Switches

Altronix, global power and transmission solutions provider for the professional security industry, has enhanced the ACMS8 Dual-Voltage Access Power Controller with bi-colour output LEDs to visually indicate 12VDC or 24VDC at-a-glance. The unit’s switch-selectable versatility adds greater flexibility when combining 12VDC and 24VDC devices further facilitating ease of installation and adding a new level of protection in the same system. ACMS8 dual-voltage access power controller The ACMS8 distributes voltage from two 12VDC and 24VDC power sources simultaneously over any of the unit’s eight (8) individually selectable outputs allowing for a wide range of lock options. New bi-colour LEDs indicate power on each of the ACMS8 outputs with green indicating 12VDC, and both green and red simultaneously indicating 24VDC. “The ACMS8 is another example of how Altronix is continually looking to improve existing products using customer feedback, introduce new solutions and integrate them to provide greater efficiency,” said Ronnie Pennington, National Sales Engineer, Altronix Corporation. Emergency input trigger for egress and alarm monitoring The ACMS8 can provide power to a variety of access control devices, including magnetic locks and electric strikes The ACMS8 can provide power to a variety of access control devices, including magnetic locks and electric strikes. Additional features include: emergency input trigger enabling egress and alarm monitoring; a disconnect feature that’s individually selectable for any or all of the eight outputs; spade connectors to daisy-chain multiple ACMS8 or PDS8 modules for larger system applications; and protection using PTCs (ACMS8CB) or automotive style fuses. The eight trigger inputs isolate power from the access controllers providing further system protection. Ideal for use in Altronix’s Trove Access and Power Integration Series, the ACMS8K1 kit which combines the ACMS8 with the Altronix VR6 Voltage Regulator, provides the ability to select different voltages for multiple outputs from a single power source. This reduces the requirement and costs for multiple power supplies and batteries, while conserving valuable enclosure space due to its unique stackable design. As with all Altronix products, the ACMS8 is manufactured in the U.S.A., and backed by a lifetime warranty.

The RX Switch is designed to work seamlessly with the RX Series of advanced access control card readers and will separate multiple card technologies into individual data feeds for independent access control systems within a multi-tenanted environment. RX Readers and Switch The RX Readers and Switch can be installed at the buildings turnstiles and the various tenant card technologies are filtered and then sent to the corresponding tenant access control system. UK Designed and manufactured, the switch and readers support a wide variety of output formats allowing it to be used in most access control environments, providing a flexible platform to give the right user interface configuration for your project.  If more than four outputs are required, then up to four switches may be stacked to provide a maximum system capacity of sixteen tenant systems.

Pulse Secure, the provider of Secure Access solutions, announced that analyst firm Frost & Sullivan recognised Pulse Secure among the top four major NAC leaders in the SMB to Large Enterprise segment by market share and among the top three NAC vendors showing the most significant market share gains. The recent Frost & Sullivan ‘2018 Network Access Control (NAC) Market, Global, Forecast to 2022’ report states that network visibility is critical. Every device on a network is a potential attack or reconnaissance point that must be discovered and secured, and the increasing level of malware and cyberattacks are driving NAC investments. Software-driven secure access solutions Pulse Policy Secure delivers a full-featured NAC solution that is easy to deploy, manage and scale NAC vendors have been able to add value to licenses by offering added endpoint posture assessment and remediation services, and integration modules. NAC vendors are delivering improved features and functions for visibility, mobility, BYOD, IoT and automated threat response. The result is sustained growth for the NAC market where revenues are expected to grow from 2017 – 2022 at a 16.9 percent CAGR, reaching $2.1B in 2022. The published report provides an overview of the market including NAC capabilities, technology, drivers, adoption trends and competitive insights. Pulse Secure offers a portfolio of software-driven Secure Access solutions that satisfy usability, contextual intelligence and policy orchestration to support data centre and hybrid IT environments. Sold separately or as part of a Secure Access Suite, Pulse Policy Secure delivers a full-featured NAC solution that is easy to deploy, manage and scale. Highlights of Pulse Secure’s NAC solution: Markets. BYOD, IoT, interoperability and enforcement drive sales in all geographic regions, with financial services, government, healthcare and manufacturing/high tech among Pulse Secure’s key markets. Product. Pulse Secure NAC provides 360-degree visibility with enforcement to see, monitor and control managed, unknown and IoT devices connecting locally or remotely to the network. Value. Customers can start with Pulse Profiler to discover, assess and inventory network devices. With full network visibility, customers can then use Pulse Policy Secure NAC to invoke access, enforcement and threat response policies, orchestrated via API, Syslog, SNMP and IF-MAP protocols. Value. Pulse Secure’s highly scalable architecture is ideal for large enterprises and MSSPs. Each high-performance appliance can control up to 50,000 users. The solution also includes an embedded, enterprise-class RADIUS server. Enhanced security posture The report also cross-references solution attributes compared to other NAC market leaders such as Cisco, ForeScout and HP/Aruba. According to the report findings, “Unlike pure-play NAC offerings, Pulse Secure’s solution can include both VPN and NAC which enables unified visibility, consistent endpoint compliance policy and access control for data centre and Hybrid IT. Pulse Secure works with popular switches, wireless, NGFW, EMM, SIEMs and endpoint security for automated threat response" “Customers gain a stronger security posture, expedited deployment and lower TCO by leveraging a common client, policy and management framework. Unlike infrastructure NAC, Pulse Secure works with popular switches, wireless, NGFW, EMM, SIEMs and endpoint security for automated threat response. This proven, interoperable architecture simplifies deployment, administration and orchestration.” Integrating NAC with VPN “Pulse Secure is experiencing a resurgence in NAC adoption driven by sales of Pulse Policy Secure, our enterprise NAC solution, Pulse Profiler which offers endpoint and IOT device discovery, classification and monitoring, and as part of our Secure Access Suite that integrates NAC with our VPN, mobile and cloud security solutions,” said Prakash Mana, vice president of product management at Pulse Secure. “We are pleased to receive these NAC market distinctions as an enterprise market segment leader and among the top vendors showing significant market share gains.” “Network visibility and the increasing level of malware and cyberattacks are driving NAC investments as end user and IOT devices are ultimately the place where intrusions to networks matter, and the last chance to defend or detect a network breach,” said Tony Massimini, senior industry analyst at Frost & Sullivan. “Pulse Secure provides a complete NAC platform, and when combined with their VPN solution provides enterprises a centralised view of remote, cloud and network user and device activity and compliance, as well as threat response.” 

