Intrusion detection

ABP Technology, global specialty distributor for IP technology solutions, is now distributing end-to-end environmental monitoring and access control solutions from Kentix, the manufacturer of innovative smart building security products. Kentix Access Control Solutions Kentix products available from ABP Tech include the Kentix MultiSensor and Kentix Access Control solutions Kentix products available from ABP Tech include the Kentix MultiSensor and Kentix Access Control solutions. ABP Tech serves as the Master Distributor of Kentix products across the Americas. “Half of all IT outages have a physical cause like fire or water damage and environmental damage downtimes are much longer – and more expensive – to fix”, said ABP Tech CEO & President, Robert Messer. “Just like a firewall protects data, the Kentix MultiSensor protects a network’s physical infrastructure in a compact, and very powerful, device,” he said. Kentix MultiSensor Monitoring Solution The Kentix MultiSensor is an end-to-end environmental monitoring solution that protects critical assets, valuable storage areas, technical systems, and IT and communication equipment by detecting 37 types of physical threats that can lead to catastrophic events. It can replace multiple individual solutions like temperature and humidity control, alarm, intrusion or presence detection, smoke, gases and/or early fire detection – saving about two-thirds of the typical cost – while channeling these alarms in a more targeted way. The Kentix MultiSensor is completely IP-based and is scalable up to 500 units. Impressively, the Kentix MultiSensor, an all-in-one environmental monitoring solution has received renowned ISO27001 certification. ISO27001 is the European gold standard in protection requirements for Information Security Management Systems (ISMS). “Moving toward stringent standards like ISO27001 – even though they aren’t yet a requirement in the United States – can help security providers enact the end-to-end protection that is so critical to comprehensive security operations,” said Messer. Kentix DoorLock Kentix Access Control solutions including the Kentix DoorLock are as equally as impressive as the MultiSensor" “Kentix Access Control solutions including the Kentix DoorLock are as equally as impressive as the MultiSensor,” said Messer. “Kentix offers less expensive access control than competing systems, requires less equipment and takes less installation time – with no software fees and no servers,” he said. PoE And Dual-Door Controller Kentix Access Control includes PoE to the dual-door controller smart edge-device and door card-reader/keypad units running an embedded, license-free, zero-cost software solution with Active Directory that can scale up to hundreds of locks. The minimalistic design of Kentix’s Access Control solution makes installation fast and simple and serves an aesthetic purpose; it’s a slick, small cube that is made to operate efficiently. It’s also designed to secure the physical IP network since the PoE connection stays inside and does not go to the door reader. This eliminates the threat of vandals or attempts to infiltrate a network via tapping into an RJ45. Software And System Integration Kentix’s MultiSensor and Access Control products can be used separately or together since the Kentix Access Control system interfaces directly into the Kentix MultiSensor environmental monitoring system. All doors controlled by Kentix can also be linked to nearby Mobotix or Axis IP video surveillance cameras and programmed to record video of all access control events for easy auditing and referencing. “We’re excited to be able to bring environmental monitoring and access control products and support to system integrators and dealers seeking innovative and comprehensive security solutions from quality manufacturers like Kentix,” said Messer.

