Nice Systems rolls out easy-to-deploy PSIM

Editor / Provider: NICE Systems | Updated: 4/8/2013 | Article type: Security 50

Nice Systems announced the roll out of Situator Express, an easy to deploy solution for security situation management which adds an advanced layer of management to the NiceVision IP video surveillance system. The solution enables organizations to effectively monitor, manage and correlate data from four principal security systems - video, access control, intrusion, and fire detection - at a low total cost of ownership.

Situator Express is an open solution that fuses video data from NiceVision with incoming data from additional security systems to provide a unified, holistic operating picture with an intuitive display of maps and images. Using smart sensor correlation, video analytics, and automatic adaptive workflows, Situator Express enables organizations to manage security situations in real time and coordinate the most effective responses according to predefined security procedures. With it, meaningful information is shared with all relevant stakeholders and collaboration is promoted with other departments and external agencies. The solution also has an integrated reporting tool that provides information for later investigation, debriefing, and proof of compliance.

Nice's Security solutions help organizations capture, analyze and leverage big data to anticipate, manage and mitigate security and safety risks, improve operations, and make the world a safer place. The Nice security, intelligence and cyber offerings provide valuable insights that enable enterprises and governments to take the best action at the right time by correlating structured and unstructured data from multiple sensors and channels, detecting irregular patterns, and recognizing trends. Nice Security solutions are used by thousands of customers worldwide, including transportation systems, critical infrastructure, city centers, banks, enterprises and government agencies.

German theme park plays it safe

Editor / Provider: SeeTec | Updated: 3/26/2013 | Article type: Commercial Markets

Featuring 100 attractions in 13 European theme areas and five hotels, the 94 hectare Europa-Park in Rust, Germany integrated its security system into a comprehensive building management solution to improve security and park management using SeeTec VMS. This allows all cameras and subsections to be accessed and operated centrally from one control station. Additionally, the system should be able to cover the perimeter security from one single source. Malsch installer vi2vi implemented the system.

“A large compound like the Europa-Park is difficult to manage decently without proper technical support,” explained Reinhard Egner, Consulting Engineering of Europa-Park “That's why we need to be informed about all the incidents occurring on our premises.” The park management began searching for a video solution in 2008 that could meet demands beyond safety concerns such as theft prevention and divergences between visitors.

As a basic prerequisite, the project management stated the integration of all applied systems, including a burglary and fire alarm system and the SeeTec software. SeeTec software met all the requirements of a centralized solution, and is future-proof with its scalability features, and the multi solution platform offers a variety of extension options, so that individual customer requests and needs can be taken into account easily, said Mathias Bechler, PM for vi2vi. SeeTec is linked to the security and building management software by means of the multi solution platform, so that information is gathered in SeeTec and made available for the user via Advancis's PSIM software.

Hence, a smooth cooperation of both systems is ensured. VCA is used as a further component of the platform. Thus, the surveillance of the park fences is based on virtual tripwires, which guarantee the security of visitors accidentally straying from the preset paths, but also secure the park against trespassing outside the opening hours. As soon as the markings are crossed, the security staff in the control station receives an alarm notification and can react immediately.

In order to preserve the visitors' privacy, the park operators rely on the segmentation of the security staff in several authorization groups. Thus, settings have been applied in the SeeTec configuration, which for instance allow particular users to browse through the recordings, but not to edit or export them. With the SeeTec mobile VMS and  web-based VMS, the security personnel also uses mobile access options to be informed actively about incidents and to be able to react immediately when walking across the grounds.

Mobotix cams now compatible with Quintron PSIM platform

Editor / Provider: Quintron | Updated: 1/28/2013 | Article type: Security 50

Quintron Systems, the recognized supplier in interoperable enterprise-class systems for security command, control & communications, is pleased to announce that its UC3 and AccessNsite interoperable security management solution are both seamlessly integrated with the advanced Mobotix video surveillance, alarm, and communications product line.

