What's trending in 2013?

Editor / Provider: Judy Lin, asmag.com | Updated: 5/8/2013 | Article type: Hot Topics

Secutech International 2013, one of the largest trade shows in the security world, successfully concluded on April 26. Here are some of the key findings from the show floor interviews.

1. IP Rocks
IP-based video surveillance products accounted for the majority of items displayed at the exhibition, while HD-SDI products remained a minority. Of the 23 video surveillance manufacturers sampled, 16 companies featured IP products at the show, including Dynacolor, Dahua Technology, Itx, Mobotix and others. Hikvision Digital Technology and four other companies were promoting analog cameras, while Hi Sharp and Win4net were the only companies highlighting HD-SDI products. Most manufacturers are still promoting IP cameras, due to a smaller demand for HD-SDI cameras, and few related products and accessories, said Ray Chan, Director of Sales for APAC, Infinova. HD-SDI also requires larger storage, and the required frame rate is still playing catch-up, Chan continued. A technician from Fuho Technology echoed the sentiment, stating while HD-SDI products offer better image quality than analog cameras, market demand has remained low because of the lack of supporting appliances and hardware compared to analog or IP systems. Some manufacturers are trying to compensate this by promoting new HD-SDI cabling products, such as Win4net's Clebo HD-SDI PoC solution that can extend HD-SDI data transmission for more than 2 kilometers.

2. Light Sensitivity
The majority of low-light network cameras displayed at the show came with 1.3-megapixel resolution; only a few were 3-megapixel models. Shany's SNC-WD2131MSA and Yoko Technology's RYK-IPBX010 featured 1.3-megapixel low-light cameras, while Zavio's D7320 was a 3-megapixel camera. The limitations of network bandwidth and market demand are driving the sales of 1.3-megapixel low-light cameras, said Steven Mao, PM for Digital Surveillance Product Planning, Yoko Technology. Two trends in WDR network cameras were also observed, with some manufacturers such as Brickcom using software to enhance images and others, including Zavio, developing their own WDR sensors.

3. High and Low
Of the analog cameras displayed, a large number were of 700 TVLs and above. For instance, Hikvision's Picadis Exir Camera and Pishion's BRX-99P84WR were 720-TVL cameras, while Fuho's Vacron-P was a 1,000-TVL camera. The cameras target cost-conscious consumers that want better image quality close to IP cameras, but at a much lower price point, said Ian Ma, Overseas Technical Support Engineer, Hikvision. The cameras offer better images than traditional analog, and ideal for clients who are reluctant to say goodbye to their coaxial cables.

4. Easy to Install
Four- to 8-channel NVRs for SMB and home applications are mostly designed with easy setup procedures that are user-friendly. Whether its Nuuo's 8-channel NVR, that enables setup to be completed in six minutes with a click of a mouse, or Dynacolor's 4-channel NVR that automatically detects the company's cameras, the idea is to make installation hassle-free. Manufacturers are trying to make their products appealing and adoptable to the average home owner or shop keeper, who may not be tech-savvy or have the resources to hire IT specialists. Another interesting find was iCatch's latest NVR that enables consumers to use QR scanners to connect their IP cameras to the NVR.

5. Scalability Reincarnated
Installer-friendly products were not easy to miss. For example, Etherwan's ED3638 PoE switch can transmit data and electricity up to 1.8 kilometers, said Alvin Hsu, PM; Planet's BSP-300 solar-power switch is particularly suited for integrators struggling with outdoor cabling. Brickcom's FocusEasy makes life easier for installers, by beeping loudly when the camera is correctly focused; it is aimed at the hotel industry or large-scale projects that require many installations, said Anchi Chen, Marketing Administrator. All these products are designed with convenience in mind, by saving installers or system integrators valuable resources. These products are also ideal for large-scale projects and applications.

6. Value Adds
More camera and NVR manufacturers are teaming up with VCA companies to increase the added value of their products. To target the retail sector, Nuuo teamed up with Vit to add on people-counting features onto its NVR, while VIVOTEK has been cooperating with Cognimatics to add on similar people-counting features onto its IP cameras. Other common VCA features include people counting, item removal detection, and virtual fences that are targeted for retail market applications.

