Switches

New from Link Microtek is the recently introduced remote-controlled version of Narda Safety Test Solutions’ SignalShark real-time spectrum analyser, which provides a powerful and versatile means of carrying out radio monitoring for organisations such as regulatory authorities, mobile phone network operators, police and security services, intelligence agencies and the armed forces. Covering the frequency range 8kHz to 8GHz, the SignalShark 3320 Remote Unit is capable of detecting, analysing and classifying a wide range of signals, as well as locating the source of transmissions using either automatic direction finding or TDOA (time difference of arrival) techniques. 40MHz real-time instantaneous bandwidth The 3320 provides a very flexible GUI with four task modes to support a wide variety of measurement applicationsThe instrument uses advanced FFT computations to achieve a 40MHz real-time instantaneous bandwidth with a 100% probability of intercept (POI) for signals longer than 3.125µs, which means that there are no gaps in the frequency span and every signal event can be detected reliably, even if it is extremely brief and transient. The unit is also able to capture the spectrum over the full frequency span of 8kHz to 8GHz in a single measurement at the impressively fast scan rate of 50GHz/s. Featuring an integrated computer running Windows 10, the 3320 provides a very flexible GUI with four task modes to support a wide variety of measurement applications, namely scan mode, real-time spectrum mode, auto DF mode and real-time streaming mode. Measurements are visualised by means of different views. For example, the user can choose to display the frequency domain and channel level at the same time by selecting a spectrum view and a level meter view. Easy to spot interfering signals One particularly useful feature is the persistence view in real-time spectrum mode, which makes it very easy to spot interfering signals even if they are only transmitted sporadically. The source of the interference can then be tracked down using dedicated SignalShark direction finding antennas. The 3320 unit is equipped with an excellent RF front-end delivering outstanding sensitivity and dynamic range The 3320 unit is equipped with an excellent RF front-end delivering outstanding sensitivity and dynamic range. It also provides four switchable RF inputs, which allow several different antennas – covering different frequency bands, for example – to be connected at the same time without the need for a complex switch that conventional single-input analysers require for this purpose. Available in either stand-alone or 19in. rack-mount versions, the SignalShark 3320 is accessed with remote desktop software via a network and can also be operated locally by means of an external monitor, keyboard and mouse. Utilising the SCPI remote control protocol and VITA 49 compliant I/Q streaming, the unit will integrate easily into almost any software environment.

MOBOTIX, global manufacturer of high-quality secure IP video systems, will showcase its award-winning lineup of smart IoT devices for a range of vertical applications at ISC West 2019 from April 9-12 at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas (booth #16089). MOBOTIX solutions are quality engineered for high-performance and reliability with a multi-layer approach to cybersecurity safeguards. Attendees will also be able to meet with key members of the MOBOTIX leadership team, including MOBOTIX CEO and security industry veteran Thomas Lausten. IoT Wall MOBOTIX will highlight its Programable Logic Devices (PLDs) in a unique IoT wall booth design. The IoT Wall will showcase pre-programmed cameras alongside peripherals, such as lightbulbs, fans and switches, for automation demonstrations. These intelligent IoT devices reach beyond security to create more efficient operations for businesses in many verticals, from predictive militances in industrial applications to data-based merchandising strategy in retail. Similarly, MOBOTIX will be hosting in-booth presentations covering a wide variety of topics. MOBOTIX will also showcase the MOBOTIX MOVE line, featuring enhanced infrared technology and a pan-tilt-zoom functionality MOBOTIX will also display its T26 Outdoor Station and Access Module for education campuses, which is a high-resolution hemispheric IP video door station with emergency-duress functionality allowing for keyless entry to secured buildings. MOBOTIX MOVE IP cameras MOBOTIX will also showcase the MOBOTIX MOVE line, featuring enhanced infrared technology and a pan-tilt-zoom functionality, and its thermal imaging line in which the M16 thermal camera won a SIA New Product Showcase Award last year. Both product lines are embedded with MOBOTIX’s layered cybersecurity protocols and support ONVIF standards to enable seamless integration into third-party systems. “This year at ISC West, MOBOTIX will be focusing heavily on our intelligent IoT solutions. We are looking to educate integrators and end users on Programable Logic Devices, or PLDs, to highlight the endless customisable solutions we offer to our customers,” said Joseph Byron, Vice President: Americas MOBOTIX. “All of MOBOTIX’s products are quality engineered in Germany, with outstanding performance capabilities that reach far beyond simple security and surveillance applications to provide an enhanced value and business intelligence for customers.”