As security, surveillance, and communication devices become smarter by moving power and performance to the edge of the network, the ability to integrate and leverage some of these capabilities is often under utilized by command and control systems. UC3 was created by Quintron to UNIFY command control and communications in situational awareness and response circumstances. A prime example of this effort is the ability for a UC3 command conference to support 2-way communications to any model of the advanced high-resolution Mobotix video camera product line that also contains a SIP voice channel.

From a multi-tech door entry Mobotix station, to an indoor or outdoor surveillance camera, or to a hemispherical 360 degree Mobotix camera mounted on the ceiling of a high security data-comm closet, UC3 now supports outgoing voice messages in response to a detected alarm or event at the door, a call in by a user at a door requesting access, or an emergency 2-way call between a person within the view of a surveillance camera during a developing situation in order to direct an immediate response.

Mobotix cameras provide a unique blend of high resolution video, in-camera storage and analytics, A to D sensor inputs, as well a bi-directional SIP interface for communications. The cameras have been configured to trigger an event via a change in one of the video motion detection windows. The camera has many event triggers, but the event configured is to call a specific UC3 voice circuit on the UC3 clients. The camera can also be configured to trigger on multiple events using the camera's passive infrared motion detector, and be triggered from remote input, audio detection, and a number of other methods. One or multiple actions can be taken based upon the event(s) to call multiple phone numbers and UC3 clients, if required.

Quintron selected the Mobotix camera for UC3 integration for these reasons and has successfully installed them in high secure government contractor facilities leveraging all of these features alongside of Quintron's powerful enterprise-class PACS AccessNsite that manages physical access and alarms across multiple sites of the same enterprise.

How to scale access projects

Editor / Provider: Tevin Wang, a&s International | Updated: 1/18/2013 | Article type: Tech Corner

Access control is customization-intensive. The scale of a project is not only measured by the number of doors to be secured, but also the level of integration and customization required. a&s explores what role project scale plays when it comes to access integration and management.

In access control, project scale is often measured by a variety of variables, according to Harry Mai, Assistant VP of Hundure Technology. “The number of readers, the number of locations, the complexity of multilayered security, and how many subsystems are to be integrated are just some of the key factors.”

Scale can also be measured in terms of integration and customization required, echoed Oonagh Fearon, Marketing Communications Manager, CEM Systems (a Tyco International company). “A project with a small to medium number of doors may have additional requirements, such as integrations or customization, that will make it a much larger project.” Another way to define project scale is how the system is used. “When looking at small or midsized implementations, the vast majority are being utilized forensically, specifically running reports on information after the fact and searching for video,” said Eric Joseph, Solutions Engineering Manager, S2 Security. “In larger implementations, the user is usually monitoring the system in real time, and reacting accordingly to situations as they arise. The advanced integrations used by different system users are usually dictated by their application. For example, infant abduction and patient wandering integrations are very common in health care; and in the federal government space, integrating with government watch lists is usually required.”

Small Scale
Projects in this category tend to be single buildings, such as SMB/Es, residential complexes, retail outlets and elementary schools. With access control at the core, security management can include subsystems such as time and attendance/HR, logical access, intercoms, parking lots, elevator controls, intrusion alarms, visitor management and surveillance.

Ease of installation and usage is essential; cost-effectiveness is another important factor, said John Davies, MD of Time and Data Systems International (TDSi). Web-based software is an important prerequisite as well, as customers access the majority of their other business systems through the Internet, such as email, CRM and HR systems.

Low TCO is another popular requirement, said Holger Maier, PM for Security Systems, Bosch Security Systems.

“When using a fully integrated access and video system, video can be easily searched by selecting the cardholder and searching for all instances of video containing that cardholder,” Joseph said. “Most of these types of users are not very familiar with security management, so making a system easy to understand and operate is paramount,” Joseph said.

Events such as a door forced open can be attached to the associated video for quick playback, while images and associated audio from cameras are recorded and stored, said Steven Lewis, Senior PM at Tyco Security Products. Such integration provides the benefits of operational efficiency and simplicity, and removes the need for multiple servers as well as the need for separate management applications.