7. Mobility
From remotely monitoring video surveillance cameras to opening doors via NFC technology, mobile applications are increasingly prevalent. The popularity of smartphones and tablets is pushing this trend in the security sector. The majority of NVR manufacturers, such as iCatch and Nuuo, have matching mobile apps to enable remote monitoring, while newer access control systems from WFE Technology allow smartphones to open doors using NFC. Nearly all NFC access control systems are RFID-based at the show, with the exception of Hundure Technology that has promoted a Bluetooth NFC reader.

8. Hot Access
Access control manufacturers such as Pongee and WFE were promoting multicredential readers with four to five credentials targeting the banking or hotel sector. End users can choose which credentials they want to use. According to Johnson Wu, PM of Waferlock at WFE, markets that require high security, such as the banking sector, are more likely to use a combination of credentials or utilize all credentials offered.

9. Gaze Downward
Manufacturers are aiming for the mid- to low-end market with hopes of tapping into retail, home, hotel and banking applications. This was reflected with the promotion of affordable retail solutions with fewer functions, but easy installation, such as VIVOTEK's Counter Cam, a small 180-degree panoramic camera with very basic functions. Even Flir, which had traditionally manufactured high-end thermal imaging cameras, was promoting its first commercial camera, the VT602, at the show (which still costs US$190,000).

10. Emerging Opportunities
Most video surveillance manufacturers agreed that sales are particularly well in emerging markets. Dali Technology and Merit  LILIN both responded sales were particularly well in Middle East, while NVR manufacturer Qnap noted sales were particularly well in Central and South America.

Identive reports 18% sales growth in 2013 Q1

Editor / Provider: Identive Group | Updated: 5/3/2013 | Article type: Security 50

Identive Group, announced results for the first quarter (Q1) ended March 31, 2013.

Q1 2013 Highlights:
- 18% growth in ID Products sales year over year
- First commercial deployments of Tagtrail NFC platform to major mobile network operators
- Growth in NFC, payment and other products drive margin improvements in Transponders
- 18% reduction year over year in base operating expenses
- Record $19 million order backlog for NFC and reader products as well as payment and cloud-based systems over next 12 months, plus additional $3 million for longer-term payment system contract

“ID Products sales were up 18% year over year in Q1, reflecting growing demand for our smart card readers as well as NFC and RFID transponder products. This growth was offset by a sharp decline in our US Government business related to the Federal budget sequester. The growth in ID Products and our recurring service base, coupled with reductions in our operating expenses, helped drive significant improvement in our bottom line year over year, including a $1.2 million improvement in adjusted EBITDA,” stated Ayman S. Ashour, CEO and Chairman of Identive. “We enter Q2 with a strong order book of over $22 million, of which a record $19 million is scheduled for billing within 12 months. We are seeing significant buildup in demand for our NFC and payment tags, our SmartCore smart card technology, our new reader products and our payment systems validating the significant investment we have made in these growth markets. Our cloud-based offerings, including our idOnDemand identity management service and our Tagtrail NFC mobile services delivery platform are gaining momentum and will make meaningful contribution in Q2. While there continues to be significant weakness in the USGovernment sector and uncertainty regarding near-term budget issues, we remain confident that we are well positioned to benefit from the various Federal Government mandates related to identity management and access control.”

Q1 Results
As reported in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), Q1 2013 revenues were $21.1 million, relatively unchanged from $21.2 million in Q1 2012. By segment, Identity Management Services and Solutions (Identity Management) revenues were $11.1 million and ID Products revenues were $10.0 million in Q1 2013.

GAAP gross profit margin was 39% in Q1 2013, compared with 41% in Q1 2012, reflecting lower sales of Identity Management systems and services and higher ID Products sales. With the exception of a temporary reduction in smart card reader margins due to a single large project, most other areas of the Company saw margin improvement both quarter on quarter and year on year. Total base operating expenses (consisting of research and development, sales and marketing, and general and administrative expenses) were $12.3 million in Q1 2013, down 18% from $15.0 million in Q1 2012 as a result of cost reductions implemented under the restructuring plan the Company initiated in June 2012 and from ongoing initiatives to improve the efficiency of the business. The Company recorded GAAP net loss of $(4.8) million, or $(0.08) per share in Q1 2013, compared with net loss of $(6.2) million, or $(0.11) per share in Q1 2012.

