Construction surveillance

A new England-wide study by IP video integrator NW Security completed in September, found that 97 per cent of medium and large-sized businesses wanted to make significant improvements to their existing CCTV systems. Over a third (36 per cent) of firms captured in this study wanted their CCTV systems to be integrated better with other security-related systems such as access control, fire and intruder alarm systems. Faster access to key CCTV data Nearly one in five medium and large-sized firms (19 per cent), wanted their CCTV systems to find and retrieve footage of incidents easier and quicker. This group expressed dissatisfaction that it was taking too long to find video following known security incidents. Battle to reduce false positives Almost one in ten firms (8 per cent) wanted to dramatically reduce the number of false positives that their CCTV systems were flagging - admitting that false alarms were consuming too much of their time. False event triggers used to be a much bigger problem than it is today. NW Security thinks its good news that 92 per cent of CCTV system managers are happy with the accuracy of event triggers as a result of analytics improvements and better configuration of systems. Frank Crouwel, Managing Director of NW Security explained, “False positives used to be a massive problem in first-generation video analytics software, but it should be possible now to deploy and tune next-generation video analytics tools to reduce false positives dramatically.” Upgrade to intelligent video analytics Connected with this comment, a further 8 per cent of firms captured by NW Security’s market study wanted their CCTV systems to be upgraded to add intelligent video analytics to better support post-event decision-making. GDPR compliance demand 5 per cent felt their video systems need to have GDPR compliance and over one in 10 (12 per cent) want to improve resilience and back-up systems 5 per cent were concerned that their video systems needed to have GDPR compliance baked into it, to ensure compliance in the way video surveillance data is collected, stored, accessed and processed. And over one in 10 (12 per cent) wanted to improve resilience and back-up systems around surveillance recordings. Real operational requirements NW Security queried why so many firms wanted full system-level integration between intruder and fire alarm systems with CCTV. It believes some of this demand tends to come without considering the real relevance for an individual company’s security needs. Businesses must work out the real operational requirements (ORs) of each and every camera they have installed. Then they must base modifications and integrations on what is really needed in security terms. Unsynchronised software and firmware updates Frank Crouwel at NW Security explained, “Integration should be driven by a genuine Operational Requirement, not just by the desire to integrate cutting edge technologies for the sake of it. If you’re not careful, you can end up with a system which is over-specified and underperforming.” “The other factor at work here is vendor hype. Marketing materials from vendors endlessly promote the twin mantras of innovation and integration.” “However, the reality on the ground is that getting systems to work well together is still difficult work. It can still be challenging to maintain systems over the long term due to often unsynchronised software and firmware updates.” User training requirement Highlighting the importance of user training when new video management systems (VMS) are deployedNW Security attributes the fact that one in every five firms were struggling to access relevant video recordings following incidents, to the need for more comprehensive user training. NW Security highlights the importance of user training when new video management systems (VMS) are being deployed or when new staff is joining. Configuration change “VMSs search capabilities today are generally very good at helping the user locate relevant video sequences today. But operatives need to know how to use the on-screen tools to the fullest.” “It’s also worth looking at how much ‘empty data’ you are collecting. It’s easy enough to set up a recording on relevant event triggers using detection analytics for example, so that only relevant activity is collected. This configuration change alone often reduces the amount of data captured by over 50 per cent,” Frank Crouwel added. Optimising CCTV systems Frank Crouwel of NW Security, summarised, “Although the expectation of systems is rising rapidly, our findings show the need to get back to basics: investing in user training so that all your security team can put VMS’ increased functionality to work, and configuring cameras in line with defined Operational Requirements, both remain important but often neglected areas for optimising CCTV systems.”

