Milestone releases 2012 financials, surpasses $55M

Editor / Provider: Milestone Systems | Updated: 5/7/2013 | Article type: Security 50

Milestone Systems has delivered solid financial results for 2012 and demonstrates continuous growth. A constant focus on product innovation, business strategy, employee leadership development through management training and partner program expansions have been key factors in the company's success.

Now in its 15th year, Milestone continues to accomplish strong growth both in their home market and internationally. Milestone has recorded revenue growth of 19.5 percent to US$55.62 million (DKK 318 Million) against $46.89 million in 2011. Operating income before depreciation (EBITDA) reached $9 million and net income reached $2.21 million. The number of employees grew by 13 percent, from 310 on average in 2011 to 351 employees globally in 2012.

"Demand for IP-based video surveillance is increasing globally. With the solid results in 2012, our compounded average growth rate has been 26 percent over the last five years. Milestone continues to grow because we go to market with the right products, and Milestone solutions are based on an open platform so they can meet the different needs of various segments. Our success is shared worldwide through strong relationships with our partners," says Lars Thinggaard, President and CEO of Milestone Systems.

A constant focus on the business strategy, including partner, employee and leadership training, helps to sustain this positive outcome.

"We have followed our strategy and are proud of the result in 2012. Milestone attained success especially in Europe, the Middle East and the US, and we achieved very impressive growth rates in Brazil and Russia. There are good opportunities for us in Russia, and in Brazil we won some significant customers, including the Mineirao football stadium whose new IP video surveillance solution will manage the safety of 65,000 guests when Brazil hosts the FIFA World Cup in 2014," says Lars Thinggaard.

Growing people fosters a growing business
In 2012 Milestone invested $9.67 million in R&D as well as additional millions in employee development and leadership training.

“One of our highest priorities in 2012 has been to continue investing in the training of our approximately 55 managers, who are now through the second wave of Milestone Leadership Academy - a development program that makes our leaders become even better at dealing with human, financial and technical issues to ensure that these support our common goals. We do it because we believe that growing people contribute to a growing business: it is essential for us to give our employees the opportunity to take leadership and influence the development of the company," says Thinggaard and continues:

"Moreover, world-class research and development has always been a key priority for Milestone, so we invest a substantial portion of our revenue in R&D every year. Milestone continues to grow because we consistently listen to market needs and act on the feedback. The investments support Milestone's aim to stay competitive in the world market."

Expectations for the future
Milestone Systems has high expectations for the future and will continue to invest in growth, and to service and support the company's ecosystem of partners and customers in more than 100 countries. About 60 percent of the physical security market is estimated to be using analog equipment, so there is considerable potential business that will be moving to IP networked solutions over the coming years. Therefore, Milestone has created three new business units to address a broader range of market opportunities, including Incubation and Ventures with an office in Silicon Valley, USA.

Affordable and easy, the way to go

Editor / Provider: Hayden Hsu, asmag.com | Updated: 5/7/2013 | Article type: Hot Topics

Walk around any security show in the world today — brand new, innovative products can be scarce to find. Due to mediocre global economic recovery and longer life/selling cycles, solution developers have earmarked more resources for sales and marketing promotions of existing offerings, as well as fine-tuning and repurposing/verticalizing them. Making products cheaper and easier to deploy, in a disruptive innovation manner, has become the No. 1 priority for many (especially the big guys).

It should not be a surprise that traditional security gold mines (higher-end projects in the government and MNC verticals) are as competitive as they can get and are not as lucrative these days. Manufacturers and solution developers, big and small alike, have scrambled to develop new markets, both vertically and geographically. One thing that mid- to low-end vertical segments and emerging economies have in common is the need for price- and user-friendliness.

On the affordability front, industry heavyweights, such as Axis Communications, Bosch Security Systems, Honeywell Security, Milestone Systems, Tyco Security Products and many more, have not shied away from promoting the “Lite version” or “Home edition” of their respective offerings in trade publications, at trade shows or on their own dedicated websites. Take Secutech International 2013 for example. Cost-effective solutions from Tier-2 or Chinese vendors attracted an unusually high amount of foot traffic and eyeballs; many even ran out of their demo samples at the end of Day 2. If one were to use a pharmaceutical analogy, now would be the heyday of generic drugs.

