Industrial surveillance

The provider of industrial lighting, Larson Electronics LLC, releases a solar-powered LED surveillance tower that features two IP security cameras, four 265-watt solar panels, a 1,000aH capacity battery bank with a battery charger, a solar generator and a telescoping mast that deploys eight LED light heads and the two security cameras up to 20 feet. The entire assembly is mounted on a single axle aluminum trailer for easy transportation, making this light tower ideal for remote and rugged locations. The SPLT-1.06K-LM20-8XWP50-2XPTZ.23X-2TB-AT-BC-W4G is a complete, portable solar-powered surveillance system for outdoor and remote locations. Providing High Performance This solar security assembly comes with a 2TB, 8-channel network video recorder compatible with two-way audio streaming This powerful security system is equipped with two cutting-edge 1080p full HD high-resolution security cameras that provide operators with precise 20x optical zoom, integrated long-range IR LEDs with an 850nm wavelength, day/night capabilities, MP4 format, as well as H.264 and MJPEG video compression. These IP cameras are IP66 rated providing high performance in outdoor locations. These explosion proof cameras with Power over Ethernet (PoE) features enable data transfers and power to be passed through a single Ethernet cable. This solar security assembly comes with a 2TB, 8-channel network video recorder compatible with two-way audio streaming. Installation only takes minutes via plug-and-play, which automatically detects, displays and configures system components. Withstand Demanding Conditions When using the NVR, operators may access a 1080p monitor that is virtually borderless, for side-by-side screen setups that flow together almost seamlessly. This video recorder accepts USB mouse and keyboard inputs. The four included 265-watt solar panels generate a total maximum output of 1.06 KW and have a 45-degree tilt for optimized sunlight exposure The four included 265-watt solar panels generate a total maximum output of 1.06 KW and have a 45-degree tilt for optimized sunlight exposure. The tower is equipped with eight 50-watt LED lights. The light assemblies each consist of four 12.5-watt LEDs paired with high purity specular optics to produce a light output distance comparable to that of a 400-watt metal halide. The LED wall packs are housed in a waterproof aluminum housing that is powder coated for added durability and resistance to corrosion and designed to withstand demanding conditions of an outdoor environment. Effective Monitoring System Each lamp can be powered on individually, allowing operators to power one lamp or all eight lamps at a single time. Rounding out this security solution is a NEMA 3R component control box with a component cooling system, and 1.06 kW solar generator. Connectivity features are facilitated by a 4G/LTE rugged router. Equipped with built-in security, the unit offers 600 Mbps internet speeds (minimum). The internal router can be utilised to monitor uptime and for real-time alerts. Customers must provide their own 4G service/plan for the router, as the system does not come with an internet plan. “The SPLT-1.06K-LM20-8XWP50-2XPTZ.23X-2TB-AT-BC-W4G is a total security package, ideal for live events, outdoor surveillance and other law/military applications,” said Rob Bresnahan, CEO of Larson Electronics LLC. “The IP camera, solar panels, high output LED lights, generator, battery bank and the tower/trailer assembly that pulls it all together provides operators with an effective monitoring system for temporary and outdoor jobs.”

Vanderbilt, a provider of security systems, announces that Scott Kilbourn has been named the company's new Southeast Regional Sales Director. In this role, he will be instrumental in creating relationships with both end users and channel partners as he helps build on the continued success of the organization in the region. Kilbourn joins Vanderbilt from All State Fire and Security, where he served as a Strategic Account Executive, working as part of an expansive team to manage and grow existing accounts, as well as foster new business prospects. Prior to that, Kilbourn worked as a Sales Engineer for Genetec, designing and optimizing the Genetec portfolio for customers in the region and developing relationships with technology partners to craft customized solutions for customers. Achieve Increased Market Share His experience and leadership in the security industry in system design and development, hardware and networking technologies, and direct sales and marketing will help Vanderbilt achieve increased market share across the Southeast United States. Kilbourn also brings a rich history of technology and engineering experience to the role, having worked as a Product Manager for Seibold Security “Vanderbilt's reputation for being customer-centric and a solid technology partner is what drew me to this position, and I'm eager to represent such a strong name in the security industry in this new role,” Kilbourn said. “I look forward to leveraging my ability to develop and nurture relationships - both on the sales and partner sides of the business - as part of the Vanderbilt sales team.”    Develop Solutions Kilbourn also brings a rich history of technology and engineering experience to the role, having worked as a Product Manager for Seibold Security and a Pre-sales Engineer/Team Lead for Lenel Systems International. In both of these roles, Kilbourn worked with customers to develop solutions that met their needs and delivered the necessary oversight to ensure the goals of the organization were met.  “Scott comes from a background rich in sales and leadership within the security technology sphere, making him ideal for this role with Vanderbilt,” said Eric Widlitz, Vice President of North American Sales, Vanderbilt. “Scott's diverse experience strengthens the Vanderbilt sales team and will allow us to better serve our customers and broaden the reach of our innovative solutions as we grow across North America and beyond.”

