Retail surveillance

March Networks, a global provider of advanced video surveillance and video-based business intelligence solutions, is pleased to announce its complete lineup for Global Security Exchange (GSX) 2018. In addition to the company’s industry-leading solutions for financial, retail and transportation organizations, March Networks will showcase its newly launched Software as a Service (SaaS) offering for quick service restaurant (QSR) and convenience store (c-store) franchisees, as well as its seed-to-sale tracking and compliance solution for the cannabis market. It will also demonstrate its mobile RideSafe MT Series video recording platform for enhanced security and risk mitigation in college and healthcare transit applications. All March Networks products and services deliver the exceptional reliability, scalability and enterprise-class video management customers have come to expect from the brand. They reflect March Networks’ long-standing commitment to developing intelligent video solutions that help solve everyday business challenges in customer service, corporate compliance and operations, in addition to security and loss/fraud prevention. March Networks Searchlight For Retail As A Service GSX will be the first opportunity for show attendees to see March Networks Searchlight for Retail as a Service GSX will be the first opportunity for show attendees to see March Networks Searchlight for Retail as a Service. The secure, hosted service delivers all the benefits of March Networks’ powerful Searchlight for Retail solution – including loss prevention, data analytics and operational audits reporting – for an average cost of just $4 a day. The service is easy to deploy and eliminates the need for franchise owners to purchase and maintain servers within their own IT infrastructure. It includes all software licensing, and the administration of camera and recorder processing, health management, user management and software upgrades, performed by March Networks Network Operations Center staff working in cooperation with certified systems integrators. Seed-to-Sale Security And Tracking March Networks will also demonstrate its industry-leading solution for the cannabis industry at GSX. The solution provides enhanced seed-to-sale security, tracking and compliance at every stage in the process – from the cultivation facility, in transit and through to the dispensary. It includes purpose-built video recording and management systems to ensure clear surveillance video is reliably captured and stored as long as required under government legislation. Uniquely, the solution also integrates video with data from fixed Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags – which are required by law throughout the cultivation process in some U.S. states – and point-of-sale (POS) systems used in dispensaries. The video and data are correlated in March Networks Searchlight for Retail software, providing operators with advanced search, investigation, loss prevention and reporting capabilities. RideSafe MT Series IP Recorders The mobile recorders can be managed seamlessly with March Networks Command Enterprise video management software The newest addition to March Networks’ transit portfolio will also be on display at GSX. The RideSafe MT Series IP Recorders address a common gap for college, healthcare and other campuses operating shuttle or transport services. The compact recording platform is ruggedized to ensure reliable operation in demanding mobile environments and enables automated video downloads over WiFi, 4G and other wireless networks to keep vehicles in service longer. Equally important, the mobile recorders can be managed seamlessly with March Networks Command Enterprise video management software in parallel with the company’s entire fixed video recording portfolio – giving customers a single, end-to-end video solution that simplifies system administration and management significantly. All visitors attending the show in search of proven video surveillance systems and differentiated solutions that deliver relevant video-based business intelligence for their broader organization, are invited to see March Networks in Booth 3515 at GSX 2018, September 25-27, in the Las Vegas Convention Center.

As video surveillance has become a common means of protecting businesses and their customers and visitors, scalability of video systems has become a major challenge, both for supporting more types and quantity of cameras and for storing ever-increasing amounts of video data. The new combined solution from NETGEAR and Arcus Global Inc., makes it possible for SMBs — such as cafes, pre-schools, small hotels, independent retailers, small offices, and property management firms, among others — to meet their needs of physical security with minimal investment, effort, and total ownership cost. ReadyNAS At NETGEAR “Smaller businesses have to wrestle with video surveillance scalability and data reliability just as large organizations do, but often find that current solutions are too difficult to install, too expensive to acquire, or have too few features and too little capacity,” said Doug Cheung, senior product line manager for ReadyNAS at NETGEAR. “We’re very pleased to team with the Arcus Global team, a recognized innovator in video surveillance, to offer SMBs a seamless, cost-effective solution to this challenge.” Milestone Arcus on ReadyNAS is a world-class IP video surveillance solution for small and medium size businesses Milestone Arcus on ReadyNAS is a world-class IP video surveillance solution for small and medium size businesses, ranging from a family retail store with eight cameras to a large residential apartment building with 100 cameras. This unique, ultra-scalable solution offers total protection of business assets and can be set up and in operation within minutes, without additional training. Milestone Arcus The free downloadable app runs on all NETGEAR business-class ReadyNAS models, offering: Support for up to 100 high-definition high frame rate IP cameras, which can be easily expanded through the addition of NETGEAR Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) switches to provide power to those cameras at a distance; Highest storage capacity ranging from two to 60 bays, capable of handling continuous video recording from several weeks to over a year; Superior data retention with unique five levels of data protection against hardware failures and virus attacks, and hybrid remote NAS and cloud backup for multiple sites. Business users enjoy premium video surveillance features such as automatic camera discovery, PTZ controls, motion detection Business users enjoy premium video surveillance features such as automatic camera discovery, PTZ controls, motion detection, anywhere access to video feeds for live view and playback, and easy export for forensic evidence and investigation. Video Data Retention In addition to performing the video management functions, the ReadyNAS continues to operate as a standard network attached storage solution In addition to performing the video management functions, the ReadyNAS continues to operate as a standard network attached storage solution. Its full ReadyNAS OS feature set includes ReadyDR (disaster recovery) so businesses can meet the most stringent legal and commercial requirements for video data retention. NETGEAR offers multiple hardware models of ReadyNAS to meet the performance and storage needs of any SMB. There are desktop and rackmount options with capacity up to 60 bays, supporting extended surveillance video retention, depending on number and type of camera and the duration of time that video data needs to be kept. NETGEAR business-class ReadyNAS models running ReadyNAS OS 6.8 that currently support Milestone Arcus include: ReadyNAS RN420 Series of Desktop NAS (RN422, RN424, RN426, RN428) ReadyNAS RN520 Series of Desktop NAS (RN524X, RN526X, RN528X) ReadyNAS RN620 Series of Desktop NAS (RN626X, RN628X) ReadyNAS Rackmount (RR2312, RR2304, RN3138, RR3312, RR4312X, RR4360X) Video Security And Storage “NETGEAR is known as a top trusted expert in networking solutions for small and medium-sized businesses, so we’re delighted they’ve chosen to integrate our software with ReadyNAS to provide a highly secured and scalable video protection and storage solution that is truly world-class,” said Lars Nordenlund Frii, CEO of Arcus Global Inc. Milestone Arcus on ReadyNAS is compatible with the widest selection of IP cameras in the market, numbering into the thousands. This includes the new NETGEAR FlexPower Wire-Free IP Camera (VNC4030), the industry’s first and only wire-free, battery-powered ONVIF compliant camera. HD-quality PIR motion-detected footage captured using a 130-degree wide-angle lens, day and night, offers video security that can fill in blind spots and complement always-on cameras in an existing surveillance system. FlexPower Cameras and the FlexPower Base Station (VNB4000), designed to boost wireless connectivity with a range of up to 300ft, can be paired with Milestone Arcus on ReadyNAS for a complete video security solution.  A camera license from NETGEAR is required to record video captured from the connected IP surveillance cameras Pricing And Availability A camera license from NETGEAR is required to record video captured from the connected IP surveillance cameras. NETGEAR is offering a one-time 60-day trial license upon activation of Milestone Arcus on ReadyNAS software. A flexible license policy enables businesses to easily expand the number of licenses or functionality over time, depending upon the number of cameras managed. The number of licenses required is based on per camera connection to the ReadyNAS. NETGEAR is currently offering three 5-year license packages at the following suggested U.S. retail prices: RNVMSMA1-10000S – ReadyNAS VMS by Milestone Arcus, 1 camera license — $60 RNVMSMA4-10000S – ReadyNAS VMS by Milestone Arcus, 4 camera licenses — $200 RNVMSMA8-10000S – ReadyNAS VMS by Milestone Arcus, 8 camera licenses — $350 NETGEAR FlexPower Camera Businesses can take advantage of a 5-year solution warranty from NETGEAR and a single point of contact for support. The NETGEAR FlexPower Camera and Base Station are available now worldwide through authorized NETGEAR partners and other reseller channels and e-commerce sites, at the following suggested U.S. retail prices: NETGEAR FlexPower ONVIF-Compliant Wire-Free IP Camera (VNC4030) — $229.99  NETGEAR FlexPower Base Station for FlexPower ONVIF-Compliant Cameras (VNB4000) — $99.99

