Ruggedized products

It's no secret that one of the next market segments to see exceptional growth in the United States is somewhat non-traditional: cannabis. The global cannabis market is projected to reach $60 billion by 2024, according to Ameri Research, fueled by the increasing legalisation and decriminalisation across much of the United States. It is estimated that 22 million pounds of marijuana are grown each year in the United States, with 80 percent coming from California, Tennessee, Kentucky, Hawaii and Washington, according to Mother Jones. Unlike other products, this commodity is valuable from the moment the seeds go in the ground to the exchanging of money for end-user products - and at every point in between. Within large greenhouses, 360-degree cameras that show a wide field of view are essential for cannabis protection From seedlings to selling, securing every point within the supply chain is vital to the assets being distributed, and companies are now realising how lucrative this endeavour can be. Critical to the success of the industry is keeping the merchandise secure and the workers safe. In this article, we explore each part of the supply chain within the cannabis market and address ways of implementing robust security measures.  Plants, fields and greenhouses This is one industry where money actually grows on trees! When cannabis crops are planted either in greenhouses or in fields, security becomes critical, since the plants themselves are worth a significant amount of money. A single truckload can be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, so securing the load is crucial to the process Producers don't want plants stolen – especially high-end varieties that garner a bigger profit when harvested and sold – and the size of the plants make theft a greater possibility. Video surveillance becomes vital at this point and can be used in a variety of ways. Within large greenhouses, single cameras that can cover a wide expanse of space, such as cameras that offer 360-degree views, are essential and can provide more coverage with less investment overall than traditional narrow field-of-view cameras. Advanced technology, such as unmanned aerial vehicles (or drones), are also being used in open fields in an effort to protect these plants.  Comprehensive video surveillance becomes the main tool for thwarting cannabis theft and addressing incidents as they arise Transportation and protection Once the plants are mature enough to be harvested, they must be transported to a production facility where they are either dried or cured based on the needs of the grower, as well as processed and transformed into edible products to be sold at retail locations. There are already a range of companies that specialise in keeping these crop yields safe while they are transported: think Brinks armoured transportation used for cash, but for cannabis. A single truckload can be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars – if not more – so securing the load is crucial to the process. Losing one of these loads can lead to large-scale losses for a producer. Surveillance equipment that can withstand sanitation standards and power-washing is paramount for effective protection After being transported, cannabis must be processed. In these environments, where strict handling processes are in place, surveillance equipment that can withstand sanitation standards and power-washing is paramount. This requires camera enclosures that are rated for resistance to high-pressure water jets, dust and vandalism/tampering. Since edible processing requires stringent regulations be followed, it becomes more critical for security managers to identify solutions that carry the NSF Mark, making them compliant with standards set forth for commercial food equipment in North America, or the HCV EU, the equivalent in Europe.  Many of these locations handle and store large amounts of cash since customers have to pay with cash Retail protection As the final products come out of processing and go into storefronts to be sold by retailers in States that have recreational or medical facilities, there's another level of security that must be in place to protect these transactions. But careful considerations must be made. Traditional security tags cannot generally be used because of the small size of many of the end products, making it more difficult to track with tracking devices.Traditional security tags cannot generally be used because of the small size of many of the end products In this instance, comprehensive video surveillance becomes the main tool for thwarting theft and addressing incidents as they arise. In these locations, a loss prevention or security officer has to be an integral part of the team. Another consideration is the careful screening of the potential employees.  Since the federal government doesn't recognise cannabis producers and retailers, banks that are federally insured through the FDIC don't accept money from these establishments, meaning that many of these locations handle and store large amounts of cash since customers have to pay with cash. There must be security measures in place for these kinds of transactions, including the ability for video surveillance to be played back instantaneously in the event of an incident at a cash register. The cannabis market comes with a variety of challenges at each and every step of the operation, from growing to transport to production and sales. Video surveillance and business intelligence solutions are ideal for these applications, and as the market grows, more and more security companies will look to cater to the market. 

COPTRZ, the commercial drone specialist, announces the release of the first custom-built, true ready-to-fly hard case for the DJI Matrice 210, the RAPiDRONE. The case is designed to allow rapid response teams to have their M210 out of the case and flight ready – including all cameras attached in seconds. Only the propellers need to be fitted, ensuring no time is lost configuring cameras and other sensors when every second may count. The RAPiDRONE case has slots to hold an additional 12 DJI rechargeable TB55 batteries, allowing longer deployment times during the incident. Faster aerial response times The RAPiDRONE case fits neatly into the boot of an estate car or 4x4 and is fitted with rollers to further aid its smooth deployment. Steve Coulson, Managing Director of COPTRZ commented: “The RAPiDRONE case ensures that emergency responders don’t waste any unnecessary time in deploying their M210s when responding to an incident. In addition it ensures that everything that’s needed for any deployment is self contained within the case. We’ve already supplied this case to a number of authorities who are benefitting from faster aerial response times.” The case is made from rugged, impact resistant ABS and contains two layers of laser cut foam inserts to perfectly house the drone, its cameras and accessories.

