Office security systems

Allegion US, a security products and solutions provider, announced the integration between Overtur™, the industry collaboration environment for door hardware and openings, and Autodesk’s BIM360, a platform connecting project teams and data from design through construction. With this powerful new integration app from Allegion, professionals working on projects using Overtur as a collaboration platform can directly export punches collected using Overtur Mobile and the Punch List tool to a BIM360 project. Coordination of openings of a building project “BIM360 continues as a productivity platform in the design and construction industries. Overtur focuses on the coordination portion of openings of a building project. The Overtur process allows those working on openings to be ‘laser-focused’ on their task in tools specifically built for openings,” said Shawn Foster, Overtur content strategist. Overtur features a Punch tool that allows the creation a punch list for openings and hardware from the job site. After downloading the plans and hardware sets, the user can accept or flag an opening or the door hardware. Users can also add notes, take photos, attach pre-snapped photos or add a voice memo. Once completed, Overtur Mobile synchronises the field data back to the Overtur project for collaboration, reporting and administration. Preventing data-entry errors for BIM360 users Foster continued, “Once openings are punched and synchronized to the Overtur project, users can directly connect to their BIM360 project and view their exported Overtur-created punches as Issues within the BIM360 project using Field Management. This integration will save valuable time and prevent data-entry errors for BIM360 users.” Overtur and Overtur Mobile simplify the specification, design, construction and management of openings through improved communication, collaboration and efficiency. Overtur Mobile is available in the Apple and Google Play stores and can be used on phones or tablets with either iOS or Android operating systems.

RAS Watch, the managed service operations and risk mitigation centre, announced the launch of its contact tracing service to proactively identify and trace infectious disease outbreaks, such as COVID-19, within a business. The service combines the power of the RAS Watch remote monitoring services technology, targeted communications and emergency response, along with trained contact tracers, to mitigate the spread of infection across an organisation. Limiting spread of diseases like COVID-19 As part of the new service, RAS Watch and its certified partner channel can work with organisations on best practices and to coordinate communications between employees when exposure or presumed exposure is identified to isolate, notify and reduce the risk of an outbreak. RAS Watch uses software technologies to streamline this process, as well as maintain compliance with relevant government-issued regulations. RAS Watch security operators are certified as contact tracers through the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, which empowers them to communicate with people infected with COVID-19, identify those who may have been exposed and provide these individuals with guidance to limit the spread of the disease. Technology and industry databases RAS Watch uses traditional investigative techniques, combined with technology and industry databases, to source information for unknown individuals to continue the contact tracing process. “Private businesses and public entities have to find a way to protect their people from the threat that the COVID-19 outbreak brings to global operations, and contact tracing is an essential component of that effort as more and more people return to work,” said Ryan Schonfeld, Founder and CEO, RAS Watch. “RAS Watch is well positioned to offer this service as part of its comprehensive tools and analytics methods that aim to transition companies from being more reactive to proactive in the pursuit of protecting people from the kinds of threats that we’re seeing today and will continue to see in the future.”

Significant upgrades to the e3 Series firmware were announced in the Linear Essential, Essential Plus, Elite and ProControl commercial access control systems. The new firmware updates employ the latest code technology to provide improved security and web services protection against the rise in cyber threats for businesses of all sizes. Giving end-customers and users the features most in demand, the upgrades to the Linear e3 Series also include improved encryption, smart reporting and card types access control functionality. Access control security “Commercial businesses of all sizes are acutely aware of need for increased access control security due to the growing sophistication of electronic intrusion capabilities,” said Richard Pugnier, Vice President of Marketing at NSC. “The new e3 Series firmware updates and feature enhancements allow our dealers to offer heightened security confidence to deter intruders while keeping employees and facilities safe using the latest technological advancements.” “After listening to our dealer partners, this firmware upgrade is the first of several planned that will help address ongoing commercial security and access control needs for organisations large and small,” said Mark Prowten, Director of Product Management for NSC’s Linear brand. Commercial access control systems The Linear e3 Series firmware upgrades we’ve engineered open new customer opportunities for our dealers" “With tens of thousands of systems installed, customers depend upon the proven managed access and convenience of our systems, and we remain committed to constantly improving our security technologies to guard against the growing list of internal as well as external threats. Plus, the Linear e3 Series firmware upgrades we’ve engineered open new customer opportunities for our dealers to offer market-leading capabilities along with added security peace-of-mind.” The scalable design of Linear e3 Series is specifically engineered to minimise future costs and help lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) as organisational needs evolve and more functionality is needed. Based on a single hardware design, a single software code base and sophisticated integrated features, the Linear e3 Series can easily scale up to 128 doors. All Linear Essential, Essential Plus, Elite and ProControl commercial access control systems include the upgraded e3 Series firmware. Licence expansion capability Each is out-of-the-box ready to install, designed to match customer-specific needs and are readily upgradeable with a licence key. The top-of-the-line Linear Elite is a feature-rich system designed for four to 128 multi-door, multi-site facilities. The advanced capabilities of the Linear Elite system can accommodate more users, doors, readers, online transactions and overall capacity. The Linear Essential and Essential Plus access control systems give smaller and mid-size businesses access control that can grow with them. These systems provide entry-level value for one to four doors with immediate licence expansion capability to Elite system with no additional hardware needed.

Creative Realities, Inc., a renowned provider of digital marketing solutions, announced a reseller programme to support broader distribution of its Thermal Mirror solution. CRI moved quickly to anticipate and meet the growing need for thermal screening solutions as businesses resume normal operations following the COVID-19 shutdown. Since introducing its Thermal Mirror solution several weeks ago, CRI has expanded its partner programme to make its thermal screening solution more broadly available. The reseller programme unveiled is the latest addition to its Thermal Mirror partner programme. Thermal screening solution "At Aspire, we are committed to providing our customers with reliable and proven technology solutions that enable business continuity in the face of challenges brought on by COVID-19," said Lorraine Azzinaro, Chief Operating Officer, Aspire Technology Partners, a charter member of CRI's new reseller programme. "CRI's Thermal Mirror is a best-of-breed, Cloud-connected thermal screening solution that is the perfect addition to our portfolio, and precisely the sort of solution our customers are asking for." The market for thermal screening products is becoming more crowded by the day, and it often falls on resellers to make sense of the market for customers and to lead them to smart purchasing decisions. CRI's new reseller programme provides its reseller partners with key assets such as training, support, and sales & marketing collateral – all the necessary tools to help them explain to their customers how and why it is essential to include thermal screening in their return-to-work plans. Cisco Destination Partner Aspire is well-connected across a wide swath of industries, particularly within the education market" Following a thorough vetting process, CRI-authorised resellers are extended special channel pricing and retain the ability to bill customers directly.   "Establishing our new reseller programme is an important step forward to make Thermal Mirror more broadly available, and we're thrilled to welcome Aspire as a charter member," said Rick Mills, CRI's CEO. "Aspire is well-connected across a wide swath of industries, particularly within the education market. As a Cisco Destination Partner for K-12 and Higher Education, the company will be instrumental in helping educational institutions navigate the complicated process of returning students and faculty to campus in the safest way possible." AI-enabled software platform CRI's Thermal Mirror does far more than simply provide an accurate, hands-free temperature screening for people as they enter a place of business. The solution's advanced reporting capabilities are highly customisable to suit specific needs of each business customer, thanks to its centralised, AI-enabled software platform that supports virtually all workflows and requirements, and scales easily for enterprise deployment. CRI hosts webinars at 3pm Eastern each Tuesday and Thursday to educate businesses about the importance of thermal monitoring in the workplace. Register for an upcoming webinar, or download archived webinars, video tutorials and additional assets to learn how Thermal Mirror helps maintain a safe and healthy workplace.

