Retail surveillance

Edesix, providers of Body Worn Cameras (BWC), will be showcasing its integration to leading Video Management Service (VMS) platforms at IFSEC 2018. VideoManager software ONStream integrates Edesix's VideoManager software with existing VMS, traditionally used to showcase fixed IP camera footage. This software enables ONVIF compliant VMSs to display Body Worn Camera footage, allowing live feeds from wearable cameras to appear alongside CCTV footage, meaning captured video can be instantly shared and viewed by security staff. "Body Worn Cameras have been proven to help improve the safety of those in public facing roles, whilst producing compelling legal evidence when needed," explains Richie McBride, managing director of Edesix. Body Worn Cameras Fixed security cameras connected to a VMS are a powerful tool for monitoring and securing many different environments, from retail floors to distribution centres" "One of the most important recent innovations in the BWC market has been the ability to integrate the cameras with existing VMSs, enabling organisations to unify a site's security and monitoring system, and create mobile and first-person viewpoints whilst adding contextual detail to footage.” "Fixed security cameras connected to a VMS are a powerful tool for monitoring and securing many different environments, from retail floors to distribution centres. This gives security teams the ability to view unparalleled detail of incidents as they unfold. The software furthers the potential of your VMS, protects valued staff, and captures concrete and secure footage for future review. It enables immediate response by security teams and offers reliable footage for later review by supervisors. It also means live streams can be recorded as evidence, which can then be securely shared with third parties, including the police. The service is fully encrypted with audit trails to protect the evidential quality of footage stored." VideoTag VT-100 Edesix will also be showcasing its new and improved VideoTag VT-100 camera, where the incident recorder meets the Body Worn Camera. The VT-100 is a recording device specifically designed to meet the needs of retailers, lone workers and other public facing businesses. It is similar to the VT-50 incident recorder, which was launched at IFSEC 2017, but with the benefits of greater durability and a longer battery life. The VT-100 has been proven to deter aggression, protect staff and provide secure evidential-quality footage on demand The VT-100 has been proven to deter aggression, protect staff and provide secure evidential-quality footage on demand. It is robust and weatherproof, while remaining lightweight, unobtrusive, cost-effective and easy to use. The VT-100 can record up to four hours of continuous footage, requires no extra training, streams live footage if required, and has a standby battery-life of up to six months, meaning users don't need to worry about charging the device often. McBride comments: "We are delighted to announce the launch of the VideoTag VT-100. The beauty of this product is that it bridges the gap between the smaller incident recorder and the more powerful Body Worn Camera. The VT-100 will allow staff in public-facing roles, who are not always part of the security team, to create a safer working environment for themselves and their colleagues. It offers a cost-effective, secure and practical approach to wearable security for incident recording and workflow management."

Oncam, the experts of 360-degree video capture and business intelligence technology, announced it will showcase its latest technology innovations, including the Evolution 180 camera range and its 360-degree camera line, during IFSEC International, June 19-21, at ExCeL London. Oncam will join valued partner Milestone Systems at Stand C340 to demonstrate its experience and heritage within the security video and intelligence solutions market throughout the show. The new Evolution 180 Outdoor camera offers a 12MP sensor and a 6MP dewarped Panoramic+ image. It is equipped with Oncam’s unique Angle Compensation Technology and Offset Angle Compensation, which provides adaptive dewarping of a 180-degree image. It is also a true day/night camera, allowing users to obtain high-quality video in all lighting conditions. Oncam will display its 360-degree camera range in both the 5MP and 12MP versions in various form factors, highlighting the technology's ability to cover wide areas with no blind spots ONVIF Profile S compliant Environments that benefit from this unique view include education, hospitality, retail, public spaces and transportation, which demand comprehensive monitoring of large, open spaces without blind spots. The solution is also ONVIF Profile S compliant. Oncam will also display its 360-degree camera range in both the 5MP and 12MP versions in various form factors, highlighting the technology's ability to cover wide areas with no blind spots; allow users to pan, tilt and zoom within a scene in both live and recorded video; and fully integrate with video management systems on the market today. Intelligent surveillance through cameras “IFSEC is a great forum to introduce our newest developments to the market, along with our trusted 360-degree video capture technology,” said Simon Reed, Vice President of Sales EMEA and Asia, Oncam. “By partnering with Milestone Systems, we're able to demonstrate how our cameras can be viewed within leading video management systems and used for more intelligent surveillance to expand an organisation's situational awareness. We're also eager to highlight how Oncam continues to build on a culture of tried and true products that meet the ever-changing security and business needs of customers in a variety of markets across the globe.”