On the simplicity and usability front, those that still do not offer vertical solutions or plug-and-play models are most likely seen as outliers. More hardware devices are packing more heat, or processing power, and can multitask and yield better results, at a lower total cost. Similarly, more management software providers, such as Genetec and Nice Systems, are offering cloud-based or easier-to-deploy models that take the headaches out of struggling integrators or users.

So, the message to take home is disruptive innovation — a term used in business and technology literature to describe innovations that improve a product or service in ways that the market does not expect, typically first by designing for a different set of consumers in the new market and later by lowering prices in the existing market.

Growth Engine in Asia
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Australian pharmacy cures surveillance ailments with networked video

Editor / Provider: Axis Communications | Updated: 5/7/2013 | Article type: Commercial Markets

Australia's largest pharmacy retailer, Chemist Warehouse, rolled out an IP-based video surveillance system consisting of 5,500 Axis Communications network cameras and Milestone Systems enterprise VMS at its 240 stores nationwide to monitor prescription drugs. The retailer had used the cameras and VMS for more than five years. Camera models deployed include fixed domes, outdoor vandal resistant HD domes, HD network cameras, 3-megapixel HD cameras.

The Australian pharmaceutical industry is heavily regulated, with a raft of stringent compliance criteria that must be satisfied on an ongoing basis. The security of prescribed medication is paramount and maintaining a reliable security network is an industry regulation. In order to remain at the forefront of pharmacy services in Australia, Chemist Warehouse, needed to work with a solution that was reliable as well as scalable to keep up with their expansion.

“As with all Australian pharmacies, we stock a large variety of sought-after prescription and over-the-counter medications,” said Ryan Calvert, IT Operations Manager, Chemist Warehouse. “Because of this, we cannot afford to have even one camera down.”

“Our blind testing revealed that Axis' cameras have a less than a one per cent failure rate, compared to cameras from other vendors which generally had a failure rate of between four and five per cent,” explained Calvert. Chemist Warehouse chose an IP-based system because of its open platform, infrastructure to support evolving software applications and network integration, such as adding software applications onto its existing network as they develop. In addition, the system's scalability could provide for future surveillance needs in a way analog solutions could not, thus investments could be futureproofed, hence reducing total cost of ownership and increasing long-term ROI.

Axis cameras' compatibility with Milestone software was also a bonus for Chemist Warehouse, according to Angelo Salvatore, Manager, Australia, Milestone. “Milestone enterprise VMS enables Chemist Warehouse to manage, control, view, search and export the live or recorded image feed from the latest Axis new generation network cameras, over hundreds of sites without complex networking and design considerations,” said Salvatore. “By choosing the non-propriety, open platform Milestone IP video management solution, Chemist Warehouse has the ability to customize the system to ensure it fits both the current and future needs of the organization's security and business goals.”

“With so many different stores and thus so many different layouts and traffic figures to contend with, it was important that we used software that could be tailored according to the demands of each store,” said Calvert. Calvert pointed out the company did not have to hire additional IT specialist to view recorded footage over the network. Summing up the Axis solution, Calvert said he has been extremely happy with the reliability and scalability of the Axis Network cameras for many years.

Hikvision delivers webinar training for UK installers and users

Editor / Provider: Hikvision | Updated: 5/7/2013 | Article type: Security 50

Hikvision, in conjunction with Tavcom Training UK – a leading security systems training company, has recently launched a webinar training program specifically designed for the understanding of the latest Hikvision video surveillance products and solutions.

