Ruggedized products

Abloy UK is delighted to announce that its Digital Transformation team has been awarded CLIQ Competence Centre by ABLOY certification, becoming the only approved centre of excellence for CLIQ in the UK and Ireland, and one of only six certified CLIQ Competence Centres globally. Abloy believes the future of locking and access control is a combination of digital communications and precision mechanical products. For several years the company has invested in developing CLIQ technology to deliver the best range of solutions to meet the increasingly complex and demanding requirements of the market. Provide technical expertise The centres have been audited by experts from Finland to ensure the teams meet and maintain the high standards required At the core of this strategy has been the creation of a number of centres of excellence, with teams trained and equipped to provide technical expertise and professional service and support for CLIQ technology. The centres have been audited by experts from Finland to ensure the teams meet and maintain the high standards required. These include: Technical expertise: Technical knowledge of CLIQ products and CLIQ Web Management software. Customer and service expertise: Detailed pre-order planning and on-going technical support to maximise customer satisfaction. Commercial expertise: Business Strategy and long-term customer support. Master key capabilities - Expertise and procedural knowledge of Master key systems for Eplanner and CLIQ Web Manager usability. Production expertise: Production processes and security related to CLIQ located in the state-of-the-art factory in Willenhall. Deliver comprehensive service Achieving CLIQ Competence Centre certification exclusively positions Abloy UK as the only authorised CLIQ service and support centre in the UK & Ireland. To continue further development of this initiative, Abloy has strengthened its team, recently adding three people to the sales and technical departments to provide the resources needed to deliver comprehensive service and support for CLIQ customers. I’m delighted to award Abloy UK certification as CLIQ Competence Centre by Abloy making them the 6th Centre of Excellence for CLIQ" Mervi Hiltunen, Solution Manager for Abloy Oy, says: “Abloy Oy is continuing to invest globally in CLIQ technology, and we believe it’s equally important to make sure the teams that support our customers are trained and equipped to provide professional expertise and service. I’m delighted to award Abloy UK certification as CLIQ Competence Centre by Abloy making them the 6th Centre of Excellence for CLIQ.” Electromechanical locking solutions “In 2019, Abloy aims to expand the network of CLIQ Competence Centres in North America, South Europe and APAC to become recognised as the first class service and solution provider also in these market areas.” Pip Courcoux, Sales & Product Manager CLIQ Systems for Abloy UK, adds: “Innovation is all about new ideas, creative thoughts and imagination in either products or services.” “It’s not enough just to have a market leading product, at Abloy we recognise that as the market place adapts to new technologies, threats and opportunities, our service to our customers must also change. This certification by Abloy Oy endorses our capability to provide first class services and ensure that we maintain and grow our position as the leader of electromechanical locking solutions in the UK and Irish markets.”

Panasonic Business opens the doors to its new Customer Experience Centre in Bracknell, showcasing its range of cutting edge B2B solutions both physically and virtually. Situated at the new UK headquarters on Western Road, Bracknell, the Customer Experience Centre is experienced as two zones. The first is an immersive 270 degree interactive presentation space, built around eight separate virtual vertical environments, and a demonstration space that allows customers to get hands-on with the latest Panasonic technology. The showcase delivers a ‘blank canvas’ for innovation, designed to spark conversations around how Panasonic can solve business technology challenges. Daily business challenges Featuring AV design and integration by Sysco Productions, concept development by AB Creative, and content and physical build by Hart Wilcox, the Customer Experience Centre features over 100 items of technology, with the presentation space squeezing an impressive nine laser projectors in to just 50 square meter in order to achieve a fully immersive feel.   The new Customer Experience Centre provides a platform upon which we can work with our customers to solve their daily business challenges" Powered by two disguise 4x4pro media servers, the customer’s name is skilfully integrated in to the content in real time, to personalise the experience. “By quietly and reliably powering their capability our technology frees businesses to perform to their maximum,” says Simon Grantham, Managing Director of Panasonic UK on opening the Centre. “The new Customer Experience Centre provides a platform upon which we can work with our customers to solve their daily business challenges.” Automatic stock monitoring The Centre focuses on five main topics: Retail technology Rugged computing Audio Visual solutions Communications Solutions Next generation surveillance technology Among other things, the Experience Centre features the latest in Panasonic retail technology, including digital signage displays, electronic price tags and automatic stock monitoring, which uses CCTV analytics to detect low and no stock on shelves. In addition, a fully demonstrable lecture capture system automatically tracks a presenter, giving universities the ability to automate the recording of teaching sessions. Facial recognition platform All visitors are handed a 5” Android Toughbook rugged handheld on which a dedicated app allows them to select content of interest, ranging from white papers to brochures and introductory videos, via cleverly integrated NFC tags throughout the experience centre. These case studies are then emailed to the customer for follow-up, back in their office. The Face Server can identify faces that are difficult to recognise using conventional technology A smart security section features the latest in modern analytics software. A range of indoor and outdoor surveillance cameras are equipped with an upgraded facial recognition platform which features a ‘deep learning’ core engine that has ranked as the industry’s most accurate in independent testing by NIST. The Face Server can identify faces that are difficult to recognise using conventional technology, including those partially hidden by sunglasses and face masks. Rugged resistance test A range of Toughbook rugged notebooks and tablets is also on show, with a rugged resistance test station, which allows water ingress, drop and impact testing of the range. “We are bringing the latest technology for retail, transport, logistics and entertainment in one place. We hope to immerse visitors into our Panasonic world, inspire their creativity and ultimately prove our solutions can strengthen their business in an increasingly competitive landscape,” added Simon Grantham.   The Customer Experience Centre is built around a newly launched B2B brand proposition ‘Freedom through innovation’, which is the belief that the future is about better connected technology. That businesses will succeed if they can simply focus on their customers, in the knowledge that the technology solution delivering their capabilities just works. And works together.