IDIS America, the division of South Korea’s in-country surveillance manufacturer serving the American continents, will spend the month of June highlighting  the many applications of the company’s Total Surveillance Solution for retail end-users of all sizes, as part of a post-20th Anniversary program highlighting specific technologies and applications of the company’s end-to-end surveillance offerings. The relevance and benefits of the full line of latest-generation IDIS technologies to the retail space, specifically the flexibility, scalability, and low total cost of ownership of IDIS technology—highly interoperable with existing legacy installations, featuring backward and forward compatibility guarantees and industry leading warranties on many of the company’s offerings—will be featured in demonstrations, social media posts, available partner and customer education, and an appearance at the NRF PROTECT Loss Prevention Conference and Expo (booth 1621), in Dallas, Texas. Among the specific offerings the company will spotlight during its focus on retail solutions are: 12MP Super Fisheye camera The IDIS 12MP Super Fisheye camera, one of the most powerful and distortion free fisheye cameras on the market today, with award winning ease of use via the effortless Smart UX 2.0 controls. The Super Fisheye supports smooth dual side dewarping both on-board the camera and at the client-side with 6 dewarping modes, easy installation with DirectIP NVRs, and a low total cost of ownership. Smart failover, true wide dynamic range (WDR), and IR illumination up to 15 meters round out the impressive capabilities of the IDIS 12MP Super Fisheye. Easy to use surveillance of large spaces without the increased costs Along with the company’s 5MP Super Fisheye offering, IDIS provides (including vandal resistant options) multiple pathways for exceptionally clear, hassle free, and easy to use surveillance of large spaces without the increased costs, risks, blind-spots or difficulty of multi-camera installations. DirectIP DR-1204P 4 Channel Full HD Recorder The IDIS DirectIP DR-1204P 4 Channel Full HD Recorder provides a complete and full-featured recording platform in a compact form factor for small retail spaces. Signature DirectIP ease of setup and installation along with a built-in 4 channel PoE switch and support for 5MP cameras, H.265 with Intelligent Codec, and up to 6TB of storage provide impressive performance at a low total cost of ownership. Free video management software, apps, and zero licensing costs further enhance the value of the DR-1204P for retail applications. DirectIP 8300 Series H.265 4K NVR For larger installations, the IDIS DirectIP 8300 Series H.265 4K NVR is an IDIS recorder that provides enterprise-level performance and security at an NVR cost.  With a total incoming throughput of 900 Mbps the 8300 series supports 64 channels of 4K UHD video at 240ips or Full HD video at 1920ips with up to 144TB of unparalleled storage capacity. All data is protected with available redundancy, including RAID 1, 5, and 10 support, and redundant power supply and NVR failover options. VA in the box IDIS VA in the Box helps increase business intelligence giving you a competitive advantage with simple, intuitive People Counting, Heatmap, and Queue Management analytic reports and graphs. IDIS helps retail operations, particularly small and medium-sized retailers, make stronger business decisions based on your customer’s behaviors, needs, and demands in an affordable and easy-to-use way. VA in the Box supports four directly connected IP cameras as well as IDIS DirectIP NVRs. HDMI/VGA Video Encoder The IDIS HDMI/VGA Video Encoder provides powerful scalability and easy integration of data sources—such as individual register outputs and surveillance footage—for increased control and awareness. The HE-1101 is an ideal solution for an integrated monitoring environment, providing secure USB mouse and keyboard control of remote systems, while using the simplicity of DirectIP to send encoded video to a DirectIP NVR for recording. Support for H.265 (w and w/o Intelligent Codec), H.264, and M-JPEG codecs as well as DirectIP, IDIS, and ONVIF protocols simplifies integration with existing installations. Enhancing successful retail operations IDIS delivers a comprehensive, end-to-end solution that is modular, customizable, and scalable" Keith Drummond, Senior Director of IDIS America, observed, “The ability to need any surveillance need of any size is a core tenet of the IDIS Total solution. Far from being one size fits all, IDIS delivers a comprehensive, end-to-end solution that is modular, customizable, and scalable, able to build on both existing installations and meet new requirements, no matter how complicated.” “This makes the IDIS Total solution ideal to meet retailers’ current and future needs, from single, small store surveillance requirements to multi-state enterprise wide surveillance managements, IDIS provides affordable options for image capture, recording, analytics, and display with a near-limitless application of innovations for retail customers.” “This takes the power of retail surveillance from standard tracking and loss prevention and adds value via increased business intelligence, improved situational awareness, and more—not just protecting, but enhancing successful retail operations.”

