Home Security Systems

The DIO-52ZW is a Z-Wave DI/DO module that integrates wired devices into Z-Wave wireless networks to create automated responses and enhance security and convenience. Providing a digital input (DI) and a digital output (DO) that connect to wired devices, the DIO-52ZW serves as a bridge of reliable and fast communication between a security system and wired devices over Z-Wave network. The DIO-52ZW turns the device connected to its DI point into the trigger of events, and its DO point into the responder of events. Open it, close it, turn it on, turn it off, wirelessly remotely activate or obtain data from devices that are hard to reach. Devices commonly connected are smoke detectors, PIR motion sensors, door/window contacts, garage doors, motorized shades, gates, or valves. Smart home security systems Interoperable with other manufacturer’s Z-Wave systems, the DIO-52ZW can be flexibly incorporated into new or existing smart home security systems, to further improve process efficiency and safety for the entire home. Features One Digital Input (DI) and one Digital Output (DO) Dry contact input forms Normal Open (NO) or Normal Close (NC) loop Turns the device connected to the DI into the trigger of events Turns the device connected to the DO into the responder of events. LED Status Indicator Obtains data from and activates remote field devices that are wired or hard to reach Establishes reliable and fast communication between a control system and remote field devices over Z-Wave network Compatible with other manufacturers’ Z-Wave systems CE compliance Specifications DIO-52-AC-ZW Communication Protocol - Z-Wave Plus 700 Series Frequency - 868.40 MHz (EU) / 908.40 MHz (US) Power Terminal - 100V ~ 240V AC Backup Battery - 4.8V, 600mA Rechargeable battery pack Backup Battery Life - TBD Input Point (DI) - 1 point Output Point (DO) - 1 point; Max load: 250V @ 5A Operating Temperature - -10°C to 45°C (14°F to 113°F) Operating Humidity - Up to 85% non-condensing Dimensions - 111mm x 91mm x 29mm Ordering Information - DIO-52-AC-ZW DI/DO Module, using AC power source.

Rapid aging population, high healthcare costs, and physician shortages are creating an increasing demand for care at home, especially for seniors with long-term health conditions. The GX features a LCD display that shows clock time, temperature, GSM signal strength and sensor faults to keep users fully informed at all times. GX smart care medical alarm is an all-in-one wellness, and personal safety medical alarm solution, bridging medical health monitoring and emergency alarm to keep seniors safe in their own homes. Bluetooth medical devices GX is compatible with Bluetooth medical devices, like blood glucose/blood pressure monitors, pulse oximeters…etc, to track medical data and remote monitoring directly from caregivers/physicians; and also has telecare alarm features, including voice recognition, emergency monitoring, Inactivity monitoring, voice control, and home automation capabilities to assist seniors to have a more secure, healthy living. Allowing seniors to receive emergency attention even in situations where they are unable to seek help manually ZigBee, Z-Wave, and/or Bluetooth automation devices incorporated into GX creates a smarter and safer home, by auto turning on hallway lights at night to decrease chance of a fall; or auto turn on the heater if there’s a sudden temperature drop. GX has built-in voice recognition and can activate an emergency all to CMS by preset vocal commands or keywords. Allowing seniors to receive emergency attention even in situations where they are unable to seek help manually. Control home electronic devices GX can be paired with BRPD-1 Bluetooth pendant, a small wearable panic button that partners with a smartphone application for GPS location reporting and trigger help alarm with one button press, whether the user is at home or out for a walk. GX is compatible with Google Home voice control to seek help during emergencies, and control home electronic devices. GX is also compatible with Amazon Alexa voice control to control home electronic devices. GX is compatible with Pivotell® Advance Automatic Pill Dispenser, keeping secure of all pills, remind users to take their medication, keep track of their medicine intake, and allow caregiver/physician to monitor pill taking results/record and keep an eye on user’s needs. GX’s built-in VOIP function allows users to initiate two-way voice calls to contact CMS and family members during alarms and emergency. Supporting wireless sensor devices GX can support wireless sensor devices, allowing users to add in smoke detectors With the optional add-on of DECT, GX can pair with voice extenders, talking pendants, call points…etc placed around the home to create a safety net and peace of mind. GX can integrate Camera PIR Motion Sensors to deliver real-time visual monitoring and verification. When an emergency occurs, alerts are immediately sent to family members, and Monitoring Center to verify the event and sending immediate assistance as needed. GX can support wireless sensor devices, allowing users to add in smoke detectors, water leakage sensors, and gas sensors to monitor emergencies; and motion sensors, door contacts, sensor pad transmitters for inactivity monitoring, to build a healthier, safer independent living. GX also has LED nightlight featuring both multicolour adjustment and light level button control for pleasant ambiance. Smart Care medical alarm solution Features of GX-Cubic2 - smart care medical alarm solution Communication Path Options: IP (Ethernet), LTE Built-in Module: RF, DECT Protocol Module Options: Zigbee, Z-Wave, Bluetooth Able to support multiple communication protocols with Monitoring Centers for Alarm Reporting LCD Display: Clock, Temperature, GSM Signal Strength, and Sensor Faults Compatible with Bluetooth (BLE) medical devices Voice Recognition capabilities Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) capabilities Certified RF range, reliability and performance Supports Pivotell® ‘Advance’ Pill Dispenser integration ZigBee or Z-Wave compatible home automation features Compatible with Amazon Alexa & Google Home voice control 24/7 Environment Safety Monitoring Voice Prompt feature Multi-party emergency intercom system capability Supports multiple programming methods Remote firmware update capabilities

Climax’s TSP-3 is a Touchscreen keypad. Featuring a 7” full-color, high-resolution touchscreen, TSP-3 provides quick and secure access to arm/disarm/home arm the system and an intuitive way to operate the security system. Connected to the control panel via Wi-Fi network, TSP-3 displays an overview of the system with its intuitive graphic user interface. By gaining control over security and home automation sensors in the system, TSP-3 enhances convenience and comfort level of living. Built-in 2 megapixel front camera is able to take photos, providing with the basis for algorithm analysis to detect and prevent potential harms. With adjustable privacy shutter in front of the camera, TSP-3 offers another layer of peace of mind for users. Home automation control In addition, TSP-3 can be wall-mounted or placed on the table with its stand. With its flexibility of installation and the capabilities of security and home automation control, TSP-3 provides an effortless way for users to gain access control, as well as an easier, smarter way of living. Features 7” high resolution color graphic touchscreen to control devices in the system User-friendly and intuitive interface Built-in 2 megapixel camera Adjustable privacy shutter Home automation capabilities Suitable for residential and commercial premises Flexible installation options of wall mounting or desktop deployment Built-in microphone and speaker Take photos for algorithm analysis to detect and prevent potential harms Compatibility with Climax’s video door phone for live video verification (available soon) Specifications Display - 7” LCD Wi-Fi - 802.11 b/g/n 2.4GHz Power Source - 5V/1.5A, USB adapter Backup Battery - 3.7V 2500mAh Lithium-ion polymer battery Backup Battery Life - 4 hours Camera - 2 megapixel camera Audio - Built-in microphone and speaker Operating Temperature - -10°C to 45°C (14°F to 113°F) Operating Humidity - Up to 85% non-condensing Dimensions - 195 mm x 114 mm x 17 mm

