Indiana day spa improves customer service with HD surveillance

Editor / Provider: IQinVision | Updated: 4/4/2013 | Article type: Commercial Markets

The Woodhouse Day Spa in Indiana recently replaced its analog video system with an IP video surveillance system consisting of 34 IQinVision megapixel cameras and Exacq Technologies mobile VMS to enhance security and customer experience. The cameras were deployed in public areas, at the check-in and check-out counters, in the retail shop, laundry room, and outside the front entrance of the 929 square meters (10,000 square foot facility). No cameras were installed in any treatment rooms. Homeland Technology Group is the integrator for this project.

About four years ago, Ryan and Sarah Lindemann, the spa owners, installed an analog video surveillance system. “The facility is quite large and we wanted to keep track of where everyone was,” said Ryan Lindemann. “Unfortunately, that system proved cumbersome, it was difficult to retrieve the video we wanted, and the image quality was bad.”

Lindemann explained that the new IP system is utilized 90 percent of the time for live monitoring and the balance is incident review. Staff can monitor video at the check-in and check-out desks, the employee break room has a monitor. Staff has become good with monitoring. The spa wanted to keep things quiet and restful, with most staff wearing headphones for efficient and quiet communication in locating staff and dispatching staff to guests in need, added Lindemann.

During initial installment of the video surveillance system, most of the staff thought it was used for employee monitoring, but soon learned it could enhance customer experience and help them work more efficiently, said Lindemann. The video system has been used to review video of when an item went missing, or if a guest questions whether a treatment went the prescribed amount of time. The video system also provides a deterrent against the possibility of employee theft.
 
Lindemann also pointed future additional uses for the IP video surveillance system, which can help the couple spend more quality time with family, when they have their second child. “We can monitor camera views on our iPads and iPhones and on our PCs at home,” said Lindemann. “My wife sees the potential to use the video system to keep on top of activity at the spa so she doesn't have to rush back to full-time work as quickly as she did with our first child.”

UK food processor tackles the deep freeze

Editor / Provider: Bosch Security Systems | Updated: 4/2/2013 | Article type: Commercial Markets

Hannah Foods, a family run business in Skelmersdale, U.K., recently upgraded its legacy video surveillance system with a new system consisting of 40 Bosch Security Systems cameras, three DVRs and a keyboard. Some of the cameras were even installed by Unique Integrated Systems (UIS) in the deep freeze and operated at 23 degrees Celsius. The new video surveillance system includes a mixture of Bosch vandal proof IP domes, and 2X D/N domes for indoor and outdoor surveillance.

Hannah underwent a US$4.57 million (￡3 million) expansion of the business in 2008 that integrated the cold store and chiller, so that all its products can be brought in from local, national and international suppliers and distributed by a fleet of temperature-controlled vehicles. The original system was in dire need of an upgrade, and due to the challenges on site, such as operating in deep freeze environment, Bosch domes were chosen for the job, said Mark Ashall, Operations Director, UIS. Hannah chose the cameras after Steve Dobby, Technical Sales and Support Manager at Bosch made several demonstrations.

“Our old system was very weak and because of the poor quality of the images we could not prove someone's involvement when a couple of incidents happened externally and internally,” said Anthony Whiteside, GM at Hannah. The new security system has proven to be invaluable, and recently assisted the food company in determining damages to its building had been caused by a HGV driver, while reversing into the loading bay. “Had it not been for the cameras we would not have known who had done it and been thousands of pounds worse off because of the damage,” Whiteside added.

Connecticut housing authority helps improve quality of life with HD surveillance

Editor / Provider: IQinVision | Updated: 4/1/2013 | Article type: Residential & Consumer

Established in 1948, the Milford (Connecticut) Redevelopment and Housing Partnership has recently deployed a total of 282 video surveillance cameras with Exacq VMS at nine developments to improve quality of life, increase safety, and streamline administration throughout their extensive housing projects. The majority of cameras installed at the state and federally-supported housing were IQinVision HD cameras. The partnership has a total of 465 housing units, a mix of mid-rise apartment buildings and single-family dwellings, spread over six federal projects and four state projects. Valley Communications is the integrator for this growing project.

In 2007, the Speaker of the Connecticut House of Representatives, who had grown up in public housing, initiated an effort to improve security at the state's subsidized housing developments. Anthony Vasiliou, Executive Director for Milford, offered to do a video surveillance pilot project for the state. With the success of the pilot project, Milford expanded the number of cameras (which will soon increase to 300) and the project's goals to include better housing lease enforcement and maintenance cost reduction.

