International School in Malaysia Deploys Hikvision Comprehensive Solution

Editor / Provider: Hikvision | Updated: 2/29/2012 | Article type: Education

Prince of Wales Island International School provided just such an opportunity for a comprehensive high-end Hikvision solution.This international school offers many things: a British-based secondary education, full dormitory accommodations, and a large campus that rivals many international schools. With the many amenities Prince of Wales Island International School already provides their pupils, school administrators were keen to add a comprehensive security solution to the package.

In outdoor areas, Maureen Khoo, Project Manager at IS Solutions and Consultancy Sdn Bhd in Malaysia, selected Hikvision's Speed Dome to provide eyes on areas where feet couldn't. Ms. Khoo noted, "Placed outside in the general campus, this camera offers what we need to secure the common areas. We are able to utilize the flexibility of this unit, and the ability to rotate, adjust and immediately zoom in on objects. Regardless of the time of day, this gives us a very detailed picture of who, or what, we are looking at. Additionally, the ability of Hikvision's Speed Dome technology guarantees unprecedented image quality – in varying lighting situations – to meet this school's security needs." The Speed Dome achieves this through features such as a 1/4" SONY high performance CCD, 3D intelligent positioning function, and a proportional zoom function, among others.

Hikvision's High Definition & Low Light Box Camera also provides added eyes in the sky. Again, the aspect of operating in minimal lighting was very important. This is provided by a minimum illumination of 0.02Lux @ F1.2 (Color), 0.002 Lux @ F1.2 (B/W) and IR cut filter with auto switch which "gives us the ability to see in both day and night in color, but in black and white if desired," Ms. Khoo explained.

With over 150 units between these two models on campus, they secure both general and niche-type areas. Residing both indoors and outdoors, "they are great because with high definition, we are really able to identify who exactly is at a specific location – regardless of area," Ms. Khoo related.

While camera placement is an important issue because direct sunlight can diminish the quality of the picture, both of these cameras excel based on the fact that they only require a minimum of light to function. This, combined with a high definition picture, ensures that security personnel always have an excellent view of who is entering, or leaving, a facility.

Attaching these many Hikvision cameras into a central control room is the Hybrid DVR. This DVR was integral to the overall solution.

Additionally, if there is a power failure to the school – which periodically happens in Malaysia – the Decoder Server will automatically reboot the security system with the programmed security settings. This saves the school and the security provider the trouble and inefficiency of reprogramming everything after each power outage.

This server boasts high-performance hardware decoding and standard H.264/MPEG4 video codec, and is compatible with Hikvision DVR and Network cameras; offering up to 720p resolution decoding, as well as VGA and composite output simultaneously.

Finally, rounding out this solution was Hikvision's Network Keyboard. On an aesthetic note, Ms. Khoo notes "not only does this keyboard improve functionality, it also looks really cool. Often, it is the little things such as this that provide an intrinsic motivation to security personnel." Features such as 7" TFT touch screen at 800x480 resolution, and speed dome, video decoder & DVR control provide both.

The NSR Revolution

Editor / Provider: the Editorial Team | Updated: 1/19/2012 | Article type: China Corner

Anson, an access control provider, brings fresh experience to integrate video, access control, intrusion alarms
and intercom with the Network Security Recorder — NSR.

The network security recorder (NSR) developed by Anson offer a new security-centric integrated system. The embedded NSR offers a solution to integrate video, access control, intrusion alarms as well as intercoms as a whole, allowing users to manage all security devices with just one standalone platform.

It adopts a double ARM operation system and supports eight-channel video and eight-channel alarm, four-group reader and lock inputs, as well as eight-channel door-contact inputs. Using H.264/MPEG-4, it records D1/CIF images. The product combines the functions of a DVR, access controller and alarm panel, enabling users to experience an integrated security solution.

Integration
Embedded with software, Anson's new offering integrates video monitoring and recording, access control, intercoms and alarms in one system. Operators can manage and control the system via LAN or WAN, or the bundled Network Security Management (NSM) software.

The integrated solution revolutionizes traditional security. By plugging into the NSR's standard connector, the system is able to connect DVRs, NVRs, access control systems, video door phones, alarms and other devices to meet security requirements. Any device that fails in operation will not affect the system.

Functionalities
Compared to traditional software integration, the NSR works with embedded processing with more stable operation for various functions such as audio and video recording, access management, alarm management, remote control, information query and network transmission.

In surveillance, the embedded solution can support four to eight cameras to deliver real-time video at 25 or 30 fps for each channel input. The recorded video can be played back simultaneously when needed.

