Police in the Belgian city of Lokeren can now respond more effectively to criminal incidents – thanks to an upgraded video surveillance solution that features 120 Sony security cameras, including the rugged SNC-VM772R 4K minidome camera. Lokeren Video Security System Like all urban centers, Lokeren faces the challenges of crime, vandalism and antisocial behavior in its streets, public buildings and open areas. Until recently, the municipal police force relied on analog security cameras to assist with detecting and responding promptly to incidents. However, these cameras’ limited resolution and image quality often prevented efforts to prosecute individuals as they could not be successfully identified. In response to requests from citizens to maximize their safety, Lokeren police chiefs and city politicians pledged to upgrade their video surveillance capabilities. In particular, the urgent need was identified to improve the accurate recognition of suspects caught on camera – an even greater challenge at night or on dull, poorly-lit days. Full HD And 4K Network Surveillance Cameras  Security specialists DS-Consulting therefore recommended upgrading Lokeren’s video security to a combination of Full HD and 4K network surveillance cameras. A competitive comparison by DS-Consulting saw Sony’s outdoor minidome and fixed box-type cameras compare favorably with other brands. The rugged SNC-VM772R 4K minidome camera delivered significantly better images in tough low-light conditions “There was only one choice when we compared the image quality of Sony’s security cameras against other market-leading brands” states Emiel De Smet of security specialist DS-Consulting. “They offer so much more detail and clarity – and that makes all the difference in critical surveillance applications.” SNC-VM772R 4K Minidome Camera In particular, the rugged SNC-VM772R 4K minidome camera delivered significantly better images in tough low-light conditions. The camera’s large-sized Exmor R CMOS image sensor allows it to capture more light than ordinary sensors. This allows it to ‘see’ suspicious activity clearly in conditions of almost complete darkness, where less sensitive cameras struggle. Installed by Belgian integrator Seris Technology, the complete surveillance solution features a video management platform by Genetec Security Center plus 120 strategically located Sony cameras, providing 24/7 coverage of city center streets as well as public buildings, including Lokeren’s police station, central library and city hall. Crime Prevention And 24/7 Video Monitoring The new cameras give police a clearer picture of criminal activity in the city streets, assisting with the positive identification of suspicious persons even at night and in low light conditions. Round-the-clock video footage is routed via an optical fiber network, where images are monitored in the central dispatch office at police headquarters. Since the cameras’ installation, city police have seen a reduction in crime levels, accompanied by greater peace of mind for residents and visitors.

PureTech Systems recently announces a delivery milestone for the next phase of the Border Patrol’s Mobile Video Surveillance Systems (MVSS) program. The latest deliveries, consisting of ruggedised Ford F-150 trucks outfitted with telescoping surveillance payloads, are being deployed in San Diego, CA and will support mobile video surveillance up to 6 miles away. Remote Surveillance Scenarios The event was followed by Fox 5 News and ABC 10 News in San Diego and highlighted the value to Border Patrol agents in the field, including rapid deployment and ease of use. The MVSS platform utilizes PureTech Systems’ PureActiv software as its central command and control, providing video intelligence, user interface display and sensor collaboration logic for the surveillance suite which consists of visible and thermal cameras mounted on a telescoping mast which extends over 35 feet in the air. Mobile Surveillance Solution In the interview with ABC 10 News, Michael Scappechio, a supervisor with the Border Patrol, said, it’s their increased rate of arrests that landed the trucks here, “nearly a 90 percent increase is significant, that’s going to get attention, that’s going to get resources, that’s going to get man power, infrastructure and technology.” Border Patrol also furthered that these trucks won’t replace the border wall but instead, will go hand in hand with it. PureTech Systems is teamed with Benchmark Electronics to deliver the complete mobile surveillance with the mission to track and identify Items of Interest (IOI) along the U.S. southwest border and other remote surveillance scenarios where rapid mobile deployment is needed. The most recent delivery of the mobile video surveillance solution is not the first, with several systems already being deployed along the border in Texas.

Amthal has created a scalable program of works to upgrade security at St Albans School and ensure staff and pupils can inspire learning and develop values and skills to the highest standards, in a secure environment. With former students including the renowned Professor Stephen Hawking, St Albans School, ‘the first school in Hertfordshire’ has a rich history as a celebrated independent boys’ school and co-educational Sixth Form. With an architectural mixture of buildings dating back from the Roman-era cellar, to modern extensions built in the 1990s, alongside a well-equipped field study center and sports facilities, the grounds-care team was keen to ensure security was kept up-to-date. Co-Curricular Facilities Amthal was able to present an all-encompassing solution right from the perimeter systems through to CCTV and internal access control" Gary Douglas, Estates Manager at St Albans School commented: “As a school catering for over 860 pupils, it is our priority to deliver a robust level of security for everyone who works and learns here. In addition, the historical significance of the School is something we are immensely proud of and we are committed to ensuring the buildings and facilities are cared for at every level.” “With a view to upgrading our security to enable smarter solutions, Amthal was able to present an all-encompassing solution right from the perimeter systems through to CCTV and internal access control. These enhancements were carefully planned into a program of works that is scaleable to work around learning timetables and the continued projects designed to further our excellent academic and co-curricular facilities.” Right Security Systems Amthal worked closely with the team at St Albans School right from the initial design process, acting in a project management capacity to ensure the right security systems were selected to suit the school. Not only did this require solutions that offered the smartest capability for the perimeter systems, where Avigilon CCTV was installed, but also working within school buildings and including Paxton Access Control that could be installed seamlessly, all without compromising on the historical ambience of the architecture throughout the site. Today, St Albans School is one of the leading day schools in the country, a centre of educational excellence" Paul Rosenthal, Sales Director at Amthal added: “There has been a school on the Abbey Gateway site for more than 1,000 years. Today, St Albans School is one of the leading day schools in the country, a centre of educational excellence, occupying a campus that has been transformed and continues to grow.” Expandable Solution “It is an absolute privilege as a local company to be on board to support the Estates Team to secure the School. We were very careful in our planning and design stages to structure a full team approach with leading suppliers, and present an expandable solution with the capacity to integrate with the requirements of this very impressive multi-dimensional educational institution.” Independently owned, Amthal Fire & Security is dedicated to satisfying end user needs for security safety and convenience offering design, installation, service and remote monitoring of advanced electronic fire & security solutions, including intruder, Fire, Access and CCTV systems. Amthal Fire & Security is accredited by the Security Systems and Alarm Inspection Board (SSAIB) United Kingdom Accreditation Services (UKAS) and British Approvals for Fire Equipment (BAFE.)

