Green security

Executives from Johnson Controls, Microsoft Corp. and the Middle East’s sustainability pioneer, Bee’ah, have announced an agreement to enhance Bee’ah’s new headquarters located in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, with a sweeping array of artificial intelligence (AI) and smart building solutions powered by Microsoft. Digital Vault Johnson Controls will work with Microsoft to outfit the new building with intelligent edge systems Using its Digital Vault offering and extended capabilities built on Microsoft Azure, Johnson Controls will work with Microsoft to outfit the new building with intelligent edge systems, devices and software designed to optimise energy efficiency, make the best use of available space and help the building’s occupants be more productive through a virtual AI persona. Evoteq, Bee’ah’s digital venture, will serve as the technical project management partner for this unique project, deploying integrated solutions and enhanced digital capabilities for greater operational output. From digital workspaces to smart back-office integration, and from smart lobby-visitor management to smart security, employees and visitors at Bee’ah’s new headquarters will experience a diverse range of cutting-edge AI features through multiple touchpoints across various functions including HR, customer care, procurement, administration, and mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems.  AI-enabled Smart Building solutions “Environmental sustainability and digital technologies are mutually inclusive factors in driving an economy of the future,” said HE Khaled Al Huraimel, Bee’ah’s Group CEO. “Our headquarters embodies our vision for this future and exemplifies the most sustainable solutions and advanced technologies, with no compromise on strategic partnerships, innovation or delivery. This will be the first building in the region, and one of the first in the world, to have full integration with AI to support new seamless experiences for optimisation of efficiencies, performance and functionality." "Our office of the future will manifest our commitment to the continual advancement of our valued staff body, and AI solutions will provide new avenues of employee development and operational convenience. We look forward to the gradual rollout of AI-powered smart building solutions at other Bee’ah offices and locations across the UAE.” Bee’ah is setting a benchmark in AI capabilities within the region and around the world through smart platforms As one of the Middle East’s first companies dedicated to the pursuit of improving quality of life, Bee’ah is setting a benchmark in AI capabilities within the region and around the world through smart platforms. Bee’ah’s progressive technology achievements have been made possible due to the continual support from the Sharjah government and the UAE’s leadership, which sets the foundations for developing sustainable smart cities. Green Energy Building Designed by the renowned Zaha Hadid Architects, Bee’ah’s futuristic new headquarters will be fully powered by renewable energy and optimised for the sustainable use of resources to have zero net energy consumption and achieve a LEED platinum certification — the highest recognition awarded to green buildings. Under the agreement, Johnson Controls will deploy a technical infrastructure for the building capable of monitoring its entire environment virtually with Microsoft Azure Digital Twins and IoT technologies. The solution will enable Bee’ah to analyse volumes of data to optimise building operations and drive efficiency. AI-powered personal concierge services As Bee’ah’s exclusive cloud provider, Microsoft will also optimise the experience of the building for people through technology and solutions powered by Microsoft Azure. Intelligent concierge capabilities will engage visitors and employees to help locate available meeting spaces, book appointments, give directions, hail rides and support day-to-day tasks. These AI-powered personal concierge services are believed to be the first in the Middle East designed specifically for building occupants. Digital Vault and our building apps will give Bee’ah the power to make faster, intelligent data-driven decisions" “Digital Vault and our building apps will give Bee’ah the power to make faster, intelligent data-driven decisions to run its headquarters more safely, efficiently and sustainably, and will increase productivity for the people working and visiting Bee’ah’s headquarters,” said Bill Jackson, vice president and president, Global Products, Building Technologies & Solutions, Johnson Controls. “In partnership with Microsoft, Johnson Controls is transforming traditional building systems with services that merge the physical and digital worlds. Through this project, we are showcasing how the cloud and AI can tap into data from physical spaces to drive better engagement with occupants and achieve new levels of efficiency and sustainability.” Azure Digital Twins and IoT Johnson Controls’ Digital Vault offering takes advantage of the capabilities of Azure Digital Twins, Azure IoT and Azure Container Registry to provide a complete virtual representation of data from connected devices and systems throughout the building. With this approach, Digital Vault translates the physical world inside the building into a digital representation of the building with rich data that can be visualised, analysed and acted upon to deliver proactive maintenance, optimise building systems and deliver intelligent support for the people inside. Bee’ah started with a vision to create one of the most sustainable and smartest buildings in the Middle East Bee’ah started with a vision to create one of the most sustainable and smartest buildings in the Middle East. After an exhaustive search, the firm selected Microsoft as its trusted digital advisor because of the company’s deep industry expertise and commitment to empowering smart cities around the world. Microsoft collaborated with Bee’ah to design the new digital experiences and to build an executable strategy using cloud and AI that would not only deliver smart building systems, but also lead to the creation of spaces and services designed to delight its occupants. Bee’ah selected Johnson Controls based on the company’s skills and offerings across smart building systems and the underlying software platforms, as well as its commitment to and close relationship with Microsoft. Microsoft-Johnson Controls-Bee’ah partnership “Together with Johnson Controls and Bee’ah, we are driving the digitisation of smarter, more sustainable buildings and spaces,” said Scott Guthrie, executive vice president, Cloud + AI Group, Microsoft. “Bee’ah’s iconic new headquarters will be among the first buildings globally to have end-to-end experiences designed and built on the Azure platform. Azure is the platform that can truly integrate across all the devices, systems and services required for such a large and diverse implementation. Microsoft has been able to reduce energy consumption by 20% on our own campus in Redmond by using machine learning on edge devices and in the cloud, and we can’t wait to see what Bee’ah is able to do by applying this approach to its ultramodern new headquarters in Sharjah.”

