in today’s crowded marketplace as a leader in the development of intelligent video surveillance solutions,” said Vorbeck. “I am pleased to have the opportunity to propel new opportunities in this high-growth region and contribute to the company’s continued growth.” “Eric has been a strong supporter of Arteco’s business and technology development over the course of his career, and has been instrumental in enhancing lead generation and sales efforts in the West,” said Steve Birkmeier, Vice President of Sales and Business Development, Arteco. “As a company, we’ve built and sustained significant success in the Americas over the past year, and look forward to adding Eric’s expertise to continue our push in the Western region.”   Security solutions for School District The company’s sales growth has continued to accelerate as organisations across the globe realise significant benefits from the company’s focus on intelligence, which enables users to gain new levels of awareness and approach security efforts in a more proactive manner. Customers, including Huntington Independent School District, have experienced streamlined integration, shortened response times, and robust investigations processes through the incorporation of the Arteco's solutions into their security and business operations.

The newly formed Campus Security Coalition, a networking group focused on sharing ideas and spearheading discussion about security and safety at schools nationwide, today unveiled its 2017 School Security Grant Programme. The initiative is designed to help schools better address threats, further strengthen security efforts and realize more proactive intelligence efforts. Faced with the growing threats of violence, vandalism and attacks, modern school systems are challenged with ensuring a safe, open environment while protecting infrastructure and assets. Continued budget restraints often limit the availability of new investment dollars for security expansions. The Campus Security Coalition seeks to assist schools by partnering with leading technology vendors and installers to provide the tools and services necessary to strengthen situational awareness and security intelligence. Enhancing school security solutions The organization will select one school to receive the hardware, software and additional equipment necessary to implement a comprehensive security solution, including video management software, video analytics, surveillance cameras, access control and storage. The grant application process will open on May 1, 2017, and close on June 30, 2017. The Campus Security Coalition aims to facilitate the exchange of ideas and propel discussion about the issues affecting schools today. The group is made up of educational end users, technology leaders, consultants, architects and technology providers. Members can use the valuable resources and information they receive as part of the group to contribute valuable experience and resources to schools in need of enhanced security. Demand for better campus security “Educational campuses have seen a significant increase in threats that put the lives of students and faculty members in jeopardy. Though demand for better security measures has risen, the adoption of new solutions is hindered by lack of cohesion across varying segments,” said Steve Birkmeier, Vice President, Arteco, which is a Founding Member of the organization. “The Campus Security Coalition is made up of a diverse group of individuals and organizations who believe that securing the next generation is of the utmost urgency, and we’re honored to play a part.” Individual membership is available to leaders with experience in school security or safety initiatives, individual schools and school districts, educational administrators, consultants, campus police and security leaders. Aligned technology and service providers can participate through a wide variety of sponsorship opportunities, both year-round and event-based. Founding members include Arteco, SANS Technology and Oncam.

Customers can now create a backup video archive to protect valuable video data and ensure ongoing resiliency Arteco, a provider of video event management solutions, will unveil advancements to its video event management portfolio at the upcoming ISC West 2017 conference.The Arteco video surveillance solutions portfolio delivers a wide variety of functionalities that help stakeholders gain new levels of awareness within their security and business infrastructures. The company has expanded its focus to provide customised systems that fit the requirements of specific vertical applications, such as retail, logistics, Smart City, critical infrastructure, and campus. Enhancements include advanced storage options, bandwidth reduction for live and recorded video, support for ONVIF Audio Out, POS and marketing platforms. Arteco Point-of-Sale integration With the ability to integrate POS into the Arteco VEMS platform, retailers can improve the investigation of suspicious register transactions. To quickly identify fraudulent transactions, operators can search the transaction history by querying predefined criteria and view the video tied to these events. The integration of video and transaction data enables retailers to be more proactive with loss prevention and theft reduction. Arteco Marketing Platform A unique and innovative web-based tool, the Arteco Marketing Platform provides users in retail stores, restaurants, hotels and more with increased insight into transaction history, buying trends and conversion rates. The solution supports intelligence gathering from a single location to hundreds of stores, providing a comprehensive view of marketing efforts across an organisation’s infrastructure. People counting, heat mapping, biometrics and other advanced video analytics help users identify key data points, manage resources, and optimise marketing campaigns to increase revenue. Auxillary storage Customers can now create a backup video archive to protect valuable video data and ensure ongoing resiliency. The Arteco auxiliary archive allows continued access to recorded video, even if the main server is offline. Users can also backup recorded video on a local network or cloud-based storage for further redundancy. “Arteco continues to enhance to its products to enable end users to gain the most important information from its video data” Substream LiveSubstream Live reduces impact on CPUs when viewing a large number of camera feeds. With this feature, stakeholders view high-quality live video within Arteco VEMS even when bandwidth is low. Furthermore, operators can watch more camera views simultaneously. When recording, Substream allows organisations to store high quantities of recorded video, reducing impact on the network. ONVIF Audio Out Organisations can increase proactive risk mitigation while enhancing situational awareness through Arteco’s support for ONVIF Audio Out. Operators within a central command centre can communicate with security personnel, employees, or visitors at another location via two-way audio communication. Arteco LPR Server Arteco delivers greater freedom of choice with its LPR Server, which allows organisations to use standard IP cameras instead of dedicated License Plate Recognition (LPR) cameras. Identifying critical video is streamlined with detailed layouts and maps, as well as metadata of the plate in each event. Addressing real-world challenges “Arteco continues to enhance to its products to enable end users to gain the most important information from its video data,” said Steve Birkmeier, Vice President, Sales and Business Development, Arteco. “We are dedicated to helping organisations deploy solutions that fit their unique environments. These products are also designed to address the real-world challenges that organisations face on a daily basis.” Companies across the globe gain significant benefits from Arteco video event management solutions. Customers including USS Iowa, Campbell University and Lexus report streamlined integration, shortened tactical response times and stronger operational efficiencies. To learn how Arteco can help elevate a security program, schedule a meeting with them at ISC West 2017 (booth 4097).