UNIONCOMMUNITY, specialised in biometric recognition, has launched a face recognition device combined with a body temperature check system. It was developed with South Korean technology. By integrating face recognition terminals and thermal imaging cameras, it can be used in places where many people access it. Since COVID 19, in Korea, large hospitals, public institutions, and sports facilities often use paper forms to manually record personal information and purpose of the entry for those who visit the facility. They also install thermal imaging cameras to monitor visitors' body temperature or managers check visitors' body temperature with a thermometer and write them down. Error-prone manual methods The method is difficult to match the results of body temperature measurements and access records, and there is a possibility of human errors by using hand. Also, there are disadvantages of stealing other people's identities or recording information differently from the facts. The system released by UNIONCOMMUNITY automatically carries out face recognition and body temperature measurements in a non-face-to-face manner that does not require a separate control. Thermal image cameras can accurately measure body temperature It records access results and body temperature automatically to the server just by entering the phone number of visitors, making it easy to manage the access logs. UBio-X Pro2 is an artificial intelligence (AI) deep learning-based facial recognition system. It is based on the thermal heat of people's temperature to a particular place. Devices can use photos taken from a mobile phone or an existing picture to register to the server to authenticate one's face. Access control system Since the face can be certified in a non-cooperative manner (walk-through) at various angles and up to 2 meters away, it can verify quickly and accurately even if a large number of people enter and exit within a short time. Thermal image cameras can accurately measure body temperature within ±0.5 degrees of error based on QVGA-class (384×288) images. If a visitor shows abnormal body temperature, a person's information (previously registered phone number) will be automatically saved with face recognition information in the access control system. Face images are not stored, instead, face templates extracted only facial features are stored For internal users with access information registered, the results of body temperature measurement are automatically stored on the server along with the access records. If an outsider visits, access registration can be made in advance using the non-face-to-face visit reservation management system. UNIONCOMMUNITY expects it to be useful in situations where pre-registration is required, such as seminars, education, and interviews. Since the mobile phone number one first enters acts as an ID, one can access the number and face as a credential of authentication when one revisits. Encrypted information storage Face images are not stored, instead, face templates extracted only facial features are stored, and all personal information, including face authentication information, is encrypted and stored. An official from UNIONCOMMUNITY said, "While protecting personal information for unspecified visitors in places where there is a high risk of infection due to a large number of people. Such as hospitals, shopping malls, clubs, and schools, it will be easy to manage and follow-up", adding, "We expect sales to rise as domestic and international demand for thermal imaging cameras linked with non-contact biometric increases, and we will strengthen promotions." Useful at various facilities UNIONCOMMUNITY and Chung-Ang University have decided to introduce this system to the 'TOPCIT' test, which is an IT competency index test conducted by the Ministry of Science and ICT. Chung-Ang University decided that non-face-to-face and automated UNIONCOMMUNITY solutions are a good way to prevent infection. "Based on our know-how in developing and selling biometric systems over the past two decades, we have launched a thermal detection solution that can effectively respond to COVID-19 crises," said Shin Yo-Sik, CEO of UNIONCOMMUNITY. "The new products can be easily used at sports facilities, educational institutions, school meal facilities, welfare facilities, exhibitions and seminars that bring together many people as well as public institutions and companies."

An innovative and highly accurate people counting technology from OPTEX, a global provider of sensing and detection, is at the heart of a series of new solutions to support social distancing in business and commercial environments as the COVID-19-enforced lockdown is being gradually lifted throughout the Europe, Middle and Africa region. Thanks to embedding the latest Message Queuing Telemetry Transport (MQTT) protocol into OPTEX’s proven Akribos VC-1020 people counting system, three new solutions from IA Connects, Vaelsys and Xenometric have now been developed. The protocol enables data to be communicated in real time and for the people count to be instantaneously updated – a crucial factor in the live monitoring of people flow. People counting sensor To help employers comply with the governmental rules and create a safe environment for employees to return to, IA Connects offers a Social Distancing Room Management technology. It works by monitoring the number of people and occupancy level of common areas such as waiting rooms, meeting rooms, office lobbies, restrooms etc and displaying the appropriate instruction. It might, for example, state ‘do not enter’, ‘cleaning required,’ or ‘free to go,’ or any other such status that the customer defines. The solution comprises the OPTEX VC-1020 people counting sensor, WiFi Gateways including IA Connects’ MobiusFlow software, and display units mounted by the doors. The solution can communicate with any Building Management System (BMS) and capable of accurately monitoring occupancy levels during and after lockdown.  Analytics and performance tool Vaelsys has developed EasyCount and updated their existing Datacentre people counting solution To manage the flow of people inside retail outlets as they steadily re-open, Vaelsys has developed EasyCount and updated their existing Datacentre people counting solution to provide more functionalities regarding the social distancing. EasyCount enables smaller retail outlets to display (with a clear ‘go’/ ‘wait’ dashboard) the number of people allowed into their store at any one time and the average waiting time. Datacentre is a scalable solution for larger and multi-site retailers that serves both as a people counter but also a more sophisticated analytics and performance tool. It has now integrated the MQTT protocol of their Akribos to provide real-time information and occupancy dashboards. Retail analysis purposes The third of the new solutions comes from Xenometric which has further developed its range of people counting and occupancy-level software packages to integrate the MQTT protocol and provide dashboards suited for enforcing the social distancing. The entry-level solution, Xenoview, is suited to independent retailers or smaller buildings. It collects the real time count data from up to four Akribos, displays the occupancy levels on an integrated dashboard, and issue instructions to ‘go’ or ‘wait’. The count data is stored locally and can also be used for retail analysis purposes. For larger or multisite applications, Xenometric has developed the X-Server. Similar to Xenoview in terms of its functionality, it differs in that it is fully scalable and includes an SQL database and full reporting functionalities. It can be hosted on the customer’s server or on the Cloud. Access and control queue Many businesses and retailers are using their security staff to manage access and control queue volumes" Masaya Kida, Managing Director at OPTEX Europe (EMEA Headquarters) says the new solutions provide installers with an opportunity beyond security: “Many businesses and retailers are using their security staff to manage access and control queue volumes and as such, installers have an opportunity to become the principal point of  contact for bringing new solutions regarding occupancy level and social distancing." "Most of the solutions presented are not only solving the issue created by the pandemic, but also solve the ongoing challenge of efficiently and accurately monitoring occupancy levels within a busy working or retail environment.” Real-time analytics The OPTEX Akribos VC-1020 is a real-time and multi-directional indoor people counter that can provide more than 98% accuracy. It ignores trollies and baskets and manages groups of individuals by tracking the direction or every individual, even if they are loitering. It now features MQTT, a lightweight messaging open protocol, which manages telemetry information, and is used in Man-to-Machine M2M and IoT devices for real-time analytics, preventive maintenance monitoring etc. The MQTT protocol allows the people count to be immediately transmitted to the integrated occupancy software platform and gives an exact picture on how many people are in the shop, room or a specific area.