IDIS America, the division of South Korea’s in-country surveillance manufacturer serving the American continents, will spend the month of June highlighting  the many applications of the company’s Total Surveillance Solution for retail end-users of all sizes, as part of a post-20th Anniversary program highlighting specific technologies and applications of the company’s end-to-end surveillance offerings. The relevance and benefits of the full line of latest-generation IDIS technologies to the retail space, specifically the flexibility, scalability, and low total cost of ownership of IDIS technology—highly interoperable with existing legacy installations, featuring backward and forward compatibility guarantees and industry leading warranties on many of the company’s offerings—will be featured in demonstrations, social media posts, available partner and customer education, and an appearance at the NRF PROTECT Loss Prevention Conference and Expo (booth 1621), in Dallas, Texas. Among the specific offerings the company will spotlight during its focus on retail solutions are: 12MP Super Fisheye Camera The IDIS 12MP Super Fisheye camera, one of the most powerful and distortion free fisheye cameras on the market today, with award winning ease of use via the effortless Smart UX 2.0 controls. The Super Fisheye supports smooth dual side dewarping both on-board the camera and at the client-side with 6 dewarping modes, easy installation with DirectIP NVRs, and a low total cost of ownership. Smart failover, true wide dynamic range (WDR), and IR illumination up to 15 meters round out the impressive capabilities of the IDIS 12MP Super Fisheye. Easy to use surveillance of large spaces without the increased costs Along with the company’s 5MP Super Fisheye offering, IDIS provides (including vandal resistant options) multiple pathways for exceptionally clear, hassle free, and easy to use surveillance of large spaces without the increased costs, risks, blind-spots or difficulty of multi-camera installations. DirectIP DR-1204P 4 Channel Full HD Recorder The IDIS DirectIP DR-1204P 4 Channel Full HD Recorder provides a complete and full-featured recording platform in a compact form factor for small retail spaces. Signature DirectIP ease of setup and installation along with a built-in 4 channel PoE switch and support for 5MP cameras, H.265 with Intelligent Codec, and up to 6TB of storage provide impressive performance at a low total cost of ownership. Free video management software, apps, and zero licensing costs further enhance the value of the DR-1204P for retail applications. DirectIP 8300 Series H.265 4K NVR For larger installations, the IDIS DirectIP 8300 Series H.265 4K NVR is an IDIS recorder that provides enterprise-level performance and security at an NVR cost.  With a total incoming throughput of 900 Mbps the 8300 series supports 64 channels of 4K UHD video at 240ips or Full HD video at 1920ips with up to 144TB of unparalleled storage capacity. All data is protected with available redundancy, including RAID 1, 5, and 10 support, and redundant power supply and NVR failover options. VA In The Box IDIS VA in the Box helps increase business intelligence giving you a competitive advantage with simple, intuitive People Counting, Heatmap, and Queue Management analytic reports and graphs. IDIS helps retail operations, particularly small and medium-sized retailers, make stronger business decisions based on your customer’s behaviors, needs, and demands in an affordable and easy-to-use way. VA in the Box supports four directly connected IP cameras as well as IDIS DirectIP NVRs. HDMI/VGA Video Encoder The IDIS HDMI/VGA Video Encoder provides powerful scalability and easy integration of data sources—such as individual register outputs and surveillance footage—for increased control and awareness. The HE-1101 is an ideal solution for an integrated monitoring environment, providing secure USB mouse and keyboard control of remote systems, while using the simplicity of DirectIP to send encoded video to a DirectIP NVR for recording. Support for H.265 (w and w/o Intelligent Codec), H.264, and M-JPEG codecs as well as DirectIP, IDIS, and ONVIF protocols simplifies integration with existing installations. Enhancing Successful Retail Operations IDIS delivers a comprehensive, end-to-end solution that is modular, customizable, and scalable" Keith Drummond, Senior Director of IDIS America, observed, “The ability to need any surveillance need of any size is a core tenet of the IDIS Total solution. Far from being one size fits all, IDIS delivers a comprehensive, end-to-end solution that is modular, customizable, and scalable, able to build on both existing installations and meet new requirements, no matter how complicated.” “This makes the IDIS Total solution ideal to meet retailers’ current and future needs, from single, small store surveillance requirements to multi-state enterprise wide surveillance managements, IDIS provides affordable options for image capture, recording, analytics, and display with a near-limitless application of innovations for retail customers.” “This takes the power of retail surveillance from standard tracking and loss prevention and adds value via increased business intelligence, improved situational awareness, and more—not just protecting, but enhancing successful retail operations.”

Eagle Eye Networks, Inc. announced the enhancement of the Eagle Eye Cloud Security Camera VMS to include the integration of Hikvision body worn cameras. The new Eagle Eye solution provides ease, reliability, and cybersecurity to body worn camera users seeking to synchronize and store video for extended periods in the cloud.  The Eagle Eye Cloud Security Camera VMS will retrieve video and GPS data through a docking station connected to any Eagle Eye Bridge or Cloud Managed Video Recorder (CMVR) and securely transmit the video to the Eagle Eye Cloud Data Center. The body worn camera and its video appears in the Eagle Eye Customer Dashboard along with any fixed cameras attached to the system and can be reviewed, managed and analyzed. Integration With Mobile Cameras Eagle Eye Networks’ customers have requested the integration of mobile cameras in to the Eagle Eye interface to enable the combination of fixed position cameras with mobile cameras to better serve specific applications. Eagle Eye's customers are using mobile video for optimisation in robotics, manufacturing, emergency room management and home care services Law enforcement, guarding services, health care, retail management, training, warehouse management, and other service-oriented verticals create considerable value and reduce risk through the reliable and secure management of surveillance video in the cloud. Several of Eagle Eye Networks’ high-tech customers are using mobile video for business optimization in robotics, manufacturing, emergency room management and home care medical services. The challenge surrounding body worn and other types of mobile cameras has always been the lack of scalable, cost-effective, redundant storage. The Eagle Eye Cloud Security Camera VMS offers subscription-based storage for any period. Body Worn Cameras Lieutenant Kevin Francis, Head of the Bay County Sheriff’s Office Drug Enforcement Division stated, “We are excited to see Eagle Eye Networks adding body worn cameras to its system. The management of body worn video is cumbersome and unreliable from a storage perspective. The cloud makes it so much easier to store and retrieve evidentiary video.” The use cases for body worn cameras are endless. Body worn cameras began gaining momentum in law enforcement and private security, but there are other business optimization benefits that these cameras provide.Body worn camera users in retail are witnessing a decrease in customer standoffs and reduced claims against stores Businesses using body worn cameras have been able to improve profitability, communication, and customer service by using the footage to provide scenario-based training to employees. In the retail industry, for example, body worn camera users are witnessing a decrease in customer standoffs and reduced claims against stores based upon readily available visual evidence.  Cloud-Powered Video Surveillance According to Dean Drako, CEO of Eagle Eye Networks, “Eagle Eye Networks is the industry’s go-to supplier of cloud video surveillance." "One of the many advantages of a cloud-based video management system is the ability to coalesce a wide variety of video collecting devices within a single user experience. Eagle Eye Networks will remain the leader in offering innovative solutions to combine connected, remote and mobile based camera technologies.”