Traditionally, many stores have used an assortment of tags and labels on a diverse range of merchandise, most of which were designed for an entirely different set of products. As a result, many apparel retailers have recognized that in some instances merchandise and textiles are being damaged. Checkpoint Systems, renowned supplier of source-to-shopper solutions, has therefore developed an innovative new anti-theft solution to meet their specific requirements – Mini NeedleLok. Mini NeedleLok Anti-Theft Solution Designed to protect all types of garments, including very thin fabric, the one-piece solution deters thieves while preventing damage that would usually occur on application of pinned security tags. While other products on the market feature a hinged mechanism which can snag and rip textiles, Mini NeedleLok uses a needle in place of a separate pin, which separates the fibers rather than breaking through them. This allows store assistants to gently spread fabric threads on application to avoid leaving a visible hole after removal. In order to reduce time spent on in-store tagging labor, the Mini NeedleLok mechanical design allows quick and easy application, while the solution’s wide opening also allows freedom of placement anywhere on the garment. Minimum Product Damage Risk The Mini NeedleLok speeds up the self-checkout process The Mini NeedleLok also speeds up the self-checkout process. It can be removed quickly and efficiently at the point-of-sale, thanks to its single-piece design and wide opening, enabling store associates to assist with other enquiries, improving the in-store customer experience. It also eliminates the risk of damage to the merchandise, or injury to the customer, as the needle is never exposed. Not only that, with 70% of purchase decisions made at the shelf, Mini NeedleLok has been designed with display in mind. Its sleek look and smart black color ensures it doesn’t impede on the garment’s aesthetics in order to help turn a browser to a buyer. For those retailers wishing to take their visual merchandising a step further, the solution can also be customized, from adding a logo to a bespoke colorway that matches the company’s branding. Anti-Theft Retail Solution Irene Fernandez, Product Management Europe at Checkpoint Systems, commented:  “We’re more customer focused than we have ever been in our history, which is demonstrated through the diverse range of solutions that we now offer retailers across a variety of markets. With the Mini NeedleLok, we took our existing technologies and created a product that fits our apparel customers’ requirements - an effective anti-theft solution that protects merchandise, with the added benefit of being customizable. This is ideal for fashion brands where aesthetic is crucial to their identity.”

The University of Birmingham educates over 30,000 students, with more than 6,000 doors providing access to student accommodation. Gallagher’s integrated access control solution is responsible for providing operational continuity and creating a safe and secure environment for students. Access Management System The University recently completed its new state-of-the-art student accommodation development, Chamberlain, which consists of a 19-storey tower and three low-rise blocks. An essential requirement was an integrated access control system, reducing the need for keys. Timothy Owen, General Manager of Student Accommodation at the University says, “We wanted to move away from using keys as students are prone to losing them and trying to manage thousands of locks and associated keys was a constant administration and financial drain.” We need to maintain control over access to our buildings, while ensuring a duty of care to our residents and staff" In order to minimise the complexity of managing a new system, the University required a solution that integrated with, or was an extension of, their existing campus access control and accommodation management systems. “We need to maintain control over access to our buildings, while ensuring a duty of care to our residents and staff so that they can go about their business as required,” says Timothy. “Fundamentally, we needed a system that gives both us and our resident’s confidence in the security of the accommodation.” Adaptable Access Solutions A large and complex estate with buildings of different construction and age, the University needed a solution that was flexible enough to accommodate their unique requirements. Gallagher Command Centre, together with the Aperio® wireless locking technology by ASSA ABLOY Access Control, was selected as the University’s preferred choice, meeting their security needs in a cost-effective way while still delivering to the overall specification. Timothy says, “The completion of our new state of the art Chamberlain development was extremely close to the date of the first student arrival, so the team had to be dedicated and work flexibly to ensure it was ready in time – which it was.” Improved Student Experience The Gallagher Command Centre integration allows for the access key and student ID to be combined in to one card, offering a number of benefits to both students and staff. The student ID and accommodation key is encoded on to one card, so it can be posted out in advance and access to the room automatically granted" Previously the accommodation arrival process required students to arrive at the University with their contracts and queue up so that a member of staff could sign them in manually and hand them the keys to their accommodation. From there students could head to their room. “Arrivals is always a busy time but with the help of the Gallagher solution we’ve not