How emerging technologies are improving the efficiency and operational effectiveness of emergency response is set to be the key focus of The Emergency Services Show 2019, the UK’s largest event for the emergency services taking place in Hall 5 at the NEC, Birmingham on Wednesday 18 and Thursday 19 September. “Technology and innovation are enabling our emergency services to tackle the complex and dynamic challenges they face today and into the future,” says ESS event director David Brown. “This year, more than ever The Emergency Services Show is set to be a showcase for new and emerging technologies that will deliver enhanced efficiency and effectiveness in operations, enabling police, fire & rescue, ambulance and rescue professionals both to do more and to do it better.” Fire fighting equipment New technology on display will include connected vehicles that serve as mobile communications hubs The Emergency Services Show is a unique event which gives emergency services professionals access to the very best knowledge, training, technology, kit and support networks to prepare for future incidents and carry out their roles to the best of their ability. The exhibition features over 450 exhibiting companies including names in vehicles and fleet, communications, technology, medical and fire fighting equipment, search and rescue, extrication, water rescue, first response, protective clothing and uniforms, public safety, vehicle equipment, training, community safety and station facilities. New technology on display will include connected vehicles that serve as mobile communications hubs, satellite communications, ruggedised mobile computers tablets and phones, data, cloud storage, wearable tech, connectivity, UAVs or drones, hybrid and electric vehicles, body-worn cameras and other video capture systems. Technological innovations Other technological innovations include the latest in protective fabrics, medical equipment, fire fighting and rescue tools and equipment. Just as important are the enabling ICT applications being showcased, including control room systems, data management, mobile apps for emergency service and public use and the multiple technologies now being used to speed and aid collaboration throughout the emergency services. The College of Paramedics will also host its well-attended CPD training sessions on both days of the event CPD-accredited seminars allow visitors from all emergency services and allied organisations to ensure they are up-to-date on the latest technology and best practice as well as gathering insights from the successes and challenges of recent UK and International emergencies. The College of Paramedics will also host its well-attended CPD training sessions on both days of the event. Key learning opportunities Popular returning features include the Extrication Challenge hosted by West Midlands Fire Service and judged by UKRO and the First Aid & Trauma Challenge. Both challenges showcase the use of the latest technology and equipment, while the Extrication Challenge in particular is also a highly interactive and immersive experience for participants and show visitors alike, featuring live-stream action cameras broadcasting to large display screens. The growing free-to-visit event attracted a record total of 8,348 visitors from across the UK The growing free-to-visit event attracted a record total of 8,348 visitors from across the UK and International emergency services in 2018. Over 2,500 of the show’s visitors attended the programme of 90 CPD seminars running in four theatres and 2019 will see the same range of seminars, demonstrations and key learning opportunities. This year free sessions will cover Lessons Learnt, Health & Wellbeing and Emerging Technologies. Frontline manufacturers Oliver North, Managing Director of O+H Vehicle Conversions, commented on the show: “If you want to supply vehicles, equipment or anything to the emergency services, or even to sub-supply some of the frontline manufacturers such as ourselves, you have to be here in the shop window, so that the market can see everything under one roof, so we can all set the gauge as to what the market is doing in terms of technology.” In the networking hub of the show, The Collaboration Zone, over 80 emergency services, voluntary groups, charities and NGOs share details of the support they offer, while members of other partner agencies will be available to discuss co-response and other areas of partnership working. Entry to the event and parking at the NEC are free.

The rugged build quality of the new Invictus PTZ camera from UK CCTV manufacturing company, 360 Vision Technology, has been proven in the field during a recent road traffic incident in north London, which provided a real-world test for the camera and its ‘Attack Detect’ response feature. Built into each Invictus camera, 360 Vision’s ‘Attack Detect’ automatically responds to a detected increase in camera load (such as the camera being hit by an object). On detection, the camera’s direct-drive Pan & Tilt mechanism is instantaneously disengaged to prevent damage to the motor drive. Expanded surveillance coverage A self-check routine then establishes if the camera has altered its direction of view during the attack, and an automatic re-initialisation is triggered - returning the camera to its last known position prior to the impact. Installation company DSSL Group selected the Invictus camera to facilitate expanded surveillance coverage across the north London borough The benefits of Invictus’ Attack Detect response to system operators is that post-attack, the camera will always return to its correct field of view, prior to being forcibly moved. This means that vital evidential footage will continue to be captured, and without the need for operator intervention. The feature also ensures that all camera-preset positions remain intact, vital to avoid disruption to the daily running of the system due to inaccurate preset positions. Installation company DSSL Group selected the Invictus camera to facilitate expanded surveillance coverage across the north London borough. Public space installation “360 Vision’s Invictus has many key features that benefit Town Centre CCTV operators, however Attack Detect is a uniquely beneficial attribute that competitor cameras just don’t offer,” explains Aaron Stephens, Director at DSSL Group. “This can be crucial when specifying a successful long-term public space installation, where CCTV cameras have been known to be vandalised using objects such as footballs, basket balls and rocks.” Talking about the crash incident, Aaron explains: “The Invictus camera’s Attack Detect response proved itself invaluable in the ultimate impact test, when a speeding vehicle hit the camera’s column at high-speed, after leaving the road and mounting the pavement. Due to the quality of DSSL installation and 360 Vision’s Invictus, the camera not only stayed attached to the column mount, but also remained fully functioning.” Evidential incident footage “The camera column was hit so hard that the camera head turned over 180 degrees. The anti-attack system released the camera’s drive mechanism as soon as the impact was detected, allowing the camera to move freely." With the Invictus camera also producing second to none night-time video footage amongst the well lit streets of the town centre" "After a few seconds, the Invictus completed a self-test to return to its original position and continued to record evidential incident footage of the aftermath of the crash. With the Invictus camera also producing second to none night-time video footage amongst the well lit streets of the town centre, the pre and post-crash evidential incident footage was captured in unsurpassed high-definition colour-mode.” Attack detect feature Aaron concludes: “Not only has this recent incident proven the effectiveness of the Attack Detect feature but our continued experience of the Invictus camera has demonstrated that a UK manufacturer can provide the latest technology in a highly robust and ruggedised PTZ, with exceptional HD imaging, colour at night capability and whilst competing on cost with other global camera manufacturers.” “Public space CCTV and cameras securing perimeters typically operate adjacent to roads, with an ever present risk of impact from vehicles, either accidentally or maliciously,” says Adrian Kirk, Director at 360 Vision Technology. “Installing Invictus ruggedised cameras into these locations provides customers with a ‘fit for purpose’ roadside solution that ensures continued performance, even under attack. For peace of mind, this is all backed by 360 Vision’s UK based design and manufacturing resource, and a comprehensive 3-year warranty.”