Eagle Eye Networks, Inc. announced the enhancement of the Eagle Eye Cloud Security Camera VMS to include the integration of Hikvision body worn cameras. The new Eagle Eye solution provides ease, reliability, and cybersecurity to body worn camera users seeking to synchronise and store video for extended periods in the cloud.  The Eagle Eye Cloud Security Camera VMS will retrieve video and GPS data through a docking station connected to any Eagle Eye Bridge or Cloud Managed Video Recorder (CMVR) and securely transmit the video to the Eagle Eye Cloud Data Center. The body worn camera and its video appears in the Eagle Eye Customer Dashboard along with any fixed cameras attached to the system and can be reviewed, managed and analysed. Integration with mobile cameras Eagle Eye Networks’ customers have requested the integration of mobile cameras in to the Eagle Eye interface to enable the combination of fixed position cameras with mobile cameras to better serve specific applications.Eagle Eye's customers are using mobile video for optimisation in robotics, manufacturing, emergency room management and home care services  Law enforcement, guarding services, health care, retail management, training, warehouse management, and other service-oriented verticals create considerable value and reduce risk through the reliable and secure management of surveillance video in the cloud. Several of Eagle Eye Networks’ high-tech customers are using mobile video for business optimisation in robotics, manufacturing, emergency room management and home care medical services. The challenge surrounding body worn and other types of mobile cameras has always been the lack of scalable, cost-effective, redundant storage. The Eagle Eye Cloud Security Camera VMS offers subscription-based storage for any period.  Body worn cameras Lieutenant Kevin Francis, Head of the Bay County Sheriff’s Office Drug Enforcement Division stated, “We are excited to see Eagle Eye Networks adding body worn cameras to its system. The management of body worn video is cumbersome and unreliable from a storage perspective. The cloud makes it so much easier to store and retrieve evidentiary video.” The use cases for body worn cameras are endless. Body worn cameras began gaining momentum in law enforcement and private security, but there are other business optimisation benefits that these cameras provide.Body worn camera users in retail are witnessing a decrease in customer standoffs and reduced claims against stores Businesses using body worn cameras have been able to improve profitability, communication, and customer service by using the footage to provide scenario-based training to employees. In the retail industry, for example, body worn camera users are witnessing a decrease in customer standoffs and reduced claims against stores based upon readily available visual evidence.  Cloud-powered video surveillance According to Dean Drako, CEO of Eagle Eye Networks, “Eagle Eye Networks is the industry’s go-to supplier of cloud video surveillance." "One of the many advantages of a cloud-based video management system is the ability to coalesce a wide variety of video collecting devices within a single user experience. Eagle Eye Networks will remain the leader in offering innovative solutions to combine connected, remote and mobile based camera technologies.”

Oncam, global provider of 360-degree video capture and business intelligence technology, has announced the availability of the Evolution 180 outdoor model to its 180-degree camera portfolio, adding to the indoor version introduced earlier this year. The technology builds upon the experience and heritage of the company's 360-degree video and intelligence solutions to meet the needs of customers in a variety of markets that require an outdoor-ready wall-mounted camera with Panoramic+ views from a single fisheye sensor.  The Evolution 180 outdoor camera boasts an IP68 rating making it fit for submersion, as well as an IP69K rating against water and dust ingress to help protect it from the harshest of environments. The enclosure is also IK10+ rated, ensuring extensive protection against vandalism. The camera’s design combines strength and appeal to form a reliable, pleasing aesthetic that doesn’t compromise on image quality. The robust and attractive outdoor model has been tailor-made for true panoramic views" Ease of installation The Evolution 180 Outdoor offers a 12MP sensor and a 6MP de-warped Panoramic+ image. It is equipped with Oncam’s unique Angle Compensation Technology and Offset Angle Compensation, which provide adaptive de-warping of a 180-degree image in the camera. It is also a true day/night camera, which allows users to get high-quality video in all lighting conditions. Environments that benefit from this unique view include education, hospitality, retail, public spaces and transportation, which demand comprehensive monitoring of large, open spaces without blind spots. The solution is also ONVIF Profile S compliant for added integration flexibility with leading video management systems on the market today. “The Evolution 180 Outdoor makes a great addition to our 180-degree panoramic product range,” said Jon Marsh, Vice President of Product, Oncam. “The robust and attractive outdoor model has been tailor-made for true panoramic views, with both the camera and lens optimised to give customers more pixels on target than any other panoramic camera." "The camera has been designed with ease of installation paramount, aimed at simplifying its set up. We’re proud of the technology used inside this product: the housing it comes in supports and enhances our pride.”

