PTZ cameras

Security and commercial real estate companies have long searched for solutions to safely monitor private areas where cameras, as well as other technologies, cannot be used. This includes conference rooms, bathrooms, sensitive intellectual property areas, and many others. Competitive people counters have notorious accuracy weaknesses which is why Orion Entrance Control, Inc. sought out a better solution featuring radar because it identifies presence detection through micro movements such as heart rate and breathing. Improving customer experience Additionally, increases in employees working remotely means businesses need to re-evaluate traditional office space needs. Constellation™ provides data analytics in real-time and historical statistics for companies to make data driven decisions. Their occupancy sensors feature customisable alerts which uncover when certain areas should be cleaned due to usage, which conference rooms are empty, create energy sustainability saving opportunities when connected to lighting/HVAC systems, as well as which virtual office desks are available as more people work within flexible office spaces. Retailers see significant benefits as the real-time data can be an indicator of where additional staff should be deployed, when restrooms should be cleaned or may need toilet paper replaced, and improve customer experience by more effectively and efficiently allocating staff based on live data. Remote health monitoring Historic foot traffic patterns can provide insights into marketing effectiveness Historic foot traffic patterns can provide insights into marketing effectiveness. In fact, the ability to combine foot traffic, dwell time, sales transactions, and other metrics means retail businesses can effectively use Constellation™ to create a formula to analyse the value of various marketing tactics down to a conversion level. Powerful, actionable data. Remote health monitoring is a critical need when it comes to telehealth and patient care because people struggle with a variety of health ailments. Constellation™ features patented Xandar Kardian technology. Xandar Kardian is the world’s first and only commercially available FDA 510(k) cleared Class II medical device for non-invasive contact-free monitoring of motion, resting heart rate, respiratory rate and even presence detection of a patient using radar technology. Entrance control systems Xandar Kardian is cleared for use in general hospitals, nursing homes (all categories including SNF, AL, IL, AAL, Memory Care) and also in residential homes for home health monitoring (qualifies for CPT CODE 99454, Medicare/Medicaid Reimbursement). Orion Entrance Control, Inc. is excited to be participating at ISC West 2021. As one of the pioneers in turnstile and advanced entrance control systems, they believe that the new sensor technology offerings create the most comprehensive, converged systems to maximise safety, security, and operational controls. From the entrance to the back office, Orion Entrance Control, Inc. has brought intelligent and effective technologies to help drive greater data and metrics to maximise business efficiencies and a higher level of safety and security practices. Orion Entrance Control, Inc. looks forward to seeing visitors at their booth to learn more about 100% private Constellation™ and discussing the future of the converged technology experience.

International Security Expo will return to London from 28-29 September 2021, physically uniting security professionals and offering them the long-awaited opportunity to network face-to-face with peers and learn from a globally renowned educational programme, delivered by the industry’s most prominent experts in security, police, and cyber fields. The free-to-attend and CPD certified programme promises to deliver the latest insights, analysis and invaluable perspectives on everything from mitigation strategies to high-level policy, helping the industry to create safer living and working environments. Global Counter Terror and Serious and Organised Crime Summit The Summit will look at current topics dictated by the Home Office and Counter Terror Police UK Giving visitors a first-hand account, the two-day Global Counter Terror and Serious and Organised Crime Summit will focus on the changing nature of serious and organised crime and terrorism, along with the most prevalent terror trends currently affecting UK Counter Terror capability, from prevent to protect, pursue and prepare. With 16 sessions across the two days, the Summit will look at current topics dictated by the Home Office and Counter Terror Police UK, focusing on Prevent, but also looking at how threats have developed during lockdown and what as an industry, is needed to collectively help counter them. International Security Expo 2021 In his first public outing since taking over from Neil Basu, the UK’s Assistant Commander of Counter Terror Police, Matt Jukes, will deliver a presentation on current counter-terrorism priorities in the United Kingdom. In this session, he will outline the developing challenges facing the fight to counter terrorism in the UK, explaining how state-sponsored activities, the rapid growth in extreme right-wing terror and how the threat has developed throughout the pandemic. Elsewhere, Professor Lisa Short, Director and Co-Founder of P&L Digital Edge Limited will explain how technology can be used to reduce crime, corruption and organised crime. Later that day and giving a very personal account in the first of the ‘Realities of Terror’ sessions, a real-life hostage, Peter Moore, will share his account of being taken hostage for 946 days - the only hostage out of five to be released alive. A contractor in Iraq 2007 will also highlight his own hard-hitting reality of living with terrorists for two years, seven months and one day. Detective Sgt Nick Bailey’s session on the realities of a terror attack following the Salisbury Novichok attack (further details on session required). Panel discussion on terror and organised crime Concluding the first day will be a not-to-miss panel discussion on terror and organised crime, debating whether they are common bedfellows. The panel will feature industry experts including Aaron Edwards, Senior Lecturer, Royal Military Academy Sandhurst; Alberto Testa, Professor of Applied Criminology at the University of West London, Figen Murray, whose son Martyn Hett was tragically killed in the 2017 Manchester Arena terror attacks, and Aimen Dean, former Member of al-Qaeda and MI6 Spy. Key sessions on how to effectively fight terrorism Roy McComb, Former Director of NCA, will deliver a session on the exploitation of people for potential terror financing Opening the conference on the second day, Roy McComb, Former Director of NCA, will deliver a session on the exploitation of people for potential terror financing. Other highlights on day two include Temitope Olodo, President of the Africa Security Forum, presenting a session on how the face of terrorism is evolving and why nations must rewrite their CVE strategy to win the war on terror. Figen Murray will also return to the stage to discuss the importance of countering terror being a whole society issue, and not just the remit of the police and security services. Security experts to give insights INineteen Events Ltd.’s (International Security Expo organiser) Event Director, Rachael Shattock said, “We are delighted to announce an incredible line-up of security experts for the Global Counter Terror and Serious and Organised Crime Summit at International Security Expo.” Rachael Shattock adds, “The programme covers the very latest topics and challenges within global counter terror and organised crime, and with real life case studies and first public appearances, I do believe we really have curated an educational agenda that cannot be missed. After a many months of virtually meeting on Zoom, the opportunity to learn from and network with industry peers and experts will be truly invaluable for all those who attend the event.”

Hanwha Techwin, a global supplier of IP and analogue video surveillance solutions, has expanded and updated its line-up of P series AI cameras with five new 2 MP HD models. A follow-up to the premium 4K P series AI cameras announced in 2020, the new cameras present a cost-effective entry point into the powerful world of AI-based camera technology. Hanwha P series AI cameras Hanwha P series AI cameras include licence-free video analytics based on deep learning that can detect various object types, such as people, vehicles, faces and licence plates, as well as identify unique object attributes, such as a person’s age group, gender and clothing colour, or a vehicle’s type and colour. The cameras offer enhanced people counting, queue management and heat-map functionality, with no requirement for overhead mounting, making sure faces are seen and footage is always useful for identifying persons of interest or delivering business intelligence. Digital auto-tracking provides a second video stream, which features close-up detail on objects being tracked. AI-based Preferred Shutter technology Wisenet AI cameras can significantly reduce the false alarms generated from irrelevant movement Wisenet AI cameras can significantly reduce the false alarms generated from irrelevant movement, such as moving trees, shadows and animals. Additionally, new enhancements to the line include WiseNR II noise reduction, which utilises AI (Artificial Intelligence) to identify object movement and reduce blur in noisy and low light or dark environments. AI-based Preferred Shutter technology automatically adjusts the shutter speed, based on classified objects in motion and the lighting condition in a scene, in order to reduce motion blur and deliver the clearest images. AI-based bandwidth reduction with WiseStream III As the size of video data continues to increase, it’s important to develop technologies to minimise network bandwidth. By utilising the results of AI-based object detection, WiseStream III technology adjusts the video encoder to focus maximum video quality on the detected objects in a scene, while at the same time, scaling back encoding on the rest of the scene. Adjustable by the end user, this technology can provide data reduction of up to 80% depending on the environment. Further data reduction is achieved with the BestShot feature, which ensures that only the most suitable image of a detected object is sent back to the server. VMS Metadata Compatibility AI object and attribute metadata (color, type, age, gender) is stored alongside the video image data for use during forensic search. VMS systems from Genetec and Milestone, as well as Wisenet WAVE and Wisenet X NVRs enable users to filter and search using this enhanced metadata. The new P series line of HD AI cameras include: PNO-A6081R - Network 2M AI IR Bullet Camera PND-A6081RV - Network 2M AI IR Dome Camera PND-A6081RF - Network 2M AI IR Dome Camera PNV-A6081R - Network 2M AI IR Vandal Dome Camera PNB-A6001 - Network 2M AI Box Camera Harnessing the power of Artificial Intelligence “These new P series AI cameras provide an affordable entry point into the powerful world of AI,” said Ray Cooke, Vice President, Products, Solutions and Integration, Hanwha Techwin America. Ray Cooke adds, “The impact of AI on both security and business intelligence is quickly transforming the way organisations think about and deploy these influential new sensors. There’s never been a better time to invest in this future-proof technology.”