Fujifilm announces the update of its popular DF/HF-HA-1B series lenses to ruggedised versions equipped with the unique Fujinon ‘Anti-shock and Vibration’ technology. Demand for quality optics in ruggedised versions continues to increase and the designated DF/HF-HA-1S is designed to meet that demand. The Fujinon HF-HA-1B series lenses are already in wide use across a variety of manufacturing environments, from automotive to electronics to pharmaceutical. These applications often have strict space constraints, making the external diameter of only 29.8 mm an attractive feature. Reliable performance The Fujinon HF-HA-1S upgrade provides vibration mitigation and shock absorption within the existing design, so the compact form factor remains. “A ruggedised Fujinon HF-HA-1S provides mechanical robustness for reliable performance in machine vision applications such as automated assembly, quality inspection, and industrial robots. It expands the base to where quality optics are required but where ruggedised design is also a significant factor, such as unmanned aerial vehicles and mobile applications”, says Nina Kürten, Sales Manager at Fujifilm. These lenses are compatible with image sensors up to 2/3’ in a broad selection of focal lengths (6, 9, 12.5, 16, 25, 35, 50, and 75mm). The optical performance of the upgraded series is identical to that of the Fujinon HF-HA-1B. The Fujinon HF-HA-1S will be available from January and will become the new standard version, eventually replacing the Fujinon HF-HA-1B as current stocks are depleted. Pricing will remain the same.

Viking Electronics Inc. announces the release of its brand new 2019 Product Catalogue which celebrates Viking’s 50 year legacy. The catalogue features hundreds of products and introduces many new innovations, as well as Viking’s core products – such as emergency phones, door entry systems, paging amplifiers, mass notification systems, hot line phones, and more. The catalogue is not just a simple product guide; it offers countless ideas and custom solutions for ‘Access Control’ to ‘Zone Paging’ and everything in between. “So many people rely on the Viking catalog every day because there’s an economical solution on every page.” – Mike Busby, Marketing and Sales Manager for Viking Electronics Inc. Unique features For 50 years Viking has been bringing you the industry technology of today and the ‘tough as nails’ craftsmanship of the past. Viking products are made in the USA and they stand behind their products with a 2 year limited warranty, as well as free lifetime product support. Viking Electronics designs and manufactures over 500 communication and security products, including VoIP and analogue emergency phones, entry systems, paging interfaces, paging amplifiers, mass notification systems, hot line products, and enclosures. Many Viking products are designed to fix or add unique features to telephone or security applications, keeping costs down while maintaining ease of use. All Viking products are designed, manufactured, and supported in the USA, and are backed by a two year limited warranty.

Consolidation persisted in the physical security industry in 2018, and big companies such as Motorola, Canon and UTC continued to make moves. Also among the mergers and acquisitions (M&A) news in 2018 was a high-profile bankruptcy (that ended well), continuing consolidation in the integrator market, and the creation of a new entity called “LenelS2.” Here’s a look at the Top 10 M&A stories in 2018: 1. Motorola acquires Avigilon Motorola Solutions announced in February that it had entered into a definitive agreement to acquire video surveillance provider Avigilon in an all-cash transaction that enhances Motorola Solutions’ portfolio of mission-critical communications technologies. Avigilon products are used by a range of commercial and government customers including critical infrastructure, airports, government facilities, public venues, healthcare centers and retail. The company holds more than 750 U.S. and international patents. 2. UTC Climate, Control & Security buys S2 Security UTC Climate, Controls & Security agreed in September to acquire S2 Security, a developer of unified security and video management solutions. UTC subsequently combined S2 with its Lenel brand to create LenelS2, “a global leader in advanced access control systems and services” with “complementary strengths.” 3. Costar Technologies acquires Arecont Vision after bankruptcy Arecont Vision, the provider of IP-based megapixel camera and video surveillance solutions, announced in July that the acquisition by Costar Technologies, Inc. of its assets had been approved by the bankruptcy court. After the closing of the sale, the company began operating as Arecont Vision Costar, LLC and is part of Costar, a U.S. corporation that designs, develops, manufactures, and distributes a range of products for the video surveillance and machine vision markets. 4. Allegion acquires access control company ISONAS Allegion plc, a security products and solutions provider, agreed in June to acquire ISONAS through one of its subsidiaries. ISONAS’ edge-computing technology provides access control solutions for non-residential markets. ISONAS' devices – like its integrated reader-controllers – utilise power over ethernet, making them easy to install and cost effective as they utilise existing customer infrastructures. The company is based in Boulder, Colo. 5. HID buys Crossmatch for Biometrics HID Global announced that it had acquired Crossmatch, a provider of biometric identity management and secure authentication solutions, from Francisco Partners. Crossmatch’s portfolio of products includes biometric identity management hardware and software that complement HID’s broad portfolio of trusted identity products and services. 6. BriefCam announces acquisition by Canon BriefCam, a global provider of video synopsis and deep learning solutions, announced its acquisition in May by Canon Inc., a global digital imaging solutions company. The addition of BriefCam to Canon’s network video solutions products portfolio complements the Canon Group’s previous acquisitions of Axis Communications and Milestone Systems. 7. Allied Universal acquires U.S. Security Associates Allied Universal, a security and facility services company, finalised its acquisition of U.S. Security Associates (USSA) in October, further building on its position in the security services industry. This acquisition includes Andrews International (including its Government Services Division and Consulting and Investigations and International Division) and Staff Pro. 8. Johnson Controls acquires Smartvue Corp. Johnson Controls announced in April that it had acquired Smartvue, a global IoT and video provider that empowers cloud video surveillance and IoT video services. The addition of the Smartvue cloud-based video platform will enhance Johnson Controls’ offering of an end-to-end, smart cloud-based solution that can provide superior business data and intelligence to customers and added value to partners. 9. ADT acquires Red Hawk Fire & Security (and others) ADT Inc.’s acquisition of Red Hawk Fire & Security, Boca Raton, Fla., was the latest move in ADT Commercial’s strategy to buy up security integrator firms around the country and grow their footprint. In addition to the Red Hawk acquisition, announced in mid-October, ADT has acquired more than a half-dozen security system integration firms in the last year or so. 10. Convergint Technologies continues to acquire Convergint Technologies announced in August the acquisition of New Jersey-based Access Control Technologies (ACT), bringing further electronic security systems experience to Convergint's service capabilities. Convergint has strategically grown its service footprint across the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia Pacific through strong organic growth and the completion of 18 acquisitions since early 2016. And it continues: Convergint announced acquisition of SI Technologies, Albany, N.Y., in November and Firstline Security Integration (FSI), Anaheim, Calif., in December. (And Convergint itself was acquired in February by private equity group Ares Management.)

