Mivatek Smart Connect (formerly “Mivatek”) announces the signing of a partnership agreement with Asia Pacific Telecom (APT), whereby APT will use Mivatek Smart Connect’s plug-n-play Smart Home solutions and service. Mivatek’s mobile-cloud IoT platform and smart devices will form the foundation of APT's Home Guardian program - a DIY MIY Smart Home service available to 2.6 million APT's customers. The new APT Home Guardian program is the company’s first offering in the smart home arena. Home Guardian provides APT customers with a turnkey video-integrated interactive security, safety, and wellness service solution. Each system package gives users advanced ‘one-touch-to-responder’ features that allow them to make video-integrated protection and control with family, wherever they are. The collaborative protection design allows the user, their family members, caregivers, and even neighbors to protect their homes and achieve peace of mind. All Home Guardian systems can be easily expanded with additional Mivatek devices to cover security, safety and/or care capabilities Home Security And Safety There are three in-a-box starter packages available to APT customers. The entry-level package allows the user to create a basic Home Security system comprised of a Mivatek Cube Camera, two door and window sensors, and a hub for system control. All Home Guardian systems can be easily expanded with additional Mivatek devices to cover security, safety and/or care capabilities; the zero-pairing technology allows the expansion of accessories in seconds. Ultimately, these packages cover the areas that APT believe will bring their customers the most peace of mind: home security and safety; care of elderly to allow them to independently and safely in their own homes as long as possible (the ‘aging in place’ trend); and the care and safety of infants and pets. The creation of Home Guardian evolved as a result of APT’s desire to bring additional value and service to its cellular subscriber base, currently at 1.9 million and growing. The zero-pairing technology and the comprehensive capabilities of the Mivatek Smart Connect platform and associated devices, spanning from security, safety, care, and video, really impressed us" Cost-Effective Platform “We looked at a number of value-added solutions to make our wireless products and services more attractive,” said Oscar Kuo, APT Senior Project Deputy Manager. “The zero-pairing technology and the comprehensive capabilities of the Mivatek Smart Connect platform and associated devices, spanning from security, safety, care, and video, really impressed us.” Joe Liu, CEO of Mivatek Smart Connect, emphasized that this new project dovetails well with the company’s new focus on service providers, brand owners, and telco’s. “We are excited about serving global service providers and brand owners with our turnkey Smart-Connect-as-a-Service,” said Liu, emphasizing the company’s commitment to a private label and OEM business strategy. “We are also thrilled that a leading telecom and cellular service provider like APT chose Mivatek's Smart Connect platform. We made video-integrated Smart Connect easy, reliable and cost-effective, and we’re confident that APT and its customers will appreciate these advantages.” Additional Capabilities Of The Home Guardian System: Multi-point installation: Use a single account to simultaneously manage devices in different locations and monitor multiple locations at the same time. Collaborative protection: Five family members can be authorized to receive instant video push notifications and five emergency contacts. Service in tandem: Strengthen the home security/care function, connect hospitals, care centers & security operators in series, providing users with more comprehensive services. Privacy encryption: Multiple patented firewalls and anti-intrusion technologies protect the user’s image privacy and account information.

Pulse Secure, a provider of Secure Access solutions to both enterprises and service providers, has announced that Entegrus has successfully deployed Pulse Policy Secure advanced network access control (NAC), to strengthen overall visibility and access security across their hybrid IT infrastructure. Entegrus, a Canadian energy company, leveraged their existing Pulse Secure virtual private network (VPN) implementation to expedite NAC deployment and fortify their infrastructure in accordance with National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) guidelines. As a result, their security organization extended visibility for remote and on-premise users and devices, as well as enhanced endpoint compliance and Internet of Things (IoT) risk mitigation. We have increased our security posture, and for the most part, there has been zero impact on our end users" Pulse Secure-Entegrus Collaboration Entegrus serves over 58,000 customers throughout Ontario. They bring electricity, renewable energy and water across three large regions, with a workforce spread out over 2,300 square miles. Entegrus’ objective is to provide safe, reliable and cost-effective provision of energy and related billing services, while providing high levels of service to its customers, partners and the communities it serves. IT security plays a critical role in protecting their delivery of energy and data services.  “The threat landscape is constantly evolving, forcing us to always consider how we can go one step further. With a widely distributed IT infrastructure, we considered NAC as an effective way to improve our security posture without dramatically altering how we operate,” said Dave Cullen, manager of information systems for Entegrus. “We have a long-standing relationship with Pulse Secure. The level of integration between Pulse Secure secure sockets layer (SSL) and NAC, as well as the extended feature set, made it a straightforward choice for us. Perhaps, the two most important things are that we have increased our security posture, and for the most part, there has been zero impact on our end users.”  Active Control With Seamless Network Access Ensuring always active control while maintaining flexible, seamless access to network and application resources is an essential requirement for utility providers. Within such highly regulated industries, best practices dictate a constant cycle of security readiness review and improvement to meet an increasingly potent threat posed by cyber threat actors. NAC provides foundational endpoint intelligence, resource access enforcement and IoT defences that support industry and regulatory compliance guidelines. These compliance requisites apply to both regional and large national critical infrastructure providers.  For stretched IT departments, Pulse Secure’s Secure Access solutions are designed to streamline deployment and on-going administration using an easy, integrated, policy-driven platform that works with a customer’s existing installed base and network infrastructure. In addition, Pulse Secure’s VPN solution utilizes the same endpoint client, policy engine and appliance management as the NAC solution. Entegrus took advantage of this platform capability to rapidly implement NAC. As a result, they gained dynamic intelligence, unified policy management, automated enforcement and threat response through a single management console. We needed to make sure our secure access technologies could adapt to new regulatory requirements and new business needs" Secure Access Solutions Cullen highlights numerous benefits, including a simplified method of managing complex policies and user access rights, as well as an enforceable method of checking end-point devices to ensure that only properly patched operating systems can connect to the network. Another advantage of Pulse Policy Secure was evident after Entegrus recently merged with London, Ontario-based St. Thomas Energy. “We needed to make sure our secure access technologies could adapt to new regulatory requirements and new business needs, as the recent merger added new, unqualified infrastructure and grew our customer base by around a third, which also led to the hiring of 28 new staff members,” Cullen added.

