License plate recognition

ProdataKey (PDK), a manufacturer of the cloud access control platform built for mobile, announces the release of seamless integration with Rhombus Systems, the pioneer in cloud-based video surveillance and asset tracking systems. In joining forces, the two companies – each known for their best-in-class cloud offerings – bring to market the industry’s easiest-to-implement, easiest-to-use, comprehensive access control, and AI-assisted video management solution. The integration is free to PDK dealers and available immediately. Facial recognition algorithms The PDK/Rhombus integration allows users of a Pdk io access control system to easily associate readers with Rhombus cameras, facilitating automated processes that simplifying monitoring while enhancing security. Video clips for all entry events are captured and indexed, and may be filtered and searched for easy investigation. PDK credentials, combined with Rhombus facial recognition algorithms, allow for highly accurate AI-powered entry verification that matches faces to credentials. Rhombus license plate recognition can be tied to garage and parking access points Real-time alerts for unauthorized access, tailgating, and persons-of-interest may be sent to system administrators, speeding up response time. Rhombus license plate recognition can be tied to the garage and parking access points, providing frictionless entry for employees while documenting visitor access. The PDK/Rhombus integrated solution requires no onsite servers and no downloaded software. Integration between the systems is accomplished in seconds via a few clicks within the software interface via phone, tablet, or web-enabled computer. Cloud-Based solution Dealers may customize trigger events and automated responses to align with customers’ security objectives. The integration is fully scalable, supporting an unlimited number of PDK and Rhombus devices. Both systems offer end-to-end encryption for enterprise-grade security. Dallan Labrum, ProdataKey’s director of sales, says, “We are extremely excited about PDK’s partnership with Rhombus. Sharing a video integration with another cloud-based solution allows our dealer partners to install more product in less time, while offering their customers a more robust, effective security solution that leverages the power of video analytics. Because both platforms are communicating through the cloud, the integration delivers an exceptionally clean user experience along with a much easier integration set-up.”

Genetec Inc., a technology provider of unified security, public safety, operations, and business intelligence solutions, announces a new version (v 5.10) of its flagship unified security platform, Security Center. Among many new enhancements, this major new release allows more system components to run in the cloud, reducing the gap between cloud and on-premises security systems. It also makes it easier to connect external systems and tap external data for use in dashboards, maps and investigations without relying on complex, specialized integrations. Enterprise video surveillance The new version of Security Center brings enterprise video surveillance customers new options to facilitate their migration to the cloud as well as support flexible hybrid-cloud architectures. Taking a step further towards unified, enterprise Video-Surveillance-as-a-Service (VSaaS), the new version of Security center Omnicast­™—the video management system of Security Center—enables the seamless use of tiered cloud and on-premises storage to manage short- and long-term video archives according to customer needs. The new version of Security center Omnicast­™ enables the seamless use of tiered cloud It gives configuration flexibility and reporting capability and supports various scenarios for real-time or on-demand access to video footage stored in the cloud. Depending on its recency and criticality, video can either be stored in high-performance storage for fast access or long-term storage to support flexible cost options, as well as data compliancy. Ingested video blocks To ensure maximum security, ingested video blocks are encrypted on-premises and then moved to the cloud using encrypted communications channels. “Last year accelerated the digital transformation of organizations big and small, inside and outside of the security industry,” said Francis Lachance, Director of Video & Appliances product group at Genetec, Inc. “Omnicast Cloud Storage is not just terabytes in the cloud. It’s a complete collection of media services that deliver the flexibility and sophistication enterprise customers need to successfully move to a hybrid-cloud video surveillance architecture.” Cloud-Based deployment Sipelia™ Communications Management, the module of Security center that enables SIP-based communications between operators and intercom devices, has also been enhanced to offer support for cloud-based deployment. Security Center 5.10 introduces a new, no-code solution to connect external data sources Security Center 5.10 introduces a new, no-code solution to connect external data sources to enhance an operator’s situational awareness. The new Record Fusion Service feature offers a simple, fast path to integrate third-party data streams from private or partner record publishers, such as traffic, utilities, or weather feeds to name only a few. Users can define tailored record types and consume data from a variety of sources including KML, JSON, and CSV documents, or set up a REST application listening point to which these external services can push records. Providing contextual information The Genetec Record Fusion Service can be used across the entire unified platform to enhance awareness and response, provide contextual information on dynamic maps, be visualized in operational dashboards, investigative reports, or in the unified monitoring interface. The service supports a broad range of applications, from displaying user-defined and filtered information on a map with custom graphical elements, to combining various records from a wide variety of sources to create custom aggregate records that are useful to specific operators or roles. The Record Fusion Service increases agility, enables highly specific and relevant data to be quickly and easily added to the platform, and makes security operators more efficient in accessing timely, contextual information. Security Center 5.10 further taps mobile devices to reinvent the way organizations accomplish routine tasks on-the-go. Standard operating procedures A new specialized portal is also available to help customers manage mustering during evacuations Genetec Mobile, a unified app that enables users to access cameras, doors, and automatic license plate recognition (ALPR) units from their smartphones, now supports Genetec Mission Control™ incidents and standard operating procedures. This allows users to trigger or view active incidents on maps or in list format, and record incidents in the field to notify colleagues in the operation center. A new specialized portal is also available to help customers manage mustering during evacuations. The Evacuation Assistant app connects to Security center Synergis™—the access control system in the Security center—so that when an evacuation is triggered, the system automatically starts to monitor the safety status of all personnel and visitors. When people arrive at the safety area or muster point, they can badge their credentials at a fixed or mobile reader, notify the muster captain that they’re safe, or inform them that someone might be at risk. If someone is shown not to have been evacuated, the system will automatically trigger a response so that security personnel can take immediate action.

Genetec Inc., a renowned technology provider of unified security, public safety, operations, and business intelligence solutions, announced the launch of its brand new Virtual Experience Center. The platform enables channel partners and end-users to easily and efficiently collaborate with Genetec employees to discuss projects, view demos, and access materials, in one virtual environment from anywhere in the world. The online platform recreates the same personalized interaction of visiting the existing Genetec Experience Centers in Montreal, Paris, London, Dubai, and Singapore. By invitation, individuals and groups can efficiently dive deep into the world of security, operations, and intelligence from wherever they are based. All without having to factor in travel costs or journey times. IP security systems Those who visit the Virtual Experience Center, are able to get the right information and tools to thrive in the modern era" The virtual center easily accommodates meetings, events, and high-level demonstrations of the Genetec unified security platform, which helps simplify operations by seamlessly blending IP security systems within a single intuitive interface. From access control, video surveillance, and automatic license plate recognition to communications, intrusion detection, and analytics, Genetec empowers organizations through enhanced situational awareness, unified command and control, and connectivity to the cloud. "By engaging in an online environment, those who visit the Virtual Experience Center, are able to get the right information and tools to thrive in the modern era, where physical and cyber threats are evolving faster than ever. As security continues to top the news agenda, our experts are on hand to discuss and present how a unified approach can protect increasingly networked and high-risk environments," said Cyrille Becker, General Manager for Europe at Genetec. With the Virtual Experience Center, Genetec demonstrates its commitment to investing in innovation that improves the end-to-end customer experience. The virtual center, adds to its roster of innovation labs around the world, offering greater flexibility and reach.