VDP-3 is an AC-powered video door phone that is designed for the user to view and speak with the visitor at the door with a smartphone from anywhere. With a built-in 1080p high resolution camera and night vision technology, this video door phone gives its users a clear and wide view, day and night. VDP-3 also has built-in motion sensor to capture alarm videos when irregular motion or presence has been detected. With its ultra-slim design, small size and multiple color options, VDP-3 can easily match the user’s front door and fit on the door frame. VDP-3 video door phone can also expand its possibilities for home automation applications and security purposes. Remotely unlock the digital door lock, or turning on the hallway lighting and lighting to deter an intruder attempt. With VDP-3, one is always home. Features Built-in motion sensor to detect irregular movements or presence Exceptional image quality at 1920 x 1080p Built-in IR LED(s) for night time monitoring HD camera lens covers wide angle of up to 174° degree The built-in speaker and microphone provides two-way Voice IR Motion Detection Range: 5m at 105°degrees* Smaller, slim design to easily fit door frame Replace existing doorbell without requiring special tools Ideal for residential and commercial premises Multiple color options: White, Silver Specifications Camera Image Sensor - 2 megapixel Progressive Scan CMOS Field of View - 174° (Diagonal); 148° (Horizontal); 79° (Vertical) Resolution (max) - 1920 x 1080p Camera Lens - F2.0 fixed focus Video Compression - H.264 Max Frame Rate - 1920 x 1080p at 15 fps PIR Motion Sensor Range - 5m Horizontal Angle - 105° degrees Installation Height - At least 1.3m ~ 1.4m Mechanical WiFi Interface - IEEE 802.11 b/g/n (2.4GHz) Audio - Two-way voice Night Vision - IR LED Power Source - 12V DC or 24V AC Operating Temperature - -10°C to 45°C (14°F to 113°F) Operating Humidity - Up to 85% non-condensing Dimensions - 118mm x 49mm x 32mm

DIO-52 is a DI/DO module that integrates wired devices into wireless networks to create automated responses and enhances security and convenience. With a digital input (DI) and a digital output (DO) connecting to wired devices, DIO-52 serves as a bridge of reliability and fast communication between a security system and wired devices. DIO-52 turns the device connected to its DI point into the trigger of events, and its DO point into the responder of events. Open it, close it, turn it on, turn it off, wirelessly remotely activate or obtain data from devices that are hard to reach. Improving process efficiency Devices commonly connected are smoke detectors, PIR motion sensors, door/window contacts, garage doors, motorized shades, gates, or valves. DIO-52 can be flexibly incorporated into new or existing smart home security systems, further improving process efficiency and safety for the entire home. Features of DIO-52: One Digital Input (DI) and one Digital Output (DO) Dry contact input forms Normal Open (NO) or Normal Close (NC) loop Turns the device connected to the DI into the trigger of events Turns the device connected to the DO into the responder of events Obtains data from and activates remote field devices that are wired or hard to reach Establishes reliable and fast communication between a control system and remote field devices LED status indicator CE compliance

The Security Industry Association (SIA) announces the agenda and speaker lineup for the 2020 SIA GovSummit, its annual public policy and government security technology conference, taking place June 1-4. Due to concerns around the COVID-19 pandemic, SIA GovSummit will be held as a virtual event in 2020, and for the first time ever, the conference will be entirely free to all attendees from industry and government. Offering additional sessions “SIA GovSummit 2020 will explore how security technologies can be leveraged to drive success in government missions. With this virtual format, we look forward to delivering the programming to more interested attendees and presenting even more in-depth content on the topics that matter to government security practitioners at the federal, state and local levels,” said Jake Parker, senior director of government relations at SIA. SIA GovSummit 2020 will explore how security technologies can be leveraged to drive success" “As part of the 2020 virtual SIA GovSummit, we will be offering additional sessions and training on emerging technologies relevant to government and homeland security applications.” SIA GovSummit brings together government security leaders with private industry technologists for top-quality information sharing and education on security topics affecting federal, state and local agencies. The 2020 virtual conference will be held in four three-hour segments from Monday, June 1, through Thursday, June 4. Legislation impacting security technology On Day 1 of SIA GovSummit, discussions will focus on policies and legislation impacting security technology. Attendees will enjoy a keynote presentation from Brian Harrell, Assistant Director of infrastructure security at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Along with sessions on COVID-19 response and recovery, trends in federal procurement of security products and services, emerging applications and policy developments regarding facial recognition, the evolving landscape of data privacy policy and new federal guidance for counter-drone technology and what it means for site security. Physical access control systems Additional sessions will address the changing needs of the mission-critical federal market Day 2 of SIA GovSummit – with a focus on securing government facilities – will begin with a keynote presentation from Daryle Hernandez, chief of the Interagency Security Committee within DHS CISA. Additional sessions will address the changing needs of the mission-critical federal market, modernizing physical access control systems protecting government facilities, applying cybersecurity practices and standards to government facilities’ video surveillance systems, protecting commercial data centers sued by government systems and protecting government facilities with autonomous drone systems. Supporting homeland security missions On Day 3, attendees will explore emerging technologies for the public sector. During a special keynote session, ‘The Women in Biometrics Awards Presents the Future of Biometrics in Government Security Applications,’ a panel of Women in Biometrics Awards recipients will look at how cutting-edge biometric applications are supporting homeland security missions. The Women in Biometrics Awards are a globally-recognized program co-founded by SIA and SecureIDNews and co-presented with sponsors IDEMIA, Biometric Update and the SIA Women in Security Forum that recognizes innovative women guiding the biometrics and security industry. Additional topics will include leveraging fever detection and camera technology in COVID-19 recovery efforts Additional session topics will include leveraging fever detection and camera technology in COVID-19 recovery efforts, building current security operations centers for tomorrow, the future of audio surveillance technology in law enforcement and security systems, emerging safety and security technology for government buildings and how passive weapons detection technology can enhance security operations. Deploying security barriers Day 4 – focused on developing best practices for securing public spaces, facilities and venues – will begin with keynote remarks from Kathleen McGuiness, auditor of accounts for the state of Delaware. Additional sessions will highlight digital strategy, security, safety and privacy in the age of digital transformation; the integration of safety and security into public-private partnerships; the latest trends and guidelines for deploying security barriers; and using drones and robotics technology in security operations. The 2020 SIA GovSummit is free and open to all industry and government attendees.

Today’s environment has evolved into something that according to some may seem unexplainable. But in the context of video surveillance, this is something that we understand. Allow me to shed some light and understanding in terms of security and why it truly is a necessity. Security is not a luxury, it is a necessity. An essential practice now peaking the interests of all businesses small and large. A video surveillance system is a cost effective option that does not require monitoring fees. As business slows, temporarily shuts down or closes, an increase in vacant properties is inevitable. This pandemic will continue to put severe pressure on many businesses around the country. With so many considered non-essential, it is really sad to see how many must shutter their doors and lay off employees. Keeping an eye out for suspicious activity using a commercial grade surveillance system that supports advanced analytics, may end up saving your potential customers thousands of dollars down the road. Demand for video surveillance and security products We can certainly draw on the conclusion that security is a “need” more so than a “want”. Times like this just further cement that thought process. In today’s economic spiral, people aren’t actively looking for lighting controls or home theaters. What they look for is a way to keep their loved ones safe, protect their homes, businesses and property. Video surveillance technology provides added security for you, your family and your business In my opinion, you will see video surveillance and security product sales skyrocket in the coming months and years. It has been reported that response times for first responders may be impacted as a result of COVID-19, leaving those with bad intent more time to ransack a property knowing that law enforcement may be slow to respond. Criminals will always take advantage of the situation. All we can do as a community is use common sense, stay vigilant through these odd times and watch out for one another. For some of us that may mean mitigating risks with technology. Affordable video monitoring solutions Having a solution that can quickly and securely share video footage may be the difference between identifying a perpetrator and becoming a victim. Ella, a video search platform developed by IC Realtime, makes every second of video instantly searchable and shareable, either with the authorities or your neighborhood social apps. Plus it is compatible with any RTSP streaming device. To wrap this up, it’s not about pointing out the obvious, it’s really about bringing awareness as to how technologies can be implemented to provide peace of mind without breaking the bank. Video surveillance technology is a way to do that and provide added security for you, your family and your business.