Checkpoint Systems, a global supplier of Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS), RFID solutions and Alpha High-Theft Solutions for the retail industry, introduced the Alpha OptiLok, its next generation of specialized tags for eyewear protection. The new hard tag offers an improved and refined design to enhance the ease and speed of application/removal without any security compromises. It is based on a well-proven adjustable grip mechanism used in previous eyewear tags, but with an ingenious locking mechanism allowing easier application and removal. The locking mechanism is compatible with Checkpoint’s traditional S3 Key and is available in two sizes (large and extra deep) as well as two technologies (AM or RF).  Easy Application And Removal According to Irene Fernandez, EMEA Product Manager Alpha High Theft Solutions, “We’ve learned a lot from our work with eyeglass retailers over the years, which has led us to this major improvement in protecting prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses. Our new OptiLok tag provides durable construction with protective rubber pads that securely hold and protect more than 95 percent of eyewear frames, while achieving fast and easy applications and removals.” Key Features: Available in AM or RF technology Durable construction Quick application and removal Easy to recycle and reuse Unobtrusive Availability: OptiLok is available immediately for normal (large) and extra deep frames (April 2018).

March Networks, a global provider of intelligent video solutions, is pleased to introduce its new CA2 Series HD analog cameras. A complement to the company’s 8724 V Tribrid NVR and HD analog offering, the cameras enable organizations to capture sharp 1080p video over existing coaxial cable without the cost and disruption typically required to upgrade to Cat5/6. They also come with multiple mounts, including an innovative drop ceiling mount that cuts installation times by 50% or more. The CA2 cameras are the newest component of our HD analog solution" CA2 Series Low-Light Cameras Incorporating infrared micro-LEDs for illumination in total darkness, and Wide Dynamic Range to eliminate shadows and saturation in bright and low-light environments, the CA2 Series cameras provide high-quality image capture in all lighting conditions. In addition, the cameras are enclosed in a vandal-resistant, IP66-rated aluminum housing, making them ideal for both indoor and outdoor applications. “The CA2 cameras are the newest component of our HD analog solution, which enables organizations to capture HD analog, IP and standard analog video on a single recording platform, and to choose how many channels are dedicated to each camera type,” said Dan Cremins, March Networks’ Global Product Management Leader. “They are an attractive option for small banks, convenience stores, quick service restaurants, and other applications where the time and cost required to undertake a costly ‘rip and replace’ of existing analog cabling can be prohibitive.” 8724 V Tribrid NVR Part of March Networks’ recently launched HD analog solution and cloud-based Searchlight for QSR service for quick service and fast casual restaurants, the CA2 Series cameras work with the company’s 8724 V Tribrid NVR and are managed with powerful March Networks Command video management software. The 8724 V supports most third-party HD analog cameras and all three of the most common HD analog technologies The 8724 V recorder’s innovative design uses analog power and Power over Ethernet (PoE) modules to support a variety of HD analog, IP and standard analog video configurations, up to a maximum of 24 channels. For example, an 8724 V recorder can be deployed to capture HD video from 8 CA2 Series cameras and 16 IP cameras in one location, while a second 8724 V could capture video from 8 IP cameras and 8 CA2 Series cameras at another location. All camera licensing is included regardless of the configuration, making the solution even more cost-effective. Complete Intelligent Video Solutions In addition, the 8724 V supports most third-party HD analog cameras and all three of the most common HD analog technologies – HD-CVI (composite video interface), HD-TVI (transport video interface) and AHD (analog high definition). Uniquely, the recorder is wall-mounted to save space, and incorporates a front-lock enclosure for added security. March Networks will demonstrate its new CA2 Series HD analog cameras and 8724 V Tribrid NVR as part of its complete intelligent video solutions in Booth 26047 at the ISC West Conference & Exposition, April 11-13, 2018 in Las Vegas, NV.

It's no secret that one of the next market segments to see exceptional growth nationwide is somewhat non-traditional: cannabis. The global cannabis market is projected to reach $60 billion by 2024, according to Ameri Research, fueled by the increasing legalisation and decriminalisation across much of the United States. It is estimated that 22 million pounds of marijuana are grown each year in the United States, with 80 percent coming from California, Tennessee, Kentucky, Hawaii and Washington, according to Mother Jones. Unlike other products, this commodity is valuable from the moment the seeds go in the ground to the exchanging of money for end-user products - and at every point in between.Within large greenhouses, 360-degree cameras that show a wide field of view are essential for cannabis protection From seedlings to selling, securing every point within the supply chain is vital to the assets being distributed, and companies are now realising how lucrative this endeavor can be. Critical to the success of the industry is keeping the merchandise secure and the workers safe. In this article, we explore each part of the supply chain within the cannabis market and address ways of implementing robust security measures.  Plants, Fields And Greenhouses This is one industry where money actually grows on trees! When cannabis crops are planted either in greenhouses or in fields, security becomes critical, since the plants themselves are worth a significant amount of money. A single truckload can be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, so securing the load is crucial to the process Producers don't want plants stolen – especially high-end varieties that garner a bigger profit when harvested and sold – and the size of the plants make theft a greater possibility. Video surveillance becomes vital at this point and can be used in a variety of ways. Within large greenhouses, single cameras that can cover a wide expanse of space, such as cameras that offer 360-degree views, are essential and can provide more coverage with less investment overall than traditional narrow field-of-view cameras.Advanced technology, such as unmanned aerial vehicles (or drones), are also being used in open fields in an effort to protect these plants.  Comprehensive video surveillance becomes the main tool for thwarting cannabis theft and addressing incidents as they arise Transportation And Protection Once the plants are mature enough to be harvested, they must be transported to a production facility where they are either dried or cured based on the needs of the grower, as well as processed and transformed into edible products to be sold at retail locations. There are already a range of companies that specialize in keeping these crop yields safe while they are transported: think Brinks armored transportation used for cash, but for cannabis. A single truckload can be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars – if not more – so securing the load is crucial to the process. Losing one of these loads can lead to large-scale losses for a producer. Surveillance equipment that can withstand sanitation standards and power-washing is paramount for effective protection After being transported, cannabis must be processed. In these environments, where strict handling processes are in place, surveillance equipment that can withstand sanitation standards and power-washing is paramount. This requires camera enclosures that are rated for resistance to high-pressure water jets, dust and vandalism/tampering. Since edible processing requires stringent regulations be followed, it becomes more critical for security managers to identify solutions that carry the NSF Mark, making them compliant with standards set forth for commercial food equipment in North America, or the HCV EU, the equivalent in Europe.  Many of these locations handle and store large amounts of cash since customers have to pay with cash Retail Protection As the final products come out of processing and go into storefronts to be sold by retailers in States that have recreational or medical facilities, there's another level of security that must be in place to protect these transactions. But careful considerations must be made. Traditional security tags cannot generally be used because of the small size of many of the end products, making it more difficult to track with tracking devices. Traditional security tags cannot generally be used because of the small size of many of the end products In this instance, comprehensive video surveillance becomes the main tool for thwarting theft and addressing incidents as they arise. In these locations, a loss prevention or security officer has to be an integral part of the team. Another consideration is the careful screening of the potential employees.  Since the federal government doesn't recognize cannabis producers and retailers, banks that are federally insured through the FDIC don't accept money from these establishments, meaning that many of these locations handle and store large amounts of cash since customers have to pay with cash. There must be security measures in place for these kinds of transactions, including the ability for video surveillance to be played back instantaneously in the event of an incident at a cash register. The cannabis market comes with a variety of challenges at each and every step of the operation, from growing to transport to production and sales. Video surveillance and business intelligence solutions are ideal for these applications, and as the market grows, more and more security companies will look to cater to the market. 