On a non-GAAP basis, gross profit margin was 41% in Q1 2013, compared with 44% in Q1 2012. Adjusted EBITDA was $(2.3) million in Q1 2013, compared with $(3.5) million in Q1 2012. Non-GAAP net loss was $(4.3) million, or $(0.07) per share in Q1 2013, compared with non-GAAP net loss of $(4.9) million, or $(0.08) per share in Q1 2012.

Innovation in video surveillance and security

Editor / Provider: Submitted by Memoori Business Intelligence | Updated: 4/26/2013 | Article type: Hot Topics

Memoori Business Intelligence recently interviewed Lars Thinggaard, CEO of Milestone, about innovation in video surveillance and the future of the security industry.

 

1.     Where will the major innovations in Video Surveillance come from in the next 5 years?

 

Identive releases new controller

Editor / Provider: Identive Group | Updated: 4/15/2013 | Article type: Security 50

Identive Group, a provider of solutions and services for the identification, security and RFID industries, announced the launch of the Hirsch Mx Controller to deliver an unprecedented level of integrated intelligence for high assurance access control.

"Our track record of thirty years in physical access and IT security enabled the creation of Hirsch Mx, the most advanced, robust and future-proof access control solution in the market today," said Ayman Ashour, CEO of Identive. "Hirsch Mx offers our customers support for legacy, current as well as anticipated future standards, and can be upgraded in place to accommodate the introduction of converging identification credentials such as NFC mobile phones, and high assurance credentials including PIV, PIV-I, biometrics and PLAID. The Hirsch Mx control system addresses the critical need for higher security assurance across the commercial and government sectors with strong authentication capabilities. As awareness of the need for cybersecurity increases, we felt it critical that the security system itself be built with a high level of protection against cyber threats."

To deliver the highest level of security, the new Hirsch Mx Controller is ready for cloud management, incorporating PKI architecture that allows all enabled devices to communicate securely and seamlessly using industry standard X.509 digital certificate technology. Hirsch Mx features an onboard EAL 6+ high-capacity encryption dedicated processor, which positions the controller for use in high security environments by ensuring communication is protected between door readers, sensors, controllers and local and/or cloud-based services and thus overcoming common security vulnerabilities.

Interoperability with widely used technologies from multiple vendors was a key design goal for Hirsch Mx, which aligns to important industry standards, including Wiegand, OSDP, Ethernet IP v4, X.509 (2048bit) and AES (128bit), and offers backward compatibility with virtually all existing product line protocols such as SNET. Additionally, the onboard Ethernet controller is upgradeable and is designed to support future implementations of IP v6 and edge devices. The Hirsch Mx Controller also integrates seamlessly with Identive's existing Hirsch systems, including Hirsch DIGI*TRAC controllers, Hirsch ScramblePad and Hirsch Velocity, so that existing customer credentials, readers, and user databases can be retained.

Nedap expands presence in the U.S.

Editor / Provider: Nedap | Updated: 4/15/2013 | Article type: Security 50

Dutch technology company Nedap incorporates business in the United States of America.

Nedap recently formed a legal corporate entity in the US to facilitate further expansion into the North American market. Effective as of April 1, part of the existing representation has been transitioned into the new Nedap identity in Delaware. Place of business remains at the current location in Atkinson NH, just north of Boston MA.

Several Nedap business units have been acting on the American market for over a decade establishing a sound base business with significant growth numbers over the last years.

The North American market dimensions represent a huge potential to a diversified technology company as Nedap. Increasing our local presence will support the objectives to accelerate the rate at which we succeed to capture these market opportunities.

Setting up a corporate entity reiterates our commitment to the North American market and its customers. The Nedap Inc. infrastructure supports our business units in their ongoing effort to provide Nedap propositions to the market. It enables Nedap to leverage the experience gained over the last years to the entire organization' benefit.