Companies are following government guidance and getting as many people as possible working from home. Some companies will have resisted home working in the past, but I’m certain that the sceptics will find that people can be productive with the right tools no matter where they are. A temporary solution will become permanent. But getting it right means managing risk. Access is king In a typical office with an on-premise data center, the IT department has complete control over network access, internal networks, data, and applications. The remote worker, on the other hand, is mobile. He or she can work from anywhere using a VPN. Until just recently this will have been from somewhere like a local coffee shop, possibly using a wireless network to access the company network and essential applications. CV-19 means that huge numbers of people are getting access to the same desktop and files, and collaborative communication toolsBut as we know, CV-19 means that huge numbers of people are getting access to the same desktop and files, applications and collaborative communication tools that they do on a regular basis from the office or on the train. Indeed, the new generation of video conferencing technologies come very close to providing an “almost there” feeling. Hackers lie in wait Hackers are waiting for a wrong move amongst the panic, and they will look for ways to compromise critical servers. Less than a month ago, we emerged from a period of chaos. For months hackers had been exploiting a vulnerability in VPN products from Pulse Secure, Fortinet, Palo Alto Networks, and Citrix. Patches were provided by vendors, and either companies applied the patch or withdrew remote access. As a result, the problem of attacks died back.  But as companies race to get people working from home, they must ensure special care is taken to ensure the patches are done before switching VPNs on. That’s because remote desktop protocol (RDP) has been for the most part of 2019, and continues to be, the most important attack vector for ransomware. Managing a ransomware attack on top of everything else would certainly give you sleepless nights. As companies race to get people working from home, they must ensure special care is taken to ensure the patches are done before switching VPNs on Hackers are waiting for a wrong move amongst the panic, and they will look for ways to compromise critical serversExposing new services makes them also susceptible to denial of service attacks. Such attacks create large volumes of fake traffic to saturate the available capacity of the internet connection. They can also be used to attack the intricacies of the VPN protocol. A flow as little as 1Mbps can perturbate the VPN service and knock it offline. CIOs, therefore, need to acknowledge that introducing or extending home working broadens the attack surface. So now more than ever it’s vital to adapt risk models. You can’t roll out new services with an emphasis on access and usability and not consider security. You simply won’t survive otherwise. Social engineering Aside from securing VPNs, what else should CIO and CTOs be doing to ensure security? The first thing to do is to look at employee behavior, starting with passwords. It’s highly recommended that strong password hygiene or some form of multi-factor authentication (MFA) is imposed. Best practice would be to get all employees to reset their passwords as they connect remotely and force them to choose a new password that complies with strong password complexity guidelines.  As we know, people have a habit of reusing their passwords for one or more online services – services that might have fallen victim to a breach. Hackers will happily It’s highly recommended that strong password hygiene or some form of multi-factor authentication (MFA) is imposedleverage these breaches because it is such easy and rich pickings. Secondly, the inherent fear of the virus makes for perfect conditions for hackers. Sadly, a lot of phishing campaigns are already luring people in with the promise of important or breaking information on COVID-19. In the UK alone, coronavirus scams cost victims over £800,000 in February 2020. A staggering number that can only go up. That’s why CIOs need to remind everyone in the company of the risks of clickbait and comment spamming - the most popular and obvious bot techniques for infiltrating a network. Notorious hacking attempts And as any security specialist will tell you, some people have no ethics and will exploit the horrendous repercussions of CV-19. In January we saw just how unscrupulous hackers are when they started leveraging public fear of the virus to spread the notorious Emotet malware. Emotet, first detected in 2014, is a banking trojan that primarily spreads through ‘malspam’ and attempts to sneak into computers to steal sensitive and private information. In addition, in early February the Maze ransomware crippled more than 230 workstations of the New Jersey Medical Diagnostics Lab and when they refused to pay, the vicious attackers leaked 9.5GB or research data in an attempt to force negotiations. And in March, an elite hacking group tried to breach the World Health Organization (WHO). It was just one of the many attempts on WHO and healthcare organizations in general since the pandemic broke. We’ll see lots more opportunist attacks like this in the coming months.   More speed less haste In March, an elite hacking group tried to breach the World Health Organization (WHO). It was just one of the many attempts on WHOFinally, we also have bots to contend with. We’ve yet to see reports of fake news content generated by machines, but we know there’s a high probability it will happen. Spambots are already creating pharmaceutical spam campaigns thriving on the buying behavior of people in times of fear from infection. Using comment spamming – where comments are tactically placed in the comments following an update or news story - the bots take advantage of the popularity of the Google search term ‘Coronavirus’ to increase the visibility and ranking of sites and products in search results. There is clearly much for CIOs to think about, but it is possible to secure a network by applying some well thought through tactics. I believe it comes down to having a ‘more speed, less haste’ approach to rolling out, scaling up and integrating technologies for home working, but above all, it should be mixed with an employee education program. As in reality, great technology and a coherent security strategy will never work if it is undermined by the poor practices