Delays — as a result of paper- or email-based interactions between the IT and physical security teams — are eliminated, said Ajay Jain, CEO and President, Quantum Secure. Human errors are minimized and the manual effort for assigning condition-based access is automated.

Medium Scale
Midsized projects can include several buildings on a single campus, site or complex, such as K-12 school districts, municipal governments, libraries, museums, cultural centers, factories, small hospitals, data centers and banks, encompassing systems for time and attendance/HR, logical access, intercoms, parking lots, elevator controls, intrusion alarms, visitor management, surveillance, cashless payment, library management and mass notification.

Required features for integrated access control typically include customizations, system interoperability and scalability (with basic building automation), and future-proof yet cost-effective high security. “When the operator sits down at their workstation, they expect to view access control, intrusion and video information through one single user interface,” Joseph said. “The focus of the management is information from a variety of different sources, all tied into a single application, ideally providing a central repository for running reports on all of the stored data.”

Operational efficiency, enhanced security and convenience are obvious benefits. A comprehensive platform should reduce the cost of physical security operations by offloading the process of access requisition to end users, while increasing end-user satisfaction with physical security services by providing visibility into the status of their requests, Jain said.

Large Scale
Large-scale projects cover a significant area and have the highest security needs, such as federal agencies, utility companies, oil and gas, airports and transportation, universities and research institutions, and large MNCs with multiple sites (hospitals and banks). Key features can span across time and attendance/HR, logical access (active directory and lightweight directory access protocol ), intercoms, parking lots, elevator controls, intrusion alarms, visitor management, surveillance, cashless payment, library and data management, mass notification, real-time locations, asset management, additional building management, and other vertical-specific requirements.

End users need scalable subsystems that can grow as their organization grows, as well as a well-integrated system that can be easily managed as it grows. Ease of customization, management and integration of business and building systems is a top priority for many. “Many operate on multiple sites, and their primary goal is to have all sites act autonomously, without a single point of failure,” Joseph said.

The focus of the management platform is visibility into each of the sites and locations displayed on a single application. Another priority is the overall security of the building and maximum utilization of the card, said Wei Jin Lee, Sales Director for ASEAN, HID Global (an Assa Abloy company).

“Open to third-party systems, highly customizable, reliable and robust 24/7/365 operation are common demands as well,” Maier said.

The benefits of a single solution connecting multiple sites include enhanced security, central management (SCADA, ERP and PSIM), data tracking and backup. Other advantages include multiple applications on a single card, cost and manpower reduction, operational efficiency and the avoidance of single points of failure, eliminating the manual effort involved in collecting and reporting on compliance-related data, Jain said.

Creating Opportunities
The number of devices connected to the Internet passed the 5-billion mark in 2010 and is expected to reach 22 billion by 2020, according to IMS Research (an IHS company). With the proliferation of IP-enabled smartphones, tablets, cameras, sensors and other devices, impact on physical security and IT departments in terms of network design, bandwidth optimization, and most important of all, the safety and security of an organization can be significant.

IP connectivity speeds the migration of legacy sensors and appliances to networks, highlighting the importance of physical and logical security integration. “As long as organizations treat their physical and cyber domains as separate, there is little hope of securing either one,” said Scott Borg, Director of the US Cyber Consequences Unit. "The convergence of cyber and physical security has already occurred at the technical level. It is long overdue at the organizational level."

Identity management requires modifying identity in both the physical and virtual worlds. “Synchronization of an identity between the access control management system and the logical system, whether that be AD, LDAP or some other system, is the most important aspect of the integration,” Joseph said. “It allows for the capability to limit a user's ability to log on to a system based on their physical presence and activity.”

Utilization of a single credential for both physical access into a facility as well as logical access at a workstation is usually requested, Lewis said. Integration with other business systems, such HR, student enrollment or network printers, is common as well. “For instance, the addition of access card readers on network printers allows the user-requested print job to be accessed and printed when physically at the printer. This prevents wasteful use of ink and paper and also eliminates unauthorized viewing of any document.”

Stay tuned for more development!