The unprecedented global impact of COVID-19 has taken its toll on all of us, but as cases of the virus thankfully recede, employers are now forced to confront how they can enable a safe return to work for employees. For many employers, this means they will have to carry out a COVID-19 risk assessment, redesign workspaces to maintain social distances, carry out more frequent cleaning, manage the transmission risk and find alternatives to touch-based security devices. Protecting workplace occupants in any emergency requires preparation and clear communication. This is especially critical in a health crisis involving an infectious disease. These are some of the essential best practices that could help organisations reduce the impact on their employees and operations during this pandemic. 1. Use a visitor management system With a visitor management system, organisations have a single source of real-time and historical insights into who is, or was recently, in the workplace. This is especially important because of the need to perform contact tracing should anyone in the organisation show symptoms of COVID-19, meaning everyone they have been in contact with needs to be contacted and asked to isolate. Yet still, first impressions are made at the front desk or lobby, where the visitor experience needs to be a positive one. At the same time, though, any emergency event requires that there be strict control over who is entering the workplace. This policy also needs to be clearly communicated to visitors. Doing this minimises risk to visitors as well as the workforce. In addition to delivering a high-quality visitor experience, the ideal visitor management system must: Enable organisations to meet regulatory compliance mandates and facilitate check-in at a self-service kiosk to minimise wait times. Customise the visitor experience to support specific security needs, such as accelerating and simplifying check-in or requiring additional security pre-checks. Automate compliance as it relates to visitor access rules with historical visit reports. 2. Pre-check questions at visitor registration kiosks Organisations can strengthen security at the registration kiosk using a flexible, enterprise-grade visitor management system to add visitor sign-in steps. This has proven successful in the past when used to control the spread of infectious disease during an outbreak. An example of this is a U.S. children's hospital which managed to reduce facility infection rates by 25 percent over a two-year period using a commercial, off-the-shelf physical identity and access management (PIAM) solution from HID Global. The solution provides two particularly important capabilities that can be used by organisations to protect their workplace from the uncontrolled spread of an infectious disease: Enhance visitor registration policy with additional mandatory questions to help identify any visitors who may need other screenings. Extend the visitor registration kiosk with a mandatory pop-up asking further questions during visitor check-in. 3. Understand who has visited your workplace Successful controlling the spread of infection throughout a facility requires the ability to automatically maintain an auditable trail of activity. This can be done using an enterprise-grade visitor management system that makes it easy to retrieve historical visit reports. This provides a timeline of who was in the workplace, and when they were there. Key features include: A single dashboard providing useful visitor insights at your fingertips. Historical reports that provide visitor details including location and contact information, all in compliance with General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and other privacy regulations. 4. Clearly communicate how infection risks can be reduced Global organisations must actively communicate with visitors and employees on the outbreak of infectious diseases and follow best practices outlined by the World Health Organization (WHO). Here are several things organisations can do in this area to help maintain a safe and healthy workplace: Re-enforce and communicate WHO best practices with guideline posters in the front lobby and throughout the workplace. Add posters that also encourage regular and thorough washing of hands. Encourage everyone to cough or sneese into their shirt sleeve in their flexed elbow or cover their mouth and nose with a tissue. Encourage everyone to keep a relatively safe distance from each other and use alternatives to handshakes when saying hello. Organisations must contend with a variety of workplace challenges during the outbreak of an infectious disease. These challenges can be solved with best practices that include a comprehensive visitor management system that automates critical check-in policies and maintains an auditable trail of visitor activity.  