only improved the student experience but also the administration process,” says Timothy. “Now the student ID and accommodation key is encoded on to one card, so it can be posted out in advance and access to the room automatically granted via the accommodation management system. Students no longer need to queue for keys, can get to their rooms instantly, and spend more time enjoying their arrival experience.” Monitoring Access Cards The simple act of swiping an access card automatically checks the student in and a report can be generated to show who has arrived and who hasn’t, allowing staff to follow up accordingly. If the room is no longer required it can be quickly and easily re-allocated to another student, resulting in improved occupancy rates. Using Gallagher Command Centre together with the University’s accommodation management system allows staff to check on the well-being of students by monitoring the use of their access card. The University also houses students under the age of 18, and one of the safeguarding requirements is that the University can monitor their whereabouts on a daily basis. Timothy adds, “This can be difficult to achieve with many students to track, but Gallagher Command Centre can easily confirm the time and location of our resident’s last door access, providing peace of mind that students who may be uncontactable are in fact on site.” Replacing keys with a combined access and student ID card has reduced our operational costs" Creating Business Value University staff are also seeing positive improvements since the installation of the new system – particularly at the start of the year. The arrivals process is now less congested and more relaxed. The team have far fewer issues than with physical keys, enabling them to spend more time on the overall student experience. Since the installation of the first 800 bedrooms at Chamberlain, the University has already extended the system by a further 900 at Mason, with plans in place for an additional 1500 bedrooms this summer. Enduring Partnerships “Replacing keys with a combined access and student ID card has reduced our operational costs as we now have far fewer keys to purchase and store,” explains Timothy. “The student experience has improved, and staff are now free to deal with urgent matters and offer a more personal service. We can easily create reports to help us audit access and have generally provided a much more modern and secure place to live and work.” “The University has worked with 2020 Vision Systems for some time on CCTV and access control systems, so when they won the tender to provide and install the Gallagher and Aperio® systems we had every confidence that they would be able to deliver. The completion of our new state of the art Chamberlain development was extremely close to the date of the first student occupation and so the team had to be dedicated and work flexibly to ensure it was ready in time – which it was.”

When a leading English university sought electronic locks for its newest student accommodation block, it turned to Aperio to extend its installed Gallagher Command Centre access control system. The University of East Anglia (UEA) has relied on Gallagher access control for a decade. To extend their Gallagher Command Centre system to Crome Court—a student residence with 231 en suite rooms separated into flats for between 8 and 13 postgraduates—they needed the right wireless solution. Wireless Locking Technology Aperio wireless locks are battery powered, and so use much less energyUEA’s needs included more than just security, stylish component design and affordability. Crome Court was specifically designed to minimise environmental impact, including CO2 emissions. Any access control system was expected to contribute to that goal. The university chose Aperio wireless locking technology from ASSA ABLOY. Aperio wireless locks are battery powered, and so use much less energy than wired magnetic security locks. They only “wake up” when a credential is presented to the reader. On Campus Training “We decided to offer Aperio to upgrade and extend our system at UEA because of its outstanding reputation within the security industry,” explains Jason Boyce, sales manager at Gallagher. “Having worked with us for 6 years, Gallagher knew we would deliver,” adds David Hodgkiss, national sales manager at ASSA ABLOY UK. Installation was quick and easy, aided by training delivered on campus by specialist ASSA ABLOY technicians. “We found ASSA ABLOY’s service faultless,” says Wayne Dyble, installation and support manager at Check Your Security, UEA’s service provider. Environmentally Advanced Profile There’s no need for expensive and time-consuming work changing the locks Crome Court’s secure doors are fitted with Aperio E100 online escutcheons. Students open them with programmable RFID smart cards, instead of cumbersome mechanical keys. If a keycard is lost, it is straightforward for UEA facilities staff to cancel it and issue a replacement—using a simple web-based interface or mobile phone. There’s no need for expensive and time-consuming work changing the locks. UEA also aimed to build Crome Court with an environmentally advanced profile. Here, too, Aperio delivered. Wireless locks are battery-operated and emit much less CO2 than wired magnetic locks. In fact, in carbon terms, Aperio locks emit 0.16 percent of the total emissions produced by standard wired locks. Flexibility is another Aperio asset: additional doors can be brought into the same integrated Gallagher system whenever needed. “We hope to roll out Aperio across all new and existing residential estate,” says Christine Beveridge, head of campus services at UEA.

