Sanyu Elementary School adopts VIVOTEK surveillance solutions

Editor / Provider: VIVOTEK | Updated: 12/6/2013 | Article type: Education

A Safer Campus Where Children Can Learn and Grow
Schools are places for students to learn and acquire professional and social skills. For children and young adults, school is also a place that shapes their personality, integrity and self-respect. However, schools often double as public places that are open to communities, making the safety and security on campus exceptionally important. Issues that may compromise campus security are diverse, ranging from trespassing and theft, to bullying, vandalism and injury. School-aged children are vulnerable and lack awareness when it comes to confronting danger. Thus, an integrated security mechanism with advanced and seamless surveillance should be installed on campus, securing a safe learning environment for children. With an advanced surveillance system, school staff can perform security networking right on campus, and police or security can do so remotely. If a suspicious person or object is detected, the alarm will trigger, mobilizing real-time assistance. Early detection of a dangerous situation on campus significantly increases the likelihood of prevention.

Enhanced Infrastructure, Strengthened Security
Sanyu Elementary School, located in the Tienmu area of Shihlin District, Taipei, Taiwan was founded in 1993. With a strong commitment to education, Sanyu Elementary School has executed a series of initiatives for building up a safe campus for its 1,500 students from grades 1 to 6. The school prioritizes healthy development and quality education, which can be seen in various academic courses, dynamic and multifaceted extracurricular activities, vigorous physical education programs and events, and a comprehensive tutorial system. However, solid security is needed for all these initiatives to operate smoothly, and to ensure parents that their children are learning in a safe environment. Sanyu Elementary School has put lots of effort and resources into security infrastructure enhancement and renovation. The surveillance system, as the pivotal mechanism for security on campus, also got an overhaul. After seeing the insufficient image quality of the existing analog cameras, the school decided to upgrade to an IP-based surveillance system. With VIVOTEK's local distributor Zero One Technology's professional advice and support, 48 VIVOTEK network cameras were chosen for the project. The two major reasons that Sanyu Elementary School go with VIVOTEK were: First, VIVOTEK is a leading brand in Taiwan. Second, VIVOTEK provides quality solutions, which have been also well recognized by other schools.

Unparalleled Visibility, Seamless Monitoring
48 network cameras have been installed in hallways, stairways, and around sports grounds, creating a seamless shield of protection for children wherever they are on campus.

Hallways and stairways, which are semi-outdoor areas, are places with high contrast lighting conditions. Capturing fine details while maintaining superb image quality can be challenging under such circumstances, only cameras with excellent image processing capability are adequate. VIVOTEK's IP8332-C, a 1MP bullet-style network camera, features a removable IR-cut filter and IR illuminators, effective up to 15M. This camera captures video with exceptional image quality and resolution around the clock. As for harsh outdoor environments, the IP8332-C is encased in weather-proof casing to withstand rain and dust, ensuring stable operation and monitoring under any weather condition. The IP8332-C is also an ideal option for monitoring hallways and stairways.

Apart from the indoors, children have physical education classes and play around outside on the sports grounds. However, monitoring this area can be challenging considering the openness of the premises. VIVOTEK's speed dome network camera SD8312E, with its sophisticated pan/tilt mechanism, was installed for sports ground surveillance. The SD8312E is capable of fast, precise movements with continuous 360-degree pan and 90-degree tilt. Designed with WDR Pro technology and a removable IR-cut filter, the camera is able to deliver unparalleled visibility day and night, clearly capturing every move on the ground. VIVOTEK's IP8130, a 1MP small-sized and elegant designed cube network camera, was installed in the security office at the school entrance. Any activity around the security office, such as intrusion or vandalism, can be monitored, protecting not only the security guard staff, but also school children. With a supporting smart phone application, VIVOTEK's iViewer, security guards can access live video off-site in real time through iPhone or Android platforms.

VIVOTEK is the Best Choice for Cementing Campus Security
Kelly Huang , Director of General Affairs at Sanyu Elementary School stated: “Ever since the establishment of Sanyu Elementary School 20 years ago, our top priorities have been the children's safety, positive growth and excellent scholarship. The school has put great effort into making the environment safer and friendlier. After VIVOTEK's cameras were installed, our surveillance quality improved significantly. The clarity and fine details in the footage delivered by VIVOTEK network cameras have exceeded our expectation. We are convinced that VIVOTEK is the best choice for campus security.”