Developer of complete end-to-end video security solutions, IndigoVision, along with their authorized partner, Boston Networks and valued technology partner, Dell Technologies, has provided Social Bite with a security system for their Social Bite Village.  Social Bite is on a mission to build a collaborative movement to end homelessness in Scotland, thanks to recent fundraising efforts the Social Bite Village has become one of their many projects to help achieve this goal. The idea is to bring people from all walks of life in Scotland together to ensure that no one ends up homeless. The Social Bite Village aims to provide a low cost, innovative and safe environment for up to 20 people for 12-18 months. Residents will be provided with the support, community and skills required to get their life back on track, including work placement opportunities and employability support. After the 12-18 months period expires, the residents will transition to permanent accommodation and receive support in gaining employment, supporting their return to society. As one group of residents leaves the village, another can then enter and begin their journey. Residents will be selected from individuals in temporary and unsupported accommodation. The ambition behind this project is to create a full circle solution to the issue of homelessness – from housing to support to employment. IndigoVision is proud to have been a part of a project that will contribute with such a positive change in Scotland" Site Surveillance IndigoVision, Boston Networks and Dell Technologies have worked together to help Social Bite reach their goal by installing a security system to provide surveillance for the village site, specifically during the evening hours to ensure all people on site were kept safe. Commenting on our involvement with this project IndigoVision’s Chief Executive Officer, Pedro Simoes, said “IndigoVision is proud to have been a part of a project that will contribute with such a positive change in Scotland. It’s been a great privilege to work along with Boston Networks and Dell Technologies to provide the Social Bite Village with innovation that makes you safe.”  Vandal-Resistant Minidome Cameras As part of the installation, IndigoVision provided 11 state-of-the-art BX HD vandal-resistant minidome cameras, which deliver high-quality video and audio in all environmental conditions. Boston Networks provided a survey of the Granton Road site, following which they laid cabling and set up point-to-point links to provide backhaul connectivity to support the network, before installing the cameras and configuring the security system. Purdicom and InfiNet, Boston Networks’s distribution and wireless partners, provided the back-to-back wireless kit and license. IndigoVision, Boston Networks and Dell Technologies have gone above and beyond in supporting Social Bite to create the Social Bite Village" Hybrid NVR Workstation Finally, a Hybrid NVR workstation, which allows Social Bite to save recordings from the site, and a workstation monitor have been provided by Dell Technologies to complete the security system. Founder of Social Bite, Josh Littlejohn MBE, said: "Companies such as IndigoVision, Boston Networks and Dell Technologies have gone above and beyond in supporting Social Bite to create the Social Bite Village in Granton, Edinburgh. We are deeply thankful - your contribution will help ensure that we are able to support people towards independence, changing lives for the better."

To provide a practical solution to the monitoring of transportation infrastructure, where maximum situational awareness is paramount, Bosch Building Technologies has combined the innovation behind its video security cameras with the video management expertise of Intelligent Security Systems (ISS).  ISS is a global developer of video management and video intelligence solutions. The video management platform, SecurOS, focuses on securing large mission-critical applications, such as industrial and manufacturing sites, transportation systems, banks, sports arenas, retail locations, and campuses and office complexes. ISS’ differentiating video intelligence and image analytics solutions, whether it is Face Capture & Recognition (SecurOS FACE), License Plate Recognition (SecurOS AUTO License Plate Recognition), or Container Character Recognition (SecurOS CARGO), provide effective monitoring solutions to the transportation sector. The capabilities stretch to large-scale entry and exit points such as ports, borders and airport car parks  Surveillance Challenges Transportation security provides surveillance challenges in varying degrees of situation and scale, so effective license plate recognition is crucial. From tunnels and bridges, where a situation can change in seconds, to regulating traffic flow into a city and capturing a profile of each vehicle, Bosch and ISS can provide answers to the questions that matter. Has a particular vehicle been permitted access to a specific area? Has that vehicle been stolen? What’s the insurance or toll subscription status? Has that vehicle been authorized to operate as a taxi? The capabilities even stretch to large-scale entry and exit points such as ports, borders and airport car parks.  Vehicle Monitoring Monitoring which vehicles are entering an area, and checking their legitimacy to be there, has never been more critical. Having the capability to capture license plates of every vehicle moving in the designated area gives users complete awareness of traffic flows and usage patterns, allowing them to configure and manage their monitoring preferences efficiently and permit secure data exchanges with other operational management systems and services for efficient infrastructure alignment.  If driving conditions were perfect all-year round, the job of an operations manager, for example, would be quite straightforward. But the reality is quite the opposite. That is why the ISS certified Bosch cameras responsible for capturing this data are incredibly robust and built to produce usable images 24/7 in the harshest conditions, including after dark by employing a supplementary infrared light. The selected cameras have a special License Plate Recognition (LPR) mode which is developed in collaboration with ISS to deliver accurate information even when faced with the challenges of glaring headlights and fast-moving vehicles. Interpreting video data directly at source helps to improve levels of security substantially and can also offer clear business advantages  SecurOS AUTO License Plate Recognition High standards are applied to the quality of the images captured. By incorporating the SecurOS AUTO License Plate Recognition (LPR/ANPR) solution, Bosch and ISS can provide several unique benefits for users, including the ability to accurately capture license plate information at 210 km/h (130 mph) in all kinds of weather conditions, including light fog, rain, and snow. Furthermore, utilizing advanced algorithms results in a level of accuracy that can distinguish letters from numbers (so an “8” is not mistaken for a “B,” for example) which is a crucial advantage, particularly in emergency situations. The partnership with ISS supports Bosch’s belief that the logical next-step for security is to enable customers to repurpose the vast amounts of video data that they now can capture. Interpreting video data directly at source helps to improve levels of security substantially and can also offer clear business advantages.