As buildings become more complex and smarter, the age-old traditional maintenance methods that are based mostly on hands-on human monitoring are becoming more and more inadequate. Instead, the world is fast adopting building automation as a key component of smarter and more proactive maintenance strategies. The aim is to free up maintenance staff and give them time to focus on other tasks while machines monitor the different systems that work together to make the facility functional. Specifically, Internet of Things - or, IoT - enablement appears set to transform the way facility managers deliver service to building occupants. The trends are many and the possibilities are almost mind-boggling, from inventory management, to work scheduling and energy efficiency, the list goes on and on. Below, we look at a few ways in which IoT is being used for Facility Management and Security. Revolutionize Maintenance Through Condition-Based Maintenance For years now, the norm among maintenance professionals has been a time-based approach, or in simpler terms, performing maintenance operations after a set period of time. But a major flaw of this system is that components were being replaced periodically whether the parts were actually worn out or not. Of course, that meant some of these maintenance activities simply weren’t cost-effective. To avoid this waste from continuing, a subset of IoT known as IIoT can now be used to optimize the maintenance process. IIoT works as a centralized network of connected systems and devices that can talk to one another and generate and relay data Rather than changing parts on a time-based schedule, IIoT works as a centralized network of connected systems and devices that can talk to one another and generate and relay data. Selected equipment are fitted with sensors that monitor specific operational parameters and let maintenance professionals know how the machines under supervision are working, understand their current condition, and then pinpoint the optimum time they need to be maintained. The information generated this way is vital as it allows maintenance staff to intervene just in time to avoid costly downtime and other associated inconveniences. This is, in a nutshell, the basics of predictive maintenance and condition-based maintenance. These days, by implementing condition-based maintenance, IIoT is being used to effectively monitor a wide range of systems such as lighting, HVAC, fire suppression, security, etc. The applications are numerous and so are the benefits. On page 52 of this guide by the US Department of Energy, they state that a functional predictive maintenance program could yield up to 10 times ROI, reduce maintenance costs by 25% to 30%, and reduce downtime by 35% to 45% Along with fire suppression, IIoT is effectively monitoring a wide range of systems such as lighting, HVAC and security Remote Monitoring Of Facilities Physical inspections have been a critical condition for the success of conventional maintenance programs, even in hazardous environments. But, with the increasing emphasis on personnel safety, organizations want alternative solutions that allow staff to examine assets without being physically present. Facility managers and their team working in industries like manufacturing, oil and gas, and mining can relate with these constraints. And these industries can benefit greatly from deploying predictive maintenance solutions. For example, in the oil and gas industry, IIoT sensors can be used to monitor remote and highly critical assets. These sensors can be used on pipelines to detect anomalies (especially corrosion) and pass that information to supervisors for necessary action. By doing this, potential failures are quickly predicted to avoid often disastrous incidents. Managing Energy Consumption Sensors are also being embedded in building components and devices like HVAC systems, lights, doors, windows to understand energy consumption and proactively manage it. Facilities that use this technology could achieve substantial energy savings. In a press release by IT research and advisory company, Gartner, they stated that IoT can help reduce the cost of energy - as well as spatial management and building maintenance - by up to 30%. Looking at HVAC systems very closely, we see that they are a major source of energy usage in any building These sensors work by monitoring different conditions in the building and causing a power-saving action based on the data received. For instance, occupancy sensors can order lights to turn on when it senses motion in a room and then turn off the same lights when there is no presence there. That way, there is no need to wait for someone to remember to switch off the lights when they are not needed.   Another very common use is in HVAC monitoring. Looking at HVAC systems very closely, we see that they are a major source of energy usage in any building. So, the issue is how can one use IIoT to manage HVAC and possibly reduce their energy usage? Well, in its most common form, IoT-enabled HVAC works as a connection of sensors and thermostats that monitor factors like indoor air quality, temperature, and environmental changes then communicate with the rest of the HVAC equipment and make needed adjustments for occupants’ comfort. Not only that. IoT-enabled HVAC works as a connection of sensors and thermostats that monitor factors like indoor air quality, temperature, and environmental changes The Technology Can Be Configured To: Track energy consumption at different distribution points throughout the building. Track usage from the power source right down to the consumption point. Detect sudden voltage drops or spikes (usually an indication of some fault). These are essential benefits because HVAC units are notorious for consuming large amounts of energy when they are working inefficiently. Security And Access Control Smart surveillance is another important area of application for IoT in facilities management. It takes several forms such as the monitoring of life-saving systems like intruder or fire alarms, invisible barriers, and other safety installations. Facility managers are using IoT across different industries to obtain live information about potential emergency situations with a view to responding before the issue escalates. In such cases, quick detection of any strange activity is key because many of these installations have tangible negative effects when they fail or when they are intentionally sabotaged.Smart surveillance is another important area of application for IoT in facilities management Fortunately, the surveillance equipment can also be setup to send alerts to cellphones to aid emergency response or evacuation as the case may be. Smart surveillance is also priceless for monitoring the situation in partially or fully automated remote facilities (especially oil and gas installations and mines), and in hostile environments with critical equipment where humans cannot work for extended periods of time. If you are not yet using IoT in your facility, you may be wondering where to start from. To avoid getting overwhelmed, a good place to start would be to try a small-scale deployment of this technology then review its ROI and impact on your operations before adopting a more widespread IoT implementation. This way you can gradually scale up as you and your staff come to understand and adapt and to this new way of doing things.