Security cameras are not new in traffic surveillance with video technology already deployed to catch speeding, red-light runners and monitor traffic density, in order to avoid traffic jams. With the rise of AI, IoT and smart cities, it's time to think about taking traffic video surveillance to the next level. This article highlights how security cameras equipped with AI can help make roads and highways safer. Smart traffic surveillance Traffic sensors are specialized in detecting ‘simple’ traffic incidents, such as cars driving through red lights or exceeding speed limits. They also help detect street conditions quantitatively, e.g. counting passing cars, enabling human operators to recognize traffic jams, before they occur. Qualitative traffic analysis and control still requires humans. However, this will change soon with a new generation of smart video technology. Combing IoT cameras and AI video analytics Smart traffic surveillance combining IoT security cameras and AI video analytics helps authorities Smart traffic surveillance combining IoT security cameras and AI video analytics helps authorities, traffic planners and highway operators to systematically monitor and understand road users' behavior, thereby gaining valuable insights from video data to optimize traffic flow and minimize accident risks, automatically and in real time. Imagine video surveillance systems at busy intersections in downtown areas not only detecting who violates traffic regulations, but also automatically analyzes and controls traffic flow. Recognizing actual road occupancy, smart camera systems could help manage traffic, for example, by controlling traffic lights that would no longer be time controlled but smart. Smart security camera systems IoT Cameras can do more than just video. Security & Safety Things aims to make security camera systems smarter so that they can perform complex tasks independently. With the open IoT platform, including a Camera OS and an Application Store, Security & Safety Things enable camera users and system integrators to equip their camera systems with the latest AI video analytics. “It couldn't be easier. You simply install the apps you need from our Application Store on your cameras with a few clicks, just as you know it from your smartphone,” said Ajay Kattige, Solutions Consultant at Security & Safety Things. Smart video analytics in traffic monitoring Security cameras are designed to take videos and make it available for evaluation. To get more out of video footage, cameras need video analytics capabilities, for example, to distinguish people from cars, analyze traffic flow or ‘read’ license plates. In the Application Store, users can find a wide range of apps, easy to install on security cameras and ready to perform a variety of business tasks. License plate capture in bad light and weather NeuroCar LPR EU is a camera app designed for detection and identification of car number plates in motion Recognizing the license plate of a fast passing car is very difficult, especially in poor light conditions. Where the human eye reaches its limits, high-resolution cameras empowered with smart video analytics can help identify speeding or control access systems in streets or parking lots. Traffic surveillance becomes both more reliable and more efficient. For instance, NeuroCar LPR EU is a camera application designed for detection and identification of vehicles and car number plates in motion. The app is not only trained to recognize sequences of letters on plates, but also to country or region of origin. AI video analytics to analyze street layouts Sustainable urban planning needs long-term traffic data, in order to make the right decisions for necessary changes or adjustments in road layout and control. If more than random samples or snapshots are needed, smart surveillance cameras equipped with AI video analytics can provide valid data over a long period of time. Additionally, they turn data into valuable insights. For example, GoodVision Connect captures and digitizes traffic insights from activity on roads and junctions using proprietary AI and provides powerful tools to obtain tedious traffic behavioral parameters in a fully interactive way. This helps transport surveyors and modelers to achieve more productivity and quality in traffic data analytics. Real-time insights to detect traffic anomalies Traffic on busy roads is complex and often difficult to understand because of its dynamics. To avoid traffic jams and reduce the number of accidents, experts around the world are studying the laws of the road. As described above, traffic data is crucial for identifying systematic problems and taking appropriate action to solve them. Smart surveillance cameras can provide this data. Isarsoft Perception offers crowd counting, occupancy monitoring and cross line detection for traffic analysis For instance, Isarsoft Perception offers crowd counting, occupancy monitoring and cross line detection for traffic analysis in a single application. The camera screenshot illustrates how cross lines, drawn directly into video, are used to detect, for example, if vehicles stay in their lanes or tend to change lanes frequently (which can cause traffic jams). FLOW Traffic is another app that enables security cameras to detect traffic anomalies and find the reasons why traffic is not moving as it should. Traffic can be continuously analyzed according to a variety of criteria, such as object types, properties, types of movement, speeds, etc. Controlling and configuring the app is amazingly simple. Monitoring unauthorized traffic Traffic isn’t just about flow of vehicles and pedestrian motion. There are also hidden aspects that cannot be observed easily or even automated using conventional video cameras. A vehicle that drives over a red traffic light is easy to recognize, but a vehicle that is parked in a parking lot longer than allowed often remains undetected. The same applies to parking spaces reserved for disabled people, with parking space surveillance a complex and costly affair. ParkingProtect uses computer vision methods to identify when a parking violation has occurred. Once a violation is detected, a notification with a snapshot of the event is sent to parking space operators or authorities. By using ParkingProtect, surveillance cameras determine whether parking time restrictions are met or whether people leaving their car in a store's customer parking lot actually shop there. This helps retailers keep customer parking under control. There are many ways to take traffic surveillance to the next level and make Smart City traffic safer & free flowing, using smart video technology.

Workforce management specialist, Synel Industries UK (Synel UK), has introduced the latest version of Synergy Access, a cloud-based access control solution which provides a scalable and cost-effective way to manage who is allowed access to restricted areas. Available as a stand-alone solution or as part of a wider suite of software from Synel that includes Time and Attendance and other workforce management modules, Synergy Access is designed to provide a future-proof solution for access control applications of any size, from one building with just a few doors, through to multiple sited organizations that need to secure many thousands of entrances and exits. Effective access control solutions “Synel has already acquired extensive knowledge of what it takes to deliver effective access control solutions, having previously fulfilled the requirements of many existing clients, including banks, data centers, education facilities, commercial offices, retail, warehousing, and manufacturing plants," said James Smith, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Synel Industries UK (Synel UK). The latest version of Synergy Access has been developed in response to feedback from existing customers" James Smith adds, “We have seen steady growth in access control enquiries and sales, and the latest version of Synergy Access has been developed in response to feedback from existing customers who have told us they are placing much more value in the benefits delivered by the Cloud and latest technological advancements, such as facial recognition.” Synergy Access Synergy Access, which is offered as a traditional on-site architecture solution or via Synel UK’s fully managed hosted cloud architecture (SaaS), works hand-in-hand with the company’s own brand readers, as well as fingerprint-based biometric readers and the latest state-of-the-art facial recognition devices from technology partner, Suprema. “We have enjoyed a long-term business relationship with Synel and together we have been able to meet the expectations of many of Synel’s customers,” said Jamie McMillan, Managing Director at Suprema Systems. James McMillan adds, “With the launch of the latest Synergy Access version, I believe Synel has the opportunity to offer system integrators a competitive edge, while providing users with added value from their access control systems.” ANPR module Synel has partnered with 4Sight Imaging to introduce an ANPR module for Synergy Access In addition, Synel has partnered with the renowned UK Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) specialist, 4Sight Imaging, to introduce an ANPR module for Synergy Access that allows an on-site ANPR engine to be managed over the Cloud as a hybrid solution. This has already been rolled out to a host of customers. “As technology partners who are experts in their respective fields, 4Sight Imaging and Synel have a proven track record of working together to ensure customers can make best use of ANPR as part of an access control solution," said Martin Cowley, Strategic Accounts Manager at 4Sight Imaging. Martin adds, “The development that we have worked on with Synel allows their customers to take advantage of our leading ANPR engine, while managing credentials through Synel’s platform, from anywhere in the world." Integration partnerships Synel Industries UK’s Chief Executive Officer, James Smith further said, “We are in a fantastic position to benefit from continued growth with Synergy Access and are actively looking for new integrator partnerships across EMEA who would like to be part of its success.” He concludes, “Synergy Access offers system integrators a feature rich and yet competitively priced access control solution, which will enable them to win new business and have the opportunity to enjoy long-term recurring revenue by promoting our Cloud-based SaaS. The Synel UK team welcomes any enquiries for demonstrations, as well as being available to provide ongoing pre-sales and post-sales support.”

The Genetec Channel Partner program has partnered with Credly to award verified digital badges to European channel partners who complete Genetec certification courses. Badges provide an easy way to share and validate the skills, experience, and technical knowledge. Digital badges are the best tool to highlight Genetec certifications and achievements on the website, social media, profiles, and more. Think of the badges as a bonus for the hard work—there's no extra cost involved. What is a digital badge? Genetec has included digital badges in their training programs as an additional way for certified partners to share and validate the achievements. These digital credentials can be used in the website, email signatures, and on social media sites such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. It provides a secure and verifiable way to share professional skills and abilities. A digital badge consists of an image and metadata that are uniquely linked to the person and his/her achievements. Why get a digital badge? Digital badges are a web-enabled version of the paper certificates They give one recognition for learning new skills It is a more efficient way of displaying the training achievements on ones social media profiles The Credly platform uses a trusted method for real-time certification verification Genetec digital badges are awarded free of charge (after one passes the skills assessment exam).