Imagine a home surveillance camera monitoring an elderly parent and anticipating potential concerns while respecting their privacy. Imagine another camera predicting a home burglary based on suspicious behaviors, allowing time to notify the homeowner who can in turn notify the police before the event occurs—or an entire network of cameras working together to keep an eye on neighborhood safety. Artificial Intelligence vision chips A new gen of AI vision chips are pushing advanced capabilities such as behavior analysis and higher-level security There's a new generation of artificial intelligence (AI) vision chips that are pushing advanced capabilities such as behavior analysis and higher-level security to the edge (directly on devices) for a customizable user experience—one that rivals the abilities of the consumer electronics devices we use every day. Once considered nothing more than “the eyes” of a security system, home monitoring cameras of 2020 will leverage AI-vision processors for high-performance computer vision at low power consumption and affordable cost—at the edge—for greater privacy and ease of use as well as to enable behavior analysis for predictive and preemptive monitoring. Advanced home monitoring cameras With this shift, camera makers and home monitoring service providers alike will be able to develop new edge-based use cases for home monitoring and enable consumers to customize devices to meet their individual needs. The result will be increased user engagement with home monitoring devices—mirroring that of cellphones and smart watches and creating an overlap between the home monitoring and consumer electronics markets. A quick step back reminds us that accomplishing these goals would have been cost prohibitive just a couple of years ago. Face recognition, behavior analysis, intelligent analytics, and decision-making at this level were extremely expensive to perform in the cloud. Additionally, the lag time associated with sending data to faraway servers for decoding and then processing made it impossible to achieve real-time results. Cloud-based home security devices The constraints of cloud processing certainly have not held the industry back, however. Home monitoring, a market just seven years young, has become a ubiquitous category of home security and home monitoring devices. Consumers can choose to install a single camera or doorbell that sends alerts to their phone, a family of devices and a monthly manufacturer’s plan, or a high-end professional monitoring solution. While the majority of these devices do indeed rely on the cloud for processing, camera makers have been pushing for edge-based processing since around 2016. For them, the benefit has always been clear: the opportunity to perform intelligent analytics processing in real-time on the device. But until now, the balance between computer vision performance and power consumption was lacking and camera companies weren’t able to make the leap. So instead, they have focused on improving designs and the cloud-centric model has prevailed. Hybrid security systems Even with improvements, false alerts result in unnecessary notifications and video recording Even with improvements, false alerts (like tree branches swaying in the wind or cats walking past a front door) result in unnecessary notifications and video recording— cameras remain active which, in the case of battery powered cameras, means using up valuable battery life. Hybrid models do exist. Typically, they provide rudimentary motion detection on the camera itself and then send video to the cloud for decoding and analysis to suppress false alerts. Hybrids provide higher-level results for things like people and cars, but their approach comes at a cost for both the consumer and the manufacturer. Advanced cloud analytics Advanced cloud analytics are more expensive than newly possible edge-based alternatives, and consumers have to pay for subscriptions. In addition, because of processing delays and other issues, things like rain or lighting changes (or even bugs on the camera) can still trigger unnecessary alerts. And the more alerts a user receives, the more they tend to ignore them—there are simply too many. In fact, it is estimated that users only pay attention to 5% of their notifications. This means that when a package is stolen or a car is burglarized, users often miss the real-time notification—only to find out about the incident after the fact. All of this will soon change with AI-based behavior analysis, predictive security, and real-time meaningful alerts. Predictive monitoring while safeguarding user privacy These days, consumers are putting more emphasis on privacy and have legitimate concerns about being recorded while in their homes. Soon, with AI advancements at the chip level, families will be able to select user apps that provide monitoring without the need to stream video to a company server, or they’ll have access to apps that record activity but obscure faces. Devices will have the ability to only send alerts according to specific criteria. If, for example, an elderly parent being monitored seems particularly unsteady one day or seems especially inactive, an application could alert the responsible family member and suggest that they check in. By analyzing the elderly parent’s behavior, the application could also predict a potential fall and trigger an audio alert for the person and also the family. AI-based behavior analysis Ability to analyze massive amounts of data locally and identify trends is a key advantage of AI at the edge The ability to analyze massive amounts of data locally and identify trends or perform searches is a key advantage of AI at the edge, for both individuals and neighborhoods. For example, an individual might be curious as to what animal is wreaking havoc in their backyard every night. In this case, they could download a “small animal detector” app to their camera which would trigger an alert when a critter enters their yard. The animal could be scared off via an alarm and—armed with video proof—animal control would have useful data for setting a trap. Edge cameras A newly emerging category of “neighborhood watch” applications is already connecting neighbors for significantly improved monitoring and safety. As edge cameras become more commonplace, this category will become increasingly effective. The idea is that if, for example, one neighbor captures a package thief, and then the entire network of neighbors will receive a notification and a synopsis video showing the theft. Or if, say, there is a rash of car break-ins and one neighbor captures video of a red sedan casing their home around the time of a recent incident, an AI vision-based camera could be queried for helpful information: Residential monitoring and security The camera could be asked for a summary of the dates and times that it has recorded that particular red car. A case could be made if incident times match those of the vehicle’s recent appearances in the neighborhood. Even better, if that particular red car was to reappear and seems (by AI behavior analysis) to be suspicious, alerts could be sent proactively to networked residents and police could be notified immediately. Home monitoring in 2020 will bring positive change for users when it comes to monitoring and security, but it will also bring some fun. Consumers will, for example, be able to download apps that do things like monitor pet activity. They might query their device for a summary of their pet’s “unusual activity” and then use those clips to create cute, shareable videos. Who doesn’t love a video of a dog dragging a toilet paper roll around the house? AI at the Edge for home access control Home access control via biometrics is one of many new edge-based use cases that will bring convenience to home monitoring Home access control via biometrics is one of many new edge-based use cases that will bring convenience to home monitoring, and it’s an application that is expected to take off soon. With smart biometrics, cameras will be able to recognize residents and then unlock their smart front door locks automatically if desired, eliminating the need for keys. And if, for example, an unauthorized person tries to trick the system by presenting a photograph of a registered family member’s face, the camera could use “3D liveness detection” to spot the fake and deny access. With these and other advances, professional monitoring service providers will have the opportunity to bring a new generation of access control panels to market. Leveraging computer vision and deep neural networks Ultimately, what camera makers strive for is customer engagement and customer loyalty. These new use cases—thanks to AI at the edge—will make home monitoring devices more useful and more engaging to consumers. Leveraging computer vision and deep neural networks, new cameras will be able to filter out and block false alerts, predict incidents, and send real-time notifications only when there is something that the consumer is truly interested in seeing. AI and computer vision at the edge will enable a new generation of cameras that provide not only a higher level of security but that will fundamentally change the way consumers rely on and interact with their home monitoring devices.

J.D. Power is a well-known name when it comes to measuring customer satisfaction, and they have been measuring satisfaction in the home security industry since 2016. Changes affecting the marketplace – both in terms of disruptors and technology – make this a unique time. For example, in 2019, J.D. Power expanded the Home Security Satisfaction Study to not only measure the traditional pro-install/pro-monitor companies, but to separately evaluate self-install/pro-monitor brands.  “At J.D. Power our rankings are meant to support an industry in two key ways,” says Christina Cooley, J.D. Power's Director, @Home Intelligence. “First, we provide consumers who are shopping for products and services with a ‘report card’ of who provides customers with high levels of customer satisfaction. Second, we provide companies with actionable insights to help them prioritize their initiatives to improve and maintain high levels of customers satisfaction that drive loyalty and growth.” Differentiating between companies The traditional Pro-Install/Pro-Monitor companies are challenged to differentiate from one another In home security, J.D. Power is in a unique position to report on the changes taking place in the evolving industry. The 2019 rankings show that the traditional Pro-Install/Pro-Monitor companies are challenged to differentiate from one another, as each have their individual strengths and opportunities, but overall the score range is relatively tight. On the do-it-yourself (DIY) side, there is more differentiation. A set of brands has been able to challenge the traditional industry by achieving extremely high customer satisfaction levels. Price is always an important factor that impacts customer satisfaction, whether for security or another market J.D. Power serves. The equation is simple, says Cooley: Does the price paid equal the value the customer feels they have received from the product or service? “For Home Security, we didn’t specifically look at price until this year,” says Cooley. “With the changes that have occurred in the market, price can be a differentiator as we’ve seen with the emergence of DIY-installed systems. However, lower pricing does not have a direct relationship to quality of service.” The price factor For example, there are some higher-priced pro-installed brands that perform lower on customer satisfaction than lower-priced competitors. And DIY-installed systems as a whole are less expensive, and price is the customer satisfaction driver in which the DIY segment most outperforms the pro segment.  Price is the customer satisfaction driver in which the DIY segment most outperforms the pro segment The equation is: Performance minus Expectations equals Customer Satisfaction.  “Obviously, price point will be a factor in the purchase decision and the expectations the customer has about the product and service,” says Cooley. “Any pro or DIY system has the opportunity to differentiate the customer experience regardless of price point.” There are clear differences in the pro vs. DIY experience, which is why J.D. Power evaluates the brands in separate rankings. However, Cooley says the drivers of satisfaction are consistent across both groups.  The key to each group goes back to the equation above.  Evaluating the purchase process For the both pro and DIY companies, J.D. Power evaluates the purchase process the same. Though the customer may take a different path to purchase based on the offering they seek, the drivers are still the same: Usefulness of information provided Reasonableness of contract terms Professionalism of sales representative Ease of purchasing home security system. For installation, there are clear differences. DIY systems are evaluated based on: Ease of completing installation Quality of installation instructions provided Timeliness of receiving home security system. Pro systems are evaluated based on: Professionalism of technician Timeliness of completing installation Quality of work performed. Interestingly, purchase and installation are the customer satisfaction driver where both pro and DIY providers (as a whole) are most closely aligned on performance. Customer loyalty The price a customer is paying must align with the quality of the system they receive What drives a customer to purchase a home security system initially will often be very different than what will keep them as a loyal customer, Cooley notes. The price a customer is paying must align with the quality of the system they receive, and the service provided through the professional monitoring and customer service. “With the expansion of home security offerings, it’s more important than ever for home security companies to understand the motivations, intentions, and usage patterns across different customer segments to ensure that regardless of the decision to go pro or DIY-install, they are able to meet their customers’ needs and differentiate in the very competitive market. The J.D. Power Home Security Study provides these actionable insights.” The study is focused on the companies/brands that comprise the top two-thirds of market share in each segment, pro and DIY installed. A number of the brands included may work with local dealers or retailers for sales and install, but the customer is essentially evaluating those services as part of the system purchased. It is one and the same from the customer’s perspective, and the sales/install process can either delight or frustrate a customer from the beginning, which can then set the foundation for the entire experience moving forward. Reasons for shopping for a security system tend to differ between pro and DIY shoppers: Both sets are most focused on wanting a newer, more up-to-date system Between the two, pro customers are more often moving into a new home or wanting to take advantage of a discount or bundling opportunity with other products For DIY customers, they are shopping for a system to give them more peace of mind and to protect their property. Reasons for selecting the provider also vary: A pro company is often selected based on brand reputation or a special offer/promo A DIY company is primarily chosen based on price or a positive review. In terms of brand image, we see that customers see both pro and DIY providers similarly in terms of reliability. However, when it comes to being customer-driven, DIY providers receive higher image ratings compared to pro-installed companies.