At the access front, the product wo rk s t o mana ge a t t endanc e , supporting three-shift and multiple day attendance, overtime statistics, work times and arranged shifts by day or month.

In alarm management, equipped with eight-channel inputs and eightchannel outputs, the NSR can integrate with access control and video surveillance to establish a unified security environment. With an optional expansion board, its alarm output can be extended up to 12 channels and can support other exterior devices.

For communications, voice communication is supported through the Internet Explorer browser or NSM software. While in LAN or WAN, broadcasting or calling any security point is also available.

Other functions like Wi-Fi transmission, online patrol and IR remote control are integrated. One NSR alone works as a small security manager to secure one area. Multiple NSRs can also be deployed for large projects, to watch over more than one point remotely with greater stability and less cost.

Video Surveillance Trends for 2012

Editor / Provider: Submitted by IMS Research | Updated: 1/16/2012 | Article type: Hot Topics

The following 10 video surveillance predictions for 2012 serve to provide some guidance on the key trends and opportunities in each of these areas, which you might find useful in planning for the year ahead.

1.REFOCUSING ON IMAGE QUALITY
We forecast that by 2015, more than 70 percent of all network camera shipments will be of megapixel resolution. In spite of this, over the last 12 months, manufacturers have continued to push for greater numbers of megapixels. This trend plays to the common misconception that more megapixels/more resolution equates to better image quality. However, video quality is dependent on factors other than the number of megapixels on the sensor, such as the lens and image processing. IMS believes that for the vast majority of manufacturers, there will be a renewed focus on image quality in 2012.

To date, the market opportunity for “high-megapixel” cameras remains relatively niche. Manufacturers will need to further develop their points of differentiation. Likely advancements will be in well-established areas of need, such as low-light capability and wide-dynamic range; we will also see increasing adoption of P-iris lens technology and advances in live video.

2.FROM THE BRICS TO CIVETS
Given the Eurozone crisis that looks to potentially dampen global economic growth in 2012, where will video surveillance suppliers find opportunities for growth in the coming year?

Over the last few years, the BRICs have been the countries of choice for video surveillance vendors seeking new growth opportunities. Unlike the more developed markets in EMEA and North America, the BRICs were far less impacted by the recent economic downturn. IMS estimates that the total video surveillance equipment market in the BRICs was worth more than US$2.5 billion in 2010. With a growth rate exceeding 20 percent for the next two years, the BRICs will continue to offer video surveillance vendors solid growth opportunities, as the more established and mature video surveillance markets feel the impact from a potential second downturn. Beyond the BRICs, where should companies seek out new growth opportunities? The CIVETS (Colombia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Egypt, Turkey and South Africa) are being touted as the next set of tiger economies due to their rapidly industrializing economies. The indicators appear promising as the current long-term GDP rate for the CIVETS is in line with that for the BRICs.

In terms of spending on video surveillance equipment, the CIVETS are a minnow when compared to the BRICs. However, in the mid- to long-term, as infrastructure development and social mobility increase, the CIVETS will provide a strong opportunity for growth. In terms of market size, the CIVETS will not overtake the BRICs for many years, if at all; however, IMS believes that manufacturers will begin to explore the long-term growth potential of the CIVETS in 2012.

3.HD OVER COAX
So, what are the three key things that need to happen in 2012 to give HD-over-coax (focusing on HD-SDI only) equipment a platform for growth?

A.STANDARDIZATION
For HD over coax to penetrate the existing analog market, multivendor/brand compatibility is a must. Currently, there is little standardization among HD-SDI video surveillance equipment.

B.STORAGE COST
HD-SDI cameras transmit uncompressed HD video which can lead to high storage requirements and cost. For HD-SDI to breach the mainstream analog purchasing market, the price of storage needs to fall. Additionally, the supply of HD-over-coax compression ICs is effectively an oligopoly, as the market is perceived as niche and does not yet warrant other manufacturers entering the fray.

C.MARKET EDUCATION
Manufacturers need to engage the correct market segments and promote HD-over-coax products as a potential alternative to analog or network video surveillance solutions.

IMS predicts that manufacturers will continue to push HD-over-coax equipment to the end user, increasing availability and choice. With the backing from large vendors, it is increasingly likely that a number of other large video surveillance brands will begin to introduce some form of HD-over-coax products into their portfolios in 2012. As with last year's predictions, we do not believe that 2012 will herald an explosion in demand for HD over coax. However, IMS forecasts that the HD-over-coax category will still see strong growth, with the market size nearly doubling, as increasing numbers of manufacturers begin to push this technology forward. [NextPage]

4.ANALYTICS TO THE EDGE
IMS predicts that in the coming years, the types of applications that can be performed at the edge on the device's main processor will increase. This will mainly be driven by the availability of more powerful processors and partly by the refinement of VCA applications to make them less processor-intensive.