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

Global and domestic threats have highlighted the need for tighter security across all verticals. One of the technologies that has redefined situational awareness and intrusion detection is thermal imaging. Once a technology exclusively manufactured for the military operations, thermal cameras today are deployed across hundreds of security applications and continue to see strong demand in existing and emerging commercial markets. With thermal technology, security personnel can see in complete darkness as well as in light fog, smoke and rain Technology overview and early adoption What distinguishes thermal cameras from optical sensors is their ability to produce images based on infrared energy, or heat, rather than light. By measuring the heat signatures of all objects and capturing minute differences between them, thermal cameras produce clear, sharp video despite unfavorable environmental conditions. With thermal technology, security personnel can see in complete darkness as well as in light fog, smoke and rain. Originally a military developed, commercially qualified technology, the first thermal cameras for military and aircraft use appeared in the 1950s. By the 1960s, the technology had been declassified and the first thermal camera for commercial use was introduced. However, it wasn’t until the late 1990s - when FLIR Systems introduced a camera with an uncooled thermal detector - when the technology began to see substantial adoption beyond government defense deployments. Installations at critical infrastructure sites In the 2000s, industrial companies were some of the first adopters of thermal, using the technology for predictive maintenance to monitor overheating and machine malfunctions. In the years following the September 11 terrorist attacks in 2001, there was an increase in thermal camera installations across critical infrastructure sites. Stricter security requirements drove the deployment of thermal cameras for perimeter protection, especially in the nuclear power sector. Thermal cameras produce clear video in daylight, low light or no light scenarios and their sharp images result in higher performing analytics In 2010, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Committee released its 73.55 policy, which states nuclear facilities must “provide continuous surveillance, observation and monitoring” as a means to enhance threat detection and deterrence efforts onsite. Because thermal cameras produce clear video in daylight, low light or no light scenarios and because their sharp images result in higher performing analytics, thermal cameras quickly became the preferred option for nuclear facilities. Likewise, following the 2013 sniper attack on PG&E Corporation’s Metcalf transmission substation, the Federal Energy Regulation Commission introduced the Critical Infrastructure Protection Standard 014 (CIP-014). The policy requires utilities to identify threats to mission critical assets and implement a security system to mitigate those risks. This statute also led to more thermal installations in the utility sector as thermal cameras’ long-range capabilities are ideal for detection of approaching targets beyond the fence line. The demand from both industrial and critical infrastructure entities, as well as other factors, helped drive volume production and price reduction for thermal, making the technology more accessible to the commercial security marketplace. Commercial applications In recent years, the increasing affordability of thermal cameras along with the introduction of new thermal offerings has opened the door to new commercial applications for the technology. In the past, thermal cameras were designed for applications with enormous perimeters, where the camera needed to detect a human from 700 meters away. Locations like car dealerships, marinas and construction supply facilities can be protected by precise target detection, thermal analytic cameras providing an early warning to security personnel Today, there are thermal cameras specifically designed for short- to mid-range applications. Developed for small to medium enterprises, these thermal cameras ensure property size and security funds are no longer barriers to adoption. Lumber yards, recreation fields and sports arenas are some of the commercial applications now able to implement thermal cameras for 24-hour monitoring and intrusion detection. Affordable thermal cameras with onboard analytics have become attractive options for commercial businesses Innovation and advancements Innovation and advancements in the core technology have also spurred growth in thermal camera deployment, providing faster image processing, higher resolution, greater video analytic capabilities and better camera performance. In particular, affordable thermal cameras with onboard analytics have become attractive options for commercial businesses that need outdoor, wide area protection. Car dealerships, marinas and construction supply locations all store valuable merchandise and materials outside. Without protection, these assets are vulnerable to vandalism and theft. However, by providing precise target detection, thermal analytic cameras provide an early warning to security personnel so that they can intervene before a crime is committed. By helping to deter just one incident, the thermal solution delivers a clear ROI. New market opportunities Not only are there more thermal cameras in use today than ever before, but there are also more thermal sensors being integrated with other multi-sensor systems, driving the adoption of thermal in new markets. For large perimeter surveillance applications, thermal is repeatedly being integrated with radar and drones to expand situational awareness beyond the point of fixed cameras. Users get immediate, accurate alerts of approaching targets and evidentiary class video for target assessment In the commercial market, thermal imagers are combined with optical sensors, analytics and LED illuminators into one solution that integrates with central monitoring station platforms. By bringing these technologies together, users get immediate, accurate alerts of approaching targets and evidentiary class video for target assessment. The result is a lower number of false positives, reducing the total cost of ownership for the solution. These multi-sensor solutions also feature two-way audio capabilities, which enable remote security officers to act as “virtual guards” and speak to intruders in real-time to dissuade them from illegal activity. The introduction of solutions that integrate all these state-of-the-art technologies under one unit reduces the amount of capital and infrastructure needed for deployment. Consequently, more small businesses and alarm monitoring companies can implement advanced perimeter security technologies like thermal sensors, some for the very first time. Thermal cameras have gone from military defense devices to widespread commercial security cameras Multi-sensor thermal solutions Multi-sensor solutions featuring thermal are quickly gaining traction and opening the door to new business opportunities for the security channel. One of the primary reasons for the strong market interest in these systems is they enable integrators to increase their recurring monthly revenue (RMR). With intense price competition and eroding margins on CCTV equipment, integrators have to rely on RMR to grow their businesses. Offering remote video monitoring services and virtual guarding technologies is one of the best ways to do so.  Additionally, there is a clear demand for it. Central stations are continually looking for new technologies to offer their customers and businesses are interested in economical alternatives to physical guards. In conclusion, thermal cameras have gone from military defense devices to widespread commercial security cameras that are a substantial segment of the outdoor security protection market. From nuclear power plants to construction locations, thermal technology is being implemented to secure sites around the globe.