The Internet of Things (IoT) is having a significant and ever-changing impact on the way we view video security. Today, cameras are expected to be so much more than devices with which to simply capture images; they need to be far smarter than that. These future-facing cameras are becoming an integral part of the vast digital connectivity infrastructure, delivering a parallel performance as intelligent sensors with the ability to extract the kind of invaluable data that helps businesses make improvements in the area of video security, and beyond. However, as the list of possibilities grows, so too does the risk of unauthorised access by cybercriminals. We should all be aware that a single weak link in a communications infrastructure can give hackers access to sensitive data. That’s the bad news. Safeguarding data and utilising deep learning The good news is cybercrime can be avoided by employing a data security system that’s completely effective from end-to-end. One technological advancement that the trend-spotters are predicting will become part of the video security vocabulary is ‘deep learning’ Once this level of safeguarding is in place you can begin to confidently explore the technologies and trends happening now, and those on the horizon. So, what will be having an influence on surveillance in 2018? Well, according to IHS Markit, one technological advancement that the trend-spotters are predicting will become part of the video security vocabulary is ‘deep learning’, which uses algorithms to produce multiple layers of information from the same piece of data, therefore emulating the way the human brain absorbs innumerable details every second. In Europe, GDPR compliance will also be a big talking point as new principles for video surveillance data collection, use limitation, security safeguards, individual participation and accountability are introduced. And, as the popularity – and misuse – of drones continues to rise, the recent developments in drone detection technology will be particularly welcomed by those whose primary concern relates to large areas, such as airport perimeter security. The future of 'smart' video analytics An important feature of today’s intelligent cameras is the ability to provide smart video analytics. The Bosch ‘i’ series, for example, offers a choice of formats – Essential Video Analytics and Intelligent Video Analytics. Essential Video Analytics is geared toward regular applications such as small and medium businesses looking to support business intelligence (e.g. inter-network data transfer), large retail stores and commercial buildings for advanced intrusion detection, enforcing health and safety regulations (no-parking zones or detecting blocked emergency exits) and analysing consumer behaviour. The camera-based, real-time processing can also be used to detect discarded objects, issue loitering alarms and detect people or objects entering a pre-defined field. Intelligent Video Analytics provides additional capabilities. It is designed for demanding environments and mission-critical applications, such as the perimeter protection of airports, critical infrastructures and government buildings, border patrol, ship-tracking and traffic-monitoring (e.g. wrong-way detection, traffic-counts and monitoring roadsides for parked cars: all vital video security solutions). An important feature of today’s intelligent cameras is the ability to provide smart video analytics Intelligent Video Analytics can also differentiate between genuine security events and known false triggers, such as challenging environments created by snow, wind (moving trees), rain, hail, and water reflections. For more expansive areas, like an airport perimeter fence, the system has the range and capability to provide analysis over large distances. And, if a moving camera is employed, it is also possible to capture data on objects in transit when used in conjunction with the Intelligent Tracking feature. For roadside use, Intelligent Video Analytics systems, such as the Bosch MIC IP range, are resistant to vibrations and can still operate in extreme weather conditions, continuing to detect objects in heavy rain or snow.  Evolving cameras past surveillance It’s becoming ever clearer that the IoT is transforming the security camera from a device that simply captures images, into an intelligent sensor that plays an integral role in gathering the kind of vital business data that can be used to improve commercial operations in areas beyond security. For example, cities are transitioning into smart cities. The capabilities of an intelligent camera extend to the interaction and sharing of information with other devices (only those you have appointed) With intelligent video security cameras at the core of an urban infrastructure smart data can be collected to optimise energy consumption via smart city lighting that responds to crowd detection and movement. Cameras can also be used to improve public transport by monitoring punctuality and traffic flow based on queue lengths, with the ability to control traffic lights an option should a situation require it. As the urban sprawl continues and this infrastructure grows, the need for more knowledge of its use becomes more essential, necessitating the monitoring technology developed for use by human operators to evolve into smart sensing technology, that no longer just provides video feeds, but also uses intelligent analytics and sophisticated support systems. These systems filter out irrelevant sensor data and present only meaningful events, complete with all relevant contextual data to operators to aid their decision-making. Expanding the video security camera network Today, video analytics technology has tangible benefits for human operator surveillance, and delivers KPIs that are highly relevant to transport operators, planners and city authorities. As an existing infrastructure, a video security camera network can be improved and expanded by installing additional applications rather than replaced. From a business perspective, that means greater value from a limited investment. Thereafter, the capabilities of an intelligent camera extend to the interaction and sharing of information with other devices (only those you have appointed), image and data interpretation, and the ability to perform a variety of tasks independently to optimise both your safety and business requirements. The fact is, cameras see more than sensors. Sounds obvious, but a conventional sensor will only trigger an alarm when movement is detected, whereas a camera can also provide the associated image and information like object direction, size, colour, speed or type, and use time stamps to provide historical information regarding a specific location or event. Based on this evidence, the video security camera of today is more than ready for the challenges of tomorrow.

Redvision, a manufacturer of high-performance, rugged, CCTV cameras and housings, has launched the VOLANT Duo, a combined thermal and IP, rugged PTZ camera. It is the fastest, quietest and most accurate, rugged thermal/IP PTZ camera available in the security industry. Stephen Lightfoot, Technical Director at Redvision, explains, “The VOLANT™ Duo offers both thermal and IP sensors in the same rugged, PTZ camera body. The thermal sensor is a 640x512 pixel, 17µm, Uncooled Vox Microbolometer with fixed lens options of 9, 13, 19, 25, 35 and 50mm, for wide angle through to long distance viewing. The CCTV camera has a 2MP, Sony STARVIS, CMOS sensor with exceptional, low-light performance and 30x optical zoom.” Low-light surveillance “The VOLANT Duo PTZ is designed for tough, hazardous and corrosive, outdoor surveillance applications. Like our acclaimed X-SERIES rugged PTZ cameras, the VOLANT has a die-cast, aluminium body and flat, optically-correct, toughened glass, camera window with a silicon wiper option to keep off dust and moisture.” “The VOLANT Duo has an integrated, Dual-Adaptive IR and white light LED illuminator option. The LEDs are mounted in a ring surrounding the camera window to provide optimal lighting for the STARVIS sensor, at up to 150m in complete darkness.” Infinity drive for silent operation “Lastly, the VOLANT Duo uses Infinity direct drive, brushless DC motors for its fast, accurate and silent operation. These give continuous rotation in both the pan and tilt axis, at up to 360°/second to a preset, but can also move extremely slowly to track a target or person in the distance.” “The Infinity motors deliver military-level, positional accuracy, and if knocked out of position, will recover to their correct position.”