There are many aspects to consider when developing a retail security strategy, including loss prevention, physical security, asset protection, risk management, and IT. All these areas could be the responsibility of just a few people working to secure a handful of stores or each of these areas could be entirely separate departments, as is often the case for major retailers with locations throughout the country. Regardless of the size of the retailer, there are many different technologies that can be used within a retail store to improve security and loss prevention, yet none should be used in a silo. There are tremendous benefits to integrating security technologies and communications systems together, including enhancing overall safety and security, reducing shrink, and improving operations. There are many different technologies that can be used within a retail store to improve security and loss prevention As the existing security infrastructure is evaluated and plans for the future are developed, the team responsible should consider some of the following questions. Are there areas of the store that require greater security? Are there notifications or other technologies that could improve the efficiency of personnel and the safety of shoppers? Are there other departments within the organization that could benefit from the data gathered by the security technology? Understanding current pain points within the stores and how integrated security solutions can address these is the key to implementing the best solution. Here are a few “hot spots” within a typical retail store that easily demonstrate the power of integrated solutions. Point Of Sale Terminals Whether it’s loss through sweet hearting or other fraud, point of sale terminals present a significant shrink risk for retailers. Integrated systems enhance security at these locations. Video recording of HD or megapixel cameras integrated with point of sale data makes it easy to locate video associated with transactions and exception reporting. This allows for visual verification of each transaction when needed.There are tremendous benefits to integrating security technologies and communications systems together Other risks like robbery not only result in loss, but also impact the safety of employees and shoppers alike. Panic buttons or bill trap sensors connected to the intrusion detection system ensure silent alarms are issued when employees are at risk. When the intrusion detection system is integrated with the video system, pressing a panic button or pulling the bill from the sensor can automatically trigger a video snapshot to be sent to the monitoring station to provide verification of the alarm and more information for law enforcement when they are dispatched. Adding audio integration to the intrusion system can also result in a message sent to the store security personnel’s two-way radio when a panic button is pushed, or a bill trap sensor is activated. If no security guard is onsite, video monitoring services can allow the monitoring center to intervene through audio, alerting the perpetrator that his or her actions are being monitored and that the authorities have been contacted. This may cause the offender to flee the area, helping to mitigate the safety risk as well as the potential for loss. Panic buttons or bill trap sensors connected to the intrusion detection system ensure silent alarms are issued when employees are at risk High Value Displays Protect high-value or frequently-stolen items such as electronics, using video analytics integrated with audio communications Protect high-value or frequently-stolen items such as electronics, using video analytics integrated with audio communications. For example, a person standing at a display for longer than a pre-defined time or touching items on display can trigger a video snapshot to be sent to the store manager and an audio message to play through a nearby loudspeaker, such as: “Thank you for your interest in our smartphone selection; an associate will be there soon to assist you.” This not only alerts potential offenders that their actions are being watched, it also serves to improve customer service for legitimate shoppers – as a retail floor associate is notified that a customer may need assistance. Cash Office An access control reader at the door to the cash office restricts access to only authorized individuals. Integrating video can automatically capture an image of the person requesting access for verifying an employee’s identification prior to granting access or for retrospective analysis in the event of a theft. Exit Doors If an employee props open a back door – either for easy re-entry after a break or to allow access to another person with intentions of theft – integration of the intrusion detection system to the video and audio system can significantly reduce risk of loss. For example, the intrusion detection system can monitor doors for abnormal conditions, even when the system is disarmed.Loss can also occur when a cooler or freezer malfunctions or when the door is accidentally left open  A door left open for longer than a pre-defined time can cause an alarm on the intrusion panel, which can trigger a nearby camera to send a snapshot of the open door to the store manager and trigger the public address system to play a pre-recorded message through a nearby speaker. This prompts the employee to close the door, reducing risk of theft. Coolers And Freezers Loss isn’t just about theft. Loss can also occur when a cooler or freezer malfunctions or when the door of one of these units is accidentally left open. The same concept for monitoring exit doors can also apply to doors for coolers and freezers to prevent spoilage. A cooler or freezer door monitored by the intrusion detection system can trigger an alert or chime to play in the area to remind an employee to close the door or to alert the store manager to the issue. While providing surveillance of the cash register area, the camera's video analytics can be used to trigger an alert in case the queue exceeds the pre-defined threshold Serving A Dual Purpose Retailers can use the metadata from the cameras to gather business statistics like counts of people entering the store While the technology solutions described above positively impact loss prevention in a retail store, they can also extend beyond security to improve health and safety and enhance customer service as well as customer engagement and sales. For example, while securing a store’s main entrance with IP cameras featuring on-board video analytics, retailers can use the metadata from the cameras to gather business statistics like counts of people entering the store. This data can help them understand peak days and times when