AVA allows users to automatically detect events that may be associated with security risks Arteco, a provider of video event management solutions, is investing in strengthening its video intelligence capabilities and announced the addition of Advanced Video Analysis (AVA) to its video management solutions. The addition of the analytics platform combines Arteco’s video event management system (VEMS) with advanced algorithms such as hot zones, occupancy rate, smoke and fire detection, slip-and-fall identification and more, to support more powerful and proactive security and business strategies. Comprehensive video analytics AVA is a comprehensive suite of video analytics algorithms that supports a variety of intelligent processes, making it possible for operators to detect, track, and classify subjects or objects. A server-based solution that is easily added to the Arteco VEMS, AVA allows users to automatically detect events that may be associated with security risks, such as an object left behind. Marketing teams can also leverage analytics to help determine the success of promotional campaigns and determine conversion rates. Users continue to identify new use cases for analytics and video surveillance, and the market opportunity will continue to grow. Automatic real-time alerts “The addition of AVA analytics enables organisations to receive automatic, real-time alerts for pre-defined high-risk or high-interest activities, which allows operators to be more efficient and informed,” said Steve Birkmeier, Vice President, Sales and Business Development, Arteco. “Our mission is to help users quickly identify the most relevant information to enhance security and streamline operations. The evolution of our video analytic offerings is a core component of this ongoing strategy.”

The coalition is made up of educational end users, administrators, consultants, architects and technology providers The Campus Security Coalition, a networking group focused on spearheading discussion about security and safety at educational facilities, has been launched to bring together school leaders and aligned stakeholders, and propel discussion about how to better address threats, further strengthen security efforts and achieve more proactive intelligence efforts. Protecting infrastructures and assets Faced with the growing threats of violence, vandalism and attacks, modern school systems are challenged with ensuring a safe, open environment while protecting infrastructure and assets. Continued budget restraints often limit the availability of new investment dollars for security expansions and continued plan assessments. Over the coming year, the Campus Security Coalition will seek to assist schools by partnering with technology vendors and installers to provide the tools and services necessary to strengthen situational awareness and security efforts. The Campus Security Coalition is made up of educational end users, administrators, consultants, architects and technology providers. Members can use the valuable resources and information they receive as part of the group to contribute expertise and resources to schools in need of enhanced security plans. Campus and student safety “Educational campuses have seen a significant increase in threats that put the lives of students and faculty members in jeopardy” “If it takes a village to raise a child, it also takes a village to protect one. There’s a need in today’s market to help schools address security concerns by listening to what they need and offering advice for building a better security posture,” said Jumbi Edulbehram, Regional President – Americas, Oncam. “As the educational landscape changes, so, too, should the technology used to protect these facilities. It’s important for manufacturers, integrators and end users to come together to discuss a more holistic approach to securing our schools.” “Educational campuses have seen a significant increase in threats that put the lives of students and faculty members in jeopardy,” said Steve Birkmeier, Vice President, Arteco. “The Campus Security Coalition is made up of a diverse group of individuals and organisations who believe that securing the next generation is of the utmost urgency, and we’re honored to play a part.”

Clients and integrator partners benefit from this proven integration that increases storage and video management options for those seeking to protect video data in mission-critical surveillance environments Arteco, a global provider of video event management solutions, announces its integration with SANS Technology’s enterprise-class storage solution Syneto. The technology partnership ensures the Arteco Video Event Management System (VEMS) is optimised for robust performance and reliability when hosted on the SANS-Syneto storage appliance. Optimising video management The integration helps ensure video data is stored and protected, while video management capabilities are readily available for video monitoring, security and operational purposes. Clients and integrator partners benefit from this proven integration that increases storage and video management options for those seeking to protect video data in mission-critical surveillance environments. “Our integration with Arteco demonstrates our commitment to helping joint customers maximise video surveillance investments through the delivery of technology collaborations with principal partners,” said Todd Duchemin, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, SANS Technology. “Our alliance with Arteco allows our clients to get the most out of their surveillance deployments by leveraging a video management solution that delivers greater awareness to enable more efficient and proactive security management.” Advanced storage solution “The advanced storage solution Syneto from SANS Technology provides our customers and integrator partners with more options and flexibility when it comes to ensuring the long-term retention of video surveillance information,” Steve Birkmeier, Vice President, Sales and Business Development, Arteco. “This integration delivers customer confidence that Arteco is working consistently toward building a portfolio of partners that further extend the value of our video surveillance solutions.”

Access control events from ZKBioSecurity software are presented in the Arteco VEMS interface in real time ZKAccess, a division of ZKTeco and provider of biometric and RFID security solutions, announced the integration of its access control platform with Arteco, a provider of video event management solutions. The integration of access control and video surveillance is of growing interest to end users in a wide variety of markets, which propelled both companies to seek a partnership to provide customers with the ability to combine data into a single management platform. Arteco Video Event Management Software Arteco Video Event Management Software (VEMS) is now integrated with ZKBioSecurity management software platform through Arteco’s Open Connector, an integration platform that streamlines interoperability between third-party systems and the Arteco VEMS platform. Access control events from ZKBioSecurity software are presented in the Arteco VEMS interface in real time, allowing joint customers to gain greater insight to make more informed decisions and facilitate faster response. “ZKAccess is a provider of biometric, RFID, and access control solutions with significant reach across the globe. When seeking an integration partner in the video surveillance segment, we wanted to partner with an organisation with the same global footprint because the demand for access control and video integration is not unique to the U.S. market,” said Larry Reed, CEO, ZKAccess. “Arteco is an ideal partner because of its event-based, open video technologies and its focus on ensuring customers have access to the most important information to make informed decisions at any given time.” Maximising business efficiencies “At Arteco, our mission is to enable our customers to gain insight to the most important events across their infrastructure to increase safety and maximise business efficiencies,” said Steve Birkmeier, Vice President, Sales and Business Development, Arteco. “ZKAccess is a leader in the access control market for its ability to provide robust, cost-effective solutions that help reduce risk. Working together, our customers can realise the benefits of video and access integration to ensure a more informed, proactive security posture.”