Genetec Inc., a technology provider of parking enforcement, unified security, public safety, operations, and business intelligence solutions, announced Plate Link, a new feature for its AutoVu™ automatic license plate recognition (ALPR) solution. Designed to allow vehicles to share license plate data while out on patrol, Plate Link acts as a force multiplier for parking enforcement officers (PEOs), allowing them to administer shared permits and time-limited parking bylaws across multiple zones more efficiently. Shared Permit Detection Managing shared parking permits (where several vehicles share a single permit) can be a complex and time-consuming task. To identify a shared permit violation, a single parking enforcement vehicle would typically need to see both cars sharing a permit to detect that they were both in the lot at the same time. This can prove challenging, if not impossible, for large facilities that employ multiple enforcement vehicles. With AutoVu Plate Link, any patrol vehicle can detect violations using license plate data collected by other connected vehicles. This helps increase the rate of detection and simplifies the assignment of patrol routes. Better Organization And Rule Enforcement “In an effort to provide the best experience possible to their patrons, parking organizations have adapted their services to provide more flexibility. Shared permits have become a frequent and popular solution to encourage carpooling and accommodate households with multiple vehicles. This has placed a heavier burden on enforcement officers who must ensure compliance with parking rules,” said Charles Pitman, AutoVu Product Marketing Manager at Genetec. “Our goal is to empower officers by making it easier for them to organize their routes and efficiently enforce those rules, without having to worry about the way their ALPR system works,” he added. How AutoVu Plate Link Works AutoVu Plate Link provides similar benefits to officers enforcing time-limited parking bylaws. It allows two separate patrol vehicles to be assigned to a zone and work in unison, as if they were a single vehicle. Each license plate scanned by a vehicle is automatically transferred to the next vehicle that enters the zone. By working together, the first patrol vehicle captures the license plate information initially, and should a violation occur, it will be detected by the second patrol vehicle making a subsequent pass. The first patrol vehicle doesn’t have to circle back after the time-limit has elapsed. Using the same vehicle data eliminates the need to circle back to an assigned zone, and boosts capture rates.

Moxa is helping meet Industry 4.0's demand for heightened visibility by launching the new NPort IAW5000A-6I/O, an enterprise-scale, out-of-the-box solution that conveniently integrates a RS-232/422/485 serial device server, a Wi-Fi client/bridge, and multiple digital I/O's into a single compact device. Deploying the NPort IAW5000A-6I/O empowers plant managers to wirelessly connect machinery to an IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n network for the collection, remote monitoring, and analyzing of real-time visual insights on machine performance to ensure optimal manufacturing performance. "Today's manufacturers are under pressure to increase the productivity of every machine on the plant floor," said Paul Wacker, Product Marketing Manager for Device Connectivity. "Our new NPort provides a drop-in solution connecting existing equipment via Wi-Fi to gain valuable new insights about what is going on in each machine in real-time and how it is impacting productivity." Versatile Advantages The NPort IAW5000A-6I/O delivers a significant advantage through its versatility. Any RS-232/422/485 serial or Ethernet device in the field can be linked to a wireless device. In addition, its multiple digital I/O's make the NPort IAW5000A-6I/O ideal for industrial data acquisition where dividends are paid in heightened efficiency, reduced production downtime, and lower overall costs. Also, because it supports baudrates between 50 and 921.6 kbps, the NPort IAW5000A-6I/O ensures reliable connectivity to the widest range of devices. "Using the NPort IAW5000A-6I/O, however, CNC machines can be actively monitored to acquire data via Ethernet and/or wireless communications" Flexible Application Opportunities To underscore the NPort IAW5000A-6I/O's versatility, Wacker gave the example of legacy serial CNC machines. These older, capital-extensive machines are rarely connected to a plant's network, leaving plant managers in the dark as to production status. Using the NPort IAW5000A-6I/O, however, CNC machines can be actively monitored to acquire data via Ethernet and/or wireless communications. Wacker also provided the example of installing the NPort IAW5000A-6I/O as a value-added service in a large parking lot. Detectors built into the back of individual parking spaces could be wirelessly read by the NPort IAW5000A-6I/O to let the head office know which parking spaces are taken and which are open. Available spaces can be displayed on a screen at parking lot entrances to assist drivers and improve customer satisfaction. Improve Equipment Effectiveness Overall Equipment Effectiveness or "OEE" is a key operational metric that helps plant managers monitor the performance of particular machines or production lines. Despite the numerous gains realized through Industry 4.0 technology, OEE remains stagnant at 60 percent or less for the majority of global manufacturers. The NPort IAW5000A-6I/O can help boost underperforming OEE by providing real-time visibility into machine status, allowing a plant manager to accurately adjust the production schedule for improved optimization and decreased overhead costs. Integrated Critical Functions Gone are the days of spending the time to configure three different devices, going back and forth between different vendors for technical support, and buying different spare parts to maintain the different devices. With the NPort IAW5000A-6I/O, all three critical functions -- RS-232/422/485 serial device server, Wi-Fi client/bridge and digital I/O -- are integrated so that installation, troubleshooting and maintenance costs are dramatically reduced when compared to using two or three separate devices. "Moxa's integrated 3-in-1 solution also decreases design time, both for installation and maintenance" Additionally, the space-saving 3-in-1 design makes the NPort IAW5000A-6I/O ideal for refurbishment of older machinery, which typically have space limitations, especially when a variety of machines have already been installed. Moxa's integrated 3-in-1 solution also decreases design time, both for installation and maintenance, when compared to implementing after-market solutions from multiple suppliers. Protected From Power Surges A major threat thwarted by the NPort IAW5000A-6I/O is damage from power surges. Devices installed in industrial environments experience a high risk of surge due to electromagnetic pulses produced from motors switching on and off. The NPort IAW5000A-6I/O Series offers 4 kV surge protection for serial lines to protect electrical devices from voltage spikes and to damp out electrical noise. Key features Link any RS-232/422/485 serial or Ethernet device to an Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n network Serial device server with Virtual COM-port or TCP/UDP access Integrated digital I/O: 4 in and 2 out Redundant dual DC power inputs and support for relay output 4 kV serial surge protection Secure data access with WPA2 encryption with RADIUS authentication microSD card slot for configuration backup Wireless Client/Bridge function for flexible integration