BCDVideo, the provider of IP video surveillance infrastructure and appliances for the physical security industry, announced the hiring of Matt Strautman, who will serve as channel manager leading business development. In this role, Strautman will help foster growth by working with and educating security integrators, original equipment manufacturer (OEM) partners, and architectural and engineering firms on the latest industry, technology, and systems best practices. “Matt has outstanding OEM relationships and a diverse security industry background which includes working as a security integrator, sales representative and business development executive,” said BCDVideo CEO Jeff Burgess. “He brings a unique perspective to help lead our business development team into the future and we look forward to the immediate impact he will have as we continue to grow our footprint nationally in the physical security industry.” Addition of manufacturer sales rep firms BCDVideo is pleased to announce new additions to its nexus of manufacturer sales rep firms, including Bassett Sales Corporation, ISM, TLA, and ASR EnterprisesStrautman joins the BCDVideo team after serving as business development executive for Arrow Intelligent Systems, where he led national accounts and OEM partnerships for the global organisation. His expertise and knowledge of the industry will be essential as BCDVideo continues to fast-track its growth. BCDVideo is also pleased to announce new additions to its nexus of manufacturer sales rep firms, including Bassett Sales Corporation, Intelligent Systems Marketing (ISM), TaylorLong & Associates (TLA), and ASR Enterprises. Bassett Sales will offer BCDVideo’s solutions to customers throughout the Southwestern United States and Hawaii; ISM’s territory includes northern California and the Rocky Mountain region; TaylorLong will represent BCDVideo in the Northwest as well as Alaska; and ASR will help expand BCDVideo’s presence in the Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., marketplace. Enhanced customer access to products The addition of these most recent four firms helps give us the coast-to-coast sales coverage that we set out to fulfil at the beginning of the year"These new relationships will bring in a network of authorised dealers and distributors throughout these regions to further enhance customer access to BCDVideo’s product line of industry-leading video recording servers, hyperconverged infrastructure, the new BCDVideo Accelerator (BVA), environmentally hardened servers and switches, GPU analytics servers, as well as several private-label systems that BCDVideo builds for OEMs. “I am really excited about 2019 and beyond. The addition of these most recent four firms helps give us the coast-to-coast sales coverage that we set out to fulfil at the beginning of the year,” Strautman said. “I feel that we have aligned ourselves with not just with tenured rep firms, but with firms that have had longstanding success in the security industry and really understand the importance of a complete solution.”