Technology partnership enhances event-based intelligence for security and business applications Arteco, a global provider of intelligent video event management solutions, announces its integration with Razberi Technologies' ServerSwitchIQ suite of video surveillance appliances, including ServerSwitchIQ, ServerSwitchIQ Pro, ServerSwitchIQ Enterprise and ServerSwitchIQ Rugged. Enhanced situational awareness and operational optimisation Joint customers can now leverage the intelligent capabilities of Arteco's video event management software (VEMS) to realise new levels of situational awareness and operational optimisation. The integration is enabled by including the Arteco executable file through a VMS wizard onto any of Razberi's ServerSwitchIQ product suite. Razberi ServerSwitchIQ is a complete line of all-in-one, scalable appliances that combine a managed PoE switch, server, storage and intelligence. By deploying Razberi’s products in a distributed architecture near the edge of the network, customers can decrease network utilisation while increasing megapixel video quality and reducing capital, bandwidth and space costs. Once selected, the file immediately runs and installs the VEMS, saving installers the trouble of having to manually install or download the VMS from a third-party Web site. Integrators can then license the VEMS directly through Arteco. Arteco VEMS exceeds meeting user demands for increased security and fuelling the growth of generated data. It enables users to achieve a higher level of situational awareness through the delivery of only the most relevant video data based on highly customisable user criteria. The integration enables Arteco customers to leverage Razberi's open-architecture appliances to reduce the incoming megapixel video impact on the IP network Low-maintenance video intelligence solution The integration enables Arteco customers to leverage Razberi's open-architecture appliances to reduce the incoming megapixel video impact on the IP network. Fully integrated with the power of video event management software (VEMS), the integration allows joint customers across multiple industries to benefit from comprehensive, streamlined video solutions by enhancing visibility through Arteco event prioritisation and Razberi's mitigation of video downtime, providing an overall reduction in physical and logical cost of ownership. Rigorous advanced testing of this process by Razberi further confirms ease-of-use and interoperability between both solutions.  “Our partnership with Arteco VEMS delivers a highly reliable, low-maintenance video intelligence solution that promotes seamless, comprehensive video surveillance protection to customers,” said Mig Paredes, Director of Sales, Razberi Technologies. “By leveraging the intuitive capabilities VEMS has to offer, customers can achieve even further insight into their organisations to activate quicker and more efficient emergency response without the added complexities of traditional installations.”  “This open-platform integration goes beyond that of a traditional VMS partnership. Through Arteco, joint customers securing various application sizes are getting the added benefit of streamlined event management while simultaneously reducing the physical and financial costs to their overarching systems,” said Steve Birkmeier, Vice President, Sales and Business Development, Arteco. “As megapixel camera usage continues to surge in growth, we're confident that the integration between Razberi intelligent video surveillance appliances and Arteco VEMS will offer users a way to lighten their security and network burdens, allowing them to scale but stay safe at their own pace.”

The new Arteco-3000 NVR eases installation and management, reduces overall costs for SME users Arteco, a provider of event-driven video management solutions, introduces a strategic update to its technology portfolio, designed to increase video management capabilities for small-to-medium surveillance deployments. The new Arteco-3000 network video recorder is optimised for high-performance and reliability in a small form factor, and designed for ease-of-integration. Addressing current security needs Arteco-3000 supports 12 IP cameras at full HD resolution and is ideal for small enterprises, retailers, small businesses and distributed, multi-site installations, such as chain stores and logistics centres. The platform’s 64-bit architecture enables users to address today's security and operational needs while ensuring scalability with evolving video data requirements. The NVR platform delivers the performance and reliability necessary for the robust video display and automated monitoring today’s modern organisations require. It enhances visual viewing through detailed event displays and alarms that streamline investigations and informed response for focused teams. Streamlined installation and system management The Arteco-3000 NVR is also designed to offer simplicity and performance. With a plug-and-play approach and an intuitive user experience, installation and system management are streamlined. The completely integrated package reduces training and deployment costs, and enhances integration through close compatibility with various third-party devices. It is also expandable with any Arteco video event management system or NVR. Event-driven intelligence “With the new 3000, Arteco delivers on its promise to deliver intelligent and intuitive video management that empowers SME customers to exceed security and business objectives,” said Steve Birkmeier, Vice President, Sales and Business Development, Arteco. “Arteco-3000 also serves as an entry point to the benefits of event-driven intelligence, an expanded video category that delivers significant benefits to the security and operations teams.” Arteco-3000 is the latest addition to Arteco’s comprehensive portfolio of technology solutions designed for security, video and operational monitoring. The company’s wide range of video intelligence solutions helps solve complex business and safety challenges for customers around the globe. Save

Arteco’s webinar to further enhance event-driven security within individual applications Arteco, a global provider of event-driven video management solutions, announced a focused webinar series that highlights the design features, benefits and use cases of select platforms within the Arteco solutions suite. Enhancing event-driven security The global webinar series consists of four separate sessions that will span the course of the remainder of 2016. The series aims to educate users on how to leverage Arteco’s customisable video event management platforms and integrations to further enhance event-driven security within individual applications. The topics will cover Arteco Everywhere, Open Connector, Samsung licence plate recognition (LPR) and Contact-ID protocol. “Arteco sees significant growth as customers in a variety of markets look to adopt technologies that drive security and business intelligence,” said Steve Birkmeier, Vice President, Sales and Business Development, Arteco. “Our goal for this webinar series is to give security practitioners and systems integrators the tools needed to drive new levels of data capture that optimises response and helps drive a more proactive approach to safety.” Arteco’s free webinar series •Arteco Everywhere – Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016, 10 a.m. EDT •Samsung LPR Integration – Friday, Nov. 11, 2016, 11 a.m. EDT •Contact-ID Integration – Monday, Nov. 28, 2016, 10 a.m. EDT •Arteco Open Connector – Monday, Dec. 12, 2016, 10 a.m. EDT Save