Antaira Technologies is a developer and manufacturer of industrial networking devices and communication solutions for harsh environment applications and is proud to announce the expansion of its industrial networking infrastructure family with the introduction of the STM-60XC series of Serial to Modbus Gateways. Modbus networks have been around for a very long time. Markets are driving the need for Modbus RTU and ASCII devices to communicate with Ethernet and ultimately cloud devices with the help for IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things). It is this need that has prompted Antaira to take a look at Modbus Gateway technology and integrated it into the Antaira portfolio. Dual Ethernet connections The new STM-601C, STM-602C, and STM-604C provide options for a wide range of applications in industrial applications including 1, 2, and 4 serial port options. All three of these models provide dual Ethernet connections with the ability to provide unique IP and MAC addresses per port giving the devices the ability to be used in a redundant network design. The reverse polarity and overload protected redundant power inputs add the level of engineering that is expected in true industrial devices. Antaira’s STM-60XC series supports up to 921.6 kbps and any baud rate setting making it scalable for any Modbus RTU or ASCII network. The series of gateways also support up to 16 connections per serial port under Modbus master mode and 32 sessions under Modbus slave mode. Antaira provides a 5-year warranty for these devices, further adding to these devices’ features and solutions, for when a need arises to get your Modbus devices connected to your company and beyond. 

HSI Sensing (HSI), an Oklahoma-based manufacturer of custom reed switch and sensor technology, announced at Global Security Exchange (GSX) that its high-security sensors product line – Sentinel – now includes retrofit models. Sentinel Retro is compliant with existing models on the market to facilitate the ease of replacing outdated sensor technology with the newest innovations from HSI.  “Our company is innovative, solutions-centred and responsive, so when we heard of clients struggling with upgrading their sensor systems, we knew we immediately needed to create the Retro Model,” said Ryan Posey, CEO of HSI Sensing. “Utilising Sentinel’s tried and true technology, the Retro Model makes it easier than ever for clients to achieve top-of-line security with a simple swap of sensors in an existing location.” Designed for anti-tamper features HSI launched its Sentinel sensors line in 2017 as an enhanced technology for high-security intrusion detection. Sentinel sensors utilise Solid State technology and are designed with a wide range of anti-tamper features allowing them to resist physical, electrical and magnetic tampering. It is intended to be a door contact sensor and entry-point alarm where failure is not an option, like at government facilities, prisons, banks, power plants, weapon sites and other high-security areas. The Sentinel Retro sensor also comes in a dual alarm version and a dry circuit version The Sentinel Retro models feature the same screw hole patterns as other high-security sensors currently in the field, allowing the models to be drop in replacements for existing uses. The Retro Models, just like the rest of the Sentinel line, have received the highest high-security standard listing available - a UL 634 Level 2 listing. Achieving this puts the products in an elite tier and requires 16 additional standards to be met beyond the initial 40 for a UL 634 listing. Dual alarm and dry circuit version To further extend the Retro Model uses, the sensor also comes in a dual alarm version and a dry circuit version. The Sentinel SM2 Retro Dual Alarm is designed with two alarm outputs, making it the ideal choice when a secondary circuit is needed for an indication light, access control system or other addition. The Sentinel SM2 Retro Dry Circuit is designed to convert the alarm and tamper outputs from a digital signal to a dry contact signal, internally changing the two-wire output signal to a set of SPDT switches. These also have a UL 634 Level 2 listing for exceptional security performance.