Establishing the US corporation also reconfirms engagement to Nedap' global accounts. "Having an official place of business in North America enables us to maintain an adequate level of support towards a growing number of global accounts on US territory."

Gerard Ezendam is appointed as the president and will officially head up the Nedap entity.

Identive expands NFC online portal to address the Japanese market

Editor / Provider: Identive Group | Updated: 3/29/2013 | Article type: Security 50

Identive Group, a provider of solutions and services for the identification, security and RFID industries, announced that it is expanding support for the fast growing near field communication (NFC) market in Japan with the launch of a Japanese language version of its popular NFC online marketplace.

"With localized language and product support through our office in Tokyo, www.IdentiveNFC.com/jp now provides Japanese businesses, developers and consumers with direct access to the industry's widest selection of NFC tag types and personalization options," said Dr. Manfred Mueller, COO of Identification Products for Identive. "In addition to an array of tags in the globally accepted NFC Forum Types 1, 2 and 4, for the Japanese market Identive also offers Type 3 tags based on Sony Corporation's FeliCa Lite chip technology."

Similar to NFC, contactless card-based FeliCa technology has been widely deployed in Japan for many years for public transportation, customer loyalty programs and payment applications. With 70 million NFC-enabled smartphones and other devices now deployed in Japan, there is a growing need for NFC infrastructure products that work with these NFC devices as well as with FeliCa cards.

Belgian and Dutch ports entrust security to biometric smart cards

Editor / Provider: Lumidigm, Ingersoll Rand | Updated: 3/28/2013 | Article type: Infrastructure

Under the International Maritime Organization's International Code for the Security of Ships and of Port Facilities, Belgian and Dutch seaports have turned to smart cards and biometric systems to help track access by employees and visitors across private terminals. Port of Antwerp and Zeebrugge in Belgium recently replaced its old biometric system at registration stations with Lumidigm multispectral imaging fingerprint readers. The Port of Antwerp is Europe's second largest port, while Zeebrugge is the central port for Europe's automotive industry and has the largest liquefied natural gas terminal complex in Europe. Alfapass, the provider of security smart card system at the ports, is in the process of enrolling 17,000 truck drivers and 10,000 longshoremen at the two ports on the new system.

The Port of Antwerp has been using a biometric system since 2005, but the former system could not differentiate one person from another at the required level of certainty and security and had high FAR, explained Piet Hadermann, Operations Manager for Alfapass. One major access control requirement at the port was the efficient identification of individuals that travel between multiple port facilities.

The solution was a single ID card that covers all facilities. Therefore, visitors to both Belgian ports carry an Alfapass smart card that includes the visitor's biometric template. By checking and verifying the information stored on the card, facility personnel can assure that the card is being presented by its rightful owner. Alfapass enrolls user cards with two fingerprints. When a card is lost or stolen, or the person no longer works for the company, the card is automatically blocked from all participating facilities. All port visitors are now being enrolled with the Lumidigm fingerprint readers. The readers are placed and used at port registration offices and administrative kiosks located at the “gate in” for truck drivers and elsewhere.

Previously, The Port of Antwerp deployed a hand geometry access control system from Ingersoll Rand that recognizes a person hand's 3D features. The system consisted of 71 individual terminals, and issued more than 8,000 credentials. RFID smart cards stored employee information, work experience, access restrictions and biometric identifier. The system's open architecture design enabled terminals to integrate additional security and safety technologies, such as video surveillance and time-and-attendance. In addition, a web-based card management system was used to carry out the credentialing process across the terminals and other systems.

In 1998, a similar Ingersoll system was installed in Port of Rotterdam in Netherlands. As one of Europe's largest container ports, the port required an access control system that was robust enough to withstand the North Sea's severe weather conditions, easy for truckers and stevedores to use, fraud-proof, portable and flexible enough to integrate with the port's logistics systems. Ruggedized biometric readers were installed at the port's gates, plants, loading docks, staging areas and other critical entry points to meet this demand.