School shootings continue, as does a search for answers. What solutions are there to prevent school shootings and/or to improve the response (and thus minimize the death toll)?  In the physical security industry, we like to think we have solutions that can help, if not “solve”, the problem, but realistically speaking, how effective are they at the end of the day? We like to think we have solutions that can help, if not “solve”, the problem: but how effective are they at the end of the day? The sad answer – even after dozens of school shootings and even in the wrenching aftermath of the latest one – is that we don’t know. There is a gaping lack of knowledge and research when it comes to measuring the effectiveness of preventative measures as they relate to school shootings. Scarce Resources For Preventative Measures The dearth of knowledge on the subject leaves schools at risk of spending scarce resources on measures that don’t have any real impact, or worse, that have a negative effect on education environments. The natural impulse following a school shooting is to do something – anything – to prevent the tragedy from happening again at any school, but especially at my school. But how is money best spent?Successful businesses are a good thing, but not at the expense of misspending education resources on solutions that don’t solve anything Congress has passed the Stop School Violence Act of 2018 to provide $50 million per year to develop programs to train students, teachers and law enforcement to prevent violence, and to create anonymous reporting systems, such as hot lines, for school violence threats. The bill authorizes another $25 million for improvements to school’s physical security infrastructures. Congress also provides $1.1 billion in Title IV block grants, which districts can use to pay for diverse needs such as security systems. Several states are providing additional funding for physical safety measures and campus police, and local districts are also stretching their budgets to address security concerns. But is that money being targeted to measures that will help the situation? What is the role of technology in preventing school violence, and are we as an industry at risk of over-selling our preventative capabilities and diverting money from other measures that might have more impact? Successful businesses are a good thing, but not at the expense of misspending education resources on solutions that don’t solve anything. More metal detectors, armed guards and police officers could cause anxiety in some students and even interfere with the learning process Studies On School Safety And Protection Researchers, advocates and educators gathered this fall at American University to consider the need for better research to inform decision-making on safety, reported Education Week.The field is in desperate need of more evidence on what works, and schools want this information presented to them" A 2016 study by the Rand Corp. points to the problem: Lack of data and research on what works and what doesn’t. “Despite growth in the school safety-technology sector, rigorous research about the effectiveness of these technologies is virtually non-existent,” according to Rand. “The field is in desperate need of more evidence on what works, and schools want this information presented to them in vetted, digestible ways to help them with procurement.” Jeremy Finn, a professor of education at the University of Buffalo, has pointed out the difficulty of assessing the effectiveness of measures designed to deter events that likely won’t occur anyway. “How do you know when you have deterred a school shooting?” he asks. “It didn’t happen.” The Effects On Our Students  Might technologies aimed at making schools more secure have an adverse effect on the learning environment? More metal detectors, armed guards and police officers could cause anxiety in some students and even interfere with the learning process. The physical security industry should freely acknowledge that the technologies we offer are only part of the solution to school violence Do security measures aimed at preventing active shooting incidents absorb resources that might better be used to address a more general and/or likely security threat such as vandalism or student discipline? Theoretically, security measures in general should help to prevent the probability of an active shooter at the same time they are addressing a wider range of concerns and threats. But do they? At the very least, we in the physical security market should be aware, and should freely acknowledge, that the technologies we offer are only part of the solution to school violence. Schools should take the broadest possible approach to the range of security challenges, and technology should be one tool among many. Furthermore, better data to measure what works is sorely needed to illuminate the best path forward.

Texas A&M University-San Antonio (A&M-SA) has become the first university in the world to deploy an Indoor Positioning Solution across its entire campus for the purpose of providing the safest possible environment. The SafeZone indoor positioning solution, provided by CriticalArc, provides the campus police with an unprecedented three-dimensional view of multi-story buildings. For example, instead of receiving an alert about ‘an incident somewhere in the student union building’, they get pinpoint specifics, such as ‘it’s on the fourth floor, west wing, outside room 410’.  "With indoor positioning and SafeZone, we're able to provide a faster response time, whether it's a medical emergency or an active shooter,” says Roger Stearns, A&M-SA’s assistant chief of Police, featured in this video. The entire police department benefits from advanced features such as heat mapping and incident playback to optimize performance" Safer environment for students The university’s Chief of Police Ron Davidson wanted to innovate with this full-coverage system because the campus was expanding, including a newly completed residence hall, which meant having students around the clock for the first time in A&M-SA’s history. He was committed to ensuring a safer environment for students, staff and visitors. In addition, Chief Davidson was in search of a common operating view that would provide the Emergency Operations Center and all officers on patrol a real-time location of all available officers and volunteers, as well as showing the location of all incidents ̶ essential for coordinating first responders and the Campus Community Emergency Response Team (CCERT). Heat mapping and incident playback “SafeZone is essential technology to position your organization on the cutting edge of campus law enforcement. The real-time common operating view both enhances officer safety and acts a force multiplier. Plus, the entire police department benefits from advanced features such as heat mapping and incident playback to optimize performance,” Davidson said. Texas A&M-San Antonio has adopted the indoor positioning solution as a standard and will deploy it in all future buildings on campus. The solution is fully supported by the University’s Information Technology department and has been assessed for additional applications to enhance the student experience including wayfinding and research by academics in the newly completed Science and Technology building. Easy to maintain wireless installation The process to get the SafeZone indoor positioning solution deployed is a simple one, as it’s a wireless installation and easy to maintain"SafeZone was easy to deliver with no disruption to the campus. It was deployed in a matter of weeks during the summer break. “The process to get the SafeZone indoor positioning solution deployed is a simple one, as it’s a wireless installation and easy to maintain,” added Stearns. Organizations can install wireless, wearable duress alarms able to pinpoint anyone anywhere on campus as an alternative to fixed, expensive, wired panic alarms. Among other capabilities, SafeZone allows users to get the most rapid help simply by activating an alert, using an app or a wearable duress alarm. As soon as the alert is triggered, the location and details of the user are streamed to the monitoring team, allowing officers to coordinate a smarter, more targeted response. By enabling responders to visualize the precise location of an incident, anywhere on campus, SafeZone is much more powerful than traditional, fixed panic alarms and blue light telephones, which are more expensive to install and less accurate in operation. SafeZone public safety solution Glenn Farrant, Chief Executive Officer, CriticalArc, notes; “I’m delighted by the close partnership between A&M-SA and CriticalArc resulting in this ground-breaking implementation of the SafeZone public safety solution. Chief Davidson and his team are at the forefront of using this technology and we are pleased to be helping them improve the quality of life, and the learning experience, for everyone on their campus.” The SafeZone indoor positioning solution is commercially available worldwide for a range of university, hospital, enterprise and finance applications and is being deployed in more than 80 countries worldwide.

