Retail security applications

Security trade fairs can be daunting for attendees. At big shows like ISC West and Global Security Exchange (GSX), there can be hundreds of physical security manufacturers and dealers vying for your attention. Booths are sometimes spread out across multiple halls, often accompanied by a confusing floor plan. As the scope of physical security expands from video surveillance and access control to include smart building integrations, cyber security and the Internet of Things (IoT), there is an increasing amount of information to take in from education sessions and panels. Here, SecurityInformed.com presents eight hints and tips for visitors to make the most out of trade shows: 1. Outline your objectives. As the famous saying goes, “Failing to plan is planning to fail!” Before you plan anything else, ensure you know what you need to achieve at the show. By clearly noting your objectives, you will be able to divide your time at the show appropriately, and carefully choose who you speak to. If there is a particular project your organization is working on, search out the products and solutions that address your security challenges. If you are a security professional aiming to keep up with the latest trends and technologies, then networking sessions and seminars may be more appropriate. 2. Bring a standard list of questions Prepare a list of specific questions that will tell you if a product, solution or potential partner will help you meet your objectives. By asking the same questions to each exhibitor you speak to, you will be able to take notes and compare their offerings side by side at the end of the day. This also means you won’t get bogged down in details that are irrelevant to your goals. Most trade fair websites provide the option to filter exhibitors by their product category  3. Do your homework Once you know your objectives, you can start to research who is exhibiting and decide who you want to talk to. Lists of exhibitors can be daunting, and don’t always show you which manufacturers meet your needs. Luckily, most trade fair websites provide the option to filter exhibitors by their product category. Many exhibitions also offer a downloadable floor plan, grouping exhibitors by product category or by relevant vertical market.  It may be easier to download the floor plan to your phone/tablet or even print it out, if you don’t want to carry around a weighty map or show-guide. 4. Make a schedule Once you have shortlisted the companies you need to see, you can make a schedule that reflects your priorities. Even if you are not booking fixed meetings, a schedule will allow you to effectively manage your time, ensuring you make time for the exhibitors you can’t afford to miss. If the trade show spans several days, aim to have your most important conversations early on day one. By the time the last afternoon of the show comes around, many companies are already packing up their booth and preparing to head home. When scheduling fixed meetings, keep the floor plan at hand to avoid booking consecutive meetings at opposite ends of the venue. This will ensure you can walk calmly between stands and don’t arrive at an important meeting feeling flustered! Look for panels and seminars which address the specific needs of your project, or which will contribute to your professional growth 5. Make time for learning If you’re on a mission to expand your knowledge in a given area, check the event guide beforehand to note any education sessions you may want to attend. Look for panels and seminars which address the specific needs of your project, or which will contribute to your professional growth. This is one of the best opportunities you will have to learn from industry leaders in the field. Be sure to plan your attendance in advance so you can schedule the rest of your day accordingly. 6. Keep a record Armed with your objectives and list of questions, you will want to make a note of exhibitors’ responses to help you come to an informed decision. If you’re relying on an electronic device such as a smartphone or tablet to take notes, you may like to consider bringing a back-up notepad and pen, so you can continue to take notes if your battery fails. Your record does not have to be confined to written bullet points. Photos and videos are great tools remind you what you saw at the show, and they may pick up details that you weren’t able to describe in your notes. Most mobile devices can take photos – and images don’t need to be high quality if they’re just to refresh your memory. 7. Network – but don’t let small talk rule the day It may be tempting to take advantage of this time away from the office to talk about anything but business! While small talk can be helpful for building strong professional relationships, remember to keep your list of questions at hand so you can always bring conversations back to your key objectives. Keeping these goals in mind will also help you avoid being swayed by any unhelpful marketing-speak. It may seem obvious, but don’t forget to exchange business cards with everyone you speak to, or even take the opportunity to connect via LinkedIn. Even if something doesn’t seem relevant now, these contacts may be useful in future. Have a dedicated section in your bag or briefcase for business cards to avoid rummaging around. With your most important conversations planned carefully, there should be time left to explore the show more freely 8. Schedule time for wandering With your most important conversations planned carefully, there should be time left to explore the show more freely. Allowing dedicated time to wander will give you a welcome break from more pressing conversations, and may throw up a welcome surprise in the form of a smaller company or new technology you weren’t aware of.  Security Trade Fair Checklist: Photo Identification: As well as your event pass, some events require photo identification for entry. Notebook and pen: By writing as you go, you will be able to compare notes at the end of the day. Mobile device: Photos and videos are great tools to remind you what you saw at the show, and may pick up details you missed in your notes. Paper schedule & floor plan: In case batteries or network service fail. Business cards: Have a dedicated pouch or pocket for these to avoid rummaging at the bottom of a bag. Comfortable shoes: If you’re spending a whole day at an event, and plan on visiting multiple booths, comfortable shoes are a must!