The integration provides a comprehensive video intelligence solution that enables seamless, end-to-end protection Arteco, a provider of event-driven intelligent video management solutions, announced the integration of its video event management system (VEMS) with Immix from SureView Systems. The integration with Immix enables Arteco customers to gain a higher level of situational awareness to power intelligent video monitoring efforts across multiple locations.Security management platformsThe integration strengthens the ability of both companies to deliver comprehensive, best-in-class surveillance capabilities. The combination of these feature-rich security management and recording platforms streamlines operations, and helps ensure security and compliance. The integration enables fully functioning video integration between the systems, allowing Arteco VEMS users to have all events from integrated security devices—such as perimeter security, building automation, fire, intrusion, license plate recognition (LPR) and video analytics events—monitored by central stations using SureView Immix. “By leveraging the capabilities of the Arteco VEMS, customers gain even greater insight into their security posture to enable faster and more effective incident response” Arteco VEMS is a crucial component of today’s powerful surveillance applications that are meeting user demands for increased security and fuelling the growth of generated data. It enables users to achieve a higher level of situational awareness through the delivery of only the most relevant video data based on highly customisable user criteria.Alarm activity monitoringImmix is used by private enterprises and video monitoring providers to enhance security efforts and monitor alarm activity. It is designed to drive down the cost of monitoring several systems across multiple locations, while increasing compliance and encouraging an effective, informed tactical response.“Our integration with Arteco delivers a comprehensive video intelligence solution that enables seamless, end-to-end protection,” said Stephen Tapper, Manager of Technical Services, SureView Systems. “By leveraging the capabilities of the Arteco VEMS, customers gain even greater insight into their security posture to enable faster and more effective incident response.”“We continue to look for new ways to ensure our customers have access to best-in-class technologies through strategic partnerships,” said Steve Birkmeier, Vice President of Business Development and Sales, Arteco. “The integration with Immix allows us to provide a versatile video monitoring solution that is agile enough to meet the unique and changing dynamics of today’s central stations and private command centres that rely on Arteco to meet their security and operational goals.”

Arteco will demonstrate their event management solutions at ASIS 2016 Arteco, a provider of event-driven intelligent video management solutions, continues to experience significant adoption of its Video Event Management Solutions (VEMS) in target markets, such as education, critical infrastructure and commercial, and has made a series of critical investments to ensure sustained business success and technology advancement. The company’s growth has continued to accelerate as security and IT departments realise significant benefits from the company’s focus on event-driven intelligence, which delivers increased integration and advanced detection of third-party alarms for more proactive incident management. Customers including USS Iowa and Lexus of Lakeway have experienced streamlined integration, shortened tactical response times, and better visitor and customer service through the incorporation of the company’s event-based intelligence solutions into their security and business operations. Innovative security and business intelligence solutions Open Connector is a streamlined, interoperable platform that consolidates third-party notifications and events from various devices and systems, such as surveillance cameras, access control systems, alarms and sensors, building automation and traffic control systems, into one easy-to-use, intuitive management platform. Arteco Open Connector is the recipient of the 2016 Campus Safety BEST award in the Video Surveillance Software category from Campus Safety Magazine. "Arteco has improved accessibilityto video event managementsoftware to end users across manyindustries and continues to propelthe concept of event-drivenintelligence to new markets" As a complement to Open Connector, the Event Analytics platform combines the power of analytics with intuitive video security monitoring to further push forward the concept of event-driven intelligence. Operators are able to quickly identify the most relevant information and develop customisable reports. The Contact-ID integration plug-in allows Arteco NEXT users to duplicate security data through Contact-ID, a widely recognised fire and intrusion protocol. Users are presented with a comprehensive view of its alarms within the video management interface, enabling stakeholders to realise new levels of security and business intelligence. Growing video security solutions and technology support “Arteco has improved accessibility to video event management software to end users across many industries and continues to propel the concept of event-driven intelligence to new markets,” said Steve Birkmeier, Vice President, Sales and Business Development, Arteco.  “I am immensely proud of Arteco’s accomplishments as user-oriented solutions provider, and this year’s ASIS conference will mark a new chapter as the company continues to focus on offering best-in-class video security solutions and technology support to valued customers.” Arteco will demonstrate these solutions at the upcoming ASIS Annual Seminar and Exhibits, Sept. 12-14, 2016. Save Save