The term “smart city” gets thrown around a lot nowadays, but as different technologies that strive to be defined in this way are adopted by different countries globally, the meaning of this phrase gets lost in translation. The simplest way to define a “smart city” is that it is an urban area that uses different types of data collecting sensors to manage assets and resources efficiently. One of the most obvious types of “data collecting sensor” is the video camera, whether that camera is part of a city’s existing CCTV infrastructure, a camera in a shopping mall or even a police car’s dash camera. The information gathered by video cameras can be used with two purposes in mind, firstly: making people’s lives more efficient, for example by managing traffic, and secondly (and arguably more importantly): making people’s lives safer. Live Streaming Video All The Time, Everywhere In the smart and safe city, traditional record-only video cameras are of limited use. Yes, they can be used to collect video which can be used for evidence after a crime has taken place, but there is no way that this technology could help divert cars away from an accident to avoid traffic building up, or prevent a crime from taking place in the first place. However, streaming live video from a camera that isn’t connected to an infrastructure via costly fiber optic cabling has proven challenging for security professionals, law enforcement and city planners alike. This is because it isn’t viable to transmit video reliably over cellular networks, in contrast to simply receiving it. Video Transmission Challenges Transmitting video normally results in freezing and buffering issues which can hinder efforts to fight crime and enable flow within a city, as these services require real-time, zero latency video without delays. Therefore, special technology is required that copes with poor and varying bandwidths to allow a real-time view of any scene where cameras are present to support immediate decision making and smart city processes. The information gatheredby video cameras can beused to make people’s lives more efficient, and to make people’s lives safer There are many approaches to transmitting video over cellular. We’ve developed a specialist codec (encoding and decoding algorithm) that can provide secure and reliable video over ultra-low bandwidths and can therefore cope when networks become constrained. Another technique, which is particularly useful if streaming video from police body worn cameras or dash cams that move around, is to create a local wireless “bubble” at the scene, using Wi-Fi or mesh radio systems to provide local high-bandwidth communications that can communicate with a central location via cellular or even satellite communications. Enhanced City Surveillance Live video streaming within the smart and safe city’s infrastructure means that video’s capabilities can go beyond simple evidence recording and evolve into a tool that allows operations teams to monitor and remediate against incidents as they are happening. This can be taken one step further with the deployment of facial recognition via live streaming video. Facial recognition technology can be added on to any video surveillance camera that is recording at a high enough quality to identify faces. The technology works by capturing video, streaming the live video back to a control center and matching faces against any watch lists that the control center owns. Importantly, the data of people who aren’t on watch lists is not stored by the technology. Identifying Known Criminals This technology can work to make the city safer in a number of ways. For example, facial recognition could spot a known drug dealer in a city center where they weren’t supposed to be, or facial recognition could identify if a group of known terror suspects were visiting the same location at the same time, and this would send an alert to the police. Facial recognition technology captures and streams live back to a control center, matching faces against any watch lists that the control center owns In an ideal world where the police had an automated, electronic workflow, the police officer nearest to the location of the incident would be identified by GPS and would be told by the control room where to go and what to do. Most police forces aren’t quite at this technological level yet, and would probably rely on communicating via radio in order to send the nearest response team to the scene. As well as this, shopping malls could create a database from analog records of known shoplifters to identify criminals as soon as they entered the building. This would be even more effective if run co-operatively between all shopping malls and local businesses in an area, and would not only catch any known shoplifters acting suspiciously, but would act as a deterrent from shoplifting in the first place. Live Streaming For Law Enforcement As mentioned above, live streaming video from CCTV cameras can help the police fight crime more proactively rather than reactively. This can be enhanced even further if combined with live streaming video from police car dash cams and police body worn cameras. If video was streamed from all of these sources to a central HQ, such as a police operations center, the force would be able to have full situational awareness throughout an incident. This would mean that, if need be, officers could be advised on the best course of action, and additional police or other emergency services could be deployed instantly if needed. Incorporated with facial recognition, this would also mean that police could instantly identify if they were dealing with known criminals or terrorists. While they would still have to confirm the identity of the person with questioning or by checking their identification, this is still more streamlined than describing what a person looks like over a radio and then ops trying to manually identify if the person is on a watch list. The smart, safe city is possible today – for one, if live video streaming capabilities are deployed they can enable new levels of flow in the city. With the addition of facial recognition, cities will be safer than ever before and law enforcement and security teams will be able to proactively stop crime before it happens by deterring criminal activity from taking place at all.