Western Digital Purple microSDAs announces the adoption of 4K Ultra HD video, emerging artificial intelligence (AI) applications and analytics drive the rapid growth and evolution of data in surveillance, Western Digital Corp. unveiled the Western Digital Purple microSD card, purpose-built for the complex and dynamic data demands of modern surveillance cameras and edge systems. Surveillance system operators can count on the robust Western Digital Purple microSD card to support a continuous surveillance workload 24x7 surveillance video capture Whether it’s a business employing surveillance video to keep their assets secure or a retailer utilising surveillance to accurately analyse shopping behavior through video facial recognition, capturing and assessing every moment is critical. Optimised for 24x7 surveillance video capture, surveillance system operators can count on the robust Western Digital Purple microSD card to support a continuous surveillance workload. With its outstanding performance, the card captures and preserves video in a variety of high-definition and next-generation formats, including 4K Ultra HD video, as well as nimbly supports the movement of data to core data systems for analytics and fast business insights. The rugged and humidity-resistant design of this new card enables trusted video capture in a wide range of environmental conditions, including outdoors in snowy winters and indoors in hot and humid factory settings. Mainstream commercial surveillance “From Big Data, to Fast Data, to data-centric applications such as surveillance, the volume, speed, variety and value of data continues to exponentially grow and transform. Leveraging our proven capabilities in consumer and industrial memory card innovation, the Western Digital Purple microSD card is the ideal solution for mainstream commercial surveillance data at the edge,” said Christopher Bergey, vice president of embedded and integrated solutions at Western Digital. Western Digital now provides the industry’s most comprehensive offering for surveillance data, from the edge to the core" “Whether capturing 4K video, used in AI-enabled cameras, or part of a larger data system supporting ‘smart surveillance’ applications, this rugged and intelligent card delivers ‘surveillance-class’ endurance and tremendous performance to enable trusted video capture in some of the harshest conditions." "When combined with our popular Purple and Ultrastar hard disk drives (HDDs) to support data preservation and real-time analytics, Western Digital now provides the industry’s most comprehensive offering for surveillance data, from the edge to the core.” Data-centric surveillance demands Designed to support a wide range of video resolutions and surveillance video recording implementations, additional highlights of the new microSD card include: Robust Endurance for Continuous Recording: Supports up to 1,000 PE Cycles Card Health Status Functionality for Easy Card Maintenance: In compatible cameras, a unique health monitor offers reporting capabilities to provide users and system installers valuable information, including the card’s endurance and capacity status, enabling predictive maintenance and taking the “guess work” out of when to service the card. High Performance for Next-Generation Video: Offers speeds of up to 80 MBs sequential read and 50 MBs sequential write and supports Speed Class 10 and UHS Speed Class 11. Trusted Video Capture in Wide Range of Climates: Designed for use in temperatures ranging from -25°C to 85°C, it enables reliable video capture indoors and outdoors. High Capacity to Capture and Preserve Video if Connection to Network Connection is Lost: Offered in capacities up to 64GB2 Today’s surveillance systems have moved beyond simple low-resolution video capture, to massive networks capturing 4K video"Advanced analytics software “Today’s surveillance systems have moved beyond simple low-resolution video capture, to massive networks capturing 4K video and leveraging advanced new analytics software to unlock new business value from video recordings,” said Michael Palma, IDC Research Director for Semiconductor and Enabling Technologies. “This has resulted in a surge in the volume and velocity of surveillance data at the edge and is creating demand for storage solutions that support the performance requirements of 4K video, 24x7 operation, and movement of video for smart insights.” Portfolio of data storage devices The new Western Digital Purple microSD card complements a full portfolio of data storage devices purpose-built for today’s surveillance needs, including the Western Digital Purple Surveillance HDD for high-capacity support for NVRs and DVRs and the Ultrastar HDD series for use in back-end servers performing surveillance analytics. Together, they provide surveillance system integrators and installers a complete solution to capture, preserve, access and transform surveillance data. Additionally, Western Digital offers original equipment manufacturers industrial-grade SanDisk Industrial card storage solutions for use with cameras with in-camera analytics capabilities and a variety of connected surveillance applications. The new microSD card will be available worldwide through Western Digital’s authorised reseller network Product availability The new microSD card will be available worldwide through Western Digital’s authorised reseller network in April in 32GB and 64GB capacities for $18.99 and $31.99 MSRP (in the U.S.) respectively; cards available in single and convenient 25-packs for surveillance system installers and integrators. For more information on the Western Digital Purple microSD card and the complete Western Digital Purple surveillance portfolio, visit the Western Digital booth at ISC West International Security Conference & Exposition (Booth #2089).