I have been thinking a lot about the U.S. government’s ban on video surveillance technologies by Hikvision and Dahua. In general, I question the wisdom and logic of the ban and am frankly puzzled as to how it came to be. Allow me to elaborate. Chinese Camera Manufacturers Reality check: The government ban is based on concerns about the potential misuse of cameras, not actual misuse. Before the government ban, you occasionally heard about some government entities deciding not to use cameras manufactured by Chinese companies, although the reasons were mostly “in an abundance of caution.”  Even so, I find the targeting of two Chinese companies – three if you count Hytera Communications, a mobile radio manufacturer – in a huge government military spending bill to be a little puzzling. I can’t quite picture how these specific companies got on Congress’s radar. The government ban is based on concerns about the potential misuse of cameras, not actual misuse What level of lobbying or backroom dealing was involved in getting the ban introduced (by a Missouri congresswoman) into the House version of the bill? And after the ban was left out of the Senate version, was there a new wave of discussions to ensure it was included in the joint House-Senate version (with some minor changes, and who negotiated those?). It all seems a little random. Concerns For The U.S. Furthermore, the U.S. ban solves neither of the two main concerns that are generally used as its justification: Concern: Cybersecurity. The U.S. ban “solves” the issue of cybersecurity only if both of the following statements are true. No security system that uses a Hikvision or Dahua camera or other component is cybersecure. Any system that does not use a Hikvision or Dahua camera or other component is cybersecure. What level of lobbying or backroom dealing was involved in getting the ban introduced into the House version of the bill? The ban ignores the breadth and complexity of cybersecurity and instead offers up two companies as scapegoats. Our industry has sought to address cybersecurity, and the one principle that has guided that effort is that cybersecurity is an issue that must be addressed by manufacturers, consultants, integrators and end users – in effect, everyone in the industry. Cybersecurity does not begin and end with the manufacturer and banning any manufacturers from the market does not ensure better cybersecurity. Concern: “Untrustworthy” Chinese companies. Hikvision and Dahua are only two Chinese companies. Any response to concerns about whether Chinese companies are trustworthy would need to cover many more companies that manufacture their products in China. Australian TV recently claimed that “All Chinese companies pose a risk. Because of Chinese laws, there is a requirement for companies to be engaged in espionage on behalf of the state.” Even if one embraces that extreme view, the logic fails when only two companies are targeted. One source told me that 60 to 65 percent of the global supply of commercial video cameras are manufactured in China, so it’s a much bigger issue than two companies.The Chinese government has much more effective ways of conducting espionage than exploiting security cameras And is U.S. security at risk unless or until it is cut off from more than half of the world’s supply of video cameras? Even Western camera companies manufacture some of their cameras and/or components in China. Why name only two (or three) companies, only one of which has ties to the Chinese government? If the goal of the U.S. ban was to address the possibility of cybersecurity and/or espionage by the Chinese government, shouldn’t there be other companies and product categories included? Clearly, video surveillance is not the only category that has the potential for abuse. The Chinese government has much more effective ways of conducting espionage than exploiting security cameras. Global Response To U.S. Ban And now that the U.S. ban has been passed, how is the ban being misused to justify a new level of alarm about Chinese companies? Australian television effortlessly made the leap from “software backdoors” to a concerted and organized effort by the Chinese government to use cameras to be the “number one country for espionage.” And it’s not just about government facilities: “Even on the street, [cameras] have the potential to inadvertently contribute toward Chinese espionage activity by providing real-time information about the situation on the ground,” says the Australian TV report. If all Chinese companies pose a risk, why is the U.S. government targeting specific companies rather than all Chinese companies? If all Chinese companies pose a risk, why is the U.S. government targeting specific companies rather than all Chinese companies, or at least those with electronics or computer products that could be used for espionage? What about the espionage potential of the 70% of mobile phones that are made in China? What about other consumer electronics such as PCs or smart TVs? How many government facilities that are eliminating Dahua and Hikvision cameras have employees who use iPhones or use other electronic equipment from China? Artificial Intelligence & IP-Over-Coax Also, consider the impact of the ban on business. Hikvision and Dahua have had many successes in the video surveillance market, including in the U.S. market. They have added value to many integrators and end user customers. They have been on the forefront of important trends such as artificial intelligence and IP-over-coax. And, yes, they have made technologies available at lower prices.Cybersecurity issues have plagued several companies in the industry, not just Hikvision and Dahua Cybersecurity issues have plagued several companies in the industry, not just these two, and both Hikvision and Dahua have worked to fix past problems, and to raise awareness of cybersecurity concerns in general. Is a U.S. ban on two companies an appropriate response to a series of geo-political concerns that are much bigger than those two companies (and bigger than our entire market)? Should two companies take the brunt of the anti-Chinese backlash? Video Surveillance Cameras Is the video surveillance market as a whole better or worse for the presence of Hikvision and Dahua? Is it up to the U.S. government to make that call? In some ways, thoughts of Chinese espionage are a sign of these uncertain political times. Fear of video surveillance is perfectly congruent with long-standing anxieties about “Big Brother;” suspicion about China taking over our video cameras just rings true at a time when Russia is (supposedly) controlling our elections. But should two companies be targeted while broader concerns are shrugged off?

Governments and corporations face crisis events every day. An active shooter terrorizes a campus. A cyber extortionist holds a city for ransom. A hurricane washes away a key manufacturing facility. Not all critical events rise to the level of these catastrophic emergencies, but a late or inadequate response to even a minor incident can put people, operations and reputations at risk. Effective Response Plan In 2015, for example, the City of Boston experienced several record-breaking snowstorms that forced the city to close the subway system for three days. The extreme decision cost the state $265 million per day and was largely attributed to a lack of preparation and an inadequate response plan by the transportation department. The reputation of the head of the transportation department was so damaged by the decision she was forced to resign. Being able to better predict how the storms would impact the subway system’s aging infrastructure – and having a more effective response plan in place – could have saved the state hundreds of millions of dollars (not to mention the transit chief’s job). A comprehensive critical event management strategy begins before the impact of an event is felt and continues after the immediate crisis has ended. This full lifecycle strategy can be broken into four distinct phases – Assess, Locate, Act and Analyze. Assessing Threats For Prevention Security teams might have complained about not having enough intelligence data to make accurate predictionsIdentifying a threat before it reaches critical mass and understanding how it might impact vital assets is the most difficult challenge facing security professionals. In the past, security teams might have complained about not having enough intelligence data to make accurate predictions. Today, the exact opposite might be true – there is too much data! With crime and incident data coming from law enforcement agencies, photos and videos coming from people on the front line, topics trending on social media and logistical information originating from internal systems it can be almost impossible to locate a real signal among all the noise and chatter. Being able to easily visualize all this intelligence data within the context of an organization’s assets is vital to understand the relationship between threat data and the individuals or facilities in harm’s way. Social Media Monitoring Free tools like Google Maps or satellite imagery from organizations like AccuWeather, for example, can help understand how fast a storm is closing in on a manufacturing facility, or how close an active shooter is to a school. Their usefulness, however, is limited to a few event types and they provide only a very macro view of the crisis. Data from building access systems, wifi hotspots, corporate travel systems, among others, can be used to create a profile Critical event management (CEM) platforms, however, are designed specifically to manage critical events of all types and provide much greater visibility. Internal and external data sources (weather, local and national emergency management, social media monitoring software, security cameras, etc.) are integrated into these platforms and their data is visualised on a threat map. Security teams can quickly see if there are actual threats to the organizations or communities they are protecting and don’t lose time trying to make sense of intelligence reports. The more they can see on a ‘single pane of glass,’ the faster they can initiate the appropriate response. Locating A Threat Once a threat has been deemed a critical event, the next step is to find the people who might be impacted – employees/residents in danger, first responders and key stakeholders (e.g., senior executives or elected officials who need status updates). Often, this requires someone on the security team to access an HR contact database and initiate a call tree to contact each person individually, in a specific hierarchical order. This can be a time-consuming and opaque process. There is no information on the proximity of that person to the critical event, or if a person has skills such as CPR that could aid in the response. Ensuring ahead of time that certifications, skill sets, or on-call availability is included with contact information can save valuable time in the middle of a crisis response. Going even further, data from building access systems, wifi hotspots, corporate travel systems, among others, can be used to create a profile of where a person just was