This online webinar training program is specially tailored towards installers, system integrators, and end-users throughout the UK market. The goal of this program is to better facilitate detailed and specific knowledge of Hikvision products to these vital market segments. Included in this curriculum are key product features and basic operation skills overall, this program will allow Hikvision partners/customers to more fully construct surveillance solutions catering to market demand – all conveniently utilizing Hikvision's broad range of products, and experienced service professionals, that form the core of Hikvision – the world's leading CCTV & video surveillance equipment provider.

This online training course will be divided into three modules: DVR/NVR, IP cameras and Hikvision client software. Hikvision offers the first 1,000 participants free access to the webinar training.

“Hikvision has made significant strides in its ongoing effort to gain market share in the UK market. After our established UK technical support hotline, this webinar training program is another great Hikvision step in delivering new levels of excellence in both service and support. Additionally, we relish this opportunity to further enhance our customer and partner relationships in the UK,” noted Tony Yang, Hikvision's GM for the UK market.

Tyco Security/Software House integrates Inex/Zamir ALPR

Editor / Provider: Tyco Security Products | Updated: 5/7/2013 | Article type: Security 50

Inex/Zamir announced that its Insignia ALPR System solution is interfaced with the Software House C-CURE 9000 Security and Event Management System. Integration of the two technologies provides greater flexibility to existing C-CURE features.

Inex/Zamir, a global provider of ALPR systems, announced their having been granted the Software House Connected Program certification for the successful integration of the Insignia ALPR solution to C-CURE 9000 access control system. The Inex/Zamir system interfaces with C-CURE 9000 adding a capability for a vehicle's license plate to act as an additional means to grant or deny facility access. The direct interface with C-CURE 9000 provides real-time vehicle events to be created and sent to the C-CURE 9000 monitoring station, and provides the user multiple levels of management for collected ALPR plate data.

Key benefits to the end-user include the ability to provide "dual-credentialing" vehicle access control alongside the C-CURE 9000 card access system. Seamless command, control and administration from the C-CURE 9000 console gives the Inex/Zamir ALPR system the ability to function as a card reader, creating the option to use both systems in tandem for granting vehicle access. "Fully automated ALPR credentialing eliminates many time consuming problems associated with rapid vehicle identification and access, while still maintaining a comprehensive level of facility security," says Inex/Zamir's Director of Reseller Sales, Chuck Bartolomeo , who adds, "A typical system option could include instant vehicle-of-interest notification and alerting.'

Grow with Security 50 in Asia

Editor / Provider: Hayden Hsu, asmag.com | Updated: 5/7/2013 | Article type: Security 50

More than half of the a&s Security 50 were present at Secutech International in Taipei this year, through on-site exhibits/booths and event presentations. As Asia's premier original manufacturers' show for global solution seekers, Secutech gave the supercharged representatives an opportunity to share with the asmag and a&s team the top 50's growth strategy and focus for the year. Asia's fast rise, vertical/geography-appropriate offerings and localization efforts were among some of the recurring themes.

For all the Security 50, the Asian region passed 2012 with flying colors and double-digit growth, and most stressed the continued, heightened focus on the region, with more investments in securing or recruiting appropriate partners, product developments and personnel. Take Bosch Security Systems for example. China is now an independent region with a new, locally brewed VP reporting directly to the German headquarters. The local R&D center also has sufficient ammunitions and local talent to develop what is truly needed and used in China and Southeast Asia.

Other parts of the region — such as Mongolia and all the way to Australia and New Zealand — are also brimming with opportunities, from high-end government and MNC projects to lower-end verticals like hospitality, residential, SMBs, education, health care and more. The 50 are all busy "attacking" weight-appropriate markets and partners with the "right" tailored and cost-effective solutions. As the region is not known for clear channel structure, more are engaging in road shows and events to reach out to installers and end users directly.

It is a fun time for security professionals to be in Asia. Stay tuned to this channel for more exclusive interviews and video contents on developments in the region!

Affordability & Simplicity
For more coverage on industry trends, please visit asmag.com.