A new study of CCTV system managers, commissioned by security technology company NW Security, found that nearly half (46 percent) of medium and large-sized businesses across England, plan to use their CCTV systems to support remote management of processes and people in the workplace. The study also uncovered the fact that the primary reason for investing in CCTV systems in the workplace is to keep staff safe while working. Remote management One clear finding was that CCTV systems are increasingly being used for a new purpose during the pandemic: remote management. Many businesses from manufacturers to distribution centres have physical operations that need ongoing visual monitoring from wherever managers are based during the pandemic. Frank Crouwel, managing director of NW Security explained, “CCTV systems can provide the eyes and ears for managers working from home or elsewhere. CCTV can help them to make sure systems and processes are running smoothly, ensuring staff are working safely and with sufficient support.” Survey on medium and large-sized firms 52% felt CCTV provides another method of identification and 50% felt CCTV systems manage and enforce social distancing NW Security’s survey also asked medium and large-sized firms whether they expect their existing surveillance systems to be able to support a safe return to the workplace for most employees, in the light of COVID control measures. Over half (52 percent) of businesses felt CCTV could be used to provide another method of identification in support of some workplaces’ drive for contactless access to work premises and buildings. And half (50 percent) felt CCTV systems ought to be able to help manage and enforce social distancing in the workplace. In addition, just under half (48 percent) thought CCTV ought to be used to trace all people's movements in and around the office to ensure that staff was following directional arrows around buildings and wearing face masks for example. COVID control measures Frank Crouwel, Managing Director of NW Security, added, “Our study uncovers key areas where CCTV systems are being used to help businesses manage through the pandemic.” “Video surveillance systems are now supporting observance of COVID control measures associated with ‘back to the office’ pushes after lockdowns for example. CCTV is also enabling more effective remote management during full lockdowns when most of us need to be operating from home and minimising travel.” Video technologies Frank continues “It seems that there is a new realisation of the role of video in managing businesses. The increase in the use of CCTV as a remote management tool has been running in parallel with the exponential rise of video conferencing during the last seven months.” “The pandemic has forced us all to use these existing video technologies, and it has simultaneously accelerated the demands placed on CCTV systems by managers right across businesses.”

AddSecure, a renowned European provider of premium IoT solutions with a focus on secure critical communications and data, announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire International Security Group GmbH, a renowned German innovator in technology-driven video Surveillance-as-a-Service. ISG offers a comprehensive portfolio of mobile video surveillance solutions marketed as Video Guard to customers within industries such as construction, logistics and infrastructure. With the acquisition, AddSecure enters the attractive video surveillance market, a growth market with vast potential. The mobile video surveillance market in Germany, ISG’s core market, is expected to grow at over 30% p.a. with similar growth rates possible in other European geographies given the markets are relatively nascent. Video surveillance-as-a-Service The joint mission is to enhance the safety and security across industries such as construction, utilities, transportation and more, with the objective to become a leading European provider of video Surveillance-as-a-Service. “The acquisition of ISG boosts AddSecure’s reach in the IoT and secure critical communications and data space, and enhances our offering with the addition of advanced video surveillance technology. Entering into this growing market is a logical next step to support our ambitious growth strategy, and fits perfectly with our extensive knowledge of security and safety and our current offering of smart solutions,” said Stefan Albertsson, CEO of AddSecure. Video surveillance offering “We are excited to join the AddSecure organisation with its expansive growth strategy and pan-European footprint that will open new opportunities for the Video Guard product range,” said Jörn Windler, Managing Director of International Security Group. Jörn Windler will remain as the Managing Director of the business post-acquisition and will be instrumental in integrating the video surveillance offering into AddSecure.