Altronix, global provider of power and data transmission solutions for the professional security industry, continues to enhance its industry leading line of NetWay solutions with the introduction of several new and enhanced additions at ISC West 2019 (booth #11073). New NetWay products on display include three new 8-port Midspans with more power, a Gigabit (1Gb) Ethernet repeater for extended cable runs, and a versatile 5-port Ethernet switch that significantly reduces installation and equipment costs. “Our new NetWay solutions provide the added power, extended range capabilities and cost-saving benefits that enable the latest edge devices to be installed with the highest degrees of efficiency,” said Alan Forman, President, Altronix Corporation. “Equally important, Altronix NetWay solutions feature the quality and reliability customers and installers need to keep systems running smoothly.” 8-port NetWay Midspans Altronix is showcasing three new 8-port NetWay Midspans at ISC West Altronix is showcasing three new 8-port NetWay Midspans at ISC West. The NetWay8BT provides up to 90W power per port (480W total) for the most demanding Hi-PoE IEEE 802.3bt compliant devices, such as multi-sensor megapixel cameras or PoE lighting. For devices demanding power up to 60W each, Altronix now offers the NetWay8GP, providing up to 60W of power across all 8 ports (480W total). The NetWay8GL provides 60W on any designated port up to 240W total across the unit’s 8-ports. The new NetWay 8-port Midspans feature: a 1U rack enclosure; 10/100/1000 Mbps data rates at distances up to 100m and an integral battery charger for applications requiring backup. The NetWay8GP and NetWay8GL also feature embedded Altronix LINQ Technology to monitor, control and report power and diagnostics from anywhere. NetWay XTG PoE+ Gigabit Ethernet Repeater NetWay5B 5-Port Ethernet Switch allows up to four IP devices to be connected Altronix is also showcasing the new NetWay XTG PoE+ Gigabit Ethernet Repeater that extends data (video) up to 100m with a maximum possible range of up to 600m using multiple units. The unit is powered by the PoE/PoE+ it passes through. Additionally, Altronix introduced the NetWay5B 5-Port Ethernet Switch that allows up to four IP devices to be connected to the headend using a single CAT6 Ethernet cable, and is powered via PoE or any 12VDC or 24VDC source. Designed to be mounted in any Altronix enclosure, including their industry renowned line of Trove Access and Power Integration Solutions, this new NetWay5B 5-Port Ethernet Switch greatly reduces installation costs by eliminating the need and expense of running dedicated cables for each individual deployed device. NetWay series products are manufactured in the U.S.A. and backed by a lifetime warranty.

barox Kommunikation AG, the manufacturer of IT switches designed specifically for the video surveillance market, has released ‘Smart-barox’, a DMS SNMP plug-in that greatly extends Milestone XProtect Video Management Software usability. Allowing installers and operators to manage their security network and connected devices via the XProtect Smart Client, Smart-barox provides a live graphical overview of network topology, with invaluable network information available at your fingertips. With Smart-barox, VMS system diagnostic data showing the status of cameras and switches allows the fast pinpointing of network and device issues. Smart-barox enables network switches to act as health centres, to assess edge devices such as cameras or access units For example, if a network camera is failing to respond, Smart-barox enables any device to be selected and a re-boot command sent. Smart-barox tools include PoE monitoring, cable diagnostics and remote switch traffic monitoring, where live data traffic is shown on a graphical chart. Being able to see the traffic on each port makes it easier to diagnose errors and outages remotely. Assessing cameras or access units Smart-barox also enables network switches to act as health centres, to assess edge devices such as cameras or access units, automatically generating a tree diagram with all devices in the network shown, so operators will always have sight of which cameras are connected and operational. For easier recognition, it can also display camera names via ONVIF. Smart-barox also helps users to track camera power consumption. This is particularly useful as surveillance cameras behave differently to other types of IP device, with changing power demands due to shutter activation, pan & tilt motor drives, heaters or IR illuminators. Identify and respond to camera degeneration Other essential Smart-barox user benefits include cyber security features, such as authentication certificate loginIn short, Smart-barox helps installers and system operators to proactively identify and respond to camera degeneration, or automatically reset frozen cameras by interrupting their PoE, to force a reboot. When Smart-barox Active Camera Tracking automatically pings a camera that fails to respond to its PoE being taken away for reboot, fault logging flags-up the issue, allowing the proactive pinpointing of network and device issues. With regard to PoE consumption control, trigger points can be set to raise flags if consumption is increasing, and in the case of mains power outage, on power up, Smart-barox automatically manages the Coordinate Power Up procedure with Port by Port power activation, to avoid peak current surge damage. Other essential Smart-barox user benefits include cyber security features, such as authentication certificate login, 100Mbits - 1000Mbits Jumbo Frames to ensure camera frames are not lost, and periodic auto camera ‘ping’ to check and report their status. Action Buttons to switch-off camera Action Buttons allow users to switch-off a camera if required, either to enable a camera re-boot or for a situation where privacy is requiredA particularly useful feature, Action Buttons allow users to switch-off a camera if required, either to enable a camera re-boot if a camera has frozen (by removing its PoE for 15 seconds), or perhaps for a situation where privacy is required in a particular camera scene, such as a lawyer talking to his client in a prison. “barox designs all of its products to address the specialist requirements of video surveillance networks,” says Rudolf Rohr, barox Co-founder & Managing partner. “Smart-barox continues that tradition by supplying a Milestone DMS SNMP plug-in that allows installers to reduce their equipment replacement costs and keep network downtime to a minimum - saving costs by minimising network set-up time and avoidable journeys to site.”