Nowadays, there is a lot of hype around data and its utility for almost any industry – from security and law enforcement to business operations and retail. While we are inundated with information about data and its significance to business success, technological development and fulfilling the promise of the Internet of Things, we don’t always get practical feedback as to how to obtain this valuable data from the resources available to us. Security teams feel this challenge acutely. As an industry that depends on accurate intelligence and real-time information, data is vital for preventing breaches, reacting to threats, and maintaining public safety. Obstacles In Video Surveillance Monitoring One of the primary resources at the disposal of security teams is video, yet extracting insights from this medium has never been particularly efficient. Monitoring video feeds takes time and – even if security teams have sufficient resources – after twenty minutes of reviewing surveillance footage, 95% percent of incidents are likely to be missed and 98% of recorded video is never even watched (source: Accenture. New developments in video analytics are revolutionising this reality. Video analytics based on Video Synopsis technology makes it possible to review hours of video in minutes and easily extract actionable data from video, enabling immediate and effective response. To fully understand how this works and how to retrieve these insights, we need to break down what actionable data means, how it is extracted from video and how to interpret the data output and results.  Video Synopsis Technology Simply put, actionable data is information that can be easily and effectively utilised. Regardless of the business sector or market, actionable video data refers to information about who and what is being viewed, as well as quantitative statistics about these elements, enabling the detection of anomalous behavior. Using the who and what data, viewers now have statistical data about the video content Video Synopsis technology analyses the video and determines all the objects in the video. It then classifies this data to make it easier for the viewer to understand who is in the video. Objects are evaluated and indexed based on factors such as size and appearance, enabling the technology to filter them into categories, such as person or vehicle. Smart Video Synopsis can deliver rich classification, drilling down to categories such as gender and vehicle type, from buses to bicycles and everything in between. The technology also determines what the objects are doing: where and how fast they are moving, – noting any lack of movement, as well – and how long the behavior persists. Using the who and what data, viewers now have statistical data about the video content. Having these statistics is key for understanding the baseline of activity in a video feed. Once normative behavior has been analyzed and established, the viewer can be alerted in the case of abnormal behavior, which, for instance, could be used to indicate a security threat. Extracting Of Actionable Data Ironically enough, the only way to extract actionable data is possessing plenty of video data. Today, there are various video analytics technologies that can extract and identify objects with deep learning techniques, using deep neural networks (DNNs) that imitate the way humans are taught and learn. Processing multiple videos and through deep learning techniques, these technologies can detect, classify, and recognize features and objects in video better and faster. Using video data, retail businesses can decide where to display expensive products, prevent shop lifting, and enhance the overall customer experience By processing more video and aggregating more metadata, the right system becomes increasingly efficient at searching, tracking, and understanding object behavior in videos. It can be used to learn and monitor activity, closely analyze complex scenes, and present object behaviours in a detailed and organized fashion that makes it easier to evaluate. For example, increased scene coverage for occupancy, crowd and queue control, cross camera search and, recently, metadata aggregation over time trending. Metadata is also easier to store and save than the actual video footage, because it takes up less bandwidth. Effective video analytics solutions can extract information from video in the form of metadata, quickly and cost-effectively upload the metadata to the cloud and aggregate it to generate reports and identify developing trends. Interpretation Of Video Data Results Metadata is the key for further unlocking the potential of video analytics, but, for the data to be useful, it must be presented to the user in conducive ways: Each vertical has its own requirements for ingesting and applying data from video, and video analytics offers solutions for the varying needs of every business type. For law enforcement and safety organizations, for instance, the ability to review large volumes of video quickly is important. Video analytics based on Video Synopsis enables security teams to watch hours of video in minutes, by simultaneously presenting objects that appeared at different times in the original video. This helps investigators quickly identify threats and find targets in recorded video. Video analytics based on Video Synopsis enables security teams to watch hours of video in minutes Uses For Data In Retail Applications Enterprise businesses, such as retailers, have different needs and are more reliant on statistical data derived from video than from watching the actual video footage. Video data can be presented in easily readable dashboards, and reports and business intelligence can effectively be disseminated throughout the organization. As a result, businesses can understand where customers tend to linger in stores and which displays are most popular: Information which can then be used to decide where to display expensive products, how to optimize staffing, convert wavering shoppers, prevent shop lifting, and enhance the overall customer experience by understanding and meeting their preferences, habits and needs. From security teams to corporate businesses to municipal bodies, having actionable data helps all organizations streamline their operations, recognize inefficient work flows and understand which behaviours and activities are most effective. The technology is developing in a direction where business intelligence offered by video analytics is becoming predictive, opening doors to more efficient business practices, from enabling faster response to prevent terror to validating investment in video across verticals and use cases. Infographic: How To Prepare For Active Shooter Incidents

The Middle East security market provides a healthy opportunity for manufacturers who can capitalize on the region’s key verticals. Intersec’s 20th edition show focused more on solutions than on products, including solutions for the growing retail sector and an infrastructure market requiring ruggedized equipment to stand up to harsh environments. Intersec hosted security, safety and fire protection exhibitors from over fifty countries at Dubai’s spacious International Convention and Exhibition Centre on January 21 - 23. For the security market, the show was an opportunity to demonstrate how the industry’s latest technologies can benefit end-users in the UAE and globally. While the show hosted many impressively-sized stands from key security players, these tended to reflect the ongoing shift from a product-centric market to a focus on customer problems and solutions. Rather than filling the floorspace with an abundance of products, many brands chose to showcase how their flagship solutions could function in real-world applications. Retail Surveillance Delivers ROI Numerous companies opted to highlight their retail solutions – a key vertical for Dubai, which is known for its elaborate city shopping hubs. The Axis Communications stand allowed visitors to experience its network video offerings for the retail sector, including integrations with Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) and Point of Sale (POS) technologies. Solutions on show reflected how security systems are increasingly expected to provide a tangible return on investment: With options for queue management and people counting, Axis video technology can be used to provide business intelligence and improve the customer experience, as well as enhancing safety. IP video manufacturer Vivotek also showcased its latest retail offering, including fisheye cameras with built-in crowd detection and heatmap technology, which can help retail managers analyze customer traffic patterns and highly frequented areas. The panoramic nature of Vivotek’s IP cameras makes them ideal for collecting comprehensive data from retail stores.    MOBOTIX CEO Thomas Lausten demonstrates how the company’s dual modular camera delivers high-quality images in extreme weather conditions IP Video In Extreme Conditions The MOBOTIX stand was also less product-driven than at past shows. Instead, the focus was on how the manufacturer combines intelligent IoT technology and robust materials to address real end-user needs. CEO Thomas Lausten, who joined the company in June 2017, was on-hand to demonstrate how the company’s dual modular camera continues to deliver high-quality images in extreme weather conditions including ice, rain and sand. Rugged solutions were a big theme across the show floor. This is unsurprising given Intersec’s location in Dubai – the Middle East provides ample opportunity for the security market to capitalise on large outdoor projects, including the oil and gas industry. Video surveillance manufacturer Videotec showcased its latest HD PTZ cameras built to withstand harsh outdoor environments. The stand hosted an immersive ‘Experience Center’, where the company’s flagship PTZ cameras moved in sync to a rolling video, demonstrating their use in vertical markets including oil and gas, marine surveillance, and critical infrastructure. Video surveillance manufacturer Videotec showcased its latest HD PTZ cameras built to withstand harsh outdoor environments MENA Security Market Requirements Storage provider Promise Technology showcased its latest portfolio of surveillance solutions, including a cloud-based infrastructure optimised for growing IP video requirements. The manufacturer also introduced its new Vess A700 network video recorder series. This latest NVR offering specifically targets medium- to large-scale applications such as banking and industry. Such a solution is ideal for the growing Dubai market, where strict legislation requires a video retention time of 180 days. Intersec is set to return to Dubai from 20th - 22nd January 2019. Organisers expect over 1,300 exhibitors from across to globe to come together for a bigger, wider ranging and more innovative show.