Altronix, global provider of power and transmission solutions for the professional security industry, is showcasing the new eBridge1600F 16-port EoC receiver with integral PoE switch here at GSX 2018 (booth #1950). The new and innovative eBridge1600F power and transmission solution further bridges the infrastructure gap by integrating coax, Ethernet and fiber along with PoE, thereby eliminating the cost and labor associated with installing new network cabling. eBridge1600F 16-Port EoC receiver “Altronix continues to design and deliver new power and transmission solutions that merge infrastructure with emerging technologies to accommodate greater capacity and speed for today’s advanced IP installations,” said JR Andrews, National Sales Executive, Altronix Corporation. “The new eBridge1600F allows coax users to cost-efficiently upgrade analog systems to IP with the ability to take advantage of new or existing fiber infrastructure to deploy IP devices at greater distances.” Coax to IP transmission upgradation Altronix eBridge1600F is an all-in-one, head-end solution for upgrading coax to IP that combines a PoE+ switch and EoC Receiver into a single integrated unit. It features 16 Ethernet ports rated at 100Mbps (full duplex up to 300m without repeaters) with 30W full power per port (500W total power), one 1Gb SFP (fiber port), and two 1Gb Ethernet uplinks. Additional features include a built-in battery charger, and embedded LINQ Technology to monitor, control and report power/diagnostics from anywhere over the network connection. As with all Altronix products, eBridge1600F is manufactured in the U.S.A., and is backed by a lifetime warranty.

Security consultants are on the front lines of trends such as “smart buildings” and the increasing demand for green technologies. We recently gathered together several consultants to reflect on what’s new in these areas, joined by a representative of HID Global. Participants were Chris Grniet of Guidepost Solutions, Brandon Frazier of Elert & Associates, Terry Harless of Burns & McDonnell, and Harm Radstaak, HID Global’s Vice President and Managing Director, Physical Access Control. SourceSecurity.com: What are your thoughts on the emergence of “smart buildings”? How do you see the concept expanding? How does making a building “smart” add value to it as an asset? Brandon Frazier: The term smart building has been a moving target beginning in the late 1800s with the electric thermostat. As I see things now becoming networked, becoming smarter, I think we’ll be able to aggregate a lot of data, and probably use that data. I think there will be new ways to use data for the average customer. Chris Grniet: Smart buildings have been a long time coming. It’s about green, sustainability, the ability to control your environment, and making sure you get the most efficiency out of an asset. To understand how an asset is being used is very important. A lot of clients these days are looking for occupancy calculations: Are my facilities being used to their utmost capabilities? What are my populations, and how do I control the environments? And is the real estate really worth keeping because so many people are working remotely? Harm Radstaak: I believe that smart buildings will bring our traditional security industry potentially into a new space, with data analytics and servicing end users, and channeling data to be used for green buildings, sustainability, space utilisation. It’s important for our industry to know how we will make sure that data is secure and trusted for end users and to provide the correct technology, services and solutions. Terry Harless: Another thing is that smart buildings can be used for maintenance. In the security world, you can keep a log of how many people have gone through a door, or use it for maintaining batteries if you’re using wireless devices, or maybe maintain your locks when they have been cycled so many times. {##Poll36 - How do you make your security systems more green?##} SourceSecurity.com: How important is being “green” related to design decisions and product selection? How do you use green products? Frazier: The world of selecting electronics based on green criteria has always been very tricky. A lot of manufacturers have come out with “green products.” I’ve seen more power-efficient products, and we are seeing certifications on them. But it is very difficult, I think, to truly design a green technology-based system end-to-end. Not just single components but an entirely efficient system. Radstaak: I see it as absolutely a trend for end users to specify new buildings according to sustainability and green specifications. For HID Global and ASSA ABLOY, we see it as one of the megatrends worldwide. Green and sustainability are critical as we define our products and solution set and bring that back to the table in design engineering and product marketing. Harless: I’m on board and think green is good. But as far as helping with accumulating points for the LEED [Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design] certification, I have talked with several architects and engineers in the past who are LEED certified and discussed with them some of the green security products out there. For the most part, they say the products are not providing any points for them. They typically don’t want to waste the time of adding security into their evaluation. SourceSecurity.com: So the “green” that we have achieved in the security market is not translating into enough quantitative scoring to make a difference in the LEED certification. Frazier: I think our power usage is so miniscule compared to the big building systems that the savings we offer are just not worth their time (to document). Grniet: I have had some opposite experiences where we are able to contribute if we don’t call it a security category, but we put it in with the low voltage category, so now we have greener power consumption on my switches, my computing systems, people are putting OTNs (optical transport networks) in, and not utilising as much power on a floor-by-floor basis. Now I have smart power supplies, smart locks, green locks. Where the industry has always lacked is the sustainability piece. We talk about zero landfill projects. We talk about rare earth metals involved in these processes, and other materials; this industry continues to source from remote regions. Everybody is pitching “built in America,” but we all have to source something from abroad, and those are real challenges for the security industry. Not to mention the fact that, unfortunately, we ship everything in small packages – it’s all unitised. So we create massive landfills by doing that. There are some companies that have gone out and started packaging in mass relative to orders and said: “This is how we are going to ship, not on an individual piece-by-piece basis.” That has to speak to the entire supply chain relative to sustainability. Read part 2 of our Consultants' Forum series here

