Surveon IP Network Cameras  (20)

James Twigg is the Managing Director of Total Integrated Solutions (TIS), an independent life safety, security and communication systems integrator, specializing in design & consultancy, technology and regulatory compliance. Total Integrated Solutions work primarily with retirement villages, helping to ensure the safety of residents in numerous retirement villages across the country. In this opinion piece, James shares how smart technology is helping security teams and care staff alike in ensuring the safety and security of their spaces, amid the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Impact of smart technology Smart technology is having an impact on pretty much every aspect of our lives Smart technology is having an impact on pretty much every aspect of our lives. From how we travel, to how we work, to how we run our homes. It’s not unusual to have Alexa waking us up and ordering our groceries or Nest to be regulating the temperature and energy in our homes. And while there’s a popular misconception that people in their later years are allergic to technology, retirement villages and care homes are experiencing significant innovation too. And the result is not only improved quality of life for residents, but also improved safety and security systems for management teams. Switching to converged IP systems I’ve been working in the life safety and security industry for over fifteen years. When I first joined TIS, much of the sector was still very analog, in terms of the technology being installed and maintained. Slowly but surely, we’ve been consulting and advising customers on how to design, install and maintain converged IP systems that all talk to each other and work in tandem. I'm excited to say retirement villages are some of the top spaces leading the way, in terms of technological advancement. Improving the quality of life for residents A move into a retirement village can be daunting and one of the key concerns that we hear about is the loss of independence. No one wants to feel like they are being monitored or to have someone constantly hovering over them. One of the ways we’ve used smart technology to maintain residents' independence is through devices, such as health monitors and motion sensors. For example, instead of having a member of staff check-in on residents every morning, to ensure they are well, sensors and analytics can automatically detect changes in routine and alert staff to possible problems. Similarly, wearable tech, such as smart watches give residents a chance to let staff know they are okay, without having to tell them face-to-face. As our retirement village customers have told us, a simple ‘I’m okay’ command can be the difference between someone feeling independent versus someone feeling monitored. Simplifying and improving security systems Smart technology gives care staff and security oversight of the needs of residents For the teams responsible for the safety of the people, places and spaces within retirement villages, smart technology is helping to improve and simplify their jobs. Smart technology gives care staff and security oversight of the needs of residents, and ensures rapid response if notified by an emergency alert, ensuring they know the exact location of the resident in need. And without the need to go and physically check-in on every resident, staff and management can ensure staff time is being used effectively. Resources can be distributed where they are needed to ensure the safety and wellbeing of those residents who need extra consideration. 24/7 surveillance When planning the safety and security for retirement villages, and other residential spaces, it’s no use having traditional systems that only work effectively for 12 hours a day or need to update during the evening. Surveillance needs to be 24/7 and smart technology allows that without the physical intrusion into people’s spaces and daily lives. Smart technology ensures that systems speak to each other and are easily and effectively managed on one integrated system. This includes video surveillance, which has also become much more effective as a result of advanced video analytics, which automatically warn staff of suspicious behavior. Securing spaces amid COVID-19 This year has, of course, brought new challenges for safety. COVID-19 hit the retirement and residential care sectors hard, first with the initial wave of infections in mid-2020 and then, with the subsequent loneliness caused by the necessary separation of families. As essential workers, we worked closely with our customers to make sure they had everything they needed As essential workers, we worked closely with our customers to make sure they had everything they needed during this time, equipping residents with tablet devices to ensure they could stay connected with their families and friends. It allowed residents to keep in touch without risking transferring the virus. Thermal cameras and mask detection And now that we’re emerging out of COVID-19 restrictions and most residents can see their families again, we’re installing systems like thermal cameras and mask detection, so as to ensure that security will be alerted to anyone in the space experiencing a high temperature or not wearing proper PPE. Such steps give staff and families alike, the peace-of-mind that operational teams will be alerted at the earliest possible moment, should a COVID-19 risk appear. Thinking ahead to the next fifteen years, I’m excited at the prospect of further technological advancements in this space. Because at the end of the day, it’s not about how complex your security system is or how you compete in the industry. It’s about helping teams to protect the people, spaces and places that matter. I see smart technology playing a huge role in that for years to come.