Wren enclosures are another important option Arecont Vision customers can now employ with confidence Arecont Vision, a provider of IP-based megapixel camera technology, announced that Wren Solutions, a developer of innovative camera housings and accessories, has joined the Arecont Vision Technology Partner Program. Multiple Arecont Vision cameras are certified with Wren Solution housings. Stainless-Steel Camera Housings “We are excited to further develop our partnership with Arecont Vision,” said Andrew Wren, President of Wren Solutions. “Our business has been built on understanding customer needs and finding unique ways to solve their problems with our innovative products. This partnership will allow Arecont and Wren to work together to bring new solutions to the market—with our stainless-steel housings serving as a great example of both companies working together to serve our customers.” Wren Solutions has a 30-year history of developing products that solve specific problems for a variety of vertical markets, including industrial, transportation, marine, food processing, retail, banking, and education. With in-house design teams and on-site fabrication capabilities, Wren takes market feedback from idea to product in a short time. Multi-Sensor Megapixel Camera Technology Arecont Vision is a provider of single- and multi-sensor megapixel camera technology, designed and manufactured in the USA. Since introducing the industry’s first megapixel cameras in 2004 and first multi-sensor cameras in 2006, Arecont Vision cameras have been customer proven around the world for use day or night and in and outdoors, with high performance and outstanding reliability. Wren enclosures are another important option Arecont Vision customers can now employ with confidence. “We are very pleased to have Wren solutions as part of the Arecont Vision Technology Partner Program,” said Jason Schimpf, Director of Marketing Programs, Arecont Vision. “The Wren stainless steel dome enclosures enable our customers to take full advantage of excellent image quality delivered by Arecont Vision cameras in harsh areas like extreme moisture or corrosive environments. Customers can feel confident in the solution when they pick Arecont Vision cameras that are certified with Wren’s housings.” Arecont Vision Technology Partner Program Through the Arecont Vision Technology Partner Program, sales, development, and support contacts are established between the two companies to better engage with end user customers and integrators, integrate new features and technology, and quickly resolve any customer support issues. A growing number of customers are already benefiting from integrated Arecont Vision and Wren Solutions.

Tamron, develops distinguished high-resolution fixed-focal lenses that address customers' critical requirements in machine vision Tamron, an integrated optics manufacturer and provider of security/surveillance equipment industry, announces the market launch of a series of fixed-focal lenses for machine vision use that support full 5-mega-pixel resolution for 1/1.2" imagers in compact bodies: Model: M112FM12/M112FM16/M112FM25. Compact Lens Size Mega-pixel cameras used for machine-vision applications including production equipment, substrate mounting equipment, various test equipment, and various engineering machines migrate toward larger-size imagers and higher resolution. A variety of lenses are available in the market to fit such applications. However, a camera-and-lens combination needs to be optimized for the individual installation condition. Some specific production equipment, substrate inspection equipment, and industrial-use printers mandate lenses that can be installed in a limited space, and ensure high resolution and high contrast imaging in a close-shooting distance. Tamron's machine-vision mega-pixel lens portfolio currently offers lenses for 1.1" imagers (4 models in M111FM series), 1/1.8" imagers (6 models in M118FM series), and 2/3" imagers (7 models in M23FM series, 3 models in 23FM series). With the addition of new compact lenses for 1/1.2" imagers (M112FM series), the portfolio offers the widest selection of high-resolution lenses that address customers' particular needs. Mega-pixel cameras used for machine-vision applications migrate toward larger-size imagers and higher resolution Tamron, as an integrated lens manufacturer, develops distinguished high-resolution fixed-focal lenses that address customers' critical requirements in machine vision, particularly for high optical performance that assures high-fidelity over the whole image, and advanced user utility. Key Features: 1. Unrivalled High Contrast And High Resolution In The Industry. The new models are compatible with both 5.86μm pixel-pitch 1/1.2" imagers and 3.45μm pixel-pitch 2/3" imagers, and assure an equivalent resolution of full 5 mega-pixels, an industry-leading resolution and contrast in φ29mm machine-vision lenses. Tamron's proprietary optical design offers equal first-class performance in all different focal lengths of the models. 2. Advanced Coating Technology And State-Of-The-Art Optical Design Tamron's state-of-the-art optics and advanced coating technologies assure distinguished optical performance, particularly in contrast and resolution, and superb optical transmissivity for crisp and clear images. 3. High-Quality Imaging In A Close-Shooting Distance The new lenses assure high-quality imaging in frequently-used close-shooting distances. 4. Rigid Inspection On Quality Critical performance in resolution is thoroughly examined from the center to the periphery of images, assuring high-contrast and high-resolution, devoid of unbalanced blurring, throughout the entire lens view. 5. Improved Maneuverability And User Utility Rotational torque is increased to improve maneuverability for focusing and iris adjustment. Lock-screw positions are increased to four instead of the three of the former models, assisting easier installation for users. 6. Cosmetic Design Of Rugged Look A metal barrel is employed to improve durability and robustness against vibration, giving a cool and rugged exterior look. 7. A Commonly-Used Setscrew Is Included As A Standard Accessory A lock-screw used in previous models is replaced with an embedding-type setscrew, making the lens barrel free of a screw-head to enable installation in a compact space.