Despite the increasing popularity of body-worn cameras, the technology has its detractors. For example, this month, Big Brother Watch, a British civil liberties and privacy organization, is raising new questions about the effectiveness of body-worn cameras. Specifically, Big Brother Watch found that 32 of the 45 police forces that have adopted body-cams in the United Kingdom were “unable to say” how often the footage was used in courts. To be clear, being “unable to say” doesn’t equate to the cameras not being useful, and using video as evidence in court is just one of the possible ways the cameras could be beneficial. Even so, point taken. Adoption of the body-worn cameras continues full speed ahead despite lack of empirical evidence of their effectiveness. Studies in the United States and Canada on the effectiveness of the cameras have also often been inconclusive. Big Brother Watch warns: “The value of technology must be proven and not just assumed. It is not enough to tell the public they are essential policing tools if the benefits cannot be shown.” In addition to seeking more data on camera effectiveness, the organization urges police forces to publish regular “transparency reports” to show how body worn cameras are used in day-to-day policing. Cameras should also have a screen to display when citizens are being recorded. Does Video Surveillance Prevent Crime? In some instances, police forces have embraced the cameras on the assertion that the police and/or the public believe they are beneficial. But believing something doesn’t make it true. Body-worn cameras are not the first video systems whose effectiveness has been questioned. There have also been repeated challenges over the years to the effectiveness of video or CCTV cameras in preventing crime. For example, one report in Chicago placed the number of crimes solved by video evidence between the years 2006 and 2013 at 4,500. Not bad, except when you consider there were more than a million incidents during the time period, and surveillance cameras helped solve less than 0.5 percent of them. Looking at it another way, the numbers work out to one crime solved for every five cameras; i.e., the average camera never solves a crime -and then there were the British Home Office studies in 2002 and 2005 that questioned the impact of CCTV cameras on crime. [Jeremy Reddington / Shutterstock.com] British Home Office studies have questioned the impact of CCTV cameras on crime Quantifiable Benefits Of Security Products Again, however, solving crime is only one aspect of the benefits of video. There is also a “halo effect” when cameras are installed. That is, the areas where cameras are deployed tend to be more secure, even outside the immediate view of cameras. There is a diffusion of crime prevention benefits to surrounding areas. Questioning the effectiveness of body-worn cameras, CCTV or any other technology, is a necessary exercise. Real answers may be hard to come by, but we shouldn’t be discouraged in making the effort. The technology capabilities of our industry’s products should be able to withstand scrutiny and, in the end, provide verifiable and quantifiable benefits. Public Scrutiny Of Security Systems Public scrutiny is an important aspect of technology implementation, especially in the public sector. For private companies, there is another, even more potent force at work that focuses attention on the effectiveness of technology – the bottom line. Spending money on video (or other technologies) is viewed unforgivingly through a lens of return on investment (ROI) by managers and accountants of customer companies. Fortunately, in this environment, video systems more than justify their existence every day. It only takes avoidance of a single multi-million-dollar personal injury lawsuit to cost-justify a whole system of video cameras. The impact of video to deter shoplifting or other crimes, and the resulting extra value to an enterprise, is sufficiently demonstrated every day. We as an industry should welcome any questions about the effectiveness of our products. Their value can speak for itself, and can stand up to any questioning or research projects. If it doesn’t, then we must be willing to let the chips fall where they may.

With global events putting security at the forefront of everyone’s minds, IFSEC International 2017 was a chance for the industry to come out in force. Over 600 exhibitors and numerous seminars kept visitors informed on the latest innovations in security products, solutions and best practice. Despite the challenging heatwave, exhibitors were raring to go for the three mercifully air-conditioned days of the exhibition. SourceSecurity.com took to the show floor to check out what exhibitors were talking about. [Pictured: Nedap Security Management welcomes new Managing Director Fokko van der Zee] Increasing ROI in vertical markets Sustainable partnerships overtake integrations Power in the hands of the customer Adding Value In Vertical Markets The big question for many exhibitors was how to stand out on a show floor (and in a market) dominated by larger commoditized brands. Manufacturers rose to the challenge by deliberately positioning themselves as solutions providers within specific vertical markets, rather than trying to compete on low cost products. For Vivotek, the Taiwanese IP surveillance specialists, the emphasis was on adding value in particular markets such as transport and retail. Alongside a lineup of 180° and 360° solutions, the manufacturer debuted its 12-megapixel fisheye camera, FE9391-EV, whose 360° lens technology makes it ideal for crowd detection and loitering-time analysis in the retail sector, in addition to traditional security applications. Vivotek’s vertical market focus was further reinforced by demonstrations of its integrations with SeeTec and Wavestore. This collaboration forms part of the company’s Solution Integration Alliance program, which aims to create better end-user solutions through integration of Vivotek products with partner technologies. Collaborating On Technology And Customer Support This was a theme which resonated across the show floor. The Promise Technology stand firmly emphasized collaboration, with presentations from the storage provider’s IP camera partners including IronYun and Axis Communications. Particular importance was given to education and training for partners and end users to get the most out of integrated solutions. The emphasis for Promise Technology was on education and training for partners and end users Similarly, for Nedap Security Management, the increasing demand for connected systems means that open platform solutions are essential to excel within the security industry. As well as welcoming new Managing Director Fokko van der Zee, Nedap used its presence at the show to inform visitors about new and ongoing partnerships with key players in the industry. These partnerships include ASSA ABLOY, Touchless Biometric Systems and Milestone Systems. According to Jeroen Harmsen, Nedap’s Director of Product Management, the ability to provide collaborative solutions is becoming a key differentiator in the security sector and beyond. While many companies pursue product integrations, what makes sustainable partnerships stand out is ongoing cooperation on issues such as customer support. This, according to Harmsen, is why the deep integration of Milestone’s XProtect VMS and Nedap’s AEOS access control system has been so successful. Making Customers’ Lives Easier This insistence on customer service as a differentiating factor also extended to video surveillance manufacturers. However, not all exhibitors were aiming to achieve this through increased integration. Cisco Meraki, whose cloud-managed video system is relatively new to the security market, deliberately steers clear of the market trend for integration in favour of the ‘Apple’ approach, aiming to provide a comprehensive solution on one easy-to-use platform. The architecture is intended to make customers’ lives easier by removing the NVR from the equation - video is stored on the edge and managed via the cloud, eliminating the ongoing costs and maintenance associated with traditional hardware solutions. Eagle Eye Networks president Ken Francis was also hoping to highlight the benefits of customer-friendly cloud surveillance at the show. The acquisition of Panasonic's Cameramanager has allowed Eagle Eye Networks to cater to smaller businesses with cameras connected directly to the internet. The company’s cloud storage solution also includes Remote Power Cycling via an integrated PoE switch, allowing users to remotely repower cameras themselves with no training or expertise. Crucial to Eagle Eye Networks' customer-friendly outlook is the possession of its own local data centers worldwide, reducing cloud storage costs and allowing customers to choose where their video is stored. Making your security products stand out on a crowded show floor is no easy task, but IFSEC 2017 saw plenty of innovation from video surveillance, access control and intrusion providers alike. As competition increases, added value solutions, collaboration and ease-of-use are sure to help manufacturers make a splash at future shows!  