Increasing the quality of illumination with LED can help deter crime and improve the accuracy of video analytics One of the greatest challenges that indoor and outdoor security surveillance solutions face is lack of light. However, obtaining the proper amount of illumination for security goes beyond merely flooding a specific area with light. Without an adequate lighting source, video cameras are ineffective. When capturing only dark, blurry images and video, they can quickly become worthless to security staff or law enforcement personnel. On the other hand, too much of the wrong type of light can create issues like ‘hot spots’ and overheating, which can diminish crucial details and eventually cause irreversible camera damage. Fortunately, there has been a recent global shift that is sending users away from the old incandescent and fluorescent bulbs, and toward LED lighting. Regardless of the type of CCTV application, there are an abundance of reasons to stop using alternative types of illumination. Here are 3 of the most substantial. 1. Better illumination and clarity You would think it would be common knowledge by now that cameras need light to see, and well-lit areas provide less cover for criminals to commit crimes. However, it is still somewhat commonplace to have sites where either not enough lighting or the wrong kind of lighting is implemented. Increasing the quality of illumination in an area has the ability to deter crime, make other accompanying safety devices perform better and even improve the accuracy of video analytics. LED lamps are currently the only security lighting option that possesses a multitude of point sources, making it possible to  aim your light Integrators need a lighting solution that consistently performs, and when it comes to supplying the best operation, price, and durability; external LED lighting is the only choice. One particular aspect of external LED lighting that makes optimum illumination possible is the strategic uniformity of its design. External LED lamps are currently the only security lighting option that possesses a multitude of point sources, making it possible to literally aim your light by situating individual diodes in a specific angle or position. This type of alignment offers a more consistent and predictable light source than anything else on the market, eliminating much of the uncertainty involved in installation. This allows you to light a larger area more effectively and efficiently with nearly zero effort. 2. Faster start-up time Whether you are talking about protecting a utilities facility, school campus or international border, it doesn’t take long for an incident to occur. Unlike traditional HID (high intensity discharge) lights, which can take up to a half an hour to reach full competency, LED’s spark up immediately. The colder the climate of the area, the more difficulty the HID bulbs have getting started and functioning properly. Given that there are many places in the United States alone where temperatures can sit at or below single digits, it seems almost absurd to consider anything else besides LED lighting. This sizable flaw can be especially detrimental if attempting to set up any kind of crime deterring, motion detection solution. One of the most crucial components of a sufficient response system is reaction time. Having a sluggish start up regarding any component is much like having a 15 year-old guard dog laying in your yard. By the time the security lights get up and running, the offender has already committed the crime and vacated the premises. And as dependable as the old boy may have been in the years past, he is now just too darn slow. And with an industry that is quickly moving toward more effective real-time, situational security solutions, a hesitated response is the last thing desired. Unlike traditional HID lights, which can take up to a half an hour to reach full competency, LED’s spark up immediately 3. Increased life span and efficiency Organisations have the opportunity to save thousands of dollars each year in energy costs, whilst increasing site security by switching to LED based illuminators. LED’s provide the lowest running cost currently available, with less than 100 watts needed for the most powerful of units. Not to mention, the majority of additional wattage needed for other types of lighting units is generally burned off in the form of unwanted heat, decreasing both quality and length of life. How much longer LED’s lasts when compared to the alternative is astounding. For example, the average life span of an incandescent bulb is about 1,000 hours; fluorescent bulbs last for around 10,000 hours, while LED’s can shine bright up an impressive 100,000 hours. That is 100 times longer without changing a bulb. Furthermore, installing LED’s not only saves money in the form of lower energy and running costs, but also provides a very low rate of bulb malfunction or failure. This cuts down on maintenance fees as well as possible down time that could result in vulnerability. Inspections and servicing of lights alone can be very expensive and time consuming. LED’s radiate much less heat, reducing the chance of insect complications and helping prevent hot spot development, again saving you time, money and frustration at every camera site. Enhancing overall security solution As time goes on, the importance of strategic lighting becomes more and more evident for the security industry. The continual growth of technologically advanced video solutions (biometrics, crowd detection, motion tracking, etc.) demands a level of clarity and consistency that can only obtained through proper lighting. LED’s not only yield a lower running cost and better performance, they provide an enhanced level of control. The most important benefit of a security tool is not always how it performs independently, but how it increases the effectiveness of the overall security solution it is a part of.