According to a recent report produced by IHS Markit, which specialises in providing insight on the areas that are shaping the business landscape, the number of video surveillance cameras equipped with advanced low-light functionality is set to soar over the next four years. Whilst it is estimated that in 2015 there were approximately 4.75 million of these types of cameras delivered to the market, in 2022 this number is projected to increase to about 51 million. Advanced low light functionality Whilst it is estimated that in 2015 there were approx. 4.75 million of these types of cameras delivered to the market, in 2022 this number is projected to increase to about 51 million The good news for system integrators and their end-user clients is that through economies of scale and increased competition, the price of these cameras is likely to gradually reduce. This will make them affordable for virtually any video surveillance project and thus fuel the growth in the number of them deployed. Conversely, it is bad news for intruders who would normally use the cloak of darkness to break into a site, as end-users are now able to deploy high definition cameras which are able to capture identification grade images in very low light conditions. What do we mean by ‘advanced low-light camera capability? Well, as an example, a bullet camera which has recently come onto the market is being supplied with the world’s first 0.94 f-stop lens which, when combined with sens-i technology built into the camera’s new sensor, delivers noiseless, clear colour images when the light levels are as low as 0.004Lux. The low light performance of this particular camera means there are unlikely to be many situations where the camera’s built-in IR illumination will be required. Green surveillance and video security Human beings are able to observe objects and activity in relatively low lighting conditions thanks to the complex processing which goes on between the eye and brain. Until recently, video surveillance cameras have not shared anything close to this phenomenal processing power and have therefore struggled to deliver quality images in challenging lighting conditions.  Green issues such as light pollution and energy costs, as well as the capital and installation costs associated with the provision of supplementary lighting, have significantly increased the demand for the latest generation of video surveillance cameras which are able to generate evidence grade images in very low light conditions. Red IR LED illumination Although many of these cameras feature built-in IR LED illumination, these alone will not satisfy the requirements for all video surveillance application requirements. Where, for example, cameras have been installed for covert surveillance purposes, the red light emanating from the LEDs are likely to give the game away to unwanted intruders well before a control room operator can alert security guards or the police. For safety reasons, railway operators will not deploy cameras which have red IR illumination.   Nevertheless, they are increasing in popularity and understandably so, as the built in IR LEDs which consume low amounts of energy, are automatically activated and depending on the camera model, can provide effective lighting up to a distance of 100 metres. On some of the latest generation of cameras, the IR intensity is automatically adjusted to provide the appropriate level of IR light depending on the zoom ratio Reduced IR diffused reflection On some of the latest generation of cameras, the IR intensity is automatically adjusted to provide the appropriate level of IR light depending on the zoom ratio, whilst some ‘Flat-eye’ cameras have a flat surface cover which is applied to the front of the lens instead of the dome cover. This reduces IR diffused reflection which is caused by moisture and in the absence of a normal transparent dome cover, also removes the effect scratches can have on image clarity. Video surveillance in low light conditions There isn't a single answer to the difficulties presented by low light environments, but with the right advice, designing a video surveillance solution to cope with the challenge should not be a difficult task. A combination of high resolution and low sensitivity is vital, but it is also important that the cameras have performance enhancing features and functions, such as Wide Dynamic Range (WDR), Automatic Gain Control (AGC) and Sense-Up. The lens used must also be able to match the performance of the camera, thereby getting as much light as possible onto the image sensor. It obviously makes sense to work with a manufacturer who is prepared to back its confidence in its low light cameras by being prepared to carry out a live on-site demonstration. It is certainly worth taking the time to research various options so that you don’t suffer from ‘buyers’ remorse’ by making a hasty decision. There is no shortage of cameras to choose from, but these can be filtered by seeking advice from a systems integrator or the technical department of the distributor they source cameras from.

Wavestore has released v6.14 of its open-platform and highly secure Linux-based Video Management Software (VMS). “v6.14 is our most feature-packed release to date and delivers on a promise to our systems integrator partners that we will continue to rapidly respond to changing market requirements,” said Julian Inman, Head of Product Management for Wavestore. “This new release incorporates a host of industry first innovations which deliver enhanced value, essential for smaller video only systems and up to Enterprise level, fully integrated solutions.” v6.14 Video Management Software Multiple cameras can now be configured and set to record in a matter of seconds thanks to a completely revised camera setup screen. Separate camera groups can be created and used to quickly apply common settings, such as stream parameters, recording frame rate and quality settings, to all cameras in the group at the same time. “For larger size projects with high camera counts, we know that system integrators have found camera set-up to be a time-consuming process,” said Julian Inman. “With the release of v6.14, we are able to claim that our VMS is among the quickest in terms of the time it takes to set up connected cameras and recording.” LASS file system upgraded Wavestore is now able to create logical disks from multiple physical disks Wavestore’s proprietary Large Allocation Storage System (LASS) file system, which is designed specifically for professional VMS solutions, already offered several advantages over traditional file systems, such as error-free, robust and reliable recording, lightning fast video search and recall, lip-synchronised audio as standard, industry-leading throughput and the ability to store multiple Petabytes of data. It has now been enhanced with new feature sets which include: Creation of Logical Disks - Wavestore is now able to create logical disks from multiple physical disks. This means that a Wavestore NVR with two 6TB HDDs, for example, can be grouped together so it appears as just a single 12TB HDD. This can be done over as many disks as required. For applications that demand it, physical disks can be kept separate and specific camera recording tracks split across individual disks (either to the storage within the server, or to a remote location) so that, in the event of a disk failure, critical data is still retained. Wavestore HyperRAID delivers up to N+5 redundancy - Wavestore’s unique HyperRAID architecture performs much faster than traditional RAID and doesn’t require an expensive hardware RAID card to operate. Instead, it is controlled by the VMS and utilises widely available simple Host Bus Adaptor (HBA) technology to deliver a faster and more resilient RAID solution, whilst significantly reducing hardware costs. ‘HyperRAID’ provides up to N+2 redundancy (RAID 5 or RAID 6), or with ‘HyperRAID Plus’ up to an industry leading N+5 redundancy. EcoStore - save over 80% energy on storage Wavestore EcoStore solution Wavestore’s innovative EcoStore solution facilitates the spin-down of hard drives that are not in a read/write state Wavestore’s innovative EcoStore solution facilitates the spin-down of hard drives that are not in a read/write state. This can save over 80% of the energy normally required for a storage solution, as well as offering savings in associated costs, such as reductions in air conditioning and wear and tear on disks from always being powered on. It works by sequentially writing to ‘groups’ of drives, which could be a single drive, multiple drives or multiple HyperRAID arrays up to N+5. Once each group is filled up, the next group is ready to take over recording and the first group is spun down. The archived video from a spun-down group can be viewed extremely quickly thanks to the index of where that video and metadata is stored and always available in the spun-up group. This provides a seamless operator experience when reviewing footage via the WaveView and WaveView Mobile client software, regardless of where that footage is stored. Perhaps the most impressive aspect of this technology is that it works with Wavestore’s latest range of servers/NVRs with no further specialist equipment required. Wavestore VMS licence levels enhanced Wavestore’s licence levels have been enhanced to bring new features and additional functionality across the existing BASE, PREMIUM and ENTERPRISE categories, with PREMIUM and above including a number of popular integrations straight from the box. In addition, a new licence level, ULTIMATE, which sits above ENTERPRISE, offers as standard the very latest innovations and comes complete with eight sequential v6 upgrades to keep your system up-to-date for over two-years.