Organizations faced a number of unforeseen challenges in nearly every business sector throughout 2020 – and continuing into 2021. Until now, businesses have been on the defensive, reacting to the shifting workforce and economic conditions, however, COVID-19 proved to be a catalyst for some to accelerate their long-term technology and digitalization plans. This is now giving decision-makers the chance to take a proactive approach to mitigate current and post-pandemic risks. These long-term technology solutions can be used for today’s new world of social distancing and face mask policies and flexibly repurposed for tomorrow’s renewed focus on efficiency and business optimization. For many, this emphasis on optimization will likely be precipitated by not only the resulting economic impacts of the pandemic but also the growing sophistication and maturity of technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), technologies that are coming of age just when they seem to be needed the most.COVID-19 proved to be a catalyst for some to accelerate their long-term technology and digitalization plans Combined with today’s cutting-edge computer vision capabilities, AI and ML have produced smart cameras that have enabled organizations to more easily implement and comply with new health and safety requirements. Smart cameras equipped with AI-enabled intelligent video analytic applications can also be used in a variety of use cases that take into account traditional security applications, as well as business or operational optimization, uses – all on a single camera. As the applications for video analytics become more and more mainstream - providing valuable insights to a variety of industries - 2021 will be a year to explore new areas of use for AI-powered cameras. Optimizing production workflows and product quality in agriculture Surveillance and monitoring technologies are offering value to industries such as agriculture by providing a cost-effective solution for monitoring of crops, business assets and optimizing production processes. As many in the agriculture sector seek to find new technologies to assist in reducing energy usage, as well as reduce the environmental strain of modern farming, they can find an unusual ally in smart surveillance. Some niche farming organizations are already implementing AI solutions to monitor crops for peak production freshness in order to reduce waste and increase product quality.  For users who face environmental threats, such as mold, parasites, or other insects, smart surveillance monitoring can assist in the early identification of these pests and notify proper personnel before damage has occurred. They can also monitor vast amounts of livestock in fields to ensure safety from predators or to identify if an animal is injured. Using video monitoring in the growing environment as well as along the supply chain can also prove valuable to large-scale agriculture production. Applications can track and manage inventory in real-time, improving knowledge of high-demand items and allowing for better supply chain planning, further reducing potential spoilage. Efficient monitoring in manufacturing and logistics New challenges have arisen in the transportation and logistics sector, with the industry experiencing global growth. While security and operational requirements are changing, smart surveillance offers an entirely new way to monitor and control the physical side of logistics, correcting problems that often go undetected by the human eye, but have a significant impact on the overall customer experience. Smart surveillance offers an entirely new way to monitor and control the physical side of logistics, correcting problems that often go undetected by the human eye. Video analytics can assist logistic service providers in successfully delivering the correct product to the right location and customer in its original condition, which normally requires the supply chain to be both secure and ultra-efficient. The latest camera technology and intelligent software algorithms can analyze footage directly on the camera – detecting a damaged package at the loading dock before it is loaded onto a truck for delivery. When shipments come in, smart cameras can also alert drivers of empty loading bays available for offloading or alert facility staff of potential blockages or hazards for incoming and outgoing vehicles that could delay delivery schedules planned down to the minute. For monitoring and detecting specific vehicles, computer vision in combination with video analysis enables security cameras to streamline access control measures with license plate recognition. Smart cameras equipped with this technology can identify incoming and outgoing trucks - ensuring that only authorized vehicles gain access to transfer points or warehouses. Enhance regulatory safety measures in industrial settings  Smart surveillance and AI-enabled applications can be used to ensure compliance with organizational or regulatory safety measures in industrial environments. Object detection apps can identify if employees are wearing proper safety gear, such as facial coverings, hard hats, or lifting belts. Similar to the prevention of break-ins and theft, cameras equipped with behavior detection can help to automatically recognize accidents at an early stage. For example, if a worker falls to the ground or is hit by a falling object, the system recognizes this as unusual behavior and reports it immediately. Going beyond employee safety is the ability to use this technology for vital preventative maintenance on machinery and structures. A camera can identify potential safety hazards, such as a loose cable causing sparks, potential wiring hazards, or even detect defects in raw materials. Other more subtle changes, such as gradual structural shifts/crack or increases in vibrations – ones that would take the human eye months or years to discover – are detectable by smart cameras trained to detect the first signs of mechanical deterioration that could potentially pose a physical safety risk to people or assets. Early recognition of fire and smoke is another use case where industrial decision-makers can find value. Conventional fire alarms are often difficult to properly mount in buildings or outdoor spaces and they require a lot of maintenance. Smart security cameras can be deployed in difficult or hard-to-reach areas. When equipped with fire detection applications, they can trigger notification far earlier than a conventional fire alarm – as well as reduce false alarms by distinguishing between smoke, fog, or other objects that trigger false alarms. By digitizing analog environments, whether a smoke detector or an analog pressure gauge, decision-makers will have access to a wealth of data for analysis that will enable them to optimize highly technical processes along different stages of manufacturing - as well as ensure employee safety and security of industrial assets and resources. Looking forward to the future of smart surveillance With the rise of automation in all three of these markets, from intelligent shelving systems in warehouses to autonomous-driving trucks, object detection for security threats, and the use of AI in monitoring agricultural crops and livestock, the overall demand for computer vision and video analytics will continue to grow. That is why now is the best time for decision-makers across a number of industries to examine their current infrastructure and determine if they are ready to make an investment in a sustainable, multi-use, and long-term security and business optimization solution.

The sound of sirens in the distance is commonplace, nowadays. Whether related to a medical emergency or everyday crimes, such as theft, property crimes, and so on, we’re all accustomed to hearing these sirens by now. It is worth noting that many incidents that police respond to take place at night. According to a recent report by the Sleep Judge, more than half of murders, manslaughter, sexual assaults, robberies, aggravated assaults and motor vehicle thefts happen long after the sun has set. To anyone looking to address the round-the-clock security challenge, deploying the most comprehensive surveillance solution is a must, and this means, looking at the instrumental role illumination plays in video capture. Limitations of Traditional Video Surveillance If surveillance cameras can’t be used to prevent, detect and/or resolve crimes that occur in these areas, the entire security operation is obsolete For surveillance cameras relying on video analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) to deliver functionalities such as facial recognition, license plate reading and motion detection, nighttime crimes can pose something of a problem. Without adequate illumination, images from video cameras are grainy and unusable. Without proper lighting, potential criminals and moving objects essentially become indistinguishable, at night, thereby inhibiting even the most advanced security technologies. This limitation of traditional surveillance technology not only hinders immediate police response, but it also stops crime investigations dead in their tracks. Often, without video evidence that is clear and discernible, conviction in a court of law is next to impossible. A common response to this issue is to place security cameras near streetlights or well-lit areas. After all, according to NPR, street lights are effective in deterring crime,  as “there are people — neighbors, pedestrians or police — to actually see suspicious activity.” However, even if streetside and primary entrances are well lit, the areas that still need most to be surveilled are rear or side doorways shrouded by darkness, unlit back alleys, and so on. If surveillance cameras can’t be used to prevent, detect and resolve crimes that occur in these areas, the entire security operation is obsolete. Best-in-class security solutions must be able to see everything, day and night. A Purpose-Designed Solution to the Problem Addressing this issue is easier than you might think. Much like a human eye needs some sort of light to “see,” so does video surveillance technology. Integrating external illuminators into a security solution can optimize camera performance exponentially, expanding a camera’s video capture and coverage abilities and ensuring the operation of video analytics, day and night. Opting for an external illuminator allows system integrators to select a device that matches the exact emission range of a camera’s field of view (FOV). The result is an evenly lit visual field, where captured images are clear and effective for security purposes. The two most common options available to integrators include infrared (IR) and white light illuminators. Each technology is built to optimize particular deployments, depending on their needs. Infrared Versus White Light IR illuminators emit IR light, which is invisible to the human eye and perfect for covert surveillance operations. When cameras need to be able to detect potential threats over long distances, IR illuminators are perfect for the job as they typically have longer emission ranges. IR illuminators are optimal for surveillance operations in license plate recognition, border patrol, safe cities, theme park, and medical sleep lab applications. If an end user needs to implement full-color video analytics for identification purposes, such as facial, object and license plate recognition, white light illuminators are undoubtedly an integrator’s best bet. IR illumination and traditional thermal security cameras, after all, are only able to provide black-and-white images, whereas object recognition software often identifies objects based on their color. White light illuminators installed alongside AI-powered surveillance cameras enable enhanced video image clarity, which, optimizes video analytics performance. When customers want to physically deter suspicious activity, deploying white light illuminators is effective. A recent study out of Crime Labs New York found that businesses that deployed visible lights to deter crime “experienced crime rates that were significantly lower,” which “led to a 36 percent reduction in ‘index crimes’”. On top of all this, LED based white lights operate at low running costs and typically have long lifespans, saving end users thousands of dollars a year in energy costs without having to sacrifice surveillance optimization. External Versus Built-In Illumination Security customers looking to use lighting to deter crime and improve the performance of video surveillance may consider “all-in-one" solutions, as some cameras have LEDs (light emitting diodes) built into them. These LEDs typically encircle the lens and therefore shed light in whatever direction the camera is pointed. However convenient these may seem, built-in illumination can cause problems.Cameras deployed without proper illumination are rendered blind, especially at night First, LEDs built into cameras and next to other electronic components often cause heat to build up, which attracts insects that can trigger motion detection and obstruct a camera’s view. This heat buildup also shortens the LED lights lifespan. Built-in LEDs also tend to create “hot spots” with glare and reflection back into the camera, often because these lights only cover a 30-degree field of view (FOV), even though the average camera’s FOV is 90 degrees. This issue can severely limit a camera’s visibility, essentially rendering those remaining 60 degrees dark and unusable. All in all, when integrating lighting solutions into your security deployment, a cost-effective solution that enhances a camera’s video capture and coverage abilities, are external illuminators because they offer flexible choices of field of view and distances. Best-in-Class Solution When it comes to criminal conviction in a court of law, “seeing really is believing.” Cameras deployed without proper illumination are rendered blind, especially at night, just as any security officer would be when patrolling the same unlit area. To guarantee end users the most reliable and highest performing security solution, consider integrating best-in-class illumination into your offerings.