IDnow, a German-based leader in identity verification-as-a-service solutions announced that it has agreed to acquire ARIADNEXT, a French company specialising in remote identity verification and digital identity creation. With IDnow and ARIADNEXT joining forces, the companies can provide one comprehensive identity verification platform, ranging from AI-driven to human-assisted technology and from online to point-of-sale verification options. The combination further increases the services IDnow offers to the UK, French and German markets, as well as to international customers with identity verification needs across several jurisdictions and use cases. Frictionless user experience On the back of the strong adoption of digital identity products, IDnow expects to increase revenue 3x in 2021 versus 2019 and is on track to continue accelerating this growth momentum. Since the beginning of the pandemic, IDnow has seen an extraordinary increase in demand for their solutions. IDnow's products have been used 200% more compared to last year and many companies have decided to switch to fully digital application processes. The integration of ARIADNEXT, whose service usage has increased more than 130% per year over the last 5 years, will help to meet this rising demand by providing an outstanding, frictionless user experience. Identity verification "This combination with ARIADNEXT is an important step towards our vision of building the pan-European leader for identity verification-as-a-service solutions," said Andreas Bodczek, CEO of IDnow. Identity verification is critical for banks, insurers, mobility companies, and others to shift towards safe, automated solutions "Identity verification saw a major turn towards digitalisation over the past decade and this trend has been further accelerated by the pandemic. It is now critical for banks, insurers, mobility companies, and others to shift towards safe, automated solutions.” “With ARIADNEXT, in addition to our recent acquisition of identity Trust Management AG, IDnow can provide our customers with an even broader suite of products through a single platform with a seamless user experience."  Working towards a future-proof solution "We are looking forward to joining a team of IDnow's caliber, combining our experience and skills to work towards our shared vision of providing a pan-European secure and future-proof solution to customers," said Guillaume Despagne, President of ARIADNEXT. "With a strong presence in Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Spain, Poland, and Romania, our combined product portfolios create an unmatched platform for customers across the European market." IDnow will retain ARIADNEXT's locations in Rennes, Paris, Madrid, Bucharest, Iasi, and Warsaw, as well as its over 125 employees. The acquisition is subject to regulatory approvals.

The Public Safety Communication Europe (PSCE) Forum has elected Charlotte Rösener, Frequentis expert in the field of mission-critical broadband communication, as Chair of the Industry Committee for the next four years. Charlotte Rösener was also admitted to the four members Board of the Forum. "The election as Chair of the Industry Committee is a great recognition for our expert Charlotte Rösener and her achievements in the field of mission-critical broadband communication. Her appointment underlines Frequentis' positioning as an innovator and leading provider in the field of Public Safety," says Frequentis CEO Norbert Haslacher. Information management systems The PSCE Forum is a non-profit organisation in the field of communication technologies for public authorities and blue-light organisations (police, fire, and rescue). As a European platform, PSCE brings together research, industry, and users to harmonise public safety requirements and promote the development of communication and information management systems. PSCE brings together research, industry, and users to harmonise public safety requirements By networking and bringing together these three key stakeholder groups, the PSCE Forum aims to create awareness of the different needs and to further develop innovative technologies for the European economy. As Chair of the Industry Committee, Charlotte Rösener brings her broad knowledge and development expertise to this, as she has also shown in her involvement in the European H2020 research and investment procurement programme BroadWay. Broadband communication system In the context of the programme, the Frequentis-led consortium ‘BroadPort’ successfully demonstrated a prototype for a pan-European broadband communication system to the technical validation committee in April 2021. Important topics in the work of the PSCE are the end-to-end communication solutions in the future replacement of digital radio by 4G/5G-based, safety-critical broadband communication (MCX). "The skilful use of new technologies supports the paradigm shift in the field of public safety, based on increased digitalisation," says Charlotte Rösener. "The PSCE activities are intended to promote product solutions that become a success story for both providers and users."

3xLOGIC, Inc., a provider of integrated, intelligent security solutions, is hosting two dealer-focused events to provide customers with information about the company’s products and how they can grow their business by selling these solutions. The company is hosting a webinar on Tuesday, June 29, at 2 p.m. ET to focus on new features and enhancements to existing solutions, as well as three new offerings: Gunshot Detection, Licence Plate Capture, and Gen III Mounts. Force recognition sensor Rather than using microphones, infrared sensors, or complex analytics, the self-contained Gunshot Detection device relies on an affordably simple concussive force recognition sensor to detect gunshots. When a gun is fired, the bullet creates a shockwave as it exits the barrel of the gun and travels through the air. This shockwave creates a unique concussive force that the 3xLOGIC solution is able to detect This shockwave creates a unique concussive force that the 3xLOGIC solution is able to detect. With a detection radius of 75 feet and 360-degree coverage, offering 15,000 cubic feet of coverage per device, the solution minimises the number of sensors required for affordable coverage with no need for software, servers, or relay control board. Cloud-managed solution The company’s Licence Plate Capture camera with mount is designed for scaled-down applications where post-event investigations require precise imaging to identify licence plates. The VX-5M20-B-RIAL camera offers remote zoom lens, 5MP resolution, and a visible light lens filter that allows IR light band to pass. This allows the camera to effectively and accurately capture licence plates day or night for video review post-event. In addition to the webinar, 3xLOGIC is hosting a series of weekly Demo Days sessions designed to allow dealers to get up close and personal and ask technical questions of the 3xLOGIC product team about the company’s new cloud-managed solution, VIGIL CLOUD. Demo Days will take place on Thursdays at 1 p.m. ET.