Temperature, dusty and dirty conditions, along with limited access to networkingmakes remote location video surveillance extremely challenging Properly conducting video surveillance for any organization comes with several challenges. Not the least of which is how to architect a system that finds the right balance between quality, cost and bandwidth impact. This becomes even more challenging in non-traditional, demanding environments that are uncontrolled or highly dispersed, whether that’s an oil field, outdoor ATM machine, city intersection or a host of other “no-man’s land” environments where there is less control over the temperature, dusty and dirty conditions, and with limited access to bandwidth and IP networking.   A Primer On Video Surveillance For All Organizations First, before we move on to harsh environments, let’s look at how most organizations address video surveillance recording. Until recently, many companies have planned video surveillance systems around cameras that capture and stream video over a network to centralized general purpose IT servers and storage systems. That video can cause major network bottlenecks. For almost all organizations, network infrastructure planning does not take video surveillance network needs into account. The networks are typically designed to handle information related to the business such as emails and application servers, and it’s often prioritized according to the business’ function. For instance, on a network within a bank – transactional data will be made a higher priority than video surveillance data. The shared network bogs down video surveillance systems (or the other way around) and prohibits companies from running the kind of video surveillance quality that they can depend on.  Open, Intelligent Surveillance Appliances  A new approach, which remedies these issues and performs better than the use of general-purpose IT systems and a centralized recording is the use of open, intelligent surveillance appliances. These appliances are an all-in-one server, managed switch and storage that are typically installed in a distributed appliance architecture. In a distributed environment, appliances record closer to the edge of the surveillance network, near the cameras. Multiple IP cameras are connected directly to the appliance so video only streams over the network when it is retrieved on-demand through a video management system (VMS) or in the event of an incident. The appliance is open because it works with virtually any VMS depending on the needs.  An intelligent surveillance appliance approach and distributed architecture not only take the burden off the network by up to 95 percent, but also increase the reliability of the video by disassociating the surveillance video recording from conditions that can affect the health of the network such as congestion or network outages. Video continues to record when the network goes down, and there are fewer single points of failure. These appliances are typically built for the special demands of megapixel video and provide a smarter approach than streaming surveillance over networks.   Open, intelligent surveillance appliances perform better than general-purposeIT systems and a centralized recording Remote Area Video Surveillance Challenges The majority of today’s video surveillance systems were designed to operate in controlled corporate or campus environments. But that is not always where the most demanding surveillance needs are found. Many of today’s video surveillance systems are needed at the far reaches of the globe, at the perimeter of an organization, or the most inaccessible city locations that have dusty, dirty conditions. They must operate in extreme temperatures reaching as low as -4°F, up to 140°F; and have limited access to reliable network bandwidth.   Because they have no other choice, organizations and their integrators will go to additional efforts to protect mission-critical equipment and surveillance recording from the elements. In doing so, they add additional expense or force fit regular network video recorders (NVR) and general-purpose systems that were not designed for the job. Some get by procuring multi-thousand dollar enclosures to protect equipment that have fans and sensitive components, and in essence “brute” force solutions to meet the needs.   To add to the difficulty, network capabilities are even more limited with remote locations. The quality of video that can be transferred back from the surveillance point is limited by the network connection.  Due to these limitations, compromises are made including reducing resolution and frame rate, resulting in lost video and unusable evidence. When layers of video security are added to an infrastructure that was weak to begin with, it becomes more likely that fewer locations will meet the desired security requirements.  In controlled settings the need for distributed architecture is very strong. In uncontrolled environments, this need is only magnified due to lack of bandwidth and on-site oversight, and the presence of harsh temperatures and other conditions.   A Ruggedized, Intelligent Appliance Solution  Appliances are an ideal solution for uncontrolled, harsh environments where systems will be located in remote, difficult to access or perimeter places. In fact, there are now ruggedized surveillance appliances that have been “hardened” or in other words built in a certified, rugged enclosure that is able to withstand and excel in scenarios such as oil and gas fields, industrial locations, city surveillance, ATMs, border control and convenience stores. The appliance is enclosed in a chassis that meets UL and CE certifications ideal for recording in extreme conditions.    By nature, “no man’s land” is distributed. It is a place that is hard to reach and often underserved in terms of IP network and bandwidth. Therefore, a distributed appliance strategy for recording is perfectly suited and provides the ability for security managers to access video on demand rather than stream it over unreliable networks. Remote monitoring appliances are suitable for applications such as ATMsurveillance, border control and on cell phone towers But, it is important to understand that being “ruggedized” is only part of the story because these remote locations, present other interesting challenges: There are not staff nearby to manage the appliances, and there are cyber security threats when surveillance cameras are left unattended in an IP network. There needs to be intelligence built into the appliances for remote management. Health Monitoring: An intelligent surveillance appliance provides health monitoring of the entire ecosystem including the server, manage PoE switch, storage and cameras. This monitoring allows greater visibility and better control. It also includes proactive event management and notifications 24/7 via text message or other communication methods in the event of an issue such as an out of focus camera or a component that has been tampered with resulting in unusable video. Without health monitoring, video loss can occur without knowledge until it is too late.  Cyber Security: Another key issue is that of cyber security and hacking. Camera ports have become an entry point for creative hackers into an organization’s critical IP network. An intelligent surveillance appliance provides the ability to lock down camera ports on a switch with a single click to prevent hackers from gaining access to the corporate network. If a device with a different MAC ID address is plugged into the camera or access port, it cannot gain entry into the network and will be locked out. A web interface is used to manage the ports from a centralized location. How Rugged Video Surveillance Appliances Work In Extreme Conditions   Cell Phone Towers: Cell phone towers dot the landscape of remote and rural areas across many countries. Thieves have been known to steal valuable copper cable from the towers. By the time someone shows up, the culprits have already taken the supplies that they need.  Video surveillance is a critical solution to protect these assets.   Border Patrol: Another interesting scenario exists within an open border from one country to another. Many times thermal imagery video surveillance will be used at night to detect border crossings by measuring heat signatures. These programs are complex and often require processing power with significant network infrastructure investment. They also work best if they are installed closer to the source of the video recording. A rugged appliance provides a source of power and the ability to record on the spot. When filming within a closer proximity, once the cameras show heat images of figures coming over the horizon, on-the-ground teams are able to proactively go to the location before the suspects arrive. Special analytics can run directly off of the rugged device for border patrol applications.  ATMs: Although they’re not always located in extreme locations, ATMs are usually small boxes that include a camera to record the customer’s face for security measures. Normally, companies will only open the ATM to fill it up with money, change the ink or add more paper. They typically don’t open it to service a video surveillance recorder or to air out the recording unit. A ruggedized, fanless appliance works well because it’s small and reliable enough to live within the closed box and can withstand temperatures ranging from -4°F to 140°F.   What’s Next? The possibilities for rugged, intelligent surveillance appliances are endless. The high performance processing, highly tuned storage, intelligent features and network friendly architecture, all housed in a protected chassis, provide for a host of inventive uses from facial recognition to license plate recognition along highways. There are surveillance scenarios that we have not even conceived of yet but that will be better served with innovations in appliances built specifically for the job, no matter where in the world.