William Ku, Vice President of VIVOTEK's International Business Division, stated: “Campus safety always needs to be stressed. Providing our children with a safe and enjoyable learning space ensures sound development. In recent years there have been several devastating attacks on schools around the world. There have been heartbreaking tragedies and innocent children have suffered, there have been incidents in the U.S, China and South America. Sometimes attacks are unpredictable, but precautionary measures, like a comprehensive security mechanism with advanced surveillance capacity, can minimize the possibility of tragedies and irreversible loss.”

Milestone and Axis demonstrates latest integrated video technologies

Editor / Provider: Milestone Systems | Updated: 12/5/2013 | Article type: Security 50

Milestone Systems, the open platform company in IP video management software (VMS), teams up with Axis Communications to demonstrate the 2 companies' latest integrated solutions. Highlighting the newest trends in IP-based video surveillance, the 2 producers of software and hardware for digital video surveillance invited the Scandinavian security industry to an Open House showcase at Milestone headquarters in Copenhagen.

Over a hundred attendees were able to experience state-of-the-art video surveillance. Different business scenarios were shown, illustrating what value-adding integrations between network hardware and open platform video management software offers. Visitors could see how video connected to cash register systems can track suspicious transactions and help manage loss prevention in retail businesses or how a video solution can detect and trigger an alarm in the event of failure-to-pay at self-service checkouts, which more stores in the retail industry are using these days.

Milestone and Axis showed how customers such as airports and banks - where it is critical that the video surveillance system never goes down - guard against such risks by using edge storage of video on the cameras with a sophisticated security architecture. In case of network hardware failure, for example, a camera can continue recording in the same quality, storing the video locally on the camera until the server is ready to receive the recordings again for the central, longer term archives in the VMS. This ensures a company against losing incident documentation when evidence is required.

Visitors to the Milestone-Axis showcase could also see how perimeter security and recordings with thermal cameras guard against unwanted intrusion, regardless of day or night lighting. Video recording and live alerts can be triggered automatically when a moving object crosses a defined space (cross-line detection). Thermal cameras detect heat and are therefore not dependent on illumination, helping to manage vandalism, break-ins or burglary during the dark hours.

Many residential areas, schools and public institutions are exposed to vandalism, also of their cameras, so Milestone and Axis have developed a solution to address this problem. When a vandalism alarm is triggered in the system, security guards are notified immediately that a camera is covered up or otherwise disrupted. By installing and configuring multiple cameras intelligently, other PTZ cameras can move their view to take over the angle of a camera that is ravaged, so a perpetrator can still be caught on video.

EN54 compliant Bosch fire panel UGM 2040 with VdS certification

Editor / Provider: Bosch | Updated: 12/2/2013 | Article type: Security 50

Bosch Security Systems has developed its Universal Security System, and presents the new UGM 2040 BMA model - a modular large-scale unit for complex fire alarm systems. The central server is capable of managing up to 200,000 data points, either via serial data paths or Ethernet as required, making it suitable for large companies with a decentralized system structure, such as airports, banks, energy supply companies or large plants. The new fire panel UGM 2040 has been awarded VdS certification and conforms to EN54-standards.

Intuitive operation
The fire panel is operated centrally via up to ten color touchscreens for each system node. The touchscreens can either be integrated into a 19-inch system cabinet or positioned on a base for use in different locations. It offers scenario-oriented, intuitive operation including full text searching and numerous filter functions, providing a clear overview of even complex systems and rapid processing of alarm messages. The display is fully compliant with all regulations and precisely defined user rights helps to avoid errors during operation.

IP networking via Ethernet
Networking via Ethernet, the UGM 2040 bridges the gap between present and future fire alarm systems. The integrated serial interfaces permit the UGM 2040 to connect to existing fire detector systems or subsystems. The Ethernet standard is manufacturer-independent and is used worldwide. It serves as a common communication system to additional functions, such as access control systems or video surveillance technology, can be linked via gateways or routers. Data is transferred and processed more quickly via Ethernet than in serial data transmission via telecommunication cables, enabling future value-added services to be implemented in fire detection technology. One example here is a preventative diagnostics in sensors, allowing individual replacement and maintenance tasks to be planned more effectively. The UGM 2040 can equally serve as a central, cross-system control unit for automated processes in distributed, connected subsystems. In the event of a fire, for example, the system can be used to activate specific approach routes for the fire brigade from a central workstation.