The Middle East security market provides a healthy opportunity for manufacturers who can capitalise on the region’s key verticals. Intersec’s 20th edition show focused more on solutions than on products, including solutions for the growing retail sector and an infrastructure market requiring ruggedised equipment to stand up to harsh environments. Intersec hosted security, safety and fire protection exhibitors from over fifty countries at Dubai’s spacious International Convention and Exhibition Centre on 21st - 23rd January. For the security market, the show was an opportunity to demonstrate how the industry’s latest technologies can benefit end-users in the UAE and globally. While the show hosted many impressively-sized stands from key security players, these tended to reflect the ongoing shift from a product-centric market to a focus on customer problems and solutions. Rather than filling the floorspace with an abundance of products, many brands chose to showcase how their flagship solutions could function in real-world applications. Retail surveillance delivers ROI Numerous companies opted to highlight their retail solutions – a key vertical for Dubai, which is known for its elaborate city shopping hubs. The Axis Communications stand allowed visitors to experience its network video offerings for the retail sector, including integrations with Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) and Point of Sale (POS) technologies. Solutions on show reflected how security systems are increasingly expected to provide a tangible return on investment: With options for queue management and people counting, Axis video technology can be used to provide business intelligence and improve the customer experience, as well as enhancing safety. IP video manufacturer Vivotek also showcased its latest retail offering, including fisheye cameras with built-in crowd detection and heatmap technology, which can help retail managers analyse customer traffic patterns and highly frequented areas. The panoramic nature of Vivotek’s IP cameras makes them ideal for collecting comprehensive data from retail stores.    MOBOTIX CEO Thomas Lausten demonstrates how the company’s dual modular camera delivers high-quality images in extreme weather conditions IP video in extreme conditions The MOBOTIX stand was also less product-driven than at past shows. Instead, the focus was on how the manufacturer combines intelligent IoT technology and robust materials to address real end-user needs. CEO Thomas Lausten, who joined the company in June 2017, was on-hand to demonstrate how the company’s dual modular camera continues to deliver high-quality images in extreme weather conditions including ice, rain and sand. Rugged solutions were a big theme across the show floor. This is unsurprising given Intersec’s location in Dubai – the Middle East provides ample opportunity for the security market to capitalise on large outdoor projects, including the oil and gas industry. Video surveillance manufacturer Videotec showcased its latest HD PTZ cameras built to withstand harsh outdoor environments. The stand hosted an immersive ‘Experience Centre’, where the company’s flagship PTZ cameras moved in sync to a rolling video, demonstrating their use in vertical markets including oil and gas, marine surveillance, and critical infrastructure. Video surveillance manufacturer Videotec showcased its latest HD PTZ cameras built to withstand harsh outdoor environments MENA security market requirements Storage provider Promise Technology showcased its latest portfolio of surveillance solutions, including a cloud-based infrastructure optimised for growing IP video requirements. The manufacturer also introduced its new Vess A700 network video recorder series. This latest NVR offering specifically targets medium- to large-scale applications such as banking and industry. Such a solution is ideal for the growing Dubai market, where strict legislation requires a video retention time of 180 days. Intersec is set to return to Dubai from 20th - 22nd January 2019. Organisers expect over 1,300 exhibitors from across to globe to come together for a bigger, wider ranging and more innovative show.

  The cloud and deep learning are two technologies on the verge of transforming the video surveillance market. You often hear the two technologies mentioned as separate trends, but lately, I have been hearing about how interdependent they are. Economies of scale provided by the Cloud (Software as a Service, or SaaS) are making the sophisticated capabilities of deep learning affordable to a wider audience. Meanwhile, deep learning augments cloud systems with capabilities that may not be available, or affordable, in on-premise systems, thus accelerating the broader move to cloud systems. A new era of autonomous video One company that is combining the cloud and deep learning in an end-to-end system is Umbo Computer Vision, an “autonomous video security technology” company built on its founders’ expertise in deep learning and machine vision. The company’s cameras are equipped with basic video analytics, and they are tied into a cloud infrastructure that provides additional deep learning algorithms. The cameras provide computer vision pre-processing, with the bulk of detailed analysis happening in a neural network in the cloud.One customer benefits from another customer and all the knowledge is aggregated together" “Having a SaaS model gives companies like ours the resources to improve the deep learning model,” says Shawn Guan, CEO and co-founder of Umbo Computer Vision. “We can make more accurate systems that scale better and faster. SaaS enables vendors to do something great with deep learning. You don’t have to redo it for everybody. One customer benefits from another customer and all the knowledge is aggregated together.” Adapting to a changing landscape Umbo’s deep learning analytics provide higher accuracy, says Guan. For example, the system can provide accurate alerts on people climbing a wall, and it can accommodate for elements such as shadows and adverse weather conditions. The cameras can also provide occupancy information from a video view of a room; unlike people-counting applications, the camera does not need to be mounted above the door. The algorithms can detect loitering and can track a subject even if he or she disappears briefly from view (such as walking behind a building). Umbo developed the algorithms from scratch using the company’s deep roots in technology. Guan says the company was “built on data and using data.”    The company’s cameras are equipped with basic video analytics, and they are tied into a cloud infrastructure that provides additional deep learning algorithms The cloud serves as a media gateway “Cybersecurity is ensured,” says Guan. The cloud provides built-in authentication with the camera; user names and passwords are handled in the cloud, so there is no manual reset of the password at the device level. The cloud serves as a media gateway, and two-way communication between the camera and the cloud addresses how much data is streamed. Data in the camera has 256-bit encryption, and there is a secure “tunnel” through which data moves in the Internet. In the cloud, the host provider, such as Google, Microsoft or Amazon, protects the data to their own high standards. Each camera has industrial grade SD providing 30 days’ storage of full frame rate, 30fps video at 1080p, with backup in the cloud. In effect, the camera operates in-lieu of a network video recorder.The end-to-end system is designed to handle an essentially-unlimited number of cameras and can also be integrated with other products Handling unlimited cameras Customers interface with the system through the cloud’s software user experience. The end-to-end system is designed to handle an essentially-unlimited number of cameras and can also be integrated with other products. Umbo targets the enterprise market and has around two-hundred enterprise customers in the United States - their biggest market - as well as offices in London and Taipei, and customers around the world. The cost structure involves an annual payment per camera, between $280 and $600 depending on features/capabilities. Umbo is introducing a new bullet camera with a zoom lens for exterior applications, incorporating a higher-end Sony sensor for good low-light performance and wide dynamic range (WDR). The camera’s modular design enables the addition of features such as longer-range infrared – increased from 100 to 160 feet – white-light LED to provide a colour image, and greater deterrence, at night, and a long-range microphone for audio. The company also offers a fixed-lens dome camera for indoor applications.