US health care analytics firm streamlines access control

Editor / Provider: Lenel Systems International (UTC) | Updated: 5/6/2013 | Article type: Commercial Markets

WhiteCloud Analytics, a healthcare analytics company– headquartered in Boise, Idaho, recently utilized Lenel's security management platform, and web-based access control system to accommodate business expansion. Apex Integrated Security Systems, one of the leading providers of integrated security systems in Northwest U.S.–also of Boise- that handled the security management platform for the complex was taking part in a pilot program for the launch of web-based access control system.

Until late June 2012, security and access control at WhiteCloud, which has a staff of more than 30 people, was based on what could be termed a traditional solution: brass keys and locks. To accommodate business expansion, WhiteCloud recently acquired more physical space in the building where they were already leasing space. The office building utilized Lenel's security management platform, and web-based access control system targeted to smaller organizations. “Everyone thinks that our office security system is the same as the building's system but it isn't,” said Jerry Loyd, Help Desk Expert and System Administrator at WhiteCloud.

The traditional mechanical locks in place at WhiteCloud created the expected security issues. “Every lock could be unlocked permanently by clicking a mechanical switch,” said Loyd. “So any one person could essentially compromise our entire security operation. And, of course, we had the usual misplaced keys, individuals locked out who needed to get in, and so forth. At the end of each work day, one of us did a complete survey of our offices to ensure that we were all buttoned up for the night.”

As WhiteCloud deals with a great deal of confidential information and protected Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act data, enhanced security became a high-priority need. “As we discussed options with WhiteCloud, it became more and more apparent that...They did not need an advanced system, but streamlined, superior access control was mandatory,” said Uli. Every WhiteCloud employee already possessed an access control card for building entry, and the ability to utilize these same cards with web-based access control system delivered an added advantage to adoption.

Training – principally on the system software – went quickly and easily, and within two days Loyd notes that he was relatively fluent on the system. The other operator is not a big technology fan but has also quickly understood and embraced the system. Following the access control system's hardware and software installation, access control cards were programmed into the system. And today, “It only takes a minute for us to add someone to the system,” said Loyd.

Loyd, and Director of Administration Natalie Shores anticipated some employee pushback when the new system was introduced, so they developed a transition plan that took employee concerns into account. “We permitted everyone to keep their keys for a few weeks,” said Shores. “They retained the physical ability to open and lock doors with keys while they became acclimated to and accepted the new system.”

In addition, the system's remote function has been particularly handy. “It's very cool to be able to allow someone entry to the offi?ce on a weekend via the iPad app,” said Loyd. “There's no need to drive across town, so the convenience is greatly appreciated.” With the web-based access control system's iPad app, administrators can permit access, check on activity, and review the events log remotely. The addition of the access control software strengthens the power of WhiteCloud's security and affords greater peace of mind to all parties involved.

EverFocus wins IP Camera Excellence Award at Secutech International 2013

Editor / Provider: EverFocus | Updated: 5/6/2013 | Article type: Security 50

EverFocus awarded the camera Excellence Awards in IP camera contest at 2013 Secutech in Taipei World Trade Center Nangang Exhibition Hall last week.

2013 Secutech, International Security Expo held from Apr. 24 -26, attracted over 520 manufacturers and professional visitors from 19 countries to Taiwan. EverFocus - an a&s 2012 Security Top 50 manufacturer -- received 2013 Secutech Camera Excellence Awards with their EAN3300― a 3 Megapixel IP Camera. With this award, the well-known CCTV manufacturer made a clear announcement to the world that they are ready for the IP battle, and once again proved their continuous hard work in IP producing is paid-off.

Earlier this year, the EverFocus EPN4220 IP speed dome received this year's Taiwan Excellence Award. Winning another IP camera Excellence Award at Secutech shows that the expansion of their product line is continuing successfully. The award proved their R&D engineers have also developed an extensive expertise in IP products.

During the contest, organized by Messe Frankfurt New Era Business Media, cameras of various brands were set up to monitor the color saturation and restoration, effective frame rate, camera shutter speed, and resolution performance. The contest also had an on-site live demo component, that not only served as a clear buyer's guide for IP Cameras but also a big encouragement for EverFocus and its business partners.