Urban populations are expanding rapidly around the globe, with an expected growth of 1.56 billion by 2040. As the number of people living and working in cities continues to grow, the ability to keep everyone safe is an increasing challenge. However, technology companies are developing products and solutions with these futuristic cities in mind, as the reality is closer than you may think. Solutions that can help to watch over public places and share data insights with city workers and officials are increasingly enabling smart cities to improve the experience and safety of the people who reside there. Rising scope of 5G, AI, IoT and the Cloud The main foundations that underpin smart cities are 5G, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and the Internet of Things (IoT) and the Cloud. Each is equally important, and together, these technologies enable city officials to gather and analyze more detailed insights than ever before. For public safety in particular, having IoT and cloud systems in place will be one of the biggest factors to improving the quality of life for citizens. Smart cities have come a long way in the last few decades, but to truly make a smart city safe, real-time situational awareness and cross-agency collaboration are key areas which must be developed as a priority. Innovative surveillance cameras with integrated IoT Public places need to be safe, whether that is an open park, shopping center, or the main roads through towns Public places need to be safe, whether that is an open park, shopping center, or the main roads through towns. From dangerous drivers to terrorist attacks, petty crime on the streets to high profile bank robberies, innovative surveillance cameras with integrated IoT and cloud technologies can go some way to helping respond quickly to, and in some cases even prevent, the most serious incidents. Many existing safety systems in cities rely on aging and in some places legacy technology, such as video surveillance cameras. Many of these also use on-premises systems rather than utilising the benefits of the cloud. Smart programming to deliver greater insights These issues, though not creating a major problem today, do make it more challenging for governments and councils to update their security. Changing every camera in a city is a huge undertaking, but in turn, doing so would enable all cameras to be connected to the cloud, and provide more detailed information which can be analyzed by smart programming to deliver greater insights. The physical technologies that are currently present in most urban areas lack the intelligent connectivity, interoperability and integration interfaces that smart cities need. Adopting digital technologies isn’t a luxury, but a necessity. Smart surveillance systems It enables teams to gather data from multiple sources throughout the city in real-time, and be alerted to incidents as soon as they occur. Increased connectivity and collaboration ensures that all teams that need to be aware of a situation are informed instantly. For example, a smart surveillance system can identify when a road accident has occurred. It can not only alert the nearest ambulance to attend the scene, but also the local police force to dispatch officers. An advanced system that can implement road diversions could also close roads around the incident immediately and divert traffic to other routes, keeping everyone moving and avoiding a build-up of vehicles. This is just one example: without digital systems, analyzing patterns of vehicle movements to address congestion issues could be compromised, as would the ability to build real-time crime maps and deploy data analytics which make predictive policing and more effective crowd management possible. Cloud-based technologies Cloud-based technologies provide the interoperability, scalability and automation Cloud-based technologies provide the interoperability, scalability and automation that is needed to overcome the limitations of traditional security systems. Using these, smart cities can develop a fully open systems architecture that delivers interoperation with both local and other remote open systems. The intelligence of cloud systems can not only continue to allow for greater insights as technology develops over time, but it can do so with minimal additional infrastructure investment. Smart surveillance in the real world Mexico City has a population of almost 9 million people, but if you include the whole metropolitan area, this number rises sharply to over 21 million in total, making it one of the largest cities on the planet. Seven years ago, the city first introduced its Safe City initiative, and ever since has been developing newer and smarter ways to keep its citizens safe. In particular, its cloud-based security initiative is making a huge impact. Over the past three years, Mexico City has installed 58,000 new video surveillance cameras throughout the city, in public spaces and on transport, all of which are connected to the City’s C5 (Command, Control, Computers, Communications and Citizen Contact) facility. Smart Cities operations The solution enables officers as well as the general public to upload videos via a mobile app to share information quickly, fixed, body-worn and vehicle cameras can also be integrated to provide exceptional insight into the city’s operations. The cloud-based platform can easily be upgraded to include the latest technology innovations such as license plate reading, behavioral analysis software, video analytics and facial recognition software, which will all continue to bring down crime rates and boost response times to incidents. The right cloud approach Making the shift to cloud-based systems enables smart cities to eliminate dependence on fiber-optic connectivity and take advantage of a variety of Internet and wireless connectivity options that can significantly reduce application and communication infrastructure costs. Smart cities need to be effective in years to come, not just in the present day, or else officials have missed one of the key aspects of a truly smart city. System designers must build technology foundations now that can be easily adapted in the future to support new infrastructure as it becomes available. Open system architecture An open system architecture will also be vital for smart cities to enhance their operations For example, this could include opting for a true cloud application that can support cloud-managed local devices and automate their management. An open system architecture will also be vital for smart cities to enhance their operations and deliver additional value-add services to citizens as greater capabilities become possible in the years to come. The advances today in cloud and IoT technologies are rapid, and city officials and authorities have more options now to develop their smart cities than ever before and crucially, to use these innovations to improve public safety. New safety features Though implementing these cloud-based systems now requires investment, as new safety features are designed, there will be lower costs and challenges associated with introducing these because the basic infrastructure will already exist. Whether that’s gunshot detection or enabling the sharing of video infrastructure and data across multiple agencies in real time, smart video surveillance on cloud-based systems can bring a wealth of the new opportunities.

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

Artificial intelligence (AI) is expanding the capabilities of license plate readers and vehicle identification systems. Within a smart/safe city scenario, automatic license plate reader solutions are used to help analyze real-time video streams for site surveillance, inspection and public safety, and to offer actional information through a network of connected camera systems. Outside of law enforcement, this can include other public safety initiatives such as traffic tolls, car counting, and parking security. Vehicle recognition systems Rekor Systems is a provider of vehicle recognition systems in more than 60 countries Using AI to enable video cameras, Rekor Systems is a provider of vehicle recognition systems in more than 60 countries. Applications include security and surveillance, public safety, electronic toll collection, brand loyalty, parking operations, banking and insurance, logistics, and traffic management. AI allows Rekor’s products to recognize and read license plates, while also providing information about each vehicle, including color, make, year, and model. Rekor’s products are powered by OpenALPR software, an AI-based solution that enables any IP (internet protocol) surveillance camera to scan license plates and provide vehicle data including tag number, make, model, and color in real time with 99% accuracy, according to the company. Rekor’s products are powered by OpenALPR software Integrated solutions “Rekor's software started as an open source project, and we have done our best to keep the commercial software as open as possible,” says Rod Hillman, Chief Operating Officer, Rekor Systems. “One of the challenges we see with others in our space is a tendency to ‘close off’ and ‘silo’ their solutions. Our goal is to make it as simple as possible to deploy, integrate, and ultimately use.” Rekor has numerous application programming interfaces (APIs) and ways the solution can be integrated into partners' solutions with a software development kit (SDK). Rekor solutions can be purchased directly or through a worldwide partner network of integrators, wholesalers, and within integrated solutions such as Nokia's smart city platform. Electronic toll collection Rekor’s solutions have viable applications within multiple markets While many systems are hardware-based, Rekor’s software-as-a-solution offering can turn an IP camera into an automatic license plate reader. Rekor’s solutions have viable applications within multiple markets, including law enforcement, security and surveillance, electronic toll collection, parking operations, banking and insurance, logistics, traffic management, and customer experience. “Rekor offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional LPR systems with a much higher accuracy rate at 99% allowing more cameras to be present and active at any given time,” says Hillman. “Traditional LPRs need someone to go through hours of footage to find what they are looking for while Rekor’s technology will send alerts in real time, resulting in much quicker response times.” Move Over Camera mounts onto roadside worker’s vehicles to capture ‘Move Over’ violations Two-Part authentication Rekor’s products include: NUMERUS, a cloud-based solution for high-volume vehicle recognition, designed to reduce costs and increase efficiencies for the electronic toll collecting industry. Two-part authentication instantly identifies the vehicle’s make, model, color and body type along with the license plate read. Machine-learning-enabled software recognizes license plates from all 50 U.S. states, in addition to plates from more than 70 countries on six continents. Edge, an all-in-one camera and vehicle recognition system that instantly reads vehicle license plates, along with the vehicle’s make, model, color and body type. Move Over Camera, which mounts onto roadside worker’s vehicles (police, tow truck, etc.) to capture ‘Move Over’ violations. ‘Move Over’ laws state that vehicles must move over one lane and/or slow down if they cannot move over to avoid incident while roadside workers are in the shoulder lane. The camera can detect what lane vehicles are in and how fast they are moving. Violators are flagged in the system for law enforcement’s review.