Basic analytics will become standard features, and more advanced, “paid for” analytics will be performed at the edge. Over time, an increasing variety of analytics will be added as standard features, at no extra cost to the customer. Moreover, more powerful processors will enable multiple VCA algorithms to be performed at the same time to improve detection capabilities.

VCA is increasingly being used outside of the security realm, such as driver assistance cameras and interactive gaming consoles (such as Microsoft's Kinect). Some of these new markets for VCA offer high-volume potential, which is attracting the attention of chip makers.

5.MORE M&A ACTIVITY
Despite the economic turmoil, M&A activity in the security industry has continued over the last couple of years. However, video surveillance acquisitions have not been at the forefront of these deals; generally, M&A activity has been on a much smaller scale. Most recently, March Networks announced its plans to be acquired by Infinova in a deal worth around $90 million.

IMS' annual report on the global video surveillance equipment market estimated that the market in 2010 was worth more than $9 billion in 2010, with nearly 40 percent of all sales contributed by the top 15. We forecast that network video surveillance equipment sales will exceed 25 percent in 2012, despite uncertainty in the Eurozone. While we will not see a spate of billion-dollar deals in 2012, it is likely that a greater volume of midsized deals will complete in the next 12 months.

6.LOOKING UP TO THE CLOUD
At the end of 2010, IMS forecast the increased traction of cloud-based video surveillance, also known as VSaaS. The market certainly picked up in 2011, with notable sales growth of around 20 to 30 percent. However, the market is still emerging, developing and evolving. IMS believes that there are a number of potential avenues for suppliers of VSaaS to explore in the coming year.

A majority of the security cameras used in small and midsized enterprises are solely used for security reasons. However, some of the more tech-savvy users are beginning to leverage and monetize video from their existing systems. Rather than simply leaving video dormant on a hard-disk drive (HDD), business owners could post or stream video to the Internet, allowing customers to see real-time footage of the place they intend to visit. Video could be integrated with Groupon, TripAdvisor, Yelp or even Google Street View. Prior investment in security equipment could be transformed from an expense to a revenue-generating tool. IMS estimates that nearly 65 percent of the DVRs sold in 2011 were Ethernet-enabled, demonstrating the potential market for video to be distributed to the cloud and used for nonsecurity purposes.

7.TURNING POINT FOR SPINNING DISKS
The average price of HDDs has been falling for more than two decades. Now faced with the consequences of the recent flooding in Thailand, the video surveillance storage industry could well see the effects of a change to this trend.

The reported extent of the disruption to HDD production differs from vendor to vendor. Official statements of predicted price increases vary from 0 to 180 percent. The net result for 2012 is likely to be a softening to the trend of falling storage prices.

8.VMS, NOT AS WE KNOW IT
IMS predicts that 2012 will see a raft of innovation in the VMS space, as vendors attempt to stave off the threat of commoditization.

For the more established VMS vendors to continue to enjoy the historic high growth rates, they need to accomplish two key things: (1) maintain and increase presence in the upper market tier and (2) grow in the middle and lower tiers of the market.

The key selling feature of many VMS systems has been “openness,” and while the ability to integrate to a broad range of video surveillance brands is still desirable, this has become more of a basic expectation. IMS believes that VMS vendors will work on the following innovations in the next 12 months.

A.USER INTERFACE
While different VMS solutions do contain unique features, user interfaces in general are fairly similar. Manufacturers will seek to develop simpler and more intuitive user interfaces in the coming year.

B.MOBILE APPLICATIONS
Applications for mobile platforms, such as iOS and Android, will be the front of many VMS manufacturers' arsenal in the coming year. The market for mobile video surveillance applications is still relatively immature; this is true for both the technology and the market demand. Simple concepts, such as leveraging location services, would provide enhanced user experience.

C.SITUATIONAL AWARENESS
The integration between access control and video surveillance systems has been a well-trodden path in the last few years, and this trend will persist through 2012. VMS vendors will look to further develop their offerings from pure-play VMS platforms to security management platforms. VMS vendors have already sought to bridge the gap between supply and demand for situational awareness by implementing “PSIM-like” features in their platforms (such as enhanced functionality with Google or Esri maps). IMS believes that 2012 will see an acceleration of this trend. [NextPage]

9.BEYOND H.264
H.264 has become the de facto compression technology for video surveillance systems. However, a combination of factors in 2012 could lead to advancements in video surveillance compression: (1) the flooding in Thailand; (2) the global economic climate; and (3) the phenomenal growth of HD and megapixel cameras.