DITEK, a global provider of surge protection solutions, is displaying their new DTK-RM24NETS, a modular, rack-mounted surge protector here at ISC West 2018 (booth #6103). Designed with state-of-the-art circuitry, DTK-RM24NETS provides superior protection for shielded Ethernet and PoE connections and is ideal for installations where multiple Ethernet cabling feeds require surge protection before entering network switches. The DTK-RM24NETS is the next evolution in surge protectors for Ethernet and PoE Cost-effective measure “The DTK-RM24NETS is the next evolution in surge protectors for Ethernet and PoE,” said Jason Klein, National Sales Manager, DITEK. “It provides both exceptional value and exceptional protection for networked devices and is easy to maintain and replace when the device has sacrificed.” “Surge protection is an important preventative step to help preserve the functionality of devices and systems,” said Mr. Klein. “Adding surge protection is an easy, cost-effective measure to ensure life safety and security devices can do their essential jobs without interruption.”  Rugged housing The DTK-RM24NETS is a 24-channel, 1U rack mount surge protector providing the industry’s strongest surge protection for shielded Ethernet and Power over Ethernet (PoE) connections. This surge protector is compatible with CAT5e, CAT6 and CAT6A cabling infrastructure, supports data speeds up to 10GbE, offers field-replaceable modules that can be swapped without removing from rack and provides surge protection grounding to remote devices when used with STP cabling. The DTK-RM24NETS is PoE Plus and HiPoE ready for high-wattage applications and complies with IEEE standards 802.3af and 802.3at for PoE surge protection and is enclosed in rugged galvanneal housing.

Can you imagine just one click to enjoy the real time marvellous view from 2,064 meters height of Mountain Refugio Collado Jermoso? Thanks to the technology of Dahua’s IP camera, the distribution of IPTECNO and the installation of WOLKAM, one can now appreciate the amazing landscape, get the latest weather information and warnings of bad weathers, sent from the peak, directly on social media. At the peak of Mountain Refugio Collado Jermoso, the biggest challenge comes from the harsh weather conditions, which requires tough equipment to adapt to all extreme climates like storm, low temperature, humidity, etc. Also, the streaming solution is a big problem; for the future observation and online video, a strong streaming engine is needed to get the real time image.Powerful optical zoom with true WDR The Dahua camera is able to operate in extreme temperature environments from -40°C to +70 °C with 95% humidityAccording to an analysis of this situation, Dahua’s ultra-series speed dome SD65F230F-HNI seemed like an excellent option, which can provide powerful optical zoom and accurate pan/tilt/zoom, making the camera catch every angle of view. Also, with the Starlight technology, the camera is the perfect solution for both ultra-low illuminate environment and daylight. The True WDR makes the camera never afraid to face the sunlight or glare directly. Although all these technologies allow the camera to provide high quality image, the difficulty is to survive in these extremely harsh weather conditions.The Dahua camera is able to operate in extreme temperature environments from -40°C to +70 °C (-40 °F to +158 °F) with 95% humidity and the camera complies with the IK10 Vandal Resistance impact rating. Subjected to rigorous dust and water immersion tests as well as certified to the IP67 Ingress Protection rating, the camera is suitable for this project and other demanding outdoor applications.Live video and audio capability The camera ran into the test at the beginning of 2018 and was used in Aemet Cantabria to get the information of avalanche risks on Picos de Europa. At that moment, the new equipment started with a huge ‘Snowfall’ that brought the first cold front of February and in a few days, accumulated more than 3 meters of snow in the area. And the camera still worked well. The cameras installed on Mountain Refugio Collado Jermoso are able to offer live video and audio on FB page or YouTube Channel For the enjoyment of all outdoor sports in the Picos de Europa National Park and the Valdeón Valley, on June 18, a series of Dahua IP cameras came into operation. The cameras installed on Mountain Refugio Collado Jermoso are able to offer live video and audio on FB page or YouTube Channel and will surely become, from now on, one of the most popular ‘live window’ of Picos de Europa, both for the enjoyment of its views and to be visually informed of the conditions and state climatology of the upper area of Valdeón Valley.Breathtaking pictures of sunsetsThe new angle of the camera that now faces west and over Valdeón Valley is able to observe all its magnitude; the spectacular limestone landscape that Picos de Europa offers, with the summit of Friero (2,440m) in the foreground and La Canal de la Sotín below.The most attractive pictures taken by Dahua webcam were the breathtaking sunsets that until now were reserved only for mountaineers and more experienced walkers. Meanwhile, Mountain Refugio Collado Jermoso has been reputed to offer the best sunsets in the National Park of the Picos de Europa.