Luxul, globally renowned innovator of IP networking solutions for security integrators, has announced its technology lineup for ISC West 2019, taking place April 10-12 at the Sands Expo in Las Vegas. In Legrand | AV's booth 29098, Luxul will exhibit PoE Self-Healing, managed Gigabit switches; award-winning routers with integrated Domotz remote management technology; the company's next-generation wireless controller; "Good, Better, Best" dual-band wireless access points (APs); and the new Easy Setup App. Switches, wireless APs "Today's security solutions are only as good as the networks they are built on, so integrators can't afford anything less than exceptional performance from all components — from switches to wireless APs," said Keith Ebert, director of channel sales at Legrand | AV – Luxul. "For our lineup at ISC West, meeting this requirement is only the beginning. Visitors to our booth will see advanced features that dramatically simplify installations, lower costs, and deliver the ultimate customer experience, all while laying the groundwork for RMR programs to increase revenue." At ISC West 2019, Luxul-managed Gigabit switches featuring Self-Healing capability will include the 18-port/16 PoE+ L2/L3 AMS-1816P and 12-port/8 PoE+ XMS-1208P At ISC West 2019, Luxul-managed Gigabit switches featuring Self-Healing capability will include the 18-port/16 PoE+ L2/L3 AMS-1816P and 12-port/8 PoE+ XMS-1208P. The units empower security integrators with two advanced features: Auto-Recovery and Power Scheduling. With Auto-Recovery, devices connected to the switches by PoE no longer need to be manually rebooted when they fall offline or become unresponsive. The configuration in the switch triggers them to reboot automatically. With Power Scheduling, integrators can now trigger the switches to power PoE-connected devices on or off based on any schedule they create within the switch. Luxul Epic Series wireless/wired routers Luxul routers on display will include the company's Epic Series, which consists of the dual-band wireless AC3100 Epic 3, wired multi-WAN Epic 4, and wired dual-WAN Epic 5. The routers' onboard Domotz technology sends security integrators alerts when network issues arise — allowing them to take immediate action — and also share device information with Luxul's support team for swift and easy troubleshooting. In addition, Domotz remote management provides security integrators with a foundation to establish added-value recurring monthly revenue (RMR) programs or offer a complement to existing camera monitoring programs. Also, on display will be the next-generation XWC-2000 wireless controller, which delivers twice the capacity of its predecessor with support for up to 32 Aps. Each AP can be configured for a designated wireless channel in addition to supporting individual wireless transmit power adjustment. Newly deployed APs are now automatically added for plug-and-play installation, and Luxul's Roam Assist technology, built into the wireless controller, ensures that mobile devices are always connected to the best AP for the highest performance. Wireless Apex APs for security systems Luxul will highlight a "Good, Better, and Best" offering of wireless Apex APs for security systems Luxul will highlight a "Good, Better, and Best" offering of wireless Apex APs for security systems. For smaller networks where budgets are a concern, Luxul's "Good" XAP-810 is a cost-effective wireless AP offering 802.11ac 2x2 dual-band technology and 5GHz beamforming for data rates up to 1200Mbps. The "Better" XAP-1510 features 802.11ac 3x3 dual-band technology and 2.4 and 5GHz beamforming for data rates up to 1900Mbps throughout a facility. The "Best" XAP-1610 features advanced 4x4 MU-MIMO (802.11ac Wave 2) technology and 2.4 and 5GHz beamforming for data rates up to 3167Mbps. The AP is designed to enhance transmission and reception performance, producing higher throughput when experiencing medium to weak signals within the effective range. Now available as a free download from the Apple and Android stores, Luxul's Easy Setup App, which allows integrators to install a Luxul wireless router and up to two wireless APs at the same time, from the convenience of a mobile phone, will be on display. The simple-to-use app not only speeds up installations but ensures the network infrastructure is installed with the appropriate settings and the latest firmware. The result is lower costs for integrators and their customers and a seamless wireless network that provides outstanding performance.