and where he or she might be going in a CEM platform. This information can be visualized on the threat map and help determine who is actually in danger and who can respond the fastest. The emergency response then becomes targeted and more effective. Security teams can quickly see if there are actual threats to the organizations or communities they are protecting Acting And Automating The third step is to act and automate processes. If there is a tornado closing in on a town, for example, residents should not have to wait for manual intervention before a siren is activated or a message sent out. Organizations can build and execute their standing operating procedures (SOPs) fully within a CEM platform. Sirens, alarms, digital signs and messages can all be automatically activated based on event type, severity and location. Using the tornado example, an integration with a weather forecasting service could trigger the command to issue a tornado warning for a specific community if it is in the path of the storm. Summon Security Guards Warning messages can be prepared in advance based on event type so there is no chance of issuing a misleading or unclear alert Warning messages can be prepared in advance based on event type so there is no chance of issuing a misleading or unclear alert. All communications with impacted individuals can be centralized within the platform and automated based on SOP protocols. This also includes inbound communications from first responders and impacted individuals. An employee confronted by an assailant in a parking garage could initiate an SOS alert from his or her mobile phone that would automatically summon security guards to the scene. Conference lines can also be instantly created to enable collaboration and speed response time. Additionally, escalation policies are automatically engaged if a protocol is broken. For example, during an IT outage, if the primary network engineer does not respond in two minutes, a designated backup is automatically summoned. Eliminating manual steps from SOPs reduces the chance for human error and increases the speed and effectiveness of critical event responses. Analysis Of A Threat Looking for ways to better prepare and respond to critical events will not only improve performance when similar events occur again It’s not uncommon for security and response teams to think that a critical event is over once the immediate crisis has ended. After all, they are often the ones pushing themselves to exhaustion and sometimes risking life and limb to protect their neighbours, colleagues, community reputations and company brands. They need and deserve a rest. In the aftermath of a critical event, however, it’s important to review the effectiveness of the response and look for ways to drive improvements. Which tasks took too long? What resources were missing? How many times did people respond quickly? With a CEM platform, team performance, operational response, benchmarking data and notification analysis are all captured within the system and are available in a configurable dashboard or in after-action reports for analysis. Continuously looking for ways to better prepare and respond to critical events will not only improve performance when similar events occur again, but it will also improve response effectiveness when unforeseen events strike. Coordinate Emergency Response Virtually every organization has some form of response plan to triage a critical event and restore community order or business operations. While many of these plans are highly effective in providing a structure to command and coordinate emergency response, they are reactive in nature and don’t account for the full lifecycle of a critical event – Assess, Locate, Act and Analyze. Whether it’s a large-scale regional emergency or a daily operational issue such as an IT outage, a comprehensive critical event management strategy will minimize the impact by improving visibility, collaboration and response.

Using a smart phone as an access control credential is an idea whose time has come – or has it? The flexible uses of smart phones are transforming our lives in multiple ways, and the devices are replacing everything from our alarm clocks to our wallets to our televisions. However, the transformation from using a card to using a mobile credential for access control is far from a no-brainer for many organizations, which obstacles to a fast or easy transition. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: When will mobile credentials dominate access control, and what are the obstacles to greater adoption?

In 1973, a brilliant economist named E.F. Schumacher wrote a seminal book titled ‘Small Is Beautiful:’ taking an opposing stance to the emergence of globalization and “bigger is better” industrialism. He described the advantages of smaller companies and smaller scales of production, highlighting the benefits of building our economies around the needs of communities, not corporations. In almost every industry or market that exists in the world today, you're likely to find a difference in size between companies. Whether it’s a global retail chain versus a small family-owned store, a corporate restaurant chain versus a mom-and-pop diner or a small bed and breakfast versus a large hotel chain — each side of the coin presents unique characteristics and advantages in a number of areas. Disparity In Physical Security Industry Customers are drawn to products and services from large enterprises as the big names typically imply stability This disparity very clearly exists in the physical security industry, and differences in the sizes of product manufacturers and service providers could have important implications for the quality and type of the products and services offered. All too often, customers are drawn to products and services from large enterprises, as the big names typically imply stability, extensive product offerings and global reach. And that's not to say that these considerations are unwarranted; one could argue that larger companies have more resources for product development and likely possess the combined expertise and experience to provide a wide range of products and services. But the value that a company’s products and services can bring isn’t necessarily directly related to or dependent on its size. In an age where the common wisdom is to scale up to be more efficient and profitable, it’s interesting to pause and think about some of the possible advantages of small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). Typically, “small” companies are defined as those with less than 100 employees and “medium” with less than 500. Providing Social Mobility  Schumacher argued that smaller companies are important engines of economic growth. Indeed, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), a group of 36 member countries that promotes policies for economic and social well-being, SMBs account for 60 to 70 percent of jobs in most OECD countries. Importantly, SMBs provide resilience in that there are often large economic and social impacts when big companies fail. Smaller companies are better for regional economies in general, as earnings stay more local compared to big businesses, which in turn generates additional economic activity. SMBs are also better at providing social mobility for disadvantaged groups by giving them opportunities and enabling them to realize their potential. Smaller companies are often more innovative, bringing to the market novel technologies and solutions such as Cloud, analytics, AI, and IoT New Companies Introduce New Technologies There's no denying the role of start-ups when it comes to innovation. In the security industry, many new technologies (e.g. Cloud, analytics, AI, IoT) are first brought to the market by newer companies. In general, smaller companies’ products and services often have to be as good or better than others to be competitive in the marketplace. They are therefore often more innovative, bringing to the market novel technologies and solutions. And these companies are also more willing to try out other new B2B solutions, while larger companies tend to be more risk-averse. Customer Service Aside from the quality of products and services, arguably one of the most important components of a security company’s success is its ability to interact with and provide customers the support that they deserve. Smaller companies are able to excel and stand out to their customers in a number of ways: Customer service. Customers’ perceptions of a product’s quality are influenced by the quality of support, and smaller manufacturers often possess a strong, motivated customer service team that can be relatively more responsive to customers of all sizes, not just the large ones. A superior level of support generally translates into high marks on customer satisfaction, since customers’ issues with products can be resolved promptly. Flexibility. SMBs have a greater capacity to detect and satisfy small market niches. While large companies generally create products and services for large markets, smaller companies deal more directly with their customers, enabling them to meet their needs and offer customized products and services. And this translates to adaptability, as SMBs become responsive to new market trends. By having a pulse on the market, smaller companies have much more flexibility in their supply chain and can adjust much faster in response to changing demand. Decision-making. Smaller companies are much more agile in decision-making, while larger enterprises often suffer from complex, tedious and lengthy decision-making processes. Communication is easier throughout SMBs, as smaller teams enable new ideas to flow and can solve problems faster. Job Satisfaction Employees working for SMBs connect more directly with the company's goals and objectives, which in turn increases motivation and job satisfaction Employees working for SMBs connect more directly with the company's goals and objectives, which in turn increases motivation and job satisfaction. SMBs are also generally more connected to local communities and participation in community activities leads to a greater sense of purpose. Additionally, SMBs have a much smaller impact on the environment, which is increasingly becoming an important consideration for today’s employees and customers. Though Schumacher's book takes a much deeper dive into the large global effects of scale on people and profitability, the general impact of a company’s size on its products and services is clear. It’s important for all players in the security industry to remember that the commitment and dedication to product quality can be found in businesses of all sizes. Ensuring Safety Of People, Property And Assets Large manufacturers may catch your eye, but small business shouldn’t be forgotten, as they can offer end users a robust set of attributes and benefits. While all security companies are aiming to achieve a common goal of providing safety for people, property and assets, smaller businesses can provide extensive value when it comes to driving the economy, innovating in the industry, providing quality employment and offering superior customer service.