making decisions about staffing. Or while providing surveillance of the cash register area, the camera's video analytics can also be used to trigger an alert in case the number of people in a queue exceeds the pre-defined threshold. At this point, the same public address system and loudspeakers used to play background music to enhance the shopping experience could be activated to broadcast a message to request another cash register to be opened, improving store operations. For security and loss prevention purposes, video analytics can also be used to ensure that no one enters or leaves the retail shop using the emergency exit. To address health and safety issues, these same cameras can also trigger an alarm if that emergency exit is blocked by an object – improving the safety of customers and employees. When systems are used to deliver data for purposes beyond security, other departments may be willing to contribute toward the cost Metadata generated by the cameras can also be used to gather information that when processed with sophisticated algorithms in the cloud can show trajectories of the paths that shoppers take as they travel throughout a store as well as heat maps indicating where they walk, stop and dwell – all while protecting the privacy of individual shoppers. This information can be used by merchandisers to evaluate the success of displays and store layouts, which directly impacts customer engagement and sales. When systems are used for and deliver data for purposes beyond security, other departments may be willing to contribute toward the cost of the system. This provides an added benefit by relieving some of the cost burden from security or other operational budgets. Product Selection Integration is becoming easier using standards and expanding industry partnerships. However, in some cases, choosing systems from a single vendor that are designed to work together can help to speed and simplify installation, while also reducing system costs for both the integrator and the user. Regardless of the products chosen, it will be important for a retailer with many locations to have consistency in the type of equipment installed at each site. This makes support easier and enables a more uniform response to incidents that happen at various stores. As many retailers already understand, there is no silver bullet to reducing loss. However, a combination of the right technologies working together to prevent shrink and improve investigative capabilities can result in smarter and more effective loss prevention.

Senstar, a pioneer in video management and perimeter intrusion detection solutions, is pleased to announce the release of Symphony 7.1, the latest version of its intelligent video management software (VMS). The award winning Senstar Symphony delivers an all-in-one solution for video management, video analytics, perimeter intrusion detection system integration, and alarm management for deployments of all sizes. Features Of Symphony 7.1: HTML5-based viewing client for live video, playback and alarm log Improved integration with Senstar perimeter intrusion detection sensors New integrations such as Bosch alarm panel (B9512G) & S2 access control Out-of-box support for iOS and Android clients Updated Business Intelligence Reports BETA version of automatic license plate recognition detecting EU plates without requiring hardware dongle Video retention included in Enterprise Manager health packet, allowing users to see video storage in days across enterprise deployments Reducing Installation Complexity Senstar Symphony 7.1 is available worldwide in Arabic, Chinese (Simplified), English, French, German, Portuguese, Spanish and Turkish Customers upgrading from a previous version of Aimetis Symphony will experience the new Senstar branding. New installations of Symphony will also be Senstar branded. “The latest version of Symphony further streamlines the user experience by reducing installation complexity and improving performance," said Justin Schorn, Vice President of Product Management at Senstar. "With Symphony 7.1, we continue to build on our success as one of the industry’s most trusted and reliable video management software providers." Senstar Symphony 7.1 is available worldwide in Arabic, Chinese (Simplified), English, French, German, Portuguese, Spanish and Turkish. Senstar hardware appliances such as the R-Series are expected to ship with Symphony 7.1 pre-loaded in October.

Optex are preparing for a busy Security Essen show, where the sensor technologies company will demonstrate how the different detection technologies can improve security systems. Optex are showcasing new firmware for 2D Lidar scanners, with models now ranging from less than 20m to a 100m pre-warning zone, along with a new PIR to add to our outdoor intrusion range. For residential applications, they will be exhibiting the newly launched Shield PIR series that feature a volumetric 12m 90-degree model and a 12 side curtain PIR series, both with a versatile design with multiple housing options. The company will also be previewing new 180-degree outdoor PIRs, the WXI series, which will be launched in Europe soon. Multi-Layered Intrusion Detection At their stand, there will be multi-layered intrusion detection capabilities for commercial premises and critical infrastructure sites. It will demonstrate, for example, how a fenced perimeter can be protected using fiber optic sensors from our sister company, FiberSensys. Virtual perimeter walls can be generated by using OPTEX’s REDSCAN laser-scan detectors Alternatively, ‘virtual’ perimeter walls can be generated by using OPTEX’s REDSCAN laser-scan detectors; the newly launched RLS-3060SH version 8 enables detection up to 100m in vertical mode. This extended range of 2D LiDAR sensors, which can create a virtual wall or plane, now features the new software and firmware version 8, with the RLS-3060SH model now featuring a pre-warning zone that can detect 50m in horizontal mode and 100m (50m each side) in vertical mode. Indoor And Outdoor Premise Protection The Optex team will also be on hand to demonstrate the compact version of the 2D LiDAR scanner suitable for indoor and outdoor applications to protect assets and premises, their pre-built towers and long range PoE/IP sensors that are integrated with VMS and PSIM platforms including Ela-soft. For long range applications, Optex’s motion sensors, the SIP series, are capable of detecting objects in an area of 100x4m or 50x30m and provide three independent zones that can drive camera positions. Visitors to Security Essen can meet OPTEX EMEA management, sales, technical and marketing teams at Booth 5B48 in Hall 5, as well as on the stand of integrated VMS partner, Genetec at Hall 5, stand 5G30.