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.”  

Kwikset brand of Spectrum Brands, Inc. – Hardware & Home Improvement Division, announces that its SmartCode 888 Deadbolt Lock was chosen to become part of the new Home is Connected smart home system from D.R. Horton, Inc. The inclusion of Kwikset’s SmartCode 888 in the system was based on its value (great functionality at an entry-level price), reliability, and high degree of security. Incorporating the latest Z-Wave 500 chipset, the SmartCode 888 offers keyless entry through a convenient, easy-to-use touchpad. Kwikset’s patented Home Connect technology enables the lock to wirelessly communicate with other devices in the home through a third-party smart home controller, as well as to remotely check the door lock status, lock or unlock the door and receive notifications. Innovative program D.R. Horton’s Home Is Connected system is included in the base price of each new home from the company’s family of brands D.R. Horton’s 'Home Is Connected' system is included in the base price of each new home from the company’s family of brands. The system includes a robust central hub by Qolsys that controls the smart home features, including a home alarm and automation platform by Alarm.com, Honeywell Home thermostat from Resideo, smart switches by Eaton Corporation, video doorbell by SkyBell and hands-free, voice-first experiences with Amazon Alexa. “We are pleased to be part of such an innovative program created by the nation’s largest volume homebuilder,” said Dave Seeman, Director of National Builder Accounts, Kwikset and Baldwin, Spectrum Brands, Inc. – Hardware & Home Improvement Division. Convenience of keyless entry “We are confident that buyers of D.R. Horton homes will not only appreciate the security and convenience of keyless entry that our SmartCode 888 provides, but also the endless benefits of whole home automation. To be a part of a system that includes such well-known, reputable brands indicates to us the high level of trust D.R. Horton puts in our products.” Brad Conlon, Vice President of National Accounts for D.R. Horton, said, “We are pleased to work with Kwikset to provide this essential component to D.R. Horton’s new Home is Connected smart home system. We know our customers will appreciate the peace of mind that comes from Kwikset’s SmartCode 888 lock and the Home is Connected system overall.”