Starlight camera technology is redefining low-light surveillance to new levels Starlight cameras are the latest products security companies are adding to their product line-ups, each camera boasting the most comprehensive ability to make darkness visible. While low-light surveillance capabilities have been around on the market for some time, starlight camera technology is redefining low-light surveillance to new levels. Sourcesecurity.com spoke to manufacturers to discuss this technology and its applications in the security industry.  Stronger Sensors, Higher Image Quality In the second half of last year, Sony unveiled its Starvis sensor technology designed for industrial applications, including security surveillance. The sensors make high-quality images possible in very challenging light conditions by increasing light sensitivity up to 2000 mV or more per 1 µm2. Many security companies have wasted no time incorporating this technology into their starlight range.  China-based security camera manufacturer Qihan is one such company.  According to Ten Wu, CIS and European Regional Manager at Qihan, the company has worked closely with Sony, in addition to investing in research toward the development of its starlight range. Qihan is by no means the only Asian manufacturer with a starlight range. Tiandy and Korea-based CNB Technology also carry a comprehensive range of starlight cameras for customers to select from, while Nextchip has plans to incorporate starlight technology into its WDR range.   During challenging lightingconditions, Starlight cameras areequipped with the technology toslow down the cameras’ electronicshutter to capture more light Core to starlight camera technology is excellent light sensitivity, resulting in the ability to capture quality images under conditions with very little available light. Bosch’s starlight range, for example, includes a camera that promises to capture highly detailed 1080p monochrome images in low light levels of 0.000275 lux, and the ability to capture moving objects in high resolution with its high frame rate of 30 frames per second. Starlight cameras are equipped with the technology to slow down the cameras’ electronic shutter, when lighting conditions become challenging, to capture more light in order for the cameras to continue recording in color.   Hardware And Software Enhance Camera Performance According to Niko Xie, Overseas Sales Director at Tiandy, performance is based on both hardware and software, requiring “special sensor and special algorithms” to capture images in challenging light conditions.    A qualified starlight camera should be able to provide clearer image with more color detail than normal cameras. Cameras are capable of maintaining color images for longer and provide better night vision when settings are switched to black and white. “Our starlight products not only use starlight sensors, but also our algorithm to enhance image quality,” said Xie on Tiandy’s starlight range.   As security companies raise the bar on security camera performance, they did not forget to apply the latest technology to their starlight range. Hence, starlight cameras from most manufacturers promise simple installation procedures and are further equipped with video analytics to enhance performance and data management, such as noise reduction, intelligent video analysis and remote access. Bosch’s starlight range, for example, provides high definition color images in the dark through the combination of starlight technology and intelligent auto exposure, which enables the camera to automatically adapt to changing light conditions.   Starlight cameras’ clearer images and color detail make them ideal for low-lightenvironments such as bars and clubs Starlight Camera Applications For Low Light And No Light Environments Starlight cameras can be applied in a wide range of situations and environments. Several environments stand to benefit from the increased security starlight cameras could achieve.   Places with low light or no light, for example, in a bar or club can benefit from starlight technology. The illumination is weak and under such conditions, normal cameras would have already switched to black-and-white image capturing, but starlight cameras would continue to capture clear color images, explains Xie.  In addition, Wu adds that current surveillance systems could also be updated with starlight cameras to tremendously improve image quality at a similar cost compared to conventional cameras.   The security industry can definitely expect more to come on starlight cameras and their associated technology. 