One of the world’s most famous hotel-chains, DoubleTree by Hilton, part of Hilton Worldwide, has selected a high-performance fire system from Advanced Fire Systems Inc. at their eight-story, 366 room hotel in Boston, Massachusetts. The challenge was to replace an existing system, integrate speakers to all guest rooms and ensure that all audio messages and strobes were fully synchronized across the hotel, in the event of a fire situation, without the need for costly re-wiring. Advanced Audio System The Axis AX system was the preferred choice of the client too thanks to its voice communication system, coupled with PerfectSync" An Advanced audio system was specified by the stylish, four-star, DoubleTree by Hilton Boston North Shore as it met regulatory requirements for the low frequency 520 Hz warning tones necessary for the sleeping areas of the hotel and its award-winning emergency communications system, PerfectSync, synchronized tones and digital messages to ensure compliance with local codes. Christopher Whitmarsh, President at Hayden Systems, Inc., commented: “I was confident that the Advanced equipment could meet the application requirements based on my knowledge and experience with the equipment. In this case, the Axis AX system was the preferred choice of the client too thanks to its voice communication system, coupled with PerfectSync, ensuring the hotel adhered to strict guidelines. The system integrated seamlessly into the fabric of the building and provided the client with a solution that met their needs as well as satisfying the rigorous demands of the local fire authority.” PerfectSync Emergency Communications System PerfectSync automatically synchronises audio, voice and strobe signals across Advanced’s Axis AX fire alarm networks dynamically, as conditions change. Synchronization of audio and visual signals across multiple notification zones, floors & areas, prevents confusion in an emergency situation and aids in meeting intelligibility standards. Using high performance, distributed, digital amplifiers that come standard with an integral backup amplifier and power source, should a fire spread to an adjacent floor or area, audio and visual indicators come on immediately, and the audio messages will quickly synchronize with any identical audio message on the system. Advanced’s Axis AX Fire Alarm System Advanced’s Axis AX system has been designed to offer enhanced power and performance in a user-friendly format Advanced’s Axis AX system has been designed to offer enhanced power and performance in a user-friendly format, offering a vast range of configurations, control and interface options all with simple set-up and operation. The Axis AX systems includes easily networked panels, audio panels and command centers, DynamixSmoke smoke control and a huge range of peripherals, devices and interfaces that make it ideal to suit almost any fire and life safety application. Advanced Fire Systems Mike Troiano, President and CEO of Advanced in the USA, said: “Advanced fire systems are specified in some of the most famous and prestigious hotels across the world and it was a pleasure to work with our customer Hayden Systems, Inc. to provide a system that will meet the rigorous standards required and ensure that the DoubleTree by Hilton’s staff and guests alike are safeguarded.” “PerfectSync insures synchronization of audio, paging and strobe signals without the need for special wiring or programming, it’s all done automatically by the Axis AX system. Since its introduction in 2014, Award Winning PerfectSync has built a solid reputation with engineering firms and fire authorities alike for its ability to deliver superior performance. The end result is a technologically advanced, easy to use audio and visual communications system that improves life safety for all of the occupants of a building in an emergency situation.”

Edesix, a provider of Body Worn Cameras (BWC), announces that it has teamed up with retailer Asda to enhance in-store security. After a successful trial, which began in 2016, there are now over 900 Edesix VideoBadges being utilized in over 250 sites nationwide, with more growth expected in the near future. Edesix collaborated with CBES, Asda's preferred security installer, to design and install a tailored wearable CCTV deployment system perfectly suited to the retail giant's needs. Edesix and CBES worked closely at Asda's national security center and across four store deployments to provide them with the knowledge and expertise so the cameras could be rolled out in the remaining stores with minimum impact on store efficiency. Improved Colleague Security Asda has been able to improve colleague security, diffuse aggressive and volatile situations and reduce valued investigation time This system, which is intuitive to use and requires minimum training, has enabled staff to integrate the cameras into their daily working processes with minimal fuss. As a result of this partnering strategy, which relied on both the innovative nature of Edesix's technology and communication between all parties, Asda has been able to improve colleague security, diffuse aggressive and volatile situations and reduce valued investigation time, thus reducing costs. Since the deployment, Asda has proven the viability of these cameras by securing numerous convictions relating to theft and violence against staff. Confrontation preventer Richie McBride, managing director of Edesix, explains: "Asda, along with CBES, identified the need to re-think its key security policy around challenging aggressive behavior towards staff. In searching for a technology partner, CBES chose Edesix as their BWC provider, to deploy initially to the most affected stores, eventually rolling out to over 250 sites across the UK. The aim was to improve the safety of colleagues in public facing roles and shoppers within the stores, while producing compelling evidence when needed." The Body Worn Cameras act as a confrontation preventer, as it is proven that members of the public are far less aggressive to staff members" McBride adds: "The Body Worn Cameras act as a confrontation preventer, as it is proven that members of the public are far less aggressive to staff members if they know they are being filmed." Winning major contracts Edesix, which was recently acquired by US-based security specialists Vigilant Solutions, has enjoyed a great deal of success lately, ranging from winning some major contracts with the likes of UK prisons, Scotrail and South Australian Police, to being named in the Sunday Times Hiscox Tech Track 100 league table. Edesix currently supplies markets across the globe, through direct sales and international partners, to geographies including the UK, Europe, USA, Canada, the Middle East and Australasia.