Senstar and CNL Software partner to offer integrated perimeter solutions

Editor / Provider: CNL Software | Updated: 11/29/2012 | Article type: Security 50

CNL Software, a provider for PSIM software, is pleased to announce that it has partnered with Senstar, the manufacturer and supplier of perimeter intrusion detection sensors to provide integrated perimeter security solutions.

For close to 30 years, Senstar's perimeter intrusion detection products have been protecting thousands of sites in more than 80 countries, representing over 30,000 kilometers of installed product. The company serves both private and public operations including critical infrastructure sites, airports, ports, utilities, oil and gas sites, VIP residences, government sites, agencies, correctional facilities, commercial operations and military sites.

Under the CNL Software technical alliance program, Senstar will be able to provide its customers with the option to use integrated PSIM solutions based on the IPSecurityCenter PSIM platform, utilizing its own products such as μltraLink, which allows alarm information to be received and/or transmitted as part of an integrated security system.

"We recognize that our PIDS sensors are only a piece of a full security solution and are committed to initiatives such as this partnership with CNL to make sure our customers have the best solution for their project, big or small, without compromise." said Mark Novak, MD of Senstar UK.

"In some cases an organization's perimeter can extend over vast geographical areas and multiple terrain types including land and sea. This has the potential to create numerous everyday false alarms from triggers such as maintenance contractors, security patrols, wildlife and environmental factors, which can flood the control center with alarms and alerts. Individually investigating each one of these events is unfeasible", explains Adlan Hussain, Marketing Manager of CNL Software. "IPSecurityCenter provides the means to aggregate intelligence from PIDS sensors and other security systems to help quickly distinguish real incidents from false alarms. This significantly improves operational efficiency, preparedness and increases response times. We are looking forward to working with Senstar and supporting them to provide their customers with integrated perimeter intrusion detection solutions".

2013 — Never a dull moment

Editor / Provider: Submitted by Johnson Controls | Updated: 11/26/2012 | Article type: Hot Topics

Security has become a rapidly evolving and highly complex industry. The cables connecting card readers have been cut in favor of wireless networks. Surveillance video no longer exists on film or tape, but is stored as a string of digital data. And marketers and human resource specialists have found uses for equipment once intended to solely secure people and property. As we complete another year, it is a good time to review some of the industry's changes, challenges and successes. Also, it is a time to reflect on what the new year may bring to the industry's manufacturers, solution providers, integrators and end users.

First, a quick caveat is in order. Any predictions are based on today's economic, social and political conditions. In our volatile, interconnected world, changes in one region of the globe can significantly impact others. That aside, here is Johnson Controls' look at the security industry as we enter 2013.

Despite an uncertain global economy, the industry held its ground over the last year. With slow construction growth forecast in Europe, North America and most of Asia, global industry sales are likely to remain fairly flat throughout 2013. While there certainly will be some major new projects, much of the business in these regions will focus on upgrades and retrofits of existing security systems.

Fortunately, there are some brighter spots. Demand for security products and services will grow in Latin America, particularly in Brazil, where a construction boom is underway in advance of the 2014 World Cup tournament and the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. That growth will mean more sales of surveillance cameras, card readers and turnstiles (to accommodate many new stadiums and arenas being built).

Also in Latin America, security directors now expect physical security information management (PSIM) software to be a part of each new project. They value the software solution's ability to collect and combine information from existing disparate security — and even building automation — systems into one integrated, intelligent system offering a single point of control.

The Middle East is another bright spot, as development is continuing at a strong pace with not only some of the world's tallest buildings, but in effect entirely new cities.

Growth Verticals
Growth in many vertical markets was slow throughout 2012. More of the same will likely take place in 2013, as most budgets are expected to remain tight. But, there are still exciting markets to follow.

Around the world, more children and young adults need to be kept secure on school and college campuses. As a result, the education market will continue its growth in 2013. Health care should be another growth area, particularly in the U.S., where government programs are pushing hospitals to provide better care for more people within the same facilities. The need to increase throughput while maintaining patient satisfaction will help drive increased sales of security products and services.