IQeye cameras are deployed in building entrances, hallways and stairwells, laundry rooms, common areas, elevators, and to monitor parking lots and outdoor public spaces. “We can monitor all areas of interest, and we can follow someone from parking their car to the unit they are visiting or living in—this provides us with crucial information to monitor and enforce our lease agreements,” said Vasiliou. Talking about his experience with the IQeye 5 megapixel cameras for ALPR, Vasiliou noted the cameras great zoom capabilities.

The cameras are managed by Exacq VMS. The housing partnership has 58 terabytes of storage with a goal of at least 30 days retention. Vasiliou and staff can view video on a central monitor, on office smart boards, and on individual designated computers and mobile devices. “Our entire operation is centralized,” said Vasiliou. “We monitor everything from one location, so we don't need a high-priced manager on site at each development…We've achieved greater efficiencies and we've become a lower-cost provider of public housing.”

In addition to enforcing lease agreements, video surveillance helps administrators: to combat illegal dumping; monitor vagrants in corridors and prevent unauthorized use of community rooms. These have improved living conditions for the residents while at the same time increased the partnership's revenue, through rent and fees paid, and substantially cut maintenance costs. Tenant involvement has also increased. “Tenants have a real tendency to not want to be involved, but now that we have cameras, they are much more willing to report incidents because we don't need them as witnesses,” explained Vasiliou. The housing authority has also seen a major reduction in their legal fees as the cameras assist in gathering evidence, and enables the housing administrative to take care of incidents on their own, said Vasiliou.

Avigilon introduces IR tech to its HD domes

Editor / Provider: Avigilon | Updated: 4/1/2013 | Article type: Security 50

Avigilon announced its innovative Adaptive IR technology will be added to the indoor and outdoor H.264 HD Dome cameras. Avigilon's patent-pending adaptive IR technology provides the industry's most effective and flexible way to capture evidence without a visible light source.

"At Avigilon, we're constantly looking at ways to improve the image quality of video surveillance," said Rick Ramsay, senior product manager at Avigilon. “With the adaptive IR technology we're building intelligence into our products so our customers get the same image quality we're known for, but in complete darkness.”

Avigilon's patent-pending Adaptive IR technology takes a unique approach to IR illumination by combining zoom adaptive and content adaptive technology. The adaptive IR technology is able to intelligently change IR lighting levels based on the scene while reducing motion blur and ignoring areas where there is no movement. This allows the beam of IR illuminators to focus only on the relevant content within the scene and ensures IR illumination is not wasted on irrelevant content.

Adaptive IR Technology Demonstration
The H.264 HD Dome cameras with adaptive IR technology will be demonstrated at booth 9071 at the ISC West security tradeshow in Las Vegas from April 10 to 12, 2013. The "Adaptive IR Technology" whitepaper provides a comprehensive technical overview of using IR technology in surveillance scenarios.

Availability
The indoor and outdoor H.264 HD Dome Cameras with adaptive IR are specifically designed for businesses or organizations that require protection, regardless of the time of day. Adaptive IR is a standard feature in Avigilon's HD Bullet Cameras and will be available on the H.264 HD Dome Cameras in April 2013.

Honeywell on 2013 mega tech trends

Editor / Provider: Honeywell Security | Updated: 4/1/2013 | Article type: Security 50

The cloud, mobile-device proliferation, and easier system integration are some of today's key technology trends reflected in the new products and services. The lineup will include enhanced versions of several Honeywell products that have drawn praise from the security dealer and integrator communities for their abilities to simplify installation, operation and maintenance, while also helping those professionals distinguish their businesses.

The newest versions of LYNX Touch 5100 and Tuxedo Touch wireless security systems highlight the residential systems, while commercial offerings such as Pro-Watch access control, the MAXPRO family of NVRs and the recently announced MAXPRO Cloud 3.0 hosted video will also be demonstrated.

Specific enhancements visitors will learn about include:
LYNX Touch 5100 – Scheduled for release later in Q2 is an updated version of the award-winning, self-contained, wireless system with Z-Wave integration and Wi-Fi alarm communications. The LYNX Touch 5100 wireless system extends its connected home capabilities by offering advanced sensor technology for garage-door control, as well as alerts for severe weather such as tornadoes. Beyond the ability to simply control garage doors, however, the LYNX Touch system can sense if a garage door is accidentally left open during a pre-designated time set by the owner – and then closes the door itself automatically. This sensor advancement can pave the way for future capabilities in the connected home space.

Tuxedo Touch touchscreen controller with Honeywell Total Connect Remote Services – Pairing Honeywell's popular touchscreen controller with Honeywell Total Connect remote services ties together all of the technology in users' homes and businesses – such as security, cameras and Z-wave enabled lights, thermostats, locks and shades – to increase comfort, enhance lifestyles and make more homes and buildings energy efficient. Integration with Honeywell Total Connect allows home and business owners to control the system from any Internet-enabled device, including smartphones, mobile tablets, PCs, laptops and others from anywhere in the world. The combined solution will be available in late Spring.