In order to improve security standards, in the last few months and since the beginning of the 2018/2019 season the Panomera camera system has been installed and tested in the Generali Arena in Prague, home ground of AC Sparta Praha. This technology is also used by many football clubs in the German Bundesliga and the English Premier League. After successful completion of the test phase, the club then switched the system into operational mode. AC Sparta Praha has launched a modernisation project for its security system with the objective of providing fans greater comfort and a feeling of increased security in their home arena, and to help prevent the occurrence of unwelcome incidents. Substantial Financial Investment If the rules are violated while a match is being played, this technology makes it possible to bring charges against individual offenders The system is also used for incident analysis, to deliver better video material so that the involvement of specific individuals can be proven accurately when offences occur. If the rules are violated while a match is being played, this technology makes it possible to bring charges against individual offenders or a larger group of fans. The system records continuously and stores what is happening at all locations on the tribunes. This in turn enables the direct display and investigation of incidents and their causes, which is made simpler by the simultaneous, time-synchronized playback of multiple video streams. The installation of this new camera system is not a reaction to what took place during the Europa League qualifying round match against Subotica, but a strategic measure for which the ACS club management decided earlier despite the substantial financial investment. Evidentiary Procedure By the time of the game against the Serbian team Subotica, which was played on 2 August 2018, the CCTV system was already in the final stage of testing, which meant that the material recorded could be used for the investigation and evidentiary procedure. The club is prosecuting fans who engaged in unacceptable behavior during the match extremely vigorously, and long stadium bans and fines have already been imposed. The club cooperated successfully with three companies to achieve the implementation of this CCTV solution: with Dallmeier – manufacturer of the Panomera technology, with T-Mobile – data infrastructure provider – and with Made in PUBLICITY, which was responsible for integrating the system and installation. Unambiguous Facial Identification The video material recorded with Panomera far surpasses the standard 1080-HD format, while capturing up to 30 images per second in real time The Panomera camera system has already been installed successfully in most stadiums in the Bundesliga (e.g., Allianz Arena - Bayern Munich, Signal Iduna Park - Borussia Dortmund, Commerzbank Arena - Eintracht Frankfurt) and in the English Premier League (e.g., Old Trafford - Manchester United, Emirates Stadium - Arsenal London) as well as in modern stadiums in Russia, host nation to the 2018 World Cup competition. The video material recorded with Panomera far surpasses the standard 1080-HD format, while capturing up to 30 images per second in real time. Recording is performed in a resolution of up to 320 pixels per meter, enabling unambiguous facial identification. For comparison: typically only half of this resolution, 125 pixels per meter is needed for normal facial recognition.

Located in the middle of the deep forests of Småland in the south of Sweden, the Strandudden Gated Community has been designed to provide a safe environment for homeowners who wish to enjoy a high quality of life. The first phase of the development has seen the construction of 18 apartments which have stunning lake views. The materials and features of each apartment have been carefully selected to ensure sustainable energy consumption. When the development is completed, over 100 Wisenet cameras manufactured by Hanwha Techwin, will enable security personnel to closely monitor the movements of people and vehicles as they enter and move around the public areas of the gated community. Ensure Strict Compliance Equally important, the massive processing power of the chipsets of the open platform cameras means that our client is able to run specialist applications" 6 Wisenet cameras were initially installed during the construction of the apartments. These have been used to ensure strict compliance with the site’s healthy & safety regulations and to keep a close eye on valuable plant and machinery. “We evaluated products from a number of different manufacturers, but the superb quality of the images captured by the Wisenet cameras made it a very easy decision for us to recommend that they should be deployed throughout the Community,” said Henrik Carlsson, CCTV Product Manager for Elajo, one of Sweden’s electrical, mechanical, engineering and energy installation companies who were awarded the contract to manage the project. “Equally important, the massive processing power of the chipsets of the open platform cameras means that our client is able to run specialist applications, such as licence plate recognition (ANPR), in order to control vehicle access to the Community.” High Quality Images The Hanwha Techwin Europe pre-sales and technical teams have worked closely with Elajo to ensure the best camera types have been specified for each of the carefully chosen camera locations. 6 different Wisenet models have been selected to ensure high quality images can be captured day or night and that there are no blind spots. Among these is the Wisenet IP network PNP-9200RH 4K PTZ dome which has built-in IR illumination. The PNP-9200RH, which is IP66 and IK10 rated for vandal-resistance and outdoor use in the harshest environments, utilizes Progressive Scan technology to provide sharp edges on moving subjects and vehicles. The PNP-9200RHs which have been installed at the entrance to the Community are equipped with the Wisenet Group ANPR solution which provides the opportunity to automatically control the movement of white listed cars through barriers via camera relay outputs. Drag And Drop Tool Images from all 100 cameras will be displayed in the Community’s control room via Wisenet WAVE video management software (VMS) Developed by Hanwha Techwin in partnership with analytics experts, FF Group, the solution uses camera-to-camera IP communication technology to enable up to 4 Wisenet Group ANPR cameras to work together, with data from each simultaneously transmitted to a single web based