A 300-plus camera city centre video surveillance scheme in Lincoln has been installed and commissioned using cameras, monitors and switching equipment from Dahua Technology. The previous analogue-based CCTV system was more than 20 years old and had become expensive to maintain, so City of Lincoln Council decided to replace the analogue cameras and transmission equipment with HD digital equipment. The total cost of ownership has been reduced by the savings made on legacy fibre lease costs, as well as reduced energy consumption and the ability to configure and maintain the cameras remotely. Installation of IP full HD system The installation of the new IP full HD system and network is part of Lincoln’s smart city strategy – Vision 2020 The design of the new all-wireless encrypted system was based around delivering flexible technology, reducing the total cost of ownership, ease of installation, lower maintenance requirements, smart edge analytics and remote connectivity. Environmentally friendly aspects of the project included specifying lower-energy equipment, integrating remote support and recycling hardware wherever possible. The council employed independent consultants Lever Technology Group to help them ensure they had a robust and future-proof radio network design. The installation of the new IP full HD system and network is part of Lincoln’s smart city strategy – Vision 2020 – which seeks to drive innovation in the city and harness new technologies to improve the lives of citizens. One of the results is the provision of free Wi-Fi in the city, working alongside the Dahua cameras using the same IP wireless network. Bandwidth efficiency using H.265 compression A combination of fixed and PTZ cameras were installed over a new 1GB duplex network. These include cameras from the Dahua Pro series, which features high image quality, bandwidth efficiency using H.265 compression and excellent low-light performance. Bullet cameras from the Ultra series – with powerful optical zoom, IR distances of up to 50 metres and software which supports people-counting and heat-mapping – were also installed. The design of the scheme incorporated both camera and server-side analytics with legacy motion and audio detection The bandwidth efficiency of the cameras meant that multiple cameras could be installed in any given position, providing 360° coverage of locations and up to 20 Megapixels of video capacity per location – compared with less than 400,000 pixels with the previous analogue cameras. The design of the scheme incorporated both camera and server-side analytics, including video content analytics, facial recognition, ANPR, heat maps and pedestrian counting, as well as legacy motion and audio detection. The objective of the facial recognition aspect is to support operators in areas such as the search for missing and vulnerable individuals. PoE switches for providing power The superior image quality of the new system is borne out in figures which show an increase in ‘actionable’ images from 5% with the previous system to 60% successful reviews with the new one. Dahua PoE switches were also installed to provide power to the cameras, which are then connected to a layer-2 network. A new video wall comprising ten Dahua DHL49-4K LED backlit 49-inch 4K Ultra HD video wall display units featuring industrial level wide-viewing LCD panels, was fitted into a newly refurbished control room in City Hall and connected to i-Comply wonderwall video display drivers. This is a great collaboration of key project partners that have a tried-and-tested pedigree and working relationship with Videcom Security" Supplied through authorised distributor Mayflex, the entire system was installed by public space CCTV specialists Videcom Security, which worked with other partners to provide a high-performance, efficient and feature-rich system. Cost-effective and reliable equipment Bill Mead, Managing Director at Videcom Security, said that working largely with Dahua video equipment meant it was easier for engineers in terms of configuration, as well as being cost-effective and representing good value for money. “Working with the Dahua product range has been great. The products have proved to be reliable and we experienced very few problems, from the initial configuration through to installation and commissioning. “This is a great collaboration of key project partners that have a tried-and-tested pedigree and working relationship with Videcom Security. We broke new ground with the development of 4K H.265 decoding, the support through Luxriot for camera-side analytics and edge recording, and the development by Dahua of camera-to-camera communication, allowing for non-connected systems to communicate locally.” Infinet 5GHz and Siklu E and V band radios Videcom Security is a certified Dahua Integration Partner, training for which was delivered both by Dahua and the Mayflex Academy Dahua is a solution provider in the global video surveillance industry and associated technology and has a keen focus on innovation by investing heavily in research and development. For the Lincoln city scheme, its products were selected based on their performance and cost-effectiveness to meet project budgets. Videcom Security is a certified Dahua Integration Partner, training for which was delivered both by Dahua and the Mayflex Academy. This helped Videcom negotiate key firmware enhancements, which added to many of the analytical features available in each of the cameras. The wireless network is built with Infinet 5GHz and Siklu E and V band radios. Resilience and diverse routing has been built into the network design, which supports video surveillance as well as public Wi-Fi and capacity for smart city services. Luxriot have worked closely with Dahua, supplying their Evo Global video management system and supporting edge analytics integration through their ‘events and actions’ management, which has also been integrated through to i-Comply’s VTAS CRVMS software (now rebranded as Viewscape). Real-time control and video streaming The Dahua system implemented by Videcom Security provides the main elements of our tier-1 solution" The introduction of H.265 compression was ground-breaking for such a project, with the system capable of displaying 4MP and 6MP H.265 to the operator’s spot monitor with real-time control and video streaming. “The Dahua system implemented by Videcom Security provides the main elements of our tier-1 solution,” said Martin Byrne, CCTV Team leader at Lincoln City Council. “The police are extremely pleased with the system and we’ve had very positive feedback from them. “There is really no comparison from how we operated previously to how we can now. It revolutionises how we manage the CCTV systems and data. The potential for what we can achieve going forward is remarkable. We have now started to get real results from the investment in analytics; in particular vehicle and people-counting has been deployed and data is used to enhance other city projects.” Martin added: “Dahua has taken time out to visit and discuss with us our ambitions for smart city services. We have adopted Dahua as our brand of choice for CCTV cameras and have so far been very pleased and impressed with their reliability, low-light performance and overall image quality.”

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.”

IP network dependability matters in physical security and safety applications, given that a company’s assets and people are at risk. There have been strides in the areas of network dependability, fault-tolerance, reliability, and survivability. However, networks (or affordable ones, at any rate) still cannot ensure near-100 percent uptime, which is why system designers acknowledge and plan for the possibility of a network outage. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: How can/should an IP networked system adapt when network connectivity is lost?