The FERC standard CIP-014-1 became effective, according to the Federal Register, on January 26, 2015 The electric power industry works with several federal agencies, including the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the Department of Energy (DOE) to improve sector-wide resilience for cyber threats. The industry also collaborates with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), and federal intelligence and law enforcement agencies to strengthen its cyber security capabilities. Are the standards anywhere close enough to actually be of service? We shall soon see because last November CIP-014-1 was approved. It is the Physical Security Reliability Standard, developed by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation and approved by the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. In December, the House of Representatives approved unanimously H.R. 3410, the Critical Infrastructure Protection Act (CIPA). This is the first time in four years that Congress has acted to begin to protect the nation’s electrical grid, and comes on the heels of CIP-014-1’s approval.   Aim of the new bill The bill enjoys strong bipartisan support, but it remains to be seen whether it will become law. It has been read in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Its purpose is to see that DHS: Include in national planning scenarios the threat of electromagnetic pulse (EMP) which would entail the education of the owners and operators of critical infrastructure, as well as emergency planners and emergency responders at all levels of government of the threat of EMP events; Engage in research and development aimed at mitigating the consequences of naturally occurring or man-caused EMP events; Produce a comprehensive plan to protect and prepare the critical infrastructure of the American homeland against EMP events. FERC’s standard CIP-014-1, has six requirements, including Utilities must devise physical security plans for each of their respective transmission stations, transmission substations, and their primary control center (one of the CIP-014-1 requirements) Performing risk assessments periodically to identify weak transmission stations and substations; The transmission owner must modify trouble spots accordingly and implement procedures for protecting sensitive or confidential information; Transmission owners must let operators know there are issues so they can address them. Owners and transmission operators must conduct an evaluation of the potential threats and vulnerabilities of a physical attack on each of its respective transmission stations, transmission substations, and primary control centers identified as critical under the first requirement; Utilities must devise physical security plans for each of their respective transmission stations, transmission substations, and their primary control center; Finally, they must have an unaffiliated third party with appropriate experience review its evaluation and security plan and then respond to the recommendations. However, Todd Borandi, an industry veteran and information security architect, sees these regulations as a day late and a dollar short. He credits hackers for today’s push for regulations “because several groups made it a public point to demonstrate how easy it is to access sensitive systems and steal data, so the outcry from the private, public and even the government demanded regulations causing this whole cycle to start all over again.” The FERC standard became effective, according to the Federal Register, on January 26, 2015. It remains to be seen whether or not the boxes get checked in lieu of an improvement in physical security. Wind - The savior? Ironically, what might be of more help is a very simple solution: wind. LogRhythm’s Greg Foss says “Wind could be the savior” because the Department of Energy is working on outputting windmill energy into batteries. Foss is senior security research engineer for Boulder, Colo.-based LogRhythm, a security intelligence firm. One thing is to upgrade equipment, but as we’ve discovered that demands a huge money outlay, and as Foss says, “Right now, utilities have no real need to do this even though there have been 97 attacks against the grid so far this year.” Foss’ company creates honeypots, which are traps for hackers. “Once they get in,” he says, “we can track them and learn.” He says that a so-called con pot is under development. It would simulate SCADA by running, for example, a gas main, a utility box or a water-heating system, which is a prime target for hackers who wish to fudge temperature readings and make things look cooler than they really are.  His best advice is “Hire the right people, train them well and give them the tools to build solutions. Security isn’t that easy to learn and they have to have the tools to succeed.” His company’s mantra is “not if, when,” and those words should resound loudly at all utility firms.

Avigilon Corporation (“Avigilon”), a Motorola Solutions company, announced it was selected to help protect the security of Independent Express Cargo Ltd. (“Independent Express Cargo”) in Dublin, Ireland. Independent Express Cargo is one of Ireland’s largest pallet delivery operators, serving as a national transport network hub and full third-party logistics supplier with 25 depots across the country and over 1,000 active clients. Avigilon Control Center VMS To improve security throughout its Dublin site, which consists of 180,000 square feet of warehouses on a nine-acre site, Independent Express Cargo worked with integrator Usee.ie to install a complete Avigilon security solution. The new system features Avigilon Control Center (ACC) video management software, which provides security operators with a more efficient way to manage video from a central location. ACC software also includes advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and video analytics capabilities ACC software also includes advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and video analytics capabilities, including Avigilon Appearance Search and Unusual Motion Detection technologies. Additionally, a combination of Avigilon cameras — including the H4 Pro, the H4 Multi-sensor and the H4A Bullet with self-learning video analytics — were deployed to achieve optimal coverage while allowing security operators to leverage the benefits of real-time analytics. Incorporating advanced AI technologies By implementing a complete Avigilon security solution that leverages advanced AI technologies, Independent Express Cargo has seen an increase in operational efficiencies and improved security of its sites, assets and resources.       “With complete security solutions from Avigilon, we have been able to increase the speed at which we can detect events across our sites,” said Owen Cooke, director of Independent Express Cargo. “In the fast-paced environment of transportation logistics, this has dramatically increased efficiencies so that we can continue to focus on our number-one priority: our customers.” Intelligent video security system “Avigilon AI and analytics allow our customers to improve operations while maintaining system flexibility and ease of use,” said Bernard Pender, chief executive officer of Usee.ie. “Choosing Avigilon helps us meet our client’s goal of deploying a highly intelligent and user-friendly video security system.”

