Campus security systems

The upgraded Rave Guardian app now integrates with Rave Alert and allows college communities to easily connect through a custom mobile app. Rave Mobile Safety (Rave), a trusted partner for safety software protecting millions of individuals, revealed updates to its Rave Guardian platform to better equip students and staff to communicate vital campus updates. Rave Guardian, a safety app available for students to stay connected with campus safety officials, faculty and other students, now integrates into Rave Alert, allowing higher education institutions access to both offerings in a single platform. Rave Guardian has been updated to better reach and engage students on mobile devices since they find email and phone calls to be outdated. Students aren't interested in Facebook and Twitter; rather they prefer closed messaging apps like Snapchat and WhatsApp. In fact, Generation Z students are three times more likely to open a chat message through a push notification. However, in a recent survey of higher education institutions, Rave found only 38% of respondents offer a mobile safety app for their campus communities. The lack of institution-backed app adoption on campus shows the opportunity for colleges to implement innovative technology, like Rave Guardian, to better connect with students. Integrated geo-targeting notifications The new Rave Guardian platform ensures that all tools, from two-way texting features to content directories with information such as specific safety procedures, are united in a single application. Unlike any other communications application available, Rave Guardian provides geo-targeting notifications so campus safety officials can target certain areas of campus with specific alerts. Those alerts are even available when students and faculty may not have cell signals. The app also allows for students to share a live stream of their location with campus safety if they feel they're in a dangerous situation. "Since adopting Rave technology, the ability to quickly and accurately share information has made all three of our campuses safer," said Charles S. DiSalvo, Emergency Manager at Monroe Community College in Rochester, N.Y. "We have seen a 22% increase in the use of Rave Guardian, so it's become integral to how we communicate public safety information." With a push of a button, students can either directly connect to 9-1-1 or campus safety in an emergency Rave Guardian campus communication app With one app to access campus communication tools, resources and key contacts, colleges don't have to rely on outdated communication methods to interact and engage with students. Additional benefits and features in the new version of Rave Guardian include: One platform: In two steps, anyone in your campus community is instantly authenticated and can register. Students can update their Rave Alert profiles and always keep their contact information up-to-date. Content portal: Emergency procedures, shuttle schedules and other key resources can be shared with the campus community in a configurable content library to help them stay safe and informed. Call directory: Enable students and staff to easily find assistance and resources through a call directory of important numbers that can be updated and added to in real time. Routable chats: Two-way communications can now be routed to different departments to ensure they're only seen by the appropriate officials. In addition, departments can enable custom auto-responses when their offices are closed. Push notifications: Alongside SMS text and email capabilities, push notifications allow schools to provide messages to students and staff even without cell service and capture more attention. App customisation: Schools can customise Rave Guardian's interface and features in real time to create a user experience that will drive more interaction with their community. Emergency call button: With a push of a button, students can either directly connect to 9-1-1 or campus safety in an emergency. Even when they dial 9-1-1 from the app, the school is notified through the incident management console. "The update to the Rave Guardian platform offers our university and college customers with essential tools to promote safety across their campuses," said Todd Piett, CEO of Rave Mobile Safety. "These latest features will drive greater adoption by students and will promote more participation with campus safety."

Robotic Assistance Devices, Inc. (RAD), an innovator in the delivery of artificial intelligence-based solutions that empower organisations to gain new insight, announced it has released its latest version of the Security Control and Observation Tower (SCOT): Wally, a wall-mounted security solution that harnesses the power of AI to enhance an organisation's situational awareness, communication abilities and control. SCOT Wally provides organisations with 110 degrees of visibility and takes full advantage of the RAD Software Suite, which is a collection of integrated software applications hosted in Microsoft’s Azure Cloud services that allows immediate and mobile access to alerts and controls generated by SCOT. Scaled security applications Priced at two-thirds less than the original SCOT tower, SCOT Wally can be used in lobbies, parking structures, corporate campuses or exterior areas.  “SCOT Wally builds on the success of our original SCOT solution, providing a wall-mounted version for organisations looking to scale their security teams in a way that is good for the bottom line,” said Steve Reinharz, President and CEO, RAD. “This unique security solution can be paired with other original SCOT deployments or be used on its own.” Long-range human detection analytics SCOT solutions, including SCOT Wally, are equipped with AI-centric technology that powers human detection analytics, featuring long-range detection at low false-alarm rates. SCOT Wally will be demonstrated for the first time at the upcoming BOMA 2018 International Conference and Expo for the commercial real estate market, June 23-26, in San Antonio, Texas, alongside its partners at Allied Universal (Booth #704).