Part 5 of our Security in Healthcare series It’s difficult for hospital security directors to provide a quantified ROI in an updated security system Several forces are working in favour of greater adoption of hospital security and video surveillance technologies in the healthcare market. “Healthcare facilities and campuses are growing at a rapid rate to accommodate an aging population and the research and development of pharmacology and many different types of medical devices or technology”, says Steve Birkmeier, VP of Sales and Business Development, Arteco. “This boon to the industry also increases the risk of theft, trespassing, vandalism and even active shooter threats to these campuses, putting vulnerable patients and staff in harm’s way,” he says. “Since these characteristics are always in flux, healthcare customers are in the market for flexible solutions that can adapt and scale to the shape and size of individual campuses.” But what factors are standing in the way of greater implementation of video surveillance and security technology? The largest one is lack of funding. “These campuses are constantly under strict budgetary or compliance constraints,” says Birkmeier. “So they are also looking to expand at a low marginal cost without having to sacrifice security measures or forgo regulation.” Looking for ROI in physical security "As long as the security team isable to invest in sound access control,  visitor management andvideo  systems, they are in agood place" Customers investing in security often look for a return on investment (ROI). However, Dave Ella, Vice President of Product Marketing, AMAG Technology, says it’s always tricky for hospital security directors to provide a quantified ROI in an updated security system, and that reality holds back investment. However, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations provide leverage for security managers as there is a benchmark they need to meet or exceed. This can help to justify investment in physical security, Ella says. “Hospital security teams understand the benefits of new technologies,” says Ella. “Financial restrictions hold back investment in some security measures that could be implemented. As long as the security team is able to invest in sound access control, visitor management and video systems, they are in a good place.” Factors obstructing new security installation Historically, three factors have prevented many organisations from moving forward with new technologies: lack of money, proprietary systems, and the need to “rip and replace” large parts of the installed systems, says Robert Laughlin, President, Galaxy Control Systems. “Today, while funding is almost always a limiting factor at some level, the progression of industry standards and ‘open’ systems has made a big positive impact on the ability of organisations to upgrade cost-effectively,” he says. “The difference is that facilities can now be upgraded by replacing only part of a system, rather than the entire system. And, similar developments have resulted in key system functionality being executed in software rather than hardware, which also provides upgrade pathways that do not require wholesale replacement of system elements”, says Laughlin. “Together, these factors have drastically improved the cost and functionality of systems for end users.” Training and education of security practitioners is required to bring awareness of the new surveillance technologies that are available Inertia - a hindrance to adopting healthcare security “Inertia is another challenge. “Do nothing” is the biggest factor in slowing the adoption of new technologies,” says Jeff Whitney, Arecont Vision’s Vice President of Marketing. ”Adoption of technologies in healthcare is frequently driven by opportunity such as a new building or facility, changes in legislation or regulation, or external factors such as incidents, crime, or lawsuit,” he says. Megapixel camera technology, which is Arecont Vision’s focus, has the ability to reduce costs of surveillance while dramatically increasing video quality and coverage, and thus is often selected as part of the solution. “Training and education of security practitioners continues to be required to bring awareness of the new surveillance technologies that are available, what benefits they bring, and how to design and implement such systems in place of legacy analogue surveillance deployments,” says Whitney. Proactive use of video management systems Some healthcare facilities are not harnessing the potential power of their newly improved video management systems, says Ella of AMAG. “The systems need to be made more proactive. Viewing areas and recoding video is not enough. Video is capable of being part of an integrated prevention tool to respond quickly to developing incidents. “ “I would say healthcare security professionals in general are early adopters of technology and like to implement the best technology available” It’s important for the video system to be integrated directly to the access control and alarm management system, says Ella. Whenever an alarm or event occurs, the security officer must see exactly what has happened within seconds and respond accordingly. By linking – or tagging – video to access control events and alarms, and by building on that with automated triggers and workflows, AMAG customers are able to make their video systems much more responsive and proactive to security incidents. To meet the needs of healthcare facilities and other business sectors with similar issues, AMAG has integrated the Symmetry system to more than 15 different video management systems. Despite any obstacles, healthcare customers generally welcome new innovations. “I would say healthcare security professionals in general are early adopters of technology and like to implement the best technology available,” says Jim Stankevich, Global Manager – Healthcare Security, Tyco Security Products. “For most, rapid implementation is limited by budgets and available funding.” Read Part 6 of our Security in Healthcare series here

Arteco’s event-driven intelligence platform is now integrated with BlueWave’s full host of scalable IP access control systems Arteco, a global provider of event-driven intelligent video management solutions, announces its integration of BlueWave Security access control solutions. BlueWave leveraged Arteco’s Open Connector, an integration platform that make the interoperability between systems and devices and provides an intuitive process to leverage the full power of the Arteco Video Event Management (VEMS) system. Enhancing awareness and intelligence Arteco’s event-driven intelligence platform is now integrated with BlueWave’s full host of scalable IP access control systems. This strategic initiative enables joint customers to enhance the situational awareness and security intelligence while further driving technological capabilities. Users will be able to correlate data between the video management and access control systems to gain greater insight into security operations and risk management. The integration broadens each company’s reach in the target markets of education, healthcare, retail and enterprise applications. “Next-generation access control solutions require a technological complement within the security profile that taps into the wealth of information coming in from all other devices,” said James Botek, Director of Product Marketing, BlueWave Security. “Whether customers prioritise ease of deployment, ease-of-use or scalability, the integration enabled by Open Connector allows BlueWave customers to take advantage of a customer-centric partnership and realize the power of event-driven intelligence.” “Arteco is strongly committed to providing its customers with scalable, interoperable solutions that address a wide variety of needs while delivering new levels of intelligence,” said Steve Birkmeier, Vice President, Sales and Business Development, Arteco. “BlueWave is a leader in the access control market, and by enabling integration with its platforms, joint customers can capitalise on the value of combining information from multiple systems into one interface to make informed, proactive security decisions in real time.”