Security’s intersection with consumer electronics is on view at CES 2020, the world’s largest technology event, Jan. 7-10 in Las Vegas. The giant show features more than 170,000 attendees, 4,500 exhibitors and 1,100 industry thought-leaders featured on the CES stage. A range of technologies will be on display, from artificial intelligence (AI) to 5G, vehicle technology to AR/VR (augmented and virtual reality), robotics to home automation. Security plays a prominent role, too.The impact of this event for the smart home could be about delivering home analytics and enhancing privacy" Smart home market on the forefront The smart home market is a major focus. “For the smart home market at CES this year, we expect to see numerous announcements regarding home awareness,” says Blake Kozak, Senior Principal Analyst at IHS Markit. “This will include brands offering up additional analytics for consumer security cameras with a focus on edge-based solutions.” “The impact of this [event] for the smart home could be about delivering home analytics and enhancing privacy through cloudless architectures and new electronic door lock approaches,” he adds. An example of cloud analytics is the Resideo Home app, introduced in December, which will make whole-home monitoring possible for four critical networks of the home – water, air, energy and security. Resideo promises a “simplified and integrated smart home experience.” Video is also prominent at the show. “For cameras, we can expect to see more cameras focused on the outdoor space and possibly new form factors for video doorbells,” says Kozak. Familiar security industry brands exhibiting at CES 2020 include ADT, Ring, August Home and Yale (both part of ASSA ABLOY), Bosch and Alarm.com. Focus on Cybersecurity In 2020, companies will continue to focus on solutions for protecting consumer data" Cybersecurity is an aspect of many of the devices on display at CES. “Device security and data privacy play a key role in the adoption of connected devices,” says Elizabeth Parks, President, Parks Associates. “Consumer security concerns for smart home products will continue to be a barrier to adoption in the U.S. and Europe, and these concerns can actually intensify with device adoption-71% of U.S. smart home households are concerned about cybersecurity. In 2020, companies will continue to focus on solutions for protecting consumer data. One big area of interest is protection on the network router, providing whole home solutions, which are very appealing to consumers.” “At CES we will see the traditional players introducing new DIY (do-it-yourself) products, as well as new players announcing new product features, services, and partnerships,” Parks adds. Smart access control Smart locks will be among the security products at CES 2020. For example, PassiveBolt, a lock company, will show the Shepherd Lock, a touch-enabled smart lock with enhanced security through sensors and AI. The add-on lock converts existing locksets into touch-activated devices. Another lock manufacturer is Kwikset, whose door locks and door hardware include Wi-Fi-enabled smart locks, Bluetooth-enabled smart locks, keyless and keyway-less locks and connected home technology. Video doorbells, including industry-innovator Ring, have been a hit in the consumer market. At CES, Ring will expand the mission to make neighborhoods safer by creating a “Ring of Security” around homes and communities with a suite of home security products and services. The “Neighbors by Ring” app enables affordable, complete, proactive home and neighborhood security. Homeguard offers a range of affordable CCTV solutions for home and small business DIY CCTV demonstrations DIY security systems are another market. Homeguard is a leading DIY consumer brand offering a range of affordable CCTV solutions for home and small business, including wired and wireless CCTV kits, smart cameras, home alarm systems and wire-free HD CCTV kits. Swann Communications is also at the forefront of surveillance and monitoring with new products developments including wire-free HD cameras and doorbells, professional CCTV video surveillance systems, and 1080p full HD systems with “True Detect” heat and motion sensing. AVTECH, and subsidiary YesGo Tech, will demonstrate a compact Wi-Fi home security set, a series of special cameras with face recognition, thermal detection and license plate recognition, customized central management software and a university ID tag that is compatible with access control, OEM and ODM opportunities. Security and automation solutions D-Link’s home networking, security and automation solutions will help consumers connect, view, share, entertain, work and play. SECO-LARM, manufacturer of a Room Occupancy Monitor that shows whether a room is in use, has a line of keypads and proximity readers with built-in Bluetooth for convenient access. Another smart home security solutions provider, Climax Technology, integrates wireless security, home automation, energy management, home emergency monitoring and live visual monitoring. Personal safety mobile application Manufacturers are positioning outdoor cameras as deterrents to theft before a burglary happens" WaryMe designs and develops a personal safety mobile application to improve a user’s security in public places, schools, transports and companies by addressing major risks such as terrorism attacks, intrusion, fire and even industrial accidents. An all-in-one mobile application integrates alerting, crisis management and mass notification features. “Market players are looking to expand beyond established smart home devices like smart thermostats and networked cameras to products like smart water leak detectors, smart pet feeders, and smart air purifiers,” says Elizabeth Parks. “Manufacturers are positioning outdoor cameras as deterrents to theft before a burglary happens. This trend is part of a broader security marketing effort to extend the perimeter of home security beyond traditional home access points.” “Familiarity with smart home devices lags behind familiarity with smart entertainment products; it even lags that of smart speakers, which are quite new in the market,” adds Parks. “In 2020, we will see players working to advance the visibility and marketing around device integration, and specifically focus on use case scenarios around safety, security, and convenience, which have always been the primary drivers of adoption of these types of products.”