Most retailers invest in a video surveillance solution to improve security. Many also use it as an investigation tool to help resolve customer disputes, liability claims and reduce losses from theft and fraud.  Intelligent Video Solutions Complete Releaf relies on its intelligent video solution for all of those reasons, however compliance with state regulations was the primary objective when CEO and owner Eric Ryant started looking for a video system for his new, 3,000 square foot cannabis dispensary in Lafayette, Colorado. Unlike many other types of retail environments, cannabis dispensaries must comply with strict rules governing the type of video surveillance equipment used, where cameras and equipment are placed, and how long video evidence must be retained.  Already familiar with the regulations based on his experience operating a second dispensary and a cultivation center in Lafayette, Colorado, Ryant sourced multiple bids for his new video solution. In the end, I selected the March Networks proposal. It had everything I was looking for, including POS integration, and additional capabilities" POS Integration “Once all the bids were in, I went through the process of analyzing each one and ended up narrowing the contenders down to two,” said Ryant. “In the end, I selected the March Networks proposal from our systems integrator, Falcon Networks. The solution had everything I was looking for, including POS integration, and additional capabilities I thought might be useful down the road. It met all of the compliance criteria, and the price was comparable.” Prior to opening the boutique dispensary in January 2018, Ryant worked with its system integrator to design and install a fully-compliant video solution.  IR Dome Cameras Today, IR dome cameras mounted inside the dispensary capture clear 4MP video of all activity at entrances and exits, in storage and equipment rooms, and at each point-of-sale (POS) system. In addition, 360° cameras are installed above the sales floor and in every corner to provide further panoramic coverage. The 360° cameras are also installed on the dispensary’s exterior to capture people entering and exiting, as well as any activity in the surrounding parking lot and back loading area.  The cameras were selected and placed strategically to ensure that the system meets multiple legislated requirements, such as recording all activity occurring within 20 feet of any ingress/egress point, capturing clear video in all lighting conditions, and making sure that the recorded video is sharp enough to identify customer and employee facial features at each POS. Hybrid Network Video Recorder At the center of Complete Releaf’s video solution is a hybrid network video recorder (NVR) At the center of Complete Releaf’s video solution is a hybrid network video recorder (NVR). The recorder provides IP and analog video capture and unparalleled reliability through features such as diagnostic LEDs, an internal battery backup, and a customized embedded Linux operating system. All IP channel licenses are included with the recorder, making it a convenient and cost-effective option for the dispensary.  Equally important, the recorder provides Complete Releaf with 32TB of internal storage, so it is compliant with the state’s 40-day video retention requirement. “Essentially, we need 100 percent coverage with no ‘blind spots’ on our retail floor, and a clear picture of people’s faces. It’s a truly reliable product, and we’ve had no difficulties achieving our 40 days of archived video,” said Ryant. Searchlight Intelligent Software While security and compliance were both top priorities for Ryant, finding a video solution that would also help him run Complete Releaf more efficiently – and profitably – was also important. That’s why he’s so pleased with the March Networks Searchlight for Retail application software he is also using.  The intelligent software enables Ryant and his team to proactively identify and review suspect transactions using integrated video and transaction data pulled from the dispensary’s Green Bits POS system. It provides them with an easy-to-use loss prevention tool that reduces the time it takes to investigate incidents from hours to minutes. It also arms them with strong video and data evidence to support successful prosecutions or recoveries. Ryant is also testing the Searchlight application in his cultivation facility “Having video surveillance in our dispensary definitely deters theft,” said Ryant. “Combining the video with transaction data goes a step further and really causes people to think twice before they do something they’ll probably regret.” Radio Frequency Identification Tags  Ryant is also testing the Searchlight application in his cultivation facility, taking advantage of the software’s ability to integrate with data from the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags he is required to add to each plant through the cultivation process as part of Colorado’s Inventory Tracking System (Metrc). The software would enable Ryant to leverage his RFID investment by making the data searchable in the dashboard and tying it to recorded video. If there’s ever an incident during the cultivation process, Ryant could use the software to easily locate the video footage to see what actually happened and who was involved.

Traditionally, many stores have used an assortment of tags and labels on a diverse range of merchandise, most of which were designed for an entirely different set of products. As a result, many apparel retailers have recognized that in some instances merchandise and textiles are being damaged. Checkpoint Systems, renowned supplier of source-to-shopper solutions, has therefore developed an innovative new anti-theft solution to meet their specific requirements – Mini NeedleLok. Mini NeedleLok Anti-Theft Solution Designed to protect all types of garments, including very thin fabric, the one-piece solution deters thieves while preventing damage that would usually occur on application of pinned security tags. While other products on the market feature a hinged mechanism which can snag and rip textiles, Mini NeedleLok uses a needle in place of a separate pin, which separates the fibers rather than breaking through them. This allows store assistants to gently spread fabric threads on application to avoid leaving a visible hole after removal. In order to reduce time spent on in-store tagging labor, the Mini NeedleLok mechanical design allows quick and easy application, while the solution’s wide opening also allows freedom of placement anywhere on the garment. Minimum Product Damage Risk The Mini NeedleLok speeds up the self-checkout process The Mini NeedleLok also speeds up the self-checkout process. It can be removed quickly and efficiently at the point-of-sale, thanks to its single-piece design and wide opening, enabling store associates to assist with other enquiries, improving the in-store customer experience. It also eliminates the risk of damage to the merchandise, or injury to the customer, as the needle is never exposed. Not only that, with 70% of purchase decisions made at the shelf, Mini NeedleLok has been designed with display in mind. Its sleek look and smart black color ensures it doesn’t impede on the garment’s aesthetics in order to help turn a browser to a buyer. For those retailers wishing to take their visual merchandising a step further, the solution can also be customized, from adding a logo to a bespoke colorway that matches the company’s branding. Anti-Theft Retail Solution Irene Fernandez, Product Management Europe at Checkpoint Systems, commented:  “We’re more customer focused than we have ever been in our history, which is demonstrated through the diverse range of solutions that we now offer retailers across a variety of markets. With the Mini NeedleLok, we took our existing technologies and created a product that fits our apparel customers’ requirements - an effective anti-theft solution that protects merchandise, with the added benefit of being customizable. This is ideal for fashion brands where aesthetic is crucial to their identity.”

Bosch experts for building safety are networking the IKEA MAR Shopping mall in the Algarve, Portugal with trendsetting solutions. They make sure everybody can feel at ease and safe during their shopping experience. Scores of tourists are attracted every year to the Algarve, Portugal’s most southerly region where vacationers enjoy the sun and beaches and descend on popular seaside resorts like Lagos or Albufeira. However, whenever people have had enough of sunbathing, the Algarve also offers a multitude of other things to do – whether it is hiking or shopping, there is something for everybody. Those fancying a spot of the last mentioned have every opportunity to do just that in “IKEA MAR Shopping” – an IKEA-run mall in the Algarve that is home to about 100 other brand shops. Every day numerous visitors frequent the mall and they not only present a challenge to the staff at the checkouts. The safety technology in such a mall also has to work smoothly and on the dot. It is why the architects and planners of the IKEA MAR Shopping mall decided to use a connected, smart safety solution from Bosch Building Technologies. Intuitive And Fully-Integrated Security Solution “Our customer wanted a fully-integrated solution whose systems could be controlled via a single management system,” is how Luis Gomes, Bosch Building Technologies Sales Manager Iberia, describes the remit. Networked systems that communicate with each other have to facilitate quick and precise measures in emergencies. The customer also requested a means by which they could schedule the deployment of security personnel more efficiently plus intuitive-to-operate and clearly-structured systems to make their jobs easier. The Bosch Intelligent Video Analytics software which is installed in each and every camera processes the image data in real time  Together with the customer and partners, Bosch has created a harmonious overall picture consisting of a video and public address system, a fire and intrusion detection system and access control within the space of two years. It includes 1,100 loudspeakers inserted in the ceiling and 390 video cameras. The mall is equipped with a total of 4,000 fire detectors and 520 sensors for both intrusion alert and controlling access to IKEA MAR Shopping. Bosch Intelligent Video Analytics The Bosch Intelligent Video Analytics software which is installed in each and every camera processes the image data in real time and recognizes suspicious activities by means of an algorithm. Whenever there is danger, it can make all the information available to the staff who need it as quickly as possible to initiate appropriate measures. For a person, it is virtually impossible to continuously retain an overview of the images provided by 390 cameras. “Intelligent Video Analytics and the complete solution make the security personnel’s everyday jobs significantly easier,” says Luis Gomes. “At the same time, the customer has lower costs – and every shopaholic can feel safe.”