Checkpoint Systems, a global supplier of Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS), RFID solutions and Alpha High-Theft Solutions for the retail industry, introduced the Alpha OptiLok, its next generation of specialised tags for eyewear protection. The new hard tag offers an improved and refined design to enhance the ease and speed of application/removal without any security compromises. It is based on a well-proven adjustable grip mechanism used in previous eyewear tags, but with an ingenious locking mechanism allowing easier application and removal. The locking mechanism is compatible with Checkpoint’s traditional S3 Key and is available in two sizes (large and extra deep) as well as two technologies (AM or RF).  Easy application and removal According to Irene Fernandez, EMEA Product Manager Alpha High Theft Solutions, “We’ve learned a lot from our work with eyeglass retailers over the years, which has led us to this major improvement in protecting prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses. Our new OptiLok tag provides durable construction with protective rubber pads that securely hold and protect more than 95 percent of eyewear frames, while achieving fast and easy applications and removals.” Key Features: Available in AM or RF technology Durable construction Quick application and removal Easy to recycle and reuse Unobtrusive Availability: OptiLok is available immediately for normal (large) and extra deep frames (April 2018).

As Philadelphia beat New England at U.S. Bank Stadium, fans were able to enjoy the spectacle safely, in part thanks to Lenel. As the host of major national and international events, U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota counts on Lenel to provide advanced security systems that help protect fans attending some of the world’s leading sporting events and concerts. Lenel is part of UTC Climate Controls & Security, a unit of United Technologies Corp. Working in such a high-profile venue, Lenel teams are constantly adjusting systems to maintain a high-level of security. Lenel’s OnGuard security management system has been a vital hub in the $1.12 billion stadium’s comprehensive, layered security plan since the first event in July 2016. In addition to major events, which can hold 66,000 people, the stadium routinely hosts a range of other activities for area residents such as college baseball, distance running and inline skating. The Lenel team helped us create a comprehensive system that works exactly as we drew it up" Integrated security Bill Langenstein, director of event services for U.S. Bank Stadium venue manager SMG, said OnGuard’s integration of systems helps defuse potentially dangerous situations. “I don’t know of another platform capable of integrating the number and size of disparate systems we have in this stadium,” Langenstein said. “The Lenel team helped us create a comprehensive system that works exactly as we drew it up. The result is we are more efficient and proactive.” The OnGuard system acts as the single platform integrating access control with: More than 400 surveillance cameras monitoring seating areas, concourses and exterior perimeters Visitor management systems checking identifies at delivery gates Video intercoms protecting doors on high-value rooms More than 250 intrusion system alarm points protecting retail shops and ticket windows A real-time incident management system safeguarding attendees and staff Incidents such as an altercation in the stands or a door improperly left open generates a real-time alert for the security team"Pre-defined alerts Alex Housten, Vice President and General Manager of Fire & Security Products – Americas, said the incident management integration was critical as it provides stadium security with pre-defined alerts from all systems. Alerts are received in the command centres or on smartphones or tablets carried by patrolling guards. “Incidents such as an altercation in the stands or a door improperly left open generates a real-time alert for the security team,” Housten said. “The OnGuard system helps guards take immediate action. And with the entry of a few keywords, other types of events can be added to the alert list.” Secure viewing experience Housten credited the Lenel Custom Solutions Group with seamlessly integrating the incident management system with the OnGuard platform. The group designs, develops and delivers software solutions to create custom solutions often by automating third-party integrations. Langenstein said it’s vital that his team be able to perform their duties at the highest standard as many stadium events draw tens of thousands of fans and millions more television viewers. “We strive to execute our jobs flawlessly,” he said. “It helps to be on the cutting edge of technology. With the Lenel integration, we know we’ll be ready to provide a memorable and secure experience no matter what type of event guests attend at U.S. Bank Stadium.”