Budget cuts are causing councils to scale down their systems, or decommission them altogether Budget cuts in England and Wales are leading to cameras being switched off to save money. But why is this happening and what could be done to minimise the impact on public space CCTV systems? The UK could be described as the CCTV “capital” of the world, with between 4 million and 6 million cameras deployed, according to a British Security Industry Association study in 2013. The vast majority of these are part of privately run systems mostly on “private” property, and do not feature in this article. We are concerned here with public space CCTV, usually run by – or at least involving – local government authorities. Due in part to large amounts of central government funding in the past (successive governments injected over £200 million of capital funding between 1994 and 2003), it was a boom time for public space surveillance. It seemed that every city and town was falling over itself to set up a surveillance system, often because the town next door had done so. Propelled by a fair amount of hype about what these systems could do and tacit acceptance of them by the public, they were soon to be seen in many towns and cities in the UK. Budgets squeezed and CCTV cut So are the good times over for CCTV? Well, there have been some radical moves recently which have seen local councils either scale down their systems, or decommission them altogether. Councils have had their budgets squeezed since austerity began in 2010, and there’s no sign of this changing any time soon. So, many of them have been looking at what expenditure cuts they can make. Unlike other services councils are legally required to deliver, CCTV is a “non-statutory service,” which means it’s at each council’s discretion. "The decision to carry out this limited decommissioning process was part of the response to central government funding cuts in general" A recent example of what can happen when councils are strapped for cash is Havant Borough Council in Hampshire, which switched off its 46-camera system this month, aiming to save £155,000 a year. “Reluctantly, after much consideration and investigation by our scrutiny panel, Havant Borough Council accepts the current CCTV system no longer fulfils a majority of the original objectives set out from when the system was set up in 1999,” said a spokesperson. Some of the cameras did not comply with the 2013 Surveillance Camera Code of Practice, and the system was described as “not fit for purpose.” The council concedes that although the local police force was approached to help with funding, no other sources of revenue – and no alternative technical solutions such as video analytics – were considered. Interestingly, Havant council says that if crime and anti-social behaviour rose “to a reasonable point,” alternative digital solutions would be investigated. If required, the council says it would work with other stakeholders towards a digital, fully integrated, centrally monitored CCTV system, with the council making a “financial contribution.” Over in Newbury, a 22-camera system has been switched off after West Berkshire Council stopped funding it. A council spokesperson told Newbury Today that among a whole range of cuts proposals that went out for consultation, the CCTV scheme had fewer responses than others, and as a result the council felt the money was better spent on other services. In Birmingham, the city council has decommissioned 51 cameras out of its stock of 276 since 2014. “We have physically decommissioned … cameras at various sites across Birmingham, as agreed by the council’s cabinet in March 2014,” said a spokesperson. “The decision to carry out this limited decommissioning process was part of the response to central government funding cuts in general – and the council is also required to adhere to guidance from the Surveillance Commissioner’s office, which states that cameras should only be used in areas where there is a pressing need.” Perhaps the most high-profile location to make plans to abandon its CCTV system is Westminster council London CCTV monitors to go dark Perhaps the most high-profile location to make plans to abandon its CCTV system is Westminster council in London, which will decommission its network of 75 cameras from 1 September. The scheme covers large parts of central London, was only established in 2002, and at the time was one of the most advanced in the country. The council revealed it has been discussing for “many years” the issue of the ongoing annual running costs of up to £1 million with the police, the Greater London Authority and central government, but no support has been forthcoming. If no solution can be found, Westminster council says it will allocate the £1.7 million currently earmarked for upgrading CCTV to other, “potentially more effective crime prevention measures,” such as improving the environment or better street lighting. Councillor Nickie Aiken, cabinet member for public protection, says: “Like many other local authorities around the country, our current view is that we are not able to continue to subsidise this non-statutory service when there are many other pressures on our budgets, and where other partners are the main beneficiaries.” City centre surveillance should be a priority Not all council members are happy with the decision. “We saw a 30 percent reduction in crime when [the cameras] were installed, so may we expect a 30 percent increase when they are no longer functional?” councillor Glenys Roberts asked in West End Extra. “Whenever there is a major incident anywhere in the world, CCTV plays a huge part in tracking and apprehending perpetrators, so of all the things the council spends money on, [it] should be a priority.” The Surveillance Camera Code of Practice says there has to be “a legitimate aim and a pressing need” in order to use CCTV. The term “pressing need” is not defined, so could be interpreted to mean only when there is an urgent rise in, or increased threat of, crime. Are there perhaps technical solutions available to mitigate this sorry state of affairs? Jacques Lombard, managing director of installation company Syntinex and vice chairman of the British Security Industry Association’s CCTV section, thinks so. “New technology such as HD 1080P and Ultra HD 4K can cover more than four times the area of a traditional analogue system, meaning the number of cameras required is significantly reduced. Installing fewer cameras does not necessarily mean less coverage.”  