Dallmeier offers comprehensive security solutions for all areas of application around airports. Specifically, in the area of cameras a wide range of systems allow customers to tackle all of their safety and security challenges and be able to comply fully with operational and regulatory requirements. On top of that, Dallmeier supplies video management solutions that not only give operators an exhaustive overview of security-relevant events, but also allow the video data to be analyzed with a view to optimizing business processes such as ground handling operations. One of the paramount concerns for airports is perimeter protection; an issue, which was highlighted by a number of recent incidents involving unauthorized access onto airfields. It is important to be able to use video system to track an intruder, but the ultimate goal is to prevent an intrusion in the first place. IR Cameras With Integrated IR Illumination With its range of high-performance IR cameras with integrated IR illumination, Dallmeier offers the right solution for every area of applications across airports IR cameras are a key component of any video security system that must provide around-the-clock monitoring capabilities, and the Dallmeier line of advanced IR cameras is ideally suited for that. With its range of high-performance IR cameras with integrated IR illumination, Dallmeier offers the right solution for every area of applications across airports. The IR cameras are designed specifically for applications requiring images with highest resolution in real-time at day and in the IR mode at night. Dimly lit areas on the apron or sections along the airport perimeter, which might only be lit in case lighting systems are triggered by movement, are among the many possible applications. Multi-Focal Sensor Technology Panomera Airports typically encompass wide areas and stretch over long distances, which poses particular challenges for video monitoring system. In the past, in order to adequately monitor the entire area, it was necessary to use a number of cameras installed in a whole range of locations. Dallmeier’s multifocal sensor system Panomera, however, represents an entirely new technology and a fundamentally different approach to the issue of video security. The patented multi-focal sensor technology Panomera from Dallmeier is the ideal video solution for landside and airside safety and security. It was specially developed for the all-encompassing video surveillance of expansive areas. With Panomera, huge widths, as well as areas with large distances can be displayed with a completely new resolution quality, in real time and at high frame rates of up to 30 fps. With Panomera, a huge area can be surveyed from a single location and depending on the customer’s needs, the resolution can be scaled nearly limitlessly. For example, one Panomera system equipped with eight sensors is sufficient to replace up to 35 standard megapixel cameras. Optimizing Airport Operations Panomera offers unique capabilities for optimizing airport operations, such as aircraft turnaround time, as well as monitoring airfield traffic on both aprons and runways Moreover, in conjunction with intelligently designed video management and analysis systems, Panomera offers unique capabilities for optimizing airport operations, such as aircraft turnaround time, as well as monitoring airfield traffic on both aprons and runways (e.g. ground support equipment on the way to restocking aircraft galleys). The fact security personnel are provided with a comprehensive overview of the entire airport, regardless of where their individual focus may at any given time, means that they can react quickly to any incidents. Video technology can therefore assist airports with the implementation of the Europe-wide optimization concept of Airport Collaborative Decision Making (A-CDM), which is supported by a number of organizations including the European Organizations for the Safety of Air Navigation (EUROCONTROL) and the Airport Council International Europe. The latter represents over 500 airports from 45 European countries. A-CDM specifically aims to enhance the operational efficiency of airports, which opens up various application areas for video technology. Proactive video monitoring as is enabled by the Dallmeier video information systems, instead of passive surveillance, is the way forward across different industries - including airports.