Part 3 of our Security in Healthcare series Megapixel and higher-definition cameras are meeting the security and surveillance needs of a variety of hospital and healthcare facilities Video is a major component of most hospital and healthcare security systems. Among the big video trends are greater integration of video with other systems, and increased use of higher-megapixel cameras and 180-degree and 360-degree-view cameras to monitor larger areas. Variety of video applications Arecont Vision is seeing a growing number of video applications for healthcare providers. Commonly protected with Arecont Vision megapixel surveillance cameras, integrated with a video management system or a network video recorder of the customer’s choice, is coverage of: Entrances and exists to buildings, grounds, parking structures, car parks, and facilities Office areas, emergency rooms, nursing stations, treatment centers, clinics, operating rooms, procedure rooms, operating rooms, morgues, patient wards Pharmacies, drug storage areas, records storage, store rooms, laundry Public areas, reception, lobbies, hallways, cafeterias, kitchens, retail areas Protection from slip-and-fall, workman’s compensation, malpractice, lawsuits, and other litigation and compliance Perimeter, parking surveillance and license plate recognition Facial recognition, people counting, movement monitoring Access control and staff identification Visitor, patient, and staff safety Megapixel and higher-definition cameras are meeting the security and surveillance needs of a variety of hospital and healthcare facilities. “Due to the resolution provided by Arecont Vision’s megapixel cameras, and the deployment of several panoramic cameras, we have easily expanded our coverage capabilities using fewer cameras with outstanding results,” says Paul M. Sarnese, System Safety Direct, Virtua Health in New Jersey. “The performance of our new surveillance systems has helped us to improve overall security. It has been a win-win situation for Virtua.” Addressing accountability Sacred Health Health System, Pensacola, Florida, uses Arecont Vision megapixel cameras as part of a video surveillance system to look for recorded video of suspicious persons after a description is given, says Michael J. Matroni, Emergency Preparedness and Security Manager, “We are also using it to review slip-and-fall complaints, and to address issues of employee accountability.” “Arecont Vision cameras more than satisfy our requirements for image quality,” says Lai Voon Hon, General Director of Hoa Lam-Sangri-La, a high-tech healthcare park in Vietnam. “The system is working very well for us.” The International Hi-Tech Healthcare Park will be the first integrated healthcare development in Vietnam to provide a comprehensive healthcare environment employing high-tech medical equipment and a professional medical staff. “Our new video surveillance system is an important element of that environment,” says Lai Voon Hon. Hospitals and healthcare facilities that have multiple sites and locations can benefit from centralising all video on a single platform Centralising video onto a single platform One Pelco customer is the University of Arizona Medical Center – South Campus (UAMC South Campus). When adding a new behavioural health hospital tower, UAMC South Campus sought to migrate and expand its existing analogue video surveillance system to an IP system that would allow the capabilities of multisite monitoring. Using Pelco’s Endura IP video management system (VMS) with NSM5200 network video recorders, the hospital system was able to centralised all video onto a single platform while allowing several operators to simultaneously look for and view video of daily events. In addition, more than 150 Sarix and Sarix with SureVision technology IP cameras were deployed throughout the new tower, emergency room and most entrances and exits. The open platform concept that Pelco offers can help ensure that existing technology can be incorporated when adding onto existing infrastructure Other hospitals and healthcare facilities that have multiple sites and locations can benefit from the kind of technology used at UAMC South Campus – especially using the latest VMS technology VideoXpert and Pelco’s latest IP camera technology, Optera, which offers 180-, 270- and 360-degree views. Additionally, the open platform concept that Pelco offers can help ensure that existing technology can be incorporated when building a new building or adding onto existing infrastructure. Pelco by Schneider Electric is focused on the development of video surveillance and security solutions for enterprise-class organisations that allow users to make real-time, business-enabling decisions. Pelco offers video management platforms, industry-leading IP cameras and accessories, and other video security products and open platform systems that healthcare facilities require to bring multiple sites and locations together into a single, holistic approach to security. Multi-sensor panoramic view cameras When Arecont Vision pioneered multi-sensor megapixel cameras with their first offerings in 2006, they were alone in the market in presenting these in place of pan-tilt-zooms (PTZs) and multiple individual cameras Over the past year, the industry has seen many legacy camera vendors offer their own 180- or 360- multi-sensor cameras to try and gain market traction. “Competition is always good, and our own fifth generation SurroundVideo cameras will get even better as a result,” says Jeff Whitney, Arecont Vision’s Vice President of Marketing. “Most importantly for healthcare overall, users will see affordable solutions that don’t require multiple analogue cameras and PTZs as in the past, and understanding of the benefits of multi-sensor cameras will accelerate. PTZs are a legacy technology just as analogue cameras and fisheye lenses are in many situations.” "Most importantly for healthcare overall, users will see affordable solutions that don’t require multiple analogue cameras and PTZs as in the past" Multi-sensor megapixel camera technology is the way of the future to keep costs down, reduce the numbers of cameras required, shrink maintenance costs, and improve quality and video coverage for healthcare, says Whitney. Pelco is also seeing an increase in use of 180-, 270- and 360-degree camera technology to cover a larger area, such as a large waiting room or corridor, or a parking garage. The technology in these cameras allow users to pan, tilt and zoom virtually within the picture to pinpoint an incident in real-time or retrospectively. Additionally, there is a significant uptick in violence within healthcare facilities, so it’s imperative that a comprehensive video surveillance system is in place to help identify potential problem areas or threats to the safety and security of patients, healthcare workers, visitors and staff of these large facilities. This can be done through open platform technology that works seamlessly with other cameras, video management systems, alarm monitoring systems and access control, says Kyle Cusson, Business Development Manager, Healthcare, Pelco by Schneider Electric. 360-degree analytics Jumbi Edulbehram, Regional President, Americas, Oncam, also expects 360-degree cameras to expand their uses in the healthcare realm.  “Another major development will be the use of analytics, built into the 360-degree cameras, being used to help monitor traffic patterns, streamline hospital operations, increase response times and provide overall, general business intelligence for hospital administrators on ways they can improve operations and management of these facilities,” says Edulbehram. “Using analytics, the possibilities are nearly endless for how patients, staff and visitors can be better served.” A role that is sometimes overlooked is the growing importance of mobility for security officers in the healthcare vertical. “These facilities – more than ever – need to find ways to deploy effective, yet cost-aware, solutions to protect critical assets, staff, visitors and patients,” says Edulbehram. “Remote monitoring has become mainstream, and mobile applications are growing in popularity because they enable users to fully experience surveillance through 360 degrees, in full high definition from a smartphone or tablet.” The ability of officers to remain mobile while also accessing video on the go offers new flexibility that is critical to the success of any security solution, he says. There is a wealth of untapped information within the departments and offices of hospital perimeters that can be analysed to improve security strategy Expanding how video is used in healthcare With technology improving and prices decreasing, video solutions can even be used for purposes beyond traditional security. For example, video analytics are now being leveraged for patient tracking, asset tracking, and operational purposes, and captured video can be used to defend against liability claims. What’s next? Video analytics will continue to be a valuable addition to any surveillance infrastructure due to its ability to address patient needs, operational efficiencies and early risk detection, says Brandon Reich, Senior Director of Surveillance Solutions, Pivot3. Additionally, IT innovations will drive continued technology investment – hyperconvergence and virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) deliver new levels of cost saving and opportunities for efficiencies, he says. For example, a VDI environment can automatically lock users out of a device after three minutes of inactivity or if they have swiped into a different workstation. Additionally, VDI drives mobility, allowing medical staff to roam from environment to environment to improve patient care and hospital operations. Video analytics are now being leveraged for patient tracking, asset tracking, and operational purposes, and captured video can be used to defend against liability claims As in hospitals and healthcare facilities, the world of video analytics is gaining ground in vertical markets such as retail, government and corporate enterprise applications, says Steve Birkmeier, VP of Sales and Business Development, Arteco. “There is a wealth of untapped information within the many departments and offices of hospital perimeters that can be analysed to improve security strategy in the future,” he says. Video event management software Through video event management software (VEMS), hospitals can customise the statistics that are relevant to their individual buildings or campuses without having to spend extra time or money on rigorous employee training. Furthermore, once healthcare facilities are able to digitise all of their patient records, secure any of their ingress and egress points with real-time access control security updates, and fully transition from analog to IP video surveillance cameras, VEMS systems that house analytical software will be able to multiply the benefits offered to hospitals, not just in real time, but in planning ahead for future risk, expansion and safety protocols. Recording images in high resolutions (megapixels and gigapixels) is becoming more and more important in healthcare as well, says Jason Ouellette, Product Line Director – Access Control, Tyco Security Products.  If an incident occurs in a medical facility, the security staff has to be able to identify faces easily and accurately. Storage and costs have to be considered, of course. “At Tyco Security Products, we are making smart solutions that use native analytics and intelligence to help security operators determine when they need to record video and have that top quality image. It’s a cost-effective way to use high-resolution imaging,” he says. Read Part 4 of our Security in Healthcare series here