Invictus, the latest ruggedised PTZ camera from UK’s CCTV manufacturer 360 Vision Technology, has been installed against a tight deadline to cover a major public event in a north London Borough. Specified for installation by DSSL Group, the new high-performance 360 Vision Technology Invictus cameras were installed in record time, to complete the upgrade of the London Borough’s Public Safety camera system in time to ensure the safe passage of a major public event - as well as to play a continuing role in the borough’s mix of public safety measures. Talking about the new town centre installation, Aaron Stephens, Director at DSSL Group commented: “From the initial decision to specify Invictus cameras for the borough’s High Street and surrounding areas, all 22 Invictus units in the first phase were delivered, installed and commissioned within four weeks.” Invictus uses an upright mount to provide unhindered 360-degree coverage" Superb operational results “We like the authoritative appearance of the new Invictus camera, similar in style to 360 Vision’s Predator camera, but unlike imported speed domes that look less public safety and more commercial, Invictus looks very much the part in the town centre streets. Versus the use of domes on swan necks that inherently introduce a visual blind spot, Invictus uses an upright mount to provide unhindered 360-degree coverage. In addition and again unlike a dome camera, Invictus can look both up and down.” “As highlighted in the Proof of Concept trial, the cameras’ excellent depth of autofocus is quite superb, with crystal clear focus across the entire image frame. This performance attribute is great for post event retrieval of recorded footage, where it will be used to assist the local authority in maximising their incident analysis and prosecutional evidence. It was also great to work with a respected UK manufacturer who provided on the ground technical support to help ensure the smooth delivery of this local authority project. From the superb operational results, we’d recommend Invictus to any other local authorities looking to upgrade their systems to the latest HD camera technology.” Colour at night Discussing the integration of cameras to the system’s new Genetec Video management software platform, DSSL Group’s commissioning engineer, Jordon Stephens, commented: “Adding the Invictus cameras as an ONVIF 2.4 Profile S compliant device to the Genetec Security Control Centre was extremely simple. In my experience, this process isn’t always straight forward, so the Invictus gets 10 out of 10 for easy ONVIF setup!” Jordon went on to explain that: “The cameras’ pre-set factory default night-time settings are ideal for effective colour video at night. Invictus copes incredibly well with the town centre’s mix of lighting conditions and shadow areas, providing excellent ‘colour at night’ imaging - whereas in the same locations, other existing HD cameras on the system had switched to monochrome.” DSSL Group’s attention to detail is phenomenal; they clearly take great pride in their workmanship" Help the Heroes Commenting on the installation, Adrian Kirk, Director at 360 Vision Technology enthused: “We are proud that the new Invictus ruggedized PTZ camera was selected for such an important town centre project and especially as the cameras were commissioned in time to provide security and safety surveillance coverage for the major public event. Manufacturing CCTV cameras in the UK since 2002, and this installation marks the introduction of 360 Vision’s next generation ultra-low light imaging technology - featuring incredibly detailed night-time HD quality colour images.” "In addition, we couldn't have asked for a better installation to showcase Invictus. DSSL Group’s attention to detail is phenomenal; they clearly take great pride in their workmanship. From the way they have contained the cable, through to the layout, neatness and set-up of system equipment, including the column equipment cabinets, the engineering team at DSSL Group really deserve great credit for their professionalism.” “Celebrating the great men and women of the British Armed Forces, for each Invictus camera sold and including those installed in this installation, 360 Vision Technology is donating a contribution to the Help the Heroes charity.”

A security system provided by Hikvision USA Inc., the North American provider of innovative, award-winning video surveillance products and solutions, was installed by Denver-based A-1 Security Systems to meet all requirements set forth by Colorado’s Marijuana Enforcement Division (MED) and to ensure comprehensive security at the newly retrofitted building for 14er Gardens in Boulder, Colorado. In 2017, Evan Anderson, owner of medical marijuana company 14er Gardens, sought out the security expertise of Sofia Aguilar, sales manager and partner at A-1 Security Systems in Denver. The two had worked on previous projects together and Anderson was about to embark on a brand new, complex building retrofit in Boulder that had been in the planning stages for nearly two years. Aguilar worked closely with Anderson and his team to design a custom, high-end Hikvision security system A-1 excels at these types of projects, mid-sized commercial with access control and surveillance needs, and Aguilar has designed and installed hundreds of Hikvision security systems at growing facilities throughout Colorado since moving from Texas in 2008 to join A-1 as a business partner. Aguilar is a member of the national board of the Electronic Security Association and a board president for the state chapter of the Colorado Burglar and Fire Alarm Association. Hikvision’s Pro Series NVRs Aguilar worked closely with Anderson and his team to design a custom, high-end Hikvision security system that deployed a total of 95 cameras for indoor and outdoor surveillance and used Hikvision’s Pro Series NVRs for storage. All of 14er gardens are indoor facilities that meticulously control growth quality of the plants. “Outdoor growing facilities do exist,” said Anderson. “But they don’t deliver the consistent product quality every month of the year. Our approach is more of a manufacturing model, versus an agricultural endeavor.” He adds that his top two most important contractors on a job are the HVAC, due to the volume of lighting required to control the climate, and the security contractor, who is critical to securing his product and overall operation. A-1 received a set of project plans and was asked to design a comprehensive Hikvision security system with high-end cameras and NVRs that met the MED storage requirements for 40 days of on- and off-site recording. Aguilar calls what she does an “art,” and said this project offered her the chance to apply her creativity to design a comprehensive surveillance system to protect Anderson’s investment. Aguilar's top two most important contractors on a job are the HVAC, due to the volume of lighting required “It’s advantageous for growers to buy or build-out larger facilities to increase production. With that comes the demand for high-end, large-scale security systems with impeccable visual quality,” said Aguilar. She adds that growers who’ve used low-end systems often experience higher rates of break-ins, and if a camera has poor image quality it means lack of clear facial features in video images to help identify culprits. The Boulder Project The Boulder project began with the complete gutting of an existing two-story building that had previously been used as office space. Renovations included the re-pouring of all concrete with a total construction investment “that cost three to four times what we paid for the building,” said Anderson. Anderson’s venture into the marijuana industry in Colorado began in 2008, before regulatory standards had been established. “We installed comprehensive security systems before it was ever required,” he said. Anderson has worked with the MED to establish best practices and guidelines for securing these types of facilities. Initially, Colorado planned to establish a central monitoring station to link IP cameras from all marijuana growers throughout the state. A third-party consultant was brought in to evaluate this proposal and due to the sheer size of the industry, determined the model would use about ten percent of the state’s total bandwidth. Following that assessment, the Colorado regulatory model for security shifted to a requirement that growers keep 40 days of on-site and 40 days of off-site video recordings per camera, although most entities keep more than that on hand, said Anderson. The Colorado regulatory model for security states that growers must keep 40 days of on-site and off-site video recordings per camera Access security footage remotely “Hikvision systems and A-1 security became the standard we use to operate. The Hikvision system offers a better platform that is more affordable then prior systems we used,” said Anderson. With Hikvision’s iVMS-4200 app, Anderson can access footage on his smartphone and PC, and easily show officials what is happening at a moment’s notice.  “I was an art major with a minor in photography and worked in commercial photography for several years. My mantra is to fill the frame with the image you want,” said Aguilar. “My pet peeve is not using enough cameras to provide good facial recognition or worse, using great megapixel cameras and dumbing them down because the NVR is not powerful enough to handle the camera’s best quality.” Aguilar recommended multiple 32-channel Hikvision NVRs that are not at full capacity, in the unlikely event that a hard drive fails the remaining recorders will continue to work. “I can honestly say the Hikvision recorders have never failed,” said Aguilar. “Being a Hikvision Platinum dealer, A-1 offers a five-year warranty. We feel confident in the system we install without concern that we will need to return to a site just to repair a broken recorder.” A total of 95 security cameras were used to complete the system, with about half used indoors and the other half placed outside of the facility Increased throughput, larger capacity A-1 installed the Hikvision Pro Series DS-9632NI-I8 NVRs, a 32-channel model with 48 terabytes (TB) of internal storage, providing increased throughput and larger capacity to meet MED storage requirements. Aguilar stacks the NVRs and uses an external server, which requires slightly more investment, but offers the client greater bandwidth to stream large amounts of data more quickly. In Anderson’s case, this is critical since the state of Colorado can ask to see recorded footage with little advanced notice. A total of 95 security cameras were used to complete the system, with about half used indoors and the other half placed outside of the facility for perimeter, outdoor entrance and parking lot surveillance. Indoor and outdoor capabilities For indoor coverage, A-1 installed Hikvision’s DS-2CD2135FWD-I 3MP Ultra-Low Light Network Dome camera to cover all rooms containing product, and all exits and entrances, which is an MED requirement. This dome camera is actually designed as an outdoor model, which Aguilar selected for indoor use because of its vandal-proof rating, weather resistance, and clear imagery during day or evening conditions. Video surveillance covers every square inch of the facility, greatly improving operational efficiency “We can turn off the IR feature in the growing area but leave it on in the hallways and other areas where it can help with image quality (trim, drying, packing, vault, etc.),” said Aguilar. “Weather resistance means no need to worry about chemicals, nutrients, misting or watering, and it is a very hot, humid environment. These are live plants that require all these things to survive and thrive like hothouse tomatoes or tropical plants. And the environment is either very brightly lit or pitch black, mimicking an outdoor environment.” In the grow rooms, lights are placed vertically and each room has rows of product with a three-foot space in between for people to walk while tending plants. A-1 placed indoor cameras at the end of product rows and at accessible wall areas to provide 360-degree coverage. The building exterior was secured using Hikvision’s DS-2CD2T55FWD-I5 Outdoor Network Bullet camera featuring 5MP of resolution, 120 dB Wide Dynamic Range and Digital Noise Reduction. Aguilar “likes the 5MP varifocal models for parking lots. I install them in crisscross fashion to provide blanket coverage with the capability to zoom in on parking lot entrances.” 24/7 efficient video surveillance Video surveillance covers every square inch of the facility, greatly improving operational efficiency. “The system is great! I can watch my guys at all times from anywhere,” said Anderson. Surveillance cameras record non-stop, 24 hours a day, seven days a week since MED requirements do not allow motion-activated recording.Surveillance cameras record non-stop, 24 hours a day, seven days a week since MED requirements do not allow motion-activated recording To install the system, A-1 had to overcome challenges associated with an older concrete building that was “built like a bunker” with an architectural accent bar along the roof perimeter. The constraint required them to pipe and core drill through exterior concrete and run wires through conduits or O-rings that were hammer-drilled into the seams every four feet. The entire Boulder facility is run through a mobile platform. “This project involved a new level of detail and control compared with our previous projects and is a fully-automated monster,” said Anderson. “At our last facility, we had seven growers. The Boulder facility is four times as big as the last one and we only need two growers due to extensive automation.” 14er moved from physical-based labor to web-based controls. User-friendly remote viewing The Hikvision iVMS-4200 platform helps 14er with automation by providing better integration, reduced cost and user-friendly remote viewing. “Older systems were built more for an IT or security systems expert, not for clients to have a convenient system they could easily use,” said Anderson. “Hikvision’s iVMS platform helps us keep impeccable records of everything in the cloud, so when the state of Colorado contacts us for immediate access to recordings, we can easily provide them.” A-1 helped to develop standards for video surveillance and storage that have become industry best practice “Achieving the MED-required 40 days of on-site and off-site recordings is a big deal,” said Sofia Aguilar, sales manager and partner at A-1 Security. "With the Hikvision iVMS system they were able to build a platform around Hikvision products, solving the state’s problem of how to record at a reasonable price.” Hikvision worked with technology partner byRemote to develop software that utilizes Hikvision’s iVMS product to record off-site, said Aguilar. “Customers wanted higher-end systems without the cost associated with the old encoders,” said Aguilar. “The Hikvision partnership with byRemote offered exactly what the market demanded.” Powerful video security system  Aguilar initially had reservations about marijuana as a vertical focus for A-1 Security Systems, believing it was too high-risk and if grower’s operations were shut down, A-1 would quickly lose its customer base. Eventually her business partner, Leif Wulforst, convinced her that marijuana was a viable business. A-1 helped to develop standards for video surveillance and storage that have become industry best practice. Cultivating a relationship with growers such as Anderson from 14er gardens led to the development of a surveillance system that met strict MED storage regulations while providing ease of viewing for end users and the state regulatory body. Hikvision’s high resolution security cameras combined with its Pro Series NVRs in delivering a high performing solution at an affordable price to help the market thrive.