Renowned risk management company, the SmartWater Group is working with The Survey Association (TSA) and survey equipment manufacturers to help tackle the growing problem of surveying equipment theft. Increasingly, criminal gangs are targeting building and transport construction sites to steal expensive surveying tools. SmartWater Technology, a division of the SmartWater Group has been working with TSA for the past two years, mapping organised criminal gangs targeting survey equipment nationally and providing support to police investigations. Members of TSA report their crime data to SmartWater’s team of experienced Intelligence Analysts who study the information and build up informed patterns of criminality, but this is just one part of the work they do. High value equipment theft The construction industry is similarly targeted by the same criminal gangs. When businesses lose valuable equipment, projects are seriously disrupted and livelihoods lost. SmartWater proactively use the data to build as full an intelligence picture as possible, helping to pinpoint the activity of organised crime groups. In support of the partnership between The Survey Association, equipment manufacturers and the police, SmartWater urges those in the construction industry suffering high value equipment theft to report their crime incidents. TSA President, Adam Bradley, noted: “It is vital that TSA Members and those in the wider construction industry impacted by theft, continue to provide SmartWater with the data needed to disrupt organised criminal activity. Reporting every incident of theft and attempted theft to SmartWater builds the evidence required to make arrests and recover stolen equipment.” Providing intelligence to clients Gary Higgins, COO of SmartWater Technology, added: “SmartWater is making it much harder for criminal gangs to get away with targeting surveyors. As well as continuing our partnership with TSA, we are also working directly with the three major manufacturers of surveying tools - as well as police forces across the UK. Stolen equipment can be easily identified, enabling legal cases to be brought against criminal gangs and our new CIAP centre is helping to prevent thefts happening in the first place by providing intelligence to clients.” SmartWater is currently the only forensic system compliant with the HO Forensic Science Regulators Code of Practice and therefore the only solution currently admissible in court.

Vicon Industries, Inc., designer and manufacturer of video surveillance, access control software and hardware and cameras, released its highly anticipated updated Thermal Sensor models. The innovative Thermal Sensor series is a 360-degree surveillance solution that combines powerful high-end thermal technology with high-resolution PTZs for unparalleled perimeter protection in wide-open spaces like power stations, airports, construction sites and other facilities. The VTR-3000 series is a cutting-edge, cost-effective model designed for small to medium sized facilities with a range of up to 250 metres. This series ideal for private airports and parking lots, ensuring nothing goes unnoticed. The VTR-6000 series covers vast areas up to 500 metres and is ideal for larger applications such as construction sites, large commercial airports and more. Enhanced analytics for fire detection Both series can be used day or night and are rich with upgraded features such as enhanced analytics for fire detection and equipment temperature monitoring. Just one thermal sensor can replace up to 8 traditional cameras, and with the newly built-in TRIA, provides many cost-effective options to its users. This series also features exceptional improvements made to image clarity and detection, reducing false positives so time and energy is well spent. Lastly, an improved exterior design reduces the amount of moving parts, reducing the potential for replacing parts. “The line of upgraded Thermal Sensor models is a highly anticipated addition to our camera portfolio so we’re thrilled to incorporate this cost-effective and robust solution to our product offering,” said Bret McGowan, Senior V.P., Sales and Marketing.

Axis Communications announces a new 5-year product warranty at no extra cost. This increase from the previous 3-year warranty is a result of the company’s commitment to providing high-quality products and cost-efficient, trouble-free ownership. Axis has long offered an excellent hardware warranty service covering defects in design, workmanship, and material under normal use for 3 years from the date of purchase, depending on the product. Now customers can take advantage of a 5-year Axis warranty service free of charge. Valid for purchases shipped from Axis to the original purchaser on or after 1 April 2020, this new warranty ensures additional years of added peace of mind. Key features 5-year product warranty Trouble-free ownership Better control of overall costs Enhanced RMA support First-class quality and support The 5-year Axis warranty covers most Axis products, it’s free of charge and there’s no action required.