Dahua Technology, manufacturer and supplier of video surveillance products provides its patented HDCVI solution to secure Lulu Hypermarket in Muscat, Oman. Lulu Hypermarket is a hypermarket chain and retail venture started by Lulu Group International in 2000. It has over 30,000 employees of various nationalities. Lulu Hypermarket is one of the largest retail chains in Asia and is the biggest in the Middle East, with 115 outlets in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and one in Kochi, India. It is amongst the world’s 50 fastest growing retailers, according to research firm Deloitte. Dahua’s security solution Dahua provided HDCVI technology to secure the branch of Lulu Hypermarket in Muscat with cooperation from its system integrator China Communications Services. This is the first time that Dahua and China Communications Services have cooperated for an entire CCTV project. The two teams’ deep experience in CCTV resulted in a smooth and successful implementation for Lulu. Lulu mainly used Dahua HDCVI Professional series products, including HDCVI cameras, HDCVI DVRs, VMS, IP storage, video wall, etc. Around 250 HDCVI cameras, including bullet, dome and PTZ, were provided by Dahua. A video wall display unit was used in the control centre and IP SAN storage devices are used to meet 90 days recording requirements.Dahua appreciated the teamwork with China Communications Services, which made the project successful and was happily accepted by Lulu Hypermarket" Dahua HDCVI Professional series adopts the patented DH5000 chipset and high-performance CMOS sensor. The camera retains the ease-of-use of an analogue system while offering up to 1080P HD video output. Pro series is suitable for the users who want to secure small-and-medium-scale applications like airports, hospitals, schools, upscale hotels or banks. Collaborations for success "HDCVI is Dahua-patented technology featuring HD analogue video transmission over coaxial cable, allowing reliable long-distance HD transmission at lower cost. As for the Lulu Hypermarket, we provided our HDCVI professional series products to protect the whole market,” said Rio Mao, Sales Director of APAC at Dahua Technology. “Dahua appreciated the teamwork with China Communications Services, which made the project successful and was happily accepted by Lulu Hypermarket. We are obviously looking for further cooperation with China Communications Services for more projects.” "We really appreciate this great support from Dahua, and we have more confidence to work with Dahua together in the whole Middle East market,” said Zhu Linghua, Manager of Overseas Department at China Communications Services. “I believe we can achieve more mutually-beneficial project starts from this successful case and continue cooperation with each other in the near future.”

With over 60 years of fashion retailing experience, River Island is a well-known brand on the UK High Street. Renowned for its stylish, affordable fashion, its customers can always rely on River Island for great going-out looks and occasion wear. It prides itself on being the perfect store to pick up everything for a brand new head-to-toe look. Almost all of its products are designed in-house and, with one of the largest design teams on the High Street, it is proud to bring original new fashion in-store and online for its customers every single week. River Island has more than 350 stores, plus a network of offices and warehouses across the UK, Ireland and internationally throughout Asia, the Middle East and Europe. As with many retail brands with multiple, widely dispersed stores, surveillance capability across the River Island network had evolved organically over many years on a site-by-site basis as the business expanded.IDIS FEN enables easy remote access without the need for advanced IT knowledge Resilient network security The wholly IP-enabled IDIS DirectIP solution being rolled out by River Island includes a mix of HD cameras (between 7 and 30 per store), network video recorders and licence-free IDIS Centre video management software with five stores and a logistics centre now complete. Designed with robust, resilient network security in mind, the solution eliminates any complexity, making it extremely easy for in-store staff to operate. DirectIP utilises true plug-and-play functionality with implicit pairing of devices, reducing the amount of information that River Island needs to manage. The solution incorporates IDIS FEN (For Every Network) technology, which means that multi-site changes can be easily and simply managed from a single point. Used with all IDIS NVRs, FEN is an automated network configuration service that simplifies installation of networked surveillance systems. It also enables easy remote access without the need for advanced IT knowledge and requires no static IP addressing. As a result, a highly robust, resilient surveillance capability can operate 24/7, with updates automatically made with minimal additional resource required.River Island scoped its specification for a futureproof system that would be easy to install, cost-effective to run, easy to operate and simple to maintain From analogue to IP-enabled systems To dramatically update and improve its CCTV surveillance, River Island decided to transition from legacy analogue systems to an IP-enabled