Repercussions are rippling through the physical security industry since President Trump signed into law the ban on government uses of surveillance equipment by Chinese manufacturers Hikvision and Dahua. In addition to the direct and indirect consequences of the new law, there have also been other developments likely to impact the future of Chinese companies in the video surveillance market. The ban has raised awareness of Chinese companies’ role in video surveillance, and other developments are related to tariffs and possible sanctions, all playing out amid the backdrop of an escalating trade war. One Chinese manufacturer previously dismissed security concerns about its role in video surveillance as “Cold War rhetoric.” There has been an almost nostalgic tone recently to the escalating concerns about video cameras being used for spying. Hikvision and Dahua have both stated emphatically that they have not conducted any espionage-related activities. Even so, the U.S. government ban has emboldened the concerns. However, to be clear: No one has alleged that technologies from either of the companies have been used for espionage. Rather, the concerns are about the potential for misuse, not actual misuse. Also aggravating the situation are Chinese companies’ previous, actual problems with cybersecurity, which the companies say they have addressed. Here are some recent developments related to the U.S. government ban and Chinese manufacturers in general: Tariffs And Trade Concerns Additional rounds of U.S. tariffs have targeted an expanding array of Chinese goods, including data storage and processing components such as printed circuit boards, as well as video camera lenses. The escalating trade war has kept generalized concerns about China and its trade practices in the public eye and fomented a level of uncertainty in many markets, including physical security. Additional rounds of U.S. tariffs have targeted an expanding array of Chinese goods Involvement Of Surveillance In Chinese Human Rights Violations Concerns have surfaced in a Congressional hearing recently about the Chinese government’s surveillance activities targeting the Uyghurs and other Muslim ethnic minorities in the Zinjiang Urghur Autonomous Region (XUAR). Specific attention is being directed at the region’s surveillance system including “thousands of surveillance cameras, including in mosques,” and Hikvision and Dahua were mentioned in the Congressional hearing as profiting from security spending in the area. Increased Global Media Attention The ban has not been widely publicized in the U.S. mainstream media, but the topic has attracted global attention. For example, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation broadcast a 10-minute expose on the use of Chinese-made cameras in Australian government facilities, including “sensitive military facilities.” The report, which mentioned the U.S. ban, noted that “Both [Hikvision and Dahua] have had security flaws be exposed leading to fears that some of the flaws were placed there to help the Chinese government spy.” The report continues: “China is trying to set itself up as the number-one country for cyber-espionage, and this is part of that platform.” How broadly should one interpret the inclusion of "critical infrastructure" mentioned in the bill? Broader Interpretation Of The Bill Beyond The Federal Government The language in the bill leaves a level of ambiguity in terms of the scope of its application, and the security marketplace as a whole has been struggling to understand its full impact. Does the ban only restrict an integrator’s use of Chinese technology on a specific government job, or does it eliminate an integrator who installs the technology (even in non-government projects) from consideration for government jobs? How broadly should one interpret the inclusion of “critical infrastructure” mentioned in the bill, for example, non-governmental facilities? Will other governments and private entities assume they should ban Hikvision and Dahua in order to be compliant? For example, Suffolk, VA., has announced it will not to use Dahua or Hikvision cameras because the federal ban applies to “U.S. government-funded contracts and for critical infrastructure and national security usage.” The result of these developments is a kind of snowball effect, simultaneously drawing attention to the issues and adding new elements to an overall narrative. Taken together, these developments suggest the U.S. ban has set off a level of concern about Chinese companies that will have an industry-transforming impact in the months to come.

Customer Among the many tenants at “Las Américas,” the second largest shopping mall in Morelia, Michoacán, México, a jewelery retailer experiences the mall’s foot traffic, the highest in the area. Mallor Joyeria is a popular jewelery store in the upscale venue. Challenge The Mallor Joyeria had been robbed several times; however, with the low-quality resolution of the store's previous surveillance system none of the suspects were ever clearly identified or caught. The basic system included eight security cameras, installed to deter shoplifting and theft. The store was in need of a higher-quality system to help protect its customers and valuable inventory from future criminal threats. Specifically, they were looking for wider views and higher-resolution coverage. Megapixel Solution Searching for a higher-quality surveillance system, Mallor Joyeria contacted Sermex, a well-known nationwide security company specializing in video surveillance since 1988; committed to developing high-technology video solutions and works hard to keep its service competitive according to Sermex Products Engineering Manager, Mr. Rodrigo Cervantes. Seeking the best option for higher-resolution IP megapixel cameras to use at the jewelery store, Sermex turned to Arecont Vision. In addition to additional security benefits and the ability to identify suspects, Arecont Vision cameras provide efficiency benefits such as wider views and higher-resolution coverage. Sermex engineering department lists high recommendations and performance as the two biggest factors in choosing Arecont Vision cameras. They also cite price as a factor and adding that the cameras are “very cost-effective.” A Sermex integrator installed eight of Arecont Vision’s MegaDome cameras at the jewelery store, including six in the store area covering the jewelery showcases. Two more IP dome cameras were installed in “very confidential and restricted areas” according to Sermex engineers. Arecont Vision MegaDome cameras enable jewelery store to gather, analyze and interpret any evidence of theft “After evaluating various manufactures for this type of application, the customer chose Arecont Vision’s megapixel cameras,” said Mr. Cervantes. The system is monitored locally by the jewelery store management and can also be monitored remotely via Internet. Megapixel Benefits The greater resolution of Arecont Vision’s MegaDome cameras enabled the Mallor Joyeria to gather better, more detailed information to help them track, verify and stop the operations of those attacking the store. The result is a lower rate of violent attacks and an increase in security for the store's customers. Greater image clarity translates into better information to be used as evidence. A significant benefit of the new system is a greater comfort level for the store's customers. Previously, customers did not feel comfortable in the jewelery store because of perceived security threats, which kept them from shopping there. Now they feel safer, more at ease and more likely to visit the store, which will help contribute to return on investment (ROI) of the new system, according to the jewelery store management. They have stated their confidence that this whole new Arecont Vision security system will increase the retailer's ROI because customers and employees will feel secure. Not only will it will stop burglars, it may also decrease our insurance costs. Arecont Vision MegaDome cameras enable the jewelery store to gather, analyze and interpret any evidence of theft, which will help them achieve their primary goal of greater security. The system has performed “perfectly” to date says the jewelery store management, and Arecont Vision's response to the needs of the user and systems integrator has been “excellent.” Mallor Joyeria management has seen that the improved video quality of megapixel imaging can provide a range of benefits in retail applications. For example, better video quality makes it easier to view the way clients and clerks handle the jewels, watches and other products mainly while these are being showcased. The picture quality and digital zoom capabilities of Arecont Vision cameras far exceed analog technology and enable retailers to retrieve highly usable video. Megapixel imaging represents a significant upgrade in system functionality compared to standard-resolution cameras. The use of fewer megapixel cameras to cover larger areas can dramatically decrease costs related to other elements of a system. This advantage plays especially well in the retail environment, where costs are always a consideration. The successful application of megapixel cameras to provide unparalleled image quality and resolution in a small retail environment such as the jewelery store in Mexico illustrates the flexibility of megapixel solutions and their cost-effectiveness for a wide range of uses.