Construction site theft can cause project delays, property damage and loss of profit for companies in the construction sector. It is imperative to deter thieves from targeting construction sites with the help of construction site security. Here, we look into the various security options and how they can help protect your firm from the threat of a break-in. Construction theft has soared during the COVID-19 Pandemic Construction site theft is an ever-increasing problem in the UK, costing the industry an estimated £800 million per year. Unfortunately, this type of crime has accelerated further throughout lockdown by an estimated 50% due to the abandonment of construction sites across the UK. With many uncertainties around a potential second wave in the UK, it is time for construction firms to enhance their security strategies to help prevent thieves from becoming opportunists on construction sites. Why are construction sites ‘easy’ targets? Construction sites can easily be targeted, as they typically lack adequate security loss prevention practices. The most popular security-related issues that are leading causes of construction site theft are: Poor overall site security Multiple pieces of equipment sharing the same keys Easy access to open cabs Unsecured sites, particularly at night and over weekends Lack of product identification systems If you do not want your site becoming a costly statistic, you might want to try implementing some or all of these preventive measures. Strengthen your perimeter Putting a clear boundary around a construction site will help to prevent youths and members of the public from inadvertently wandering onto the site. To stop opportunist thieves in their tracks, you will need to go one step further by erecting robust fencing and concrete blocks along with signage warning intruders about the consequences of trespassing. Putting a clear boundary around a construction site will help to prevent youths and members of the public from inadvertently wandering onto the siteIf potential trespassers can see that it would be too challenging to attempt a break-in, then they will look elsewhere to find another construction site which is not as well secured. Lock away valuable tools When considering the vulnerabilities in your construction site, it pays to think about this from the perspective of a criminal. What is it exactly that they are looking for? What can a thief steal easily to make money if they were to remove something from your site? Unfortunately, many construction firms do not lock away their tools, materials or vehicles properly, which makes them an easy target. Ensure valuable tools and materials are locked away and are not left unsecured or lying around. Criminals are mostly interested in scaffolding, bowsers and other valuables that are quick to sell on, so it is important to have a strategy in place to keep these locked away, safe and securely. Put tracking devices in your equipment If you are unable to securely lock away valuable tools, then modern technology makes securing equipment easier than ever before. Tracking devices can be installed onto vehicles and equipment; if any thief is unwise enough to steal from the site, site owners will be able to provide the location to the police who will be able to follow this up. Site owners should also engrave company identification numbers on valuable tools, equipment and vehicles so that it can easily be identified and will serve as proof who it rightly belongs to. Invest in CCTV Closed Circuit Television, otherwise known as CCTV, is renowned for being one of the most effective deterrents for thieves, especially when it comes to construction and building sites.The items that criminals steal from sites are notoriously hard to trace The items that criminals steal from sites are notoriously hard to trace, but if you have CCTV, there is a chance that you can capture clear footage to help bring criminals to justice, such as footage of the vehicle used and the car licence plate. CCTV cameras can help to oversee every inch of a construction site, and can even be hidden out of sight where required. Step up with regular site patrols With a wide range of security monitoring methods available, stepping up on regular site patrols can help to keep track and respond to any criminal activity taking place on your site. Traditional site patrols can be carried out on a schedule by professional SIA-approved security agents. With the presence of guards patrolling a construction site, any criminals in the area will be deterred to force entry onto the site. Schedule supply deliveries on an as-needed basis To prevent an excess of supplies ‘sitting around’ on the site, construction site managers should instead order what is needed at the time, so that valuable materials are not left around waiting to be stolen for weeks at a time. Good planning and excellent communication between the team will be required so that projects are not delayed, but planning accordingly will help to reduce the chances of theft on a construction site. Drone surveillance As technology becomes more and more advanced, drone surveillance may soon be a security option that many construction sites could benefit from.Many construction firms in the UK are using drone services to provide aerial images, and are seeing huge cost savings by either purchasing and operating their own drones or by hiring out the work to a company equipped to provide imaging.As technology becomes more and more advanced, drone surveillance may soon be a security option With surveillance drones already handling tasks like mapping and surveying of construction sites, one day they may be able to patrol construction sites at night, equipped with motion sensors and infrared or night vision cameras; They could be automatically deployed from a charging station and fly along a pre-programmed route at regular intervals. One to keep an eye on for the near future! Construction site security to help protect your site If you are ready to tighten security on your own construction site, then your starting point will be to identify your main vulnerabilities and get in touch with a reputable security specialist.