A video surveillance system installed by Daemon Fire & Security, based on an AMG Systems-supplied Ethernet switch network, is helping to protect the UK’s first new inland rail freight hub for over a decade: iPort Rail. The iPort project near Doncaster, South Yorkshire, offers 6 million square feet of space across 337 acres. The massive park is already home to enormous distribution facilities for companies like Amazon, CEVA, Fellowes and Lidl, and its occupancy is set to expand in the coming years. The newly developed iPort Rail terminal, located on its own 30-acre site within iPort, is connected to the electrified East Coast Main Line via the South Yorkshire Joint Line. It offers integrated access to iPort, meaning occupiers can directly approach the rail terminal using their own specialist vehicles on the facility’s private roads. Implementing video surveillance system The cameras we are using are from Bosch, and they are monitored and recorded using the Bosch Video Management System"The terminal can handle up to six trains a day, operating 24-hours, six days a week. Each train can be the maximum UK length of 775m. iPort Rail has an 800m reception siding and two 400m handling sidings, with storage capacity for 1,500 shipping containers. With iPort Rail playing such a crucial role in developer Verdion’s iPort transportation strategy, there was a pressing need to ensure that the terminal has effective ongoing video monitoring. Buckingham Group Contracting Ltd was responsible for the work on iPort Rail, and they worked with CCTV specialist Daemon Fire & Security to implement the video surveillance system for the perimeter of the terminal. Chris Tattersall, Technical Director at Daemon, said the system runs on a redundant fibre optic network. “AMG Systems assisted us with the fibre optic network design.” Tattersall said. “The cameras we are using are from Bosch, and they are monitored and recorded using the Bosch Video Management System. The cameras are on towers from Altron, and the networking is from AMG.” Cameras for intrusion detection The cameras utilise Bosch analytics, monitoring the perimeter fence for people approaching and trying to climb over or cut through"There are 32 cameras mounted on 18 towers around the rail terminal site perimeter. Tattersall explained that the cameras are primarily used as detectors to monitor for trespass or intrusion. “The cameras utilise Bosch analytics, monitoring the perimeter fence for people approaching and trying to climb over or cut through,” he said. “The cameras are monitored live by the 24-hour security team in the site gatehouse. The system is networked using equipment and expertise from AMG Systems. Daemon and AMG designed a failsafe fibre optic ring system together,” Tattersall said. “From the gatehouse there’s a fibre optic cable which goes and loops around every camera tower and goes back to the gatehouse,” he said. “It’s a redundant ring, so if they get a fault or deliberate cut, everything will carry on working. We’re using industrial PoE Ethernet switches in the towers so they can withstand low temperatures, which is particularly important during cold winters in a relatively open site like this.” Operative in extreme temperatures The industrial managed switches are able to operate in temperatures ranging from -40 deg C to 75 deg CThe industrial managed switches, 20 of which were used in this project, are able to operate in temperatures ranging from -40 deg C to 75 deg C and are designed for medium to large network environments to strengthen network connections. AMG Business Development Director Sara Fisher said AMG was thrilled to be involved in this project. “We were delighted to be asked by Daemon to contribute our design and product expertise to help protect this important and growing freight hub,” she said. Daemon’s video surveillance project took around 10 weeks in total, including implementation and commissioning. It was handed over on time and installed on target. Tattersall said the smooth running of the project could be put down to Daemon’s good working relationship with contractor Buckingham, distributor Pro-Vision, networking and transmission expert AMG Systems, and product suppliers Bosch and Altron.

From 2019, Airbus will embark on the modernisation of the PMR (Professional Mobile Radio) network of the Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG) public transport company. By 2020, the PMR provider will have overhauled the network infrastructure and converted the system to Internet protocol (IP). Airbus has also concluded a service agreement with the BVG until 2025. Airbus will provide the Berlin-based company with advice and support over the course of the modernisation process. The entire contractual package also comprises, alongside the technical retrofitting, the supply of the latest technology, such as an IP-based switch and an in-service maintenance and service provision. Communicate more securely The partners have also agreed to the possibility of progressively expanding the network with other base stations and to run these using the simulcast technology. Simulcast, also called Single Frequency Network, allows all base stations to transmit on the same frequency. This means that signals can be propagated very well over large areas. With the upgraded Tetrapol network, drivers and the control centre will be able to react more efficiently to all kinds of situations Since the network was rolled out in 2001, Airbus has partnered with BVG and, with its modern radio technology, it will make a further important contribution to the efficient running of Berlin's bus traffic. With the upgraded Tetrapol network, drivers and the control centre will be able to react more efficiently to all kinds of situations and to communicate more securely. Safe transport system The modernisation also implies an increase in the system’s capacity so that it can transmit even greater volumes of data. For approximately 2,100 radio users at the BVG, the Tetrapol network was made even more robust and user-friendly. A total of around 14,600 people work for the BVG and its subsidiaries to provide an environmentally friendly, reliable and safe transport system for more than a billion travellers each year. To coordinate the complex bus traffic in Berlin, the company built the Airbus Tetrapol network around nine base stations. Buses run on more than 150 lines over a catchment area of approximately 1000 km². The BVG also operates night buses on more than 60 lines, along with 22 tramway lines.