Liberty University, a private university in Central Virginia, provides a comprehensive curriculum with a Christian background for more than 110,000 students enrolled across the University’s 17 colleges, schools, and online programs. The safety and security of students and faculty is a priority and has resulted in the implementation of state-of-the-art physical security measures. The LaHaye Fitness and Recreation Center located on Liberty University’s Lynchburg campus is a prime example. The large facility, which occupies approximately 165,000 square feet, houses five basketball courts, an indoor track, a weight room, group exercise classrooms, raquetball and volleyball courts, soccer fields, and a rock wall in addition to a lounge and cafe. More than just an athletics facility, the LaHaye Fitness and Recreation Center is a hub for social interaction that opens at 5am and closes at 11:30pm every day. The access control solution allows students to use one universal card throughout the campus, including LaHaye Fitness and Recreation Center ID Badge With Access Control Credentials Every student enrolled at Liberty University is provided with an identification badge with embedded access control credentials to gain access to various Liberty facilities. The access control solution, provided by RS2, allows students to use one universal card throughout the campus, including LaHaye Fitness and Recreation Center, which is outfitted with four lanes of Speedlane 300 optical turnstiles from Boon Edam to control and document the approximately 30,000 users who enter the facility every week. Previously, Liberty students would simply hand their badge to a staff worker, who would swipe it for verification, and then allow the student into the facility. The old process presented numerous challenges including the inability to adequately deny entry, expedite entry to the gym during busy hours and more. The new array of Speedlane 300 turnstiles alleviates all of those issues and more by providing three dedicated lanes for entry and one lane for egress. Monitoring Recreation Center Visitors “We can lock the turnstile gates, disable them, hold them open, grant access along with numerous other operational options, to keep traffic flowing while providing security,” said Samuel Seaborn, Associate Director, Operations, at Liberty University. “The turnstiles integrate with Liberty’s access control system to monitor who is coming into the rec center and when, and helps ensure that only students and people with proper access are allowed into the facility.” With 30,000 average weekly users entering and exiting the facility, Liberty is already looking to expand the LaHaye Fitness and Recreation Center with satellite facilities located around the campus. To maintain the level of safety throughout their campus, protect the university from liability issues, and integrate with their current access control systems, Liberty hopes to outfit any new installations with Boon Edam turnstiles, which have been well received by students and staff. In today’s environment, we’re even more concerned with properly protecting our students, and Boon Edam turnstiles help us do that" Easy To Use Turnstiles “When they were installed, the students remarked on the futuristic design of the turnstiles,” continued Seaborn. “Everyone adapted to them quickly, because they’re so easy to use.” Liberty has also been happy with the service Boon Edam provides for maintenance and other issues. If there are any issues with the badge reader or if an internal component was malfunctioning, the integrator for Boon Edam products, Jamie Dalton at Mech-Elect, of Wake Forest, NC, has responded quickly. “The Boon Edam turnstiles are so simple to use, and they really help with traffic flow. In today’s environment, we’re even more concerned with properly protecting our students, and Boon Edam turnstiles help us do that,” concludes Seaborn. “When we expand our recreational facilities, as well as other facilities, we’re definitely looking to Boon Edam for our entrances and exits.”