Securing utility sites can be vital to a region's or even a nation's economic health. As a result, they will require more cameras and card readers and also visitor management systems. The latter will allow security personnel to run Internet-based criminal and terrorist watch background checks on visitors before allowing them to enter a facility.

Retail is another interesting vertical. Probably more than any other market, retailers have found innovative ways to use security data, particularly video. For example, retailers review video to help determine staffing needs, product placement and customers' traffic patterns and shopping habits.

Hot Products
In video surveillance, DVRs will continue to give way to intuitively controlled video management systems and mass storage devices. Rather than review hours of video, a security team can now use software to provide a synopsis of user-defined important or critical events. Using retail as an example, the end user may want to review only the shopping habits of families of three or more people entering a store. Synopsis software can find and present only that video.

Access control will continue to grow closer to the door with smart, edge-based devices. Many will be wireless and operate from an existing or newly built Wi-Fi networks. There will be less hardware but the same or greater capacities. Wireless units will expand access control to remote sites that might have previously been impossible to protect.

Mass notification is primed for growth. It provides real-time information to all building occupants and those in the immediate vicinity during an emergency. Using a combination of interior and exterior speakers and strobe lights, many top mass notification systems will integrate with a building's fire alarm system.

And expect a continued proliferation of mobile phones and tablets apps, allowing security personnel to review live or recorded video, obtain access audit trails and receive alarms while in the field.

What's Trending
Don't anticipate many revolutionary breakthroughs in 2013, but instead expect small, incremental upgrades to existing products and solutions. There are still many inventive people working on the next great development, but until the global economy improves, manufacturers are not likely looking to add them along with the required sales and marketing efforts needed to grow a new product.

That, however, does not rule out some relatively new products and services continuing to gain traction. Remote storage of video and data will head for the clouds. Cloud-based services still face some bandwidth issues, especially for video, as well as skepticism among some security directors that want total control of their data. But that is changing as the cloud environment has proven to be a secure and cost-effective means of storing and accessing data. As the acceptance of the cloud concept grows, there will be greater demand for managed services. Integrators monitor and store an end user's security data and handle alarm situations. This provides monthly recurring revenue for the integrator and allows the end user to realign or eliminate manpower dedicated to security and focus more on an organization's core competencies.

Also expect to see more end users move toward converging the security function with building automation, linking security with environment, lighting and other systems into a single point of control. This adds convenience, reduces manpower needs and enhances the value of an end user's facility.

Industry Issues
Finding ways to do more with less will be a challenge for end users. Security directors, faced with tight budgets, must be more selective in their choices of integrators and product manufacturers. They will look for innovation, features and service, while being very aware of price.

In many organizations, the security department is seen as a loss center. Showing ROI helps pave the way for a larger security budget. That requires security directors, integrators and manufacturers working together to prove security reduces the threat level, increases operational efficiencies and offers broad assistance to nonsecurity areas of a business.

And end users will continue to push for open standards as they seek to protect their legacy systems. As equipment fails, a security director wants the option of replacing it with units offering the feature sets and price they want — knowing it will integrate with existing systems.

Manufacturers face the challenge of making the products that end users want and need badly enough they will buy them. That requires closer communication with customers and integrators to be sure the cameras, card readers and other equipment meet the security needs of today and into the future.

For integrators, the new IT-centric world is changing the profile of a typical technician or even a salesperson. That means integrators will have to cast a broader net — searching telephony, IT, software development and other related industries — to find qualified employees.

And to shore up geographical areas where they lack a presence, larger integrators will continue to buy their smaller competitors. Manufacturers will continue to acquire small niche companies that can bring already marketed offerings at an attractive price.

2013 and Beyond
End users will no longer accept stand-alone technology. Even the standard definition of integration as linking access control, video surveillance and alarm points no longer applies.

Integration today means making security work with existing business applications, different databases and operating systems. This more complex integration means more available data, moving bidirectional between systems to create new opportunities and ways to solve end-user problems and concerns. The challenge for all industry segments will be to stay level or ahead of technology changes. The winners will be those that understand what to build and add value to their products, services and operations.