The last two years have been pivotal for MOBOTIX, the German IP surveillance manufacturer. In 2016, the company entered into a share transfer agreement with Konica Minolta, a provider of advanced imaging and sensor solutions. More recently, the company has welcomed new CEO Thomas Lausten, who joins MOBOTIX with a wealth of experience from companies including Siemens, ADI Global Distribution and Milestone Systems. The changes have been accompanied by an updated look for the MOBOTIX brand, with a simpler logo and more unified branding across solutions and regions. SourceSecurity.com caught up with CSO Dr. Tristen Haage and CEO Thomas Lausten [pictured left-to-right] to find out what we can expect from the new-look MOBOTIX. High-quality IP solutions in a commoditised market With a new CEO and Konica Minolta on board, MOBOTIX is set for expansion on a global scale. But how much growth can we expect for a company like MOBOTIX in an increasingly commoditised surveillance market, where many of the larger players compete on price as a key differentiator? While MOBOTIX respects those players, says Lausten, the German manufacturer wants to tell a different story. Rather than competing as a camera hardware manufacturer, MOBOTIX is increasingly positioning itself as a specialist in high-quality IP surveillance software – camera units are just one part of an intelligent system. When MOBOTIX succeeds in telling this story, partners understand that it’s not about the price. "They stop selling boxes,” says Haage, “and start selling IoT devices." To this end, the company is deliberately moving away from promoting individual products and features, and instead concentrating its efforts on complete vertical market solutions where IoT devices can add the most value. These vertical markets include retail, transportation, perimeter protection and industry – although the list is set to expand with the addition of Konica Minolta’s expertise. “When you look at companies like MOBOTIX where there are people who have been on this ride for years, it’s clear they are passionate people” MOBOTIX has the potential to stand out in these markets; not only because of the company’s advanced IoT and sensor capabilities, but also because of its famous robustness. In challenging environments such as transportation and industry, MOBOTIX devices are ruggedised to withstand motion and shock, all the while providing reliable image quality and detection with fewer cameras. In the retail sector, MOBOTIX is already working on integrations with Point of Sale (POS) technologies, and hopes to add value for end users by partnering with experts in the fields of analytics and facial recognition. As Haage explains, “Driving innovation is not just about finding the best image resolution. It’s about finding new ways to innovate.” What makes MOBOTIX unique? Lausten sees MOBOTIX as distinct within the industry. This is due to the unmatched passion and longevity within the MOBOTIX community. “The passion in this company is unique,” says Lausten. “When you look at companies like MOBOTIX where there are people who have been on this ride for years, it’s clear they are passionate people.” The company has kept this enthusiasm from the beginning, through MOBOTIX’s continuing transformation to its new-look incarnation today. “It comes back to what [Dr. Ralf] Hinkel made: A community of partners.” According to Haage, this enthusiasm boils down to MOBOTIX’s mission to provide integrators with high-quality, smart products: “The people on the sales team appreciate they are not selling a commodity – not just a camera – but a smart IoT device with German quality, and this is what drives people in the company.” MOBOTIX is increasingly positioning itself as a specialist in high-quality IP surveillance software – camera units are just one part of an intelligent system Developing MOBOTIX on a global scale Might the majority acquisition by Konica Minolta alter MOBOTIX’s distinct “Made in Germany” DNA? No, says Lausten, who wants to reassure partners. While MOBOTIX is 65% owned by Konica Minolta, with many other shareholders, it remains an independent company. What Konica Minolta brings to the table is a financially strong owner who can advise on technology development. By leveraging MOBOTIX’s existing IP technologies and Konica Minolta’s advanced optical systems, the companies can work together to develop Intelligent solutions for specific vertical markets, including perimeter security and healthcare, according to Lausten. The challenge is to take what is already great about MOBOTIX – proven quality, made in Germany – and develop this on a global scale In addition to technology advances, the deal aims to broaden the distribution of MOBOTIX products by leveraging Konica Minolta’s global direct sales network and support systems. Although there are no “open doors” between the two companies, there is ongoing collaboration between Konica Minolta and MOBOTIX channel partners. Konica Minolta has a customer-centric approach and good relationships with end users in Europe and beyond, and can share this experience with MOBOTIX and its partners. While MOBOTIX has traditionally had a headquarters-centric approach, says Haage, the introduction of Thomas Lausten and Konica Minolta allows the company to cater to the individual needs of various regions, including the US. One might expect this increasingly global focus to mean that MOBOTIX will be varying its approach to products from region to region. On the contrary, explains Lausten, the challenge is to take what is already great about MOBOTIX – proven quality, made in Germany – and develop this on a global scale. Unifying the company’s approach globally is the best way to ensure customers’ needs are met efficiently. “When we do something,” says Lausten, “we do it properly.” Cybersecurity concerns drive innovation The company’s focus on innovation and quality is increasingly important in a market beset by cybersecurity concerns. Whereas two years ago end users were choosing products based on price, they are now asking whether devices have a back door to cyber threats. "The biggest concern for C-level people is cybersecurity,” predicts Lausten, “This will be a key driver moving forward." MOBOTIX's quality-driven focus means the company is well-prepared for this change: One hundred percent of software is programmed in-house, with frequent firmware and software upgrades to fix weak points. In the case of a software reset, this can only be carried out by sending the device back to MOBOTIX, which may seem less convenient from an end-user perspective, but significantly increases the security of the process. In light of cyber security threats, should users be concerned that MOBOTIX is becoming increasingly open to integrations with other video surveillance partners? The company is aware of the concerns, says Haage, and can therefore take countermeasures. While the market today is based upon open systems, MOBOTIX does not take partnership lightly. By integrating with key players only where there exists a synergy with MOBOTIX’s own technologies, the company can work on new aspects such as IT systems and processes, while taking MOBOTIX’s core products to the next level. “You have to comply with industry trends,” concedes Haage, “but that’s not the whole story.”