As the COVID-19 pandemic wanes and sporting venues open-up to full capacity, a new disturbing trend has hit the headlines - poor fan behavior. Five NBA teams have issued indefinite bans on fans, who crossed the line of unacceptable behavior, during the NBA playoffs. Major League Baseball stadiums have a recurring problem with divisive political banners being strewn over walls, as part of an organized campaign, requiring fan ejections. There was a brawl between Clippers and Suns fans after Game 1 of their playoff series. And, the U.S. vs. Mexico Nations League soccer game over the Fourth of July weekend had to be halted, due to fans throwing objects at players and screaming offensive chants. Cracking down on poor fan behavior Security directors are consistently reporting a disturbing uptick in poor fan attitude and behavior With players across all major sports leagues commanding more power than ever before, they are demanding that sports venues crack down on poor fan behavior, particularly when they are the targets of that behavior. Whether it’s an extension of the social-media divisiveness that’s gripped society, or people unleashing pent up negative energy, following 15 months of social isolation, during the COVID-19 global pandemic, security directors are consistently reporting a disturbing uptick in poor fan attitude and behavior. They’re also reporting a chronic security guard shortage, like many businesses that rely on relatively low-cost labor, finding candidates to fill open positions has been incredibly difficult. Low police morale To add the third component to this perfect storm, many police departments are struggling with morale issues and officers are less likely to put themselves into positions, where they could wind up in a viral video. According to the Police Executive Research Forum, police officer retirements in the U.S. were up 45% in the April 2020 - April 2021 period, when compared to the previous year. Resignations were up 18%. In this environment, officers may be less likely to undertake fan intervention unless it’s absolutely necessary. This can seem like the worst of times for venue security directors, as they need more staff to handle increasingly unruly patrons, but that staff simply isn’t available. And, because the security guard staffing industry is a commoditized business, companies compete almost solely on price, which requires that they keep salaries as low as possible, which perpetuates the lack of interest in people participating in the profession. Digital Transformation There is only one way out of this conundrum and that is to make security personnel more efficient and effective. Other industries have solved similar staffing and cost challenges through digital transformation. For example, only a small percentage of the total population of restaurants in the U.S. used to offer home delivery, due to cost and staffing challenges of hiring dedicated delivery personnel. Advent of digital efficiency tools But with the advent of digital efficiency tools, now virtually all restaurants can offer delivery But with the advent of digital efficiency tools, such as UberEATS and DoorDash, now virtually all restaurants can offer delivery. Likewise, field-service personnel are digitally connected, so when new jobs arise, they can be notified and routed to the location. Compare this to the old paper-based days, when they wouldn’t know about any new jobs until they picked up their work schedule at the office, the next day and you can see how digital transformation makes each worker significantly more efficient. Security guards and manned guarding The security guard business has never undergone this kind of digital transformation. The state-of-the-art ‘technology’ has never changed - human eyes and ears. Yes, there are video cameras all over stadiums and other venues, but behind the scenes is a guard staring at a bunch of monitors, hoping to identify incidents that need attention. Meanwhile, there are other guards stationed around the stadium, spending most of their time watching people who are doing nothing wrong. Think about all the wasted time involved with these activities – not to mention the relentless boredom and ‘alert fatigue’ from false-positive incident reporting and you understand the fundamental inefficiencies of this labor-based approach to security. Now think about a world where there’s ubiquitous video surveillance and guards are automatically and pre-emptively notified and briefed, when situations arise. The fundamental nature of the security guards profession changes. Instead of being low paid ‘watchers’, they instead become digitally-empowered preventers. AI-based screening and monitoring technology This world is happening today, through Artificial Intelligence-based screening and monitoring technology. AI-powered weapons-detection gateways inform guards, when a patron entering the venue is carrying a gun, knife or other forbidden item. Instead of patting down every patron with metal in their pockets, which has been the standard practise since walk-through metal detectors were mandated by sports leagues following 9/11, guards can now target only those who are carrying these specific items. Video surveillance and AI-based analytics integration Combining surveillance video with AI-based advanced analytics can automatically identify fan disturbances Combining surveillance video with AI-based advanced analytics can automatically identify fan disturbances or other operational issues, and notify guards in real time, eliminating the need to have large numbers of guards monitoring video feeds and patrons. The business benefits of digitally transformed guards are compelling. A National Hockey League security director says he used to have 300 guards manning 100 walk-through metal detectors. By moving to AI solutions, he can significantly reduce the number of scanning portals and guards, and most importantly redeploy and gain further operational efficiencies with his overall operational strategy. Changing staffing strategy This changes the staffing strategy significantly and elevates the roles of guards. Suddenly, a US$ 20-per-hour ‘job’ becomes a US$ 40-per-hour profession, with guards transformed into digital knowledge workers delivering better outcomes with digitally enabled staffs. Beyond that, these digitally transformed guards can spend a much higher percentage of their time focused on tasks that impact the fan experience – whether it’s keeping weapons out of the building, pro-actively dealing with unruly fans before a broader disruption occurs, or managing business operations that positively impact fan patron experience. Digitally transforming security guards Perhaps most important, digitally transforming security guards elevates the profession to a more strategic level, which means better pay for the guards, better service for clients of guard services, and an overall better experience for fans. That’s a perfect storm of goodness for everyone.