Following the new Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), many renovations of existing buildings are to be expected in the coming years. These renovations must lead to buildings that are more energy efficient than they are today. This will require the installation of Building Automation systems for commercial buildings above 290 kW installed power. Although each country needs to develop its own renovation plan to tackle the expected renovations, one thing is certain that with automation systems being introduced into the buildings, more attention should be paid to fire safety and public security. Euralarm advises to follow a holistic approach to achieve and maintain fire safety. EU building sector, single largest energy consumerThe building sector in the EU is the largest single energy consumer in Europe, absorbing 40% of final energy and about 75% of buildings are energy inefficient The building sector in the EU is the largest single energy consumer in Europe, absorbing 40% of final energy and about 75% of buildings are energy inefficient. This offers a huge potential for efficiency gains. By accelerating the rate of building renovation towards more energy efficient systems and by strengthening the energy performance of new buildings, a large step could be made towards a more energy efficient and greener Europe. The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) provides guidelines for this. It is one of the initiatives to build a resilient Energy Union within the EU with a forward-looking climate change policy. Therefore, the EU should lead the clean energy transition cutting CO2 emissions at least 40% by 2030. The implementation of the EPBD must be completed by 2025 to contribute to this target date – including the renovation plan. The energy transition will be a driver for modernizing the EU's economy and delivering on jobs and growth for all European citizens. Building renovations towards enhanced energy efficiency Depending on the member state, only 0.4-1.2% of the building stock is renovated each year. These figures allow a lot of room for improvement; not only in energy efficiency but also in economic growth. Construction activities that include renovation work and retrofits add almost twice as much value as the construction of new buildings. SME’s contribute to more than 70% of the value added in the EU building sector. Building corporations as well as project developers are main drivers for renovating existing building since their economy of scale makes it financially more interesting to invest in renovations. Energy Performance of Buildings Directive Member States shall encourage the renovation of buildings and promote the energy performance of commercial buildings; new and existing Because of the 2018 edition of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), Member States shall encourage the renovation of buildings and promote the energy performance of commercial buildings; new and existing. While investing more in renovations, governments and authorities as well as building owners need to pay attention to the implications on the fire safety of buildings, according to Euralarm, because renovations can introduce significant changes in fire safety requirements. Increasing electronic devices installed in buildings With the growing number of electronic and electrical devices in buildings, (e.g. energy storage as part of the energy efficiency measures), the increase of fire loads of buildings will continue and must be considered in the overall fire safety concept and infrastructure. According to Euralarm, regular fire safety reviews by certified professionals are today even more crucial and should be sufficiently prioritised by private and public building owners and operators. This should be part of a holistic approach towards achieving and maintaining fire safety in both renovated and new buildings. First of all, the building structure and its contents must be considered as to how they contribute to the overall fire load as well as how they can hinder and restrain a fire event. Considering the building and its contents as a system allows authorities, fire safety engineers and building owners to oversee the impact of changes on the fire safety.  It would then also enable the responsible persons, i.e. authorities or building owners, to optimise or fully maximise the use of technical means to provide early detection and evacuation of the building. The early detection and warning could be coupled with systems for extinguishing fires, managing smoke and heat as well as guidance systems to bring occupants into safety. Euralarm’s holistic approach for building safety and security An organisational plan should be made with an overall view on the building including infrastructure, its intended use and occupancy, and systems in place for detection and management of fires. This plan should identify what is to be done in the event of a fire and who is responsible to initiate and execute which measures. The introduction of a holistic approach towards fire safety requires qualified people and companies who can define the fire safety concept. The required level of qualification not only counts for the definition phase but also for the design, installation, commission and maintenance phase. Following this approach should lead to systems that are in line with the EN 16763 Services Standard for Fire Safety Systems and Security Systems.

Door security solutions involve more than just the product being deployed – they also include the impact a solution can have and the support available throughout the life of the installation. While ASSA ABLOY sustainable solutions contribute a number of impressive sustainability benefits, the support for architects, designers, integrators and other security professionals is also robust. ASSA ABLOY sustainable solutions Efficient and cost-effective building design requires everyone to be on the same page from the first day of planning. And for solutions that take security and sustainability into account, you want to be assured products are both ordered and installed correctly. To help combat missteps that result in costly change orders, lost project time and potential compromises to building design and sustainability components, ASSA ABLOY has introduced ASSA ABLOY Openings Studio, a plugin to the world’s most common Building Information Management (BIM) software – Revit 3D. The plugin allows users to define secure and sustainable openings, set standards across an entire facility and keep everyone in the loop for the seamless integration of sustainable door security solutions. ASSA ABLOY Openings Studio ASSA ABLOY is making sure no installer is left without the proper instructions and support on the job through two new mobile apps Openings Studio can supplement or replace written facility guideline standards for enforcement and coordination with the architect and specification writer during the design process. By integrating with industry standard Revit 3D, Openings Studio allows you to plan, review and track the design of your openings throughout the planning process and avoid miscommunication and the potential for costly change orders. ASSA ABLOY is making sure no installer is left without the proper instructions and support on the job through two new mobile apps. ASSA ABLOY Customer Support App The ASSA ABLOY Customer Support App provides a troubleshooting, e-learning and support experience that is immediate and intuitive. It is powered with live, interactive video and live chat support from a technician. It also ensures support hours are displayed accurately within the app depending on device location and offers email options that are ideal for afterhours support inquiries. BILT app Through BILT, ASSA ABLOY provides interactive 3D models and step-by-step instructions to make installations easier Meanwhile, the BILT app’s product instructions provide fully interactive, voice narrated step-by-step guides that simplify installation. Through BILT, ASSA ABLOY provides interactive 3D models and step-by-step instructions to make installations easier, ensure products are installed properly, and store warranties for future reference. The instructions are fully-interactive, voice narrated guides that simplify installation and shorten the time it takes to accomplish the job. Both apps are currently available for download on Apple and Android mobile devices. Integrating sustainable solutions “We’re always looking for ways to streamline the process for those specifying and integrating sustainable solutions in their facilities,” said Amy Vigneux, Director- Sustainable Building Solutions at ASSA ABLOY. “Utilising intelligent applications that make our partners’ jobs easier is just one way we accomplish that.” ASSA ABLOY staff is also readily available to discuss your project and the sustainable solutions that can help you achieve your goals.

Middle Atlantic Products is now stocking and shipping the high-power DC Distribution solution, solving the installation challenges posed by powering a high density of DC-powered components with similar voltages. Part of the industry-award-winning DC Power Distribution family, the new 200W and 300W models provide high current capacity to an industry-leading quantity of outputs — up to 24 devices — maximising the same voltage in a single unit, 5V, 12V, or 24V, or splitting between 12/24V. DC Power Distribution solution "When we introduced the DC Power Distribution family two years ago, for the first time we made it possible for integrators to install the growing number of DC-powered small devices easily in a rack and reliably power them," said Scott Lowder, director of product management for power at Middle Atlantic. "Since then, our customers have anxiously awaited models that would meet their higher power and density system demands. With these new solutions, customers can solve every power requirement that comes their way." Technology professionals must maximise utility of every AC outlet available, especially in European applications As devices and applications shrink in size, technology professionals must maximise utility of every AC outlet available, especially in European applications. Middle Atlantic Products' DC Power Distribution solutions gives AV consultants, integrators, and installers access to the broadest DC power distribution portfolio available. They not only remove messy, space-consuming, unreliable wall warts from the design and provide maximum power to support, but they also increase system efficiency, which saves energy and reduces heat generation. Eliminating power-cabling clutter The new 200W and 300W models deliver the same innovative features as the family's 45W DC compact and 125W DC 1-RU systems, eliminating power-cabling clutter caused by the growing number of small devices. The solutions' reliable multilevel protection on both AC input and DC outputs and built-in individual redundancy ensure maximum uptime. The multi-mount design can be installed in an available 1-RU space or at the back or side of the rack for zero-U mounting, providing ultimate installation flexibility. A supported input voltage range of 100-240VAC, 50/60 Hz provides additional design flexibility for international applications.