Customer Lauren Bright is a leading wholesale and retail enterprise that specialises in importing European apparel and operates more than 40 outlets in major Chinese cities. Lauren Bright's Pinko store in Harbour City, Hong Kong features the Pinko clothing line, an Italian fashion brand designed specifically for young women. Challenge When opening a new shop for the Pinko brand, Lauren Bright was looking for a video surveillance system to monitor internal staff and to provide anti-theft protection. They were looking for high-resolution imaging to do the job more effectively. As always in the retail environment, overall system cost was a consideration. Megapixel solution Arecont Vision megapixel cameras were chosen for installation in the store based on their clearer, high quality images and the ability to increase operating efficiency, according to Jerry So, sales manager, ADT Hong Kong Ltd. ADT Hong Kong designed the video surveillance system and performed the installation. The integrator is the Hong Kong branch of ADT, the leader in electronic security solutions, specialising in design, sales, installation and monitoring services for more than 7.2 million residential, commercial and industrial customers worldwide. With $7 billion in annual sales, 60,000 employees globally and operations in more than 40 countries, ADT protects 90 percent of the world's Fortune 500 companies and more than 80 percent of the world's top retailers. The integrator and end-user evaluated analog cameras for the installation but decided instead to go for the superior image quality and expanded functionality of a system based on megapixel video. Cameras installed at Lauren Bright's Pinko store were four Arecont Vision 1.3 megapixel cameras and Arecont Vision's AV2155DN, a 2 megapixel day/night camera. Arecont Vision's 1.3 megapixel camera provides 1,280 x 1,024 pixel images at 32 frames per second using a ½ inch CMOS sensor. Capabilities of Arecont Vision megapixel cameras include motion detection, image cropping, region-of-interest viewing and the ability to zoom into an image after it is archived (forensic zooming). Arecont Vision AV2155DN is a 2 megapixel MegaDome®camera that provides 1600 x 1200-pixel images at 24 fps, with low-light sensitivity of 0.1 lux at F1.4. The MegaDome® all-in-one integrated camera, lens and IP66-rated environmental dome housing use a 1/2-inch CMOS sensor and Arecont Vision's MegaVideo® image processing at 80 billion operations per second. The camera employs H.264 (MPEG 4, Part 10) compression to minimize bandwidth and storage requirements while maintaining real-time image resolution. The day/night model used at the Pinko store features a motorized IR cut filter. The dome features a camera gimbal with 360-degree pan and 90-degree tilt adjustments. Capabilities of Arecont Vision megapixel cameras include motion detection, image cropping, region-of-interest viewing and the ability to zoom into an image after it is archived (forensic zooming) The network video recorder is supplied by Genius Vision Digital, Inc. (GVD) and is fully interoperable with Arecont Vision megapixel cameras. The Pinko system is monitored centrally from a main control room. A hard disk drive (HDD) provides 1 terabyte of storage. Arecont Vision works closely with industry leaders such as GVD to ensure integration of Arecont Vision's megapixel cameras with their NVR platforms. Megapixel benefits The system has performed well to date, and Arecont Vision has been responsive to the needs of the user and integrator. The improved video quality of megapixel imaging is especially important in retail applications. For example, better video quality makes it more likely an operator could clearly see the denominations of paper bills changing hands in a questionable point-of-sale transaction. The picture quality and digital zoom capabilities of Arecont Vision cameras far exceed analog technology and allow retailers to retrieve usable video that can be used as prosecutable evidence. Megapixel imaging represents a significant upgrade in system functionality compared to standard-resolution cameras. In addition to lower bandwidth and storage requirements, megapixel cameras can dramatically decrease costs related to other elements of a system, such as fewer software licenses, fewer lenses and a decrease in man-hours needed to bring it all together. These advantages play especially well in the retail environment, where costs are always a consideration. This application of megapixel cameras to provide unparalleled image quality and resolution in a small retail environment illustrates the flexibility of megapixel solutions and their cost-effectiveness for a wide range of uses.