Ingersoll outlined the hand geometry system was chosen because of its automatic identification capacity, and because truck drivers refused to use iris recognition. The system was also more accurate than fingerprint recognition and offered lower FAR when used en masse, claimed Ingersoll. Drivers were issued smart cards that were embedded with chips that contained their personal personal identification, company information and a biometric template of the driver's left hand. Implementation of the system has helped the Dutch port avoid costly transport delays while ensuring security.

 

Identive smart tickets for skiing

Editor / Provider: Identive Group | Updated: 3/26/2013 | Article type: Security 50

While waiting for spring to bloom, many across the North are still hitting the slopes. A number of ski resorts have adopted RFID so lift tickets can be kept in skiiers' pockets enabling lift gates to open automatically. Though a fixture at many European slopes, RFID tickets are beginning to emerge in Aspen, Solitude, and a handful of other US resorts.

Identive RFID tickets are increasingly being employed for authentication and access control in transportation and other environments, improving efficiency and convenience while helping to quickly and safely process high volumes of travellers or visitors

Iveda opens innovation lab

Editor / Provider: Iveda Solutions | Updated: 3/26/2013 | Article type: Security 50

Iveda Solutions announced the opening of its Innovation Lab at the Taiwan campus of the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI).

David Ly, President and CEO of Iveda Solutions, and Dr. Cheng-Wen Wu, VP and General Director of Information and Communications Research Laboratories at the ITRI, participated in an all-day event, including a ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate the opening of the lab.

At the ceremony, Ly said, "It's an honor to be here. I thank everyone for this wonderful opportunity, and I look forward to many years of continued innovation, and more importantly, the commercialization of all the great technologies we have here."

Iveda was introduced to the ITRI by Megasys, its subsidiary in Taiwan. Shortly thereafter, the two entities signed a collaboration agreement to work on specific cloud-based video projects. In the past year, the team has made remarkable progress.

The all-day event included joint presentations by ITRI's and Iveda's engineers on the progress of cloud video projects they have been working on.

"I am very supportive of the collaboration between the ITRI and Iveda. Beyond the development of innovative 'intercloud' video technology, this relationship is very unique because it also represents innovation in business strategy for the ITRI," said Ching-YenC Tsay, Chairman of the ITRI. "With Iveda's experience and knowledge of what end users really want, together we can develop technology to address real-world needs. This collaboration allows for faster adoption and commercialization of innovative products and services."

The ITRI is a nonprofit R&D organization engaged in applied research and technical services. Founded in 1973, the ITRI has played a vital role in transforming Taiwan's economy from primarily labor-intensive industries to high-tech industries. The ITRI has aggressively researched and developed countless next-gen technologies, including WiMax wireless broadband, cloud technologies, solar cells, RFID, light electric vehicles, flexible displays, 3-D integrated circuits and telecare technologies.

As the future of cloud computing rapidly matures, the ITRI and Iveda are combining strengths in technology and marketplace awareness to better identify and integrate innovative technology solutions that leverage the scalability of the cloud.

UK university upgrades sustainable student housing on RFID

Editor / Provider: Assa Abloy | Updated: 3/20/2013 | Article type: Residential & Consumer

The University of Liverpool in the U.K. recently made the decision to secure its 749-room student accommodation with an RFID-based door control solution from Assa Abloy. The solution allows for the simple upgrade of mechanical locks so that they can communicate with an existing access control system. Vine Court, a development that received an "excellent" BREEAM rating, forms part of the university’s extensive sustainable accommodation program, comprising shops and a 250-seat restaurant. Residents benefit from rainwater harvesting, solar thermal water heating and low-energy lighting and heating systems.

Assa presented the most cost-effective and easy-to-install security solution because it can be fitted without the need to modify any doors. "Aperio appealed to us because of its innovative design and ability to work as an integral part of the wider AGS security solution – which can encompass hard-wired, wireless and fire-free access control,” said Darren Clark, Senior PM at the university.

The offline locking solution allows for easy egress via the door handle when required and supports the client's Mifare RFID credentials. It was also important to the client that the system could be migrated to MIFARE microcontroller at a later time – without necessitating a change of door hardware. Other products used to secure the student accommodation include wireless door escutcheons, the new Union master key system and night latch cases.