Warehouse solution to address theft and fire concerns

Editor / Provider: Michelle Chien, a&s International | Updated: 11/29/2013 | Article type: Commercial Markets

Warehouses and vaults are the central location where all cargoes and goods are inventoried and stored until they are shipped to their rightful destinations. Nowadays, having high-resolution cameras, proper intruder alarms and access control, and effective fire detection sensors placed in strategic locations are the prerequisites of securing a warehouse, as theft and fire are the most serious issues that need to be addressed in a warehouse environment.

The logistics industry faces a significant amount of security threats owing to the open and exposed locations where the warehouses are commonly situated, not to mention the bustling activities of loading, unloading, packing, unpacking, and shipping and handling procedures. Most logistic facilities consist of warehouses, maintenance areas, docks, garages, offices, and parking lots, all of which combined pose an enormous challenge to security providers.

Security in the warehouse should be based on the concept of demarcation, deterrence, detection, delay response, and recovery; a series of clearly discernible zones and control of access to restricted areas; and the capability to increase security during emergencies and increased threat situations.

With the amount of activities that take place within a warehouse on a daily basis, anyone who has access to the warehouse will have access to the high-cost items in need of protection — this includes contractors, drivers, service providers, and staff.

Layout and Access

Perimeter Security
Proper perimeter security should be implemented for warehouses. Unfortunately, many warehouses often lack proper perimeter protection. Warehouse owners can consider including tall fences with barbed wires, detectors and sensors that will trigger an alarm when intruders enter after normal operating hours. There are problems with different types of perimeter security that should be noted, and warehouse owners must carefully assess their environments to determine the most suitable form of perimeter protection.

General Warehouse vs. Valuable Goods Warehouse
Depending on the type of warehouse and how the warehouse is categorized and segregated into different zones, extra security measures can be taken as necessary. For large warehouses, certain areas will be sectioned off specifically for valuable goods, where extra layers of security will be implemented. Multifactor authentication, such as card and pin or card and biometrics, are the most common ways of providing additional security though other combinations of identification can be applied. Manned guards are often positioned in front of these entrances to ensure no suspicious or unauthorized personnel will try to access the area, but also to verify if the valuables entering or leaving the area are in accordance with what is listed.

Warehouse Surveillance

Having video surveillance is essential to warehouse security. It monitor and record instances of theft, burglary, accidents, and staff behavior and activity in and around the premise of the warehouse, it can also act as video evidence or investigation tool when things go awry.

High-definition cameras with crystal-clear resolution are often recommended in such settings. Video surveillance should be especially installed at all handling areas. Having quality images will allow operators to clearly identify the features of the thief, but also to zoom in and distinguish a serial number or a barcode to locate cargo or goods, which will be especially useful for tracking those that are missing.

More than Resolution
A couple of considerations must be factored in when selecting proper warehouse surveillance cameras. These cameras must be able to see clearly whether in daytime or nighttime, but also changing light conditions, especially by all entrances and dock areas, or areas with windows where light can shine through. A combination of different types of cameras are used in warehouses to cover different needs, but fixed cameras and PTZ speed domes are definitely popular selections.

As warehouses typically have high ceilings, around three meters or more, surveillance cameras must also have proper focal lengths for best results. The exact focal length required can be calculated by using lens calculators considering the varying light conditions in the warehouse. Numbers of camera varies depending on user preference and warehouse size.

Integration of Video, RFID and Access Control
Video surveillance is increasingly being used as a business management tool, seen most commonly in retail settings, also translating into warehouse logistics as well.

With a few simple integrations, barcodes and/or RFID tags (depending on warehouse preferences) can be paired with video surveillance to monitor specific cargo activity. This solution has been around for years, but as warehouse operators begin to realize its convenience, its popularity has also increased. The camera is able to zoom in on a barcode or RFID tag and verify if it is the right product being delivered to the right destination or stored into the right section, speeding up the process and streamlining the operations. Access control can also be integrated with video surveillance, showing real-time feeds and warnings if an unauthorized access had been committed or suspicious behavior around the warehouse had been spotted.