The boundaries between the smart home market and security market at large are narrowing. Amidst a wave of expansion, suddenly everything is becoming digital. Home automation has been around for close to 30 years but hasn’t really hit it big because integration hasn’t been that simple. Now that the Internet of Things has stepped into the market, home automation is really taking off. As technology in the smart home market advances, the gap between the residential and professional security markets is growing smaller. Additional revenue for security industry There will continue to be more opportunity for interoperability, and home automation will continue to grow and eventually become a norm. Growth in the residential security market and its position as the channel for smart home solutions, have attracted numerous new entrants. Telecoms, cable operators, and CE (consumer electronics) manufacturers are joining traditional security players as they compete to fulfill consumer demand for safety and security. Connected products also provide a layer of competition as consumers must decide whether having category devices such as doorbell video cameras, networked cameras and other products suffice for their security. Smart home services can provide additional revenue streams for the security industry. In Parks Associates’ 2017 survey of U.S. security dealers, 58% report that smart home service capabilities enable extra monthly revenue. Almost half of dealers also note they have to offer smart home devices and services in order to keep up with their competition.  Data capture form to appear here! Residential security solutions Growth is going to be slow and steady. Everyone needs to be realistic about that" The trend has no doubt accelerated in the last couple of years. New collaborations are being made between audio-video (AV) suppliers and security solution providers. The clientele of high-end AV products is becoming increasingly concerned with home security and property protection. So, in recent months, the requirement for residential security solutions has been increasing as technical solutions can go hand in hand with AV installers’ capabilities and client base. “One of the big mistakes many make is that they assume – based on some of the hype and big market investments – that the smart home market is set to explode,” says Michael Philpott, Senior Practice Leader, Consumer Services at Ovum. "This is not the case – growth is going to be slow and steady. Everyone needs to be realistic about that, rather than expecting some rapid ramp up simply because some big names have entered the market.” Pressure to upgrade security standards Surprisingly for what has historically been something of a grudge purchase, in the context of home automation, security is seen as a solution some consumers are looking for. Another security aspect of home automation is cybersecurity, in particular how it applies to various IoT devices in the home. Now as connected devices gather personal information from realms long considered private and protected – the bedroom, the kitchen counter, the nursery – the risks are higher than ever. All of the data that various devices and sites have collected can be combined, shifted and then exploited by marketers or even stolen by hackers. Both manufacturers of smart home products and the companies that install them are feeling pressure to upgrade security standards. They are moving to set policies that will regulate who has access to data and how it is used. Ease of installation Advances in the home market are increasing customers’ expectations as well as adoption of newer technologies A recent revelation that some “smart TVs” might be listening to conversations and transmitting them to "third parties" caused an uproar. These sets have voice activated features that enable users to change channel, turn on a DVD or browse the internet by speaking to the screen or remote. The fine print in privacy policies contains warnings that general conversations are also being heard, and one company even told owners to turn off this function if they were concerned. Another impact of smart homes on the security marketplace is to raise expectations about the capabilities of commercial systems. Products made today for residential applications are very high quality, easy to install (do-it-yourself, or DIY), and have very rich feature sets. End users expect their commercial solutions to have a similar ease of use and ease of installation. Geofencing in commercial applications The quality of video that people are seeing at home is motivating some legacy commercial customers to finally move to IP video from lower resolution analog cameras. A higher percentage of commercial customers use cellphone applications to view integrated video and access control data. People’s experience with smart thermostats has them asking for geofencing in some commercial applications. In short, advances in the home market are increasing customers’ expectations as well as adoption of newer technologies. Read part two of our smart home mini series here.

Comelit has continued its work with multi award-winning London property developer, Howarth Homes to present new homeowners at office-to-residential conversion, Lovell House with smart access control and door entry. Lovell House, located off Uxbridge High Street in Middlesex is a stunning collection of 45 executive suites, one and two bedroom apartments set over six floors, each finished to a high specification. Smart access control and door entry system Each apartment has been individually planned to ensure a light and airy interior with excellent accommodation flow. Within the initial design process, Comelit was invited back to work with Howarth Homes to accommodate a request for smart security right from the point of entry to individual apartment access. Linzie Howland, Sales Director of Howarth Homes stated, “Howarth Homes is adept at creating affordable option developments interiors that demand more than just cursory attention. Every detail in each of our developments has been carefully and thoughtfully considered to ensure that our new home promises easy, hassle-free living”.   SimpleKey access control solution Lovell House has been fitted with Comelit’s SimpleKey access control solution, along with Mini video handsets Linzie adds, “Lovell House is testament to this commitment, and commands superior specification right from access control through to door entry. We have gone above and beyond the expected to ensure homeowners can take advantage of purchasing offers and live in a development where we present smart security and visitor management without compromising aesthetics.” Lovell House has been fitted with Comelit’s SimpleKey access control solution, along with Mini video handsets in every apartment, allowing visual door entry operating through its 2-Wire SimpleBus solution. The powerful combination presents homeowners with the capability to answer access requests and manage home access. Comelit access control readers installed Each of the five floors has an access control reader installed alongside each lift facility, totaling 19 units around the site. The development itself is finished with a bespoke stainless steel panel with bezel design. All systems have been designed and installed to comply to Secured by Design standards. Tom Kidston of Excellence Electrical said, “Howarth Homes prides itself on its pledge for connected living for a connected world, so it’s essential access control and door entry is planned into the specification and design”. Residential security systems Tom added, “This is especially important at office to residential conversion works such as Lovell House, where systems need to be considered with the change of purpose to the building. Early planning ensures a coordinated approach to installation, with minimal cabling requirements to remain compliant, stylish and secure.” Daniel (Dan) Wood, Southern Sales Manager at Comelit UK said “Uxbridge is increasingly growing in demand for first time buyers and rental property, experiencing excellent capital growth. Howarth Homes has a number of developments in the area and we have been thrilled to work closely with them to deliver total solutions for access control and door entry”.  Dan adds, “At Lovell House, the specification brief was to create futureproof, smart security and visual visitor management, delivered seamlessly with our SimpleBus and SimpleKey systems.”

Upgrading a two-wire analog intercom to a conventional IP video system typically involves messy and costly rewiring work. So what happens when there is a need to install over 500 IP systems into a single building? One company, Hikvision, has developed an innovative two-wire solution, which is already making waves at the luxurious RiverGate condominium in Singapore. “If someone rang the bell at the side entrance, it wouldn’t always ring in my apartment upstairs,” says the Chairman of the Condo Council, who lives at the RiverGate condominium in River Valley, Singapore. “Visitors often had to call me to let them in, and I would have to travel down 20 floors to the main entrance. It became incredibly frustrating.” Switching from analog to IP system The intercoms in Asia’s condos are crying out for an upgrade to IP, but the infrastructure just doesn’t support it" The resident’s story is typical of millions of residents across Asia, where high rise living is the norm. In Singapore, the first condominiums were built back in the 1960s, to tackle the challenge of high population density and soaring land costs. Today, high-rise living in Singapore is not only necessary but highly desirable, with many condominiums offering swimming pools, spas, sky-gardens and a host of other deluxe facilities at exclusive locations across the island. Nevertheless, even the most luxurious apartment blocks are wrangling with aging access control systems. Many systems only work intermittently, while all but the newest builds feature intercoms that use out-dated two-wire analog cabling. “The intercoms in Asia’s condos are crying out for an upgrade to IP, but the infrastructure just doesn’t support it,” says Daniel Han, Engineering Director at Serron Technology. Hikvision IP security systems Making the move to IP intercom systems is a logical step, as it would offer a host of benefits to Asia’s high rise residents. First of all, IP systems are video-based and can work with HD cameras, giving homeowners crystal clear images of who is at the door potentially dozens of floors below. What’s more, they also typically link to an app, so residents can see and interact with the person at the door – even when they’re not in the apartment. “Video IP systems are much more functional, more future-proof, and incredibly reliable,” adds Daniel. The problem is, most of today’s IP intercom systems typically need to replace wire for an internet connection – and that means an upgrade to the building itself. “To upgrade to an IP system across a whole condominium is a massive job,” Daniel confirms, adding “Chasing out walls and replacing wiring is disruptive, messy and a time-consuming task. In addition, the task is also expensive, and management companies would have no choice but to pass this cost on to the residents." Two Wire IP Video Intercom System Although it may seem like an impossible problem, one company – Hikvision – has provided an excellent solution. As its product name suggests, the company’s Two Wire IP Video Intercom System is purpose-built to work over existing two-wire cabling, so that two wires supply power and transmit voice, video and control signals at the same time. At the heart of the Hikvision two-wire system is the Two-Wire Video/Audio Distributor (DS-KAD706). It’s this intelligent box that makes the two-wire solution possible by consolidating power and internet connectivity, enabling it to be distributed out to the external door video stations and the indoor video units. Hikvision two-wire solution Each of the 545 apartments within RiverGate has a Hikvision Intercom Indoor station with a video screen At Singapore’s luxurious RiverGate Condominium complex, the management team was so impressed with the potential of the Hikvision two-wire solution that they have already installed it into the condominium. Each of the 545 apartments within RiverGate has a Hikvision Intercom Indoor station (DS-KH6320-WTE2) featuring a video screen, while each of the entrances to the building has a Video Intercom Door Station (DS-KD8102-V) featuring an HD camera. If someone calls an apartment via a door station downstairs, it rings the appropriate indoor screen. The resident can see the visitor and have a conversation with them, before letting them in with a simple tap of the screen. Hikvision Video Intercom Master Station (DS-KM8301) The RiverGate central management offices also have the Hikvision Video Intercom Master Station (DS-KM8301), to monitor the building perimeter and control entry. Plus the complex has installed a number of Hikvision’s Waterproof and Vandal-proof Card Readers (DS-K1104M), to ensure that only authorized individuals can move around the building. What’s more, by downloading the HikConnect app, residents can be alerted to a visitor when they’re away from the video unit, or when they’re out of the premises entirely. The app offers the same functionality as the video screen – allowing residents to see visitors, speak to them, and even choose to let them into the building. Reliable and innovative IP-based solution The benefits of the new Hikvision system are far-reaching. From a building management perspective, the ability to use the existing two-wire system has kept installation costs to a minimum. The ability to use the existing two-wire system has kept installation costs to a minimum “Hikvision’s Two Wire Video Intercom System is a state-of-the-art product, and ideal for retrofitting and modernizing large residential and office building projects. Across Asia, there are thousands of high rise buildings whose access control systems desperately need upgrading. This sleek system provides a cost-effective and elegant IP-based solution – one that’s ideal for high end residential or commercial environments – for minimal cost and disruption.” said Jacky Xie, the Project Manager at Hikvision, who is very optimistic about the potential of the company’s two-wire IP solution. High-performance video and access control system And of course, it’s had a huge impact on RiverGate’s residents. One of the residents’ of the Condominium said, “The new intercom does more than the old system. I particularly like the functionality of mobile app – I can use my phone to let visitors come in even when I don’t have access to the indoor device, like when I’m not at home or using the bathroom. It’s also such a relief to have an access control system that works reliably. I love it; it’s more convenient, it’s really easy to use, and I feel safer.”