Buchanan will focus on developing new business for Arteco as well as adding valuable support Arteco announced the appointment of Nate Buchanan to the position of Western Regional Sales Manager for the United States. Development of new business Buchanan has more than 14 years of experience in the security, technology and engineering fields. In his new role at Arteco, Buchanan will focus on developing new business as well as adding valuable support in servicing the company’s expanding customer base in the Western region of the United States. Prior to joining Arteco, he was Sales Support Engineer for IndigoVision and Systems Engineer at Dedicated Micros. Over the course of his career, he also worked with Northern Video Systems. Buchanan also served in the United States Navy, where he received several commendations for aircraft engineering achievements and defence services. Awareness-enhancing security solutions “Arteco’s event-driven video surveillance solutions and integration capabilities are pioneering the design and deployment of security solutions that enhance awareness and ensure high levels of safety,” says Buchanan. “I am pleased to have the opportunity to drive new opportunities in this high-growth region and I look forward to contributing to the company’s continued growth.” “Nate’s industry expertise in technical support and sales will help Arteco connect with target customers and partners,” said Steve Birkmeier, Vice President, Sales and Business Development, Arteco. “We’re excited to have him on board and look forward to expanding our presence within target markets in the Western United States.”

 Part 2 of our Security in Healthcare series The future is digital, and analogue systems are a thing of the past – or are they? The fact is, in the healthcare vertical at least, we may still have a way to go before the full potential of IP-based systems is realised. Obstacles include a lack of funding and the challenge of sharing IP bandwidth with other healthcare technologies. Bandwidth competition While many hospitals have invested significantly in IP systems, one challenge is bandwidth: Security and video systems often have to compete for bandwidth with other now-IT-driven systems in healthcare facilities, such medical records systems, x-ray systems and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems. Security departments may not be the highest priority when allotting bandwidth, given they are competing with medical devices and systems that generate revenue. As a video company that serves the healthcare vertical, Pelco by Schneider Electric sees progress on the transition from analogue to IP video surveillance devices, but there are still a large number of healthcare facilities that do not have the necessary funds to convert completely to an IP-heavy infrastructure. A big advantage of these facilities making the transition to IP is that users can access real-time video at any time from any computer, anywhere, says Kyle Cusson, Business Development Manager, Healthcare, Pelco. “This is immensely important for information security requirements and disaster recovery,” he says. With analogue, the information gathered is physically tethered to the camera and DVR. However, there are hybrid solutions – such as encoders that convert analogue to IP – that exist and allow facilities to capitalise on existing investments for the time being. IP to gain ground soon “Over the next five years, we will definitely see a massive shift to IP solutions because they are becoming more cost-effective to deploy and are delivering superior video quality and flexibility to users,” says Cusson.  The transition isn’t always all-or-nothing. It is not uncommon for healthcare providers to depend upon outdated, analogue-based video systems with limited capabilities while providing surveillance of a large facility, says Jeff Whitney, Arecont Vision’s Vice President of Marketing. “The transition happens after a major incident or awareness of new risks and challenges that the existing systems cannot address,” he adds. “That’s when surveillance technology is often moved from inadequate analogue systems to IP megapixel surveillance cameras.” A big advantage of healthcare facilities making the transition to IP is easy access ofreal-time video any time from any computer Arecont Vision SurroundVideo Arecont Vision, a provider of video to the healthcare market, delivers megapixel surveillance cameras that reduce the cost of surveillance while increasing video coverage, improving aesthetics, and delivering high-definition (HD) video. Customers are able to continue to get value from their existing analogue systems in some cases, while supplementing them with modern digital network-based video surveillance systems until existing systems reach their end of life, Whitney says. The network-based system can then replace the legacy analogue system fully. Whitney notes that Arecont Vision’s SurroundVideo multi-sensor megapixel cameras replace multiple PTZs and fixed cameras while providing improved video coverage at a lower cost, and the system is less intrusive than the analogue systems they replace. “In new projects, most customers already have chosen to deploy IP network surveillance camera technology and gain all of the benefits and improved security immediately,” says Whitney. Cost-to-benefit analysis  “We have seen the transition from analogue to IP become most complete in regards to display, with digital monitors almost completely replacing analogue monitors,” says Jumbi Edulbehram, Regional President, Americas, Oncam, which provides a broad range of 360-degree fisheye cameras and integration software to the healthcare vertical. “That’s where it really ends.” He says many hospitals and healthcare facilities have found the idea of an IP transition both cost-prohibitive and difficult to deploy. There has been some investment in relatively inexpensive decoders, which convert analogue to IP. “Cost is definitely a factor in the resistance we’re seeing in these facilities, but as the technology is developed further, that will help drive the cost down,” says Edulbehram. New adoptions take time, and there will be a long period when different technologies co-exist, says Robert Laughlin, President, Galaxy Control Systems, which provides access control systems ranging from single-door systems up to multi-site enterprise-level integrated systems. For this reason, it will continue to be essential that new software and systems are backwards-compatible with the existing equipment in place within organisations. Users need to be able to upgrade in a way that fits with both their security needs and their budgetary limitations. Access control systems such as Galaxy’s will continue to be integrated with a range of systems, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution to every access need, Laughlin says. New adoptions take time, and there will be a long period when differenttechnologies co-exist in the healthcare market Networked physical access control system Many healthcare institutions also want