MAXPRO Cloud 3.0 hosted video service – Announced earlier this month, the latest version of the award-winning, hosted-video system gives companies more options for storing surveillance clips; it's among the first in the security industry to combine local storage, USB-based storage, a networked attached storage appliance, and cloud-based backup. Its enhanced online tools, including a digital dashboard, allow users to easily manage surveillance across multiple sites, improving overall security while reducing costs.

MAXPRO NVR 2.5 – The latest portfolio of MAXPRO network video recorders and their software-only options are fully compatible with Honeywell's new line of ONVIF Profile S-compliant IP cameras. Other enhancements include integration with smart video motion detection, 360-degree camera support and a calendar search. Its new virtualization support for NVRs saves end users time and money by allowing them to use existing servers to virtualize video surveillance on the same infrastructure.

Pro-Watch 4.1 security management platform – The newest version of the widely used Pro-Watch security management platform allows security professionals to more-easily design “connected-business” systems using a Honeywell software development kit. The open system also now supports Salto disconnected readers, which secure entry ways more effectively without traditional hardware and wiring. Additionally, the latest version is compatible with Honeywell's Vindicator Standard Edition intrusion detection system, which now enables large commercial sites to use military-grade protection to secure their perimeters and manage event information gathered from interior and perimeter intrusion, video detection, access control and fire systems.

2nd largest bank in France upgrades to digital recording

Editor / Provider: Grundig Security | Updated: 3/29/2013 | Article type: Commercial Markets

Societe Generale, the second largest bank in France recently deployed Grundig Security video surveillance equipment to help combat armed assaults that target ATMs and cash-in-transit vehicles. The bank upgraded each of its branches to a digital video recording solution, each with local and off-site recording capability, which amounted to 1,200 video recorders. It also added 2,000 hidden and external Grundig cameras at its branches, vehicles, and ATM points.

According to a recent survey by the National Observatory of Crime and Criminal Responses, such incidents have increased by 75-percent within the last 2 years. “Banks, cash-in-transit and cash handling providers are being targeted by criminals and this type of crime can often be violent,” explained Andre Molinengo, Alarm Monitoring Center Manager for Societe. Societe chose Grundig because its systems offered the level of security required, without compromising business operations, and due to its comprehensive understanding of the statutory requirements.

The external cameras operate effectively, day and night, in busy town and city environments. The cameras also provide privacy zones when used in residential areas. Each branch is centrally monitored, so remote access and multiple, simultaneous user operation is enabled. The bank implemented full HD video for evidential purposes, and by combining video and audio detection technologies operators could respond to incidents in real time, said Molinengo.

Keep an eye on Brazilian juvenile rehabilitation

Editor / Provider: Hikvision | Updated: 3/29/2013 | Article type: Government & Public Services

Beginning in early 2011, 23 juvenile detention facilities in Rio de Janerio, Brazil have deployed Hikvision Digital Technology both analog and IP video surveillance equipment to help monitor inmates. Local system integrator, Interimagem, implemented the systems consisting of Hikvision Digital Technology IP cameras, mini domes, analog cameras, to meet the different needs of the two different types of facilities, Degase and Criaad. The system integrator worked in partnership with Hikvision official distributor in Brazil, VMI Sistemas de Seguranca.

Degase, the first type of detention facilities was reserved for more serious juvenile offenders. The facility has a higher number of inmates and faces higher risks of violence and vandalism. There are a total of six such facilities located within Rio de Janerio. One of the challenges was preventing inmates from disabling, manipulating or vandalizing the cameras at the low ceiling facility, said Alvaro De Souza, CCTV Manager at VMI.

For indoor monitoring, 2-megapixel vandal-proof mini network domes were installed in corridors and rooms to prevent camera tampering. The cameras come with alarm system that notifies security control room of camera tampering. In addition, 5-megapixel network cameras were placed indoors at key access points and other areas of high importance. The cameras 5-megapixel function reduces infrastructure costs, and could be placed in higher locations to prevent tampering, said Alvaro De Souza.

At Degase, 540 TVL IR bullet cameras housed in IP66 rating enclosures that met Brazilian government's request for weather-proof cameras were deployed for outdoor surveillance. The cameras utilize 40 meter IR distance range, with D/N and automatic color or black/white capability. The final touch to the center's surveillance system was a H.264 compression card. “This card saves on video storage capacity by utilizing the card's motion detection feature with analog cameras, and using an IP camera's internal motion detection ability,” Mr. Souza noted.