Fire Safety                         

Arson is commonly associated with warehouse theft, which not only destroys inventory but also causes exorbitant loss and damage to the warehouse. Generally, warehouse fires are attributed to faulty electrical equipment such as motors, refrigeration units, forklift operations, switchgear, and maintenance work.

Flammable material should also be kept away from the fence or edge of a property to prevent criminals from starting a fire from the outside also trash bins and other large containers which can also be used by thieves to conceal stolen inventory for later pick up.

Fire solutions need to have reliable and very early detection capabilities that are cost effective to install in large warehouses. Many warehouse operators believe it is sufficient to install sprinklers and conventional smoke detectors in their warehouses, as long as they are in compliance with OSHA standards; however conventional smoke detectors only react when smoke reaches the system. Since, warehouses often have high ceilings, by the time the smoke travels to these detectors it might already be too late.

Video fire detection is one of the more effective ways of spotting a warehouse fire, employing the use of analytics from either the front or back end. With the analytics, an alert will be sent out if signs of a fire, such as distinct smoke patterns or what looks to be a flame, is spotted from the surveillance footage. This is a much more effective way of fire detection than conventional detectors as the fire will be spotted before the smoke detector will even sense the burning smoke in a warehouse setting.

Another useful technology is the air sampling smoke detection device. These devices have a wide sensitivity range and multi-level warnings, so low levels of smoke can be detected before the fire escalates. The system has a network of pipes with small sampling holes, along with capillary sampling tubes, which report back to a control panel that samples the incoming air for hydrocarbons, which are byproduct of fire. The system operates by continually drawing air into the pipe network via a high-efficiency aspirator.

Bosch Integrated solutions for all industries

Editor / Provider: BOSCH Security Systems | Updated: 11/28/2013 | Article type: Security 50

INTERSEC 2014 in Dubai will showcase the latest technologies in Commercial & Information Security, Homeland Security & Policing, Fire & Rescue and Safety & Health. Bosch Security Systems will display its full range of security, safety and communications products as well as solutions for stadiums, airports, oil & gas and hotels.

Product highlights:
Video Surveillance Systems

DINION IP starlight HD and FLEXIDOME IP starlight RD
With its starlight family Bosch Security Systems offers real 24/7 cameras. The star-light cameras are specifically designed for high performance in extreme low-light conditions. They represent a breakthrough in light sensitivity; showing color images where others can show only black and white and showing black and white where others show no image at all. Build-in intelligence like Content Based Imaging Technology (CBIT) makes sure that the image the network camera provides is tailored to the scene respectively content it sees and therefore providing the best possible image in every situation. Intelligent Dynamic Noise Reduction (iDNR) is part of CBIT and offers the benefit of reducing storage cost up to 30 percent.

IP 5000 camera family
With the introduction of the new IP 5000 camera family featuring up to five-megapixel resolutions, Bosch is offering high-performance technology for a wide range of everyday surveillance applications. The range consists of thirteen cameras in four different designs: micro domes, bullet, indoor and outdoor domes. The outdoor versions include vandal resistance, water and dust-proof housings, as well as models with integrated IR LEDs for nighttime monitoring. Varifocal lenses also simplify adjusting the field of view. Also the IP 5000 camera family incorporates special bandwidth reduction technologies. Firstly, intelligent Dynamic Noise Reduction (iDNR) adapts the degree of noise reduction real-time to the movement it sees in the scene. Secondly, bandwidth is further reduced by way of area-based encoding that enables compression parameters to be set for up to eight user-definable regions. These intelligent bandwidth reduction technologies can save required storage capacity up to 30 percent and in static scenes even up to 50%.

DIVAR IP recorder family
The new DIVAR IP recorder family consists of all-in-one video management systems as well as storage solutions. The DIVAR IP all-in-one solutions combine a network recorder, storage array, client workstation and integrated video management software.

With the launch of four new DIVAR IP video recorders, Bosch offers customers either simple yet scalable storage solutions or scalable all-in-one solutions for small to large sized security systems.