The EverFocus EAN3300 is a box-type IP camera delivering 3 Megapixel image resolution. It features WDR functionality, which can provide clear images even under back light circumstances where intensity of illumination can vary excessively. H.264/M-JPEG multi-stream output is available for simultaneous live monitoring and high-resolution recording. The EAN3300 is designed for simple installation and supports all types of indoor mounting applications.

The HD-SDI Demonstration was also a highlight of the Secutech. HD-SDI cameras and DVRs were installed to monitor banking activities in a simulated environment. EverFocus showed off their EPHD04 DVR and EQH5202, providing a total banking solution and achieved resounding success in this demonstration.

The EverFocus EPHD04 DVR supports 1920 x 1080 or 1280 x 720 resolution HDcctv cameras and offers real time HD recording and playback for all cameras at 1080p resolution. At the same time, all cameras are available for remote live display with reduced bandwidth. The built-in HDcctv DVR web server enables live display and playback of video footage without the use of specific software - a PC with web browser is all you require. Users can search video by date, time and event or filter by type of recording quickly and efficiently.

Congressman Mike Honda visits Morpho US headquarters

Editor / Provider: Morpho | Updated: 5/6/2013 | Article type: Security 50

Morpho (Safran), through its subsidiary Morpho Detection, welcomed Congressman Mike Honda (CA-17) at the Morpho Detection offices in Newark, California.

Employing more than 200 people in Newark, Morpho Detection's Bay-area offices and manufacturing facility houses the Morpho Computed Tomography (CT) Center of Excellence research and development lab. As a result, some of the most widely deployed CT-based solutions used globally to screen checked baggage for dangerous explosives and other threats are developed and manufactured in Newark, among them Morpho Detection's CTX automated explosives detection systems (EDS).

“Morpho Detection thanks Congressman Honda for being here today and his long-standing support of local businesses,” said Brad Buswell, president and CEO, Morpho Detection. “Morpho Detection has been developing advanced explosives detection solutions in Newark for more than 20 years. We look forward to continuing our work with Congressman Honda to ensure our district remains a global hub for innovation and technology.”

As part of his visit, Rep. Honda met with employees and viewed the production area of the CTX line of EDS. The most widely deployed in the world, with nearly 2,000 units assembled in Newark since 1990, Morpho Detection's CTX EDS screens checked baggage at the busiest airports in the U.S. and throughout the world.

Commenting on his visit, Rep. Mike Honda (CA-17) said: “As a member of the House Appropriations Committee and my own Blue Ribbon Task Force on Aviation Security, I know firsthand both the fiscal challenges we face as a nation and the importance of investing in advanced technology to ensure the safety of the traveling public in the future. Silicon Valley has long been a global hub for innovation in a variety of markets – allowing businesses to be more efficient and creating jobs that sustain communities. I have enjoyed learning more about technologies like those Morpho Detection manufactures and that can allow us to approach safety more intelligently and cost effectively."

Precise Biometrics' iPad 4 sleeve approved by Apple for payment applications

Editor / Provider: Precise Biometric | Updated: 5/6/2013 | Article type: Security 50

Tactivo is the first mobile smart card and fingerprint reader based on the new Lightning connector, which has been approved by Apple. This new version also supports payment chip cards.

Thomas Marschall, President and CEO of Precise Biometrics, says: “We are pleased to announce that Tactivo for iPad 4th Generation has been MFi approved by Apple and thereby is ready for global launch. We already have pending orders from both old and new Tactivo customers.”

Tactivo for iPad 4thGeneration is the first mobile smart card and fingerprint reader, based on the new Lightning connector, available in the market. It proves, once again, the market leading position Precise Biometrics has within this segment.

Together with apps and solutions from Precise Biometrics' partners, Tactivo enables government agencies and companies to maintain a high level of authentication and security when employees use mobile devices to access sensitive information. Tactivo supports both traditional smart cards, such as the US Government PIV and CAC cards, as well as payment chip cards.