In 2012, shipments of HD and megapixel cameras are forecast to increase by more than 70 percent, compared with the previous year. While the accelerated proliferation of high-resolution security cameras provides end users with benefits, such as greater clarity when viewing live video, the storage costs can be significant due to the larger file sizes. Some of the potential compression alternatives are as follows.

A.H.264 SVC
While there are many different variants of H.264 available on the market, the scalable video coding (SVC) variety, despite being well-established in other industries, is still not commonplace in the video surveillance industry. The key benefits of the SVC variant include a reduction in bandwidth (leading to a reduction in storage requirement) and dynamically resizable video.

B.WEBM
An open and royalty-free video compression format based on VP8, it is debatable whether WebM is more efficient or performs better than H.264. However, WebM is optimized for HTML5 video, which could be a key consideration in VSaaS applications. The stumbling block is that WebM currently does not have an associated real-time streaming protocol.

C.HEVC
High-efficiency video coding (HEVC) is still under development and is seen to be the evolution of H.264, providing increased compression efficiency. Ratification of this new standard is not scheduled until late 2012/ early 2013.

So, what will happen in 2012? It would be fair to say the video surveillance industry is not on the cutting edge of technology advancements in video compression. Longer term, HEVC is perhaps the most likely successor to H.264, but that will depend on just how much better it performs and its suitability for video surveillance applications.

10.INTERNET OF THINGS IN CHINA
One trend which is unlikely to have a big impact on the video surveillance market in 2012 but will receive more publicity and have a longer-term impact is the Internet of Things (IoT).

IoT is a concept in which individual objects are electronically identified and categorized virtually in an Internet-like structure. To be identified, such objects need to contain a tag such as an RFID tag. Once categorized, supply could more easily meet demand, waste would be reduced, and it would be possible to find objects when they become lost.

IoT is receiving a lot of attention in China. The Chinese central government is strategically focusing on the development of seven emerging industries. These industries are expected to enjoy preferential policy treatment in a number of respects. New generation of information technology (NGIT) is one of these industries; and IoT is one of the most important parts of NGIT.

China has installed millions of video surveillance cameras over the past 10 years, and these cameras could provide a source of information to verify the categorization of objects for IoT. It is questionable whether IoT will drive new investment into security cameras. However, the expected benefits of IoT will help justify public expenditure on video surveillance equipment.

Honeywell Tapped to Overhaul Video Surveillance at Niagara Falls Casino

Editor / Provider: Honeywell | Updated: 12/22/2011 | Article type: Commercial Markets

Honeywell has been selected to overhaul the video surveillance system at Casino Niagara, one of the top tourism attractions in Canada's famed Niagara Falls. The project includes retrofitting the existing surveillance network with IP video technology that will allow casino officials to use a single command and control center to view and remotely manage the systems at both Casino Niagara and its nearby sister facility, Fallsview Casino.

The project calls for Honeywell to provide its VMS (video management system) and video and audio matrix to oversee the casino, which encompasses 1,600 slot machines, 28 gaming tables, a 12-table poker room and several other attractions. Additionally, it will upgrade the casino's VCR recording system to an enterprise-wide digital recorder network.

“By consolidating our operation with this new technology, we will be able to better utilize our staffing resources to maximize our operational efficiencies, and provide more proactive and resourceful solutions for the organization as a whole,” said Brian McDonough, Director of Surveillance, Niagara Casinos.

In addition to VMS, Honeywell's wide portfolio of entry level-to-enterprise IP offerings includes IP-based network video recorders (NVRs), hybrid digital video recorders (DVRs) and a full line of cameras. These offerings are designed to help organizations simplify the transition from analog to IP video surveillance.

“One of the defining characteristics of this new system will be its ability to accommodate future growth and save money in the long run, while providing effective surveillance that will help the casino protect its patrons and employees,” said Dave Herrington, global account manager for Honeywell Systems. “The open architecture of VMS makes it easier to expand the network as needed, and it only requires operators to learn one system to control everything. It's a much easier entry to IP video.”

Peruvian Malls Select Total Video Solution from Hikvision

Editor / Provider: Hikvision | Updated: 12/21/2011 | Article type: Commercial Markets

Peru, like the majority of countries in South America, believes in a distinctive security approach when adopting new surveillance solutions.