When asked about what the market should be thinking about in 2018, I am left offering an answer that serves as an urgent call to action: prepare yourself for change! The security industry is soon likely to see a dramatic shift from the traditional segmentation of commercial and residential security. Smart phones, mobile technologies, cloud computing, and having everything provided ‘as a service’ in peoples’ lives means users of buildings have a new set of expectations. In many ways, the coming crosspollination of residential and commercial security offerings means we will have a better idea of best practices. The convenience of residential spaces will combine with the robust security of commercial facilities, for example. But this also means a higher level of demand will be placed on security integrators, facility managers and owners. Operations groups may need to change drastically to offer new technologies. Security as a service is likely to become more common. And new technologies are emerging that will facilitate this change and require new skillsets and expertise. So, what the market should be thinking about right now is: how do we all, collectively, keep up? More critical is finding ways to offer or utilise new technologies and total solutions that make operations easier Ensuring security preparedness As it stands now, in terms of physical security for doors and openings, we are currently in a world where we can secure almost anything. Be it hospital, school, file cabinet, server rack, grain silo or barn that is off the electrical grid, we have a solution for that. So being hyper-aware of your industry, its offerings, and how the products work together is important, as it means every location that needs security can have security. But perhaps more critical is finding ways to offer or utilise new technologies and total solutions that make operations easier, moving security components deeper into a building, facility or campus, and building and leveraging on partnerships where everyone is invested in the other’s success. Here are a few suggestions for addressing these issues. Training in new security solutions Perhaps the biggest change in the near term will be emerging technologies that will alter how we currently use security solutions. Be it cloud-based security, intelligent keys, new types of credentials, or simply a better software for management, the need to be well-versed on these offerings is key. To this end, it is important to not only know what offerings exist in the security world, but also be well-trained on them. Seek out a manufacturer that is willing to offer training and education on products, strategies and solutions. While it is important to secure server rooms at the point of entry, it might also make sense to provide a cabinet lock with audit capabilities on the rack or cabinet itself Identifying an end goal Further, approach the integration and implementation of these technologies with a collaborative mindset. For dealers and integrators this means utilising new technologies to better secure a facility for a client. As a building owner or manager, it means making tenant and occupant life better while streamlining your own operations. The ultimate goal of any new technology is to meet customer needs in the very best possible way. And that goal should trickle down from manufacturer to integrator to the facility manager and ultimately the end user. Don’t just implement technology for the sake of doing so. Do it with purpose by identifying an end goal and utilising these amazing solutions to achieve that. Identifying an end goal also means seeking out the core requirements a building has to provide users with the expected level of security and service. This is obviously dependent on the building, and it doesn’t always mean physically moving into a building, but rather looking at ways to move further into the operations of a business. Securing access to buildings Government facilities are undergoing a transition to security requirements dictated by the FICAM programme For some businesses, keeping server racks or file cabinets secure can be critical. And while it is important to secure these rooms at the point of entry, it might also make sense to provide a cabinet lock with audit capabilities on the rack or cabinet itself. New opportunities also fall into this category. Government facilities are currently undergoing a transition to security requirements dictated by the Federal Government’s Identity, Credential, and Access Management (FICAM) programme. FICAM sets standards for implementation of secure access to all government facilities and mandates the use of FIPS 201 Personal Identity Verification (PIV) for federal employees and contractors. This means that PIV enabled access points will be required on the perimeters, interiors and other openings. Finding ways to retrofit these affordably, efficiently and effectively means offering more secure openings on what is likely to be a tight budget. This can also apply to offsite facilities. Earlier I mentioned barns and grain silos – locations that are often left off electrical grids but can come with the need for auditing capabilities – and a solution exists for that. So, while a corporate headquarters might be under robust lock and key, it is always good to ask about other locations that could use a simple security upgrade. Personal Identity Verification-enabled access points will be required on the perimeters, interiors and other openings Establishing security partnerships Again, the best way to achieve readiness with this approach is to be aware of the market and its offerings, and to engage in collaborative partnerships. Collaborative partnerships are critical for everyone who is tasked with protecting the people and places that matter most. Manufacturers rely on the integrators and building supervisors to understand the new and developing needs in the industry. Integrators then must rely on manufacturers to provide these solutions, offer education and training, and be in constant contact about the newest technologies available. Collaborative partnerships are critical for everyone who is tasked with protecting the people and places that matter mostAnd building owners or managers must both be aware of their tenant and end user needs and demands – be it for new technologies or even seeking out sustainability solutions. In turn, they need to know they can rely on a collaborative approach from an integrator and manufacturer who is invested in their success. Industry collaboration for a secure future Again, the biggest thing we must all need to consider now is how to prepare for the future. Treading water is simply not enough in the security market anymore. New technologies and performance expectations are forcing us to consider ways to better serve our clients – whether we are a manufacturer, integrator or in charge of facilities. And the best way to do this is together. We are all invested in the success of one another, and in the people who use the places we strive to keep safe. By seeking out, developing, and cultivating these partnerships in collaboration and innovation, we are able to help one another prepare for the future that is becoming more complex, intriguing and exciting every day.

Many security manufacturers are working towards ISO 14001, an internationally-recognised standard for the environmental management of businesses How green are security industry manufacturers? As innovation (much of it driven from home video and mobile phones) continues, it’s likely that our sector’s carbon footprint will decrease since compact products use up fewer raw materials. Even casual observers will note that integrators are falling over themselves to gain environmental accreditation since it’s often a prerequisite at tender stage. In the integrator community, environmentally-aware practice will soon become the default way of working and barely worth mentioning as a credential. For the major sources of potential improvement in environmental impact we should look to manufacturers. Are they trying to be environmentally-friendly in terms of material consumption, recycling and waste management? Working towards green marketing campaigns A cynic will say that the only real motivation towards being green is when good environmental practice also benefits the bottom line. Fortunately, there are many cases where green initiatives do make business sense. Researching manufacturers while preparing this article, I discovered that as an industry dealing to a large extent with crime, we are probably slow to play the ‘green card’ even when our practices are essentially sound. Our marketing must have a high level of integrity. There are horror stories of promotional ‘greenwash’ in other sectors, notably an outrageous claim by Shell that they were “using waste CO2 to grow flowers.” Friends of the Earth scrutinised this and found that just 0.325 percent of Shell’s output was used in such a manner and the (UK-based) Advertising Standards Authority insisted that the campaign be pulled. Many security manufacturers are quietly working towards ISO 14001, an internationally-recognised standard for the environmental management of businesses. However, take-up in the US (where the standard is regarded with less respect than in Europe) is lamentably slow. As it moves from a criterion for “conformance” to one of “compliance”, ISO 14001 is likely to acquire more teeth.   Security products deemed to originate from manufacturers with a poor environmental record can be simply thrown out and the consultant told to look for an alternative Achieving ISO 14001 environmental management certification SourceSecurity.com reports regularly on manufacturers gaining ISO 14001, most recently HID Global. Within CCTV, Pentax was one of the first manufacturers to be awarded the standard. There are many other examples. Raytec is not just preventing light pollution with its products but is minimising pollution in the conventional sense with environmental policy that meets ISO requirements. The company has focused on electricity consumption, use of non-recyclable packaging and generation of non-recyclable waste. Its ultimate goal is being carbon neutral and many of Raytec’s suppliers are based locally, a policy that reduces truck miles. For large units and consignments, the company has introduced ‘rotate and re-use’ packaging systems with distributors. Samsung Techwin is also environmentally aware with scrupulous analysis of any hazardous materials generated by production processes and a green procurement and supplier programme involving over 300 companies. Tyco’s record in terms of environmental practice is also exemplary; there are initiatives in place to collaborate with waste haulers on maximisation of recycling and reduction in materials sent to landfill. Analysis of Tyco’s working practices has broadened my own terms of reference: it’s easy to focus exclusively on fossil fuels in this type of discussion but every element of environmental impact should be considered and Tyco is able to boast that its strategy at manufacturing facilities has reduced water usage by 11%. American LEED certification vs. UK-based BREEAM standard Under pressure from environmentally-aware clients on major civils projects at tender stage, construction companies and M&E sub-contractors are scrutinising the green credentials of every single component. Security products deemed to originate from manufacturers with a poor environmental record can be simply thrown out and the consultant told to look for an alternative. (The London borough councils are particularly vigilant in this area.) Consultants are now arbitrating on the green credentials of products in their initial designs, especially when the client is working to the American LEED green building certification system which evaluates projects against common green criteria including stewardship of resources. A rival code of practice is the UK-based BREEAM standard which has been developed to provide information to the building industry on sustainable development. Both certifications analyse energy usage in cooling of electrical components which is a significant factor for security manufacturers. Chinese manufacturers are experiencing greater pressure from global sales markets to conform to environmental standards for security products Eco-friendly challenge for Chinese security product manufacturers A development that should surprise nobody is stringent requirements from standards bodies on likely product lifecycles. The (abysmal) norm of built-in redundancy after three to five years that is tolerated in the IT sector has never been accepted by users of security products. Requirements from the International Organisation for Standardisation may soon codify the product lifecycle that manufacturers should strive for but without impeding R&D. Despite all the success stories, there is an elephant in the room that should not be ignored. Chinese manufacturers must realise that if their products are to be used on the world stage then green isn’t optional anymore. It should of course be said that regulatory frameworks in China are lacking (there has been some improvement since 2014) and legislation is complicated by the fact that individual provinces have a level of autonomy. Sadly, there also appears to be a lack of will. Here is just one statistic. The Environmental Protection Agency in the United States currently has 15,000 employees compared with 200 at its Chinese equivalent. All of this puts the onus on Chinese manufacturers to self-supervise in terms of environmental impact.