University campus buildings and student accommodation facilities are complex infrastructures and, with so many security requirements, it can be difficult to keep on top of them and the challenges they impose. Andrew Shaw, architectural consultant for Allegion UK, discusses how to ensure the security and safety of the students of today and tomorrow. Many UK universities treat safety and security as a feature hard-wired into their systems, as young adults and their parents are citing safety when it comes to important factors when choosing a university. It’s listed in prospectuses and on university websites to ensure that current and prospective students, staff and parents alike have a clear idea of the safety and security procedures in place. Security teams must consider high-traffic areas, access for all, student turnover, fire safety measures, security of people and belongings Eliminating the possibility of crimes Student accommodation and campus facilities can pose many security challenges, and with the high turnover of students, keeping track of access is important. This not only allows the responsible persons to keep everything running smoothly and safely, it also helps to eliminate the possibility of certain crimes. Security teams must consider high-traffic areas, access for all, student turnover, fire safety measures, security of people and belongings, as well as efficient and smooth people movement. Choosing the right doors and door hardware Every October, universities must ensure that everything – from individual student data records to premises refurbishment and site safety – is in place to welcome new and returning students, staff and visitors. This means that throughout the academic year as well as over the summer and other holidays, universities have a constant obligation to keep safety and security standards high. It’s important to give the appropriate thought to which doors and door hardware are suitable to specific requirements, to maximise security and, in-turn, student safety and wellbeing In student accommodation, for instance, students may be living there for approximately eight months of the academic year. They’ll then vacate the premises, which are readied for the next intake of students. Student accommodation has also been previously criticised for poor design, especially when it comes to fire safety and general security. With that in mind, it’s important to give the appropriate thought to which doors and door hardware are suitable to specific requirements, to maximise security and, in-turn, student safety and wellbeing. In campus facilities, too, the buildings must cater to the ebb and flow of those entering and exiting premises. Therefore, doors and door hardware must facilitate access and egress, particularly in high-traffic areas. Combining mechanical locks with electronic access control When it comes to university accommodation, without a key handover strategy in place, how can universities be sure their students have adequate access? For example, some access control systems allow tracking of who accesses and exits a premise. They also easily issue and retract credentials, allowing someone access as easily as it can be taken away. Conversely, traditional mechanical locks can be beneficial both as a stand-alone solution and as a combination with electronic access control. Ultimately, all design aspects of a particular building must be considered before arriving at a product choice. The variety of choice available means universities can opt for hardware that suits their needs, even when faced with budgeting pressures. Every university campus has both exterior and interior sections, so implementing an adequate lockdown plan must include both of these layers Implementing effective lockdown strategy The Complete University Guide states that an estimated one-third of the UK’s student body becomes a victim of crime (mainly theft and burglary). When you also consider the vast number of new students moving away from home to university, it’s easy to understand how their lack of knowledge about a certain area may make them susceptible to victimisation. One focus for optimising security in university facilities and accommodation is to put in place an effective lockdown strategy. Every university campus has both exterior and interior sections, so implementing an adequate lockdown plan must include both of these layers. On top of this, it can be easy to make the mistake of carrying out dangerous or ineffective methods without recognising them as so. For example, using tape, magnets or other barricades on a door could not only invite security risks but is also a breach of fire safety regulations. Doors and door hardware that facilitate maximum egress can help to improve evacuation and prevent unnecessary stagnation of movement Fire safety protocols A sufficient evacuation plan as well as high-quality doors and door hardware can help to keep students and staff safe. In the event of a fire, students and staff must be clear on what is expected of them to ensure a smooth and effective evacuation. Doors and door hardware that facilitate maximum egress can help to improve evacuation and prevent unnecessary stagnation of movement. Specifically, hold-open devices are linked up to the fire alarm so that in the event of a fire, the doors release immediately and then return to a closed position. Similarly, exit devices (such as panic bars or emergency exit devices) open without keys and are easily accessible, to allow a functional exit if needed. Selecting the right solution for university security When it comes to university security, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. The age of the buildings, credential platform and protocols, budget and long-term security strategy must be considered. A lack of product knowledge, older buildings and too much choice can all lead to a reluctance to upgrade old systems or even the wrong selection of products. With effective lockdowns and locking systems being of high importance, it’s important to recognise the industry fallacies and steer clear from the risks posed by ‘value engineering’. Wherever you are on the continuum, there are solutions fit for your specific requirements.

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.