One such example is the famous department store chain Oechsle, located throughout Peru's major cities. Oechsle's success is also analogous to Peru's economic revival.

Only a few years ago, Oechsle was an all but forgotten brand name. A once famous Peruvian symbol that had fallen on hard times and been forced to close its doors. But as the nation's economic health has rebounded with an eight to nine percent annual GDP growth rate; the Oechsle brand was similarly reenergized with new owners and a host of new stores throughout Peru's biggest cities – locations that host 80 percent of the country's population.

Yet, just as Peru's economy and Oechsle's fortunes rebounded, one significant difference remained: security. Much had changed in the world since Oechsle's initially closed its doors in the 1990s, but most South American companies were still not embracing technological improvement. The concept of CCTV is new to Latin American countries – Peru included. As recently as only a couple of years ago, many major corporations and businesses were relying almost exclusively on traditional security guards to protect their investments.

As such, in 2009, Hikvision approached Oechsle's new management with speed dome cameras and DVR units. After testing Hikvision products against a variety of other competitors, Oechsle chose to go with Hikvision in order to better secure their stores.

After careful consideration, Oechsle management decided upon three Hikvision products for their stores. The first was the analog speed dome. This camera was selected for a variety of reasons, but most importantly, this camera particularly filled the security needs for a department store. It has proven to be a great match for Oechsle because of the nature of the business. Oechsle needed an analog solution that offered high resolution and was also extremely flexible.

Both high resolution and flexibility were, and are, key to Oechsle. This is based on the nature of the shopping environment: an open space with customers continuously moving to various areas. The analog speed dome allows personnel in the store's security center to discretely follow individuals and eliminate obvious and offensive traditional tactics such as prompting a security guard to continually follow this person. This is accomplished by this Hikvision speed dome's 1/4 inch SONY CCD, providing the essential ability to zoom onto questionable situations with a great degree of resolution; and 360 degree of endless pan range, providing the ability to discreetly monitor groups or individuals without their knowledge.

Additionally, Oechsle management opted for two Hikvision standalone DVR units. Both DVRs have greatly enhanced security efficiency and productivity at Oechsle's many stores throughout Peru. As with Hikvision's speed dome camera, this DVR revolution has changed the way that security departments now approaches these matters. In Peru, security video is generally stored for one month, but the DVRs allow Oechsle to easily exceed this. In fact, with up to 8 hard discs and 16 terabytes of memory, Oechsle can store more than 2 months of footage on one DVR alone.

Besides benefits such as this, easy-to-use functionality, and an overall high standard of quality, Oechsle's security department was greatly pleased with an additional benefit: the ability to view high-resolution video in order to settle customer disputes, and if needed, to provide as evidence in cases of theft or fraud.

Zooming in on Asia and China Markets

Editor / Provider: The Editorial Team | Updated: 12/20/2011 | Article type: Hot Topics

With doubts about the eurozone, many companies are looking into other markets. This will help businesses diversify their portfolios and minimize regional risk. The spotlight in recent years has focused on Asia — with reason. Asia includes many of the world's fast-growing, high-potential economies, such as China, Taiwan, Russia, Korea, India and Indonesia.

As Simon Siew, MD for APAC, HID Global (an Assa Abloy company), said, “We are targeting new market segments where we believe have strong growth potential. Since the 2008/9 recession, we have grown considerably in [Asia], which is still an unsaturated market. There is a lot of room for growth, and I believe with the right solutions, we can spur greater demand and look to surpass the European sales organization in the coming years.”

Guy Chénard, VP of Worldwide Sales and Business Development, Genetec, emphasizes the potential in the APAC markets. “APAC is our ‘last frontier,' accounting for about 6 percent of our total sales. Our overall growth target for 2012 is 36 percent, with video expected to grow by more than 30 percent and access control more than 70 percent.”

Daniel Chau, Marketing Director for APAC, Honeywell Security, explained a little behind the success of Asia. “In APAC, government and police attention, better standards of living, and foreign investment and capital expenditure have been strong driving forces, and the region has actually become the center of IP-based video surveillance.”

Without a doubt, much of the attention on Asia is focused specifically on China. Though uncertainties remain about the Middle Kingdom, its huge market potential has seduced businesses the world over. David Grinstead, VP of Worldwide Sales, Tyco Security Products, said. “China is not an emerging market; it already emerged, and the growth is phenomenal. We have also doubled our investment in China.”

