Paxton Access Power supplies & batteries

In 2017, DITEK saw how power surges from the many natural disasters that took place damaged many businesses. In a natural disaster, or even everyday business operations, a facility’s entire investment in security, life safety and surveillance systems technology can be disabled or rendered useless in a few seconds. Surge protection solutions can mitigate those risks and protect security investments. Proactive Approach To Risk Mitigation Throughout 2017, we also witnessed a change in how enterprises view surge protection, which included how investments are being made in surge protection to protect valuable security, life safety and surveillance systems, while also reducing downtime, manpower costs, liability vulnerabilities, and possibly compliance issues that can force businesses to actually cease operations. Effective security management is about mitigating risks. But risks cannot be mitigated without a proactive approach. Enterprises and integrators, who take the time to assess risk and to develop a strategy to incorporate effective detection, deter and response criteria to protect physical assets will be successful in 2018. 2018 And Beyond That strategy includes designing surge protection into new security systems, while also adding surge protection to existing systems. Enterprises and security integrators who implement a surge protection strategy during security planning processes – or after – will be exercising prevention and mitigation, and they will be successful in 2018 and beyond.  Surge protection devices have an untapped potential for enterprise surveillance and security systems In 2017, Ditek continued to offer security end users a solid surge protection solution. We also successfully educated system integrators, who are seeking value-added products or services to incorporate into their portfolios, on the importance of surge protection devices. Educating Security Integrators We believe that surge protection devices have an untapped potential for enterprise video surveillance and security systems, because they can and do meet safety and security challenges that have been rarely identified in the past. We are looking forward to 2018, when we will continue to develop new surge protection products – including a new product engineered to protect up to twelve individual fuel dispensers, which is critical to the financial operation of convenience stores. We will also continue to educate security integrators about the importance of including surge protection in the design/build RFP, to not only secure an enterprise’s valuable security equipment, but also to help integrators to differentiate their capabilities and knowledge from the competition.

The security market in 2016 saw an uptick in the economy, the introduction of new technologies, increased compliance requirements in key verticals, and rising concerns over the need for greater security. Users interested in upgrading or deploying new systems consistently chose networked system platforms. This trend further drove the demand for adaptive transmission solutions as a means of repurposing existing analog infrastructure to accommodate IP devices on a networked platform. As this migration accelerated, product feature sets continued to evolve with the inclusion of advanced communications that let you monitor, control and report power/diagnostics from anywhere. These new products have also helped to stimulate new business opportunities for integrators by expanding their service offerings to include remote monitoring of these devices as a new source of recurring monthly revenue (RMR). PoE And Adaptive Transmission Solutions In last year’s 2016 forecast, we discussed the integration trend and how PoE and adaptive transmission solutions with network communications were rapidly gaining traction and market share. As the year progressed, the trend increased with customers migrating towards systems that provided more data, faster transmission rates and more versatility, and accessibility anytime from anywhere. Altronix responded with more advanced product solutions. This growing trend makes it more critical than ever for the core power and transmission infrastructure that make up the foundation of these systems to include network communications for true integration. As effective and efficient as integrated IP systems have become, the cost to upgrade or install new networked systems can be prohibitive. In 2017, security professionals will require expanded options to capitalize on existing infrastructure while accommodating IP devices with new levels of performance. These new products will greatly reduce installation and maintenance costswhen deploying orupgrading systems We will see the introduction of new products that offer greater levels of integration with bundled capabilities such as PoE, network switches, versatile adaptive transmission capabilities to accommodate different types of cabling, greater bandwidth and speed, and management capabilities. These new products will greatly reduce installation and maintenance costs when deploying or upgrading systems. Altronix 2016 Business Overview Altronix’s evolution as a designer and manufacturer of versatile power supplies and accessories – and the addition of innovative PoE and adaptive transmission solutions with network communications – was significant in 2016. We have continued to deliver new products incorporating advances in power and communication technologies that solve real-world installation issues with the highest levels of performance and cost-efficiency. One of the most significant technologies contributing to our extensive portfolio of power and adaptive transmission products is our innovative LINQ™ Technology, which provides remote control of power, along with monitoring and reporting of diagnostics from anywhere you have internet access. LINQ completes the network communication cycle for networked systems by providing true integration for power supply and adaptive transmission products that are the foundation of every system. Altronix will continue to design, manufacture and introduce new power and adaptive transmission solutions in 2017 that live up to our longstanding reputation for outstanding quality, performance and reliability. See the full coverage of 2016/2017 Review and Forecast articles here Save Save