K-12 schools and higher education campuses face a number of challenges, not the least of which is the basic principle of safeguarding students, staff and faculty from emerging threats. They must strive to strike a balance between building a safe and secure environment and maintaining a welcoming one. A combination of policies and procedures for stakeholders to follow can be instrumental in achieving these goals, but it's not enough to simply lay down strategies. Manufacturers and integrators must work diligently to meet the needs of educational facilities by embracing convergence and unification. One way to do this is to build technology solutions that are easy to use and install, and those that efficiently integrate with the security solutions already in place to maximise capital investments that budget-conscious schools have made. When designing a system, the unique needs of the organisation must be identified. Are streamlined management and situational awareness the goal? If so, a close integration between various systems is critical to the success of the implementation. Reservations with Security Management System A single reservation system enables students to reserve a meeting space or classroom without having to be physically let in the room every time For example, in access control, when two systems are integrated, the simple act of swiping a card can communicate to the building management system to turn on lights in a specific area, ensuring savings on energy costs while also enhancing security by allowing personnel to control access to certain areas that require more protection. Today's access control systems are doing more than simply granting and restricting access: they're adding more value to capital investments by incorporating information from student and building management platforms in an effort to build more intelligent solutions. One example of this collaboration is the use of Vanderbilt's Security Management System (SMS) with a network-based reservation system. The event management software works with the access control software to communicate in real-time; a single reservation system enables students to reserve a meeting space or classroom without having to be physically let in the room every time. This also allows security officials to readily identify responsible parties in the event of a security incident and saves security teams the added expense of having an on-duty person manually granting and restricting access. Strengthening campus safety Lockdown capabilities are also critical for educational facilities, and SMS enables this with the push of a button or the swipe of a card SMS can also be used in a more holistic approach to strengthen campus safety by bringing multiple systems together in an easy-to-manage and web-based platform. This includes a facility's access control technologies, digital video and alarm monitoring systems. SMS is scalable and ideal for large, multi-site or global organisations, like educational campuses, and supports an unlimited number of cardholders and readers. From a single interface, security leaders are able to manage alarms, photo ID badging, visitor management, elevator control, offline and online locks, advanced reporting and more. Lockdown capabilities are also critical for educational facilities, and SMS enables this with the push of a button or the swipe of a card. Showcasing educational solutions Vanderbilt will highlight its solutions ideal for the education market at the upcoming Jenzabar Jam 2018 Annual Meeting in Nashville, Tenn., USA, May 30 to June 2. The meeting presents Jenzabar users with the opportunity to share ideas and learn more about Jenzabar systems and the solutions that seamlessly integrate with the company's offerings, including Vanderbilt SMS. Visit Vanderbilt at booth 13 or click here to schedule a one-on-one meeting with the team during the show.

Leaders in the electronic security and life safety industry will roll up their sleeves and contribute some creativity to an interactive art project on the ESX expo floor June 20-21 in Nashville, TN. #PassionateSecurity in Schools initiative As part of ESX’s ‘#PassionateSecurity in Schools’ initiative, which also includes a heartfelt presentation during the show’s Closing Keynote Luncheon on June 22, attendees will be painting a 3-part mural that ESX will then donate to the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. The planned artwork is intended to stimulate an environment of creativity, positive energy, and safety that encourages students to explore and express themselves. Enhancing school security The growing safety issues faced by the country’s school systems today are being confronted by activists, leaders and victims of the tragic incidents As a result of the numerous recent tragedies, school security and safety have taken center stage in public discourse. The growing safety issues faced by the country’s school systems today are being confronted by activists, leaders and victims of the tragic incidents. Everyone is looking for answers. “School districts around the country are looking for expertise in assessing security threats and to address the shortfalls in their current security infrastructure, planning and budgeting,” says Ryan Petty, activist and experienced telecom professional. “We’ve seen a groundswell of interest in enhancing school security in the wake of the Parkland tragedy. There is a flurry of activity in the public sector on school safety, and in particular over the use of security technology to protect students and teachers during class time. We need experienced security professionals to be a part of that conversation.” Electronic security and life safety ESX 2018 show will have a focus on #PassionateSecurity in Schools As a group of individuals and companies with unique qualifications to help improve and strengthen school security, the electronic security and life safety industry has an opportunity to make a difference. For this reason, ESX 2018 show will have a focus on #PassionateSecurity in Schools. Artwork on the mural will be designed before the show, and attendees will each put their own touch on the painting, adding color together throughout the two days that the ESX expo is open to public. This collective creation is representative of an industry coming together, as a whole, to do their part in making our nation’s schools and communities safer for children. ESX 2018 expo This panel will discuss practical ways integrators can strategise with schools and universities to take a multifaceted approach to ensure safety Off the expo floor, the Closing Keynote Luncheon will include perspectives from Petty – who lost his daughter in the MSD shooting in February – as well as an end-user and integrator of security solutions. This panel will discuss practical ways integrators can strategise with schools and universities to take a multifaceted approach to ensure safety and peace of mind for children, educators and parents. Through this initiative, the hope is that ESX attendees will leave better equipped and inspired to make a difference in communities across the nation, displaying #PassionateSecurity far beyond the event. The #PassionateSecurity in Schools initiative is sponsored by CSR Professional Services.