Energy saving is a 21st century challenge with businesses devoted to providing energy efficiency, energy conservation, and the sustainable use of energy, thereby reducing carbon dioxide emissions and helping to prevent man-made climate change. With governments and countries working together to make a more efficient and sustainable future, it is important that new technologies address everyday energy and carbon emission challenges. With all businesses being challenged to positively impact their energy consumption and provide sustainability reports, how can IP surveillance systems help a business achieve its energy reduction commitments? Click the Download button to find out more.

An £8.7m visitor centre to open up access to one of the East End’s ‘open-air lungs’ has been completed at a strategic 500-acre Thames Water site. The Walthamstow Wetlands project allows visitors to enjoy and learn about the Walthamstow Reservoirs’ distinctive built and natural heritage, which is unique in London. Because the area includes water treatment stations and other operational sites, it needed protection to separate public areas from CNI zones, for which Thames Water has ordered security fencing through Binns Fencing. Binns have installed ArmaWeave, HiSec and Axiom steel mesh from parent company Zaun around strategic Thames Water assets, while Duo fencing, sliding gates and railings have been included at all main entrances. Oak Habitat gates and post and wire fencing provide a more natural boundary to non-secure areas. The principal contractor of the project was London-based construction company Rooff, a family-run business with a track record stretching back 100 years. The area’s distinctive nature stems from the site’s importance as a historic operational landscape that supplies drinking water to London, and its rich biodiversity, which is of international importance for water birds.The concept is to create a ‘green core’ of naturalised landscape at the heart of the reservoir complex Safe naturalised landscape                      The concept is to create a ‘green core’ of naturalised landscape at the heart of the reservoir complex with a generous pathway through the centre of the site and connecting to the strategic pedestrian and cycle route through the middle of the Lee Valley. The project was designed by architect Witherford Watson Mann and landscape architects KLA, with engineers P3r and TALL, consultants Studio Dekka and collaborating organisation Counterculture also involved. The reservoirs’ importance as a potential nature reserve was recognised as early as 1945 by Professor Patrick Abercrombie, who said, “A series of great reservoirs [is] acquiring a charm of [its] own as trees grow round them and on their little islands – they are becoming nature reserves for large numbers of birds and the resort of privileged fisherman.” “These areas are a great open-air lung to the crowded East End – their preservation is essential...Every piece of open land should be welded into a great regional reservation.”

Hikvision cameras and a specially designed SKOV VMS allows handlers to monitor the pigs Hikvision worked with farm management solutions provider SKOV to bring the art of weighing pigs into the 21st Century, with the help of mini-dome cameras and a bespoke VMS system. The pig is one of the most populous large mammals in the world, with an estimated 986.6 million pigs at any one time. This also means, of course, that piggeries are big business, as pork is the most commonly meat consumed worldwide. Part of managing a piggery is to ensure that each pig is able to grow to its full potential. The average weight of a pig at market is 275 lbs, but keeping an eye on the weight of individual animals can be tricky. If a pig is smaller than it pen-mates, it is likely to be pushed away when it comes to feeding time. This means it will not grow to its full size. In this situation, pig farmers may move the smaller pigs into a separate pen, so they can get to the food and ‘catch up’ with their larger brothers and sisters. Methods and challenges But how do you weigh a pig? Traditional methods involved a tape measure and many hands and were, of course, very time consuming to complete. And that was without the math part at the end! Later methods saw farmers installing weighing apparatus, which was costly, and also time consuming with handlers needing to ‘persuade’ individual pigs onto the scales. Another issue with this system was that accuracy could be affected, as it was hard to tell if the scales had just one pig on them. “The pig handlers need to drag the pigs physically to the scales, which is not only very hard, time-consuming work, but also stresses the pig out”, said Kasper Ronn Christensen, Strategic Purchaser at SKOV. “Stressed pigs don’t eat, which also affects their growth rate.” Hikvision cameras and SKOV VMS solution Enter a whole new innovative solution, using Hikvision cameras and a specially designed SKOV VMS. After testing various cameras, SKOV approached Hikvision because of the competitive price and clear, reliable pictures even at only 2MP resolution. That, combined with the ability to build a firmware specifically for their needs, persuaded SKOV to work with Hikvision. Between four and eight 2-line mini-dome cameras (DS-2CD2142FWD-I (4mm)) are placed in the pigpens, to allow handlers to see what’s going on and to monitor the growth progress of the pigs. These specific cameras were chosen because of the low amount of spare space in a pigpen and the importance of an affordable solution. Weight calculation and monitoring “We were looking for a solution that could be used by piggeries all over the world”, says Kasper Ronn Christensen. “That meant we needed to make it simple, practical and affordable. The fact that, even at a relatively low resolution of 2MP, clear actionable pictures were consistently available made these cameras a smart choice.” Connection to the SKOV VMS means that the pigs’ weights can be calculated and so monitored. The VMS also gives alarms if a pig doesn’t follow the required growth rate, so steps can be taken. The success of the project in Denmark means it can be replicated all over the world to help piggeries to manage their pigs and make sure they maximise their potential. SKOV is offering the solution to all regions with piggeries, including in Thailand, where they have a subsidiary. Digitalised smart farming systems “The cameras are integrated and working as expected, so we can look to the future”, says Kasper Ronn Christensen. “We are really impressed with the way Hikvision adapted their firmware to our needs. I also love the innovative approach - who would have thought that a technology that was designed to help spot intruders could be used to ensure pigs grew to the correct weight!” Peter Guan, Channel and Marketing Director at Hikvision Europe, said: “We are heading to a future where traditional farming is digitalised into smart farming, where surveillance cameras are not only used for crime prevention at the farms, but also as useful tools for farmers. Hikvision’s ecosystem partner program allows easy software and hardware integration so that end users can benefit from an innovative and more powerful complete solution.”