IP/PoE systems eliminate the need for local power, thus saving installation costs Cost considerations are an important reason to use existing installed cable as part of a new system infrastructure. Extenders in the form of media converters can help. For almost three decades, video surveillance systems existed in the form of analog systems. Video coaxial cable was the primary method of transmission with a limited distance of about 750 feet. Analog systems required separate power supply located at each security camera site. Today, new technology often solves one problem and creates another. Internet Protocol/Power over Ethernet (IP/PoE) systems eliminate the need for local power supply, thus saving installation costs. The drawback is the restriction to only 328 feet and the required use of Cat 5e or above cable. Extended Transmission Distance So tens of thousands of video surveillance cameras are waiting to be converted to IP, and have been transmitting over coax at distances two-and-a-quarter-times greater than the Ethernet limit. The advent of extenders helps to solve this problem. In addition, the use of extenders for Cat cable and even single-pair alarm wire helps to add to the types of IP/PoE conversions while extending distance as far as three thousand feet. Tens of thousands of camerasare waiting to be converted to IP,and have been transmitting overcoax at distances two-and-a-quarter-times greater than theEthernet limit Considerations While Using Extenders Use of extenders requires taking several considerations into account. First and most important is a careful reading of specifications. A statement can be true while not applying to your applications. Let’s take IP/PoE transmission over coax as an example. A manufacturer’s product can state it has this feature and will meet your transmission requirement of X number of thousand feet. However, a careful reading reveals that achieving this requires RG 6 cable while you have RG 59 installed. You need to maintain a 100Mbps bandwidth and provide your cable with 12.95 watts of power. But as both bandwidth and power decrease with distances obtainable from many types of extensions, you realize that both are much less at the extended distance you require. In short, just depending on a product to make a simple specification statement is not enough when it comes to infrastructure considerations and especially with regards to extenders. Save Save

Paxton’s longstanding access control system, Net2, receives its latest software update. The highly anticipated new feature, Checkpoint Control, supports COVID-secure sites. This additional functionality helps Net2 users protect employees and visitors by monitoring and approving people as they enter buildings. Throughout the first half of 2020 the creation of Checkpoint Control was underway, along with the unforeseen global spread of the coronavirus COVID-19. During this time lockdown and social distancing restrictions in many countries heightened the need for the update to be rolled out globally, in a timely fashion. Since then Paxton’s Development team has worked tirelessly preparing the release alongside other vital COVID-secure Net2 updates. Thermal scanning hardware Paxton’s U.S. Senior Product Manager Jeremy Allison said: “At Paxton, people are at the heart of everything we do and this year our focus is bringing people back to work safely. Following on from the successful introduction of Occupancy Management, we are introducing Checkpoint Control. Designed to help businesses ensure their COVID-secure guidelines are being followed before staff enter a site.” Designed to help businesses ensure their COVID-secure guidelines are being followed before staff enter a site" The Checkpoint Control functionality follows on from Paxton’s successful introduction of Net2 Occupancy Management and integration with thermal scanning hardware. Both were released for Net2 in July 2020. These features work simply and seamlessly together to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 around populated buildings. Temporary access levels Jeremy Allison further explains “Net2 Checkpoint Control allows a site to assign temporary access levels to one or more users that will remain in place until they have either been manually validated or badged through a specific door. This allows Net2 system administrators to ensure all staff and visitors pass through a designated checkpoint at a frequency that can be configured to suit the business requirements." "It also offers the flexibility to split staff between multiple checkpoints to help maintain social distancing and not overrun an area”. Access permissions feature Checkpoint Control works in just two simple steps: Step 1: System Setup Specific doors or areas of a building are designated as checkpoints, such as the main entrance or reception. End users are then given access to that checkpoint using their normal access token, with the limited access point managed via the access permissions feature within the Net2 software. Step 2: A manual or automated verification takes place to validate further site access Access can be verified manually in person or by using technology to support automated validation. The automated process works by identifying a person via their access credentials, which can then be followed by a thermal scan to further increase protection against the spread of Coronavirus. Once identity, and where relevant, an individual’s health and well-being has been approved, the checkpoint will validate and grant further building access. Virtual traffic lights Paxton has produced an on-demand webinar called the definitive guide to COVID-secure buildings Net2 v6.05 also includes new functionality to further enhance the Net2 Occupancy Management feature. New virtual traffic lights can be used on screens to indicate occupancy levels with no need for integrated traffic light hardware. This will further support social distancing by informing the end user of whether the current occupancy of the area they are about to enter is safe for them to do so, working alongside Checkpoint Control to reduce bottlenecks and overcrowding. Occupancy Management override is also included in this new update. Should there be an emergency, this functionality allows selected people to enter an area that is at capacity, such as a first aider or senior manager. Checkpoint Control and the new additions to Occupancy Management functionality are available exclusively with Net2 Pro software. In conjunction with the updates, Paxton has produced an on-demand webinar called the definitive guide to COVID-secure buildings. This is an ideal starting point for installers looking to understand more about social distancing and COVID-secure guidelines.