Pulse Secure, the provider of secure access solutions to both enterprises and service providers, has announced that Entegrus has successfully deployed Pulse Policy Secure advanced network access control (NAC), to strengthen overall visibility and access security across their hybrid IT infrastructure. Entegrus, a Canadian energy company, leveraged their existing Pulse Secure virtual private network (VPN) implementation to expedite NAC deployment and fortify their infrastructure in accordance with National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) guidelines. As a result, their security organization extended visibility for remote and on-premise users and devices, as well as enhanced endpoint compliance and Internet of Things (IoT) risk mitigation. With a widely distributed IT infrastructure, we considered NAC as an effective way to improve our security posture without dramatically altering how we operate" Role Of IT Security In Energy Delivery Entegrus serves over 58,000 customers throughout Ontario. They bring electricity, renewable energy and water across three large regions, with a workforce spread out over 2,300 square miles. Entegrus’ objective is to provide safe, reliable and cost-effective provision of energy and related billing services, while providing high levels of service to its customers, partners and the communities it serves. IT security plays a critical role in protecting their delivery of energy and data services. “The threat landscape is constantly evolving, forcing us to always consider how we can go one step further. With a widely distributed IT infrastructure, we considered NAC as an effective way to improve our security posture without dramatically altering how we operate,” said Dave Cullen, manager of information systems for Entegrus. “We have a long-standing relationship with Pulse Secure. The level of integration between Pulse Secure secure sockets layer (SSL) and NAC, as well as the extended feature set, made it a straightforward choice for us. Perhaps the two most important things are that we have increased our security posture, and for the most part, there has been zero impact on our end users.” NAC provides foundational endpoint intelligence, resource access enforcement and IoT defenses that support industry and regulatory compliance guidelines Endpoint Intelligence And IoT Defenses Ensuring always active control while maintaining flexible, seamless access to network and application resources is an essential requirement for utility providers. Within such highly regulated industries, best practices dictate a constant cycle of security readiness review and improvement to meet an increasingly potent threat posed by cyber threat actors. NAC provides foundational endpoint intelligence, resource access enforcement and IoT defenses that support industry and regulatory compliance guidelines. These compliance requisites apply to both regional and large national critical infrastructure providers. For stretched IT departments, Pulse Secure’s Secure Access solutions are designed to streamline deployment and on-going administration using an easy, integrated, policy-driven platform that works with a customer’s existing installed base and network infrastructure. In addition, Pulse Secure’s VPN solution utilizes the same endpoint client, policy engine and appliance management as the NAC solution. Multiple Advantages With Single Management Console Entegrus took advantage of this platform capability to rapidly implement NAC. As a result, they gained dynamic intelligence, unified policy management, automated enforcement and threat response through a single management console.We needed to make sure our secure access technologies could adapt to new regulatory requirements and new business needs" Cullen highlights numerous benefits, including a simplified method of managing complex policies and user access rights, as well as an enforceable method of checking end-point devices to ensure that only properly patched operating systems can connect to the network. Another advantage of Pulse Policy Secure was evident after Entegrus recently merged with London, Ontario-based St. Thomas Energy. “We needed to make sure our secure access technologies could adapt to new regulatory requirements and new business needs, as the recent merger added new, unqualified infrastructure and grew our customer base by around a third, which also led to the hiring of 28 new staff members,” Cullen added.

ProdataKey (PDK), an innovator of cloud-based networked and wireless access control products and services, and Dwelo LLC, a provider of smart-home solutions purpose-built for apartment owners, managers and residents, has announced a partnership that is seamlessly integrating PDK’s cloud access control technology into the Dwelo smart apartment platform. Dwelo’s web and mobile software, which currently offers apartment dwellers the ability to control smart devices such as light switches, thermostats and door deadbolts for their individual units, has added features to manage access to common areas of their building or community, such as entry gates, clubhouse, gym and laundry facilities.  These spaces can now be secured by PDK’s cloud access control solution, pdk.io, providing apartment property managers and owners with valuable operational efficiencies. The administrative software interface, not visible to residents, enables management to easily establish and enforce authorized hours of use for common facilities. An audit trail reports all traffic into the property, including any one-time credentials issued by residents, which can be used to assist in investigations in cases of theft or vandalism. When residents move out, their access to unit, common, and perimeter access is immediately deactivated, eliminating the risks that accompany traditional keys that would otherwise remain in circulation. The system is subscription based, with property managers able to recoup the cost in both efficiencies and enhanced revenue  Scalable And Affordable Security Solutions Beyond operational efficiencies, residents can unlock perimeter and common doors or gates using the same mobile app they use to control their apartments. In addition, they have the ability to use their phones or computers to generate temporary, one-time credentials that allow visitors, delivery and service people to gain access as needed. These features add to the conveniences afforded to residents living in Dwelo-enabled smart apartments.  Both Dwelo and PDK have built successful businesses by leveraging the power of cloud technology to create scalable, affordable solutions that offer unprecedented ease of installation for contractors and simple usability for customers. With their combined areas of expertise in home automation and security, together they see an opportunity to serve a large and generally neglected market sector – apartment renters who desire the same smart home technological conveniences as today’s home owners and seek out communities that offer those smart home solutions. The Dwelo/PDK solution is available for both new construction and retrofits. After an initial per-unit installation charge, the system is subscription based, with property managers able to recoup the cost in both efficiencies and enhanced revenue.  Enhanced Apartment Living “Dwelo is thrilled to be partnering with such an innovative company as PDK. PDK is a technology leader in the electronic access control space, and Dwelo and its customers are already benefitting from their forward-thinking approach to access." Our partnership will bring tangible benefits to all stakeholders involved within the multi-family residential market sector" "The consolidation of smart home control and perimeter and common area access control, in one platform, is a powerful marriage for multifamily property owners. We look forward, with PDK, to crafting more solutions that address the specific needs of these customers,” says Mike Rovito, CEO of Dwelo, LLC. “PDKs solution has been embraced by customers in the commercial sector for its simple ease of use and platform flexibility. Our wireless and PoE options allow for cost-effective takeover of legacy equipment, while supporting new construction projects with all the benefits derived from leveraging the network." "Our mantra, simplicity without compromise, dovetails perfectly with Dwelo’s corporate mission to enhance apartment living through easily accessible IoT technology. Our partnership will bring tangible benefits to all stakeholders involved within the multi-family residential market sector,” says Evan Tree, CEO of ProdataKey.