IMS Research explained that the boom in Chinese security started in 2006 with the government's launch of its nationwide “Safe City” program. “As a result of this program, the market peaked between 2008 and 2010, during which time the Beijing Olympics, Shanghai Expo and Guangzhou Asia Games were also successfully held, and a massive US$600-billion (RMB$4-trillion) government stimulus funding was injected into the economy,” said Paul Everett, Research Director.

Frost & Sullivan predicts that the video surveillance market in China will continue to grow more than 30 percent year on year to 2015. Speaking about IP video, William Ku, Brand Business Director for Vivotek, said, “We have had very strong growth here from 2009, thanks to ongoing government initiatives and a complete supply chain. IP video in China is growing at 33 to 35 percent per year.”

One of the major drivers for IP-based video in China is an emerging requirement for HD video. “A good example of this is the Beijing police ordering all supermarkets and shopping malls to install HD security cameras,” said Bo Zhang, Senior Analyst at IMS Research.

Gert van Iperen, Charman and President of Bosch Security Systems, mentioned the meteoric growth of network videos in China. “Four years ago, we were talking about DVRs in China, but the market is moving now with increasing speed to IP and HD. Originally, we thought China would become our second largest market in 2013, but It is already in 2011.”

Opportunities also abound in the access control markets. Eric Chiu, Director of Sales for China, HID Global (an Assa Abloy company), said, “Globally, while China is not our biggest market, it does boast one of the highest growth rates, with doubledigit CAGRs projected for the next five to 10 years.”

“A significant part of future growth within the Chinese access control market will be generated from mid-end projects (50 to 199 doors), with a focus on port, rail, commercial, government and hospital projects,” Everett agreed. “Large government-led programs are moving aside, giving way to commercial and industrial projects of a much larger size than in previous years.”

Though there has been talk about price sensitivity and decreasing margins in Asia, an interesting phenomenon is emerging from China. “There are two extremes in the Chinese market: one where unit prices are key and changing very fast, and the other where end users are willing to pay $300,000 to $450,000 for consultation just to get system planning right,” said Tyrone Huang, GM for Security and Fire Solutions in China, Siemens Building Technologies.

Given the huge potential, there are still challenges with trying to move into new territories. Siew spoke of problems in China and another rising Asian star, India. “The challenge in these countries is twofold. One of the issues is evangelizing and promoting technology solutions in nascent marketplaces with channels which aren't very well-developed, but certainly desire to move forward quickly. Secondly, there are intellectual-property challenges that require additional attention. Despite these challenges, China and India represent tremendous growth opportunities.”

Charles Cousins, MD of APAC, Genetec, echoed similar sentiments. “Our biggest challenges in APAC are network evangelization and customizations. For big systems to work properly, consultants, channel partners and end users need to understand the intricacies of networking and storage technologies.”

However, given the past few years, security players are accustomed to dealing with trouble and are ready for changes in Asia and the rest of the world. Yasushi Matsumoto, Manager for Asia, Global Marketing Group, Security and AV Systems Business Unit, Panasonic System Networks, “After the 2008 recession and 2011 earthquakes and floods, we are as prepared as we can be for any market uncertainty and dynamics.”

Cleaning Company in South Africa Deploys Comprehensive Solution With Honeywell

Editor / Provider: Honeywell | Updated: 12/19/2011 | Article type: Commercial Markets

Wetrok has been at the forefront of cleaning technology since 1948, providing customer satisfaction with a comprehensive range of products and services for professional cleaning. In March 1982 Industro-Clean and Wetrok signed an agreement which laid the foundation for Wetrok South Africa to become a significant player in the South African cleaning market. The head office is located in Honeydew, north-west of Johannesburg, and there are 11 branches across South Africa and a distributor in Namibia.

The business headquarters in Johannesburg comprises of offices, a training centre and warehouses; many of the products, including equipment, cleaning agents and consumables are stored both within the warehouse and externally at all times of the day. Cleaning products and consumables have an intrinsic value and a high resale value on the grey market.

Until recently, to protect the facility and its valuable stock, Wetrok employed a basic CCTV system and contracted extra security guards for out of hour's surveillance at a cost of 7,000 rand per month.

Wetrok experienced high levels of theft equivalent to one million rand, which increased every year and where the majority of theft was internal. Products were mainly being illegally smuggled out of the premises by passing the goods over the perimeter wall. In addition, the man-guarding service was not reliable. The incumbent CCTV cameras were either broken or the cables had been cut to prevent surveillance and detection, resulting in the monitoring company often consulting blank screens.

A separate building used as a storage area was largely unmanned, which made it difficult to monitor activity and suspicious behavior within this building.