The UK government recently announced a doubling of the Safer Streets Fund to £45 million, as it seeks to reassure the public that safety is a top priority, as the night-time economy makes a return. More than just surveillance While this funding increase is much needed, it’s vital that the government and local councils use the money strategically, or risk missing out on a great opportunity to deliver real change and enhance safety across the United Kingdom. One of the main strategies cited by the government is to increase the current vast number of CCTV cameras installed across the country, despite the fact that the UK is already one of the most surveilled nations in the world. Investing in video analytics London alone has around 700,000 cameras, but to effectively monitor them all would be an incredibly inefficient use of manpower and require a huge number of staff. Therefore, I believe the clearest and most cost-effective way for this project to succeed in its overall mission, is by investing in smarter technology, such as video analytics. Incorporating video analytics into existing infrastructure is the clear solution This technology offers a more efficient use of resources, faster response times and enables more informed, time-critical decision making, when reacting to unfolding events in real time. Incorporating video analytics into existing infrastructure is the clear solution, as the technology enables legacy assets, such as analogue CCTV cameras, to become more than just after the fact evidence gathering tools and instead be used to help enhance real-time responses to unfolding incidents. Artificial intelligence-enabled solutions Artificial intelligence-enabled solutions are trained using vast datasets of images and video footage, in order to better understand people, objects and vehicles that are captured on film, and they continue ‘learning’ and improving, while in use. The system’s algorithms analyse and prioritise input from video data to decide which inputs are of value, automatically classifying the footage and notifying security personnel accordingly. This reduces response times by notifying CCTV operators of an incident, as it happens, meaning law enforcement and security personnel can react faster and intervene in an ongoing situation. Edge technology and real-time video streaming A key consideration should be choosing a technology that can operate at the edge and deliver real-time video streaming, even at the lowest bandwidths, so it isn’t limited to use in areas with good connectivity, which would exclude most remote areas. Quality really does matter and technology that can operate over low bandwidths is crucial for allowing operators to zoom in on areas of interest, such as a car number plate or face, and retrieve full-resolution images that can make a real difference in ongoing investigations. Analytics-based security approach Introducing an analytics-based security approach would also help curtail the rising cost of tackling crime Introducing an analytics-based security approach would also help curtail the rising cost of tackling crime. Research conducted by the UK’s Labour Party recently found that the annual cost of crime reached a staggering £100 billion. While statistics show that crime rates in general have been fairly stable over recent years, experts point to the increase in specific types of violent crime, such as knife crime which rose by over 20% during 2020. Implementing smart analytics-based technology Implementing smart analytics-based technology would help maintain staffing costs, as the system can identify incidents without an operator’s input, as well as reducing the cost of managing crime, as more incidents will be intervened in before they escalate too far. This dramatically reduces the burden on staff and allows a single surveillance operator to monitor many more cameras. On the other hand, this level of automation also reduces false alarm fatigue and operator overload, which can quickly sap efficiencies and reduce operator alertness, if left unchecked. Data driven problem-solving approach to crime prevention Procurement officials should avoid the common mistake of simply doubling down and throwing more staff and security assets at the problem to bring results. Instead, they should take a more data driven problem-solving approach to crime prevention by leveraging technologies that can enhance response and preserve their existing investments in cameras. The smart use of real-time video analytics could make the difference by preventing dangerous situations from escalating into serious incidents.

Display solutions play a key role in SOCs in providing the screens needed for individuals and teams to visualise and share the multiple data sources needed in an SOC today. Security Operation Centre (SOC) Every SOC has multiple sources and inputs, both physical and virtual, all of which provide numerous data points to operators, in order to provide the highest levels of physical and cyber security, including surveillance camera feeds, access control and alarm systems for physical security, as well as dashboards and web apps for cyber security applications. Today’s advancements in technology and computing power not only have increasingly made security systems much more scalable, by adding hundreds, if not thousands, of more data points to an SOC, but the rate at which the data comes in has significantly increased as well. Accurate monitoring and surveillance This has made monitoring and surveillance much more accurate and effective, but also more challenging for operators, as they can’t realistically monitor the hundreds, even thousands of cameras, dashboards, calls, etc. in a reactive manner. Lacking situational awareness is often one of the primary factors in poor decision making In order for operators in SOC’s to be able to mitigate incidents in a less reactive way and take meaningful action, streamlined actionable data is needed. This is what will ensure operators in SOC truly have situational awareness. Situational awareness is a key foundation of effective decision making. In its simplest form, ‘It is knowing what is going on’. Lacking situational awareness is often one of the primary factors in poor decision making and in accidents attributed to human error. Achieving ‘true’ situational awareness Situational awareness isn’t just what has already happened, but what is likely to happen next and to achieve ‘true’ situational awareness, a combination of actionable data and the ability to deliver that information or data to the right people, at the right time. This is where visualisation platforms (known as visual networking platforms) that provide both the situational real estate, as well as support for computer vision and AI, can help SOCs achieve true situational awareness Role of computer vision and AI technologies Proactive situational awareness is when the data coming into the SOC is analysed in real time and then, brought forward to operators who are decision makers and key stakeholders in near real time for actionable visualisation. Computer vision is a field of Artificial Intelligence that trains computers to interpret and understand digital images and videos. It is a way to automate tasks that the human visual system can also carry out, the automatic extraction, analysis and understanding of useful information from a single image or a sequence of images. There are numerous potential value adds that computer vision can provide to operation centres of different kinds. Here are some examples: Face Recognition: Face detection algorithms can be applied to filter and identify an individual. Biometric Systems: AI can be applied to biometric descriptions such as fingerprint, iris, and face matching. Surveillance: Computer vision supports IoT cameras used to monitor activities and movements of just about any kind that might be related to security and safety, whether that's on the job safety or physical security. Smart Cities: AI and computer vision can be used to improve mobility through quantitative, objective and automated management of resource use (car parks, roads, public squares, etc.) based on the analysis of CCTV data. Event Recognition: Improve the visualisation and the decision-making process of human operators or existing video surveillance solutions, by integrating real-time video data analysis algorithms to understand the content of the filmed scene and to extract the relevant information from it. Monitoring: Responding to specific tasks in terms of continuous monitoring and surveillance in many different application frameworks: improved management of logistics in storage warehouses, counting of people during event gatherings, monitoring of subway stations, coastal areas, etc. Computer Vision applications When considering a Computer Vision application, it’s important to ensure that the rest of the infrastructure in the Operation Centre, for example the solution that drives the displays and video walls, will connect and work well with the computer vision application. The best way to do this of course is to use a software-driven approach to displaying information and data, rather than a traditional AV hardware approach, which may present incompatibilities. Software-defined and open technology solutions Software-defined and open technology solutions provide a wider support for any type of application the SOC may need Software-defined and open technology solutions provide a wider support for any type of application the SOC may need, including computer vision. In the modern world, with everything going digital, all security services and applications have become networked, and as such, they belong to IT. AV applications and services have increasingly become an integral part of an organisation’s IT infrastructure. Software-defined approach to AV IT teams responsible for data protection are more in favour of a software-defined approach to AV that allow virtualised, open technologies as opposed to traditional hardware-based solutions. Software’s flexibility allows for more efficient refreshment cycles, expansions and upgrades. The rise of AV-over-IP technologies have enabled IT teams in SOC’s to effectively integrate AV solutions into their existing stack, greatly reducing overhead costs, when it comes to technology investments, staff training, maintenance, and even physical infrastructure. AV-over-IP software platforms Moreover, with AV-over-IP, software-defined AV platforms, IT teams can more easily integrate AI and Computer Vision applications within the SOC, and have better control of the data coming in, while achieving true situational awareness. Situational awareness is all about actionable data delivered to the right people, at the right time, in order to address security incidents and challenges. Situational awareness is all about actionable data delivered to the right people Often, the people who need to know about security risks or breaches are not physically present in the operation centres, so having the data and information locked up within the four walls of the SOC does not provide true situational awareness. Hyper-scalable visual platforms Instead there is a need to be able to deliver the video stream, the dashboard of the data and information to any screen anywhere, at any time — including desktops, tablets phones — for the right people to see, whether that is an executive in a different office or working from home, or security guards walking the halls or streets. New technologies are continuing to extend the reach and the benefits of security operation centres. However, interoperability plays a key role in bringing together AI, machine learning and computer vision technologies, in order to ensure data is turned into actionable data, which is delivered to the right people to provide ‘true’ situational awareness. Software-defined, AV-over-IP platforms are the perfect medium to facilitate this for any organisations with physical and cyber security needs.