approach. Historically, each store’s CCTV had run as a stand-alone system. This made it increasingly difficult for the business to operate, maintain and upgrade the surveillance systems efficiently, and in the event of an incident a security operative would physically need to visit each store to retrieve footage. Furthermore, it limited scope to introduce next-generation features that could drive value. With the decision to manage a phased introduction, River Island scoped its specification for a futureproof system that would be easy to install, cost-effective to run, easy to operate and simple to maintain with responsive customer service. To deliver easily retrievable high-definition images fast, the solution had to include IP cameras, network video recorders and video management software. The solution would need to provide reliable 24/7 cover for strategic locations, including entrance doors, stairwells and transaction areas throughout each store. Advanced analytics and facial recognition Combining the most cutting-edge surveillance technologies with advanced analytics and unparalleled ease of use, the solution is meeting all expectations. Simple and fast to install, it delivers robust performance with high-image quality, super-intuitive ease-of-use that requires no specialist expertise, superb operational efficiency and responsive local support. Highly cost-effective, it also gives River Island the futureproof capability to integrate new features such as facial recognition and advanced analytics. "We’ve been really impressed with the IDIS solution that we have now standardised on IDIS for all future store upgrades and fit outs. Representing a low total cost of ownership, it’s easy to use and is enabling us to manage surveillance more efficiently. Furthermore, it’s given us the futureproof capability to introduce new features and upgrades as our security requirements evolve," said Michelle Douglas, National Safety & Loss Manager at River Island.

Renowned worldwide for its classic couture, fragrances and cosmetics, this company is a global brand in fashion and cosmetics for over decades. It has been selling its luxury goods worldwide through more than 120 boutiques, and specialty outlets, as well as online. The UK retail sector is a major market for the company. Positioned at the top end of the luxury segment, perfume and cosmetics sales account for a significant share of sales in the UK. Rukey Solutions Ltd., a London-based security systems integrator has been attending the fashion brand’s Croydon Logistics site, responding to call outs and ultimately securing assets by repairing the legacy CCTV system for several years. The Rukey team had an astute ability for understanding the fashions house’s logistical needs and regularly offered technical suggestions on how the existing security system could be improved. In January 2017, when the ageing CCTV infrastructure began to experience major hardware failures, which threatened to compromise the security and safety of the supply chain premises, Rukey Solutions was approached to discuss viable upgrade options.The solution also includes fish-eye cameras with Smart UX Controls software Smart UX surveillance As part of the transition from a legacy CCTV to a smart surveillance system, Rukey designed a hybrid solution customised around a core base platform with new IDIS equipment and cameras. This solution neatly combines analogue and IP technologies, managed seamlessly through the IDIS Center video management software. A mix of approximately 100 new IDIS cameras were integrated, including Direct IP and HD TVI Direct CX models. The solution also includes fish-eye cameras with Smart UX Controls software developed by IDIS to provide unparalleled accuracy and ease of use. Featuring intuitive ‘Slingshot’ and ‘Rubberband’ style controls, these features allow the security team to easily follow moving objects in real-time with groundbreaking accuracy. Simple click-and-drag actions enable operators to quickly focus targets and track objects. With silky-smooth PTZ control and rapid response speeds with no latency, this highly effective tool is invaluable for monitoring the movement of individual items, ensuring a hassle-free experience for operators and the ability to respond rapidly to an incident or threat or unauthorised movement of stock.Rukey provided a clear and concise vision of what could be achieved to restore the ageing system to a workable state Safeguarding high-value stock Safeguarding the supply chain stock of high-value stock is paramount and Rukey Solutions and the logistics security team discussed at length what component parts of the legacy security system were failing and compromising stock safety. Rukey provided a clear and concise vision of what could be achieved to restore the ageing system to a workable state and ultimately safeguard stock. Following this Rukey Solutions was given the go ahead by to install specific components to restore functionality to the existing CCTV system. However, the security manager at Croydon had believed for some time that the legacy system lacked user functionality, with limited features on offer to review footage of incidents, which made investigations laborious and time consuming. Rukey discussed at length the features the logistics centre required to ensure timely review