Returning to work after the global pandemic will not be business as usual, and security systems are an important asset when it comes to helping to keep occupants and buildings safe. For example, video analytics can provide insight into how spaces have previously been used and can help to predict where and when occupants encounter each other or congregate. These foot-traffic patterns can inform settings for a variety of devices – like ventilation and temperature controls – and even help owners create social distancing plans and monitor personal protective equipment (PPE) compliance. “While the ‘new normal’ is still being defined, we believe there will be a greater focus on creating healthier environments while also complying with new regulations,” says Marcus Logan, Global Offering Leader, Honeywell Commercial Security. “Temperature, humidity, energy efficiency, security, safety, comfort, productivity, and demonstrating compliance with regulations are all a part of a healthy building.” For example, social distancing is a new concept for the workplace. How do you make that happen in an open work setting, in breakrooms, elevator lobbies and meeting spaces? Optimised systems create healthier environments Anxious employees will need reassurance about returning to the workplace Building owners will need to look at how they can optimise their systems – or deploy new ones – to create a healthier environment. Building technologies, like those provided by Honeywell's Healthy Buildings solutions, provide building owners with more control over critical factors to encourage sustained compliance with changing building standards, safety guidelines, government-issued regulations, and a company's risk management policies. These solutions also provide transparency for occupants into a building's status, says Logan. Hygiene will be a critical issue: People will want to know that the spaces are ready for their return. Increased cleaning procedures and schedules will evolve, and a way will be needed to demonstrate the procedures are effective and that they have been strictly adhered to. Identifying ways to measure effectiveness of sanitisation and track compliance to the procedures will be a key challenge to solve. This is a space that will evolve significantly in the coming months and years, says Logan. Access control and video analytics Contact tracing is a new requirement in some businesses, and security technology – like access control and video analytics with advanced reporting – can help. Access control technology integrated with video analytics can be used to trace occupant movements within a facility. These technologies capture data that can be used with advanced reporting to provide a digital footprint of where a person has been within a facility and if they may have been exposed to someone identified as being infected with a contagious virus. Building owners can then proactively notify exposed individuals evolve to self-quarantine and minimise further spread of an infection. Video analytics can help to predict where and when occupants encounter each other Anxious employees will need reassurance about returning to the workplace. They will not only seek confidence that the building is optimised for a healthier environment but also that processes are in place to quickly identify and respond to potential issues. Transparency and visibility into how the building works and the health of the environment will help to reassure occupants returning to the workplace. “One way to do this is to share building analytics with occupants – to help them understand factors about the indoor air quality or occupancy density,” says Logan. Controlled health, safety and security Honeywell’s solutions provide building owners with more control over critical health, safety and security factors to encourage sustained compliance with changing building standards, safety guidelines, government-issued regulations and a company’s risk management policies, Logan adds. Visibility into how the building works and the health of the environment will help to reassure occupants returning to the workplace Every day there is new information coming from the medical and scientific community about COVID-19, and the building industry is just starting to learn what it all means. Logan warns that there is no single solution that will keep every environment healthy and safe. A good strategy features deploying a combination of solutions, optimising systems and being vigilant to make sure that companies are sustaining compliance to new and changing regulations, says Logan. “Today more than ever we must be mindful of the changing culture of how buildings are managed by making apparent the need to be mindful of health and well-being in all aspects of our lives,” says Logan. Honeywell has developed outcome-based solutions that allow building owners to transparently address building quality factors while supporting their business continuity needs in the uncertain environment. “We’re giving them the data they need to confidently reassure their employees to accelerate their business operations,” he adds.

The extensive analysis and discussion preceding any decision to implement a new physical security solution – whether it’s hardware, software or a combination of both – often focuses on technology, ROI and effectiveness. When it comes to deciding what type of security entrances to install at your facility, you will almost certainly also consider the aesthetics of the product, along with throughput and, if you’re smart, you’ll also look into service concerns. Each of these factors has its important place within the evaluation process, and none should be overlooked as they all have a significant effect on how well your entrances will perform once they are installed. Culture influences door solution decisions How significant will the change from current entrances to security entrances be for employees? Still, one additional factor actually trumps everything: if you have not considered your organisation’s culture in choosing a security entrance, you may be missing the most important piece of the puzzle. Culture is a part of every other decision factor when selecting an entry solution. Before you make a decision about what type of entrance to deploy, you need to consider and understand the values, environment and personality of your organisation and personnel. For example, how significant will the change from current entrances to security entrances be for employees? If people are accustomed to simply walking through a standard swinging door with no access control, this will be a culture change. Beyond this, whether you are considering a type of turnstile, a security revolving door or possibly a mantrap portal, simply walking through it will be a significant change as well. Training employees on door security You’ll want to know whether employees have ever used security entrances before. If these types of entrances are in place in another part of the facility, or in a facility they’ve worked in at an earlier time, the adjustment will not be as great as if they’ve never used them at all. Consider, too, how your personnel typically react to changes like this in the organisation or at your facility. They may be quite adaptable, in which case there will be less work to do in advance to prepare them. However, the opposite may also be true, which will require you to take meaningful steps in order to achieve buy-in and train employees to properly use the new entrances. With the increased importance of workplace security, discussing new entrances with  workforces will help maintain a safer environment Communicate through the decision-making process All of this will need to be communicated to your staff, of course. There are a number of ways to disseminate information without it appearing to come down as a dictate. Your personnel are a community, so news about changes should be shared rather than simply decreed. As part of this process, you’ll need to give some thought to the level of involvement you want for your staff in the decision-making process. Finally, do not overlook the special needs among your personnel population. You undoubtedly have older individuals on staff, as well as disabled persons and others who bring service animals to the office. Entrances need to be accessible to all, and you never want to be in the position of having a gap in accessibility pointed out to you by the individual who has been adversely affected. New security entrance installation By communicating early and often with your personnel, you can alleviate a great deal of the anxiety Once you have made the decision about which security entrances to install, training your personnel on how to use the new security entrances – both before and after the installation – will help to smooth the transition. Because workplace security is such a big issue right now, it makes sense to discuss the new entrances in the context of helping to maintain a safer environment. They will prevent violent individuals from entering, decrease theft, and most of all, promote greater peace of mind during the workday. If you can help them take control of their own safety in a responsible way, you have achieved much more than just a compliant workforce. By communicating early and often with your personnel, you can alleviate a great deal of the anxiety and concern that surrounds a significant change in the work environment. Schedule group meetings Consider your employees; what type of communications do they respond best to? A few suggestions to educate staff on the benefits of the new entrances include: Typically, you would communicate a general message 2-3 months in advance and then provide more specific information (for example, impacts to fire egress, using certain entrances during construction) in a follow up message closer to the installation date. Schedule group meetings to: announce the rationale for increased security, share statistics on crime, review the new security changes that are coming, show drawings/photos of the new doors/turnstiles, and show the orientation videos available from the manufacturer. These meetings are an excellent way to work through user questions and directly address any concerns. Once the installation of a new security system is complete, it is a good idea to have an "ambassador" on board to help employees use these new systems Ensure you monitor public areas If you are implementing a lot of new changes, such as a new access control system, new guard service and security entrances, you might consider hosting a ‘security fair’ on a given day and have the selected vendors come for a day with tabletop displays to meet employees and answer questions during their lunch. This could be a great way to break the ice in a large organisation. Make user orientation videos (provided by the manufacturer) available in several ways, for example: Intranet Site Monitors in public areas—lounges, cafeteria, hallways, etc. Send to all staff as email attachments Immediately after installation, once the doors or turnstiles are operational but before they are put into service, train ‘ambassadors’ on how to use the door/turnstile. Have these people monitor and assist employees during peak traffic times. What is the ultimate success of the installation? By communicating clearly and openly with your population you can greatly facilitate adoption and satisfaction If you have thousands of employees, consider dividing them into groups and introduce the new entrance to one group at a time (Group A on Monday, Group B on Tuesday, etc.) to allow a little extra orientation time. Place user education ‘quick steps’ posters next to the door/turnstiles for a few weeks to help employees remember the basic steps and guidelines, e.g., ‘stand in front of the turnstile, swipe badge, wait for green light, proceed.’ Ask your manufacturer to provide these or artwork. While there are always going to be people who are resistant to change, by communicating clearly and openly with your population you can greatly facilitate adoption and satisfaction. Your responsiveness to any issues and complaints that arise during and after the implementation is equally fundamental to the ultimate success of the installation.