Ask a student, or pretty much anyone, what they think about “access control” and you’ll get a shrug. Conversely, all of us are enthusiastic about security and convenience. Students across Europe are discovering SMARTair wireless access control gives them both. Adding SMARTair access control to a door involves just replacing a standard cylinder or escutcheon with a digital, smartphone- or smart-card–operated electronic lock. It’s hassle-free to make the switch to SMARTair. And with a system design focused on user experience, SMARTair takes some of the everyday pain out of student life. Wherever you fit SMARTair, it’s easy to configure access cards to enable payments in the canteen or at vending machines; for changing room locker locks; and for the photocopier or library loans. You can’t do that with a metal key. MIFARE RFID cards At Madrid’s prestigious Colegio Universitario de Estudios Financieros (CUNEF) students now open doors with smart MIFARE RFID cards instead of keys At Madrid’s prestigious Colegio Universitario de Estudios Financieros (CUNEF) students now open doors with smart MIFARE RFID cards instead of keys. CUNEF fitted escutcheons to monitor and ease access to different areas of the university for 1,600 students, without the need for expensive wired door locks. If a student loses their card, there’s no threat to campus security. A manager issues a new credential which automatically cancels the lost card — much faster than changing a lock. When Mezzino took ownership of Rialto Court — apartments for students attending Durham University and Teesside University — they replaced a mechanical master key system with SMARTair. From the company’s point of view, the high annual tenant turnover and a need for scheduled cleaning and summer shutdown were becoming difficult to manage with physical keys. Students also reaped the benefits of their new, user-friendly access system. They have the confidence no previous resident of their flat has copied a physical key. At Funway Academic Resort in Madrid, student rooms are also locked with SMARTair escutcheons. Energy-saving wall devices inside rooms regulate electricity use, and students each have their own safe locked with a SMARTair cabinet lock. The Funway gym, study rooms, games rooms, swimming pool and changing rooms, spa and staff areas are also locked with SMARTair escutcheons — and open with the same smart-card. SMARTair Openow solution The recent launch of the SMARTair Openow solution puts credentials on a mobile phoneThere’s more to come from SMARTair. The recent launch of the SMARTair Openow solution puts credentials on a mobile phone. With SMARTair and the Openow app, students can open their rooms and authorised doors with a smartphone. If you have your phone, you’re already carrying your keys. Student services or facilities managers issue virtual keys over-the-air — and can revoke them whenever they choose — so there’s no need for a key-card handover meeting, at the beginning or end of term. A time-limited virtual key arrives ahead of the first day and automatically expires when it’s time to vacate your halls. Mobile credentials Mobile credentials will be a big hit. Student life goes on inside the handset, as much as IRL (“In Real Life”, for the uninitiated). Last year’s Deloitte Mobile Consumer Survey found a fifth of 18- to 24-year-olds even check their phone for messages in the middle of the night*. From a security standpoint, phone-based credentials have another advantage. Checking our phones is “habitual”, “unconscious” and “repetitive”, according to one study**. We know very quickly if it is missing. How soon would you notice a missing plastic card, especially if you were enjoying yourself on a night out? Biometric security Plus, a virtual key on every student’s smartphone potentially provides an extra layer of biometric protection for every controlled university door Plus, a virtual key on every student’s smartphone potentially provides an extra layer of biometric protection for every controlled university door. Fingerprint, and even face and iris, scanners are commonplace on smartphones. ”Generation Z students were raised as digital natives,” says Felix Moran, SMARTair Product Manager at ASSA ABLOY. ”They expect convenience as a standard feature, not a mechanical solution used in Ancient Egypt. In Europe’s increasingly international, marketized higher education ecosystem, attracting these tech-savvy students is critical, as is keeping them satisfied with the campus experience.” SMARTair TS1000 software The complete SMARTair solution includes wireless escutcheons, cylinders, wall readers, locker locks and more; the intuitive SMARTair TS1000 software; and the enhanced new Openow app functionality. It works out the box and is easy to install — and even easier to operate.