Ava Group a provider of risk management services and technologies, announces that an Ava Group Company solution has been selected to protect a major military closed data network from the threat of tampering and tapping. The project to deploy its fiber optic intrusion detection and location solution is valued at around US $11M and asserts Ava Group’s status as a pioneer in data network protection. Ava Group Chief Executive Officer, Chris Fergus states: “We are proud that the Future Fiber Technologies (FFT) solution has been selected through a rigorous competitive tender, to deliver the very highest levels of protection to a closed data fiber optic network.” Asset owners can be potentially exposed to the threat of state-on-state action, terrorism and industrial espionage, as well as incident without motive Closed Fiber Network The principal task of this project supports The Ministry of Defense in India, who has the responsibility to protect its closed user group data network which is one of the largest in the world and used by more than one million military personnel. Any data network is as strong as its weakest link. Government departments, intelligence services, military organizations, financial organizations, nuclear facilities and commercial businesses with valuable intellectual property will have stringent measures in place to mitigate physical and cybersecurity threats yet are often oblivious to the danger of leaving even a closed fiber network unprotected. As such, the asset owners can be potentially exposed to the threat of state-on-state action, terrorism and industrial espionage, as well as incident without motive. Introducing Additional Vulnerabilities With low-cost readily available technology that requires little expertise, it is possible for an agenda-driven individual, or state-sponsored actor to tap and infiltrate a network at the fiber optic level and harvest data, without raising the alarm, or leaving an evidence trail. Chris Fergus, Ava Group CEO comments: “Any data breach is of grave concern, but those that pass undetected raise the stakes significantly. What’s more, in some instances fiber networks run across vast distances, meaning there could be tens of thousands of potential entry points for attack.” Unlike the widely used data encryption and protection schemes used to protect data in transit, Ava Group’s solution does not involve manipulation or processing of the data streams, thus avoiding third-party access to the data and therefore introducing additional vulnerabilities. Furthermore, processing or encryption of the data has a significant detrimental impact on bandwidth and latency, thus negating a major benefit of using fiber networks. Ava Group expects additional revenue from spares and support for seven years after the initial three-year warranty period Globally-Recognized Cybersecurity Standards Kevin Berry, Ava Group’s Head of Information Security explains: “The FFT solution does not see or process the data, cannot access it and there is no requirement for encryption. Consequently, the network infrastructure is fully protected at every point and crucially performance is unaffected. Another major benefit of the FFT solution is that deployment is completed with zero network downtime and can be rolled out across live infrastructure utilising dark fibres.” A further reason for organizations to choose Ava Group company solutions is the recent launch of its Global Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence (CCoE). The initiative provides all customers with expert guidance and assurance that the products deployed on their data networks meet globally-recognized cybersecurity standards. The project is expected to be delivered in phases over a 15-month period, with the FFT solution beginning to strengthen the network from day-one of the installation. Ava Group expects additional revenue from spares and support for seven years after the initial three-year warranty period.

International logistics giant DB Schenker has set benchmarks with its new headquarters in Essen. On 30,000 m² of floor space, the new building offers not only ideal working conditions, but it also features an impressive holistic building, safety and security technology concept from Siemens. All disciplines – room automation, access control, fire and intrusion detection, and video surveillance – are integrated in one central building management platform. Architecturally speaking, the Ruhr region metropolis of Essen continues to reinvent itself. One recent example is the new corporate headquarters of DB Schenker, a leading international logistics provider. In the spring of 2016, the company moved into a new eight-story office building located just a few steps from the city’s main train station. It has 30,000 m2 of floor space for 900 employees. DB Schenker has dubbed the X-shaped, fully gazed structure The Grid. From here, the Deutsche Bahn AG subsidiary manages its logistics network of 700,000 customers worldwide. Desigo Room Automation Controllers With just a glance at the screen, operators can check the status of all the systems, devices and alarm management components – in each of the 431 rooms For its new corporate headquarters, DB Schenker wanted building technology from a single source. The building owners chose the Desigo building automation system from Siemens, a seamlessly integrated solution covering the entire range of building automation – from the field level to room automation to the management level. In addition, the Desigo solution can be adapted to new requirements at any time. The dimensions alone made the job extremely demanding. The system includes 560 Desigo room automation controllers, a DALI lighting control system, shading control for 2,000 blinds, an access control system with 40 Siport readers, a fire detection system with 1,500 detectors, an intrusion detection system with 50 elements, as well as video surveillance equipment. Advanced Visualization Of Building Disciplines All the systems