Steven Kenny, Axis Communications, looks at the benefits of physical access control systems within smart environments, and how knowledge gaps and dated methods can inhibit adoption. Physical security is becoming more dynamic and more interconnected, as it evolves. Today’s modern access control solutions are about so much more than simply opening doors, with digitalization bringing multiple business benefits, which would simply not be possible using traditional models. Digital transformation While the digital transformation of processes and systems was already well underway, across many industries and sectors, it is the transformation of physical security from a standalone, isolated circuit, to a network-enabled, intelligent security solution that brings many benefits to the smart environment. Yet, with more organizations now looking to bring their physical security provision up to date, there are many considerations that must be addressed to maximize the potential of access control and video surveillance. Not least of which is that connecting physical security devices to a network presents risk, so it is increasingly important for IT teams to play a role in helping to facilitate the secure integration of physical and network technologies, as these two worlds increasingly converge. Improved access control in smart environments These urban constructs are capable of reducing waste, driving efficiencies and optimising resources The smart city offers significant benefits, reflected in the US$ 189 billion that is anticipated to be spent on smart city initiatives globally by 2023. These urban constructs are capable of reducing waste, driving efficiencies, optimizing resources and increasing citizen engagement. Technology, which is increasingly being incorporated to protect access points within the smart environment, can take many forms. These range from simple card readers to two factor authentication systems, using video surveillance as a secondary means of identification, right through to complex networks of thermal cameras, audio speakers and sensors. Frictionless access control During the COVID-19 pandemic, frictionless access control has provided an effective ‘hands free’ means of accessing premises, using methods such as QR code readers and facial recognition as credentials to prove identity. Frictionless access control brings health and safety into the equation, as well as the security of entrances and exits, minimizing the risk of infection, by removing the need to touch shared surfaces. Such systems can be customized and scaled to meet precise requirements. Yet, an increasing integration with open technologies and platforms requires collaboration between the worlds of physical security and IT, in order to be successful. Barriers to adoption Traditional suppliers and installers of physical security systems have built up a strong business model around their expertise, service and knowledge. Network connectivity and the IoT (Internet of Things) present a constantly shifting landscape, requiring the traditional physical security vendor to learn the language of IT, of open platforms, IP connectivity and software integration, in order to adapt to market changes and remain relevant. Many are now beginning to realize that connected network-enabled solutions are here to stay Those who cannot adapt, and are simply not ready for this changing market, risk being left behind, as the physical security landscape continues to shift and demand continues to increase. With end users and buyers looking for smarter, more integrated and business-focused solutions from their suppliers, it is clear that only those who are prepared will succeed in this space. Time will not stand still, and many are now beginning to realize that connected network-enabled solutions are here to stay, particularly within smart constructs which rely on such technology by their very nature. The importance of cyber hygiene Connecting any device to a network has a degree of risk, and it is, therefore, imperative that any provider not only understands modern connected technologies, but also the steps necessary to protect corporate networks. Cameras, access control systems and IP audio devices, which have been left unprotected, can potentially become backdoors into a network and used as access points by hackers. These vulnerabilities can be further compromised by the proliferation of connected devices within the Internet of Things (IoT). While the connection of devices to a network brings many advantages, there is greater potential for these devices to be used against the very business or industry they have been employed to protect when vulnerabilities are