Kumbh Mela is one of the most sacred pilgrimage festivals of India and is organised at a grand scale at Nashik, Haridwar, Ujjain and Prayag. As Kumbh Mela is being celebrated after a period of 12 years in Nashik, 100 million people are expected to visit, security is a major concern for the Government bodies. Nashik will be getting an opportunity to host these guests from July 14 to September 25 and no stone will be left unturned in hosting the massive gathering. Challenges Nashik Railway Station authorities wanted video surveillance devices that would not consume larger areas when it comes to installing them as the railway station had congested platforms. Moreover, they wanted a surveillance solution that gave them superior image quality and at the same time did not consume heavily on the bandwidth. Furthermore, the authorities wanted to monitor the whole place centrally and gain central control of the entire place. Installing devices and control room in the congested platforms Restricted allotted bandwidth for the video surveillance solution Requirement Prompt and smooth installations of cameras and hybrid video recorders within 30 days Setting up the control room for monitoring railway station entrance, platforms and connecting bridges High reliability of the solution for utmost security Storage of the entire 4-month period as evidential proof Matrix offering Installation was completed within 20 days with highly skilled manpower. Cascading of all the connected devices with sequencing for central monitoring on TVs in the control room to reduce the overall solution cost. 4 months scheduled backup of all cameras is configured centrally for storing all the streams. Matrix being an Indian brand, efficient pre-and post-sales support is a part of the solution. Results Secured entry and exit from the city with 24x7 video surveillance of the railway station Installation of the solution done within the defined time frame Products offered SATATYA HVR1624P SATATYA CIBR13FL40CW SATATYA CIDR13FL40CW SATATYA CIDRP20VL130CW SATATYA Centralised Monitoring Software (CMS)

Axis Communications, the provider in network video, has helped develop an innovative and clean energy solution which illustrates the potential of sustainable surveillance technologies in remote locations. In response to a request to produce a system to document part of a major programme of improvements to Scotland’s A9 carriageway, Axis and its partner Camera Control UK, developed a solution which is capable of capturing high-quality 4K time-lapse imagery using entirely renewable sources. One of the main challenges was that the solution needed to be able to capture high-quality surveillance video in an area with no communication networks or local power, while coping with weather extremes and construction logistics. With diesel generators disregarded due to the pollutants they would produce, and the challenges associated with trying to lay power cables over a considerable distance along a route that twists and turns, a clean and sustainable solution was required. Video surveillance helps in better traffic flow The highways project will see a 10-mile stretch of the A9 from Perth to Inverness widened to increase the efficiency of the route and allow for smoother traffic flow. After winning a tender to document the project, local company, MB Productions Ltd, commissioned Camera Control UK to produce a solution. Camera Control UK in turn contacted Axis Communications, the provider in network video technology, to work in collaboration. The resulting video would be used for audit purposes, to provide evidence of best practice, and to serve as example material for future projects. All captured video is relayed back to a central control location using a dedicated wireless network Martin Naylor, Director of Camera Control UK, elaborates: “We realised it had to be an off-grid solution to avoid using local power; a solution that could incorporate wireless communications and utilise renewable energy sources to be environmentally friendly and sustainable over the longer term.” Bullet cameras To bring the solution to life, AXIS P1448-LE 4K short bullet cameras were chosen for their robustness and durability. The final system uses eight solar power packs, charged by a mixture of wind turbine and solar PV panels. Eight towers with mounted cameras are employed at various key touchpoints along the A9. Communications masts, installed to enable cloud connectivity, ensured that the Axis cameras, connected via the IoT, were able to deliver imagery of incredible quality. The whole solution illustrates the possibilities for innovation when utilising the natural elements, having a virtually zero carbon footprint. All captured video is relayed back to a central control location using a dedicated wireless network. The whole system can be remotely monitored to continually check its status of operation. Remote management also enables the cameras to be fine-tuned for precision imagery of the work in progress, without the need to manually touch the cameras, or even to be on-site in person. 4K Imagery Martin Naylor commented on the relationship with Axis that has made this solution possible: “Axis really values innovation and is therefore an ideal partner, not only because the team takes the time to understand the challenges when trying to push the boundaries of what’s possible in surveillance, but also because their drive towards sustainable and ethical practices is an inspiration to other technology companies.” Matt Brown, Director, MBP, said of the solution: “We are now able to capture fantastic 4K imagery of the ongoing work on the A9. Camera Control UK has produced an entirely green solution, an incredible feat of engineering. The Axis cameras are in a completely different league, in terms of quality, to others we’ve seen. This project has been a great success.”