Delta Scientific, manufacturer of counter-terrorist vehicle control systems used in the United States and internationally, has announced that Delta's innovative MP5000 portable barrier systems were selected to protect people attending the 2018 Commonwealth Games. The Commonwealth Games held from 4-15 April on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia, included 4,400 athletes from 70 Commonwealth nations throughout the world, competing in 19 championship sports. It was the largest sporting event in Australia since the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. Organizers required a vehicle access system that could be rapidly deployed and would create secure vehicle check points that carried crash-certification. It was important for the Games' operations that access for emergency and authorized vehicles was maintained through the duration of the event" Hostile Vehicle Mitigation Security focus had begun years prior to the games. The focus went beyond hostile vehicle mitigation (HVM) measures to include various other identified security risks. Perimeter security measures were aligned with the recently implemented Australia and New Zealand Counter Terrorism Committee (ANZCTC) strategy for the protection of places of mass gatherings. A core element of this strategy was the effective and practical implementation of HVM measures at key locations. As the Australian partner of Delta Scientific, Knight Brothers Pty Ltd secured the contract for the vehicle barrier systems in late 2017 and liaised closely with organizers to ensure that specific security measures could be achieved through implementing Delta's unique barrier systems.  "Barriers protected major event venues including the main games stadium, Gold Coast Convention Centre, the Athletes Village and critical street closures throughout the Gold Coast area," reports Matthew Knight, director of Knight Brothers. "It was important for the Games' operations that access for emergency and authorized vehicles was maintained through the duration of the event.” Delta MP5000 Portable Barriers "The primary use of the 20-foot (6m) Delta portable barriers was in public areas where ground fixation or in-situ HVM measures were not practical or achievable," Matthew Knight adds. "Barriers were deployed in a variety of configurations in order to meet security and access needs. This included direct access points as well as heightened temporary security check points with stringent vehicle inspections undertaken by Australian Defense Force personnel. Secure access points at other locations were operated by contracted security personnel." Knight Brothers worked closely with Delta Scientific to adapt certain elements of the barrier systems to meet the needs of the Commonwealth Games  Delta's MP5000 portable barricades can be installed in 15 minutes or less to protect streets, entrances or wide expanses such as access to pedestrian areas. They protect people and critical infrastructures at public events and places of mass gathering, such as the Commonwealth Games. These mobile deployable vehicle crash barriers carry a recognized K8 rating (M40 ASTM rating). They lower to let vehicles through but, when raised, they will stop a 6800 kg vehicle traveling 64 km/h. At the Games, stand-alone battery operated hydraulic systems with supplementary solar power charging and remote-control operation activated the barriers and allowed a high rate of vehicle throughput in meeting specific operational requirements. Knight Brothers worked closely with Delta Scientific to adapt certain elements of the barrier systems to meet the needs of the Commonwealth Games. This included the ability to externally power the system through Australian compliant methods such as mains power or solar power arrays.  Barrier Deployment "Training of barrier deployment and operation were conducted directly to Commonwealth Games security staff during barrier delivery and commissioning. This ensured seamless integration of the systems across the various deployment locations," reports Daniel Knight, director of Knight Brothers. "We were very proud to be a part of this prestigious sporting event and to provide the first known deployment of portable active vehicle barriers systems on Australian soil. With the continued support of industry leading Delta Scientific, we look forward to expanding our offering to Australian event and venue organizers, to enable them to meet their ever-increasing requirements of temporary HVM measures," Daniel Knight adds.

The widespread adoption of vehicle to intersection technology – known as V2I – can help to solve a range of mobility issues in communities of all sizes, enabling cities to make the vital first moves towards delivering smarter transportation systems. That’s the message that Global Traffic Technologies (GTT) – the trusted market leader in priority control solutions – will be giving at a special session on Automated and Connected Vehicle Technologies during the American Public Transport Association TransITech conference in Jacksonville, Florida. During the session, Josh Lehman, GTT’s pre-sales engineer, will discuss the ways in which cities and communities can take advantage of connected technologies to make an immediate improvement in their public transit operations and on-time efficiency, leveraging connected devices, cloud-based computing and the potential to extract insightful analytics from the resulting data. GTT’s industry-leading Opticom™ Transit Signal Priority (TSP) solution allows transit vehicles to request a green light at intersections, dramatically reducing the potential for intersection crashes Improving Travel Times And Reliability “Transit agencies and their partners can use data and technology to make smarter decisions about routes, timing and service levels,” Lehman said. “These improvements provide a better experience for riders and more efficient operations for the agencies. GTT’s industry-leading Opticom™ Transit Signal Priority (TSP) solution allows transit vehicles to request a green light at intersections, dramatically reducing the potential for intersection crashes and improving travel times and reliability. These intelligent priority management systems allow users to oversee and control the movement of vehicles that operate on a city's streets. With 50 years of priority control expertise under its belt, GTT is now pioneering innovative new approaches to the introduction of smart mobility solutions. Connected Vehicle Technologies Lehman’s presentation, during the Automated and Connected Vehicle (AV/CV) Technologies session from 2.45-4pm on Monday April 9, will explore three communities that worked to solve mobility issues by using connected vehicle technologies: New York City: Following a successful TSP pilot project on SBS-M15, NYC MTA has started deploying TSP on nearly 6,000 buses citywide. New York is leveraging existing infrastructure to create a centralized TSP solution. TSP is provided by a software application instead of typical purpose-driven hardware on the buses and at the intersections. Laval, Quebec: Laval recently implemented a number of preferential bus measures that aim to increase ridership. Advanced TSP is used to do more than just give a green light to buses – TSP in Laval takes into account passenger loads and lateness to determine what level of priority each bus should receive at each intersection. Bay Area, Calif.: Agencies in the Bay Area use advanced TSP applications to help manage schedules and maintain bus headway. The conditional priority measures help to ensure buses arrive at stops at posted times and help to avoid bus bunching. Data generated by the TSP system are used in analytics tools that drive performance and operational improvements. The 2018 TransITech Conference is focused on managing innovation in the best interests of public transportation operations and safety. The event attracts a wide range of public transportation information technology professionals, chief information officers, operations managers and staff, and software developers for transit agencies. TransITech is co-located with APTA’s Fare Collection/Revenue Management conference, at the Hyatt Regency in Jacksonville, Florida, and takes place from April 9-11.