An initial investment of $100 million launched the first American public university campus in Mexico: Arkansas State University Campus Queretaro (ASUCQ). Within five years of its 2017 opening, around 7,500 staff and students are expected to use the site, including campus accommodation for up to 1,500 students. To accompany such a high-profile development, the university needed security and access control systems with a trusted and proven track record protecting staff, students and other university assets. They sought a technology-based solution to reduce security risks across the campus, and specifically an access control system able to monitor multiple spaces and monitor all access points in real time. System software and hardware should make it fast and intuitive to generate or modify access rights for any campus user. A single solution needed to work across both common university facilities and separate areas with student accommodation. Monitoring campus in real time With the SMARTair Wireless Online option, facilities managers monitor the campus in real time, with live updating of who enters where, and when ASUCQ turned to SMARTair to protect its investment and site users. So far, around 600 SMARTair battery-powered online escutcheons have been installed across campus. High traffic flows through many campus doors required robust access control devices. With the SMARTair Wireless Online option, facilities managers monitor the campus in real time, with live updating of who enters where, and when. Intuitive SMARTair software enables all day-to-day administration from a central control point. "SMARTair is a very secure access control system that is also very intuitive for user and access management,” says Jose Alfonso Suarez Torres, Operations Chief at ASUCQ. Future plans for ASUCQ envision a ‘university city’ with up to 20,000 students — all protected in real time with SMARTair access control. And because a SMARTair system is wireless, expanding and upgrading access control will never disrupt the daily work or campus life at this fast-growing university. SMARTair mobile solution Openow A single interaction with the SMARTair TS1000 software is all it takes to make a virtual key disappear automatically from a user’s Openow app The new SMARTair mobile solution, Openow also gives facility managers the option to send, revoke and amend the validity of users’ keys, wherever they (or the keyholder) may be — with no need for physical credentials like keys or smart-cards. Students and staff save time, with no access cards to collect or validate. Each user installs and validates their Openow app and collects keys virtually. Tap a SMARTair escutcheon with your phone... and the door unlocks, if you are authorised to enter. Administrators save time and resource at the end of a student or staff member’s time on campus. A single interaction with the SMARTair TS1000 software is all it takes to make a virtual key disappear automatically from a user’s Openow app. A simple, secure, modern solution to university access control.

GITAM University is a renowned research and innovation driven university in India. The university has three campuses - its main campus at Visakhapatnam with off campuses at Hyderabad and Bengaluru. During the last 36 years it has steadily evolved into a world class university, recognized for the experiential learning it offers, its competent and compassionate faculties, the stellar research laboratories, academic vibrancy and cosmopolitan culture. Known for its creative dynamism and flexibility, the university offers varied programs blending skill development and value orientation to shape the careers of students and develop holistic personality to be privileged members of the civil society. Criminal activities in education campuses were on a constant rise across the country, leading to serious concerns among educationalists. To add to it, incidents of ragging were on the rise even in reputed institutes, inflicting a negative impact on the reputation of institutes. Campus surveillance system Meanwhile, GITAM University was coming up with its new campus in Bangalore. Being a highly reputed institute for the last 36 years, it did not want to compromise on security and reputation of the institute. Being a large project, they were looking for a trusted Indian brand that could provide direct pre and post-sales support. The university wanted to operate the entire video surveillance system without a special IT infrastructure room and other peripherals The university wanted to operate the entire video surveillance system without a special IT infrastructure room and other peripherals like servers that complicate management and monitoring. The system had to be very easy to use so that it could also be operated by security guards without any hindrance. Being very particular about discipline and security, they wanted video recorders that could store recordings from all cameras for 45 days, while efficiently reducing storage costs simultaneously. Matrix IP cameras The solution was designed through a joint site visit by Matrix executives along with the System Integrator. It began by securing the periphery of all five buildings with a combination of 1.3MP and 2MP IP cameras based on estimated threat perception at each point. Areas with higher threat perception were covered with 2MP varifocal cameras, whereas areas with low or medium threat perception were covered with 1.3MP cameras. A total of 80 cameras were installed to secure the periphery of all five buildings. Interiors of the buildings were secured by mounting 1.3MP cameras in the corridors of all five buildings. Matrix 1.3MP camera, with a day as well as night vision range of 30 meters, ensured that the entire corridor was covered by a single camera. All in all, over 220 cameras were deployed in various areas of the building, covering every nook and corner of the campus. Live monitoring system These cameras provided crystal clear images with great detail that could be used to identify a person in case of an event. This acted as a deterrent for students indulging in ragging at hostels and helped the institute ensure security and discipline through live monitoring.Matrix appeared to be the only brand that could meet the requirement of monitoring all cameras without a server Furthermore, Matrix appeared to be the only brand that could meet the requirement of monitoring all cameras without a server. For this, Matrix connected all recorders in the setup in a master-slave configuration. Once this was done, the output could be taken directly on a TV from one of the video recorders through an HDMI cable, eliminating the server. This enabled the university to monitor all cameras connected to multiple devices without using a server. The entire setup was very easy to operate even for a security guard as it did not involve the complexity of a server.  Optimised data storage To manage the storage requirement, all recorders supplied by Matrix supported 24TB internal storage that could comfortably store recordings of every camera for 45 days and optimise storage using Adaptive Recording and Camera-wise Recording Flexibility. Benefits: Prevention of Criminal Activities like Ragging, Molestation, etc. Enhanced Security Ease of Use