The integrator F & N Enterprises of Tucson, AZ is a low voltage systems integrator specializing in commercial/residential installation of burglar, fire and surveillance security systems. They are experts in the deployment of structured cabling, voice and data infrastructures, using UTP and Fiber Optics. Project background A leading grocery chain’s corporate security and loss prevention departments had requested an overall upgrade to the region’s facility surveillance systems. These facilities included grocery stores with gas stations, and regional distribution centers. They had a directive to integrate the most cost effective progressive technology, increase the camera count, and be able to easily relocate existing cameras. Each project location varied slightly in camera count. Stores required from 24 to 64 cameras. The distribution centers would need over 100 cameras added at each location. Multiple racks and recording equipment were located within management’s office space in each facility. The technology The system upgrade required the best technology, ease of use, superior video imaging, day or night, and full location coverage. There was also a requirement for public view monitoring (PVM), remote information/image retrieval and a more advanced system of image management. The transmission methods to be considered were; IP cameras powered by PoE via Cat5 Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) to an NVR, analog cameras via standard video coax (already in use) to a hybrid DVR, or analog cameras powered by a Hybrid Video Power Supply via Cat5E UTP to a hybrid DVR. All store locations were already cabled for voice and data using Cat5 UTP cabling. The corporate mandate also included a strict adherence to the EIA/TIA 568B termination pin-outs and UTP structured cabling standards for voice and data transmission. It was sensible to use the same cabling infrastructure platform for surveillance applications as if and where possible. Other system considerations IP cameras via UTP and analog cameras via UTP both allowed cameras to be powered remotely using UTP cables thereby maintaining that 568B standard. This was a big plus. Many of the stores had fuel stations located on site, but often times located at the front of the property. Each fuel stations needed an enhancement to surveillance coverage too. If they chose to use coax cable, there would be a need to install over 15,000 feet of cable. This further confirmed the commitment by corporate management that the decision to go with standards based UTP was the correct one. The use of UTP reduced material and labor costs by 50%. IP cameras via UTP or analog cameras via UTP hybrid video? The choice was made to use, analog cameras via an NVT UTP Hybrid Video network. The NVT system was scalable, manageable, standards based and affordable. Another selling point of using the NVT was it allowed for a possible infrastructure stepping-stone in the future. By installing the Cat5 cabling, it provided a system with better performance standards today, as well as having the cabling in place for mix of IP cameras should the need arise in the future. That made the overall systems more flexible. In the future, certain areas of the store may be targeted for IP enhanced video, some may not, but all areas are ready. The NVT system was scalable, manageable, standards based and affordable The install details Headend: F&N Enterprises installed a Cat5 patch panel in the rack housing with the DVRs, and monitors. Standard patch cords were used to patch across the RJ45 connectors to the NVT DigitalEQ™ Active Hub. The output of each hub was directly connected to the DVR via standard NVT supplied coaxial jumpers. Wire management was used to create an extremely clean and professional looking installation. A single-channel NVT device was used at each camera location. The Fuel Stations: The solution provided for the fuel stations was a rack mounted NVT passive hub in the fuel station and NVT active hub in the headend rack. While the powered hub was not required by NVT specs, it did allow the video signal to be equalized to match those signals provided by in-store cameras. Power and Video To The Cameras: Analog, high resolution mini-dome cameras were used throughout the project. Most of the UTP runs were around 150 feet. Run length to the fuel stations were typically 1200 feet. All cameras on the project were powered by the NVT PVD™ power supply cable integrator hubs. These PVD power hubs supplied video, control and camera power using a 568B standards based UTP cabling network, which was very organized, easy to understand and able to be used in the future for IP retrofits as needed. These hubs, once installed in a central position, powered a co-located (star topology) group of cameras. The cameras were connected to the system via power-video transceivers which are small in size, easy to hide and protect from tampering. The cabling infrastructure All of the Cat5E UTP cabling that was installed replaced coax. The entire network was converted to structured cabling via UTP. The Cat5E was very cost effective, easy to pull and terminate. Cat5E transmission performance is well within that required for the video transmission application. Fred Francis of F&N said, “The NVT product is really a quality piece of equipment. It’s well suited, designed for its use. We did have a problem with one hub where we didn’t get any AC for ports 1-8. The return-swap was immediately handled by our distributor and NVT, we had a replacement the following day. No problem getting it resolved. The NVT tech support department is well trained, knowledgeable, and treated us respectfully. The equipment installs easily. I’ve seen 5,000ft of Cat5 cable running video with great results: superior picture quality! Installing it in the fuel station scenario above, saving money, saving time, and with great results brought it all into crystal clarity.” There are choices regarding the media used for your cabling infrastructure that allow the end-user more flexibility in their future systems needs and choices. The most common media for IP transmission is UTP. Whether you are deploying an analog, a hybrid, or a purely IP based system, Hybrid Video via UTP is worthy of consideration.

Restaurant Brands, the parent company in New Zealand of KFC, Pizza Hut, Carl’s Jr and Starbucks has installed Milestone  XProtect® video management software throughout their chain of restaurants. Thanks to Milestone video the number of thefts has reduced and day-to-day operations have become more efficient leading to significant improvement on the bottom-line. “Although there was no target set for loss prevention, there was a remarkable increase to the net profit after the installation of the Milestone XProtect video management software. The main benefits of the software included user responsiveness and the open platform that will enable us to integrate with other systems in the future.” - Geoff Holton, Commercial IT Manager at Restaurant Brands Limited (RBL). The Challenge RBL’s objective was to improve loss prevention by monitoring the different food preparation processes at the restaurants, managing waste levels to lower theft amongst dishonest customers and staff. The Advantages The Milestone XProtect® solution provides RBL with increased staff safety and more efficient day-to-day operations. Improved loss prevention, leading to a significant improvement to the bottom-line. RBL can easily expand their solution to other uses with the Milestone open platform. The Solution Installing Milestone Partner Lexel designed and implemented an efficient solution with Milestone XProtect® Corporate to manage more than 1,300 AXIS network cameras throughout RBL’s stores in New Zealand. Lexel set up the users with the XProtect® Smart Client interface and Milestone Mobile, which significantly improves the efficiency in day-to-day operations at the many restaurants. Effective Daily Operations With Milestone Video The Milestone solution has been implemented into around 180 restaurants throughout New Zealand. Cameras are installed in all KFC and Carl’s Jr. restaurants and selective locations for Starbucks and Pizza Hut. The goal was to improve efficiency in operations at the restaurants: “The Milestone solution has made day-to-day operations much easier. Prior to this all managers were only able visit one or two stores at a time, but now they look remotely at the foyer area of their stores by using the XProtect Smart Client interface,” said Geoff Holton. With the XProtect® software, managers can remotely see how many customers each branch has, how many cash registers are open and how many employees are operating the counters. The software also helps them keep track of peak hours and check the restaurants’ performance during these hours. According to Geoff Holton, the XProtect software is also being used to ensure the high quality of food at the different stores and to manage waste: "We are also using the Milestone solution to ensure the quality of the food that is made. Now we can go and have a look at how the pizzas are made at Pizza Hut or see if standards are followed when breading chicken at KFC stores. This is all about securing the quality of our products, making sure our staff are safe while working with the hot deep fryers, and managing waste and staffing levels,” said Geoff Holton. Catching Thieves The Milestone video management software is also being used to avoid theft at the restaurants: “Although there was "The Milestone open platform allows us to integrate with other analytics which is a big advantage for us" no target for loss prevention, there was a remarkable increase in net profit after the install of the Milestone video management system. We have just over 5,000 staff, and in the first 20 weeks of the financial year we actually detected 16 people that were stealing. The majority of our employees are honest and hardworking but unfortunately all businesses have theft issues,” said Geoff Holton. “We did not have a previous surveillance system, which made it difficult to catch thieves and provide evidence of their misdeeds. Now we can monitor the stores and provide video footage of the incident to the police if necessary,” said Geoff Holton. RBL’s Additional Benefits Using Open Platform Software The Milestone solution is being used for a broad number of things including general safety and property damage: “We also use the solution to ensure the safety of our staff and customers. Now we can react quickly if a member of the staff is assaulted, for example. Both IT management and supervisors can remotely check on the stores with Milestone Mobile 24 hours a day,” states Geoff Holton. Holton explains that the uses of the Milestone software might expand even more: “We are thinking about integrating with a point-of-sale (POS) system in the future. The Milestone open platform allows us to integrate with other analytics which is a big advantage for us. It is one of the main reasons we chose the Milestone open platform,” explains Geoff Holton. It was the system integrator Lexel who recommended RBL to go with the Milestone solution, and Lexel Systems thoroughly trained each of the users in how to use the solution. “Lexel is a trusted partner that was able to provide good support during the purchasing, installation and support process. I can highly recommend Lexel,” concludes Geoff Holton. KFC, Pizza Hut, Carl’s Jr. and Starbucks Coffee are all trademarks of Restaurant Brands Limited. These food brands are some of the world's most famous, distinguished not only for their product but also for the look, style and ambience of their outlets, for the service they provide, and the total experience they deliver to their customers in New Zealand and around the world. Restaurant Brands Limited is listed on the New Zealand Stock Exchange.