The basic need for public safety is one of the biggest forces driving the adoption of smart city solutions: approaches that seek to solve urban challenges through technological means. The thinking behind these initiatives is that with enough internet connectivity and real-time data, surely environmental, social, economic, and public health issues should become more manageable. However, just adding more technology is not the whole answer. Although technology is necessary for an urban area to transition in to a safe and smart city, technology alone isn’t sufficient. Truly smart cities are savvy cities and that includes how they employ software, sensing, communications and other technologies to meet their needs. Cities need solutions that help find what you need and convert the ‘too much information’ into ‘actionable intelligence’ Some of those initiatives, however, like red light cameras or computerized flight passenger screening systems, have amounted to little more than ‘security theater’, which might waste limited resources and further delay the smart city transition due to over-hyped solutions and unrealistic projected return on investment. In other words, technology doesn’t necessarily result in more safety. But does this mean we are also more likely to quickly find what we need? Cities need solutions that help find what you need (e.g. a missing child or a suspect) and convert the ‘too much information’ into ‘actionable intelligence’. Data capture form to appear here! Better connectivity promotes safety There is a growing shift towards younger generations wanting to live in the city where they have access to public transportation, restaurants and entertainment. They also expect to live in a safer environment, and this is where the smart city approach comes into play with the introduction of WiFi in parks and public spaces, along with surveillance systems. These two solutions and services can now sit on the same network, thanks to better connectivity options and interference free solutions, such as mmWave wireless radios. Younger generations expect to live in a safer environment, and this is where the smart city approach comes into play with the introduction of WiFi in parks and public spaces, along with surveillance systems For example, Siklu Inc., a provider of mmWave wireless solutions, announces Smart City deployments based on Siklu’s broad E-band and V-band product portfolio previously reached, and now have likely surpassed, a milestone of 100 cities installed. Smart Cities, which were initially defined as municipalities connecting low data rate sensors for water, gas and more, have been evolving to demand high-capacity connectivity at gigabit-per-second speed. This high-bandwidth network infrastructure is needed to support new applications such as video security, public Wi-Fi backhaul, and private city network deployments. Linking AI and smart cities Dubai is an example of how artificial intelligence and smart city projects have become intrinsically linked. Under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, authorities in Dubai have set out to “make Dubai the happiest city on Earth” by adopting cutting-edge smart city initiatives. Dubai Police has launched a range of public safety initiatives including Smart Police iOS apps, traffic accident and location systems, and SOS apps for wearable devices. Dubai Police shows how artificial intelligence can power new Robocop prototypes – unarmed, life-sized patrolling robots carrying facial recognition software and automatic license plate recognition (ALPR). Authorities in Dubai have set out to “make Dubai the happiest city on Earth” by adopting cutting-edge smart city initiatives NVIDIA’s Metropolis™ intelligent video analytics platform is paving the way for the creation of AI cities. Metropolis Deep Learning makes cities safer and smarter by applying deep learning to video streams for applications such as public safety, traffic management and resource optimization. More than 50 NVIDIA AI city partner companies are already providing products and applications that use deep learning on GPUs. “Deep learning is enabling powerful intelligent video analytics that turn anonymized video into real-time valuable insights, enhancing safety and improving lives,” said Deepu Talla, vice president and general manager of the Tegra business at NVIDIA. “The NVIDIA Metropolis platform enables customers to put AI behind every video stream to create smarter cities.” Smarter access control in cities Advanced software suites can provide access to all operations performed by users A smart city is one that uses information and communication technologies to increase operational efficiency, share information with the public and improve both the quality of government services and resident welfare. Smart access control is an important step forward in providing technologically advanced security management and access solutions to support the ambitions of smart cities and their respectively smart industries. With high volumes of people entering and exiting different areas of the city, it is important to be able to trace who has been where, when and for how long. Advanced software suites can provide access to all operations performed by users, including a complete audit trail. This information is often used by business owners or managers for audits, improvements or compliance. Read parts two and three of our Smart Cities miniseries.

Just like other industries around the globe, the patience of parking operations management has been tested as the usage of parking facilities in urban and suburban settings fluctuated widely over the past year due to local health and safety and occupancy restrictions. As the overall industry looks to spring back from COVID-19 levels, it is also simultaneously looking to transition from traditional analog and on-premise managed operations to solutions that digitize parking operations and provide a more contactless experience. Parking management Investments in digital tools such as platforms that employ computer vision technologies are one solution helping to speed up this digitalization through better management of parking lot occupancy levels, eliminating paper ticketing systems, parking barriers, and other traditional physical elements of commercial parking. Using smart cameras  One area in particular gaining steam is the deployment of smart cameras, which can perform functions from license plate recognition to traffic flow detection and speed as well as a host of other utilities. These capabilities are particularly useful in surface lots and parking structures in environments such as airports and sporting venues, to large retail or corporate parking areas. Digital parking experience Munich-based Peter Park, a software developer of parking management solutions, has helped many parking operations begin to migrate to more sophisticated technologies by connecting different digital services such as payment apps, e-charging systems, and navigation providers to further increase security and automation. The company operates in more than 50 different sites throughout Germany and logs more than 25,000 transactions every day. Peter Park’s cloud-based offering is based on the use of license plate recognition technology (ANPR), which often requires specialized license plate recognition cameras to identify a specific vehicle, detect the duration of stay, and integrate with online payment systems for a fully digital parking experience. Flexibility in selection and functionality Instead of LPR cameras, the company is using new smart cameras with powerful microprocessors to fuel intelligent onboard analysis via multiple video analytics applications on the camera. Smart security cameras can provide parking operators with increased flexibility using an open IoT platform Based on an open IoT platform from Security & Safety Things, these cameras can be equipped and flexibly re-equipped with a variety of applications, including license plate recognition, analytics to detect the presence of smoke, fire, ice, and spills, or other hazards within the parking environment, and other ready to install applications that fit the most pressing needs of parking management.“We can not only use the best application for the computer vision task, but we can also pick and combine the best camera types of different suppliers for each setup, taking full use of the broad spectrum of different camera features such as zoom control, as an example,” said Maximilian Schlereth, CEO, and co-founder of Peter Park. Reduced maintenance costs The reduction or elimination of parking gates and ticketing machines can have positive impacts on staffing levels within parking management and drastically reduce hardware purchase and maintenance costs of the parking gates and ticketing devices. Smart vehicle routing Additionally, cameras outfitted with parking management apps can help to direct traffic flow by analyzing the queue of vehicles waiting to enter the facility and pairing them to available spaces or recognizing when a particular parking area is full. They can also assist in controlling the flow of traffic at peak times to prevent jams and long waits at exits or identify the vehicles of VIPs or season ticket holders at an event venue and route them accordingly to the appropriate parking lot. Parking lot monitoring Smart cameras can also help to manage people, providing valuable security and visitor management functions. Crowd detection analytics can detect the formation of a crowd in the stadium parking lot before it escalates into a post-game brawl, and people counting analytics can detect the number of occupants within each vehicle entering a parking area to better determine anticipated attendance of an event or daily occupancy level of a corporate office location. Analytics can also detect individuals holding weapons and selectively transmit related imagery to help remote operators or on-site security personnel assess and address the situation.