A multi-division and multi-location conglomerate in Kutch (Gujarat, India), engaged in manufacturing, trading, exporting and supplying a finest assortment of Roofing Accessories Roofing Sheets, Metal Coils, Roofing Accessories, Metal Roofing Sheets, Coated Roofing Sheets and Tiled Sheets for Roofing has trusted Matrix with providing top grade security solutions for its site. Matrix IR bullet cameras and VMS VMS Software with Inbuilt Weighbridge Application Module: SATATYA SAMAS PLT IPC Channel Wise ANPR/LPR License (ANPR1) Cameras installed at the site: 2 MP Varifocal IR Bullet Camera with 2.8-12 mm Lens- SATATYA CIBR20VL12CWS 2 MP Fixed Lens IR Bullet Camera with 3.6 mm Lens- SATATYA CIBR20FL36CWS The company was using conventional Weighbridge system that performed basic functionalities. This traditional system had certain limitations, such as Data spoofing due to manual system Lack of centralized solution for multiple branches Dependency on more than one system Lack of evidence for auditing purpose Matrix Weighbridge integration solution Looking at all the challenges that the company was facing, Matrix offered an optimized solution with Weighbridge Integration. Matrix Weighbridge Integration solution provides the following functionalities: Vehicle Number Snapshot (ANPR) Driver Snapshot (Evidence) Material Snapshot (Auditing) Weighbridge Snapshot (Avoid Data Spoofing) Safeguard Evidence Bookmark Video Recordings Print Evidence Record Periodic Report Generation Benefits Client will be able to track in-bound and out-bound material movement by capturing the details of respective material weight. Enables the client to make easy comparison of weights between supplying plant and receiving plant with the help of captured screenshots. Record weight of the material and then use the data to post good’s receipts, production bookings and dispatch documents, etc. Limits Weighbridge Vendor dependency by providing interoperability without depending much on other APIs.

Pengsheng Industrial Park is the first investment project by a Chinese private enterprise in Uzbekistan that has been acknowledged and ratified by the governments of the two countries. Located in Uzbekistan's Sirdaryo state, the Pengsheng Industrial Park is the biggest non-energy cooperation project between China and the Central Asian country. At present, there are over 10 workshops covering various fields with a total number of more than 1,500 employees. As a model project of China-Uzbekistan cooperation, it has contributed to a large number of job opportunities and high output value for local economic development. High-End monitoring system The expansion of the production scale of the park brought inconvenience to management and the current simple front-end camera plus back-end storage video surveillance system cannot meet the growing production management and modern monitoring needs any more. Dahua provided the park with a complete, high-end monitoring system that contain over 500 HD cameras, 100 IP camerasDahua provided the park with a customized complete, high-end monitoring system that contain over 500 HD cameras, 100 IP cameras, central management, central storage, third-party contact as well as display and control system all around factory, fence, outdoor and indoor areas to protect the whole park. To better secure the access between the network of video surveillance system, the data is gathered from front-end devices by PON transmission to establish looped network for video surveillance and to ensure reliability. Advanced technology solutions This project is the first general contracted project with great significance in Uzbekistan. Dahua is not only the supplier of the equipment, but also responsible for the whole project life cycle including construction, delivery, system documentation, technical support, operation training and long-term maintenance. The solutions have effectively reduced the difficulty during production process, which greatly improved the management efficiency for customers. In the future, Dahua will continue to provide more advanced technology solutions such as face recognition, personnel and vehicle management IT systems, industrial machine vision, etc. for the Peng Sheng industrial Park.