Security and monitoring firm Ecl-ips, has bought Bristol-based alarms specialist, Security Group, to expand its services to clients. Ecl-ips is a CCTV and access control system designer and installer based in Worcestershire which has always strived to offer clients the most advanced solutions it can. Its current preferred partners are Avigilon, part of Motorola Solutions, for CCTV and Paxton, for access control. Meanwhile, Security Group specializes in designing, installing, maintaining and repairing intruder alarms. With Security Group’s expertise in alarms Ecl-ips will be able to offer clients a comprehensive security and safeguarding solution. Security Group has been a family run firm since 1996 and has provided its services to private individuals, the public sector and businesses throughout the south-west of England. Intruder alarm system Like Ecl-ips, Security Group has built up a reputation for the quality and professionalism of its services. Each intruder alarm system that Security Group installs is certified to BS EN50131, BS 8243 and PS6662 standards. This gives added peace of mind since they comply to National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) policy and meet the requirements of the Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board (SSAIB). Both companies have fully trained and security screened engineers. While Security Group is SSAIB registered, Ecl-ips is NSI-Gold approved thus providing all their customers with confidence in their services.

Midlands-based firm, Ecl-ips, is using its expertise in providing monitoring, CCTV and access control, to offer organizations a range of back to work solutions to keep customers, visitors and staff safe as the company continue to mitigate the risks from COVID-19. Occupancy Management Solutions With more businesses opening up Ecl-ips can help occupancy counting to ensure social distancing is maintained. Ecl-ips can offer Avigilon’s occupancy counting feature, as part of its video management software and Avigilon Cloud Services (ACS). Through the use of advanced technology, the occupancy counting feature provides an easy and streamlined way to count and identify the number of people in a building. Ecl-ips can also offer Paxton’s access control system Net2. Paxton has added an occupancy management feature to the software. This allows employers or facilities managers to limit the number of people in any given area of their building; either barring access or sending an email/text to the manager when a space nears capacity. It will work across multiple areas of a site and can be set to operate a one in, one out system to support social distancing measures. Remote Access Control Ecl-ips is now able to offer an upgrade of the Net2 software which Paxton unveiled in May. This expanded the ability of facility managers to manage access to buildings remotely reducing the physical contact required for people to enter and leave those buildings but still maintaining their security. This followed the launch of web-based version of Net2 and its Paxton Connect app which meant this software is available wherever the users are. Face Mask and Face Covering Detection The wearing of face coverings is now compulsory in the UK for users of public transports and face masks are either mandatory or strongly advised for staff in a number of workplaces. Additionally, the wearing of face coverings is advised in shops and other indoor places. Avigilon has developed technology to detect if there are breaches in rules associated with the wearing of face masks or coverings. This can provide an alert so security staff or managers and Ecl-ips can customize this solution to provide an audible warning to those committing any breaches of rules. Social Distancing Guidelines Support In its latest software release scheduled for this month Avigilon’s most advanced cameras will identify breaches of social distancing guidance and again this can provide an audible warning. The technology can also demonstrate to those managing commercial spaces or other buildings like schools or healthcare settings where there are potential bottlenecks and so social distancing will be difficult. This will allow managers to make changes within the buildings, for example, by only allowing people to walk in one direction through a corridor to reduce the numbers having to be in close proximity to each other. Contact Tracing Capability Meanwhile, Ecl-ips is also a specialist in Avigilon’s access control system. This can be used with Avigilon’s CCTV system to assist with contact tracing if employees are found to need to isolate after showing symptoms of COVID-19. This is because of the advanced technology providing a record of staff accessing buildings and being able to correlate to video footage of staff on CCTV. Thermal scanning Some organizations are using thermal scanning as part of their solution for opening up businesses by detecting staff or visitors that may have raised temperatures and require health screening. Paxton has made improvements to Net2 to allow installers to integrate the system with thermal scanners more easily. Ecl-ips can also offer thermographic cameras and advise if they are the right solution for the customer. Aaron Kernaghan, Managing Director of Ecl-ips, said, “Ecl-ips is a well-established CCTV, access control and monitoring firm. We are ensuring that we are operating in a COVID-19 secure manner and are keen to assist organizations get back to work safely.”