Edesix, a provider of Body Worn Cameras (BWC), announces that it has teamed up with retailer Asda to enhance in-store security. After a successful trial, which began in 2016, there are now over 900 Edesix VideoBadges being utilized in over 250 sites nationwide, with more growth expected in the near future. Edesix collaborated with CBES, Asda's preferred security installer, to design and install a tailored wearable CCTV deployment system perfectly suited to the retail giant's needs. Edesix and CBES worked closely at Asda's national security center and across four store deployments to provide them with the knowledge and expertise so the cameras could be rolled out in the remaining stores with minimum impact on store efficiency. Improved Colleague Security Asda has been able to improve colleague security, diffuse aggressive and volatile situations and reduce valued investigation time This system, which is intuitive to use and requires minimum training, has enabled staff to integrate the cameras into their daily working processes with minimal fuss. As a result of this partnering strategy, which relied on both the innovative nature of Edesix's technology and communication between all parties, Asda has been able to improve colleague security, diffuse aggressive and volatile situations and reduce valued investigation time, thus reducing costs. Since the deployment, Asda has proven the viability of these cameras by securing numerous convictions relating to theft and violence against staff. Confrontation preventer Richie McBride, managing director of Edesix, explains: "Asda, along with CBES, identified the need to re-think its key security policy around challenging aggressive behavior towards staff. In searching for a technology partner, CBES chose Edesix as their BWC provider, to deploy initially to the most affected stores, eventually rolling out to over 250 sites across the UK. The aim was to improve the safety of colleagues in public facing roles and shoppers within the stores, while producing compelling evidence when needed." The Body Worn Cameras act as a confrontation preventer, as it is proven that members of the public are far less aggressive to staff members" McBride adds: "The Body Worn Cameras act as a confrontation preventer, as it is proven that members of the public are far less aggressive to staff members if they know they are being filmed." Winning major contracts Edesix, which was recently acquired by US-based security specialists Vigilant Solutions, has enjoyed a great deal of success lately, ranging from winning some major contracts with the likes of UK prisons, Scotrail and South Australian Police, to being named in the Sunday Times Hiscox Tech Track 100 league table. Edesix currently supplies markets across the globe, through direct sales and international partners, to geographies including the UK, Europe, USA, Canada, the Middle East and Australasia.

Videowall technology supplied by Ultimate Visual Solutions (UVS) is at the heart of a new security control room at iNTU Trafford Center. High-End Videowall Technology The new facility helps ensure 30 million annual visitors have a safe and enjoyable time at what is the single best-known and most iconic retail and leisure destination in the UK. Burnley-based UVS, formerly eyevis UK, provides video wall displays and audio-visual solutions to a range of clients across the UK. UVS Full HD Videowall As part of the new state-of-the-art facility, UVS installed a 7.2m wide by 2.7m high videowall As part of the new state-of-the-art facility, UVS installed a 7.2m wide by 2.7m high videowall, made up of 24 eyevis 55-inch XSN extremely narrow bezel LCD screens with Full HD resolution. The displays offer 1920 × 1080 pixels, direct-LED backlight technology, a mechanical bezel width of only 3.5 mm between two displays and a brightness of 500 cd/m2. The installation also includes a control room meeting space featuring a videowall made up of four eyevis 46-inch XSN screens with 3.5mm bezel. Netpix 4900 Videowall Controller Both videowalls connect to a Netpix 4900 videowall controller configured for multiple analogue video feeds, IP video feeds, graphic PC data and web browsers. iNTU security staff, who monitor the center and liaise with visitors, will be able to send live videos from their tablets directly back to the video wall to share incident video with security staff. Video Monitoring And Visitor Management iNTU Trafford Center is a retail and leisure destination and it is important that the control room has the latest videowall technology" UVS managing director Steve Murphy said: “iNTU Trafford Center is a retail and leisure destination enjoyed by millions of people each year and it is important that the control room has the latest videowall technology.” He adds, “We are delighted to have been involved in such a prestigious and important project.” Lee Barlow, Security Manager, iNTU Trafford Center said “The security and safety of our customers, retailers and staff is our number one priority so having a control room that allows us to keep them safe is really important. The new videowall and meeting room screens allows us to do just that and we are really happy with them.” New Control Room With Videowall The new control room was designed and refurbished by Intech Solutions, which specialize in technical and control room furniture including full control room fit-outs in the UK and worldwide. UVS also worked to deliver the videowall with its security integrator partner, Nottinghamshire-based Quadrant Security Group.

Lodge Security is to provide protection for Poundland stores and distribution centers throughout the UK. Over the past two years Lodge Security has been operating its Elite Store Detective program from the LodgIC Intelligence center, where national and local data on crime incidents is analyzed and used to deploy protection to produce the maximum return on security investment. Sarah Frain, Profit Protection & Assurance manager, Distribution and CSC at Poundland, says: "Lodge Security has worked with Poundland for more than 5 years and has provided a great service which has now developed with technology additions to achieve an even more effective solution. The operatives we receive from Lodge are always highly trained and professional when dealing with day-to-day issues and figures are reported back clearly to management. Furthermore, they provide confidence to our staff while making them feel safe and secure in the workplace.” Analyzing The Patterns Of Criminal Activity Poundland and Lodge are now examining new opportunities to deploy other technology that is available from the intelligence center. This includes the capability to analyze retail transactions through the use of Transpeye for data mining of EPoS, online transactions and other store systems, to then identify any sources of loss in real time and the relationships between apparently isolated incidents. Lodge can analyze and track any patterns of criminal activity to enable the investigative team to attribute recurring losses to known criminals and gangs Lodge can then analyze and track any patterns of criminal activity, to enable the investigative team to attribute recurring losses to known criminals and gangs, who can be identified from in-store CCTV recordings. Perpetrators are then stopped in-store by Lodge Security detectives. Preventing Organized Retail Crime In many instances Lodge has been able to track a gang’s activity around the UK and assess the probability of where and when they might strike next. “Retailers are increasingly alert to the scale of the threat from Organized Retail Crime. A string of small, seemingly unrelated criminal acts are often committed by the same gang; if they think they can get away undetected each time they will keep coming back. “Through the blended use of our specialist teams in the field and technology, our intelligence center is quickly able to map related losses and then stop them fast,” says Stuart Lodge, CEO of Lodge Service International, a third generation family-run business that celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2019.

Does seeing video cameras at a location make you feel safer or less safe? Do you feel better to know that video surveillance is capturing everything that happens, thus discouraging crime? Or do you think: What kind of neighborhood (or store) is this that needs a CCTV camera watching everything? Do you feel more secure when the security guard at the hotel elevator asks to see your room key? Do airport screenings ease your mind about getting on an airplane with 100 strangers? The “perception of safety” is a tricky thing, and presence (or absence) of security systems can play a role. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What is the impact of promoting a "perception of safety" when choosing and/or installing physical security systems? How might perception influence the choice of systems (e.g., more overt)?

A major benefit of technology innovation is more application opportunities. As video cameras become better and more versatile, new uses are emerging that extend the benefits of video surveillance, often outside tried-and-true parameters. Sometimes security camera manufacturers are on the front lines to see new ways video is contributing value to integrators and end user customers. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable participants: What is the most unusual application of surveillance cameras you have seen recently?

We asked this week’s Expert Panel: What are the limitations on where video cameras can be placed because of privacy? With hundreds of new cameras installed every day, the likelihood increases exponentially that a camera will be placed in a location where it violates privacy. In fact, threats to privacy are often among the largest objections when video surveillance is proposed, whether in a public area or in the workplace. Allaying fears about undermining privacy is a basic requirement to make such systems acceptable to the public. It’s a touchy subject, but one our Expert Panel is willing to address.