ISD-Tech has installed 600 channels of surveillance video at over 30 solar farms across the UK For many years Network Video Technologies (NVT), has supplied an unparalleled choice of high-performance and cost-effective solutions for Solar Plant surveillance applications across Europe and America. With the recent introduction of Solar Plants to the UK, British power producers are now reaping the benefits of NVT transmission technology when securing these high-value sites. To date, Integrated Security Design Ltd (ISD-Tech), has installed 600 channels of surveillance video at over 30 solar farms across the UK; gaining an industry-wide reputation for providing high-quality, high-performance CCTV systems in these harsh RFI environments. Based on a common specification, the installations have all featured NVT UTP CCTV Hybrid Video™ technology to provide interference immune high-quality CCTV image transmission, over distances of up to 1.6km (1 mile). Nicky Stokes, MD of ISD-Tech takes up the story: “We first became involved with solar plants when we expanded one of our existing customer’s sites using NVT technology. Since then, we have become known as an industry authority on the subject of solar plant CCTV design and installation. Our in-house design team pride themselves on guiding our customers through the entire installation, from conception, through CAD design, to installation and remote maintenance.” The NVT advantage Specified by ISD-Tech as an alternative cable medium versus the use of coax, Cat5 UTP is used to provide the cornerstone of their high-performance CCTV video transmission solution. The use of flexible UTP cable permits simple and quick installations, and has helped to minimise engineering time on-site and disruption to site operations - with the associated cost saving and project management benefits this brings. “This is a critical factor at these solar sites,” explains Nicky. “The use of NVT transmission technology has been so successful that it has been included at each site, as part of the authorised technical specification. The NVT product is of such a high-quality that we are happy to include this in all future installations." Economical performance Providing an economical deployment of NVT technology, the ISD-Tech installations employ NVT NV-214A-M single NVT technology has been integrated at the sites to provide the best of both analogue CCTV and digital video transmission solutions channel video transceivers at each static camera, and transmit video via Cat5 UTP to  NVT NV-1642 16-Channel StubEQ™ Active Receiver Hubs, connected locally to a digital video recorder (DVR). From the DVR, images are encoded onto a WAN for distribution to a remote control room, which centrally monitors all the solar plant sites 24/7. “This design template is also readily expandable,” continues Nicky. “It’s simple and cost-effective to cater for theaddition of new cameras to cover newly expanded areas of the solar fields, as and when they are required. “Unlike some of the cheaper UTP baluns that many of our installation competitors use, thanks to NVT’s unique ‘built-in’ interference immunity, we are able to install NVT UTP cables in ducting alongside the sites’ main power transmission infrastructure. It’s very reassuring to know that we can rely on NVT products to be totally unaffected by the proximity of huge RFI power sources, and deliver perfect camera images to the control room." Another benefit is that the end-user doesn’t have to pay for expensive separate cable ducting to be installed. “The current flow of each solar field changes throughout the day, posing quite a challenge to video transmission - as high-power outputs are produced by the solar fields at mid day, falling with the onset of evening. This is where the automatic adjustment of camera video signal by NVT DigitalEQ™ technology comes into its own, providing a solution by continuously adjusting signal levels to ensure that the same great image quality is transmitted back to the equipment room - no matter what the available light or electrical conditions.” Best of both worlds Solar fields across the UK are monitored by the combined digital and analogue technology from NVT NVT technology has been integrated at the sites to provide the best of both analogue CCTV and digital video transmission solutions. High-quality NVT analogue camera signals are distributed to an on-site DVR, to afford the best possible quality of recorded images for investigative/evidential purposes. In addition, both live and recorded camera images are encoded for browser-based monitoring. “This means the power provider can secure and protect the solar fields, whilst also meeting their duty of care responsibilities – ensuring any trespassers can be identified and stopped quickly,” explains Nicky. “Due to the large electrical currents they produce, solar fields can be hazardous places. Our CCTV systems have proven to provide a very effective security and management tool, ensuring only authorised personnel gain site access.” Thanks to the installation expertise of ISD-Tech engineers, NVT UTP CCTV video transmission products are yielding significant savings, superior image quality and consistency of interference free camera video in Solar Plant surveillance systems across the UK. The NVT based CCTV installations have a track-record of providing a flexible, future-proof security and management aid, that can protect infrastructure and capital investment at these cutting-edge power generation facilities. In the future, many more sites will benefit from ISD-Tech’s technical know-how, as the company plans to install the same CCTV system specification at 40 more solar farms across the UK.