exploited. Cyber security considerations Cyber security considerations should, therefore, be a key factor in the development and deployment of new security systems. Access control technologies should be manufactured according to recognized cyber security principles, incident reporting and best practices. It is important to acknowledge that the cyber integrity of a system is only as strong as its weakest link and that any potential source of cyber exposure will ultimately impact negatively on a device’s ability to provide the necessary high levels of physical security. The future of access control There is a natural dispensation towards purchasing low-cost solutions There is a natural dispensation towards purchasing low-cost solutions that are perceived as offering the same value as their more expensive equivalents. While some have taken the decision to implement such solutions, in an attempt to unlock the required benefits, while saving their bottom line, the limited lifespan of these technologies puts a heavier cost and reputational burden onto organizations by their association. The future of access control, and of physical security as a whole, will, therefore, be dependent on the willingness of suppliers to implement new designs and new ways of thinking, based around high-quality products, and to influence the installers and others in their supply chains to embrace this new world. Cyber security key to keeping businesses safe In addition, cyber security considerations are absolutely vital for keeping businesses safe. The integration of cyber secure technologies from trusted providers will provide peace of mind around the safety or corporate networks, and integrity of the deployed technologies. As we move forward, access control systems will become data collection points and door controllers will become intelligent I/O devices. QR codes for visitor management and biometric face recognition for frictionless access control will increasingly be managed at the edge, as analytics in a camera or sensor. The future of access control presents an exciting and challenging time for those ready to accept it, to secure it and to help shape it, offering a true opportunity to innovate for a smarter, safer world.

NVR5400 Series has all the advanced benefits that can fulfill the needs for mission-critical application Surveon Technology, the end-to-end IP surveillance solution provider, introduced the newest storage-server NVR5400 Series at IFSEC, offering the best C/P alternative to the current enterprise network video recorder product line. Featuring 12 or 16-bay hot-swappable HDDs and H/W RAID data protection, NVR5400 Series supports 5MP video recording of up to 64 channels and SAS storage with up to 316 HDDs for 1-year plus video retention period, making it ideal for mission-critical projects like city surveillance, industrial and government. Features Surveon Intuitive VMS Similar to the recently released storage-server NVR7300 Series, NVR5400 Series provides high I/O, large capacity and storage backup to iSCSI function with its scalable client-server architecture. When it comes to ultimate data protection, NVR5400 Series supports RAID 5+spare and 6+spare aside from standard RAID 1, 5, 6, further elevating its protection level. Meanwhile, NVR5400 Series comes with Surveon intuitive VMS with real-time analytics, remote monitoring, central management and TV wall matrix through Surveon Control Center (SCC), which offers abundant features to deliver professional performance. Moreover, Surveon provides a web-based management tool SurveOne, supporting online monitoring for system integrators to easily check the health of the system to ensure the consistent stability. Mission-Critical Application Features For middle-large surveillance systems, NVR5400 Series provides all advanced benefits that can fulfill the needs for mission-critical application. “As an expert in NVR, we hope to provide NVR product lines catering to different applications. NVR5400 Series can serve not only as an ideal option for budget-conscious projects, but also be technically competitive for our partners to win the project bidding.” said Casper Wu, Product Marketing Manager at Surveon Technology. Available with 2U 12-bay or 3U 16-bay with Linux OS and Surveon enterprise VMS, NVR5400 Series made the first appearance at Surveon booth (F825) during IFSEC with the initial shipment scheduled at the beginning of July. In the meantime, more Surveon NVR products, including the 128-ch storage-server NVR7300 Series designed for performance-driven projects and 150-ch NVR7800 Series with pre-loaded Milestone XProtect VMS will also be showcased during the exhibition.