This year’s Super Bowl LIII American football game to determine the champions of the National Football League (NFL), has been protected by 360 Vision Technology’s ruggedised-Hybrid Invictus PTZ camera. The cameras were deployed as part of Security Centres International’s high-performance Mobile Advanced Safety Tower (MAST) rapid deployment camera solution. In all, 10 rapid deployment MAST units were deployed in various areas surrounding the brand new, Mercedes-Benz Stadium and State Farm Arena in Atlanta Georgia. With over 1 million fans expected to participate in Super Bowl and the 10-day fan festival, the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA), was keen to complement the existing CCTV networks around the grounds and mass transit point footfall areas, such as bus and rail stations. HD surveillance imaging MAST is the only product of its kind that would readily integrate into the existing CCTV infrastructure" Stuart Bostock, Executive Group President at Security Centres International explains why the 360 Vision Invictus camera based MAST system was chosen by MARTA: “Featuring world-class HD surveillance imaging, leading-edge design, robustness, zero infrastructure requirements and seamless Video Management System (VMS) integration, MAST is the only product of its kind that would readily integrate into the existing CCTV infrastructure. Additionally, MAST benefits from a significantly smaller footprint than similar trailer based stand-alone surveillance systems.” “MAST has been developed to answer the need for a more sophisticated and flexible surveillance system for infrastructure and public space safety, including large crowd gatherings, as in this application. MAST is unique, as it combines a rapidly deployable unit with some of the most advanced safety and surveillance technology available – the very reason why we selected 360 Vision Technology’s Invictus camera for its core imaging technology.” Full 1080P HD PTZ camera Invictus’ low-power consumption greatly assists the longevity of critical battery power when deployed in the field" Mark Rees Managing Director of 360 Vision Technology added: “360 Vision Technology’s Invictus is a high-performance, ruggedized all-in-one PTZ camera with full 1080P HD and ultra low-light camera technology - making it the perfect choice for off-grid temporary/rapid deployment mobile surveillance rigs, such as MAST. Additionally, Invictus’ low-power consumption greatly assists the longevity of critical battery power when deployed in the field – extending MAST’s operational performance for deployment in more remote applications.” “The Invictus camera’s unparalleled mix of competitive cost and advanced Predator low-light camera imaging technology makes it the perfect imaging component for the innovative MAST system.” MAST units at Super Bowl LIII The use of the MAST units integrated to the existing fixed camera points during Super Bowl LIII week proved a huge success with high-definition images transmitted back to the MARTA Emergency Operations Centre via a mobile network. System operators were able to identify and tackle a number of incidents Thanks to the high quality of images received, system operators were able to identify and tackle a number of incidents, including a vehicle theft. Additionally, the images were also used to predict areas of dense footfall, tackle crowd control safety issues, and manage general health and safety concerns. The deployment of the Invictus based camera system at Super Bowl LIII proved such a success that plans are already in place for deployment at other large-scale US sporting events, including the NCAA Final Four Basketball Championship in 2020 and for city centre deployment across Atlanta.

The retail industry is constantly looking to find new ways to be relevant in the ever-increasing shadow of online shopping. Researchers have predicted a 17.5 percent growth in the ecommerce share of global retail sales in 2021, rising from 13.7% in 2019. When designer brand Miniso opened new shops in Poland, they used Hikvision technology to give them the edge. The management team at Miniso had a number of specific questions they needed answers to in order to make the stores successful in the cut-throat high street environment. Best-selling products They resorted to sending people to individual stores to manually count the people – a very time-consuming and costly exercise How do we know if our marketing strategy is working? What is the conversion rate of purchases? What are the ‘hot areas’ of the store, and do these actually represent best-selling products? Originally, with no access to significant information, they relied on experience and conversation with staff. But there was no way to verify these findings. They also needed to be able to get this information remotely – i.e. management in their HQ in Warsaw wanted to be able to see the situation in the other four stores without having to visit them separately. Sometimes, they resorted to sending people to individual stores to manually count the people – a very time-consuming and costly exercise. Tailor-made solution Miniso turned to Hikvision AI products, with a solution built by Polish reseller Volta, including people counting cameras, fisheye cameras and NVRs. These were all coordinated using the HikCentral software platform. A people counting camera in each store counts people passing by, while another counts people entering and leaving. With this tailor-made solution management could calculate how many people were passing by to see a purchasing conversion rate. This also helps them to know whether marketing strategy is working. They can analyse the information further to see whether the rate of people entering the store is dropping, and whether that relates to the number of those passing outside. Miniso’s management can then look into the causes of these numbers, along with sales figures, to form a picture. For example, whether there is an external factor affecting shoppers either to pass by, or to enter. Video management platform The professional video management platform allows managers to access the information from different offices and mobile applications anywhere Because Miniso have the same technology set up in all the stores in Poland, they can compare different locations. This also comes in useful when it’s time to negotiate rent with shopping malls. Using ceiling installation of several fisheye cameras, the system can generate heat maps. This helps managers to see where ‘hot areas’ are, helping them to allocate products in the optimal place for promotion. Hot areas can also be compared with sales figures to provide further insights into shopping patterns. All the information provided by the system is coordinated, and business information on both layout and original image can be overlaid in Miniso’s HQ in Warsaw. The professional video management platform allows managers to access the information from different offices and mobile applications anywhere. This makes life a lot easier for the operations team as they need to check the situation in all stores. Fiercely competitive environment It also means that everything can be viewed simultaneously, so they can identify trends throughout the network of stores. Byron Zeng, Vice President of Miniso Poland, says: “The high accuracy of conversion rate the solutions provides really solves a number of our management issues. We can now easily see what’s going on in the other stores, including heat mapping, which makes management of the whole networks so much more efficient.” This is a great example of how AI surveillance products can change the landscape of business decision-making. In a fiercely competitive environment, like a shopping mall or high street, shopping trend data can help a retailer to survive. In fact, this worked so well for Miniso, they decided to use the solution in their stores across the whole of Europe – potentially about 200 stores in the next year.

Police in the Belgian city of Lokeren can now respond more effectively to criminal incidents – thanks to an upgraded video surveillance solution that features 120 Sony security cameras, including the rugged SNC-VM772R 4K minidome camera. Lokeren video security system Like all urban centers, Lokeren faces the challenges of crime, vandalism and antisocial behavior in its streets, public buildings and open areas. Until recently, the municipal police force relied on analog security cameras to assist with detecting and responding promptly to incidents. However, these cameras’ limited resolution and image quality often prevented efforts to prosecute individuals as they could not be successfully identified. In response to requests from citizens to maximise their safety, Lokeren police chiefs and city politicians pledged to upgrade their video surveillance capabilities. In particular, the urgent need was identified to improve the accurate recognition of suspects caught on camera – an even greater challenge at night or on dull, poorly-lit days. Full HD and 4K network surveillance cameras  Security specialists DS-Consulting therefore recommended upgrading Lokeren’s video security to a combination of Full HD and 4K network surveillance cameras. A competitive comparison by DS-Consulting saw Sony’s outdoor minidome and fixed box-type cameras compare favorably with other brands. The rugged SNC-VM772R 4K minidome camera delivered significantly better images in tough low-light conditions “There was only one choice when we compared the image quality of Sony’s security cameras against other market-leading brands” states Emiel De Smet of security specialist DS-Consulting. “They offer so much more detail and clarity – and that makes all the difference in critical surveillance applications.” SNC-VM772R 4K minidome camera In particular, the rugged SNC-VM772R 4K minidome camera delivered significantly better images in tough low-light conditions. The camera’s large-sized Exmor R CMOS image sensor allows it to capture more light than ordinary sensors. This allows it to ‘see’ suspicious activity clearly in conditions of almost complete darkness, where less sensitive cameras struggle. Installed by Belgian integrator Seris Technology, the complete surveillance solution features a video management platform by Genetec Security Center plus 120 strategically located Sony cameras, providing 24/7 coverage of city center streets as well as public buildings, including Lokeren’s police station, central library and city hall. Crime prevention and 24/7 video monitoring The new cameras give police a clearer picture of criminal activity in the city streets, assisting with the positive identification of suspicious persons even at night and in low light conditions. Round-the-clock video footage is routed via an optical fiber network, where images are monitored in the central dispatch office at police headquarters. Since the cameras’ installation, city police have seen a reduction in crime levels, accompanied by greater peace of mind for residents and visitors.