and devices at DB Schenker headquarters are interconnected via the Desigo CC building management platform. All disciplines can be centrally controlled, monitored and optimized from two operator screens. Support for open communication standards also allows the integration of third-party components. Even though DB Schenker uses an escape door control system from a specialized vendor, the doors can be unlocked via Desigo CC. For maintenance, all the fire detectors in an area can be switched off from the control center, eliminating the need to send technicians to each location Desigo CC offers advanced visualization of the integrated building disciplines. With just a glance at the screen, operators can check the status of all the systems, devices and alarm management components – in each of the 431 rooms. The setpoints for valve position, room temperature or lighting can be individually adjusted for every single device and room. On-screen graphics are used to control the various disciplines; Desigo CC displays floor plans identifying all the field devices installed in any given room or floor. Auto Display Of Reports And Trends This also allows central control of cross-disciplinary scenarios such as an event in a specific room or a fire in a particular area. In addition, cross-disciplinary timer groups can be defined. Alarms are displayed for all disciplines on one overview screen. Reports and trends can be displayed automatically if so desired: PDFs are created and e-mailed based on individual preferences. For maintenance, all the fire detectors in an area can be switched off from the control center, eliminating the need to send technicians to each location. This saves DB Schenker building services a great deal of time and personnel costs. Adjusting Temperature For Energy Efficiency The individual room controllers are connected to the central control system and can hence be operated centrally as well Every room at DB Schenker headquarters is equipped with integrated room automation controllers, allowing heating, cooling, lighting and shading to be adjusted for maximum energy efficiency. A total of 431 Desigo TRA individual room controllers were installed in offices, conference rooms and open spaces. They are equipped with sensors, but users can adjust the temperature, lighting and shading as desired using the room operator unit in each room. The panel displays a green or red leaf to indicate whether the settings are eco-friendly. Open KNX communication standards make the room operator units freely programmable. For example, the presentation scenario can be programmed from the operator unit in a conference room to simultaneously dim the lights, close the blinds and lower the projector. The individual room controllers are connected to the central control system and can hence be operated centrally as well. KNX Standard DALI Lighting Controller The DALI lighting controller uses the KNX standard as well, making the digital lighting systems efficient and easy to operate. Defective light fixtures are identified immediately so they can be replaced as quickly as possible to avoid repeated complaints. Optional motion sensors for autonomous DALI lighting systems were not installed at The Grid. Instead, they are replaced by occupancy buttons on the room operator units. To save even more energy, weather sensors on the roof of the building control the blinds for optimal incident light. The measures taken to increase the energy efficiency of the building earned DB Schenker a LEED Silver certification Heating, ventilation and air conditioning use approximately 900 data points whose signals converge in seven plant rooms. Siemens supplied and installed the field devices for heating, cooling and ventilation and set up the control cabinets. The measures taken to increase the energy efficiency of the building earned DB Schenker a LEED Silver certification, demonstrating that the logistics provider takes its sustainability strategy seriously. EN 54-compliant FC2080 Fire Control Panel The Siport system controls access to The Grid. 40 readers and 200 door locks with electric rotary knobs (offline cylinders) were installed. At DB Schenker’s request, the access system forwards timestamps to a separate system. The electric locking system secures nearly 300 doors. The fire protection system combines an EN 54-compliant FC2080 fire control panel with 1,500 fire detectors, 900 sounders and 40 loops. This latest and most powerful Siemens fire control panel was selected because of the size of the building. DB Schenker uses multi-protocol detectors that can be tailored to individual room parameters. If the room usage changes, i.e. if the space is converted to a computer or break room, the fire detection system can be adjusted without having to replace the sensors. Intrusion Detection, Video Surveillance And VMS Siemens also installed a CIC 2000 intrusion detection system, a SINVR video surveillance system and SiteIQ Analytics video management system Siemens also installed a CIC 2000 intrusion detection system according to VdS standards. 50 elements were integrated, including motion sensors and door monitors. A SINVR video surveillance system with the SiteIQ Analytics video management system rounds out the solution. 30 cameras are interconnected, 24 of them around the building as a virtual fence solution. Any violation of the defined security distance triggers automatic recording. Because the building borders on public streets, the video system uses partial pixelation. In the past, DB Schenker had to outsource building management to specialized vendors. Now Desigo CC gives the in-house building technicians everything they need on a central screen: heating, ventilation, air conditioning, lighting, shading, fire detection and building security. The technicians work independently, although a five-year service contract ensures they can request support at any time. Siemens technicians and experts are available to assist DB Schenker technicians via remote access.