Critical building management and security systems at one of the most advanced super-high-rise towers, the landmark Wasl Tower in Dubai, are to be integrated with Maxxess eFusion technology. The 302-meter multipurpose tower, which will be operated by the Mandarin Oriental Hospitality Group, incorporates offices, guest rooms, public areas and apartments, and is situated in a pivotal Dubai location. The Wasl Tower is designed with advanced sustainability features including natural shading and cooling, adaptive lighting, one of the world’s tallest natural ceramic facades, and a vertical boulevard. eFusion was selected for the project because of the flexibility it allows, enabling rapid integration, off-the-shelf, with a wide choice of security, safety and business-critical technologies. With a modular, building block approach, eFusion provides an umbrella management system and drives service efficiency by removing the need for operators to continually switch between systems. Visitor management system By keeping it simple and integrating with the widest choice of technologies, Maxxess removes the complexity A key use of the technology will be to integrate back-of-house operations at the Wasl guest apartments with front-of-house systems, for maximum ease of use and operational efficiency using the Maxxess unified platform. This eFusion solution comprises a 900-plus reader ASSA ABLOY VingCard access control system, a 1700 camera Hanwha surveillance system, and advanced key management with Deister ProxSafe, and it will use the BACnet protocol to integrate the building management system (BMS). The Tower will also benefit from Maxxess VisitorPoint visitor management system, a Zenitel intelligent communication system and disabled call-to-assist alarms. The VisitorPoint integration will improve the guest and resident experience, reduce administration and front-desk queuing, and ensure smooth running of functions from visitor and contractor management to collections and deliveries, and security. Streamline security, safety and facilities management “The challenge with projects of this scale is to find a simple, straightforward platform that communicates with everything and works with all the systems involved,” says Lee Copland, Managing Director EMEA, Maxxess. “By keeping it simple, and integrating with the widest choice of technologies, Maxxess removes the complexity.” The Wasl Tower project is the latest of a growing number of mixed-use developments, including hotels, retail, office and residential complexes to use eFusion to streamline security, safety and facilities management. Last year Maxxess won an Intersec Award for its major eFusion implementation at Bluewaters Island.

BI-City Tokyo is located in Nur-Sultan (Astana), the capital city of Kazakhstan. It is a high-end residential complex of BI Group – a renowned construction holding company in the Kazakhstan real estate market. At present, three apartment buildings with public areas and more than 400 apartment units have been completed. Aiming to create modern high-end intelligent buildings and residential areas, the BI Group wanted to upgrade the existing analog video intercom system of BI-City Tokyo. Replacing analog intercom system The original analog intercom system in this community is outdated and cannot meet the diverse security requirements of high-end residential areas. First, the original analog intercom does not support retaining images and leaving messages. Second, this system only supports access cards to open doors, which is inconvenient for residents in case they forgot their card. Third, the original system cannot add IP cameras to monitor public areas such as children's playground, fitness areas, etc. Fourth, the cold winter temperature in Nur-Sultan requires high-performance equipment capable of operating in extreme environments. Faced with the abovementioned challenges, BI Group was also looking for a trustworthy brand that can provide not only modern smart system but also technical support and reliable after-sales service. Meeting all the above requirements, Dahua smart residential solution was chosen to be the security solution provider of BI-City Tokyo. Dahua Smart Residential Security Solution The complete solution deployed more than 300 pieces of Dahua equipment, including IP cameras The complete solution deployed more than 300 pieces of Dahua equipment, including Indoor Monitor, Apartment Outdoor Station, IP Camera, Access ANPR Camera, Video Recorder, etc. The solution supports two-way audio intercom, real-time video and messaging feature. In addition, a variety of door opening methods were also implemented: door opening via remote calling, door opening using access card, and remote door opening via APP. Additionally, all the equipment can be visualized and integrated in the Dahua DSS platform for centralized management, operation and maintenance. Moreover, the temperature in Nur-Sultan can reach up to negative 40 degrees in winter season. This requires high-performance outdoor devices featuring dust and water resistance, and explosion-roof capability. In response to this pressing challenge, Dahua apartment outdoor station VTO1210C-X-S1 and access ANPR camera ITC237-PW1B-IRZ that support wide working temperature were installed at the entrance of the apartment building for a more effective visitor and vehicle management. ANPR and IP cameras installed When a visitor arrives at the entrance of the apartment building and dials a resident’s room number through the Dahua apartment outdoor station, the camera installed at the entrance will synchronize the video with the visitor’s image captured in the resident’s indoor monitor. Once the visitor’s identity is confirmed, the resident just needs to press the button on the indoor monitor to open the door remotely. With Dahua app, users can even answer calls and open doors remotely when they are out for work or traveling. As for vehicles, Dahua access ANPR camera ITC237-PW1B-IRZ is designed for extreme temperature environments (temperature range of -40°C to +60°C). With built-in intelligent video analytics, the camera has the ability to detect and recognize moving vehicle's plate number within low speed. Vehicle tracking and identification For both approaching and departing vehicles, the access ANPR camera takes a snapshot of the number plate and vehicle overview picture, as well as records corresponding surveillance videos. By setting a whitelist, the camera can automatically control the barrier or gate to open if a plate number recorded in the whitelist has been recognized. The public areas including children's playground, fitness areas, as well as the lobby are covered by 2MP IR Mini Dome Network Camera IPC-HDBW4231E-ASE, 2MP and 3MP IR Mini-Bullet Network Camera. The Starlight Ultra-low Light Technology of IPC-HDBW4231E-ASE offers industry-leading light sensitivity, capturing color details under low light condition up to 0.002lux. The camera uses a set of optical features to balance light throughout the scene, resulting in clear images in dark environments. Integrated management platform Dahua smart residential solution provides an integrated management platform for the personnel of BI-City Tokyo Dahua smart residential solution provides an integrated management platform for the management personnel of BI-City Tokyo. It assists in the remote and visual management of the property and improves the services and facilities they offer. Security guard at the entrance is not needed anymore to manage entering and exiting vehicles, which saves labor costs, reduces the waiting time of vehicles and improves traffic efficiency. In addition, the all-round monitoring of the public areas within BI-City Tokyo greatly improves the safety level of the entire community. The video intercom system of the building provides a variety of convenient door opening methods, enhancing the resident’s living experience. IP video intercom solution “We adopted analog solution in the first phase. From the second phase, we replaced all of analog system with Dahua’s IP video intercom solution. We hope that Dahua will help us complete the solution planning of the three, four, five, and six phases,” said Arman Lesbekov, General Manager of BI Group. Dahua Technology is an internationally renowned video surveillance and security solutions provider with more than 6000 professionals in their R&D team, dedicated to providing cutting-edge products in technologies like AI, IoT, Cloud services, video, cyber security, and software reliability with high quality and performance. Video surveillance systems expert Since 2014, Dahua has ranked second in the global video surveillance equipment market according to an IHS report, and in 2017 Dahua ranked third in the A&S International "Security 50". The company believes in investing and building strong R&D capabilities for new technology and innovation.