With increased demands being placed on safety and security globally, and supported by advancements in IP cameras and 360-degree camera technology, the video surveillance industry is growing steadily. Market research indicates that this worldwide industry is expected to reach an estimated $39.3 billion in revenue by 2023, driven by a CAGR of 9.3 percent from 2018 to 2023. Video surveillance is not just about capturing footage (to review an event or incident when it occurs), but also about data analysis delivering actionable insights that can improve operational efficiencies, better understand customer buying behaviours, or simply just provide added value and intelligence. Growth of Ultra-HD surveillance To ensure that the quality of the data is good enough to extract the details required to drive these insights, surveillance cameras are technologically evolving as well, not only with expanded capabilities surrounding optical zoom and motion range,4K Ultra HD-compliant networked cameras are expected to grow from 0.4 percent shipped in 2017, to 28 percent in 2021 but also relating to improvements in signal-to-noise (S2N) ratios, light sensitivities (and the minimum illumination needed to produce usable images), wide dynamic ranges (WDR) for varying foreground and background illumination requirements, and of course, higher quality resolutions. As such, 4K Ultra HD-compliant networked cameras are expected to grow from 0.4 percent shipped in 2017, to 28 percent in 2021, representing an astonishing 170 percent growth per year, and will require three to six times the storage space of 1080p video dependent on the compression technology used. Surveillance cameras are typically connected to a networked video recorder (NVR) that acts as a gateway or local server, collecting data from the cameras and running video management software (VMS), as well as analytics. Capturing this data is dependent on the communications path between individual cameras and the NVR. If this connection is lost, whether intentional, unintentional, or a simple malfunction, surveillance video will no longer be captured and the system will cease operations. Therefore, it has become common to use microSD cards in surveillance cameras as a failsafe mechanism. Despite lost connectivity to the NVR, the camera can still record and capture raw footage locally until the network is restored, which in itself, could take a long time depending on maintenance staff or equipment availability, weather conditions, or other unplanned issues. Since microSD cards play a critical role as a failsafe mechanism to ensure service availability, it is important to choose the right card for capturing video footage.  It has become common to use microSD cards in surveillance cameras as a failsafe mechanism if an NVR breaks Key characteristics of microSDs There are many different microSD cards to choose from for video capture at the network’s edge, and they range from industrial grade capabilities to commercial or retail grade, and everything in-between. To help make some of these uncertainties a little more certain, here are the key microSD card characteristics for video camera capture. Designed for surveillance As the market enjoys steady growth, storage vendors want to participate and have done so with a number of repurposed, repackaged, remarketed microSD cards targeted for video surveillance but with not much robustness, performance or capabilities specific to the application. Adding the absence of mean-time between failure (MTBF) specifications to the equation, microSD card reliability is typically a perceived measurement -- measured in hours of operation and relatively vague and hidden under metrics associated with the camera’s resolution and compression ratio. Therefore, when selecting a microSD card for surveillance cams at the edge, the choice should include a vendor that is trusted, has experience and a proven storage portfolio in video surveillance, and in microSD card technologies. Endurance, as it relates to microSD cards, represents the number of rewrites possible before the card can no longer store data correctly  High endurance Endurance, as it relates to microSD cards, represents the number of rewrites (program/erase cycles) that are possible before the card can no longer store data correctly. The rewrite operation is cyclical whereby a new stream of footage replaces older content by writing over it until the card is full, and the cycle repeats. The higher the endurance, the longer the card will perform before it needs to be replaced. Endurance is also referred to in terabytes written (TBW) or by the number of hours that the card can record continuously (while overwriting data) before a failure will occur. Health monitoring Health monitoring is a desired capability that not many microSD cards currently support and enables the host system to check when the endurance levels of a card are low and needs to be replaced. Having a card that supports this capability enables system integrators and operators with the ability to perform preemptive maintenance that will help to reduce system failures, as well as associated maintenance costs. Performance To capture continuous streams of raw footage, microSD cards within surveillance cams perform write operations about seventy to ninety percent of the time, whereas reading captured footage is performed about ten to thirty percent. The difference in read/write performance is dependent on whether the card is used in an artificial intelligent (AI) capable camera, or a standard one.   microSD cards deployed within surveillance cameras should support temperature ranges from -25 degrees Celsius to 85 degrees Celsius Finding a card that is write-friendly, and can provide enough bandwidth to properly capture streamed data, and is cost-effective, requires one that falls between fast industrial card capabilities and slower commercial ones. Bandwidth in the range of 50 MB/sec for writes and 80 MB/sec for reads are typical and sufficient for microSD cards deployed within surveillance cameras. Temperature ranges Lower capacity support of 32GB can provide room to attract the smaller or entry-level video surveillance deployments As microSD cards must be designed for continuous operation in extreme weather conditions and a variety of climates, whether located indoors or out, support for various temperature ranges are another consideration. Given the wide spectrum of temperatures required by the camera makers, microSD cards deployed within surveillance cameras should support temperature ranges from -25 degrees Celsius to 85 degrees Celsius, or in extreme cases, as low as -40 degrees Celsius. Capacity Selecting the right-sized capacity is also very important as there needs to be a minimum level to ensure that there is enough room to hold footage for a number of days or weeks before it is overwritten or the connectivity to the NVR is restored. Though 64GB is considered the capacity sweet spot for microSD cards deployed within surveillance cameras today, lower capacity support of 32GB can provide room to attract the smaller or entry-level video surveillance deployments. In the future, even higher capacities will be important for specific use cases and will potentially become standard capacities as the market evolves. When choosing the right storage microSD card to implement into your video surveillance system, make sure the card is designed specifically for the application – does it include the right levels of endurance and performance to capture continuous streams – can it withstand environmental challenges and wide temperature extremes – will it enable preventative and preemptive maintenance to provide years of service? It is critical for the surveillance system to be able to collect video footage whether the camera is connected to an NVR or is a standalone camera as collecting footage at the base of the surveillance system is the most crucial point of failure. As such, failsafe mechanisms are required to keep the camera recording until the network is restored.