Vicon Industries, Inc., a designer and manufacturer of video surveillance and access control software, hardware and components announced that the implementation of its end-to-end Valerus video management system at the Greek American Institute (GAI) in Bronx, NY has been completed.  The installation was performed by the Long Island office of ITsavvy, a Chicago-based IT products and technology solutions provider. The new Vicon Valerus system encompasses the entire property, which includes the oldest continuously run Greek Orthodox School in the United States and the adjacent Church of Zoodohos Peghe and community center. It includes cameras within the interior and around the exterior of all buildings and surrounding grounds and is managed and monitored through web-based Valerus VMS software, making it accessible to school administrators both onsite and to those logging in remotely via an internet browser.  The Valerus interface provides customized views for each system user. Based upon log-in credentials, cameras that are of greatest interest to each administrator are displayed as part of their default settings. Our Valerus system provides schools and places of worship with sophisticated security solutions that are easy for non-technical administrators to use" Enhanced School Security ITsavvy worked with GAI to identify camera placement to maximize coverage of all indoor and outdoor publicly accessible areas, selecting high resolution Vicon cameras models that could deliver clear visibility in a cost-effective manner. The use of 360-degree hemispheric cameras, in select locations, provide expansive coverage with no blind spots in busy areas where students often congregate. The new systems satisfy parents’ requests to provide enhanced security for the children who attend the school and provides administrators with tools to investigate and prosecute any future criminal activity. Demos Lorenzos, President of GAI’s School Board, says, “The Valerus system is simple to use but very advanced. Someone who isn’t technically savvy can easily navigate through it.” Bret McGowan, Vicon’s Senior V.P. of Sales and Marketing says that the system was designed with specifically that intent. “Schools and places of worship have been the scene of too many tragedies in recent years. Our Valerus system is designed to provide these types of facilities with sophisticated security solutions that are easy for non-technical administrators to use to their full capabilities.”

The Security Industry Association (SIA) has expressed strong support for MI HB 5828 and HB5830, two bills designed to improve school security across the state of Michigan. Michigan Legislation In a letter to Michigan House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations Chairwoman Laura Cox and Vice-Chair Rob VerHeulen, SIA CEO Don Erickson praised the bills’ creation of a comprehensive school plan and fund to enable local districts to procure security solutions to protect students from malicious perpetrators and update building code requirements to include security measures. “Sadly, our nation’s schools have increasingly become a soft target for mass violence – at Sandy Hook Elementary, recently at Stoneman Douglas High School and in many other attacks,” said Erickson. “We support holistic approaches to improving school safety and security in response to these tragedies – recognizing there is no single action that can be taken that will, by itself, make our schools safe.” SIA is a co-founder of the Partner Alliance for Safer Schools (PASS), a consortium of school security experts Improving School Security SIA represents about 900 security and life safety solutions providers – companies that develop, manufacture and integrate technologies that help keep people and property safe from hazards. These industry leaders strive to introduce robust security solutions integrated into our nation’s K–12 public schools, private academic institutions, colleges and universities. In addition to serving member organizations working to improve security in schools and other environments, SIA is a co-founder of the Partner Alliance for Safer Schools (PASS), a consortium of school security experts that developed threat- and income-based guidelines for schools housing grades K–12 to implement appropriate, layered security measures. These guidelines are available to help guide school investments. Additionally, PASS provides integrators with risk assessments and white papers that can be used when working with schools to evaluate and establish the best security protections for their buildings. SIA believes state assistance like that in the Michigan legislation is a start to addressing key security gaps in schools and is especially critical to high-risk school districts or those with limited budgets.