Comelit has worked closely with its Gold Partner, MRFS Group at Inspired Living’s flagship Impact House development, to ensure residents in upgraded apartments can experience seamless smart home automation in one all-encompassing solution. Set in Croydon London, Impact House has undergone an extensive program of redevelopment from a largely vacant office building to create 197 contemporary one and two-bedroom micro-flats and 39 larger one, two and three-bedroom apartments, including four exclusive, larger duplex layouts. Comelit smart home automation solutions Comelit’s specialist SimpleHome system incorporates home automation, without compromising style Designed for modern, luxurious urban living, MRFS Group, who has worked closely with award winning Inspired Living on a number of projects from a security perspective, introduced Comelit’s specialist SimpleHome system to the top level apartments at Impact House to incorporate home automation, without compromising style. Adam Tokarski of Inspired Living, said “Impact House has been transformed into a light filled landmark setting for contemporary apartment living. Finished with high specifications throughout, we were keen to ensure the ground-breaking larger and duplex apartments offered the height of luxury.” Smart security Adam adds, “We turned to MRFS Group to advice on an integrated design to present new residents with smart security and home automation. On recommending Comelit’s SimpleHome we initially saw for ourselves its ability to control heating and lighting via the stylish door entry system and supporting app capability. Its flexible design allowed us to work with MRFS to create a bespoke solution for Impact House that was simple to use and finished in a sleek design.” Simplehome smart home automation system Simplehome is Comelit’s smart home automation system, which operates with door entry in one user-friendly integrated solution, providing homeowners with full control of their lighting, heating and ventilation. With an ability to program schedules for up to seven days, Simplehome can be operated remotely using Comelit’s dedicated app, available via smartphone or tablet and connecting to a home router. Ross Wilkins, MRFS Group Director of Projects and Integration added, “When it came to door entry and incorporation of home automation to the 39 top-end apartments, systems had to be considered in line with the change of purpose to the building and how to coordinate installation with minimal cabling requirements." Door entry monitor Using the door entry monitor as a master control unit for Simplehome reduces the wall clutter within each apartment" He adds, “Using the door entry monitor as a master control unit for Simplehome significantly reduced the wall clutter within each apartment. This combined with Simplehome’s control equipment being din rail mountable and very space efficient appealed to Inspired Living, as it allowed maximum footprint to each apartment.” Chris Carroll, Comelit Business Development Manager concluded “Technology continues to play a significant role in our daily life and increasingly driving the demand towards home automation. This is where inspirational developers such as Inspired Living, with the support of our Gold Partner, MRFS Group, are leading the way by integrating facilities such as SimpleHome in apartment offerings." Easy installation He adds, “The professional installation, especially in redevelopment programs such as Impact House, ensures homes can instantly benefit from the convenience and home control factors, without compromising on security or finishing design.”

Being a property management and home security service provider, DOM UK Ltd. considers specialized door security solutions for different premises such as holiday homes, serviced apartments and other temporary accommodations. By implemented keyless solutions on a rented property or serviced apartment provides effortless access granted by property managers and ease of control. Guests can also benefit as the last thing they want to worry about is looking after an extra set of keys. DOM Tapkey cloud-based smart locks DOM Tapkey, is a cloud-based smart lock, which diminishes the problem of remotely managing property access, including the expense and hassle of constant key exchanges, the disruption of early check-ins and overstays, and minimize the security risks of unauthorized access. A similar issue was put across to DOM UK by a popular AirBnB situated in Oxford. Pillow Talks are a specialist property management business based within Oxfordshire. Both Pillow Talks and their tenant, Ginger Video, who are renting premises for their business needs, wanted to replace their existing mechanical locks with an alternate, safe and secure digital locking solution. Allowing them full management and control of the premises. Digital locking system With DOM Tapkey, users can use the same ID on several smartphones and tablets simultaneously that works for temporary tenants or small business owners renting premise, allowing multiple access at any one time. DOM Tapkey is a revolutionary way to lock and unlock the doors to homes and offices The revolutionary digital locking system allows users to manage access and security of their home or office environment with the easy-to-use Tapkey app. They can add or remove users with smartphones and transponders on their smartphone conveniently. Whether at work or a meeting, it’s a quick and easy process. This locking system offers an innovative plug-and-play solution for all security needs. Home and Corporate Security National Sales Manager, DOM UK Ltd, Mr. Lloyd Chitty states “The project itself had been installed by one of our trusted partner and security expert, Oxford SMS (now J.Priest&Son), the tenant was highly impressed by the product and service provided by Mr. Jason Priest, they requested for a digital cylinder to be installed within their private home and labeled the locking cylinder as a new 21st Century system.” DOM Tapkey access control solution is more than just a digital door opener. It’s also a smart management tool that allows homeowners to remotely program electronic keys, send authorizations to other users, share access and receive event notifications. DOM Tapkey is a revolutionary way to lock and unlock the doors to homes and offices. Simply place the smartphone against the digital cylinder and avail instant access.

Driven by technology developments such as voice recognition, smart devices and the Internet of Things, our homes are getting “smarter” all the time. Increasingly, we expect our residential environments to be responsive to our voice commands, whether we are adjusting a thermostat, turning on a light, or lowering the window shade. Smarter home integration yields new opportunities and challenges for home security, too, which contributes an element of safety and protection to the convenience aspects of smart homes. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: How are new smart home systems impacting security?

Our Expert Panel is an opinionated group on a wide variety of topics, and we are dedicated to providing a useful and flexible forum to share those opinions. This week, our panelists address a range of opinions about several self-selected topics, culled from the large number of Expert Panelist responses we have collected in the last year. In this Expert Panel Roundtable article, we will share these varied and insightful responses to ensure they are not lost to posterity!

Video cameras are everywhere, and hundreds more are installed every day. Our society appears to be reaching a point of perpetual surveillance. It certainly feels as if we are always being watched even though it is not yet the case. But as cameras are becoming more common than ever, we are also entering a new era of privacy concerns and sensitivities, as evidenced by GDPR and other such initiatives. We presented this quandary to this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: Surveillance cameras can go anywhere, right? Where is it “not OK?”