A Japan based technological enterprise is working towards the formation of a technology corporate group. The company’s technologically advanced products include a diverse range of products that are used on land, sea, air and even space. The company offers a range of environmental and recycling plants, industrial plants to automobile and infrastructure equipment. And at every step, Kawasaki pays the utmost attention to humankind and the environment. This century old company has been able to establish a firm foundation as a technological enterprise. The company’s automobile division, which makes it one of the pioneer automobile companies, is spread on a global scale. Crystal clear images They also wanted to monitor how the employees interacted with customers, cleanliness of the premises The company having franchise stores operated by respective owners in India was concerned about the consistency in branding and customer service across these stores. They wanted a solution that could enable them to view the stores from a central location, specially the front end where their premium vehicles were displayed. They also wanted to monitor how the employees interacted with customers, cleanliness of the premises, whether the products were displayed in the right order, branding in the store and other process compliances. But at the same time, they did not want to invest in recorders as the numbers of cameras at individual locations were very limited. Matrix installed high resolution IP cameras at each store. These cameras provided crystal clear images of every corner of the store. This enabled the company to monitor every aspect of brand management such as order of vehicles, customer service, cleanliness, behaviour of employees, etc. Geographically separated locations A Matrix NVR was placed at the central location, and all the cameras from different locations were connected to itCameras were installed at each location based on the requirement and connected to a network switch with the help of CAT6 cables. Since there was a private connectivity between all the geographically separated locations of the company, all cameras at various locations were configured locally with VPN functionality (same class of IP address), and were viewed at a central location without port forwarding. A Matrix NVR was placed at the central location, and all the cameras from different locations were connected to it. This allowed streams from all twelve locations to be viewed on a single screen. In this way, Matrix helped the automobile giant maintain process compliance in its stores throughout the country. Centralised Control Better Brand Management Elimination of Compliance Check Costs Enhanced Security Employee Discipline Matrix products used: SATATYA CIBR13FL40CW: 1.3MP IP BULLET CAMERA SATATYA CIDR13FL40CW: 1.3MP IP DOME CAMERA SATATYA NVR24P: 24-CHANNEL NETWORK VIDEO RECORDER WITH 6TB STORAGE SUPPORT

Siklu Inc., a supplier of mmWave solutions, has announced that its radios have been selected by Israel Police as their main wireless fibre solution. These systems were selected for nationwide deployments as well as temporary events for the purpose of backhauling HD video surveillance systems and advanced sensors.  The Israel Police, similar to police forces all over the world, face a considerable challenge when it comes to deploying a camera array at a city’s main centres within a short timeframe. Adding to the difficulties in securing these parades, is the legacy communication infrastructure in the old rock-based, mountainous terrain city of Jerusalem. When a wireless communication option is considered, the challenge of a dense urban environment packed with thousands of interfering Wi-Fi networks, needs to be addressed. Putting on a Gay Pride parade in Jerusalem, the holiest city in the world presented an additional challenge – how fast the city’s technology partners, MER Group, SMBIT and Siklu would be able to design, supply and install the very small mmWave radios at the strategic locations marked by the security experts. The surveillance cameras serve as a deterrent, as potentially disruptive groups are aware that they are being filmed High-quality video streams Operating in the abundant 70GHz band, with 5GHz of continues spectrum, Siklu’s radios were not constrained by the costly and time-consuming frequency survey associated with legacy wireless solutions. At each location, the Police placed 2 HD cameras and simply deployed the Siklu radios back to back, eliminating the need for traditional multiple powering and switching devices. Simplified deployment was enabled by the Siklu EtherHaul radios with their integrated switch and dual PoE out. At each pole and rooftop along the parade route, a single EH-710TX radio was able to power the complete pack of cameras and radios. With these features and capabilities, the whole network was deployed in only 1 day. On the day of the parade, the event gathered four times the number of people (~20K) attending in recent years, and the Police commanders were more than satisfied with the quality of video streams arriving in real-time to the control rooms. The live, high quality video streams enabled real-time response from the Police to any possible provocations. The cameras also serve as a deterrent, as potentially disruptive groups are aware that they are being filmed. Siklu’s mmWave technology, carefully tailored for our security networks, was definitely the right call to make" Wireless fibre links Yoav Ludmer, SMBIT’s CEO stated that “for all city events, we should provide adequate safety measures for the huge crowds expected. The Israel Police tested and deployed Siklu’s mmWave radios a few months prior to the Gay Pride Parade in another sensitive part of Jerusalem, and the solution proved to be rock solid.” For the first time in Israel, Siklu’s mmWave wireless fibre links were deployed in hours to support Police surveillance cameras and sensors. “After experiencing the high-quality video cameras enabled by Siklu’s technology and integrated by the MER Group and SMBIT, we challenged them to deliver a complex solution in very little time for a very sensitive temporary event and the result was impressive” said Israel’s Police Chief Technology Consultant, Avi Gohar. “Siklu’s mmWave technology, carefully tailored for our security networks, was definitely the right call to make. It proved to be a real game changer for us, and indeed for the city.”