Midway Car Rental, the privately-owned car rental company in Southern California, caters to both an exclusive and expansive clientele, including VIPs, high-end hotels, and replacement vendors like dealerships and body shops. The company currently owns and operates 15 locations and has aggressive plans for expansion, with 6 or 7 more sites planned for this calendar year. Challenges faced With a portfolio that includes Ferraris, Lamborghinis, and Jaguars, Midway can have up to a million dollars of assets parked on any of its lots. Some of the company’s newest locations lack secure perimeter fencing. Sean Perez, Midway’s General Manager, says, “We needed to protect our vehicles, but even more importantly, we had to ensure the safety of our employees and clients.” The problem became acute when Midway opened a new location to provide loaner and replacement vehicles for an adjacent dealership partner. Prior to Midway’s arrival, the lot had been populated by vagrants and the homeless who would sleep in and around the cars parked there. “When we took over the property, we needed to provide a safe and secure environment where we could conduct business,” Perez explains. “There were issues with vandalism and graffiti. Some of the displaced homeless would get aggressive. We needed a proactive solution – a way to stop these incidents from happening rather than trying to prosecute the individuals after the damage was done.” Expansion opportunities Traditionally, Midway’s properties have been less exposed, with electronically secure gates or fences that restrict access. However, as Midway’s expansion plans include growing alignment with business partners like dealerships, many future sites will likely face similar security challenges. To address this situation, the company sought: A scalable system that could grow incrementally with Midway’s expansion Flexible technology that could be moved to new sites with minimal effort A technology partner capable of servicing and supporting a long-term solution The ability to outsource monitoring services in the near future “I tend to be conservative,” says Perez. “I wanted to start off slow and then, when comfortable that we’d found both the right partner and technology, have the ability to really scale up.” Solution recommended Midway Car Rental deployed ROSA units, ­Responsive Observation Security Agents, manufactured by Robotic Assistance Devices (RAD). “I have to tell you, I was a bit skeptical at first about these ROSA units,” says Perez. “You can stick an armed guard out there, but the idea that a technology device could provide both consistent monitoring and serve as a deterrent system seemed like a stretch. However, our two ROSAs are really helping us protect our assets. In very short order, our problem decreased and our situation has improved dramatically.” AI-based ROSA solution ROSA is a compact, self-contained, security and communication solution that can be deployed in about 15 minutes ROSA is a compact, self-contained, security and communication solution that can be deployed in about 15 minutes. Its AI-driven security systems include human and vehicle detection, license plate recognition, responsive digital signage and audio messaging, and complete integration with RAD’s software suite notification and response library. Two-way communication is optimized for cellular, including live video from ROSA’s dual high-resolution, full-color, always-on cameras. “The folks from RAD sent out an engineer to help us determine where to mount the ROSA units by identifying areas on our site that are most exposed to potential vandalism or other threats,” says Perez. The devices are highly visible, featuring scrolling LED text, colorful neon ribbons, and two video cameras. Automated detection and response ROSA may be programmed to display welcome messages or marketing messages during business hours, along with a reminder to visitors that the property is under surveillance. When it detects the motion of humans or vehicles on the lot, it sends an alert to Perez and his team along with an associated video clip, keeping them well informed of activity happening in real-time. During off-hours, ROSA's automated response kicks in. Its friendly daytime messaging is replaced with a more stern warning to trespassers. Upon detecting a human or moving vehicle, ROSA responds with flashing red lights and a visual warning to vacate the property immediately. If ROSA continues to detect a presence, more lights, sirens, and a pre-recorded audio message add a sense of urgency. Monitoring personnel, who have been alerted of the event and have access to live video, can also issue pointed commands over ROSA's loudspeaker. Ultimately, if the police must be summoned, the encounter has been thoroughly documented and recorded. Effective security Perez describes ROSA's effectiveness as a deterrent. "I've watched when people encounter the system. Initially, their reaction is one of shock and awe. When the unit goes off with its lights flashing and they hear those verbal commands, they’re terrified. They look like they've seen a ghost. Literally, in less than ten days after we put those things out, the word had spread to stay away. The vagrants were gone. It was like night and day." Independent monitoring Currently, Midway's management has chosen to monitor the system themselves. Perez explains, "Initially, I was getting alerts somewhat often, but they quickly tapered off. At this point, they're infrequent. With just these two units in place, plus two more scheduled to go up in Newport Beach in the coming weeks, we can handle the monitoring independently.” “Within the next year or two, as we open new locations and add more units, we'll take advantage of RAD's monitoring services. We had that in mind when we went this route – that with our continued growth, we would eventually leverage that option." Customer-friendly solution The system is very intuitive and customer-friendly "The system is very intuitive and customer-friendly," adds Perez. "I've used other systems that are really cumbersome. The RAD SOC dashboard is nothing like that. The ease-of-use is amazing." So is the deployment process. As ROSA requires nothing more than the power to operate, it is truly plugged and play. "We had them installed and received training all within a few hours on one day," says Perez. "We haven't run into any issues, but if we do, the relationship we've built with the RAD team is so good that I can call on them at any time for assistance. They are very, very customer-centric." Evaluating ROI Midway Car Rental quantifies the value ROSA delivers in several ways, including monetarily, a reduction in crime, and improved peace of mind. Perez elaborates, "Thanks to the ROSA units, we've addressed all sorts of issues. Damage to vehicles, graffiti on the exterior of the building, the homeless tampering with our electrical outlets to charge their phones, trash left around the property – that’s all gone since we put the ROSAs in. There are also important intangibles that you really can't put a price tag on, like an improvement in employee well-being and productivity because our staff now feels safe at work."    Easy installation RAD's cloud-based software simplifies the management of multi-site systems The system's scalability and flexibility ensure that Midway's investment will continue to pay dividends. Perez says, "We're growing so fast, we're trying to put flagpoles in the markets where we identify a need, but that doesn't mean we're locking ourselves into long-term leases." "Down the road, if we decide to move locations, our ROSAs move with us. We heavily factored their ability to easily install, uninstall, and re-install when deciding to go with this technology." Consistent with Midway's plans, RAD's cloud-based software simplifies the management of multi-site systems. As new Midway locations open and ROSA units are installed, management and monitoring of all devices can occur through one login to the centralized RAD SOC dashboard. Alert notifications include the location of the activated unit. RAD’s additional services In addition to ROSA, RAD offers a suite of other products that share the same platform for delivering automated remote services, including some that are more appropriate for indoor use. Should Midway encounter new security challenges in the future, they can expand their system with other RAD devices. "For now, ROSA is what fits our needs best, but I've seen some of those other units, and they look pretty cool," says Perez. ROSA subscription Midway uses the ROSA units through RAD's subscription model. The company pays low monthly tuition that covers unlimited use of the devices, software and software updates, maintenance, and technical support. Their out-of-pocket equals a small fraction of what hiring a security guard would cost. When asked whether Perez recommends the system to others, his answer is concise. "It's a no-brainer!" he laughs. "Knock-on-wood, we've been near without incident for the four months since the ROSAs went up. I attribute that to the units' effectiveness."