The Mall at Short Hills, an upscale shopping facility in Short Hills, NJ, needed a more effective surveillance system to protect its patrons, tenants, employees, and infrastructure. From the beginning, the overall requirement was to implement a state-of-the-art digital video surveillance solution that would provide maximum coverage of critical areas. This included video cameras in the parking lots that would be required to provide clear images across long distances, even in low-light conditions. There were a number of other requirements for the system, including a command console area, remote access to video, digital zoom for forensic review, license plate identification for parking lot egress points and the ability to incorporate intelligent video analytics. Budget was also a concern, as was scalability in terms of cameras, camera locations, storage and capability. Finally, the Taubman Company, the mall's parent company, wanted to use the system as an architectural pilot that could serve as a blueprint for other locations. Upgrading at the mall The Mall at Short Hills includes 160 specialty stores and restaurants, with Bloomingdale's, Macy's, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue as anchors, and featuring large number of specialty, international and luxury retailers, including Dior, Tiffany & Co., Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Cartier. The physical layout of the mall presented a challenge. Extending video coverage across the large geographical area of the enclosed, multi-level mall raised questions about system layout and design – should the system design be centralized or distributed, and should it be analog, IP-networked or hybrid? To update and expand the mall's video system, Taubman turned to MTS Intelligent Surveillance Solutions, LLC, in Howell, NJ. MTS provides security solutions including digital video surveillance and integrated access control, with emphasis on systems that are vendor-agnostic and provide intelligent features. Rob Merchant founded the company over six years ago following an extensive career designing and developing digital media management solutions for security and intelligence organizations. MTS designed the Mall's network and provided project management and technology oversight of the electricians implementing the network cable. Concurrently, MTS began building the head-end servers and performing discovery of the existing implementation. Although insufficient for current needs, the mall's previous DVR-based CCTV system was still seen to have value and would be integrated into the new system. Once the cabling was in place, MTS installed the networking appliances to build a dedicated gigabit copper/fiber network infrastructure throughout the facility. Installation included a major renovation and removal of the wiring to the command center and the re-termination and extension of the existing system to the newly located head-end. Samsung cameras watch the perimeter The new system expands the previous system that used two 16-channel digital video recorders (DVRs) and a matrix switch to manage images from 32 pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) and fixed dome cameras. Once the new architecture was operational, cameras in the old system that failed were replaced with Samsung PTZ cameras.   MTS designed the Mall's network and provided project management and technology Due to Samsung’s proven performance and value at MTS’ other locations. , Samsung PTZ cameras were an easy choice for the project. To provide clear images of the far corners of the parking lot of the Mall at Short Hills, Mr. Merchant selected Samsung’s high resolution 600TV Line analog PTZ cameras, which are connected to the new IP-based system using video encoders in a “hybrid” configuration. “I was very impressed with the zoom capability and the image quality at night,” he said. Samsung’s analog PTZ dome cameras provide perimeter surveillance and are controlled by a 24/7 security command center facility. Encoders allow signals from the analog cameras to be transmitted along the IP network infrastructure and also enable pan-tilt-zoom control across the network without any lag. The PTZ dome combines 37x optical zoom with 12x digital zoom. Wide dynamic range (WDR) and digital image stabilisation are provided by Samsung's SV-IV DSP chip. The camera uses a ¼ inch vertical double-density color CCD imager. Other features include auto-tracking, advanced noise reduction and excellent low-light performance. “We needed a good WDR camera with maximum optical zoom to cover these large parking lots,” said Merchant. “The wide dynamic range (WDR) of the Samsung camera keeps images clear in harsh, high-contrast lighting. The video shows clearly what is happening in both the dark and light areas of a single image. The camera also performs well under modest street lighting.” In addition to the low-light performance of the Samsung camera, Mr. Merchant likes the 37x optical zoom, which allows building-mounted cameras to view the far corners of the parking lots with enough clarity to allow operators to read vehicle license plates. Using a different camera to view the distant areas of the parking lot would have required more-expensive pole mounting and trenching to reduce the distance. Instead, the Samsung camera can see everything from the building, and the 37x zoom preserves every detail of zoomed-in images. “We need that extra distance in order to see everything,” said Mr. Merchant. In addition to reading license numbers, the clarity enables operators to identify a person or vehicle and to see incidents clearly. Archived video is clear enough to be used in court. During busy times, mall security provides evidentiary video every few weeks to local police. The video might show the type of vehicle an alleged shoplifter drove after exiting the building, or show a car break-in or other parking lot incident. Within the last two months, video was used to help build a case against the perpetrator of a car break-in. Video from outdoor Samsung cameras aided police in the apprehension and will be forwarded to the county prosecutor's office. “Our client is extremely happy with the Samsung cameras compared to what they previously had,” added Mr. Merchant. The Samsung exterior cameras can withstand the sometimes harsh New Jersey weather conditions, which can include extreme temperatures from minus 20 degrees to more than 100 degrees F, as well as high humidity and 45 mile-per-hour winds. In addition to security, video from the cameras also provides operational benefits for the mall. If a vehicle breaks down, the camera assists security staff with the implementation of proper safety measures. In the winter, cameras can show where snow plows are needed. If an alarm goes off, video can show what triggered the alarm. The Samsung exterior cameras can withstand the sometimes harsh New Jersey weather conditions Mr. Merchant appreciates Samsung's technical support, although he has only needed to use it once when he had a question about a switch setting inside a camera housing. “It was a very positive support experience,” he commented. “Everything we put in, we test, especially for an important client such as Taubman,” added Mr. Merchant. “We do our own investigation and try everything before we use it. Samsung has a proven product we have used in many locations, and our integrators have no problems with installation.” MTS has also used Samsung cameras successfully in the harsh, salt-water environment of the New Jersey shore. At the mall, Samsung outdoor PTZ cameras connect using video over unshielded twisted pair (VUTP plus power) to an intermediate data frame (IDF). At the IDF, the video is encoded by Axis H.264 encoders. Each IDF also has Cisco and/or DLINK managed switches. There are eight IDFs connected to central head-end switches via single-mode fiber. The entire network is Gigabit Ethernet. IP-addressable cameras use Cat5e connections only to the IDF switches, taking advantage of Power over Ethernet (PoE). Megapixel IP cameras are used on the interior of the facility. There are approximately 160 cameras in all covering the mall and its