Conference Systems
DCN multimedia is a revolutionary conference system that utilizes IP-based OMNEO media networking architecture and user-friendly touch-screen conference devices for participants using a version of the AndroidTM operating system.

DCN multimedia conference system perfectly combines audio, video, meeting content and touch-screen technology in elegantly and ergonomically designed conference devices. The high-resolution, capacitive touch-screens provide users with the information they need literally at their fingertips, allowing participants to share documents, retrieve and display presentations, as well as access the internet. DCN multimedia is specifically aimed at city and regional councils, as well as for government and corporate boardrooms.

Building Integration System
The latest release of the Building Integration System offers improved scalability and third-party integration, efficient video and access integration as well as improved situational awareness. Combining different building management functions in one platform, the BIS presents a flexible, standardized interface to various sub-systems. This proven solution integrates security-, life safety-, communication-, and building management in one front-end system with a customizable user interface.

The Building Integration System (BIS) features optimized third-party integration. This includes building management systems with analog sensor values like temperature, power consumption or oxygen levels. Now these can be graphically displayed on the operator client. So for example, by monitoring energy consumption or air quality and temperature, an operator can react appropriately and before a critical situation arises.

Intrusion Detection Systems
The AMAX panel 4000 is offered in two different basic editions: AMAX panel 4000 and AMAX panel 4000 EN, with independent EN 50131-3 grade 2 certification. The Intrusion panel AMAX 4000 is well suited for the usage in medium commercial applications. 16 zones are available on board, which can be expanded to 64 zones and divided into 16 partitions. With the default program already covering 90 percent of all applications, AMAX panels allow a simple and cost-effective installation. Furthermore, the panels are equipped with all the functions an alarm system requires, are intuitive to use and easy to operate via the keypad.

Fire Detections Systems
Bosch Fire systems will be presenting the Fire Panel 5000 Series panel along with its Repeater panel. They will showcase the new interface connecting fire alarm and voice evacuation communication via IP. The periphery connected to the panel will be the Fire Detector 420, resettable manual call points and voice sounders. The detectors that are going to be in the loop are dual optical detector, 520 series invisible detector white and transparent models. Voice sounders with the option to communicate personalized messages will be the focus as signaling device. Aspiration detector will also be showcased.

Magal S3 receives $2.5 million order to secure power substation sites

Editor / Provider: Magal Security systems | Updated: 11/26/2013 | Article type: Security 50

Magal Security Systems, announced that it received a repeat order, to secure 13 power transmission substations for a large power company in Eastern Europe for $2.5 million. The order includes the supply and installation of intrusion detection systems

Eitan Livneh, President and CEO of Magal S3, commented: “We are pleased with this repeat order and the increased momentum we have seen in the past few weeks. A follow on order is a sign of a satisfied customer. It also demonstrates how our past efforts and success with customers, as well as our investment in maintaining long-term relationships with them continue to yield fruits over many years.”

Samsung Techwin launches new 960H WDR 700 TV lines camera series

Editor / Provider: Samsung Techwin | Updated: 11/26/2013 | Article type: Security 50

Samsung Techwin new 960H camera series is packed with a list of innovative features to enable high resolution 700 TV lines colour images to be captured in low light conditions. One of the most interesting features from an installer's perspective is likely to be Simple Focus as it can help reduce installation costs by minimising the time it takes to commission the cameras.

The 2 domes and box camera in the new 960H series are equipped with Samsung Techwin's advanced Wide Dynamic Range feature which compensates for backlight 128 times more effectively than standard WDR. This together with Samsung Super Dynamic Range (SSDR), which automatically adjusts dark areas of an image and Samsung Super Noise Reduction (SSNRIII), ensures high quality images can be obtained in a wide range of challenging environments including when the light may be as low as 0.1 lux. The new models also utilise Progressive Scan to optimise the high quality video capture of moving objects, making it possible, for example, to read car number plates without a motion blur effect.

A single push of a button located at the back of the camera is all that is needed to automatically focus the camera via the Simple Focus feature which can also be remotely accessed via a coaxial control enabled DVR. An additional operational benefit is that Simple Focus automatically optimizes the back-focus required for clear, sharp images when the camera's true Day & Night function changes from colour to monochrome mode.