Imagine a world where video cameras are not just watching and reporting for security, but have an even wider positive impact on our lives. Imagine that cameras control street and building lights, as people come and go, that traffic jams are predicted and vehicles are automatically rerouted, and more tills are opened, just before a queue starts to form. Cameras with AI capabilities Cameras in stores can show us how we might look in the latest outfit as we browse. That’s the vision from Panasonic about current and future uses for their cameras that provide artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities at the edge. Panasonic feels that these types of intelligent camera applications are also the basis for automation and introduction of Industry 4.0, in which processes are automated, monitored and controlled by AI-driven systems. 4K network security cameras The company’s i-PRO AI-capable camera line can install and run up to three AI-driven video analytic applications Panasonic’s 4K network security cameras have built-in AI capabilities suitable for this next generation of intelligent applications in business and society. The company’s i-PRO AI-capable camera line can install and run up to three AI-driven video analytic applications. The AI engine is directly embedded into the camera, thus reducing costs and Panasonic’s image quality ensures the accuracy of the analytics outcome. FacePRO facial recognition technology Panasonic began advancing AI technology on the server side with FacePRO, the in-house facial recognition application, which uses AI deep learning capabilities. Moving ahead, they transitioned their knowledge of AI from the server side to the edge, introducing i-PRO security cameras with built-in AI capabilities last summer, alongside their own in-house analytics. Moreover, in line with the Panasonic approach to focus more on collaboration with specialist AI software developers, a partnership with Italian software company, A.I. Tech followed in September, with a range of intelligent applications, partially based on deep learning. Additional collaborations are already in place with more than 10 other developers, across the European Union, working on more future applications. i-PRO AI-capable security cameras Open systems are an important part of Panasonic’s current approach. The company’s i-PRO AI-capable cameras are an open platform and designed for third-party application development, therefore, applications can be built or tailored to the needs of an individual customer. Panasonic use to be a company that developed everything in-house, including all the analytics and applications. “However, now we have turned around our strategy by making our i-PRO security cameras open to integrate applications and analytics from third-party companies,” says Gerard Figols, Head of Security Solutions at Panasonic Business Europe. Flexible and adapting to specific customer needs This new approach allows the company to be more flexible and adaptable to customers’ needs. “At the same time, we can be quicker and much more tailored to the market trend,” said Gerard Figols. He adds, “For example, in the retail space, enabling retailers to enhance the customer experience, in smart cities for traffic monitoring and smart parking, and by event organisers and transport hubs to monitor and ensure safety.” Edge-based analytics offer multiple benefits over server-based systems Edge-based analytics Edge-based analytics offer multiple benefits over server-based systems. On one hand, there are monetary benefits - a cost reduction results from the decreased amount of more powerful hardware required on the server side to process the data, on top of reduction in the infrastructure costs, as not all the full video stream needs to be sent for analysis, we can work solely with the metadata. On the other hand, there are also advantages of flexibility, as well as reliability. Each camera can have its own individual analytic setup and in case of any issue on the communication or server side, the camera can keep running the analysis at the edge, thereby making sure the CCTV system is still fully operational. Most importantly, systems can keep the same high level of accuracy. Explosion of AI camera applications We can compare the explosion of AI camera applications to the way we experienced it for smartphone applications" “We can compare the explosion of AI camera applications to the way we experienced it for smartphone applications,” said Gerard Figols, adding “However, it doesn’t mean the hardware is not important anymore, as I believe it’s more important than ever. Working with poor picture quality or if the hardware is not reliable, and works 24/7, software cannot run or deliver the outcome it has been designed for.” As hardware specialists, Figols believes that Panasonic seeks to focus on what they do best - Building long-lasting, open network cameras, which are capable of capturing the highest quality images that are required for the latest AI applications, while software developers can concentrate on bringing specialist applications to the market. Same as for smartphones, AI applications will proliferate based on market demand and succeed or fail, based on the value that they deliver. Facial recognition, privacy protection and cross line technologies Panasonic has been in the forefront in developing essential AI applications for CCTV, such as facial recognition, privacy protection and cross line. However, with the market developing so rapidly and the potential applications of AI-driven camera systems being so varied and widespread, Panasonic quickly realised that the future of their network cameras was going to be in open systems, which allow specialist developers and their customers to use their sector expertise to develop their own applications for specific vertical market applications, while using i-PRO hardware. Metadata for detection and recognition Regarding privacy, consider that the use of AI in cameras is about generating metadata for the detection and recognition of patterns, rather than identifying individual identities. “However, there are legitimate privacy concerns, but I firmly believe that attitudes will change quickly when people see the incredible benefits that this technology can deliver,” said Gerard Figols, adding “I hope that we will be able to redefine our view of cameras and AI, not just as insurance, but as life advancing and enhancing.” i-PRO AI Privacy Guard One of the AI applications that Panasonic developed was i-PRO AI Privacy Guard Seeking to understand and appreciate privacy concerns, one of the AI applications that Panasonic developed was i-PRO AI Privacy Guard that generates data without capturing individual identities, following European privacy regulations that are among the strictest in the world. Gerard Fogils said, “The combination of artificial intelligence and the latest generation open camera technology will change the world’s perceptions from Big Brother to Big Benefits. New applications will emerge as the existing generation of cameras is updated to the new open and intelligent next generation devices, and the existing role of the security camera will also continue.” Future scope of AI and cameras He adds, “Not just relying on the security cameras for evidence when things have gone wrong, end users will increasingly be able to use AI and the cameras with much higher accuracy to prevent false alarms and in a proactive way to prevent incidents." Gerard Figols concludes, “That could be monitoring and alerting when health and safety guidelines are being breached or spotting and flagging patterns of suspicious behaviour before incidents occur.”

Following its recent acquisition, Vidsys will continue to operate, now as an ‘An ARES Security Company’. The Vidsys brand is known worldwide for its PSIM (physical security information management) solution and the acquisition will accelerate the next generation of products that incorporate Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance their value to Vidsys clients and the overall market.  ARES Security Corporation has developed and deployed security and public safety software solutions for the past 20 years, solving complex physical security challenges. Their AVERT security software solution supports the full lifecycle of physical security operations: risk and technology assessment and design, training, and intelligent real-time incident response. AVERT security software AVERT security software helps clients by increasing security effectiveness and reducing cost AVERT security software helps clients by increasing security effectiveness and reducing cost. Clients are in many market segments including Corporate, Military, Government, Power, Data Centres, Transportation and Ports. Vidsys’ PSIM will immediately be improved by incorporating AVERT C2 (Command & Control), allowing clients access to expanded capabilities and an advanced technical roadmap. “Over time we will migrate the Vidsys technology to our state-of-the-art, multi-tenant SaaS architecture that includes secure, multi-site data sharing, an updated library of connectors, and integration to the AVERT digital twin, artificial intelligence/machine learning and automation capability,” said Ben Eazzetta, ARES Security Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Technical roadmap for upgrading to AI-PSIM platform “We are a client-centric company, and we will continue to support Vidsys clients,” stated Ben Eazzetta, adding “We will focus initial efforts towards closing any required and promised capability gaps and offer a significantly improved technical roadmap for the platform to be upgraded to AI-PSIM.” Additional AVERT products will be made available to Vidsys clients in a ‘cost-effective way’. They include technology for assessment and design, virtual tabletop and virtual reality training and enhanced AI and robotics capability surrounding the digital twin. A ‘digital twin’ is a digital representation of a physical object. Rapid incident response and robotic sentries interfaces ARES/Vidsys solution offers capabilities with extremely high levels of automation for rapid incident response ARES has a strong market position in several verticals that require a robust and automated next-generation AI-PSIM. The ARES/Vidsys solution offers capabilities with extremely high levels of automation that enable rapid incident response and incorporate advanced features, such as interfaces to robotic sentries. “These capabilities, along with a more automated deployment process, will allow Vidsys to scale their acquisition of customers across key verticals in which ARES is already active. This automated deployment process will also open new opportunities to work with system integrators who have shied away from PSIM projects in recent years,” stated Ben Eazzetta. Optimising security operations ARES believes the physical security market is underserved by technology that optimises operations. Ben Eazzetta adds, “All of our products are designed to optimise security operation, and the acquisition of Vidsys allows us to accelerate the development of the next generation PSIM that is adaptive and intelligent, powered by AVERT’s AI, and Modelling and Simulation system.” Vidsys pioneered PSIM in the security industry and created a robust library of connectors, providing an integrated real-time incident response system powered by a rules engine. Together, the AVERT/Vidsys solution seeks to transform the way security operations centres (SOCs) operate and respond to emergencies. Vidsys pioneered PSIM in the security industry and created a robust library of connectors Managing security at multiple sites Ben Eazzetta said, “There’s no denying that some in the security industry see PSIM as a four-letter word. But PSIM exists because it meets a need in the security operations centre that cannot be met by either video management or incident management systems. It is critical that PSIM evolves to meet the rapidly changing demands of enterprise clients.” He adds, “Our clients need to manage security at multiple sites, each with different security plans and threats, they need adaptive rules engines to manage complex incidents and emergency responses, and they need automation to seamlessly command and control all security assets, including robotic assets.” Flexible and intelligent software Future of command-and-control will need to be flexible, intelligent software with extremely high levels of automation “The future of command-and-control will need to be flexible, intelligent software with extremely high levels of automation that enables very rapid incident response and incorporates advanced capabilities such as interfaces to robotic sentries,” said Ben Eazzetta. He adds, “To achieve this, we are replacing the brittle, difficult-to-configure rules engine of today’s PSIM with machine learning and AI capabilities that can produce automated/optimised responses or recommendations in near real time.” SaaS-enabled and remotely hosted system The systems will be SaaS-enabled, remotely hosted and easily configurable to reduce the cost and time of deployments for large enterprise implementations and easily supported by end-users, and system integrators. In a post-Covid-19 world, it is critical that enterprise security software solutions be adaptive, intelligent, automated and offer the ability for disparate teams to share information and collaborate in a meaningful way, while responding to incidents and emergencies in real-time. The ARES/Vidsys offering is a lifecycle solution that meets the needs of enterprise security operations. Next-generation of AI-PSIM “ARES has always pushed the needle of what is possible with our AVERT solution, ever since development of our digital twin technology began in 1999 to protect our nation’s nuclear stockpiles,” said Ben Eazzetta, adding “Today, we continue to innovate with the next generation of AI-PSIM.”     So what’s ahead for ARES and Vidsys in 2021? “A lot of Zoom calls!” laughs Eazzetta, adding “We are excited to leverage the decades of hard work that both teams have put into our solutions. We all realise the fantastic opportunity we have been given to create a next-generation AI-PSIM and to open new markets for all of our products and solutions.” He adds, “Combining the two companies will lead to improved development/support capability and significantly improved roadmaps for our clients. We will provide immediate ROI for clients by lowering deployment costs and leveraging the entire suite of products to provide more immediate value while continuing to deliver as promised, like ARES always does.”