Midway Car Rental, the privately-owned car rental company in Southern California, caters to both an exclusive and expansive clientele, including VIPs, high-end hotels, and replacement vendors like dealerships and body shops. The company currently owns and operates 15 locations and has aggressive plans for expansion, with 6 or 7 more sites planned for this calendar year. The challenge With a portfolio that includes Ferraris, Lamborghinis, and Jaguars, Midway can have up to a million dollars of assets parked on any of its lots. Some of the company’s newest locations lack secure perimeter fencing. Sean Perez, Midway’s General Manager, says, “We needed to protect our vehicles, but even more importantly, we had to ensure the safety of our employees and clients.” The problem became acute when Midway opened a new location to provide loaner and replacement vehicles for an adjacent dealership partner. Prior to Midway’s arrival, the lot had been populated by vagrants and the homeless who would sleep in and around the cars parked there. “When we took over the property, we needed to provide a safe and secure environment where we could conduct business,” Perez explains. “There were issues with vandalism and graffiti. Some of the displaced homeless would get aggressive. We needed a proactive solution – a way to stop these incidents from happening rather than trying to prosecute the individuals after the damage was done.” Traditionally, Midway’s properties have been less exposed, with electronically secure gates or fences that restrict access. However, as Midway’s expansion plans include growing alignment with business partners like dealerships, many future sites will likely face similar security challenges. To address this situation, the company sought: A scalable system that could grow incrementally with Midway’s expansion Flexible technology that could be moved to new sites with minimal effort A technology partner capable of servicing and supporting a long-term solution The ability to outsource monitoring services in the near future The solution “I tend to be conservative,” says Perez. “I wanted to start off slow and then, when comfortable that we’d found both the right partner and technology, have the ability to really scale up.” Midway Car Rental deployed ROSA units, ¬Responsive Observation Security Agents, manufactured by Robotic Assistance Devices (RAD). “I have to tell you, I was a bit skeptical at first about these ROSA units,” says Perez. “You can stick an armed guard out there, but the idea that a technology device could provide both consistent monitoring and serve as a deterrent system seemed like a stretch. However, our two ROSAs are really helping us protect our assets. In very short order, our problem decreased and our situation has improved dramatically.” About ROSA ROSA is a compact, self-contained, security and communication solution that can be deployed in about 15 minutes ROSA is a compact, self-contained, security and communication solution that can be deployed in about 15 minutes. Its AI-driven security systems include human and vehicle detection, license plate recognition, responsive digital signage and audio messaging, and complete integration with RAD’s software suite notification and response library. Two-way communication is optimized for cellular, including live video from ROSA’s dual high-resolution, full-color, always-on cameras. “The folks from RAD sent out an engineer to help us determine where to mount the ROSA units by identifying areas on our site that are most exposed to potential vandalism or other threats,” says Perez. The devices are highly visible, featuring scrolling LED text, colorful neon ribbons, and two video cameras. ROSA may be programmed to display welcome messages or marketing messages during business hours, along with a reminder to visitors that the property is under surveillance. When it detects the motion of humans or vehicles on the lot, it sends an alert to Perez and his team along with an associated video clip, keeping them well informed of activity happening in real-time. Functions During off-hours, ROSA's automated response kicks in. Its friendly daytime messaging is replaced with a more stern warning to trespassers. Upon detecting a human or moving vehicle, ROSA responds with flashing red lights and a visual warning to vacate the property immediately. If ROSA continues to detect a presence, more lights, sirens, and a pre-recorded audio message add a sense of urgency. Monitoring personnel, who have been alerted of the event and have access to live video, can also issue pointed commands over ROSA's loudspeaker. Ultimately, if the police must be summoned, the encounter has been thoroughly documented and recorded. Perez describes ROSA's effectiveness as a deterrent. "I've watched when people encounter the system. Initially, their reaction is one of shock and awe. When the unit goes off with its lights flashing and they hear those verbal commands, they’re terrified. They look like they've seen a ghost. Literally, in less than ten days after we put those things out, the word had spread to stay away. The vagrants were gone. It was like night and day." Intuitive and customer-friendly Currently, Midway's management has chosen to monitor the system themselves. Perez explains, "Initially, I was getting alerts somewhat often, but they quickly tapered off. At this point, they're infrequent. With just these two units in place, plus two more scheduled to go up in Newport Beach in the coming weeks, we can handle the monitoring independently. Within the next year or two, as we open new locations and add more units, we'll take advantage of RAD's monitoring services. We had that in mind when we went this route – that with our continued growth, we would eventually leverage that option." "The system is very intuitive and customer-friendly," adds Perez. "I've used other systems that are really cumbersome. The RAD SOC dashboard is nothing like that. The ease-of-use is amazing." So is the deployment process. As ROSA requires nothing more than power to operate, it is truly plug and play. "We had them installed and received training all within a few hours on one day," says Perez. "We haven't run into any issues, but if we do, the relationship we've built with the RAD team is so good that I can call on them at any time for assistance. They are very, very customer-centric." Evaluating ROI Midway Car Rental quantifies the value ROSA delivers in several ways, including monetarily, a reduction in crime, and improved peace of mind. Perez elaborates, "Thanks to the ROSA units, we've addressed all sorts of issues. Damage to vehicles, graffiti on the exterior of the building, the homeless tampering with our electrical outlets to charge their phones, trash left around the property – that’s all gone since we put the ROSAs in. There are also important intangibles that you really can't put a price tag on, like an improvement in employee well-being and productivity because our staff now feels safe at work." RAD's cloud-based software simplifies the management of multi-site systems The system's scalability and flexibility ensure that Midway's investment will continue to pay dividends. Perez says, "We're growing so fast, we're trying to put flagpoles in the markets where we identify a need, but that doesn't mean we're locking ourselves into long-term leases. Down the road, if we decide to move locations, our ROSAs move with us. We heavily factored their ability to easily install, uninstall, and re-install when deciding to go with this technology." Consistent with Midway's plans, RAD's cloud-based software simplifies the management of multi-site systems. As new Midway locations open and ROSA units are installed, management and monitoring of all devices can occur through one login to the centralized RAD SOC dashboard. Alert notifications include the location of the activated unit. RAD’s suite of products In addition to ROSA, RAD offers a suite of other products that share the same platform for delivering automated remote services, including some that are more appropriate for indoor use. Should Midway encounter new security challenges in the future, they can expand their system with other RAD devices. "For now, ROSA is what fits our needs best, but I've seen some of those other units, and they look pretty cool," says Perez." Midway uses the ROSA units through RAD's subscription model. The company pays a low monthly fee that covers unlimited use of the devices, software and software updates, maintenance, and technical support. Their out-of-pocket equals a small fraction of what hiring a security guard would cost. When asked whether Perez recommends the system to others, his answer is concise. "It's a no-brainer!" he laughs. "Knock-on-wood, we've been nearly without incident for the four months since the ROSAs went up. I attribute that to the units' effectiveness."

The Tatua Co-operative Dairy Company manufactures markets and sells specialized dairy ingredients and food products, 90% of which are exported around the world. Tatua’s security system was recently upgraded to ensure world-class access control and boundary security that enhanced Tatua’s globally recognized food safety and quality program. This upgrade has provided additional assurances for customers who purchase the company’s food and ingredient products. Layered security solution At its manufacturing site at Tatuanui, near Morrinsville in New Zealand’s dairying region, Tatua invested in a layered security solution, protecting the site from the outside in. The Gallagher monitored pulse fence acts to deter and defend against would-be intruders. Inside the facility, a range of access control products are used to ensure people entering the facility are who they should be, and have current Health & Safety site induction competencies. This allows them authorization to work on-site and, if required, in specific production areas. Tatua operates 24/7 and has 370 employees, over 1300 inducted contractors, and numerous trucks and milk tankers accessing the site daily. It is crucial the access control system can perform several functions to ensure the site is safe and secure. Integrated security The Gallagher system can integrate with multiple security products from CCTV to biometric readers Integration was a key factor when choosing a Gallagher system. Projects Engineer, Grant Webb, said, “We have multiple areas which need specific security requirements. As the Gallagher system can integrate with multiple security products ranging from CCTV to biometric readers, it ensures the right people have the right access to specific areas on site.” Fingerprint recognition Morpho fingerprint readers provide primary access onto the site and into buildings. As there are so many people on-site, and because contractors can change on a regular basis, fingerprint readers eliminate the need for access cards, which saves both time and money. It also reduces the need for anyone entering production areas to carry an access card, which is a potential source of product contamination. License plate recognition Milestone License Plate Recognition (LPR) is used at the three entrance gates to the tanker bay. Details of the tankers delivering milk and chemicals to the site are loaded into the CCTV system interface. This links to the Gallagher Command Center, so when a tanker arrives at a gate, the LPR system identifies the pre-registered license plate. This feeds back to Command Center and grants access to approved vehicles. “There are over 60 tankers registered, that previously had key fobs that would go missing with no record of who held the fob,” says Webb. “LPR makes the delivery of milk and chemicals more efficient and has eliminated the need for swipe card readers and mounting posts that would traditionally be required to gain entry to this area.” Command center The milk testing system in the tanker bay has been integrated into Command Center. The hoses in the bay are always locked. When a tanker arrives, the driver first completes an inhibitory substance test on a load of milk. If the milk test is clear, the Gallagher system releases the locks on the milk inlet hoses via integration with the site’s supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system, programmable logic controller (PLC), and milk testing system. If the test is positive, an external alarm is raised within the SCADA system, and the hoses remain locked so milk can’t be delivered. This mitigates milk contamination and improves product safety. PLC system integration The integration with the PLC system has allowed the Command Center lockdown feature to be enabled within the tanker bay Further integration with the site PLC system has allowed the Command Center lockdown feature to be enabled within the tanker bay. So, when clean-in-place (CIP) cleaning is active, the area is automatically placed into lockdown. This excludes trucks and personnel from entering the area when dangerous chemicals and hot water are being used. Window button integration Forklift entry into warehouses is access controlled via Nedap Window Button integration with Command Center. The Nedap system provides a long-range vehicle identification tag for secure vehicle access to major airlocks into manufacturing plants, where forklifts deliver raw goods and ingredients. This system ensures that only authorized forklift drivers can open the airlock. The doors on either side of the airlocks are controlled via interlock door rules created in Command Center. The interlock rules only allow one door to be open at a time, thereby maintaining the integrity of the hygiene zone of the manufacturing plant. Both of these systems help mitigate product safety risks on site. Simplifying security processes Department employees also find the personal data fields important for recording health and safety qualifications, such as working at heights. When a contractor arrives, staff can check the contractor has the right qualifications to work in the area they are entering. Contractor management  When the site induction competency is due to expire, the contractor receives an SMS notification. Their supervisor will also receive an email. Another feature of the Gallagher system that Tatua uses is the reporting function. This is used as part of the company’s ongoing contractor management. The use of a QR code for preregistered visits and visitor passes makes the sign in and sign out process very quick and simple A separate report is sent to each company with an inducted employee, to advise contractor managers/ supervisors on the induction status of their employees, which are emailed out on a monthly basis. This ensures the contracting companies have people with authorized access to the site and allows them to schedule their own re-inductions when required. Reporting is also used to check activity at the monitored pulse fence. Visitor management A visitor management kiosk is located at the main reception for all visitor registrations. It requires all visitors to read and accept Tatua’s terms and conditions of entry, including Health and Safety rules before a visitor pass is issued. Once signed in, the Tatua host receives an automatic SMS and email notification of their visitor’s arrival. “The use of a QR code for preregistered visits and visitor passes makes the sign in and sign out process very quick and simple,” says Webb. Multiple levels of security Webb concludes, “Our security solution from Gallagher offers so much more than access control. Integration is key to ensuring we add multiple levels of security in areas such as delivery and dispatch, milk collection, and more. This ensures the site runs smoothly, minimizing health and safety risks to employees and contractors, and maintaining quality and product safety standards.”

