Hybrid is the Way to IP

Editor / Provider: Submitted by AVerMedia | Updated: 5/12/2010 | Article type: Tech Corner

Traditional DVRs and analog cameras have dominated the video surveillance market, but new technological advances in IP have shifted market growth towards networked video surveillance. According to overall industrial data and first-hand experiences with clients, Hybrid DVR with both analog and IP input has gradually dominated customers' demands in video surveillance. Since there are still lots of difficulties for users to shift from traditional DVR to Hybrid and NVR, AVerMedia provides the solution to its users.


Local Display
In response to customers' demand, AVerMdia has developed full local display functions other Hybrid DVRs and pure NVR may not have. The exclusive NVRs include AVerDiGi EXR6004 Mini and EXR6004 WiFi. AVerDiGi EXR6004 Mini features compact size, local/sever site preview, playback and setup from NVR itself, four-CH video and audio inputs, supports full range of network cameras from all major manufacturers and feeds H.264, MPEG-4 and M-JPEG video stream format.


Moreover, AVerDiGi EXR6004 WiFi, a plug-and-play wireless NVR bundles with one Magapixel network camera and HDD, is especially welcome by those who are not technology savvy and looking for the easiest way to enjoy their properties under protection in a blink of an eye.


Network Cameras Integration
Transition from traditional DVR to Hybrid DVR and NVR can be muddled considering the unknown applications and budgeting. The expense of security will be substantially increased when taking into account of purchasing new NVRs and higher cost of network cameras. The cost has stopped most small-to-medium, and even some large corporations to postpone their upgrade. However, with Embedded Hybrid DVR, the stability of the system is very much guaranteed since the system has run under Linux operation system, which is embedded onto the motherboard. Security is a factor that can not be ignored and compromised. With Hybrid or NVR, Megapixel cameras will become available to those critical areas and HDs images will be viewed for the slightest details. Moreover, all NVR and Hybrid DVR series are compatible with more than 60 network-camera brands and 500 models for easier surveillance expansion and bargaining. 


Flexible and Stable Platform
AVerMedia provides two options for users when choosing the operation system either Linux or Windows. AVerDiGi IWH3216 Series, a 16-CH H.264 Embedded Hybrid DVR that runs Embedded Windows platform, is equipped with industry-first dual core processor that ensures the process of surveillance data and applications at a fast-pace and without interference. It also features individually adjustable frame rate by channel, dual touch monitor outputs. Intelligent video functions such as PTZ tracking, visual search, noise reduction, FaceFinder, video encryption, iPOS and iEnhance/iStable.


In addition, AVerMedia Embedded Linux operation system has presented a truly multifunctional DVR to surveillance market. AVerDiGi EH Series is an Embedded Linux Hybrid DVR, which provides independent dual streams for better network efficiency, PoS integration and individual adjustable channel frame rate and various brands of network/analog cameras support for users to integrate the system widely.

Wireless Biometrics Hand Scanners Prevent Buddy Punching

Editor / Provider: Submitted by Security Systems Technology | Updated: 5/7/2010 | Article type: Tech Corner

Security Systems Technology offers a biometric time-and-attendance solution that can operate on a stand-alone basis or via a GSM-over-TCP/IP network. The product allows for live multisite integration and can be deployed at locations with no network connection.


Security Systems Technology (SST) offers a wireless hand-scanning console for a range of applications such as hospitality, construction, retail, and government-related projects. Superior to fingerprint reading, the reader scans the entire hand from above. It is non-intrusive and protects employee identities, as biometrics data is not left behind.


Unlike other IP-based biometrics terminals, this time-and-attendance system does not interfere with an existing corporate network, nor does it depend on WAN/LAN networks to be in place. So long as a GSM mobile phone network is available, these biometrics consoles are able to send live clock-in data to an authorized client, such as a central server.


Essentially, all that is required for the terminal to work is power and a mobile phone signal. The system is capable of storing up to 32,000 scans.