Video surveillance cannot address all the security challenges in education, but it is a valuable tool and among the least obtrusive options available. And the list of security challenges that video can address grows every day. Video systems can provide real-time monitoring of school premises and facilitate rapid response to incidents. New advances such as video analytics are currently underutilised in the education arena. Historically, video has been used as a forensic tool in the education market, providing critical information about an incident after the fact. But that generalisation is changing. Today, networking enables video images to be shared throughout a school system, travelling over existing networks, empowering a more centralised security management structure, and making video more valuable. In particular, higher education institutions are more likely to view live video, given the larger campuses, greater number of buildings, and more public areas where staff and students congregate. Challenges for securing a school environment Multiple challenges in the education market for security goods and services (from a video perspective) include wide open spaces that make securing schools with video surveillance cameras difficult since the vast amount of coverage required can be cost-prohibitive. Second, state and federal regulations must be taken into account and balanced with the need to protect student privacy. Panoramic cameras are one tool to address challenges, as a single 360-degree camera can replace between 4 and 5 PTZ cameras Finally, schools and colleges face dwindling budgets, which means security solutions must deliver more coverage and functionality, while also being cost-effective to deploy. Panoramic cameras are one tool to address these challenges, as a single 360-degree camera can replace between four and five traditional pan-tilt-zoom cameras, resulting in fewer cameras and more coverage – all at a lower cost for hardware and licensing. Data capture form to appear here! Intelligent cameras with video analytics Video surveillance with video analytics can be deployed to monitor areas at certain times of day. For example, once school starts, there shouldn’t be a lot of activity in the parking lot or in particular areas around the school. For these situations, intelligent cameras with video analytics can be used to detect activity in those areas of interest to alert school security that something may need their attention. Radar detection is ideal for perimeters, where a device can be set up unobtrusively to alert when someone enters a particular area. ACC 6 video management software with Avigilon Appearance Search technology provides advanced video analytics search The goal in a potentially dangerous situation is to speed up response times. The faster you’re able to detect something using technology, the faster you’re able to respond. Therefore, being able to identify something happening in a parking lot and alert school resource officers could provide 30 seconds or a minute head start for response, which can get the school into a lockdown situation and get first responders on site more quickly. Video cameras with low-light capability It’s been shown that using lighting at night can deter crime. However, it can be expensive to keep a building and grounds illuminated all night, every night. To mitigate these concerns and potential costs, there are video cameras available with extreme low-light capability that allows them to see in near-dark or in some cases complete darkness. This allows a school to save money by turning lights off while achieving a level of surveillance performance similar to daytime deployments. There are video cameras available with extreme low-light capability to see in near-dark or complete darkness Facing above-average student incident rates and student disciplinary concerns at some schools, a school system in the United States sought to upgrade its video surveillance system to allow better local and remote monitoring in important areas. Avigilon high-definition cameras with self-learning video analytics and access control solutions were installed in 101 schools, and ACC 6 video management software with Avigilon Appearance Search technology provides advanced video analytics search. A deep learning artificial intelligence search engine can sort through hours of footage and allow operators to click on a button and search for all instances of a person or vehicle across all cameras on a site, quickly and efficiently.

Congress Rental Network Partner, Smart Choice Audiovisuais (Smart Choice), has installed a large Dicentis conferencing and interpretation system from Bosch Security Systems GmbH, at the Centro Cultural de Belém, the Portuguese EU Presidency Headquarters, situated in Lisbon, Portugal. A total of 70 Dicentis and 50 Dicentis Wireless Discussion devices with touchscreens provide the main input. Dicentis Wireless Discussion devices The solution can be used to deliver in-person meetings at the venue, as well as remote and hybrid meetings, so as to overcome the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. The core of the discussion and interpretation system is identical across all three of the rooms – the main plenary hall, a smaller meeting room and a press room – only varying in the number of discussion devices. “One of the requests from the EU presidency was to have the latest interpretation equipment – the latest models and the most up-to-date technology,” explains Patricia Barbosa, from the Marketing Department of Smart Choice. Bosch’s discussion and interpretation system We have always invested a lot in having modern equipment, so we were the best equipped for the job" Patricia adds, “We have always invested a lot in having modern equipment, so we were the best equipped for the job. Added to that, our CEO Manuel Lopes has been involved in all the previous Presidencies that took place in Portugal and Spain and we have a history of delivering big events with complex logistics. We offered quality and trusted service and very good technicians who have the latest Bosch certifications.” The solution also needed to be able to connect to external streaming platforms to allow remote meetings to include participants that were not able to travel to Portugal. The wired units make up the main systems in the three rooms while the wireless solution adds flexibility when required. Dicentis Interpreter desks with video output In addition to this, simultaneous interpretation is catered for by 20 interpretation booths, featuring the ISO 20109 compliant Dicentis Interpreter desks with video output. With the Dicentis System server acting as the brain of the system, remote participants can be connected into the meeting thanks to the Omneo2Dante Gateway. This Dante gateway allows for audio distribution to various streaming platforms, such as Zoom and WebEx, as well as floor distribution between rooms for socially distanced meetings. In addition to the on-site equipment, six remote booths have been created to function as an interpretation hub away from the Presidency HQ. Communications hub Instead of interpreters travelling with delegations to Presidency meetings in different cities, or asking them to use a standard office set up that they could have at home, this hub provides them with high-quality language-feeds, with the Dicentis Interpreter desks located at the Smart Choice office buildings. As such, interpretation can continue for meetings away from the Lisbon HQ as if the translators were there in person.