Many venues are using access control, video surveillance systems, sensors, and additional hardware solutions as part of a broader security strategy. By utilising so many disparate systems, corporate security teams are left with information “silos” that create inefficiencies and hamper communication. This abundance of hardware has left teams with too much data or too many tools, to manage effectively. Armored Things offers a software solution. The company’s “spatial intelligence platform” currently collects more data than other security intelligence solutions, utilising a broader range of sources and fusing data together rather than integrating it. The platform currently focuses on taking in data from WiFi, access control, and video surveillance systems and applying machine learning to deliver customers features such as real-time predictive analytics to prevent incidents like bottlenecks or overcrowding. Spatial Intelligence is an approach to physical security that enables users to collect, manage, and interpret data in a single platform. Combine machine learning with data The term can best be used to describe how digital transformation has affected physical security. Spatial Intelligence in its infancy looked like video surveillance data combined with machine learning to produce video analytics. The spatial intelligence solutions of today can combine machine learning with data of any source, type, and size to deliver value across a large organisation, not just the security team, says the company. Armored Things’ Spatial Intelligence platform unifies data from information silos to support data-driven decisions around operations and security. By fusing data from multiple sources, we can produce more consistent and useful insights for our customers” A suite of analytics, reporting and visualisation tools helps customers gain a real-time understanding of people and flow in their space. By removing the guesswork of everyday decisions, the product enables customers to make data-driven decisions at a moment’s notice, according to the company. Armored Things is more than a data management tool. “By fusing data from multiple sources (rather than only cameras or only WiFi), we can produce more consistent, accurate, and useful insights for our customers,” says Kevin Davis, Chief Security Officer at Armored Things. "Being able to collect the data is the first step, but turning it into actionable intelligence is where Armored Things excels.” IP cameras and other IoT-enabled devices The range of data sources includes IP cameras and other IoT-enabled devices and even outside data sources like bus schedules and weather reports. Armored Things has built a team of public safety and technical experts with the mission to keep people safe where they live, work, and play. By leveraging emerging technology to enhance physical security, the company built the software-centric Spatial Intelligence Platform for large organisations to enhance the safety and operations of their space. Schools and education facilities are among the customers that can benefit. The leadership at Armored Things cares deeply about school safety, so the recent epidemic of campus violence has definitely been a large topic of conversation, according to the company. “By delivering our products to a greater number of customers, Armored Things hopes to continue making schools a safe place to learn and gather,” says Davis. Recently, there was a significant bottleneck lasting nearly 30 minutes at the Syracuse-Clemson football game. Unifying data into one platform Digital transformation is disrupting the way our customers think about physical security,” Using Armored Things technology and providing real-time data to security and operations personnel could have identified the bottleneck as it began to form. This would have notified relevant personnel, who could have taken steps to mitigate the problem before it turned into a security risk. Keeping the security infrastructure simple is imperative to success. Integrating a software solution into the security strategy shouldn’t complicate existing operations, says the company. “Armored Things Spatial Intelligence Platform can bring your security and operations into focus by unifying all of your data into one platform for ease of use,” says Davis. For this reason, the team chose to integrate not only with customers’ existing security infrastructure but with non-traditional data sources (e.g. WiFi, event schedules, ticketing) as well. “By combining and analysing a more diverse dataset, Armored Things can help our customers make better decisions with deeper data-driven insights,” says Davis. "Digital transformation is disrupting the way our customers think about physical security,” says Davis. “As a team, our aim is to help our customers adapt to the digital age, as they transition from hardware to software-centric security solutions. Fostering organisational change is difficult, and our team hopes to make the transition process easier for our customers.”

How’s this for a simple access control scenario? You walk up to a door, wave your hand in front of a button, the button lights up, and the door opens. That’s the simplified user experience that startup Openpath is promoting as it enters the crowded and mature market for physical access control. Openpath says a simple user experience provides the extra boost needed for mobile credentialing to gain momentum. In this case, it’s even simpler than using a card credential (no searching in a bag or purse for the card). And there’s no personal identification number (PIN) code to remember; no “intrusive” biometric element that can concern some users. James Segil, President and Co-Founder of Openpath, says the simplified process “uses fewer thought cycles.” Reliability of the system comes from Openpath’s SurePath triple-connect technology “We wanted to make mobile access control that people want to use and can use safely and with ease,” he says. “We wanted to make using a smart phone for access control easier and more reliable than using a keycard.” Simplified user operation In the simplified scenario, the mobile credential resides on a smart phone that can remain tucked away in the user’s purse or pocket. The credential remains active without the user needing to open an app. The wave of the hand signals intent, which causes the button to light up, activate and the door is ready to open. Segil says the simplicity of operation has contributed to the system seeing an unheard-of 94% adoption rate among users. Reliability of the system comes from Openpath’s SurePath triple-connect technology. The smart phone credential is delivered using Bluetooth, WiFi or LTE (cellular) – whichever signal reaches the reader first enables the door to be opened. So even if a company’s WiFi is down or Bluetooth proves unreliable, there is still a third option. Openpath deploys “seamless” cloud integration and makes it easy for landlords and tenants to integrate Openpath with other systems Seamless cloud integration Segil is a serial entrepreneur who has had experiences as a frustrated user, dealing with many different offices, people and access control deployments over the years – subletting office space, changing PIN codes, dealing with 10 different offices using 10 different cards. Based on that experience, Openpath’s founders saw a need for a more user-centric approach to access control, and a chance to improve the office experience to be more aligned with employees’ experiences in their smart homes. Segil says he also saw “significant lethargy” among incumbent players in the access control space, and a market in which mobile and cloud technologies had still not taken hold. In addition to a simplified user experience built around mobile credentialing, Openpath deploys “seamless” cloud integration and makes it easy for landlords and tenants to integrate Openpath with other systems. The “elegant” readers, including a flush-mounted version, fit in well with high-end office environments. The company launched in May 2018. Openpath has been signing up national and regional channel partners all across the U.S. Openpath is focused on the commercial real estate market, where they have already seen significant adoptions, especially among mid-sized companies. Larger deployments as part of new construction are in the pipeline. National system integration In the past six months since its launch, Openpath has been signing up national and regional channel partners all across the U.S. and now has a nationwide footprint and is able to service customers all over the U.S. They are not yet disclosing any specifics about the number of partners they have signed up and who they are. “I can share that we have a number of large national system integration and security brands on board as channel partners and many more regional and local system integrators,” says Segil. They are looking for additional integrator partners. “There is a cohort of folks out there who say ‘I get it,’ and I want to offer it to my customers,” says Segil. The cloud element of the system can provide recurring monthly revenue (RMR). Openpath’s system offers flexibility in terms of meeting each customer’s security needs. In addition to the “super convenient” scenario described above, the system can also be configured to be “super secure,” using two-factor authentication and other measures, says Segil. There are multiple “flavors” between the two extremes. It can also be integrated with elevators to enable the buttons on allowed floors. Integration with existing systems Cloud software simplifies operation for both tenants and landlords. The system is backwards-compatible to existing systems and can be used to retrofit and mobile-enable a legacy system, providing the benefits of mobile features and cloud operation to multiple sites. The software can interface with enterprise applications such as Active Directory, and an application programming interface (API) facilitates integration with other systems and building components. It operates with marketing automation platforms such as Flack and visitor management systems such as Envoy. The system is backwards-compatible, providing the benefits of mobile features and cloud operation to multiple sites Open standards make the system easy to install in new or existing buildings using RS485, or Cat 5 or Cat 6 wiring, whatever is in place. Retrofit installations can use existing panels, servers, software, etc., or they can be replaced. The Openpath panel is installed right next to an existing panel in a retrofit and preserves all legacy integrations of the previous system. Access credentials compatibility In its simplest configuration, the Openpath system consists of single or four-door panels wired using standard ports, Wiegand ports and REX ports, each connected to software in the cloud. Each panel works offline if the internet connection is down. Various key fobs, cards and other credentials are available in addition to mobile credentials. Openpath was one of the new exhibitors at last fall’s GSX show in Las Vegas, occupying a large-sized booth for a startup company. The “beautiful” hardware drew a lot of attention, says Segil. “The channel loves us, and we signed a lot of people,” he adds. “We were excited by the response.”