a path to IP-based physical access control system (PACS) solutions that are easier to operate, and that simplify expansion, customisation and integration with other solutions that can share the same network, says Sheila Loy, Director Healthcare Strategies, North America, HID Global, provider of comprehensive healthcare security solutions to create a safe, compliant environment for patients and employees. Networked access control simplifies infrastructure enhancements and modifications because hardware platforms aren’t tied to proprietary software, she notes. It’s also easier to add wireless locksets that connect with the online access control system, thus reducing wiring costs and eliminating the problems of easy-to-lose keys while providing near-online and near-real-time control of the opening. IP-based solutions also provide a single, integrated system for combining security, access control, video surveillance and incident response, perimeter detection and alarm monitoring systems. Hospitals can invest in a single, unified IP network, and logically control multiple technologies that previously co-existed only on a physical level. Plus, they can leverage their existing credential investment to seamlessly add logical access control for network log-on, and achieve a full interoperable, multi-layered security solution across company networks, systems and facilities. Analogue or IP debate – a thing of the past? "We will not only continue to seemore security devices on thenetwork, but we will also start tosee more cutting-edge medicaltechnology and equipment thatis network-capable" Other manufacturers see analogue in the healthcare vertical as largely a thing of the past. Camera technology has advanced so far and so fast that the analogue or IP debate is really a thing of the past, says Dave Ella, AMAG Technology’s Vice President of Product Marketing. “The question now is how quickly budgets will allow for the transition to newer technology,” Ella says. Hospitals benefit from higher resolutions (available with IP cameras), which can identify individuals and license plate numbers. Almost all AMAG healthcare customers are integrating their video to their access control system, which vastly speeds up response to security incidents as they unfold. Brandon Reich, Senior Director of Surveillance Solutions, Pivot3, agrees. Today, virtually all new installations are IP, he says. There are a number of organisations that still deploy analogue into large installed bases, though most have converted to IP by this point. In some cases, the rise of HD analogue video has extended the usable life of installed analogue systems, but by 2020, Reich expects the market to be vast majority IP. Pivot3 hyper-converged infrastructure (HCI) solutions for video surveillance provide a high level of protection against liabilities related to lost video. The future belongs to network-capable medical technology “In the security industry, we have seen the transition from analogue to IP systems take place over the course of several years, and it is debatable whether or not that transition is complete,” says Steve Birkmeier, VP of Sales and Business Development, Arteco. “Similarly, within the next few years, we will not only continue to see more security devices on the network, but we will also start to see more cutting-edge medical technology and equipment that is network-capable.” Securing the security devices Birkmeier says this is a burgeoning topic of discussion within the larger conversation about where the internet of Things (IoT) is leading us. However, it also leads to some interesting questions, such as: How will we secure these “wired” devices through the network? Will new compliance standards or regulations have to be put in place? What kind of failover strategy or reliability factors can these life-saving devices guarantee for vulnerable patients if the network goes down? “Taking all these questions into consideration, it is imperative that we continue to invest in IT-centric access control solutions and open up integration opportunities with these technologies to ensure the security of patients, corporate and patient data, hospital staff and equipment,” says Birkmeier.  Read Part 3 of our Security in Healthcare series here

The award recognises Arteco’s open platform VMS integration with Hanwha Techwin video surveillance technology Arteco, a global provider of event-driven intelligent video management solutions, has received the “Open Platform Partner of the Year” award from Hanwha Techwin (formerly Samsung Techwin) at the STEP Partner Summit in Puerto Rico. The award recognises Arteco’s industry-leading open platform video event management software integration with Hanwha Techwin video surveillance technology. The long-standing technological partnership between Arteco and Hanwha Techwin is a result of robust research and innovation. By combining ease-of-use, reliability, comprehensive integration and an intuitive platform into a single package, Hanwha and Arteco continue to meet the increasing demand for interoperability in the security industry today. Arteco and Hanwha to pursue revolutionary security ventures “Arteco’s comprehensive video event management software, including the license plate recognition (LPR) application, allows Hanwha Techwin customers to reach new levels of clarity in video security by breaking down the high cost barriers to quality video analytics capabilities,” said Tom Cook, Vice President of Sales, North America, Hanwha Techwin. “This partnership continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in business intelligence, and we’re excited to pursue revolutionary security ventures going into the future.” The event showcased the capabilities of the onboard Arteco LPR App, available exclusively on Samsung Wisenet III cameras. The powerful processor mounted on the Samsung cameras and Arteco’s versatile optical character recognition (OCR) algorithm combines LPR with high-resolution video surveillance, increasing the level of security and control of each installation while maintaining ease-of-use and optimising resources. It is ideal for a wide range of applications including access control, parking management, border control, gate automation, residential area monitoring and more. Additionally, Arteco’s integration with Samsung NVRs allows users to view the client NVR WebViewer video streams from cameras to read license plates, receive and view events in real time, search previously logged plates and review recordings. “Arteco’s open platform integration with the Samsung product family has elevated the security profile to bring joint customers unprecedented situational awareness for a multitude of applications,” said Steve Birkmeier, Vice President of Sales and Business Development, Arteco. “We are honoured that Hanwha Techwin chose to recognise Arteco as Open Platform Partner of the Year, and look forward to the technological doors that this recognition opens for further integration, interoperability standards and end-user satisfaction around the globe.”