Although extremely competitively priced, the models in the 960H series include Intelligent Video Analytics which can assist people counting or the detection of activity by various means, such as tripwire and enter/exit direction, object appear/disappear and ‘tampering', which creates an alert if paint is sprayed on a camera lens or there is unauthorised movement of a camera away from its usual field of view.

The 3 new models are all compatible with Samsung Techwin's series of 960H DVRs which were introduced in March 2013 set a new standard in digital video recording enabling users to achieve an immediate improvement in the resolution of the live or recorded images that can be displayed on a high definition monitor.

The three models in the 960H series are: 
SCB-3003 box camera
SCD-3083 dome camera with 3.6x motorised varifocal lens
SCV-3083 IP66 vandal-resistant dome camera with 3.6x motorised varifocal lens

FLIR thermal imaging cameras chosen for perimeter protection of solar parks

Editor / Provider: FLIR | Updated: 11/25/2013 | Article type: Infrastructure

OMEGA GROUP, based in Sevilla, Spain, offers a comprehensive range of surveillance and security services, including the installation and maintenance of systems and equipment for intrusion and fire detection, CCTV, access control, etc. One of the company's main areas of expertise is perimeter protection of solar parks. As an increasingly important provider of electricity across the globe, solar parks need to be effectively secured. The threats these installations face are the same as for any other energy producing facility: vandalism, sabotage and terrorism.

Based on a proven track record for perimeter protection projects across Spain, Omega Seguridad has also been able to offer its expertise to solar park projects in other European countries like Portugal, France, Italy and Romania.

Solar park surveillance project in Romania.
For a new solar park, located in Sebis, Arad, Romenia, Omega Seguridad installed 22 thermal imaging cameras for perimeter surveillance purposes. The new park is the country's largest and also one of the largest parks in Europe. The park has been developed by Bester Generación, a leader in the renewable energy market, specialized in the promotion, construction, operation and maintenance of infrastructures for the production of clean energy. It stretches across 200 hectares and includes some 72,000 photovoltaic panels, amounting to 15 MW of power. The new solar park is said to ensure the need of energy for around 100,000 people.

The total perimeter, including two separate confined areas of approximately 2,1 km, could be covered with a total number of 22 cameras. On average, this amounts to approximately 1 thermal camera per 190 meters.

SR series
For this particular project, Omega Seguridad relied on FLIR's SR series of surveillance cameras, offering high quality thermal imaging in any night- or daytime environmental conditions. More specifically they chiefly used the SR-313 camera with 35 mm lens and 320 x 240 resolution, next to the SR-324 camera with 19 mm lens and 320 x 240 resolution. The SR-Series of security cameras provide high contrast imagery optimized to get the most out of video analytics software.

Surveillance technologies
Omega Seguridad usually offers two options for perimeter protection to its customers:CCTV cameras and thermal imaging cameras. Although traditional CCTV systems are effective for security and surveillance applications, they are not able to see in total darkness. As a result, they have to be complemented with additional lighting, which again allows the cameras to look at night for a certain distance.

Antonio Millan Fernandez, project manager at Omega Seguridad, explains why his company always makes an extra effort to convince the customer to choose thermal imaging cameras: “Thermal cameras can see much farther than traditional CCTV cameras and therefore you need less of them. So in short: less cameras, less issues.”

Smaller investment for thermal imaging
Although a thermal camera is still more expensive than a visual video camera, the investment cost for perimeter surveillance will still be lower, since you need fewer camera units. Fewer cameras also means that there will be less required investments for all camera-related equipment (meaning: all equipment that is needed to get the camera operating properly and to get the video signal onto the control room screen).

All these added costs need to be made per camera unit. By reducing the number of required cameras, thermal imaging allows customers to make significant savings with the camera-related equipment and civil works. On top of that, thermal imaging cameras need no lighting equipment whatsoever and will operate with the same accuracy during night and day. Last but not least, Omega Seguridad calculated that the overall power consumption of a project with traditional CCTV systems is about 50% higher than the power consumption of a project with thermal cameras. This is a considerable saving on the electricity bill of the end user.