One factor aggravating concerns about workplace violence in corporate America is the easy availability of firearms. In many states, citizens, including employees, have the right to carry firearms onto a company’s property even though firearms are prohibited in the workplace. In effect, an employee prone to violence may have a firearm as near as their vehicle in the company parking lot. Currently, 23 states in the U.S. have so-called “parking lot storage” laws, which enable employees to store firearms in their vehicle’s trunk or glove box despite any corporate ban on weaponry. The laws have evolved as an expression of the Second Amendment “Right to Bear Arms” in the last decade or so. There is some variance in the laws from state to state, but they generally allow a citizen to carry a gun to and from work and keep it stored out of sight in their vehicle. Global Security Exchange (GSX) is the new branding for ASIS International’s annual conference and trade show Employee Second Amendment rights “The laws contend that employees should not have to give up their Second Amendment rights between home and the workplace and should be able to have a gun with them for protection from their front door at home to the front door of the workplace,” says Eddie Sorrells, Chief Operating Office/General Council of DSI Security Services. Sorrells will speak about the current state of the laws, how they came about, the nuances of state-to-state differences, and the possible impact on overall corporate security in a session titled “Employees Who Carry: Preventing Workplace Violence” at the upcoming GSX conference in Las Vegas, 23rd - 27th September. Global Security Exchange (GSX) is the new branding for ASIS International’s annual conference and trade show, attended by more than 22,000 security professionals from 100-plus countries. Sorrells’ session will be Sept. 24 from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. Restrictions on gun visibility Employees may think the “right to carry” extends to the workplace, but the right only extends to the parking lot. The company still has the right to ban guns inside the premises. However, it is unlawful in some states for companies to search vehicles in parking lots, and companies who do so are violating the law, says Sorrells. Among the various state laws, some exempt public education institutions and other public venues. Depending on how the laws are written, there may be other exemptions, too. In Florida, for example, the law exempts any organisations that have explosives on site. With weapons on a company's property, a high-risk termination could potentially become violent Most laws require weapons to be stored securely out of sight. However, in Alabama, for example, it is legal to store validly permitted guns in full view during hunting season, Sorrells says. A resident of Alabama himself, Sorrells has been in the contract security business for 27 years, working mostly in multi-state operations. He has worked for 500 or so corporate security organisations throughout the country and is a practicing attorney who has studied issues of workplace violence and active shooters. “There is a political element to these laws, which were created with the goal of protecting Second Amendment rights,” says Sorrells, who says he sees arguments on both sides of the issue. However, political opinions aside, “if you’re a business owner, you have to contend with dozens of weapons on a company’s property,” he adds. “That could be an issue if a high-risk termination could potentially become violent. You have to assume there is a weapon in that person’s vehicle.” Sorrells' session will dive into the case law and illuminate some of the legal issues and how courts have addressed them GSX education program After the session, Sorrells hopes attendees will take away a good working knowledge of the state of the laws, how to comply with the laws, and issues such as posting of signs. The session will dive into the case law and illuminate some of the legal issues and how courts have addressed them. The timely session is an example of the valuable information attendees can gain by attending GSX. Sorrells has been attending the yearly ASIS International Conference and Exhibits for more than 20 years, at least since the mid-1990s. As the pre-eminent security organisation around the world, ASIS International provides unrivalled educational and networking opportunities at the yearly conference, he says. “There is a vast amount of networking and educational offerings on a wide variety of topics, including technology, legal issues, risk management, workplace violence, consulting, and anything under the sun,” says Sorrells. The newly branded GSX education program is led by subject matter experts from ASIS International, InfraGard (a public-private partnership between U.S. businesses and the Federal Bureau of Investigation), and ISSA (Information Systems Security Association). Sessions will deliver valuable, actionable takeaways to help attendees shape their security strategies. There will also be an exhibition of 550-plus suppliers and manufacturers highlighting the latest security solutions.