Custom Consoles announces the completion of a six-bay security control room desk from its SteelBase range for one of the most prestigious museums in the Middle East. The project also includes a large MediaWall multiscreen video display mounting system and Ergotron desk-mounted monitor arms. “SteelBase and MediaWall continue to be a popular choice for security and process control applications in Europe and around the world,” says Custom Consoles’ sales manager Gary Fuller. “The desk we have provided in this case is a 4.25 metre wide rectangular unit configured for use by two or three operators.” MediaWall Each of its six bays holds computers and related devices which can be reached easily via front or rear access doors" “It faces straight on to the MediaWall with sufficient space between the two to allow access for routine maintenance of installed equipment. Each of its six bays holds computers and related devices which can be reached easily via front or rear access doors. The installed MediaWall supports eight large display screens in a four wide by two high configuration.” “It is augmented by Ergotron monitor support arms mounted to the rear of bays one, two, five and six. Each arm is capable of holding a flat panel display of typically 24 inches diagonal screen size. These can be used to view the output from the remote cameras.” “The desk surface above bays three and four is left clear to accommodate additional equipment. Worktop facilities along the desk include camera controllers plus communications panels.” Efficient monitoring "SteelBase was developed to withstand round-the-clock use, every day of the year,” adds Custom Consoles’ managing director Neil Reed. “It also offers high ergonomic efficiency, meaning it is comfortable to use during long duty sessions. When installed alongside MediaWall, it allows efficient monitoring of activity across a very wide area, including multiple rooms and multiple sites. The combination has proved a popular and effective choice for security, defence and process control applications in many countries.” Custom Consoles’ SteelBase is a high-strength desking system to withstand the demands of heavy-industry Custom Consoles’ SteelBase is a high-strength desking system developed to withstand the demands of heavy-industry. Built around steel frames with hinged lockable front and rear doors, SteelBase can be configured for use by individual operators or teams of practically any number without the cost and long delivery time usually associated with project-specific furniture. Cable management Each bay includes a sliding shelf which gives easy access to internally stowed PCs. Predrilled monitor arm mounting points are positioned at the rear upper edge of each bay. Cable management features include a removable worktop section with dual brush strips providing an uninterrupted cable exit for telephones, monitor cables and computer peripherals. Integral cableways allow heavy-duty wiring to be fully concealed within the desk structure while retaining easy access for routine maintenance or adjustment. Cables can be routed laterally across and between bays as well as vertically to floor level. Internal 19-inch racking is available as a standard feature. Desktop equipment pods can be specified if required. Careful attention has also been paid to styling with a choice of front, side and desktop finishes. SteelBase desktops are available in a choice of 120 cm (standard) or 100 cm (SteelBase Lite) front-to-back sizes with a choice of hard-wearing Marmoleum or laminate work surfaces. All elements are guaranteed against component failure for five years of normal use. Continuous horizontal display Individual or multiple frames can be used in fully self-supporting configurations or coupled directly to a wall Developed for use in technical control rooms, Custom Consoles’ MediaWall allows flat-screen monitor displays of practically any size to be constructed from standard horizontal and vertical support elements. Individual or multiple frames can be used in fully self-supporting configurations or coupled directly to a wall. Screens can be positioned so that the edges meet exactly to form a continuous horizontal display limited only by the boundary of the monitor panel. All wiring is fully concealed and can enter or leave the structure at any desired point. MediaWall is available in any required element widths. All Custom Consoles desks can optionally be fitted with Ergotron monitor arms. The LX Arm is available in single-monitor, vertically stacked dual-monitor and side-by-side dual monitor versions. The lateral and tilt angle of all Ergotron arms can be separately adjusted to match each operator’s preference. A proprietary support mechanism allows the mounted display to be lifted, tilted or horizontally swung. All LX arms are supplied with clamp and through-fixing options. Each arm is constructed from durable polished aluminium. Longevity is a key feature, typically 10 times the expected life-cycle of competing brands.

Dutch franchisee Leussink Retail Groep operates 7 Jumbo supermarkets in its portfolio. They tackled the thorny issue of hygiene and social distancing with a solution made up of Hikvision cameras, SmartPole sanitizing stations, and the SmartPole platform for safe shopping. Hikvision’s comprehensive solution SmartPole Solutions, a Dutch member of Hikvision’s Technology Partner Program, stepped up to the plate, delivering a comprehensive solution based on Hikvision Dual-Lens People Counting Network Cameras (DS-2CD6825G0/C-IS), their SmartPole Sanitizers, and LeftClick software. The solution operates based on a calculation that no more than a certain number should be in a shop, depending on its size. This means that there are few enough people inside to make social distancing possible. In this way, everyone can shop for their essentials more safely.

The Palmetto Plaza Shopping Mall, an iconic shopping center located in Cali, Colombia, opened its doors in 2004 thanks to the support of a group of entrepreneurs from the region who dreamed of a place where local residents and tourists can find a wide range of commercial services and entertainment offerings. Need for a video surveillance solution  To ensure a safe environment in the shopping center, mall officials sought a comprehensive video surveillance solution that can monitor the areas in and around the mall, including its square, corridors, parking lots, and the surrounding roads. Dahua Technology, in cooperation with its partner in Colombia - Fortox Security Group - a security consultant with a nationwide presence, jointly designed an AI-enabled Smart Retail Solution that replaced the shopping mall’s old CCTV analog system. Addressing the challenges  The migration project from the analog CCTV to a networked system began with the design and implementation of structured cabling – using both fiber optics and copper – until the right and suitable CCTV solution is determined.  The Palmetto Plaza Shopping Mall entrusted Fortox as its security consultant tasked to search for a technology that can facilitate the important steps toward the optimization and operation of the mall in the service of the city. Dahua’s AI-based portfolio   Dahua offers AI applications within its portfolio, which allowed to transcend to a  system dedicated to security & control " "When conducting the evaluation of the solutions offered in the market, we decided to work with Dahua because the company offers artificial intelligence applications within its portfolio, which allowed us to transcend from a system dedicated solely to security and control, to a system which will also contribute to other areas of the shopping center, integrating the Smart Retail solution into the circuit, and offering BI statistics to the mall for further analysis.”  “In addition, we integrated the temperature monitoring solution and visualisation control into the system using a Dahua video wall,” explains Mr. Efren Mauricio Matabanchoy Romo, Project Engineer at Fortox Security Group. IP, dome, and PTZ cameras  Dahua Technology provided 111 pcs of high-resolution IP cameras, panoramic cameras, dome cameras, and pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras with 30x optical zoom capability for the project.  The Dahua cameras were installed in strategic locations to provide comprehensive security for employees and customers. The video feed, which is transmitted to the central monitoring stations inside the mall through a private network, can assist the security personnel in identifying emergencies, vandalism, and other situations where a quick response from the security team is necessary. Real-time monitoring solution  The video surveillance system was designed to capture high-quality HD images, combined with advanced technologies to support embedded intelligence functions, such as sending an alert to the monitoring center when it detects abandoned or missing objects, unauthorised entry into a prohibited area, as well as facial recognition and other defined activities.  The cameras support multi-streaming that allows images to be recorded and monitored with real-time high resolution The cameras also support multi-streaming that allows images to be recorded and monitored with real-time high resolution so that operators can have a clear and well-defined view of both live and recorded footage. IP video surveillance system  Dahua Technology and its dedicated engineering team carried out the construction of this design by utilising its high-quality hardware and software products, with a great focus on solving the pain points of the shopping center and generating an added value to its visitors and internal customers.  Mr. Chao Wu, General Manager of Dahua Technology Colombia, said, "As a result of excellent teamwork, we were able to implement more than an IP video surveillance system. We designed a solution with the latest technology and artificial intelligence unique in the city of Cali, which allows the Palmetto Plaza to provide greater security to its visitors and trade merchants.” 24/7 monitoring features  In terms of security, through the Dahua equipment installed by Fortox, the Palmetto Plaza is now able to perform 24/7 monitoring and intelligent data analysis.  "Likewise, through the Dahua Smart Retail Solution unique in the city of Cali, we generate added value to the merchants who have placed their trust in Palmetto Plaza. Smart Retail is not only a solution that guarantees maximum security for customers in the shopping centre.”  “It is also a revolutionary new tool for Big Data statistics that is suitable for the mall´s management, allowing them to make efficient and correct decisions depending on the situation”, Mr. Wu added. Security management  The Dahua Smart Retail Solution has significantly improved the security management of the Palmetto Plaza Shopping Mall. By increasing the resolution of the cameras, the visual records of the CCTV system are now optimised and strengthened.  By increasing the resolution of the cameras, the visual records of the CCTV system are optimised & strengthened The updated network system provides video recordings with HD resolution, allowing operators to better control and manage the entire system. It also offers artificial intelligence analytics such as face recognition focused on security, business intelligence focused on real-time statistics of the number of shoppers in the mall, and monitoring of behavior within its facilities. CCTV network system In addition to its video surveillance products, Dahua Technology also contributed to the system migration project of the Palmetto Plaza, transforming its analog CCTV system to a CCTV network system with higher resolution cameras, 360-degree views, and artificial intelligence analytics.  Dahua Technology also provided complete technical support and commercial services that include training operators and managing configuration settings.  “We had devices that already completed their useful life. These devices did not meet our security needs due to their low resolution and constant failures,” says Mr. Juan Diego Guzman, Security Director of Palmetto Plaza Shopping Mall. Surveillance capability  For Sandra M. Navas P, General Manager of the Palmetto Plaza Shopping Mall, this technology has generated more confidence among visitors and merchants.  "The beginning of this system implementation has put us at the forefront of Colombian retail in terms of video surveillance capability, and has also allowed us to achieve a level of satisfaction in terms of security higher than 92%." Furthermore, this system has allowed Fortox as a security company to integrate into a single technology the requirements requested by the client, successfully delivering the required services needed in the shopping centre.