Axis Communications, global providers of network video solutions, will be participating as a silver sponsor and exhibitor during Seamless Retail 2018, taking place at the Dubai International Convention Exhibition Centre, April 15 - 16, 2018.  Being in retail has never been so challenging. Competition is fierce, margins are being squeezed, and external/internal losses are becoming increasingly costly. It is therefore the perfect time to reconsider the many ways in which video surveillance can help retail business; it’s more than just about safety and security. Pro-active surveillance and monitoring can help prevent losses, improve merchandising and offer customers a better experience. It makes sound business sense in every retail operation, whether it’s a single shop or a whole chain of stores. Philippe Kubbinga, Regional Director, Middle East & Africa, Axis Communications, “Retail is a key focus for us and we are witnessing a high demand for an analytics-based approach now more than ever. Business owners are going beyond traditional surveillance methods and utilizing the intelligence available all around. Axis meets this requirement perfectly with our retail solutions. I’m confident we are witnessing a new era of running retail businesses and we are excited and geared to deliver towards that demand.”  When used with Security Center, Genetec Retail Sense enables retailers to gain operational intelligence through their VMS" Efficient Monitoring Ahmed Ouf, Business Development Manager – Retail, Axis Communications, “Retail has very different and specific requirements on network video systems. At our booth we are pleased to present our custom-fit solutions. With the fast-paced technological revolutions, the store of the future will be digital and capturing that intelligence will be key to operating a profitable business. You can focus on customer engagement, sales and service by efficiently monitoring in-store queues, re-allocating your staff in real time and seeing how well your campaigns and merchandising attracts shoppers.” Axis will be joined by three key partners on the stand. Genetec, Quanergy and JARD ME.  Firas Jadalla, Regional Director, Genetec Inc. Middle East, Africa, Turkey, “Brick and mortar retailers today must gather and rely on the same insightful customer analytics that online merchants can harvest automatically. When used with Security Center, Genetec Retail Sense enables retailers to gain operational intelligence through their VMS with enterprise-wide visibility of sales floors, point-of-sale (POS), and cash-handling areas that enhance customer service by transforming existing video surveillance content into powerful analytical consumer insights.” Smart Store A smart store brings together the online world and the physical store, providing an intelligent and customer-friendly environment. Genetec Retail Sense connects all store and customer touchpoints, combining data from all digital devices and sensors to generate real-time analytics and business intelligence data. The software communicates directly with multiple Quanergy sensors to collect and evaluate the data and interpret what is happening in a given environment  Quanergy is the leader in 3D LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) sensors and smart sensing solutions. LiDAR sensors use lasers to send pulses that reflect off objects to measure directly the distance and shape of objects, creating a detailed 3D map of the physical world. Qortex, the company's core proprietary perception software platform, incorporates machine vision, deep learning and 3D perception proprietary algorithms. The software communicates directly with multiple Quanergy sensors to collect and evaluate the data and interpret what is happening in a given environment. This unique blend of integrated hardware and software enables a new level of smart awareness.  LiDAR smart sensing solutions At Seamless Retail, Quanergy will introduce a complete and intelligent LiDAR-based retail and security solution. Fully integrated with PTZ camera control infrastructure, this powerful platform increases an organization’s capability significantly by detecting, tracking and classifying objects in real-time and following a unique subject through a designated area. With this platform, retailers can gain real-time insights on customer behavior and flow, enable powerful actionable information and statistics for effective security, queuing and crowd management in malls and large stores to enhance conversion rates, and increase customer satisfaction by optimizing traffic, staff and marketing strategies. Jard Me will be featuring industry leading solutions that form part of the complete risk, loss prevention and fraud prevention ecosystem  Risk Mitigation Jard Me is a boutique consultancy and service provider that has aggregated best-in-class solutions designed to identify and mitigate inventory loss, fraud, process and people risks across the physical & digital supply chain. Managing & mitigating loss (or shrinkage) within this rapidly evolving industry is becoming increasing convoluted as supply chains become more complex and retailers operate across multiple channels to meet changing customer demands. Visibility of inventory, and accuracy thereof is paramount in delivering the seamless ‘omni-channel’ shopping experience that customers now expect. Loss Prevention Departments are stretched as the risk landscape is also continually changing. In addition to monitoring traditional factors that drive loss (or shrinkage) such as process failure and administrative errors, fraud and theft now extends beyond the physical store to include electronic payments, loyalty programmes and returns. Jard Me will be featuring industry leading solutions that form part of the complete risk, loss prevention and fraud prevention ecosystem. 

A surveillance system provided by Hikvision Canada Inc., a top provider of artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics and other emerging technologies, and the supplier of video surveillance products and solutions, was installed by Hikvision integrator Off Grid Surveillance Platforms (OGSP) to secure a building during the remodeling process for Ajax Hyundai in Ontario, Canada. Hikvision posted a case study about the project on its website. OGSP specializes in surveillance systems that operate off the electrical grid, harnessing the sun to power video surveillance and live monitoring equipment. The installation provided 360-degree, panoramic surveillance that doubled as a theft deterrent, while giving the dealership the flexibility to zoom in for further detail Dome Cameras And NVR Installation OGSP installed four Hikvision DS-2CE4A220IW-AE 2MP Network PTZ Dome cameras atop a 24-foot base, and a Hikvision Embedded Plug & Play NVR (3 TB capacity) in a trailer on the site. The installation provided 360-degree, panoramic surveillance that doubled as a theft deterrent, while giving the dealership the flexibility to zoom in for further detail, scan recorded video for footage, and check in remotely from Hikvision’s iVMS app via a smartphone or tablet. Hikvision’s weatherproof cameras function in temperatures down to -30 degrees Celsius. The system can also be live monitored by central stations 24/7, where trespassers can be requested to leave through active bullhorns, and police can be immediately dispatched. Hikvision technology offers cost effective solutions that deliver the best image and video quality on the market" Cost-Effective Real-ime Monitoring Solutions Cable theft at construction sites and hydro installations is a significant problem in Canada, and people can be harmed by live wires. "To counter this problem, prevent injuries and even death, and reduce construction site theft, we devised a more diverse system providing greater power with reliable, real-time monitoring, via third parties and superior area coverage," said Jeff Mcilveen, owner of OGSP.  Sean Harris, general manager for Ajax Hyundai, said, "Hikvision technology offers cost effective solutions that deliver the best image and video quality on the market. The diverse features and quality of the cameras is unmatched." Jeffrey He, president of Hikvision USA Inc. and Hikvision Canada Inc., said the project highlights "our deep focus on partnering with our customers and helping them keep their customers’ assets and property safe and secure."