of incidents such as smart searches, zoom facilities, video pop-ups, object searches and greater storage capacity as well as greater image resolution and suggested a migration from analogue to full HD.The IDIS solution is robust, efficient, and reliable and has revolutionised investigations Efficient investigations Understanding these requirements, Rukey suggested a visit to the IDIS European HQ in London to view the various types of IP cameras and network video recorders (NVRs) available. IDIS provided a customer focused hands-on experience, using the suite of solutions and demonstrated the many features IDIS had to offer, as well as giving the logistics security team the opportunity to speak with the IDIS technical team to answer any queries. The logistics centre team at Croydon has now been using the IDIS solution for over four months and they are delighted with their strategy to choose Rukey Solutions as their security partner and IDIS as their manufacturer of choice. The IDIS solution is robust, efficient, and reliable and has revolutionised the way the security team carries out investigations. Round-the-clock support The 24/7 support provided by Rukey, complimented by the IDIS technical team, has been second to none. The fashion house has now decided to strategise this surveillance solution, as standard, based on the Rukey and IDIS partnership, and will soon be rolling out similar solutions in their London-based boutiques. "With the introduction of innovative IDIS cameras and software, Rukey Solutions has been extremely effective in overcoming our challenges. It has exceeded expectations and restored our trust in surveillance to safeguard the fashion house’s valuable goods. Furthermore, it gives us the futureproof capability we need to continuously strengthen our security requirements as they evolve,” said Graham Gibbs, Security Manager Retail & Operations at Croydon Logistics Ltd.

Qatari retail chain Al Sulaiman Jewellers is using the latest IDIS technology to upgrade its network surveillance system and comply with rigorous government security standards. Under regulations implemented by the Security Systems Department of the Ministry of the Interior (SSD-MOI), businesses including gold retailers are required to install advanced measures including IP-CCTV systems. All IDIS equipment now complies with standards required by governments across the Gulf region, thanks to ongoing market focus and investment. Al Sulaiman Jewellers, which has 18 branches employing more than 150 specialists, is one of the country’s leading names in high-end gold jewellery, gem stones, watches, pearls and designs. Al Sulaiman’s integrator, A4S, identified IDIS as the best partner to work with after assessing the market, and the two companies have established a close working partnership as this and many other projects have developed. The Sulaiman Jewellers roll-out is due for completion in March 2018. Choosing equipment at regulation standard All the chosen equipment, including the IDIS cameras, NVRs, hard-disks, monitors and video management system (VMS) were quickly approved through the SSD-MOI online process. The system design ensures that cameras will cover all the critical areas, as required, with facial recognition covering all entrances. More than 40 cameras provide complete coverage of the showroom, with a combination of 2MP and 3MP IR domes and a 5MP fisheye camera, the latter being specified by Al Sulaiman as an addition to the mandated system. "We have combined our design and installation expertise to ensure that the Al Sulaiman Jewellers showroom and offices are fully protected," says Harry Kwon For other areas, including offices, the rooftop, the basement, vehicle access points and the perimeter, a further 60 IR cameras, including domes and bullet cameras, are deployed. Network connectivity is ensured with an IDIS 28-Port and 24-Port PoE gigabit switch and storage is handled by the IDIS NVR together with expansion storage equipment. The system is configured with RAID 5 to record 24/7 for 120 days, as required by SSD-MOI. Allowing efficient live viewing and playback the system also includes the latest IDIS 32” screens and 23” workstation monitors, together with the highly scalable and modular IDIS solution Suite VMS. Combination of design and expertise Harry Kwon, General Manager of IDIS Middle East and North Africa, says the close partnership between IDIS and A4S has proved highly successful. “We have combined our design and installation expertise to ensure that the Al Sulaiman Jewellers showroom and offices are fully protected", he said. "This project provides an excellent example of what can be achieved when suppliers and integrators work together.” Based on this success, A4S is now looking to deliver high quality solutions for other customers across Qatar and beyond, confirms Mr Hemant M. Jhaveri, Managing Director, Al Sulaiman Jewellers. “The expertise of A4S and the scalability, forward-compatibility and the assurance of continuing leading-edge system capability are all important additional benefits of working with IDIS. Having the best surveillance solution is critical for us, so it’s great that our chosen partner, IDIS, not only meets our high standards now, but will work with us into the future as our business needs evolve and new technologies come online.”