  The Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) in Phoenix, Arizona, hosts more than 300,000 guests each year to view its collection of more than 13,000 instruments and associated objects, and to attend live performances in the MIM Music Theater. As the world’s only global musical instrument museum, MIM creates an exciting experience for guests, immersing them in cultural traditions from around the world. With a mission to collect, preserve, and make accessible an astonishing variety of musical instruments and performance videos from every country in the world, MIM offers guests a welcoming and fun experience throughout the day with multiple live evening performances each week. The safety and security of visitors and staff and the protection of the museum’s extensive collection is an essential aspect of fulfilling its mission. The safety and security of visitors and staff is an essential aspect of fulfilling the museum's mission To enhance the security of its exterior spaces, the museum recently worked with IES Communications, a nationwide provider of integrated security solutions, to upgrade its outdoor surveillance system. Now, a combination of Bosch AUTODOME IP starlight 7000 HD, FLEXIDOME IP starlight 6000 VR, and AUTODOME IP 5000 IR cameras provide high-quality images of the museum’s outdoor areas, which include an impressive courtyard at the main entrance, an additional courtyard at the student entry, an outdoor café and seating area for guests, as well as special events, and two parking lots. Full-colour night images Bosch cameras with starlight technology provide clear images regardless of lighting conditions, delivering full-colour images in the dark beyond the point where other cameras turn to monochrome images. Supported by new exterior LED lights, the Bosch starlight cameras at the museum produce full-colour images throughout the night. The intelligent cameras also feature built-in video analytics to alert the museum’s security operators to possible risks, such as detecting objects left behind or the gathering of large crowds that may create congestion in an area. With Intelligent Tracking, AUTODOME IP starlight 7000 HD cameras can also automatically track objects of interest as they move throughout a scene. “The low light performance of the Bosch starlight cameras is completely unmatched. They are producing beautiful colour images all through the night,” said David Burger, security manager at the Musical Instrument Museum. The cameras also feature built-in video analytics to alert the museum’s security operators to possible risks, such as detecting objects left behind In addition, Bosch AUTODOME IP 5000 IR cameras are strategically placed in perimeter and other areas of the museum exterior where there is limited lighting at night. These pan-tilt-zoom cameras feature a built-in intelligent IR beam that ensures optimum illumination of objects regardless of the level of zoom. “The quality of the images, the onboard video analytics that are included without an additional cost, and the reliability of the moving cameras were key factors in our decision,” continued Burger. “Our security operators are thrilled with the quality and operation of the cameras.” Long distance data delivery One challenge with the installation was how to deliver data from the security cameras over long distances, between remote locations and the head-end network switches and servers. After receiving recommendations from IES Communications and Bosch, the museum selected Altronix’s PaceTM Long-Range Ethernet Solutions. Utilising a Pace8PRM multi-port receiver at the headend, along with Pace1ST transceivers at each device, the museum successfully deployed the Bosch high-resolution IP cameras beyond the standard Ethernet range of 100 meters. Using existing CAT6 cable, Pace transmits Ethernet data at 100Mbps at distances of up to 500 metres, which exceeded the museum‘s requirements.The design of the solutions are rugged enough to handle the intense heat and other weather conditions With the Altronix Pace solution, the museum did not need to replace existing cabling, which delivered a cost savings for the overall project without sacrificing performance. It also provided a higher return on the museum’s initial infrastructure investment. “We are definitely pleased with the ease of use of the Altronix Pace system,” Burger said. “It’s a completely plug-and-play system. It works great with all of our existing network equipment and infrastructure. It was pretty seamless for us to achieve integration with the new Bosch cameras.” Real-time video monitoring In addition, said Burger, the design of the Altronix Pace solution is rugged enough to handle the intense heat and other weather conditions related to Arizona’s weather and climate. “It speaks to the quality of the manufacturers: both Altronix and Bosch,” added Burger. Video throughout the exterior and interior of the museum is monitored around the clock by utilising Security Center from Genetec. Real-time monitoring allows museum staff to proactively address possible risks, as they are happening, to enhance overall security and safety at the museum.