Siklu Inc., global provider of mmWave wireless solutions, announced that the John Glenn Columbus International Airport in Columbus, Ohio, has deployed mmWave radios from Siklu providing wireless connectivity for a remote building and the airport runway for the purposes of local area network connectivity (LAN, internet, VOIP). The airport, which is the largest passenger airport in central Ohio and second busiest in the state with over 150 flights daily, had a need for a wireless network to connect its Shipping and Receiving Building, which is a detached building located half a mile across the runway. The building receives daily shipments from external couriers. The previous wireless system did not provide a robust, interference-free connectivity or the bandwidth required to support the ever-changing needs of a local area network and Internet connectivity.  “There was no infrastructure to support a fiber connection, so it would have been extremely costly and time consuming to run a pathway for conduit and for the fiber, as well,” said Kristina Baker, PMP, Project Manager for Technical Services, with the Columbus Regional Airport Authority. “It’s a very busy building and we needed reliable network connectivity to process shipments received or shipments going out.” The radios can stream many different applications, including HD and 4K video cameras and other IoT sensors Wireless Connectivity The location of the building presented connectivity challenges due to the potential for network interference from inclement weather and other airport vehicles moving across the runway throughout the day. Another major concern was regarding planes interfering with the wireless communication as they taxi down the runway. The airport determined that it required interference-free, reliable connectivity to ensure uninterrupted local area network connectivity and smooth operation.  Convergint Technologies, provider of service-based systems integration, served as the systems integrator for the project and proposed a Siklu mmWave wireless fiber solution. The company installed two point to point EH-1200FX 70/80GHz Gigabit radios. Transmitting high bandwidth information across security networks, the radios provide interference-free connectivity with 99.999% availability, leveraging narrow beams that are immune to heavy Wi-Fi signals within the airport. Simple to install, the radios can stream many different applications, including HD and 4K video cameras and other IoT sensors. This project with the John Glenn Columbus International Airport demonstrates the full capabilities and reliability of Siklu’s mmWave wireless radios"Ease Of Installation The radios were tested in heavy rain and found to work perfectly with no degradation to performance. The installation at John Glenn Columbus International Airport took only two days to complete, according to Mazen Moghannan, Account Executive from Convergint Technologies, a relatively simple process even though it was their first time installing Siklu radios. “My foreman and lead technician were very pleased because of the ease of installation of the Siklu radios and the ease of working with the airport.” The airport, which is currently testing the use of high-definition cameras on the Siklu mmWave network, is considering adding cameras to the network in the future. “This project with the John Glenn Columbus International Airport demonstrates the full capabilities and reliability of Siklu’s field proven mmWave wireless radios, especially in high security and interference prone areas,” said Eyal Assa, Siklu’s CEO. “We’re pleased to be selected as the airport’s wireless technology partner of choice and look forward to continuing to work with them in the future.”

Schools across the U.S. are challenged by safety and security issues that require a broad-based effort to ensure a safe learning environment. School safety initiatives often include technology and human-based solutions, and both play an essential role in preventing and controlling security vulnerabilities throughout a school. The Upper Township School District (UTSD) is a comprehensive community public school district, serving students in pre-school through eighth grade from Upper Township, in Cape May County, New Jersey, United States. Located in Petersburg, New Jersey, the UTSD wanted to strengthen classroom and building security by upgrading the locks on classroom and perimeter doors. Their options at the time included an interior classroom mechanical lockset; a wireless lockset that was not online; and an online communication wireless lockset.  The online wireless lockset was the desired choice for UTSD because it allowed the school to be locked down immediately and remotely. The problem however was that the cost of deploying wireless locks for more than 130 doors throughout the three buildings was significantly more than UTSD had budgeted. Given the fact that we also wanted the ability to lock the perimeter and interior doors of each school, Sielox had the complete solution for our needs" Pinnacle access control system During the course of UTSD’s search for a more affordable solution, new wireless lock technology became available and at a cost that was approximately 50% less. The savings allowed UTSD to move forward with the project that now had capability for a layered approach to school security. This included installing Sielox’s Pinnacle access control system for control of interior and perimeter doors and the 1700 intelligent controller integrated with the new Schlage NDE wireless locks. The system was designed and built by CM3 Building Solutions, a security channel partner with Sielox. “We were looking for the best solution to handle a lockdown situation at the three schools in our district,” said Vincent Palmieri, Superintendent, Upper Township Schools. “Given the fact that we also wanted the ability to lock the perimeter and interior doors of each school, Sielox had the complete solution for our needs.” CLASS provides real-time classroom status, updates and notifications to administrators using graphical maps, email and text messaging CLASS emergency notification and lockdown solution Sielox’s CLASS (Crisis Lockdown Alert Status System) emergency notification and lockdown solution was also installed. CLASS provides real-time classroom status, updates and notifications to administrators and first responders using graphical maps, email and text messaging to assist in making split-second decisions in the event of an incident or developing situation. “We were blown away by CLASS and how it works with the locks. With this layered security system in place, we can lockdown the building, change alert levels when needed and communicate with local law enforcement in real-time,” continued Palmieri. Sielox’s layered access control and lockdown systems have been successfully deployed in schools across the country. Products are designed and manufactured in the U.S.A. and meet or exceed any user requirement from entry level to enterprise wide systems.