It began with a desire to help students fit in. Officials in Maine School Administrative District (MSAD) 58 introduced uniform bar-coded plastic ID cards to replace their existing colour-coded punch cards so that students eligible for free lunches would not easily be identified by their friends. “In the past, students used punch cards to buy their lunches,” said Angel Allen, Technology Director for both MSAD 58 and neighboring district, MSAD 9. “The different colors identified their economic status for other students to see. It was not a good thing.” Some students chose not to eat rather than be embarrassed by the color of their card. The issue is a significant one. Between 40 and 60 percent of students in MSAD 58 qualify for a reduced lunch program, according to Allen. The district, which sits in a rural area of Franklin County, Maine, covers 500 square miles and serves 1,000 students through five schools. Using ID cards was not new to the Maine school administrators. Sister district, MSAD 9, had been using ID cards as visual identity for its staff for a long time, according to Allen, but “the old system was a beast.” Direct-to-Card Printer/Encoder MSAD 58 began using ID cards printed on a new Fargo DTC300 Direct-to-Card Printer/Encoder for the hot lunch program in the fall of 2005, with the lunch director printing the cards. A second printer was purchased in 2006 and is operating out of the superintendent’s office to create staff ID and lunch cards. MSAD 58 continues to expand its use of ID cards: It created a debit system in which parents can apply money to the card so their children can charge against it rather than carrying money to school. ID cards without photos are used for substitute teachers, volunteers and parents who enter the schools. Students and faculty can check out library materials using their ID cards. Students without drivers’ licenses have even used their school ID cards for identification on school trips. In 2006, thanks to her experience in MSAD 58, Allen added a Fargo DTC400 printer to MSAD 9 Building access solutions “We also use the ID cards as medical emergency cards,” said Allen. “They are particularly useful on field trips to identify students with allergies, diabetes or asthma and to provide emergency contact numbers.” In 2006, thanks to her experience in MSAD 58, Allen added a Fargo DTC400 printer to MSAD 9. The district is printing RFID cards for staff ID and building access. There is also a DTC300 for the student lunch program. “My experience in MSAD 58 introduced me to Fargo,” said Allen. MSAD 9 includes nine schools and serves 2,500 students. Here, the ability to print on two sides of a card was important, as administrators wanted a bar code on the back to work with the district’s time card system and door access program. In addition, the district is initiating a new lunch program, and a library program is in the works. Software integration “In MSAD 58, we began printing small, key chain ID cards from perforated card stock,” said Allen. “Each includes the student’s name and a bar code. Being able to carry their ID card on a key chain helps prevent students from losing their cards.” Nevertheless, a $1 replacement fee is charged each lost card, although the fee was never meant to build revenue. “It’s just enough to aggravate the students,” Allen said. TAll students carry the same plastic ID card. Information on their lunch status is contained in a bar code on the back of the card. “Now, everyone has the same card,” said Allen. “The bar code number is scanned into the cafeteria software, and only the computer can distinguish who is eligible for a reduced lunch from those who are not.” Fargo printers are well known for their ability to print bar codes with the level of clarity to be read by scanners Student ID cards “The big thing with schools is technology,” said Jennifer Clancy, ID Wholesaler Marketing Manager (www.idwholesaler.com), who sold Allen the printers. “In Angel’s case, she is creating a system where the student ID is a stored-value card for the lunch program using a bar code. Fargo printers are well known for their ability to print bar codes with the level of clarity to be read by scanners. Schools nationwide are instituting policies where a visible ID is required of students, faculty and staff at all times. With a visible ID, there is no excuse for a person to be somewhere he or she is not supposed to be. Individuals can be better identified and dealt with by the existing school protocols.” Requirements for the ID cards differ between high school and elementary school students. High school students are required to carry their ID cards at all times. In the elementary schools, students grab their ID cards from a rack on the wall outside the lunch room each day before lunch. Cards are scanned by the cashier and put back in a basket, so someone can replace them in the rack after lunch. “Younger kids can’t be responsible for remembering to bring their card every day,” Allen said. School security system Employees, especially those with multi-school assignments, such as administrators, supervisors, plant operations, maintenance, food service and transportation personnel are required to display their identification card at all times when performing duties for the school system. “Schools that have a student photo ID program in place are starting to expand the use of the cards to applications such as library checkout, lunch program management, equipment checkout, access to computers, student activity passes and bus access,” said Clancy. “More advanced schools are moving to cashless vending, lunchroom use or activity attendance.” Allen, who is responsible for the technology in both MSAD 58 and MSAD 9, envisions expansion of the ID card program, especially the RFID technology component for access control. “We try things in one place and then take them beyond,” she said. “That’s the cooperative nature of our districts.” But for now, simply using ID cards to help students fit in during lunch is a huge step forward.