One thing that the new year will not be is dull.

Hardware veteran reinvents itself with new soft powers

Editor / Provider: LILIN | Updated: 11/12/2012 | Article type: Tech Corner

LILIN, a global CCTV and IP-based surveillance solutions provider, is pleased to announce that it has entered into technology partnerships with management platform developers icomply, Control 4, HeiTel, Axxonsoft, Genetec, Synology and Avigilon, and passed respective compatibility tests with flying colors

Under the new technology partnership with icomply, a software developer for integrated security applications, LILIN's full range of DVRs and HD IP cameras will be integrated into the VTAS Pro PSIM platform, enabling seamless control.

Michael Gallagher, Director of Business Development for icomply, stated, “As LILIN was the first CCTV manufacturer in the world to release ONVIF-conformant products, we feel that its products compliment the open platform integration that we actively promote. We are already seeing brilliant results.” The VTAS software meets all the regulations stipulated by the UK government and councils, meaning the LILIN product range will feature in city centers, as well as health care and education applications.

Steve Liddiard, LILIN's Sales Manager, commented on the partnership, “This is a great opportunity for us to actively work with an established software company and effectively integrate our products with a new platform. Not only is this good for customers who will undoubtedly see benefits, it also gives us access into new markets and channels.”

Integration effort with Control4, a developer of personalized automation and control solutions, has also been fruitful, with users being able to control LILIN IP products from the same software platform that controls other appliances in their home or business.

The entire LILIN IP product range, from megapixel cameras to NVRs, can now be used with and controlled by Control4 systems. “Our products and their features are perfectly suited for the integration with Control4,” Liddiard added. Home automation systems have matured over the last few years and are offering clear benefits to end users/homeowners. With this new integration, LILIN is able to further extend its presence on different software platforms and augment user experience — smart, convenient and efficient.

Additionally, the entire LILIN IP camera range can now be used with HeiTel Video Gateway series of digital video transmission and recording systems, for enhanced video and alarm management, all from the HeiTel Video interface. Christian Busch, LILIN's Sales Manager, commented on the new integration, “Our products and their features are perfectly married for new opportunities and markets. ” LILIN has provided quality IP and analog solutions to the market for more than 30 years, offering clear benefits for end users, especially in terms of operational simplicity.

HeiTel′s core competence, digital video transmission and recording, is reflected in the hardware Video Gateway series with the product families CamServer, CamTel, CamDisc, Cam4mobile and CamDisc HNVR. While all of them are hybrid DVRs, the CamDisc HNVR is especially tailored for use with megapixel cameras. HeiTel also offers a range of software solutions from single-user software (CamControl Lite/Pro) for easy remote control, configuration and transmission, to sophisticated CMS solutions either as built-in video alarm management or as add-on components to third-party alarm management products.

More than Meets the Eye
LILIN's open-standard IP cameras can also be easily configured, in just minutes, on popular VMS platforms Axxonsoft, Genetec, Synology and Avigilon. Here is how:
* Step by step with Axxonsoft V2.1.5.272
* Step by step with Genetec Omnicast V4.8.2201.19
* Step by step with Synology V6.0-2337
* Step by step with Avigilon Control Center 4 Enterprise Client V4.10.0.48

Sponsored by:
LILIN, dedicated to innovation, creativity, progress and excellence, is a global developer and provider of IP video solutions with more than 30 years of experience.

Avigilon appoints Senior Director for APAC and Regional Director for DACH

Editor / Provider: Avigilon | Updated: 10/23/2012 | Article type: Security 50

Avigilon, a provider for high-definition (HD and megapixel video surveillance) solutions, announced its further expansion into the growing surveillance markets of Asia Pacific and Northern Europe with the appointment of Randolph Oudemans, Senior Sales Director in Asia Pacific and Stefan Bange, Regional Sales Director in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, referred to as the DACH region.

“As a company we have reached a new milestone in our global expansion,” said Alexander Fernandes, President and CEO, Avigilon. “Asia Pacific and the DACH regions present significant potential for Avigilon.”