Johnson Controls provided guidance and support for the project team, using Green Compass, a software application tool and services Parrish Medical Center (PMC), a state of Florida tax district entity, operates as a not-for-profit hospital serving North Brevard County, Florida, since 1958. PMC, based in Titusville, has continuously expanded its services and facilities to meet the needs of a growing community. Building for sustainability is a natural extension of Parrish Medical Center’s commitment to the creation of patient-centered healing experiences. PMC leadership and staff believe that the physical environment can play a significant role in patient care. This belief is evidenced by the center’s collaboration with Johnson Controls to use green design and a lifecycle approach in the construction of its new outpatient facility, Parrish Healthcare Center at Port St. John. The facility earned the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) silver certification for a healthcare outpatient building in the state of Florida. The certification recognises high-performance buildings that benefit the occupants as well as the environment. The new outpatient healthcare campus is meeting the needs of the growing population in Port St. John, a community located just 20 miles south of the main hospital. The 33-acre site includes nature trails and a wildlife preserve land allocation, which is a LEED credit. Approximately 60 healthcare professionals and support staff work at the 72,500-squarefoot center, which houses diagnostic imaging, physical therapy and rehabilitation, a sleep-disorder lab and physician’s offices. “We’re proud to have built a facility that is what the community asked for. Too often a facility is created with little or no community input, which was not the case here,” says Chris Fox, director of the Parrish Healthcare Center at Port St. John. “The fact that the new Port St. John health care center is also ‘green’ is a tremendous benefit for the community and a reason for them to be proud of what they created with Parrish, “adds Christopher Male, FACHE, medical center developer, responsible for select facility development projects at PMC. Collaborative approach to building for sustainability PMC’s vision of creating the best healing experience for patients on a continuous basis helped shape the design of the new outpatient center. Hospital leadership understands that building for sustainability requires a long-term, lifecycle approach and smart decisions throughout the construction process. By taking a collaborative approach with the design and construction team and Johnson Controls, PMC was successful in bringing together different professional perspectives and then deciding what is best, based on healthy, patient-centered outcomes. To assist with this process Johnson Controls conducted an Innovation Services workshop with key stakeholders and the design team to help explore approaches for cost-effectively integrating systems, infrastructure and technology. The workshop provided a forum for defining and communicating PMC’s vision and objectives, and aligning the building design and technology with those goals. Innovation Services’ collaborative process allowed internal and external stakeholders to be involved early in the planning and helped meet one of the primary goals uncovered in the workshop – that all stakeholders in the new project succeed together to win. In addition, Innovation Services improved the upfront planning process, which helped meet the goal of remaining on budget and meeting individual expectations. Serving as the LEED accredited professional for the project, Johnson Controls provided guidance and support for the project team, using Green Compass, a software application tool and services which allowed the priorities defined in the workshop to be aligned with the LEED rating system. By aligning with the LEED objectives defined in this process, PMC was able to impact mission-critical goals. As the green building advocate with Male, Johnson Controls assessed the design with the project team as well as evaluated credits for cost, payback and mission alignment to establish the certification scope. Johnson Controls further reviewed all design documents, offering design assistance and bringing lifecycle considerations to the table that would provide savings in both first costs and operational costs while assuring project goals were met. A model of the building’s energy consumption created by the design team was reviewed by Johnson Controls, which allowed a performance guarantee to be tied to the project. Another way that the team managed project costs, was to leverage Novation, a contracting services company that helps manage and reduce supply costs for VHA, University Healthsystem Consortium and Provista. Johnson Controls also serves as the facility lifecycle performance partner, helping ensure that long-term energy consumption for HVAC equipment and lighting will remain within a specific range required for LEED certification. A Johnson Controls Metasys® building management system allows for the measurement and verification of energy use, which contributes to LEED project goals. Johnson Controls is responsible for maintaining the building controls, security system and HVAC equipment Specifically, Johnson Controls served as the design assist and construction manager for the critical building systems including mechanical, plumbing, electrical, building controls, information technology and security systems. This included management of subcontractors and installation of the Metasys system and a Johnson Controls P2000 security management system. Additionally, Johnson Controls recommended and installed a YORK® air-cooled chiller instead of the packaged rooftop unit specified in earlier project designs. The air-cooled chiller resulted in lower installation and operating costs. Johnson Controls is responsible for maintaining the building controls, security system and HVAC equipment under a service agreement. LEED supports hospital’s design approach PMC leadership chose to pursue the LEED approach to new construction after learning about it from leaders in the field of sustainable design, including Johnson Controls. “LEED supports our evidence-based design approach by incorporating elements we’ve found to be important to healing while providing additional benefits to our operations.” says Male. “Interesting similarities exist between evidence-based design and LEED. By combining the two we can maximise benefits to patients, the environment, clinical performance and administrative efficiency,” adds Fox. Evidence-based design seeks to identify the effect of the environment on patients and staff, and guide decisions. Research indicates that environments play an integral role in healing the body, mind and spirit. Pursuing LEED helped to achieve a “healthy building,” one of seven elements of a healing environment that PMC wanted to provide the community. Other elements include nature, colour, healthy lighting, physical security, wayfinding and cultural responsiveness. As the LEED certification consultant, Johnson Controls collaborated with PMC staff and the design team from concept to completion to achieve a design based on patient-centered outcomes that meet LEED requirements. To receive certification, criteria must be met in six broad categories including sustainable site development, water conservation, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, and innovation and design. Johnson Controls assisted PMC in the LEED submittal process. “The LEED certification process served as a guide for creating something that is much more than just a building,” says Male. “We feel we have created a destination that will positively affect everyone who comes into contact with it.” Design incorporates seven elements of a healing environment: Nature The greenfield site development and design emphasises the natural beauty. The existing ecology was respected by incorporating the vegetation into the design. The natural, healing elements transition into the interior by placing plants and a fountain in the atrium. Colour and healthy lighting “We feel we have created a destination that will positively affect everyone who comes into contact with it” These two elements are complementary and are considered together. The choice of interior finishes respect the colour and texture of the site’s vegetation. Bright finishes and sophisicated lighting contribute to the healing environment. Healthy building The interior building materials use recycled content, emit low VOCs and are easily maintained, which enhance the building’s sustainability. Incorporating quiet patient areas and designing for patient flow creates a therapeutic environment. Physical security A state-of-the-art Johnson Controls security system protects patients, visitors and employees. The center is built to withstand 130 mph winds and is above the 100-year flood plain. Wayfinding  Good wayfinding such as clear and visible graphics and signage, which denote different areas of the building, create a sense of place. Cultural responsiveness The center contains colours, fabric textures and artwork that are specific to the local habitat. Parrish Healthcare Center at Port St. John incorporated the following features in order to qualify for LEED certification: Sustainable site development Building footprint is equal to or less than the surrounding space Storm water is managed and treated Reflective roofing material reduces heat gain Preferred parking available to high efficiency, alternative fuel vehicles and carpoolers Bicycle racks and showers available Light retained on-site at PMC and at minimal levels to reduce light pollution to surrounding areas Water conservation Use of native vegetation requires 50% less watering Holding ponds trap rain water for use in irrigation Low-flow plumbing fixtures reduce water usage by 20% Dual flush toilets, waterless urinals reduce water usage by 30% Johnson Controls Metasys building management system allows for the measurement and verification of energy use Energy and atmosphere High-efficiency lighting incorporates occupancy and daylighting sensors High-efficiency YORK HVAC equipment uses the least harmful refrigerants Integrated Johnson Controls Metasys building management system used for measurement and verification Materials and resources Implemented policies and procedures for recycling 50% of construction waste was diverted from landfills 10% of construction materials contain recycled content 60% of manufactured materials were obtained within 500 miles of the site Indoor environmental quality No smoking policy established Indoor air quality management plan implemented for subcontractors Low VOC adhesives, sealants, paints, carpeting and composite woods were used Metasys system monitors and controls HVAC equipment for maximised efficiency and thermal comfort within ASHRAE standards Metasys system maintains indoor air quality by monitoring CO2 levels and introducing outside air when necessary Building flushed out prior to occupancy Innovation and design Implemented Johnson Controls Sustainable Energy & Education Communications program for Parrish Heathcare Center staff Educational kiosk informs visitors and patients of sustainable features Implemented high-performance green housekeeping program Johnson Controls provided multiple, LEED-accredited professionals from concept through completion Land dedicated to nature preserve provides healthy healing environment and provides habitat for endangered Scrub-Jay

Employees access the key control system by scanning their employee ID badge / access card The Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati uses a KeyWatcher® key control and management system by Morse Watchmans to safeguard the keys to the District's vans, bulldozers, cranes, service trucks and cars, and make the keys available to authorised employees whenever they are needed. Six 48-key KeyWatcher cabinets store about 180 keys used by the district's 150 employees to serve wastewater collection needs.  Some keys are restricted to individual employees or to small groups, and the keys are stored in the various KeyWatcher cabinets according to the department that uses them. Employees access the key control system by scanning their employee ID badge/access card, which has an embedded RFID chip.  “Before the key control system was adopted, keys were stored on a pegboard in the Sewer District with spare keys kept in a box, which was not a good system,” said Rahn A. Wuest, Wastewater Collections (WWC) Supervisor of Cincinnati's Metropolitan Sewer District. “KeyWatcher now makes it easy to access and control keys, providing more convenience for employees and keeping our vehicles and equipment safe and secure.”  Each key is attached by a stainless steel locking ring to a SmartKey with an identification chip. SmartKeys fit into key slots in KeyWatcher key control cabinets, which keep track of who removed any key, when it was taken and when it was returned. KeyPro III software tracks the keys and sends emails automatically when a key has not been returned. The software can also limit access to certain keys only to authorised employees. The system can help identify who was driving a vehicle at a certain time, for example, if there is a report of a District vehicle speeding or running a traffic light. With fewer lost keys, there is less need to put spare keys into service.  “The installation at Cincinnati's Sewer District demonstrates the value of the KeyWatcher system to improve management and accountability of employees accessing a fleet of vehicles and equipment,” said Fernando Pires, VP Sales and Marketing, Morse Watchmans. “Keeping keys safe and knowing who accesses keys boosts overall efficiency and security at an affordable cost.” 