Fazakerley High School, a co-educational secondary school in Liverpool, moved into new buildings in 2003 and embarked on a successful transformation programme to raise standards. The school, which is in a challenging catchment area, established a new reputation as a nurturing, well run learning environment. But fifteen years later senior staff found themselves struggling with an outdated video surveillance system that was no longer fit for purpose. Analogue video surveillance The introduction of video surveillance at the time of the move to new buildings was a key step in setting high standards of personal behaviour and protecting students and staff. However, the old analogue video system had become almost impossible to use, with blurred and grainy images, no easy search facility and failing cameras. A recent attempt to upgrade the system also proved disappointing, explains Matt Fleming of Apex Network Solutions: the replacement technology turned out to be difficult to maintain and use, and the user interface was too complex. Apex was asked to re-design the system from scratch and challenged to recommend a solution that was affordable and easy for staff to use as well as delivering high quality images. Internal dome and IR fisheye dome cameras Apex recommended IDIS technology to deliver significantly upgraded video coverage of corridors and key internal areas Apex recommended IDIS technology to deliver significantly upgraded video coverage of corridors and key internal areas. Forty-three full HD vandal-resistant DC-D3233RX-N internal domes were installed to record activity across the site. Easy to install they capture high quality images in all lighting conditions. Four 12MP IR Fisheye domes (model DC-Y3C14WRX) were installed in the dining hall to provide a complete view of the area. With various viewing composition options, and six de-warping view modes, these fisheye units ensure image quality that allow individuals to be easily identified. Video is recorded on two IDIS DR-6332PS-S NVRs and all the cameras can now be viewed in real time by staff using PC monitors and/or tablets, with the system simple to use thanks to the free IDIS Center VMS video management system. IDIS video security solution The IDIS video solution is a significant step up from both the original analogue system, and the more recent upgrade, says the schools network manager Derek Harmston. Image quality is outstanding and by allowing staff to view real-time video on convenient devices, such as tablets, incidents involving groups of pupils are now quickly dealt with before they escalate. Recordings are now easily searchable with time/date stamped footage and the high definition images provide evidence that can be shown to pupils, parents and, if necessary, the police.

With increased security a priority for school districts across the country, administrators are taking a close look at their technology to ensure it can deliver in an emergency. Concerns over active shooters and other violent scenarios have districts paying attention and putting heightened security measures in place. Christopher Lordi, Director of Administrative Services at Delaware Valley School District in rural, northeast Pennsylvania, knew it was time to upgrade his district’s surveillance technology, so he turned to the integration expertise of Guyette Communications to get the job done. Analogue DVR system The outdoor PTZ cameras that panned back and forth were causing them to miss a lot of activity The DVR system that covered Delaware Valley’s seven schools and nine buildings was state-of-the-art when it was installed a decade ago, but it was no longer meeting the district’s needs. Administrators complained that is was difficult to view and manage video from all of the cameras as a unified system. The analogue video made it hard to identify faces and see other important details. And the outdoor PTZ cameras that panned back and forth were causing them to miss a lot of activity. “We had a lot of blind spots,” says Chris. Guyette Communications, of Plymouth, PA, has worked with the district for over a decade supporting its technology needs, so Chris looked to them for guidance. Scott Surochak and Rick Scalzo, both of Guyette, recommended a new-to-market VMS, Vicon’s Valerus, that they felt would provide all the features and performance the district sought in a very cost-effective manner. They also recommended that the district abandon their analogue cameras and standardise district-wide on higher performance, megapixel IP models. Valerus VMS The significant expense of replacing not just the VMS system, but hundreds of cameras district-wide, required buy-in from the school board. Rick and Scott, along with Vicon’s regional sales manager, Doug Stadler, provided an in-depth demonstration of the capabilities of Vicon’s new Valerus VMS, along with its line of IQeye Alliance cameras, to the school board. The new system would allow them to clearly identify the faces of visitors, read license plates within the school parking lots, eliminate current blind spots throughout the campuses, and easily search video to quickly find evidence of crime or vandalism. Convinced of the long-term value of the investment, the school board gave a green light to proceed. Vicon Fixed and Cruiser cameras Approximately 400 cameras were installed throughout the district’s nine buildings, almost all of which are Vicon 3MP IQeye Alliance fixed domes Installation began in March 2017 and continued throughout the summer. Approximately 400 cameras were installed throughout the district’s nine buildings, almost all of which are Vicon 3MP IQeye Alliance fixed domes. These provide coverage of all entrances to buildings, busy hallways, and spaces like lunchrooms, auditoriums, playgrounds, parking lots and athletic fields. In addition, Vicon Cruiser domes with 30X optical zoom were installed in each parking lot to capture license plates. To support so many high-resolution cameras transmitting at full frame rates, Guyette installed a dedicated security network capable of handling the bandwidth. All cameras are hard wired with new CAT-6 cabling, which feeds back to CISCO switches and a fiber backbone that runs through each building. Installing security network To minimise bandwidth transmission between buildings, Guyette recommended that each school locally record video from its respective cameras. The five lower schools have each been equipped with a single Valerus server that both runs VMS application software and performs as an NVR. The middle school and high school, which share a building, have an application server plus four NVRs to support the higher number of cameras. Because the Valerus VMS software makes exclusive use of a thin-client, there was no need to install software on any workstations. Complete user and administrative functionality is available through a standard web browser interface. Rick says that “Installation went very smoothly. The system works well and it’s easy to navigate and program. I’m used to systems where we have to do everything manually, but with Valerus, it does a lot of things for you. For example, you can copy programming to multiple cameras. Setting up one camera and then copying it to 50 others is a huge time saver.”  “The system is also really easy to update,” he says. “Two new Valerus versions were released during the months we were doing the installation, and we just had to download it once each time to an application server, and then it was automatically pushed out to all the other servers on the network.” Efficient crime detection Two new Valerus versions were released during the months we were doing the installation, and we just had to download it once each time to an application server" There isn’t a lot of criminal activity in the Delaware Valley School District, thanks to outreach programs that create a collaborative relationship between the school police force, administrators, students and parents. However, sometimes issues do occur, and Valerus has already helped the district solve a theft. Chris describes an incident that occurred while the system was still being installed in the spring of 2017. “There was a theft from one of the administrative offices. The employee thought the office had been locked, but our surveillance video was able to show that it was not and displayed the comings and goings of everyone who entered the office during the time in question. The video quality was so clear that the thief’s face could be identified. The footage was turned over to the local police who were able to apprehend the thief and recover the stolen property. With our old VMS system, the video wouldn’t have provided enough detail for us to identify the culprit.” High-end video surveillance Chris says he’d love to say that Valerus’ “museum search” made it possible to find the incriminating video in minutes. However, because the system was just getting installed, not all features were operational yet and his police force had to manually look through hours of video. “The officers are really looking forward to being able to use the search function in the future, now that we’re all up and running. They love how you can draw a box over an area of the video where you know something has happened, and Valerus will do all the work for you,” he says. In speaking about response to crimes and emergencies, Rick adds that because Valerus uses a thin client, the school district has the luxury of easily providing outside law enforcement with access to their system. If they ever needed help from local or state police, like in an active shooter situation, administrators can provide them with a link to the district’s network so that they can better coordinate a response. This would have been impossible with their old system. Ensuring Valerus system’s functionality The VMS thin-client interface allows the officers to view video from anywhere, including on their phones or tablets Unusual for a district of its size, Delaware Valley has its own, full-time, six-person police force. Among other responsibilities, this force is tasked with monitoring the new Valerus system. Each officer has been equipped with his or her own workstation from which they can monitor the cameras physically located at their assigned schools. Administrators at each building also have access to view local cameras. In addition, a centrally located, district-wide monitoring station has been set up to make it easy for officers and school officials to keep an eye on the district as a whole. Rick Scalzo explains that while the VMS thin-client interface allows the officers to view video from anywhere, including on their phones or tablets, his team recommended the purchase of high-performance, manufacturer-certified PC workstations for each officer’s monitoring station. This was to ensure that these computers would have the necessary processing power to display large numbers of high-resolution camera feeds simultaneously. These workstations are hard wired to the network to provide the fastest and most reliable connectivity to the application server. Chris Lordi says that the district has also provided all officers with iPhone 6s, which they use regularly to monitor what’s happening at their buildings. License plate recognition and PTZ cameras One of the capabilities that the district required of the new system is the ability to read license plates of vehicles entering or exiting school grounds. Officers are able to take control of the PTZ cameras in each parking lot and zoom in on the plates of any vehicles of interest. This can even be done via the iPhone interface. Chris explains that it has not been necessary to integrate Valerus with any special license plate recognition (LPR) software because his team of police officers has immediate access to databases where they can look up plates as needed. However, this integration is currently available for Valerus customers and can help automate the process for those who need it.  Intruder detection  They want top-notch safety, and Valerus delivers that" Chris says that “Our school board takes safety and security very seriously, so for them, this significant investment was justified as soon as we showed them what it can do. They want top-notch safety, and Valerus delivers that. Buy-in from teachers, and the union, who have expressed reservations over the placement of many new cameras that didn’t previously exist, has required additional communication and education. Both Chris and Rick have made it very clear that the upgraded system is not for the purpose of intimidating or keeping closer watch on employees as they perform their daily jobs. Our main concern is thwarting security threats and keeping everybody safe. The additional cameras and new software might help us break up a fight or address bullying issues, but it’s also important for much more serious situations, like dealing with an active shooter or act of terrorism. Now we can use cameras to follow an intruder throughout our buildings, and that can help us keep everyone safe while we apprehend him.” Chris says that “When we put it like that, everyone gets on board.” Counter Terror Chris is extremely appreciative of the support Guyette Communications has provided throughout this project, including individually training each school principal as their building was completed. “I can’t stress how well Guyette has delivered for us. They’re flexible, reliable and compassionate, and they’ve been a true partner at every step of the way. I’d recommend Guyette to anybody.” With school back in session, and the district’s police force busy implementing its many safety programs, Chris looks forward to another school year without any major security incidents. However, with a new Valerus system and high-resolution cameras in place, he knows he now has not only the right people but the right technology to handle any crisis.