Multiple Construction sites in the Albuquerque area are managed by Shumate Constructors, Inc., an Albuquerque, New Mexico-based construction contractor, that is also renowned for building educational facilities. In addition to building schools from the ground up, Shumate Constructors completes school additions and remodels. Construction site thefts Three years ago, the company began having problems keeping thieves out of its construction sites during non-working hours. Unwatched construction sites are hot beds for a variety of thefts - from copper pipes and wire to hand tools to heavy-duty machinery. The loss of machinery, such as front-end loaders, would cost hundreds-of-thousands of dollars. Sometimes workers will arrive to a site in the morning only to find materials, such as copper pipe, gone along with their tools. Enhancing construction site security The sites also presented a challenge due to changing construction conditions The result is the loss of a whole day and sometimes multiple days of work. On top of the lost time, the contractor has to cover the cost of replacing materials, file an insurance claim for each theft and complete additional administrative paperwork that they weren’t planning to invest time in. The sites also presented a challenge due to changing construction conditions. Equipment or storage containers are delivered and removed, the sites are graded/re-graded and as sections of build were completed, tools, materials and supplies were moved to different areas. Flexible, reliable wireless solution At a contractor trade show a few years ago, Mark Shumate, President of Shumate Constructors met Dave Meurer, President of Albuquerque’s Armed Response Team. Meurer introduced Shumate to the idea of a flexible, reliable wireless solution that could continually monitor the entire site without the need to trench around the perimeter. “Mark [Shumate] was fed up with theft at his construction sites so we started to discuss some prevention ideas,” said Meurer, adding “I knew this was a great fit for the combined Inovonics transmitter and Optex sensor solution.” Optex sensors installed He further said, “At the Armed Response Team, we refer to this solution as the never sleeping, non-blinking eye. Shumate was not aware of any reliable solutions that could provide this type of theft prevention, but we explained that we were very confident in this application and he was definitely interested.” To install each combined sensor, the Armed Response Team attached the Optex sensors to a freestanding steel post with a base plate on it and deployed them throughout the site. This allowed the flexibility to be easily moved to accommodate site changes. Once installed, a signal was easily achieved. iSeries Optex/Inovonics sensors The amount of iSeries Optex/Inovonics sensors needed at Shumate’s sites vary The sensors in the combined solution often need to communicate as far as an entire city block and the perimeters can be several thousands of feet. The iSeries Inovonics/Optex solution was able to easily accomplish this feat. The amount of iSeries Optex/Inovonics sensors needed at Shumate’s sites vary. For some sites, it can be as few as a dozen, and others it can be as many as 30 or more. “Together, the products offer a great solution,” noted Meurer, adding “The Optex sensors can handle varying weather conditions and Inovonics’ wireless connectivity offers less signal drop and more consistent reporting signal than any of the other transmitters we’ve tried.” Efficient perimeter security solution “Between the perimeter technology by Inovonics and Optex, and the Armed Response Team’s follow-up, we have seen zero thefts for all projects since installation. With the integrated wireless solution, the construction sites are monitored on a real-time basis and immediately notify the Armed Response Team upon unauthorised access,” said Mark Shumate, President of Shumate Constructors. He adds, “We look at the perimeter security solution as a great investment. Annually, the cost of manpower, replacement of lost or stolen items and damage repairs could easily cost three times more than we spend on Armed Response Teams’ services with the Optex and Inovonics solution.”