The first LEED certified green building in Malta, SCMO1 covers 12,000m2 of office space over The SituationSituated at the heart of SmartCity Malta, ‘SCM01’ is a commercial building covering 12,000m² of office space spread over seven storeys, providing a series of flexible office suites together with shared facilities and ample parking for knowledge workers and visitors.SmartCity Malta is continuously striving towards excellence andcommitting to green policies. Consecutively, SmartCity Malta’sdevelopment is planned in studied phases with technologicallyadvanced green buildings that enable its tenants to operate in a secure, comfortable and safe environment.In line with its commitment, SCM01 is the first LEED certified green building in Malta. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is an internationally recognised green building certification system, providing third-party verification that a building has been designed and built in a way intended to improve performance in metrics such as energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emission reduction and improved indoor environmental quality. To underline this efficiency commitment, it was important that the technology within building SCM01 would contribute towards it achieving LEED certification.A key element in optimising SCM01’s efficiency was enabling the Honeywell Pro-Watch® security management system to share signals with the Tridium Building Management System (BMS). As a result, SmartCity Malta required a mechanism that would aid in seamlessly integrating the two systems.SmartCity Malta invited Building Services consultants from ‘Scicluna & Associates’ to determine the most appropriate solution, who in turn selected systems integrator ‘Engineering for Science and Industry (ESI) Malta Ltd’ to manage the design and installation. OmniASSURE MIFARE card readers wereinstalled to monitor access control cards presented at door entry The SolutionA Honeywell Pro-Watch® Corporate Edition security system was installed to control the access of SCM01’s 30 doors and ESI Malta Ltd also provided detailed expertise integrating the Pro-Watch system with the Tridium BMS by producing a specific adapter using the Honeywell Software Development Kit (HSDK). This adapter enables Pro-Watch and the BMS to efficiently share each other’s input and output signals. Also as part of the security system, intruder detection and video surveillance products were installed. OmniAssure™ MIFARE card readers from Honeywell are also installed to monitor when an access control card is presented at door entry and exit points. Using Honeywell PW6000 intelligent controllers, Pro-Watch sends signals to the BMS whenever an access control card is presented to one of the readers. The access control cards can be programmed with cardholder’s credentials including their personalised preferences for temperature and lighting settings. Due to the integration with the BMS, these settings are then applied based upon the person’s location within the building.The BMS also receives inputs from other security and safety related systems which are now displayed and recorded via Pro-Watch too. Such systems include; fire alarm (where the individual ‘fire zone’ is identified), emergency lighting, Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS), back-up power generator, water leakage alarm, IT infrastructure and voice alarm system. For example, when an emergency event such as a fire alarm is triggered, the system automatically records and displays video images of the specific zone. Equally, in the event of a failure with the UPS, an alarm is shown via the Pro-Watch interface. Honeywell IP OTZ mini dome and boxcameras survey the public areas in theSCM01 building Video surveillance of the public areas is carried out with Honeywell IP PTZ mini dome and box cameras. The high definition images are captured and managed by the Honeywell MAXPRO® VMS video management system which also integrates with Pro-Watch. MAXPRO VMS gives the security team at SmartCity Malta complete control over all video sources. This includes control of live video from the cameras and enabling them to view video captured before, during and after every alarm/event received from Pro-Watch. Intruder detection is also integrated via the Pro-Watch system. Sturdy and reliable DUAL TEC® motion sensors and door contacts from Honeywell are installed throughout the building. Alarm outputs triggered from these are managed by MAXPRO VMS and live video instantly shows the area in question on the video wall. At the same time, the BMS sounds a siren and increases the brightness of the lights in the area where the intruder is located.The BenefitsAn Efficient BuildingIn line with SmartCity Malta’s green commitment, SCM01 is one of the first buildings in Malta that has achieved such a high standard for a technologically-advanced green building, enabling its tenants to operate in an efficient, comfortable and productive environment. The system can continuously check the occupation status of each room / zone by monitoring the presence of access control cardholders and adjusting the lighting and flow of fresh air accordingly. Lights are turned on automatically when rooms become occupied and turned off when they become vacant. In addition, CO2 sensors installed within the premises send signals to the BMS which combine with inputs from Pro-Watch to regulate the amount of fresh air delivered to each room depending on occupancy. Similarly, air flow and lighting is adjusted within meeting rooms when a visitor’s access card is presented. High definition images werecaptured by Honeywell IP PTZmini dome and box cameraswere managed by HoneywellMAXPRO VMS Since the BMS is integrated to other infrastructure systems and equipment within the building which are not directly related to security, critical alarm statuses and conditions from these systems are sent and recorded as events in Pro-Watch. This innovative feature gives the operators visibility of the status of other building infrastructure services which in turn enhances the safety and business continuity of the building occupants and owners.The data from the BMS, which includes inputs from Pro-Watch, also provides new energy-analytic reporting tools and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). The SmartCity Malta management team use these statistics to monitor and measure the performance of the building as part of a continual process of measurement and verification of installed building systems. These readings ensure that the building operates as intended and maintains operational efficiencies. Competitive edgeProviding a state-of-the-art Information and Communications Technology (ICT) infrastructure with a converged BMS and security system within a technologically-advanced green building not only underpins SmartCity Malta’s corporate responsibility towards the environment, but it allows it to differentiate itself from other commercial buildings and developments to help attract worldwide ICT brands as tenants. SCM01 allows tenants to operatein an efficient, comfortable andproductive environment Optimum security and convenienceVia Pro-Watch, the BMS assesses the occupation levels of the building 24/7. At night time, to optimise security, additional footpath and car park lighting can be turned on when any cardholders working late leave the building. One easy-to-use systemThe security team manages and controls the system via a dynamic, graphical user interface- the ‘Alarm and Event Monitor’, which displays clearly all alarm statuses and conditions from the BMS and Pro-Watch. For added convenience the interface is integrated with computer tablets and smart phones for access away from the control room.The MAXPRO VMS system enables the IP video cameras to be controlled with ease and any images to be displayed clearly on the bank of monitors. Operators are quickly and clearly alerted to alarm events and incidents, and video pursuit is possible via motion detection using a set of surrounding cameras.Partner of choiceEngineering for Science and Industry (Malta) Ltd.Engineering for Science and Industry (Malta) Ltd. is an ISO9001-2000 certified registered company who are specialists in the design, installation and commissioning of automation and specialist solutions within the following generic fields:• Building Energy Management Systems• Industrial and Process Automation and controls• Security and Safety Systems• Home Automation With many years of experience and specialised knowledge, ESI is able to provide a wide range of services encompassing all aspects of the Automated Controls, security and Safety Engineering Industry.

Environmentalism is a universal consideration in most business sectors in 2016. Whether seeking to provide greener products, or looking for new ways to minimise waste of manufacturing processes, most companies are involved to some degree with environmental concerns. Green has not traditionally been a big driver in the security industry, but there are indications the profile of environmentalism is increasing. We asked this week's Expert Panel: How green (environmentally friendly) is the security industry? How should the industry as a whole (integrators and manufacturers) work to improve the industry’s environmental record?

"Going green" is not a new initiative, but rather, one that businesses and individuals are constantly aware of and continuously making a conscious effort to contribute to. The global population has become increasingly environmentally conscious over the years. Businesses and homeowners alike are investing more in green alternatives for their various needs. Many businesses adopt a green business ethic by ensuring that their products and ways of working are compliant with certain green standards. We asked our panellists for their thoughts on how technology can help keep the security industry green. Let's take a look at their responses.