According to IMS Research, recently acquired by IHS, the video surveillance equipment market in Asia is projected to grow to over $10 billion by 2016. Its analysts are also projecting healthy growth for the market in the DACH region. The region consisting of Germany, Austria and Switzerland is forecast to almost double by 2016.

A veteran of security sales and business development, Randolph Oudemans will be responsible for the company's expansion into Asia. This will include strategic planning, building the local sales team and channel partners, as well as penetrating new markets within the region. Before joining Avigilon, Mr. Oudemans held senior sales and business development roles with Cisco's Physical Security business unit, Crockett International and Pelco by Schneider Electric.

An experienced security sales veteran, Stefan Bange will be responsible for managing our existing business, creating new sales growth and expanding the team in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Mr. Bange joins Avigilon from Advancis Software and Services, a PSIM manufacturer, where he served as director of international sales. During his tenure at Advancis, Bange increased international revenue by 400 percent.

Abu Dhabi hotel Central Villa smartens up security surveillance with Axxonsoft

Editor / Provider: Axxonsoft | Updated: 10/22/2012 | Article type: Residential & Consumer

Computer House, an Axxonsoft partner in the United Arab Emirates, has installed a video surveillance system based on the Intellect Enterprise PSIM at Central Villa Hotel in Abu Dhabi.

The hotel was in need of a video surveillance system upgrade, with support for video analytics. Integration of Samsung IP cameras was a key requirement as well. As currently deployed, the surveillance system includes 32 Samsung cameras.

Pleased with the excellent integration of IP cameras, the client has also praised the system's user-friendliness. “We chose Intellect for this installation with good reason; Axxon's software is feature-packed, with rich video-analytic capabilities and broad security hardware support. Around 1,000 models of IP cameras are supported. Intellect is extremely reliable, and the interface is intuitive for users,” exclaimed Shahnawaz Ak, Divisional Manager of Computer House.

Axxon Intellect Enterprise is an advanced, distributed PSIM platform that combines intelligent VCA, universal IP connectivity, and event-driven automation capabilities in a single environment. The purpose of Axxon Intellect Enterprise is to help businesses attain a higher level of security than ever before, at a lower cost and with less effort.

PureTech provides perimeter surveillance for Texas water utilities

Editor / Provider: PureTech Systems | Updated: 9/6/2012 | Article type: Infrastructure

PureTech Systems, specializing in wide-area surveillance software, announced two completed installations of its PureActiv system for a major undisclosed Texas water utility. The recent installations for perimeter protection were performed by Schneider Electric and include video analytics, thermal and visible light cameras, access control integration, mega-pixel cameras and the PureActiv geospatial (map-based) command and control.

For security reasons, the city cannot be disclosed. Their distribution system consists of treatment facilities, pump stations, reservoirs, elevated tanks and transmission lines. The utility serves multiple communities and its ability to maintain a secure water supply for its customers is critical to its mission. Integral to this is maintaining the integrity of its facilities' perimeters, which was the objective of these installations.

"This was a major undertaking with many unique aspects," explained Shawn Hanrahan, senior security account manager of Schneider Electric, the security integrator hired to perform the installations."The PSIM needed to manage many sensor types, including thermal cameras, deterrent spot lights, Andover Continuum access control integration and video analytics. All this needed to be accomplished within the existing facility and landscaping. It was a significant undertaking, but everyone involved combined to make it a successful project."

The system protecting the facilities includes the latest in surveillance technology. PureActiv's map based command and control will provide the water department with user friendly situational awareness that allows the ability to control sensors and view intrusion details directly on the map. The installation also includes intelligent video analytic capabilities, providing both intruder detection and subsequent tracking. PureTech Systems' President, Larry Bowe, said "We are delighted to have been selected to provide protection for these facilities. We have a long history in the protection of water resources, and we are glad we were able to apply our expertise to the protection of these facilities." Both systems are now operational and have already been successful in detecting an actual intrusion shortly after being commissioned.