display. Images from all 100 cameras will be displayed in the Community’s control room via Wisenet WAVE video management software (VMS). An intuitive ‘drag & drop’ tool makes it extremely easy for operators to set up a display of live and recorded images on a single screen or video wall, with customisable layouts and sizes. Other key features include a virtual PTZ which, with just simple clicks of a mouse, enables operators to zoom in to see close up detail of any suspicious activity, whilst motion detection and video analytics support can be configured to generate alerts when user defined incidents occur. Auto-Discover Feature “Wisenet WAVE has proved to be extremely easy to use and it is a significant bonus that, with minimal training, operators are able to take maximum advantage of its wide range of innovative features,” said Henrik Carlsson. “It has also helped reduce installation costs as it has an auto-discover feature which means connected cameras can be addressed and set up within just minutes.” In addition to the images being displayed in the Community’s control room, should an incident occur that needs a rapid response, security personnel on patrol will be able to remotely view any activity via a smartphone or tablet with the help of the secure Wisenet Mobile App. PNP-9200RH: Wisenet P 4K PTZ IR dome camera PNM-9020V: Wisenet P 7.3 megapixel multi-sensor 180˚ Panoramic camera PNV-9080R: Wisenet P 4K Vandal-Resistant IR dome camera PNO-9080R: Wisenet P 4K IR Bullet Camera QND-7080R: Wisenet Q 4 megapixel IR dome camera XNO-6120R/FNP: Wisenet X ANPR camera

Bluffton Self Help, a non-profit organization providing food, clothing and financial assistance to low-income residents of Bluffton, S.C., has gone high tech with an Iris ID iris recognition system tracking the hours of paid staff and volunteers. An Iris ID iCAM R100 camera replaces mag stripe cards, said Tony O’Brien, president of Sourcecode LLC, a South Carolina-based software development firm. He designed the iris system, as well as a computer network and telephone system for Bluffton Self Help. Saving The Cost Of Purchasing ID Cards “When I started working with the group it was still using sign-in sheets for its patrons to receive benefits,” he said. “I helped move them to a swipe card system about seven years ago. Then last summer I suggested to the executive director we could use iris identification to eliminate the cards.” The iris-based system saved Bluffton Self Help from purchasing and printing new and replacement ID cardsAccording to O’Brien, the iris-based system saved Bluffton Self Help from purchasing and printing new and replacement ID cards for the five paid staff members and more than 250 volunteers who regularly use the system. The Iris ID system paid for itself in about five months, O’Brien said. After staff inputs a new volunteer’s data, it takes seconds to enroll the person in the system. The person stands in front of a camera which takes a picture of both eyes (irises). Software turns the photo into a digital template stored on the organization’s computers network. The same camera is later used to identify volunteers arrive and leave in a process that takes less than two seconds. Monitoring Volunteers’ Working Hours Kimberly Hall, executive director, Bluffton Self Help, said the volunteers, many of them senior citizens, tell her the system is easy and fun to use. “Our volunteers love it,” she said. “And with the touch of a button on our computer we can see how many hours our volunteers have worked.” With the touch of a button on our computer we can see how many hours our volunteers have worked"Hall estimated volunteers annually provide about $1.2 million worth of services. That’s important to know when the privately funded group seeks contributions from donors who often want to make sure the organization has the manpower to ensure those in need are receiving services. Hall said patrons still use the swipe card system as many are undocumented residents and fearful of new technologies. She hopes education will change that as Iris ID’s stored digital templates cannot be reconstructed to identify a person. Accurate And Easy To Use Systems Mohammed Murad, vice president global sales and business development, Iris ID, said the Bluffton Self Help system shows how iris recognition technology is appropriate for virtually any organization needing identity verification for security or time and attendance. “Systems from Iris ID are affordable, accurate and easy to use,” he said. “They’re no longer just for government organizations or Fortune 500 companies. The company is excited to be a technology provider to many non-profit organizations around the world.”

Ping Identity, the pioneer in Identity Defined Security, announced that its Ping Intelligent Identity Platform powers the engine behind HP Identity (HP ID), an enterprise-wide unified identity management ecosystem. The HP ID initiative is designed to up level customer and partner experiences by providing them with a single identity across all of their HP applications, whether in the cloud or on-premises.  With a focus on driving customer experiences, HP selected the Ping Identity platform deployed in Amazon Web Services (AWS). This achieved its goal of instituting a single and highly secure identity and access management (IAM) platform across its entire global customer and partner-facing platform. Single Sign-on For 150 Million Customers Ping’s customer IAM platform provides performance and scalability that can keep pace with HP’s continued innovation and growth"The HP ID platform is used by more than 100 business applications and enables single sign-on for over 150 million customer and partner identities across the world, plus thousands more being added each day. Before HP ID, the company was managing more than a dozen separate legacy IAM and authentication systems. User identities were previously housed across disparate data silos, creating a disjointed customer experience. Reinventing Customer Experiences HP Product Manager Jared Meier sums up the success of HP ID, “Ping’s customer IAM platform provides performance and scalability that can keep pace with HP’s continued innovation and growth. Now, customers have a seamless experience when they authenticate across our digital properties.” “Ping and HP share a common vision of innovation, great customer experiences and technology that makes life better for everyone, everywhere,” added Andre Durand, CEO, Ping Identity. “We’re proud to support HP in reinventing customer experiences through identity.”