Invixium, a global provider of innovative touchless biometric solutions, has been contracted by Fine Hygienic Holding (FHH), one of the provider Wellness Groups and manufacturer of hygienic paper products, to deploy IXM TITAN devices and integrate Invixium’s workforce management solution with FHH’s Oracle HR cloud as part of its corporate digital transformation initiative. Businesses like FHH that have many operating locations require a workforce management solution where data from all facilities is readily available. Invixium’s IXM WEB is a web-based, cloud-ready biometric access control and workforce management software that the TITAN devices installed at FHH’s sites in Jordan, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt constantly share data with. This data, including time tracking, is visualised in IXM WEB’s playful interface through interactive dashboards and intuitive reports showing employee data and the overall health of the biometric system. Payroll and employee time management FHH’s existing ORACLE Fusion time management system created a unique challenge for all stakeholders, including Invixium and their partner ElectroSec, from an implementation and support perspective to cover all FHH’s operations across the MENA region. For the TITAN installation to be effective, employee clock-ins (i.e. punches) needed to be immediately exported to ORACLE Fusion, where FHH’s Human Resources could manage payroll and employee time. Invixium’s team of experts worked with FHH and ORACLE to bridge IXM WEB with Fusion, allowing TITAN to seamlessly share data with FHH’s existing human capital cloud. After three consecutive pay periods with 100% time accuracy, Invixium and FHH share that this custom digital transformation implementation was a complete success. Zero human intervention “We had very tight timelines in 2019 to ensure we go live in 2020 for all our Phase 1 Cloud transformation programmes, where the core focus was on Human Resource processes, technology and improvements. Working with Invixium, Oracle, FHH’s technical team, supported by the HR team, we were able to implement a system that is 100% accurate on employee records for Time and Attendance and then integrated it into the Oracle platform. This leaves very little room for fraud and zero human intervention, and provides FHH with a foundation for the future for all HR related systems and processes," said FHH’s CIO Yahyah Pandor. “Invixium is very proud of what we accomplished with Fine Hygienic Holding,” said Shiraz Kapadia, President and CEO of Invixium. “Our products are made to be highly customisable, so we accepted this challenge knowing that TITAN and IXM WEB were the right fit for FHH’s unique needs. IXM WEB especially is designed with the end-user in mind; we want our customers to have the freedom to build their system around their business needs. Our engineers worked tirelessly with FHH and ORACLE to make this digital transformation happen, and the results have been incredibly positive.”

A very high-risk site belonging to a large and well-known cash handling business was located in a busy commercial complex. The company had identified a security weak-spot in its facility - namely the roof and the skylights within the roof. They had considered using active infrared beams, but these had been discounted because they could not cover the entire roof space. CCTV with video analytics was also considered, but similarly discounted since it is easily affected by varying light and shadow conditions, and its reliability could not therefore be depended upon. REDSCAN unit can protect a flat roof The solution was to install REDSCAN to cover the whole surface of the roof and skylights, integrating the detection units with the existing alarm system so that any potential intrusion is alerted. The detection area of the REDSCAN was easy to set up to the exact shape and size of the roof; a single REDSCAN unit can protect a flat roof. The sensitivity of the target object size and speed can be adjusted to dramatically reduce the possibility of false alarms from birds or fog. The weak spot identified by the customer is now secure, giving peace of mind to the end user. False alarms are at an absolute minimum due to the laser technology and the ability to set the detection area.

ExcelRedstone is implementing an ambitious integration project, using Maxxess eFusion technology, at the first high-rise residential and hospitality development in the City of London for many years. Currently under construction, the £300m 43-storey One Bishopsgate Plaza development will see security and building management technology operating seamlessly together in a setting that includes both new-build and listed conservation area structures. As well as having 160 new private apartments, when completed the development will include a 237-bed five star Pan Pacific Hotel, a public plaza and a Pacific Ballroom, promoted as the Square Mile’s first dedicated banqueting venue. ExcelRedstone selected eFusion for the project because of the flexibility it allows, enabling rapid integration, off-the-shelf, with a wide choice of security, safety and business-critical technologies. Umbrella management system “The customer wanted a seamless, single interface that allows front of house guest services to be linked to back of house functions and give the highest operator efficiency and enhanced customer experience,” says Matt Salter, Director, ExcelRedstone. eFusion provides an umbrella management system for an expanding choice of preferred technologies With its modular, building block approach, eFusion provides an umbrella management system for an expanding choice of preferred technologies for commercial, hospitality and mixed-use settings, including guest check-in, reservation & visitor management, access control, surveillance, and building systems. In use, eFusion drives efficiency and eliminates gaps in security by removing the need for operators to continually switch between systems. Video management system Two of the most important technologies being integrated by eFusion at One Bishopsgate Plaza are the full-featured, Oracle Hospitality Opera property management & guest service system, and a 266 door ASSA ABLOY wireless electronic locking solution. ExcelRedstone is also using eFusion to integrate Zenitel IP intercoms, a KONE lift system, and the building management (BMS) system using the BACnet protocol, which will enable estate managers to optimise energy efficiency based on usage and occupancy. The eFusion integration also allows a more flexible approach with the surveillance system - for example, making it easy to use a choice of Axis cameras, with specialist mounts, in the listed conservation areas of the site, integrating them with over 350 Mobotix fixed lens and panoramic cameras through the highly-secure Wavestore video management system (VMS). Networking and AV systems ExcelRedstone is also responsible for networking and AV systems at the development The surveillance and other security systems will be monitored live from two separate control rooms, one for the hotel and one for the wider estate. As well as integrating these and fitting out the control rooms, ExcelRedstone is also responsible for networking and AV systems at the development. “Our engineers are pre-staging the entire system off-site,” explains Salter. “This is allowing us to test everything in advance and to reduce packaging waste and environmental impact on site. It also lets us work more efficiently, in step with the ongoing construction schedule, floor by floor.” Providing secure solutions One Bishopsgate is the latest of a growing number of mixed-use developments - including hotels, retail, office and residential complexes - to use eFusion to streamline security, safety and facilities management. “We are seeing a growing trend towards automation and centralised management, and the solutions being deployed at these locations are increasingly sophisticated – but that doesn’t mean they have to be complex,” says Lee Copland, Managing Director EMEA, Maxxess. “Quite the opposite in fact. By keeping things simple and integrating off-the-shelf with the widest choice of technologies, Maxxess is providing secure solutions that are easier to install and to use than traditional alternatives.”

National Bank of Umm Al Qaiwain (the Bank) is a Public Shareholding Company incorporated in Umm Al Qaiwain by Amiri Decree Number (1) on January 5, 1982, issued by His Highness, the Ruler of Umm Al Qaiwain and commenced its operations with effect from August 1, 1982. The Local government of Umm Al Qaiwain is the largest shareholder and promoter of the bank. The bank is engaged in providing retail and corporate banking services through a network of 14 branches in U.A.E. The Bank carries out Islamic banking operations through Islamic Banking window established in 2005 across its branch network. They were searching for a fool-proof solution that would help them in managing the Time-Attendance and overtime calculation. With offices spread over 14 locations in UAE, management of attendance data was a daunting task. Centralised attendance data management All manual work for report generation was eliminated outrightly, simplifying the salary procedure Thus, centralised attendance data management and maintaining a complete record of their employees were a part of their key requirements. Moreover, their payroll processing deployed a software - RAMCO, wherein the attendance data was manually entered. After a comprehensive discussion with the customer, Matrix offered a centralised platform - COSEC CENTRA, to manage all the data centrally. Door controllers - COSEC VEGA FAX installed in all the office entrances. These door controllers are integrated with the central platform that pushes the event data to the server. Furthermore, the Matrix platform is integrated with the payroll system - RAMCO. All manual work for report generation was eliminated outrightly, simplifying the salary procedure. After implementing Matrix solutions, NBQ witnessed drastic changes while following their processes. Customised attendance policy formation Effortless attendance management of multiple locations from the Head Office was prominently one of them. The shift allocation and shift correction processes were streamlined. Their solution included some advanced features like customised attendance policy formation and real item alert on attendance related event & auto-scheduled reporting. This, in turn, ensured efficient employee database management improving productivity. Products and solutions offered: COSEC VEGA FAX A complete Time-Attendance and Access Control solution with a blend of aesthetics, size, connectivity, reliability and ease-of-use. Designed for large enterprises with multi-location organisations. COSEC CENTRA PLT A web-enabled application server that controls the entire system from anywhere in the world. It is the heart of the entire solution and acts as a bridge between applications and the devices. COSEC CENTRA TAM An enterprise-grade solution, designed for organisations the Time-Attendance and Leave Management processes like recording entries and exits, salary processing, etc.