Teleste will provide an on-board solution to Alstom for the Marseille metro network in France, ordered by the Aix Marseille Provence Metropole, AMP.  Teleste’s deliveries will include onboard TFT displays as well as systems for passenger information, public address, CCTV, and wireless train-to-ground functions for 38 4-car driverless metro trains, with an option for an additional 5 vehicles. The system deployments will start in 2021, and the first trains will enter into service in 2024. Flexibility and efficiency in metros “Introducing automated services to metro networks will increase flexibility and efficiency in operation, while also setting high requirements for the train technology, especially when it comes to real-time train to the ground transmission of audio, video, and passenger information content.” “Our onboard systems are well-equipped to meet the challenge by enabling reliable, real-time connectivity between moving trains and the ground system, reinforced by seamless integration also with third-party systems." "We are pleased that Alstom selected our solution for their project and are looking forward to providing a safe and smooth travel experience for the passengers of Metro Marseille,” commented Jarkko Vehkala, Head of the Rolling Stock Manufacturers business line at Teleste. Driverless metro operations Teleste’s on-board solution seamlessly supports fully automated, driverless metro operations Teleste’s on-board solution has been designed for the seamless support of fully automated, driverless metro operations, which will be taken into use in the Marseille metro by the end of 2026. This means that the trains will then be controlled without any staff on board from the operator’s train control system, and a reliable interface between the new and legacy systems will be deployed. Seamless remote operations Teleste’s solution meets the requirements by seamlessly combining onboard systems such as a public address, CCTV, and the delivery of passenger information with an advanced train-to-ground transmission system. This allows the operator to manage onboard operations remotely while, for example, getting 24/7 access to live camera views from the metro cars to ensure the safety and security of passengers during their journey. Also automatic and manual offload of video recordings, system diagnostics as well as automatic updates, and version control of the train software are enabled. With interfaces to third-party systems, the solution also empowers seamless operation of the onboard functionalities as part of larger transport ecosystems.

The legendary Big Red Camaro is a serious, open-road racing car that has been setting records at the highest level for over 30 years. Since they started on the project back in 1987, Richard Gottlieb and his father Dan Gottlieb have invested countless hours, as well as millions of dollars upgrading, refurbishing, restoring and improving the performance of the car. To protect their investment and ensure the continued success of the racing team, the Gottliebs have built a new 14,000 square foot facility, featuring a state-of-the-art video surveillance system with Hanwha Techwin cameras, in order to help keep this priceless piece of American racing history safe. Hanwha Techwin cameras deployed Richard Gottlieb hired Howard Levinson of Expert Security to design and implement the new security system It was clear from the beginning of the project that the site for the new facility would pose unique security challenges. Because of the kind of work being done on the car, which includes welding as well as working with toxic and highly volatile substances like racing fuels, the car had to be housed in an area zoned for light industry. These areas aren’t typically known for high security. To help solve these challenges, Richard Gottlieb hired Howard Levinson of Expert Security to design and implement the new security system. The camera selection was tailored to match the security requirements for each area. Wisenet PNM-9030V multi-sensor panoramic cameras For the back of the facility, which is isolated and has several dumpsters, the team installed Hanwha cameras with lowlight operability. They also deployed in-camera masking to prevent passing trains from triggering motion alerts. Out front, the team deployed Wisenet PNM-9030V multi-sensor panoramic cameras from Hanwha to provide a complete 180° view. In addition to protecting this priceless car, the team also wanted to open up live feeds if there was major maintenance or customisation activity. The goal was to use the new video surveillance system for both security and entertainment. As Josh Oliver, Director of Marketing and PR for The Big Red Camaro, explains, “It is important to maintain The Big Red Camaro as a brand. This complicated the requirements because the system had to be flexible enough to ensure security as well as a high level of visibility for the car.” 180° cameras with enhanced video analytics Each camera records a set number of frames per second, regardless of the situation Each camera records a set number of frames per second, regardless of the situation. If the analytics in the camera detects movement or a possible threat, however, both the frame rate and image quality are automatically increased. This means that, when a potential incident starts, the security system immediately adjusts to improve the resolution of its video recordings. With ease-of-use in mind, Hanwha designed the chipset in the 180° cameras to allow analytics to be quickly and accurately set up for the entire field of view. As Levinson explains, “The Hanwha chipset made protecting the perimeter of the facility easy. All we needed to do to set up line crossing analytics around the site was to simply draw a line directly across the stitched together 180° view.” Wisenet bullet and dome cameras With any other multi-sensor, panoramic camera, users have to draw their lines on images from each individual sensor and then line them up afterwards to make sure everything is accurate. In addition to the three Wisenet PNM-9030V panoramic cameras, the site also includes five Wisenet XNO-8020R bullet cameras, nine XND-6010 dome cameras, two QND-7030R dome cameras, and one QNO-7080R bullet camera. The team is excited about their new home and the functionality of their new video surveillance system. “With Hanwha, you get exceptional performance and great quality. The technology does what Hanwha says it will do and does it perfectly. For me and my dad, the car has never been about compromise, and the peace of mind that we get from a cutting-edge security system allows us to rest easy at night - knowing that our investment and Big Red's legacy is protected.” concludes Gottlieb.

The minutes are counting down to one of the biggest security industry trade shows of the 2017 calendar. Expectations are high going into ISC West 2017 in Las Vegas: Last year’s show was very well attended and highlighted lots of new technologies. Looking ahead to this year’s show, we wanted to get the Expert Panel Roundtable’s take on what news will dominate the show. So we asked our panel: What do you expect to be the big news at ISC West 2017?

In a fast-moving market like physical security, sharing information is an essential component of growth. However, there often seems to be more information available than an integrator or end user could ever digest and put to use. How does one go about finding the information he or she needs in an environment that can seem to be drowning in information (sometimes the wrong information). We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable to share their strategies and suggestions. Specifically, we asked: What can integrators and/or end users do to stay informed about the fast-changing technology landscape?

The security market in the United States has been in a collective state of exhilaration since ISC West. The (possibly) unprecedented success of the big trade show has left us all feeling optimistic about the year ahead. Members of our Expert Panel Roundtable are joining the chorus of compliments for the show as they answer this week’s question: How successful was ISC West 2016? Did it meet your expectations?