In this ever-expanding era of artificial intelligence (AI), Deep Learning will soon become the foundational technology for the security industry. Technologies that “learn” will become more common and more powerful. This trend will strengthen critical security efforts in every sphere. Hikvision’s three camera models equipped with deep learning algorithms will be introduced in the smart retail industry. In the retail business, with the growing popularity of shopping online, the retail sector has felt the disruptive impact of Internet e-commerce more than most industries. Some have reacted to online competition by closing physical stores, but others are attempting to overcome challenges through technological transformation. Traditional retail lacks intelligent tools for accurate data collection and visualisation, making it unable to provide a basis for business decision-making at the shop. Hikvision smart retail solution Hikvision has developed a Smart Retail Solution that provides comprehensive CCTV security to protect staff and customers and assist loss prevention. Not only that, this smart retail solution features data collection and analytics for enhancing business value. Benefiting from deep learning technology, three intelligent functions for retail support include people-counting to track customer traffic and volume, heat mapping to know the popularity of goods in the shopping area, and queue detection to monitor the queuing situation in real-time.\ Hikvision’s Dual-Lens People-Counting Camera provides accurate customer counting and generates customer flow trends Dual-Lens People-Counting Camera There is an old saying in the trade industry: “small profits but quick turnover”. And footfall is a “KPI” – key profit indicator – that can help make that turnover. Compared to e-commerce, traditional offline retail stores lack the capabilities to accurately calculate customer flow. Hikvision’s Dual-Lens People-Counting Camera provides accurate customer counting and generates customer flow trends to evaluate performance and strategic initiatives. However, in a real-world scenario, shadows or other objects may easily cause miscounts. The Dual-Lens People-Counting Camera, equipped with two cameras and powered by a deep learning algorithm, easily overcomes such interferences to deliver highly accurate people-counting data. A key advantage of deep learning algorithms over surveillance cameras’ vision algorithms is that deep learning can be continuously trained and improved with better and more datasets. This means the longer it works for you, the smarter it gets. Human detection feature Featuring binocular stereo vision, 3D people detection, and height filtering technologies, the Dual-Lens People-Counting Camera is able to accurately distinguish human beings from non-human objects in the background. Hence, these cameras distinguish human beings from other objects and movements in the background. By analysing customer flow data, store management can optimise the allocation of the workforce to reach higher profits and ensure better customer service. Store managers can schedule staff strategically for peak and off-peak hours. Furthermore, they can also develop strategic marketing activities to attract customers by analysing the data of incoming rates (entering vs. passing by). Heat Mapping Hikvision’s Heat Mapping function allows retailers to determine the amount of time shoppers spend in specific areas of a store When customers enter the store, retailers are concerned about what merchandise customers are interested in. Before that, what's more important is how to get what route they walk and where they stop. With Hikvision’s Heat Mapping function, retailers can determine the amount of time shoppers spend in specific areas of a store, identify hot spots and dead zones, and measure the number of people who actually shop for specific products, rather than just casually walk by. Heat Mapping is used to monitor and measure the size of target traffic in a region. It is a graphical representation of data represented by colors, and it is usually used to analyse the visit times and dwell times of customers in a specified area. The Heat Map function is often used in shopping malls, supermarkets, museums, etc., and can find customers' preferences over time through heat maps, offering insight how to best place items and design the store layout. Fisheye cameras As a representative product, Hikvision’s Fisheye cameras, equipped with heat mapping function, not only capture a panoramic high-definition image but also learn about heat conditions in different regions within a store. In spacious areas, fewer cameras means reduced installation and labour fees. Hikvision’s fisheye cameras are ideal for these areas, maximising monitoring views and image quality insurance. Queue detection Hikvision Smart Retail Solution is designed to help retailers bring offline stores into a digital world In the retail industry, waiting time is one of the most important factors affecting the customer experience. Hikvision’s Queue Detection function can help retailers manage checkout lines. When too many customers enter a queue, it can notify management to open a new checkout line. More specifically, Hikvision’ queue detection cameras can monitor the queuing situation in real-time. Firstly, cameras count the number of people in each queue, and then track the dwell time of each customer. Once it is found that the number of people in queue is too many, or the average dwell time of customers is too long, an alarm will be triggered to prompt a response. Store management will be reminded to open checkout windows to reduce waiting times, improving transaction efficiency and the entire shopping experience. Hikvision Smart Retail Solution is designed to help retailers bring offline stores into a digital world, allowing data to support management and operations. And it will promote retailers’ technological transformation in response to increased industry competition through the use of innovative retail technology.