Openpath, a provider of modern mobile access control, is announcing a partnership with Lincoln Property Company (LPC), one of the diversified real estate service firms in the United States. Openpath has been selected as LPC’s technology partner to standardise and bring best-in-class technology solutions across its current portfolio and planned developments of commercial spaces. Openpath’s platform focuses on integrated technology to provide frictionless mobile access and scalable cloud-based solutions that can also integrate with legacy systems. This collaboration future-proofs LPC’s security offerings for modern commercial development. The partnership marks a shift in the commercial real estate market, as operators and tenants demand technology-capable properties that provide ease, efficiency and advancement to address high-risk security challenges. Already deployed in a number of LPC’s Los Angeles properties, Openpath will continue to outfit buildings across the country, providing state-of-the-art, personalised security plans and solutions for individually customised building needs. Integrated security solution LPC is one of the ten largest commercial property developers in the nation, managing or leasing over 403 million square feet and $76 billion in assets. As the first developer to choose an access control and technology partner, LPC is now leading the charge for tenant experience and innovation. With the built world becoming more technology-reliant, an integrated security solution is critical to making an environment attractive for LPC’s tenants and employees. This partnership provides a future-proofed solution for LPC properties, as Openpath’s cloud access control technology provides a standardised solution that can be integrated across LPC’s current and future technology needs. In addition to mobile access control, Openpath offers LPC buildings a broad range of first-to-market services including Lockdown and Tailgating Prevention to address current workplace security concerns. While required integrations will continue to evolve, Openpath and LPC’s strategic relationship enhances and ensures the property's attractiveness years down the line. Customisation capabilities “This partnership provides an opportunity for us to continue to develop and personalise our solutions tailored towards Lincoln Property Company’s unique portfolio of commercial spaces,” said James Segil, co-founder and President of Openpath. LPC is focusing on the future of how we integrate better solutions" “Our mobile platform provides necessary customisation capabilities while giving LPC’s tenants the freedom of control in their daily security. LPC is focusing on the future of how we integrate better solutions and we’re excited to see this next stage of development as we continue to design products that meet evolving property needs.” “Our goal is to ensure that every building provides the highest quality experience for our tenants,” said Eric Roseman, VP of Innovation & Technology Ventures, Lincoln Property Company. “We are excited to be the first major real estate firm to partner with Openpath to bring this technology to a nationwide commercial portfolio, and to spearhead the movement of tenant experience by providing our buildings with state-of-the-art security and mobile access control.”

The campus site near Aix-en-Provence is diverse, with offices, event spaces, kitchens and two accommodation blocks totalling 170 units. The Camp must remain open around the clock, all week, while maintaining security for staff and visitors. Aperio provided locking devices tailored to every door type — interior and exterior. So far, The Camp has integrated 221 Aperio Wireless Escutcheons, 42 Aperio Wireless Cylinders and 10 Aperio Wireless Handles within a TIL Technologies security system. Integrated online with the central system and controlled from the same interface, these Aperio devices effortlessly handle daily staff traffic of around 250 people. Meeting rooms, server rooms, living spaces and kitchens are secured with Aperio wireless locks. Up to 2,000 external visitors arrive on-site when The Camp stages an event — and each must also have credentials issued and access filtered through the site. Aperio makes it straightforward to enable visitor access. Real-time and future-proofed “Many credentials get lost and Aperio enables us to handle this efficiently,” says Benjamin Ciotto, Head of Information Technology at The Camp. Online mode is very important because [access] rights are very often updated for the constantly shifting campus population" A few clicks are all it takes to cancel a lost key-card and issue a replacement. Security staff at The Camp ensures only authorised users to enter offices where expensive video projectors and screens are stored. Their TIL integration enables real-time management of the whole site, with specific profiles created to segment individuals who need fine-grained access to specific areas. “Online mode is very important because [access] rights are very often updated for the constantly shifting campus population,” explains Benjamin Ciotto. “We can also program access to defined time slots, which is essential when we welcome 200 people for an all-day meeting, for example.” Environmental Product Declarations Aperio technology also met The Camp’s need for an aesthetically pleasing, wireless solution. They did not want to compromise their interior or exterior design. The Aperio product ecosystem’s sustainability performance also fits The Camp’s ethos. Because Aperio devices are wireless and battery powered, they are much more energy efficient than traditional wired locking systems, which require an “always-on” mains connection. Multiple Aperio devices have independently assessed Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs). These detail the footprint of each device through its full life-cycle, from production to disposal. “Aperio is a real comfort of use,” Benjamin Ciotto concludes. “And we handle the easy maintenance for ourselves.”

Public spaces provide soft targets and are often the sites of terrorist or active shooter attacks. Public spaces, by definition, require easy accessibility and unrestricted movement. Given that openness, what security technologies can provide real results? We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: How is technology innovation impacting the security of public spaces?

The concept of how security systems can contribute to the broader business goals of a company is not new. It seems we have been talking about benefits of security systems beyond “just” security for more than a decade. Given the expanding role of technologies in the market, including video and access control, at what point is the term “security” too restrictive to accurately describe what our industry does? We asked the Expert Panel Roundtable for their responses to this premise: Is the description “security technology” too narrow given the broader application possibilities of today’s systems? Why?

Sometimes customers expect more out of a security system. A brand new security system just doesn’t perform as the customer expected it would. In fact, one might argue that the many variables in today’s complex systems make it more likely than ever that some element of a system might not measure up to a customer’s expectations. What happens then? We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What happens if a customer’s expectations of system performance are greater than what a physical security system can deliver?