Welch Sand & Gravel, a family-owned operation serving the Cincinnati, Ohio region of the US. Welch harvests gravel and sand from the water and transports all the material via hundreds of feet of conveyor to be processed and delivered to all its construction customers. The 500 plus feet of conveyor is riddled with an array of copper and metal wiring that yields big dollars on the market, making it quite vulnerable. The surrounding rural area is extremely challenging to protect, as it includes multiple acres and many access points, including the water. Optex photoelectric beams installed Sonitrol of Butler County was brought in to provide a solution to Welsh's security needs. With the assistance of Optex, Sonitrol designed an outdoor security system that was comprised of hardwired and wireless Optex photoelectric beams to secure the property. All of the Optex Beams were connected to various pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras on the property Optex’s 200 ft. battery-powered, wireless photoelectric beams were strategically placed to provide perimeter detection along the property line and not allow access to the desired wiring on the conveyer belt. In addition, interior traps were placed to provide back-up protection to Welch Sand & Gravel. All of the Optex Beams were connected to various pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras on the property, and Sonitrol of Butler County now provides 24-hour monitoring of all the cameras. Optex - Sonitrol monitored solution The moment an Optex beam detects movement, the PTZ cameras are activated and the Sonitrol Central Station immediately views the activity on site. The operator can quickly assess the situation and dispatch the proper authority if necessary.  The Optex security/Sonitrol monitored solution has saved the customer thousands of dollars in loss and hundreds of dollars a month in guard service costs. Since the system was installed, no additional loss has been experienced on the site.

As a consequence of COVID-19, many hospitals have needed to quickly erect new portable buildings to expand the capacity of certain sensitive areas. This in turn has created a requirement to immediately expand the scope of existing CCTV systems to ensure control room operators are able to monitor and react appropriately to any suspicious activity in the vicinity of the new buildings. New Cross Hospital, which is run by the Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust, is just one of many hospitals throughout the UK who are faced with the challenge of ensuring all areas of its campus can be monitored 24/7. Providing 700 beds and employing almost 9,500 staff, it is the largest teaching hospital in the Black Country, having been originally built circa 1900 as a workhouse. Cost-effective solution We clearly needed to find a much simpler and cost-effective solution which would enable our clients to take full advantage" The need to install a new 4K camera in a location over 300 metres from the hospital’s control room initially seemed daunting in terms of the cost of laying the network cabling normally needed to transmit ultra-high definition captured by IP cameras. “Apart from the cost of the engineering work and the disruption caused by installing the new cabling, it would also have taken several days to achieve,” said Dan Mather, Director of Derby based JKE Security, who have had a long term working relationship with the Trust. “We clearly needed to find a much simpler and cost-effective solution which would enable our clients to take full advantage of the superb quality images captured by 4K cameras and, if necessary, pass evidence of any wrongdoing to police.” Electronic security products Dan Mather sought advice from Smart R Distribution, the Haverhill based specialist electronic security products distributor. They were able to offer him an assurance that their own brand 602POE-2P single port PoE Ethernet Extender would be able to reliably support a new 4K Wisenet PNP-9200RH dome camera, by facilitating the transmission of the IP images over the hospital’s existing coaxial cabling. The Smart R 602POE-2P single port PoE Ethernet Extender has been proven to be able to robustly transmit data over any 2 wire cable, and with the ability to handle bandwidth of up to 200Mbps, is more than capable of coping with the transmission demands of the Wisenet 4K camera. Safe working environment It was truly a case of plug & play, with both devices installed, configured and working within half a day" “Although we did not source the camera from Smart R, it could not have been easier to connect it to the Ethernet Extender,” said Dan. “It was truly a case of plug & play, with both devices installed, configured and working within half a day!” Commenting on the successful installation of the new camera, Paul Smith, Head of Security and Car Parking for the Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust said: “It is essential during this challenging time that we are able to continue to provide a secure and safe working environment for all our heroic colleagues who are so compassionately caring for people who have contracted COVID-19." Electronic security supply chain "I have been impressed with how quickly various companies within the electronic security supply chain have been able to come together and use their combined expertise to provide us with an effective and cost-effective solution.”