Johan Cruijff ArenA will utilize innovative video analytics to improve visitor flow, optimize parking utilization and offer fans an anonymous way to provide feedback about the stadium experience, among other uses. The Security & Safety Things IoT platform for smart cameras will integrate into the ArenA’s operational software to provide key insights into stadium operations and ongoing health and safety measures, especially useful since the pandemic. The partnership will provide a potential model for other organizations looking to deploy technology solutions to safely reopen. IoT platform for smart cameras Security and Safety Things GmbH and the Johan Cruijff ArenA are partnering up and will deploy S&STs IoT platform for smart surveillance cameras to enhance overall fan experience, optimize ArenA operations and increase visitor security and privacy. The ArenA is home to AFC Ajax and the internationally renowned Amsterdam Innovation ArenA (AIA), a living lab established by the ArenA and the City of Amsterdam to enable development and testing of innovative stadium and smart city solutions. Security & Safety Things IoT platform S&ST IoT platform and network of cameras is integrated into the ArenA’s dashboard software The Security & Safety Things (S&ST) IoT platform and network of cameras is integrated into the ArenA’s dashboard software to provide information and analysis for safety and security as well optimization of stadium operations and visitor engagement. “Every technology selected for our innovation environment is strategic because of the potential benefits not only to our ArenA, but to the City of Amsterdam and other stadiums and large event venues seeking technological solutions to help to re-open safely and operate their facility more intelligently,” said Sander van Stiphout, Director International, Johan Cruijff ArenA. Sander van Stiphout adds, “The unique flexibility of the Security & Safety Things approach enables us to simultaneously deploy COVID-19 health and safety analytics along with business optimization tools and easily re-equip the cameras with other analytic applications as our needs change.” AI-enabled video analytic applications A series of smart cameras on the S&ST IoT platform are installed in key areas throughout the stadium. Using specialized, Artificial Intelligence-enabled video analytic applications from the S&ST Application Store that run directly on each camera, each device will provide the ArenA with valuable operational insights. When the stadium reopens, crowd detection analytics will monitor social distancing compliance and visitor flow around entrances and food or merchandise kiosks. License plate recognition cameras will assist with real-time occupancy monitoring for parking and traffic flow optimization. Queue detection applications Queue detection applications can be employed to reduce visitor wait times by directing fans to less busy areas and by providing the insights required to optimize staffing levels at peak times. In one specific area, a camera also provides the ability for visitors to provide feedback about their stadium experience in an anonymous and contact-free way by detecting the visual of a ‘thumbs-up’ or ‘thumbs-down’ from a visitor, collecting only the rating without disrupting people flow. Smart camera platform We’re honored to be joining the Johan Cruijff ArenA as an innovation partner" “The flexibility of our smart camera platform and the ArenA’s mission of innovation are very well matched to produce the intelligence necessary to address real world issues of privacy, health and safety but also new and creative ideas for stadium and event management,” said Hartmut Schaper, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Security & Safety Things GmbH. Hartmut adds, “We’re honored to be joining the Johan Cruijff ArenA as an innovation partner and to help them provide a seamless and safe visitor experience.” Smart surveillance camera system The camera system and how it is used complies with all European and Dutch privacy regulations. Furthermore, there are various advantages to this camera system, when it comes to privacy. These cameras are equipped with powerful processors that analyze the images directly on the camera, reducing the need for a constant video stream to be passed on to a central location, where it can be monitored or further processed. Instead, the cameras can be configured to send only the information about relevant events such as when a long queue is forming, groups of people gather too closely, or individuals are not wearing face coverings as required. Only then will respective images be passed along. This reduces the processing of visitors’ personal information to an absolute minimum as opposed to a traditional set-up where all footage is transmitted and centrally processed at all times.

The city of Arnhem has chosen Nedap to regulate vehicle flows and to provide a seamless vehicle access experience in its city center. Due to the increase in the number of vehicles in the city center, it was a challenge for Arnhem to ensure that the traffic flow runs smoothly and safely, to keep the historic and tourist center accessible and livable. Vehicle identification solutions With the implementation of Nedap’s vehicle identification solutions, authorized vehicles and drivers can access the city in a safe and seamless way. The combination with Nedap’s MOOV City Access software ensures that vehicle access in the city center easily can be regulated. The city of Arnhem wants to regulate vehicle access to the center and ensure only authorized vehicles can enter The city of Arnhem is located in the east of the Netherlands. Because of the historical center, cultural sights and a wide range of entertainment facilities, it is also an attractive city for tourists. To ensure that the city center remains traffic and pedestrian friendly, the city of Arnhem wants to regulate vehicle access to the center and ensure only authorized vehicles can enter. MOOV City Access platform By limiting traffic flows, the narrow streets in the historic center of Arnhem turned into an attractive and safe public place for pedestrians and cyclists, creating a livable city. The city of Arnhem has chosen Nedap for its MOOV City Access platform combined with its advanced solutions for automatic vehicle identification, based on long-range RFID (Radiofrequency Identification) and ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) technology. Authorized vehicle access in specific zones The solution is supplied and installed by Nedap’s partner - ST&D. Nedap’s MOOV City Access platform is implemented to control vehicle access in specific zones. With this, Arnhem ensures that only authorized vehicles can enter these zones and only if they have permission to do so. With the implementation of RFID readers and ANPR cameras, vehicles can be identified from a long distance, ensuring automated and safe vehicle throughput. Nedap’s long-range RFID solution, TRANSIT will be used to ensure that local residents, emergency vehicles, licensed taxis and municipal services have easy access to the city center, without compromising on safety. TRANSIT long-range RFID solution Authorized vehicles equipped with a RFID tag will have fast access at vehicle entrances TRANSIT is a proven technology that enables highly secure identification and tracking of vehicles and drivers, up to a distance of 10 meters. Authorized vehicles equipped with a RFID tag will have fast access at vehicle entrances, without the need to stop. The all-in-one license plate camera, ANPR Lumo will grant access to vehicles based on their license plate number. License plate recognition is a perfect solution for specific user groups or situations, in which vehicles require access temporarily or incidentally to the city center. For example, retail delivery trucks can be given access at pre-defined locations, assigned days and time zones, regulating vehicle access to the city by reason. Digitization of city access “By choosing and implementing Nedap’s MOOV City Access platform in combination with Nedap’s license plate recognition solution, we have taken a major step in the further digitization of our city access in Arnhem,” said Hans ten Barge, Chain Director Parking at the Municipality of Arnhem. Nedap Identification Systems is a specialist in Automatic Vehicle Identification and Vehicle Access Control solutions, for over the past decades. Nedap has developed a unique portfolio of proven long-range RFID and ANPR solutions that enable seamless third-party system integration. Vehicles and drivers are identified automatically, securing a free-flow yet highly secure vehicle access experience. MOOV City Access is Nedap’s vehicle access control solution, specifically designed for regulating vehicle flows in inner cities. MOOV’s hardware and software are compatible with Nedap’s RFID readers and ANPR cameras. This complete solution ensures a livable and safe city.

Artificial intelligence is more than just the latest buzzword in the security marketplace. In some cases, smarter computer technologies like AI and machine learning (ML) are helping to transform how security operates. AI is also expanding the industry’s use cases, sometimes even beyond the historic province of the security realm. It turns out that AI is also a timely tool in the middle of a global pandemic. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: How is artificial intelligence (AI) changing the security market?

Public spaces provide soft targets and are often the sites of terrorist or active shooter attacks. Public spaces, by definition, require easy accessibility and unrestricted movement. Given that openness, what security technologies can provide real results? We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: How is technology innovation impacting the security of public spaces?

The new school year is a good time to reflect on the role of security in protecting our schools. From video to access control to some newer technologies, our Expert Panel Roundtable found plenty to talk about when we asked this week’s question: How does security technology make our schools safer?