PureTech Systems recently announces a delivery milestone for the next phase of the Border Patrol’s Mobile Video Surveillance Systems (MVSS) program. The latest deliveries, consisting of ruggedised Ford F-150 trucks outfitted with telescoping surveillance payloads, are being deployed in San Diego, CA and will support mobile video surveillance up to 6 miles away. Remote surveillance scenarios The event was followed by Fox 5 News and ABC 10 News in San Diego and highlighted the value to Border Patrol agents in the field, including rapid deployment and ease of use. The MVSS platform utilises PureTech Systems’ PureActiv software as its central command and control, providing video intelligence, user interface display and sensor collaboration logic for the surveillance suite which consists of visible and thermal cameras mounted on a telescoping mast which extends over 35 feet in the air. Mobile surveillance solution In the interview with ABC 10 News, Michael Scappechio, a supervisor with the Border Patrol, said, it’s their increased rate of arrests that landed the trucks here, “nearly a 90 percent increase is significant, that’s going to get attention, that’s going to get resources, that’s going to get man power, infrastructure and technology.” Border Patrol also furthered that these trucks won’t replace the border wall but instead, will go hand in hand with it. PureTech Systems is teamed with Benchmark Electronics to deliver the complete mobile surveillance with the mission to track and identify Items of Interest (IOI) along the U.S. southwest border and other remote surveillance scenarios where rapid mobile deployment is needed. The most recent delivery of the mobile video surveillance solution is not the first, with several systems already being deployed along the border in Texas.

Located roughly 30 miles southwest of Los Angeles, Torrance Unified School District hosts roughly 24,000 students from kindergarten through high school. Torrance USD has 34 school sites encompassing elementary schools, middle schools and high schools. They’re joined by three preschool, continuation and community day schools. Violent crime and other offenses are an inescapable reality for US schools and their students. During the 2013–14 school year, 65 percent of public schools [Source: U.S. Department of Education] recorded one or more violent incidents occurring, representing an estimated total of 757,000 incidents. This figure translates to a rate of approximately 15 crimes per 1,000 students enrolled in 2013–14. Outstanding service “Visibility of what happens on campus gives us the upper hand with all forms of crime that may be committed. School safety is our number one concern and being able to see what’s happening and identify those involved is paramount. Sony cameras definitely give us that advantage. Their reliability, imaging quality and technology – combined with outstanding service – made Sony the best choice for us.” Gil Mara, Chief Ed Tech and Information Services Officer, Torrance Unified School District While Torrance consistently ranks among the safest cities in Los Angeles County, its schools face the same challenges as other academic institutions. In common with all school systems, TUSD has an obligation to maintain the safety, security and wellbeing of students as well as staff and campus visitors. Alongside violent assault, other key concerns include theft, break-ins, vandalism and graffiti – together with the need to maintain a visible deterrent against criminal activity. Sub-standard image quality Torrance Unified School District had relied on some ad-hoc installations at a few schools that were both poorly planned and had no consistent standards To date, Torrance Unified School District had relied on some ad-hoc installations at a few schools that were both poorly planned and had no consistent standards in place. The cameras poor positioning and sub-standard image quality – particularly in low light conditions – meant that perpetrators were frequently not identified successfully. This severely limited schools’ ability to resolve incidents and serve as an effective deterrent against further incidents. In addition to physical attacks and theft, schools in the district routinely reported instances of vandalism to the cameras themselves. As a further challenge, the heat and dust of the Southern Californian climate placed even more strenuous demands on the reliable performance of Torrance Unified School District’s existing analogue cameras. Security camera strategy To benefit from significantly improved round the clock image quality – as well as greater reliability and reduced ownership costs – Torrance Unified School District elected to re-think its security camera strategy. In total, the district has installed roughly 1,100 Sony video security cameras across 34 school sites. All cameras have been supplied and installed by integrator NIC, together with a networked video management solution provided by OpenEye. The majority of cameras are Sony SNC-EM632RC and SNC-VB632D ruggedised minidome model and bullet cameras, offering superb Full HD image quality in all weather and lighting conditions. “Torrance police have access to our security camera system and it affords them visibility on our campuses, as was the case just recently where a vehicle burglary suspect was identified and apprehended thanks to our Sony Video Security system.” Will Boxley – Network Analyst, EDU Tech and Information Services. Measurable effect on student safety Reliable cameras are deployed extensively around all outdoor areas of each school campus, including social and sports areas as well as parking lots The cameras’ highly sensitive Exmor CMOS image sensor and powerful IPELA ENGINE EX processing engine can even cope with harshly backlit conditions, where extremes of light and shade in the same scene often pose problems for other cameras. As an additional benefit, built-in IR (infrared) illumination gives a clear picture of people and suspicious incidents in conditions of total darkness. The rugged, reliable cameras are deployed extensively around all outdoor areas of each school campus, including social and sports areas as well as parking lots. Since initial installation in 2015, the Sony cameras have performed flawlessly, with no operational issues reported by IT and security staff. The cameras’ installation has had an immediate and measurable effect on student safety. Suspensions due to violence and assaults have been reduced considerably, while the incidence of weapons on campus has been reduced by more than 40%. What’s more, the cameras’ presence serves to reassure students and staff, while acting as a powerful deterrent against criminal activity.

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.

They call it “critical” for a reason. The so-called “critical infrastructure” is composed of the basic services that citizens have come to depend on, and which are necessary to support society and ensure national stability. The term includes high-visibility segments such as airports, refineries, transportation, wastewater, nuclear reactors, electric utilities, pipelines, and more. Because these functions are so critical, the stakes of providing security are higher than for any other market. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What are the security challenges of critical infrastructure facilities?