The facility does not have the capacity to house a security control room and there were no standard operating procedures in place for effective escalation of security incidents.

The challenge for Complete Security was to provide a remotely monitored solution which encompassed state-of-the-art CCTV and access control, and would effectively reduce shrinkage, without compromising Wetrok's business operations.

Complete Security chose Honeywell Video Analytics software as the basis of the loss prevention solution at Wetrok.

“The Analytics suite was the key to Honeywell being chosen for this installation and it was easy to configure,” said Sean Stirrat, Complete Security. “The ability to proactively deter theft from a remote location was critical in being able to satisfy the client's requirements.”

There are 12 channels of video analytics deployed through a dedicated server running Honeywell's suite. A mix of analogue and IP cameras based around the perimeter and in key locations are connected to the analytics server.

Honeywell IP cameras have been installed as part of the network enabled CCTV system. In addition, Honeywell IP cameras vandal resistant mini domes are deployed to maximize the hybrid functionality of the Fusion digital video recorder (DVR). In total, two 16 channel Fusion DVRs record 32 channels of video from across the site. Remote Client software has been installed at Complete Security's new control room to remotely monitor all analytics channels from the site.

The software greatly increases event detection accuracy while virtually eliminating false alarms and is used to full effect when monitoring suspicious behavior. Complete Security's operators are alerted to suspicious behavior along the perimeter before actual incidents occur. The individuals are initially challenged by audio warnings on-site, before the incident is escalated to a local security response team.

The Honeywell DVR enables security staff to monitor and record remote images using the Fusion Video Management Software (FVMS). This is particularly useful in the event of incidents requiring police intervention, such as theft. The Fusion DVR allows stills from a particular point in time to be easily downloaded and printed and these can then be used to aid the investigation of a crime or for evidence. FVMS allows multiple cameras from multiple sites to be viewed from a remote location on one screen at the same time. The operator can then digitally select any given camera view for closer inspection with the easy to use drag and drop functionality.

Caribbean Restaurant on Dutch Island Deploys Mobile Video Solution

Editor / Provider: mobiDEOS | Updated: 12/7/2011 | Article type: Commercial Markets

Video surveillance and remote monitoring company mobiDEOS announces that Cheri's Cafe, a Caribbean restaurant and entertainment spot on St. Maarten Island, is using MobileCamViewer for business surveillance and remote video monitoring. The application has reduced costs for the owner by eliminating unnecessary calls and trips to the restaurant, while seamlessly integrating with an existing on-site security system.

Cheri's Cafe is a tourist landmark located in the center of Maho on the Dutch side of St. Maarten, offering Caribbean cuisine and nightly entertainment. Hours run late, with owner and operator Cheri Batson managing a 46-member staff.

Batson travels frequently on business, and when home the long hours of operation make it impossible to be there from open to close. The large number of customers, entertainers and cafe staff require constant monitoring to ensure the safety of the guests and the continuous harmony of the cafe atmosphere.

Batson turned to mobile surveillance to monitor restaurant activity, from ensuring customer safety to keeping workers on task. She estimates that the application has saved approximately 25 hours of travel time and more than $500 in travel-related expenses per month. MobileCamViewer has also eliminated the need to check in with staff by phone while traveling.

The application integrates with a Pelco 16-channel DVR and multiple Axis cameras, with Batson using MobileCamViewer on her iPhone and iPad while at home or traveling. She also uses the mobiDEOS WebView fixed surveillance solution to view her cameras on her MAC.

MobileCamViewer's open platform has helped Cheri's Cafe minimize the costs of launching a mobile surveillance system. The application works across all security systems installed in the restaurant.

MobileCamViewer offers secure, reliable carrier-grade cell phone-based video surveillance and remote monitoring solutions, providing “anytime, anywhere” mobile video surveillance for virtually every situation. Its compatibility across almost all smartphones, tablets, cameras, DVRs, NVRs and video servers — as well as simple integration with PC and MAC-based iOS systems — enables MobileCamViewer to comply with both new and existing network infrastructures.

Residential District in London Reduces Crime With Public Monitoring

Editor / Provider: Rapid Vision Systems | Updated: 12/5/2011 | Article type: Residential & Consumer

Hounslow Homes is wholly owned by the London Borough of Hounslow and is tasked with managing over 16,500 homes. It is responsible for providing a complete range of services including home improvement works, leaseholder services, resident participation, home ownership, rents, customer services, training, partnering and procurement and service development.

Hounslow Homes is committed to stamping out anti-social behavior, harassment, hate crime, domestic violence and the abuse of adults and children at risk.