Every summer, teams from around the world gather in South Williamsport, Pa., for one of baseball’s great classics – the annual Little League Baseball World Series. And for the 20th consecutive year, Lenel provides systems and services to help keep the iconic youth baseball event safe and secure for players, coaches, officials and fans. Lenel is part of UTC Climate, Controls & Security, a unit of United Technologies Corp. Teams from eight international and eight U.S. regions will play in the 10-day tournament, which begins today and ends with the championship game on Aug. 26. Samantha Mahaffey, security manager for Little League International, recognized Lenel’s continued dedication to the annual event for players ages 10 to 12. World-class security technology “We’ve long been able to count on Lenel to provide its world-class security technology to help us make sure these games are safe and secure for all our players, families, and fans,” she said. “It’s been great to work with Lenel over the years and embrace the changes and growth of the Little League Baseball World Series.” Jeff Stanek, general manager, Lenel, said helping to protect the Little League Baseball World Series is an honor for the company and its employees. “Little League and youth baseball are wonderful traditions bringing together young players and fans of all ages from countries around the globe,” he said. “We’re proud to be a part of this annual rite-of-summer event for 20 years, providing our technology and expertise to help make it the fun and safe event it should be.” OnGuard system is integrated with the complex’s video surveillance system and is used to verify people entering restricted areas Authenticate identification The heart of the security system is Lenel’s OnGuard access control platform. Each Little League player is enrolled in the system and receives a photo identification badge that’s worn to provide access to playing fields and to dining and dormitory facilities. Cards are also issued for all coaches, officials, staff and vendors. Each card limits access to only specific pre-determined areas throughout the complex. The OnGuard system is integrated with the complex’s video surveillance system and is used to verify people entering restricted areas. When someone presents a badge at one of the access card readers, live video and the cardholder’s photo are displayed on a nearby monitor, allowing a guard to authenticate the identification. Powerful analytic capabilities The OnGuard integrated security system has powerful analytic capabilities that can also help locate lost children, identify sick or injured people needing assistance and lost or suspicious articles that might pose a threat. The analytics can also help identify vehicles in restricted areas or other out-of-the-ordinary activities. Interlogix, Lenel’s sister company, is providing its UltraSync system to provide intrusion monitoring of the complex’s onsite police station.

We are living in the age of Big Data, and businesses are inundated with large volumes of data every day. Success depends on capturing, analyzing and ultimately transforming that data into information and intelligence that can be used to improve the business. So, it is with today's physical access control and video systems, too, which also generate unprecedented levels of data. But how can we make the data useful to end users and how can they realize its full value? We asked this week's Expert Panel Roundtable: Relating to physical security systems, what is the value of data and how can that value be measured?

Video systems today offer more capabilities than ever. Consequently, the systems can be used in new ways. For a variety of reasons, however, many customers don’t take full advantage of the capabilities of their video systems and therefore are leaving value on the table. Education and training are tools to alleviate the situation, but the first step is to identify the new ways that video can be used. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: How do customers under-utilize their video systems, and what should they do differently?

Companies in fast-moving industries tend to want half or more of their revenue to come from products released in the last three or so years. The logical extension of that philosophy is the demise of product "cash cows" that remain in a company's portfolio for many years. Where better to witness the shortening life cycles of technology products than in the smart phone market, where most of us buy into the hype of the "latest and greatest?" But does acceleration of new product introductions translate into shorter product life cycles in the field? We asked this week's Expert Panel Roundtable: What is an acceptable life cycle for a physical security system? Is there a trend toward systems being replaced more, or less, often?