Surveon, the complete megapixel solutions provider, has announced the full integration of its 29 models of megapixel cameras with the award-winning Milestone XProtect® open platform video management software, with the Milestone Device Pack 7.3 released most recently. As one of the few manufacturers with in-house design and production capabilities, Surveon offers a full line of IP cameras and RAID NVR with enterprise storage to furnish partners with end-to-end professional surveillance solutions. As a Milestone Camera Partner (CaP), Surveon has expanded the camera integration with Milestone XProtect beyond the standard ONVIF protocol to the dedicated ‘deep driver’ support from Milestone. This provides users with seamless integration to create powerful and advanced surveillance solutions with the full functionality of Surveon’s line of cameras. Surveon megapixel cameras ranging from 1 to 5 megapixels include over 30 models designed for different market segments. From the economical compact series for the SMB market to the premium series featuring 3 megapixel 30 FPS and HDR for mission-critical applications, Surveon cameras offer customers a full range of choices to meet project demands. “As the world’s leading VMS solution, Milestone XProtect has been widely deployed in high-end projects,” said Casper Wu, Product Manager of Surveon. “For integrators to successfully put together a high-scale project, the solution must consist of not only advanced cameras and VMS, but the reliable storage to secure large recorded data.” In addition to megapixel cameras, Surveon provides a full range of storage in both iSCSI and DAS systems. Surveon storage solutions can be readily implemented in storage area networks (SAN), direct attached storage (DAS), and network attached storage (NAS) environments. The award-winning EonStor enterprise-grade RAID storage offers high performance controller, while hot-swappable HDD, advanced data services, redundant components such as cable design, cooling fan modules and power supplies help ensure system reliability and easy maintenance. Surveon presents complete end-to-end solutions with advanced capability, industrial-grade components to ensure high availability, and user-friendly management tools to simplify administration, improving reliability as well as interoperability with other systems and reducing compatibility issues and integration risks for system integrators.

Surveon will display its HDR cameras, video management solutions, and RAID subsystem storage at ISC West 2014 Surveon, the complete megapixel solutions provider, will demonstrate its full lines of solutions, including the new generation 3 megapixel real-time HDR cameras, enterprise video management solutions, and RAID subsystem storage at ISC West 2014 from April 2nd to 4th in Las Vegas, USA. As one of the few manufacturers with the in-house design and production capacity, Surveon keeps its commitments to develop the high quality products for professional IP surveillance, empowering its partners with fully integrated and reliable megapixel solutions. New Generation 3 Megapixel Real-time HDR Cameras Surveon has expanded the real-time performance (30 frames per second) to its new 3 megapixel camera series. The 2048 x 1536 resolution with 30 FPS provides 1.5 times more details compared to the standard HDTV cameras. Built-in with the true HDR over 100db, the Surveon 3 MP series also ensures clear images, even under complicated lighting conditions. Furthermore, using the H.264 high profile encoding engine and the region of interest (ROI) cropping, users can save up to 30% bandwidth while maintaining high image quality. Along with other advanced functions such as enhanced 2D/3D noise reduction and edge enhancement, Surveon's new 3 megapixel cameras are the ideal solutions for professional applications including banking, transportation, manufacturing, public utilities, and city surveillance. Enterprise Video Management Solutions The Surveon VMS 2.5 provides new and compelling features for megapixel surveillance. Supporting interactive video walls and matrix screen display, the Surveon VMS is capable of handling the decoding and displaying of numerous HD videos. In addition, for advanced projects Surveon’s central alarm monitors the overall hardware and software system status from one single platform to control operations, ease maintenance, and shorten response time. The new VMS 2.5 also enhances the usability by adopting PIP, fisheye, back-forward, and frame by frame in live view and playback modes. Combining with the enterprise features and advanced video analytics, the Surveon VMS 2.5 offers partners the powerful yet easy to use solutions for professional surveillance. Professional Hardware RAID Megapixel NVR The Surveon NVR series is a premium solution integrating high-performance and industrial-grade hardware and enterprise video management software for advanced surveillance needs. Built-in with the hardware RAID, the Surveon NVR systems are optimized for megapixel recording with enterprise RAID protection, high I/O, large capacities, and overall system stability.  Offering both desktop and rackmount series, the Surveon NVR supports two to 112 HDD and up to 64 channel Full HD recording, enabling system integrators to easily meet a variety of demands, even with hundreds of channels.