ARST is a public transportation company in Cagliari, Italy. The company operates a massive fleet of about 800 public buses throughout the island of Sardinia. During the vehicle modernisation process, the company decided to deploy new centralised CCTV systems to enhance the security level of passengers and drivers. Challenges First of all, the low-definition images captured by the original surveillance equipment cannot meet the company’s advanced monitoring needs. Second, the bus driver could not achieve point-to-point communication with the command centre in real-time. In addition, in case of an accident, there was no emergency button on the bus before to report the emergency to the command centre. Solution To help ARST revamp its bus security system, a customised Dahua mobile solution consisting of more than 3,000 cameras and 750 MXVRs, Panic Buttons, DSS integrated platform as well as other accessories was employed. The data collected from the front-end cameras are integrated in the control room via DSS4004, where emergency calls, geo-localisation of vehicles and statistics can be managed. Video recorder MXVR6212 supports real-time vehicle location tracking and monitoring, GPS and video can be uploaded via a wireless network Each bus is equipped with a Penta-hybrid video recorder MXVR6212, 4, 6 or 8 HAC-HDBW2241F cameras and panic buttons. The main features of the systems are data encryption, people counting, hot spot, router 3G/4G, dynamic management of the LCD monitor on board and geo-localisation via the DSS app. As the first mobile XVR adopting HDCVI/AHD/TVI/CVBS/IP signals, MXVR6212 can achieve 1080P high-definition real-time recording. It supports real-time vehicle location tracking and monitoring, and all information such as GPS and video can be uploaded via a wireless network – 3G/4G/WIFI. In addition, the device can also support the connection of various accessories, such as card readers, fuel sensors, and emergency buttons. Furthermore, it has passed EN50155/ISO16750 to meet the requirements for mobile use. Other than the city bus, this device can be used in various applications, such as school buses, taxis, police cars, trains, trucks, etc. Mobile camera The 2MP HAC-HDBW2241F-M-A mobile camera is designed with a shock-proof compact case, which makes it convenient to be installed and adaptable to various applications. Boasting the strengths of the Dahua self-developed HDCVI technology, the camera offers high-quality images and ensures real-time transmission. Also, it adopts a high-performance sensor to provide incomparable performance even under extreme lowlight environment. The Starlight feature allows capturing of more details and recognising accurate colours at night or in scenes with limited illumination. DSS platform At the control room, Dahua DSS platform was utilised to control and manage the mobile devices deployed on the bus. It displays real-time location, speed, direction of mobile device, playback device’s history location, and supports alarm for over-speeding, entering and leaving the E-FENCE. Aside from central management, the Business Intelligence feature of Dahua DSS platform also allows the user to export Heat Map reports and people counting statistics, helping operator companies to optimise the driving route to generate more profit. Benefits With upgraded Dahua system, the command centre can communicate with every single vehicle of ARST Bus Company in real-time, enabling them to deliver instructions to the driver, allowing the driver to report immediately to the command centre in case of an emergency through the panic button, and ensuring the safety of passengers and drivers. The Dahua mobile solution with high-definition monitoring performance reduces theft and robbery on buses and enables bus companies to collect accurate information about traffic flows and automatically download data to assist efficient and profitable operations. The Dahua mobile solution mounted onboard has been proven to be highly efficient and reliable, which were also applied in two other Italian bus companies: AMAT Bus Company in Taranto and AMTAB Bus Company in Bari.

The high cost of thermal imaging cameras historically made their use more likely in specialised law enforcement and military applications. However, lower pricing of thermal imaging technologies has opened up a new and expanding market for thermal cameras in the mainstream. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What are the new opportunities for thermal cameras in mainstream physical security?