“For distances between 60 and 120 meters that would require 2 conventional cameras, but only one thermal camera, the cost of equipment involved on both systems would be equivalent,” comments Enrique Delgado Torres, engineer and project manager at Omega Seguridad. “For distances between 120 and 180 meters where 3 conventional cameras would be required, the equipment associated to the thermal system becomes more economical. Longer distances will make the advantage bigger.” “The more bends and curves a perimeter has, the more camera positions you will need to have a sufficiently good view,” comments Vicente Nanclares Ocio, director of the engineering department. “Luckily for us, solar parks generally tend to have straight shapes so this allows thermal cameras to see even farther than 180 meters.”

Better performance with thermal imaging The lower overall investment is not the only reason why Omega Seguridad prefers thermal imaging for the Sebis project in Romania. Thermal cameras also have a higher accuracy and they generate fewer false alarms, which ultimately results in less frustration and less workload for the control room operator. “Obviously, we no longer experience lightrelated false alarms,” comments Vicente Nanclares Ocio. “Sometimes, car headlights can set off false alarms, but since thermal cameras are unaffected by light, they are also not disturbed by it.”

“Thermal cameras also allow us to see better through fog. Sometimes, the fog can be so dense that traditional CCTV cameras are unable to see through it.”

PureTech Systems video analytics protects Palo Alto's water facilities

Editor / Provider: PureTech Systems | Updated: 11/21/2013 | Article type: Infrastructure

PureTech Systems announced the installation of its PureActiv wide area video surveillance system at several critical water facilities for the City of Palo Alto. The latest installation marks the fifth remote site which has been secured with PureTech's geospatial video analytics.

The City of Palo Alto Utilities is responsible for the water sites, is the only municipality in the state of California that operates a full suite of City-owned utility services, including water, electric, gas, sewer, refuse, storm drain and a dark fiber loop. The CPAU began over one hundred years ago and serves a population of over 65,000 people. The latest installations are part of an on-going effort to insure the security of the city's key assets.

Like most utilities, Palo Alto has many facilities distributed throughout a large physical area. The ability to manage the perimeter surveillance of these types of remote sites from a central monitoring location is one of the key reasons the PureActiv video management system was selected. The system utilizes IP cameras and is integrated with several types of volumetric sensors. In addition to intrusion detection utilizing PureActiv's video analytics, "slew-to-cue" functionality is also utilized, whereby the system automatically steers a PTZ camera to an exact latitude, longitude and elevation point to further assess a situation. The system, which interfaces with the legacy PLC architecture of the sites, also includes a dynamic map-based user interface, allowing for real time camera control and event tracking directly from the map.

Priax Corporation provided the water security system design and consulting services for the City of Palo Alto projects, with West Corp providing the installation services. The installation of the PureActiv perimeter surveillance system provides a much desired level of situational awareness and efficiency with its geospatial GUI, alarm management and advanced PTZ control. Similarly, its open architecture allows for integration with a vast array of other perimeter systems and sensors, which will provide a solid growth platform for the city's future water security needs.

FLIR Systems awarded $25M contract from U.S. Ally in Middle East

Editor / Provider: FLIR Systems | Updated: 11/21/2013 | Article type: Security 50

FLIR Systems announced that it has been awarded a contract by a Middle East customer valued at $25 million for FLIR's StarSAFIRE 380 HLD gimbaled multi-spectrum imaging and laser designation system that features FLIR's MERLIN Moving Target Indicator (MTI) system. The StarSAFIRE 380 HLD system is the latest variant of the StarSAFIRE Series of gyro-stabilized multi-spectral sensor systems that have a proven track record with this customer for over 15 years. The addition of the MERLIN MTI system to the StarSAFIRE 380 HLD allows for automatic detection and tracking of multiple moving targets, thus enabling the system operator to rapidly search areas of interest and engage targets. The system also includes a state-of-the-art, high duty cycle, diode pumped laser that is compatible with NATO standards.

The contract award highlights FLIR's ability to develop advanced high-definition imaging and laser solutions by leveraging distinctive commercially developed, military qualified model. This model enables FLIR to meet evolving market needs for higher performance while providing advanced automation for reduced operator workload and increased mission effectiveness. MTI is the latest video analytic enhancement FLIR has added to its product portfolio and it represents a game-changing technology that significantly improves the effectiveness of tactical missions.