A rapidly-deployable temporary fence line has helped a construction giant deliver a key installation for National Grid to help meet London’s increasing energy needs. A new 400kV Gas Insulated Switchgear electricity substation has been constructed as part of the EAN Framework and connected to a £1bn 32km electricity superhighway deep below the capital. Perimeter security mesh manufacturer Zaun Ltd provided 155 metres of high-security Rapid Deployable System (RDS) fencing for temporary protection of the construction works. Zaun subsidiary Binns Fencing installed the system. Security for high-profile events RDS has won a number of security innovation awards, has been used to secure the main political parties’ autumn conferences over recent years and forms part of the National Barrier Asset. Three massive electricity transformers, each of which had to be delivered on a special 60m long trailer with a police escort, have been craned into place at the Seven Sisters Road substation. The new 32km electricity superhighway is part of a seven-year £1bn project – due to be fully operational this year – to help keep Londoners connected to safe and reliable electricity supplies. This involves reinforcing the high voltage network across London by installing new cables and wires in deep underground tunnels, from Hackney to St Johns Wood, Willesden to St Johns Wood and Wimbledon to Kensal Green. The project includes the longest single-length cable pull in an underground utility tunnel in the UK.

In early 2017, the Colombian government made its state-of-the-art Army Aviation Logistics Center (Spanish acronym, CLAVE), fully operational. Designed and built by the U.S Army Corps of Engineers, CLAVE is an over 9,000 square meter facility designed to provide support for the transportation, storage, distribution, and security of the Colombian Army’s aeronautical equipment. To comply with international standards for aeronautical logistical activities, the implementation of a high-level security system was required, and this included deploying a complete IP CCTV surveillance system of over 100 cameras to monitor the entire centre and its surroundings. Requirement was for implementing an IP CCTV system that utilises the coaxial wiring in their new facility. However, barriers posed by long reach requirements between the cameras and surveillance control centre, and the financial costs associated with installing IDF closets to support the cameras at distances greater than those supported by standard Ethernet switches (328ft, 100m) – caused CLAVE to seek out a solution based on the principles of the Modern LAN, allowing them to deploy the new IP CCTV system quickly, efficiently, and affordably.Not only did the NVTP solution take the signal and transmit it through the wiring, but it also provided power to the camera" NVT Phybridge CLEER24 The Colombian Army was introduced to the NVT Phybridge CLEER24 (Coax Leveraged Ethernet Extended Reach) managed switch solution, by Colombian distributor SAC. The award-winning CLEER24 solution provides Ethernet and PoE+ over Coax with up to 2,000ft (610m) reach. In just 3 quick and easy setup steps, the plug-and-play switches transformed the cabling into the power-packed IP platform needed to support the new IP cameras for distances up to 2,000ft (610m) – 6Xs farther than standard Ethernet, with no need for costly IDF closets. “In our case where distance limitations were a critical issue, NVT Phybridge made all the difference when other solutions on the market could not,” said Paula Rosana Murillo, Business Development Coordinator at SAC. “Not only did the NVTP solution take the signal and transmit it through the wiring, but it also provided power to the camera.” Cost-saving security solution CLAVE was able to smoothly and flawlessly deploy 109 cameras across the entire facility, with virtually no disruption to operations and saving tens of thousands of dollars while doing so. For the integrator, this was a professionally enriching experience, “NVT Phybridge, through its Colombian distributor SAC, facilitated access to technical training and support – ensuring the proper usage of these products and allowing the integrator to have greater confidence in the implementation of NVTP technology,” commented Oscar Triviño, Project Manager in charge of the CLAVE facility construction. “The implementation of the NVTP solutions generated savings in wiring, electrical infrastructure, and manpower that were estimated at $56,000USD – with the connection of all cameras to the power source being achieved in the most effective way possible.”NVT Phybridge technology ensured the quality of all the video content, fully taking advantage of the quality, state-of-the-art cameras used in the project" IP surveillance and remote monitoring With CLEER24 technology, the customer was able to take full advantage of Modern LAN principles, fast-track their IP camera deployment, while eliminating risk and creating a robust platform that can be managed remotely: no Coax replacements, no service outages, no security risks, no network complexity, and no wasted budgets. “NVT Phybridge technology ensured the quality of all the video content, fully taking advantage of the quality, state-of-the-art cameras used in the project and providing an immensely satisfying result for the Colombian Army.”