The Malaysia government water treatment plant envisions providing the best water treatment with demand of high security protection in the industry sector. Furthermore, the highly reliable platform with flexibility to expand storage by year and budget becomes important criterions to select the ideal surveillance partner. Surveon NVR7800 ensures high video image quality with high throughput capability, in addition to flexible JBOD storage expansion capability. Surveon NVR7800 Series Surveon NVR7800 Series was designed as a recording server with an archiving function Price and performance are always the key elements to help Surveon to win projects. Surveon NVR7800 Series was designed as a recording server with an archiving function that offers multiple advantages compared to traditional system structures composed of recording server plus a separate storage device, making it the top choice for the water treatment plant. The big scale industrial plant installs 50 to 100 cameras at each site in demand of high image quality. The plant needs a reliable system that supports recording with hundred channels and is able to transmit high resolution images smoothly. The NVR7800 Series delivers a high level of recording throughput of nearly 2000 Mbps, supporting recording with more channels, allowing system to receive better video image quality by higher bitrates, and ensuring smooth transmission even with high frame rate. Compatible With 3rd Party VMS Support up to 316 drives with high density 4U 60-bay expansion enclosure (maximum capacity of up to 3.6 PB with 10TB HDD). It supports to expand storage through JBOD by year, timeline and budget with best flexibility. This provides the government owned plant to expand facilities by year, timeline and budget. The water treatment plant prefers a solution which is fully compatible with Axxonsoft VMS. The NVR7800 Series is 100% compatible with major 3rd party VMS, including Milestone, Genetec and Axxonsoft VMS with certification. Supports Multiple Network Cameras Based on Milestone test findings, NVR7800 Series supports up to 150 cameras Based on Milestone test findings, NVR7800 Series supports up to 150 cameras, more than twice Milestone’s benchmark level in a non-stop recording scenario. The system is even capable of supporting more than four times the number of cameras estimated by benchmark under the testing scenario where motion detection is enabled, giving medium to large projects the best price-performance solution. "The hybrid server-storage design of NVR7800 Series gives us the best C/P value candidate. The enterprise level RAID engine enables highest level data protection with RAID 1+Spare, 5+Spare, 6+Spare technology to support robust data protection even with HDD error. Further, the flexibility to connect JBOD provides the high flexibility to extend recording time base on project demand. We are very satisfied with the result and look forward to working with Surveon next time." said the administration manager of the water treatment plant.

A manufacturing giant in Maharashtra has the distinct mark of making India’s 1st Diesel Engine and Iron Mold Ploughs. The company’s legacy dates to 1922. This company is the reason behind a new wave of industrialization in some of the towns in Maharashtra while preserving their rich heritage. Wide Area Monitoring The company is spread across a wide area, employing more than three thousand people. Being an established and trusted brand, maintaining quality is crucial and therefore, every area needs to be under surveillance. For this reason, cameras producing high resolution images and covering a greater area for monitoring was the primary requirement. The company is divided into various branches that are located at various places in Satara, Maharashtra. This gave rise to the need for a centralized solution at a centralized location from where all other sites can be monitored at a time. Matrix IP Bullet And Dome Cameras To cover the large monitoring area, Matrix provided IP bullet and dome cameras that have greater field of view when compared to other brands. According to the requirement, various cameras were installed at different locations such as reception area, canteen, security area, entrance, production area, etc. These cameras also provide exceptional low light images that aid in night time surveillance and provide enhanced security. For storing the streamed videos, Matrix offered network video recorders. These NVRs have features such as adaptive recording which aids in storing more data in a defined space. Moreover, it has intelligent video analytics such as intrusion detection and motion detection which were also applied. Instant notifications and alerts ensured real-time security of the premises.

With a heritage stretching back over 500 years, Gebrüder Weiss is one of Europe’s oldest transport and logistics companies. Based in Vorarlberg, Austria and with more than 7,000 employees in 150 locations around the world, it is also one of the largest. Sony Video Security In Logistics Centers Customers of all sizes trust Gebrüder Weiss to ship their consignments quickly, safely and undamaged to their destination Customers of all sizes trust Gebrüder Weiss to ship their consignments quickly, safely and undamaged to their destination. To guarantee this and make the entire logistics chain traceable, the service provider relies on comprehensive video surveillance in its logistics centers, which is regularly updated to reflect the latest state of the art. Gebrüder Weiss has now expanded its existing monitoring solution at the company’s largest distribution center in Maria Lanzendorf near Vienna that previously featured almost 500 Sony cameras and Milestone's video management software (VMS). This has been supplemented with the addition of 33 Sony SNC-VM772R 4K video security cameras. Sony 4K Cameras The upgrade ensures greater security, comprehensive package tracking and the ability to track any damage. The new Sony 4K cameras are used mainly to monitor reloading from larger trailers into smaller trucks. Their field of view covers the actual transfer area as well as the interior of the trailers and conveyor belts. The SNC-VM772R features a large CMOS sensor with 4K resolution that combines excellent image quality and large depth of field, even in difficult lighting conditions. The camera’s robust design with integrated image stabilization ensures smooth, clear video images despite vibration, dust and exhaust fumes from passing trucks. Video Monitoring The new 4K cameras can track several objects simultaneously with either VGA or Full HD resolution The cameras’ installation ensures that the entire transshipment area is monitored at all times, with no blind spots caused by vehicles or pallets. In addition, the new 4K cameras can track several objects simultaneously with either VGA or Full HD resolution. The SNC-VM772R's 20-megapixel image sensor also enables capture of high-resolution Evidence Shots – still images with greater than 4K resolution that allow even the smallest details to be viewed clearly. For Gebrüder Weiss, the Sony solution is thus an outstanding alternative to multiple PTZ (pan/tilt/zoom) cameras or multi-sensor systems. Installation and integration into the existing environment were carried out by local Sony partner ÖWD Österreichischer Wachdienst Security & Services. With 2,800 employees, ÖWD is one of the largest security companies in Austria and maintains 24/7 technical teams in all Austrian states. "Since it opened in 2006 we have been using Sony cameras at our terminal in Maria Lanzendorf, which is our largest in the world" says Werner Drnec, Operations Manager at Gebrüder Weiss, Maria Lanzendorf. "Both the image quality and reliability – with failure rates close to zero – have always exceeded our expectations, and even in the current project they proved themselves in a direct comparison. Our confidence in the Sony brand plus easy, seamless integration into our existing environment added to this."