The second detention facility, called Criaad, is referred to as a semi-liberty facility used by less-serious juvenile offenders. There are 17 Criaad facilities located throughout the state of Rio de Janeiro and require lower level security than Degase. As with Degase – and for the same reasons – Criaad's primary outdoor cameras were 540 TVL IR Bullet Camera. The detention facility also used a Hikvision standalone DVR. “One helpful feature of the DVR is when a system crash is imminent; an alarm automatically sounds, allowing the DVR to automatically save its video data and information is not lost,” said Souza.

Tying this solution together is Hikvision's VMS – a full platform, capable of controlling not only DVRs and compression boards in the same interface, but also IP cameras. This software can manage up to 256 pieces of equipment (cameras, DVRs, etc.). The installation of the system has curbed and eliminated vandalism, prisoner riots, and other misbehavior.

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.

 

UK luxury hotel near Hyde Park reopens with style and security

Editor / Provider: Axis Communications | Updated: 5/3/2013 | Article type: Residential & Consumer

The recently remodeled La Suite West, formerly The Hyde Park Hotel in London, deployed a discreet surveillance system consisting of Axis Communications network cameras to upgrade hotel security and blend in with hotel decor. The luxury boutique hotel is the latest minimalist creation of British designer Anouska Hempel. The system was installed within budgetary constraints by Trident Systems UK, and the products provided by Axis' distribution partner Anixter.

The design of the hotel meant that discreet surveillance was essential and therefore the hotel wanted to upgrade its security system to reflect this. As well as being discreet, the solution needed to produce high-quality images and offer the ability to monitor video streams both on and off-site.

La Suite West has worked with Axis partner, Trident for a number of years to specify and manage the hotel chain's telecoms, networks, security and video surveillance system. The hotel specified IP surveillance cameras and chose discreet fixed dome, recessed-mount fixed dome and HD dome with remote focus and zoom. The HD dome met the high specification required by the hotel, whilst also keeping within budgetary constraints. The system provided discreet surveillance with added monitoring functions, including HD quality images, multi-view streaming and P-Iris.

The system has been flexibly designed to provide numerous benefits to the hotel including, remote access and viewing in real-time, night surveillance, the ability to e-mail images and remote monitoring via smartphones. The discreet but effectively installed cameras are utilized to monitor staff movements and ensure quality control. It has allowed hotel management to have greater control and monitor all of the hotel's operations. It has also been a valuable tool for the food and beverage department as it has been able to use the footage to monitor the kitchen and restaurant floors. An unexpected additional benefit of the system is that it has assisted staff training and allowed the hotel to further improve customer service.

"I didn't realize just how much I had in one system,” said Meir Abutbul, Director of La Suite West. “There are many features and layers and the footage can be analyzed in various different ways.”

“We continue to work with large and small hotel chains across the globe, assisting them with the transition from legacy analog CCTV systems, demonstrating the plethora of benefits with IP-based security systems and helping them strike the delicate balance between the need for effective security measures and the high expectations of their guests,” said Atul Rajput, Regional Director, Northern Europe, Axis. “Hoteliers are really starting to appreciate that IP video surveillance based on open platform standards, offers endless possibilities for integrating into third-party analytic applications that focus on improving business efficiency and performance.”

“For example, IP cameras that have embedded people-counting analytics can allow hoteliers to measure hourly traffic levels and evaluate performance across the whole chain, which is particularly relevant to those hotels that offer public access to their bars, restaurants, shops or fitness centers,” explained Rajput. “The ultra-discreet system provides the hotel with the control it needs to meet future security requirements that is notoriously difficult with analog CCTV systems and allows staff to deliver best practice and provide a safe and secure environment to all hotel guests.”

 

Cali beach club shaded from risk

Editor / Provider: Hikvision Digital Technology | Updated: 3/27/2013 | Article type: Residential & Consumer

Founded more than 75 years ago, the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club in San Diego, California recently upgraded its security by integrating two Hikvision Digital Technology HD cameras and VMS with existing analog and cabling infrastructures. For more than 15 years, ACS Cable Systems has been supporting the club's cabling infrastructure, and the club sought to integrate a security system into its network.

The main challenges encountered in the project was covering security on the large premise and integrating the system into ACS cable network. Two cameras were deployed on the ceilings to cover the extensive ground. One was a 2-megapixel mini dome camera, and the other a vandal-proof network camera with a wide-angle view of 101 degrees to 30.4 degrees. Essentially, the existing analog PC based DVRs were maintained and upgraded to an embedded DVR, which makes the most out of the legacy analog system.

The system is managed with Hikvision VMS, which covers the HD cameras and DVR's to achieve a well integrated video surveillance system. The software functionalities include multi-live video, playback, event alarms, remote configuring, and multi-level user management.

The new IP cameras enabled security personnel to have a comprehensive view and complete control from a single workstation through the VMS remote client software. Camera feeds were sent in real time and recorded for further investigations if needed. Data integrity in its legacy system was maintained and the new scalable system could serve the club for many years to come.