Johnson Controls announces that the aviation specific CEM Systems AC2000 Airport access control system has been selected to secure Muscat International Airport and Salalah Airport, Oman. AC2000 Airport access control solution with intelligent CEM Systems, IP card readers and CEM Systems S3040 portable hand-held readers will ensure the highest levels of integrated security, and provide a solution that goes beyond security by helping in airport operations. Oman Airports Management Company (OAMC) is the government company responsible for the management and operation of Muscat International Airport and Salalah Airport. Muscat International Airport is the largest airport in Oman. Currently undergoing an expansion phase, Muscat International Airport will have the capacity to handle 12 million passengers annually. Salalah International Airport currently handles more than one million passengers annually. Aviation specific access control “Johnson Controls is delighted to be supplying the CEM Systems AC2000 Airport access control system for these two important projects in Oman’s infrastructure development,” said Philip Verner, regional sales director, Building Technologies & Solutions, Johnson Controls. “The team behind the CEM Systems AC2000 Airport system has a proven history of understanding the dynamics and needs of airports, and the industry leading AC2000 Airport system has been used to secure airports around the world for over 25 years. This contract to secure Muscat and Salalah Airports represents another significant win for Johnson Controls in the growing aviation sector in the Middle East region.” The powerful AC2000 Airport system has a proven record as one of the most reliable and resilient aviation specific access control and security management solutions available. It not only provides the airports with advanced access control throughout terminal buildings, airside and landside boundaries, but it also provides a range of software applications to enhance the airport’s onsite operations and increase business efficiency. Using the CEM Systems AC2000 VIPPS (Visual Imaging Pass Production) application, ID cards can then be personalised and printed allowing the airport to produce card passes that include logos, staff signatures, and images. Integrated passenger control system AC2000 Airport paired with CEM Systems intelligent IP card readers and integrated controllers also provide the airports with aviation specific modes such as ‘Passenger mode’ which allow efficient management of gate rooms for departing and arriving passengers. Passenger mode controls door open times, and via interlocking, ensures Gate Room doors are opened or closed depending on the configuration set for the specific flight on the stand. The user-friendly LCD display on the CEM Systems intelligent card readers also allow staff to easily manage the process and see current status of the door mode at the gate. Additionally the CEM Systems S610f fully integrated intelligent fingerprint card reader and controller combined can be used in high security areas where there are requirements for three stage verification (card, PIN, and fingerprint). The CEM Systems S3040 lightweight and rugged hand-held portable card reader will provide Muscat International Airport and Salalah Airport security staff with the ability to conduct random checks on airside and landside personnel as well as providing ID card validation at temporary entrances or remote sites which have no power.

Bialystok, a beautiful historic city of 300,000 in the northeast of Poland, is one of the nation’s major population centres. Devastated in World War II and languishing for a long period afterward, the city has seen a renaissance in recent years, with restoration of its beautiful architecture and modernisation of infrastructure as the Polish economy has boomed. One particular change that has come upon this serene city with unexpected rapidity is the increase in car ownership, which has more than tripled in Poland since 2005. Over the last decade, the growing need for an up-to-date, comprehensive traffic monitoring system has become increasingly apparent. Surveillance enhancement for traffic surges The growing need for an up-to-date, comprehensive traffic monitoring system has become increasingly apparent Cameras were the most costly item within the traditional traffic surveillance system originally deployed in Bialystok. To capture as many angles as possible, large numbers of cameras were required, often several at each intersection. As well as being an eyesore, this also meant that the cost of linking and synchronising the array of cameras to the central surveillance system was exorbitant. To avoid impacting traffic, which is heavy during the daylight hours, installation and construction work was usually carried out at night. The restricted hours for installation caused long delays in camera setups. Worse, the system itself no longer met the needs of the rapidly developing city. Despite the large numbers of cameras, the field of view of individual cameras was too narrow and when accidents happened it was difficult to try to piece together footage from several cameras in an attempt to reconstruct the incident. Often, there was no way to determine from the footage just who was at fault. A better solution was needed. Seamless collaboration to seamless implementation Zarzad Dróg Miejskich (ZDM), the municipal unit responsible for the road system in Bialystok needed to revamp, simplify, and upgrade their inefficient traffic camera system, so they worked with systems software manager Siemens and engaged VIVOTEK’s local distributor Suma Solutions to come up with an answer that would meet their needs. Siemens developed the system software around technology provided by VIVOTEK, a provider of IP surveillance solutions, offers dedicated traffic surveillance and management solutions, and has recently released its remarkable FE8174V H.264 5-megapixel fisheye network camera.The hemispherical images captured on camera can be automatically retooled to conventional projection specifications for easy viewing  The FE8174V is VIVOTEK’s fisheye network camera. This vandal-proof, WDR-enhanced, day/night camera features a detailed 5-megapixel resolution sensor with superior image quality. Its fisheye lens captures a 180° panoramic view when wall-mounted, and a stunning 360° surround view with no blind spots when mounted overhead. With its choice of display layouts—surround view, panoramic view, and regional view—it is the perfect solution for those who need coverage of wide, open areas as well as a high degree of flexibility. With the advanced image processing capabilities, the hemispherical images captured on camera can be automatically retooled to conventional projection specifications for easy viewing. As the camera’s primary application is outdoors and demands reliability in all conditions, a weather-proof IP66-rated and vandal-proof IK10-rated housing keeps the camera body clear of rain and dust and maintains functionality in all types of weather. The VIVOTEK FE8174V features a removable IR-cut filter, which is unquestionably the best choice for those who need a hardy, all-weather, 24/7 system with a full range of coverage. Enhanced resolution means better traffic safety ZDM installed 130 VIVOTEK FE8174V cameras at intersections throughout Bialystok. Now, with far fewer cameras, traffic controllers can get a clear, sharp overview of the whole field without any blind spots. VIVOTEK’s fisheye camera dewarping capabilities allow monitors to adopt different presentation modes A single VIVOTEK FE8174V provides the coverage of four outdoor bullet cameras in one image, and has resulted in cost savings at the same time as providing more complete coverage. Fewer cameras has also meant a decrease in costs associated with the backend management platform, network communications equipment, and storage equipment; it has also protected the aesthetic properties of the city by decluttering the skyline. Further, VIVOTEK’s fisheye camera dewarping capabilities allow monitors to adopt different presentation modes. Now, Management Center operators can easily monitor and verify traffic incidents and use the image recognition software to increase traffic control efficiency. The city of Bialystok has finally achieved a traffic management and surveillance system that can keep pace with its rapid growth while remaining in harmony with the local culture and architecture.