To ensure that reports of these types of behavior are dealt with appropriately, it's Anti-Social Behavior and Tenancy Team works closely in partnership with the police and other agencies to prevent this type of unacceptable behavior, take action against perpetrators as well as supporting and protecting victims.

CCTV plays an important role in this process and Hounslow Homes wanted to improve the way that incidents were monitored and enhance its ability to gather evidential quality images that would aid successful prosecutions.

Rapid Vision Systems has been providing Hounslow Homes with a range of covert and overt CCTV solutions since 2009. The company was selected because it had proven experience of developing cost effective solutions for other housing associations and the rapid deployment capabilities of the system demonstrated to tenants the commitment to resolving anti-social behavior issues.

Rapid Vision Systems worked closely in partnership with Hounslow Homes' Anti-Social Behavior and Tenancy Team to develop a wide a range of covert solutions including cameras installed in common household objects. They are mounted in inconspicuous locations and deliver excellent low light performance allowing target locations to be monitored around the clock. The excellent covert hides being paramount in making the tenants feel secure with their usage.

In addition, there are now fewer offenders as they are aware of the effectiveness of the cameras. The cameras have made a big impact on residents particularly one who had been viciously attacked by a neighbor and was in fear of the family having made a statement to support Hounslow Homes' action against the perpetrators. A covert camera was placed in his property to provide support and prevent or detect any offences. Following the eviction of the family monitored, he wrote to thank Hounslow Homes for the immediate and effective support of the camera and the reassurance it provided to him and visitors to his property.

The Anti-Social Behaviour and Tenancy Team also works closely in partnership with local wardens to deliver the highest level of service to residents. Their liveried warden vehicles have been equipped with windscreen-mounted cameras and on-board DVRs, supplied by Rapid Vision Systems, for use in a variety of surveillance applications.

The vehicles have been deployed to capture evidence of anti-social behavior, drug dealing and other such incidents with evidential quality images captured at distances of up to 200 meters.

Second Largest Turkish Bank Improves Security With Hikvision Network Video

Editor / Provider: Hikvision | Updated: 12/5/2011 | Article type: Commercial Markets

With branches and ATMs located in over 2,000 different locations in the 81 provinces of Turkey, Ziraat Bank is the largest in the country and offers congenial, high-quality service to a million and a half customers every day. Due to a high level of cash flow as well as large numbers of customers coming through the branches daily, a rigorous and reliable surveillance system was required to safeguard the customers, employees and assets for Ziraat Bank.

Ziraat Bank wanted to build a centralized surveillance system supporting high-quality video viewing and retrieval at bank headquarters in Ankara to manage and remotely monitor the whole surveillance system covering all the branches and ATMs.

Due to a limited Internet connection using their private network, Ziraat Bank needed to choose surveillance products occupying narrow network bandwidth to ensure smooth video processing. Ziraat Bank, like all banks worldwide, must detect subtle behavior that demonstrates possible frauds and robbery to secure the safety of the bank and ATMs for cash transactions.

Other unique requirements from the bank, such as to backup multi-channel video data remotely and to have preview and playback video on the same screen simultaneously, had to be met as well.

A great many of corporations in security industry were eager to be involved in the Ziraat Bank project. However, Hikvision, the leading digital surveillance products supplier, was selected to provide its reliable DVRs and technical support to secure the bank. Two thousand Hikvision Network DVRs were installed in every Ziraat Bank branch and ATM kiosk throughout Turkey.

The Hikvision Network DVR comes with 16-, 8- or 4-channel video and audio inputs, and facilitates real-time recording and playback with resolution of up to 4CIF. In particular, utilizing Hikvision's own enhanced H.264 video codec, the Network DVR is able to provide smooth video streams with minimal bandwidth occupation, fully complying with the requirements of Ziraat Bank.

Featuring digital zoom in preview and playback, the Network DVRs helps security staff zoom in on the image for minute details of cash transactions in the ATMs. Should illegal activities take place, the video footage can be viewed closely and clearly, and then turned over to the authorities for investigation. These actions effectively enhance the security level in the locations where cash flow in and out.

In addition, backing up video data by remotely downloading it in multi-channels is supported by the s Network DVRs. This dramatically enhances the efficiency of data downloading compared to the original single channel. Have preview and playback video on the same screen simultaneously allows security staff in banking environments to monitor the on-site security status and playback the video footage at the same time.

With Hikvision's CMS (central management software) being used in the monitoring center back at headquarters, Ziraat Bank can centrally manage all the surveillance devices in its branches and ATMs and get access to security status on the scene timely.