surroundings. Wiring topology design called for interior cameras to be IP-based. Although indoor (network) cameras are currently non-Samsung models, Mr. Merchant says that, based on his success using Samsung analog cameras, he looks forward to testing the newer network models. With only eight fiber runs to strategically located IDFs, MTS was able to reduce overall cabling by over 70%. With all components being IP addressable, MTS is able to manage and monitor the system remotely. The mall's security team accesses video locally and centrally. Technical specifications The digital video surveillance solution at The Mall at Short Hills is based on an expandable, technology-agnostic architecture. Currently, the system consists of the following: Servers. There are seven Hewlett Packard servers in all. HP Z800 platforms (dual Xeon) with TVISS8 240fps encoder boards are used for the analog (NTSC) cameras. Each server has 3 TBytes of storage for video (expandable). For the Network Video Servers (IP only), HP DL160 (dual Xeon) servers with 3 TBytes of storage are used. Currently, there are two Z800 and four DL160 servers for video management. In addition, there is one DL160 server running Windows Server 2003 and functioning solely as an archive server. VMS. Intelligent Security System’s SecurOS 6.2 video management software is the back-end application for the surveillance system. It is a hybrid system capable of supporting analog and IP cameras and remote operator workstations. This system includes an Archiver function and is capable of having a license plate recognition module, a face capture module, and a face recognition module, as well as other intelligent feature modules. Displays inside the mall use large-screen (40-in.) Samsung monitors. The digital video surveillance solution at The Mall at Short Hills is based on an expandable, technology-agnostic architecture Storage. A total of 82 Terabytes of secondary storage includes Pivot3 RAID6 network attached storage. Pivot3's RAIGE storage subsystem, configured as a network attached storage (NAS) array, is used for secondary storage. RAIGE Director is hosted on the Archiver platform. Power management. The entire system is powered via uninterruptable power supplies and generator power – including cameras, network and head-end. Additionally, IP-addressable power modules enable MTS to remotely turn power on and off to selected components. System management. All computing and networking components are managed by an agent and agent-less systems management architecture that monitors the health of the hardware and software associated with the solution. This includes active polling of the system and agents that report (push) information back to the management head-end. Archiving. The system is designed with a two-tiered archive. Short-term archive occurs as the video is captured, on each server’s local hard drive (3 TBytes) – this typically holds about 2 to 4 weeks, depending on activity. Every night at midnight till 9 a.m., each server runs an Archiver routine and sends the video to the Pivot3 RAIGE storage system, which is currently configured as RAID6. To extend the storage, the frame rate of the second tiered archive is lowered to 5 fps. Samsung at multiple sites MTS has also used Samsung cameras with other local customers, including installation of all-new “Safe Community” systems for several local law enforcement departments, including Maplewood (NJ) Police, Cape May (NJ) City Police and Sea Isle (NJ) City Police. Samsung Wide Dynamic PTZ cameras cover choke points throughout the Maplewood community, and dispatchers at police HQ can control and view the cameras to enhance safety throughout the community. When facility security weaknesses were identified in the Union County (NJ) Correctional facility, MTS performed an emergency design and system installation for the Union County Sheriff's Department, again choosing Samsung cameras. “Simply put, I have not had a failure in more than seven years using Samsung products,” said Mr. Merchant. “Bottom line, if I find something that works for the particular client environment, at reasonable price points, that's what we use. Samsung offers a reliable, high-quality camera for the price. You wouldn't get anything better spending twice as much on another brand.” He has also seen the value-to-price ratio increase as prices have come down and product quality and capability have gone up. In fact, Mr. Merchant says he has seen some more expensive competing cameras that had shorter life cycles – and were replaced by Samsung.

JD Sports Fashion Group currently has over 450 stores throughout the UK. The majority of the stores are operated as JD Sports outlets although the company also trades under the Banks, Scotts and Size fashion brands. "We carried out extensive research and tested a wide range of CCTV equipment before deciding which manufacturer to commit to," said Tim Edwards, Group Loss Control Director. "It was clear that the Samsung SVR-1645 stood head and shoulders above any other DVR that we tested." Tim was particularly impressed with the opportunity that the SVR-1645 offered to stream from any store D1 resolution images across the company's network to its CCTV control located at JD Sports Fashion Group's Heywood distribution center. "The D1 quality of the live images more than met our requirements and Samsung were able to demonstrate that the same image quality could be achieved if we needed to remotely retrieve and play back previously recorded video," added Tim. The sixteen channel SVR-1645 has a built-in DVD writer and uses MPEG-4 compression to record D1 resolution images at 100 frames per second and CIF resolution images at 400 frames per second. The SVR-1645 is supplied with license-free Centralised Management Software (CMS) which makes it very easy for customers to control how they display live or recorded images from any of the cameras on the network. The SVR-1645 can also simultaneously record audio on all sixteen channels and has an audio detection feature so that recording can be triggered by the sound input when it reaches a specific level. The audio functionality is bi-directional which has proved to be particularly useful to the JD Sports Fashion Group as they use it to remotely challenge intruders when the stores are closed. This has been achieved at no extra cost by integrating the SVR-1645 with each store's music system. So far the SVR-1645 has been installed in sixty stores but either it or its successor, the SVR-1670 which is fully compatible, will automatically be specified as new stores are opened or as and when the security system for existing stores are upgraded. "One of the attractive features of the SVR-1645 is that it is very easy to use and our managers therefore need very little training on how to get the best out of it. It has therefore very quickly become very popular among our store management as well as our control room operators," added Tim. There is further good news for Samsung in that JD Sports Fashion Group has also recently announced its decision to exclusively use Samsung CCTV cameras. "The Samsung SVR-1645 stood above any other DVR that we tested" "Once again after extensive testing we were convinced that Samsung equipment offered the best option for us," said Tim. "The SID-562, SID-450 and SID-452 cameras, all of which have slightly different features, are specified for different locations in our stores. The SID-562, with its fantastic Wide Dynamic Range capability works particularly well, as it is able to capture outstanding quality images when located at the front door of our stores." Commenting on the news, Simon Shawley, Senior Sales Manager UK and Eire for the professional security division of Samsung Techwin Europe Ltd said: "We are naturally very pleased that our DVRs and cameras have been able to meet JD Sports Fashion Group's exacting requirements. This much welcomed vote of confidence comes at a time when we have expanded our technical support team to ensure that we not only provide customers like JD Sports Fashion Group with the best possible products but that we also provide the highest levels of post sales support."