Time-and-Attendance Features
Some features of the product include automatically recording and calculating employee hours and overtime, including early exits, absences, sicknesses, leaves, and so on. It can analyze trends and connect with payroll packages. Additionally, the system provides a real-time attendance report for employees currently on site.


"One of the biggest advantages is that this system prevents buddy punching. A typical organization will have some sort of card punching or sign-in system set up. Employees often sign in for one another, resulting in employers overpaying staff. People cannot fake their hand scans, so this system eliminates buddy punching altogether," said Chetan Vasudev, Sales Director of the U.K. at SST.


The reporting capabilities of the software are considerable and compliant with European Commission working time directives. Capabilities include sophisticated tracking and cover user-defined absences. At the simplest reporting level, a head count is invaluable during fire mustering.


Real-Life Results
Already deployed at London Heathrow Airport, the technology has reduced client payroll costs by up to 5 percent, since only precise work hours can be claimed by shift workers. Users report that ROI is almost immediate.


The system helps senior management monitor staff movement and working hours in executive passenger lounges. Five hundred employees, working on a shift-basis, clock in and out by scanning their hands.


SST also offers an entry-level version for SMB users. These packages can accommodate as few as 25 to 50 employees without detracting from the capabilities of the advanced time-and-attendance system.

Video Encoders Smooth Analog Migration to IP

Editor / Provider: The Editorial Team | Updated: 5/7/2010 | Article type: Tech Corner

Video encoders help traditional analog systems migrate to IP-based convergence. With the worldwide market filled with growth potential, A&S takes a look at the latest technology developments.

With the economic downturn slowing the adoption of pure IP-based security, video encoders provide a middle way. Users can maintain existing investments and enjoy functions traditional systems do not have — easier data management, more efficient storage compression and powerful video analytic functions.

While the video encoder market continues to grow, growth may slow as pure IP-based technology becomes better established globally. A Frost & Sullivan report found the market to grow 13 to 14 percent for 2010.

Latest Technology
H.264 compression is now standard for encoders, joining M-JPEG and MPEG-4. "The H.264 main profile compression can reduce the network load up to 30 percent compared with conventional compression technologies," said Gerard Otterspeer, Product Marketing Manager CCTV EMEA, Bosch Security Systems. "With low latency implementation of the main profile technology, the solution can successfully reduce bandwidth requirements."

Encoders can convert anywhere from one to 16 channels. They can simultaneously stream video at either 4CIF, D1 or a mixture of both at full frame rate for all channels.

Video compression and quality vary widely between manufacturers, due to differences in product development and manufacturing. To increase encoding efficiency, different technologies are used. "We deploy the unique activity controlled frame-rate feature that can significantly reduce bit rates and storage requirements, without dropping or losing a signal frame under motion conditions," said Karen McCarrison, Product Manager for IndigoVision.

User-friendliness is important. "Our four- and 10-channel units have fully hot-swappable encoder cards to allow for maintenance or upgrade to any encoder without affecting the video streaming on any of the other channels," said McCarrison. "Power and network redundancy are available."

Installation is made easier with PoE-powered video encoders. "With an expansion card, more transmission options such as dual Ethernet ports as either copper or small form factor-pluggable (SFP) fiber connection are made available," said Corin Moorhead, Product Manager, COE.

For easier system maintenance, a built-in camera health check function can be added to encoders, said Peter de Konink, Product Line Manager Codecs and Analytics, Optelecom-NKF.

An effective solution considers not just system performance but overall ROI as well. "Equipment space and cost can be saved by using rack-mounted video encoders that allows up to 192 channels of analog video to be encoded through 12 rack units in a single 19-inch rack chassis," said Alex Johnson, Senior Director of Sales Enablement for APAC, Video Intelligence Solutions, Verint Systems. Axis Communications' 19-inch server rack contains 14 hot swappable blades with support of up to 84 channels of cameras.

Systems that use less energy also reduce costs. "Each port in our video encoder requires less than 0.9 watts to power up. Low power dissipation means the system generates less heat and higher reliability for the overall system," De Konink said.

Video encoders now do more than convert video signals. "Sony's video encoders can enhance and improve picture quality with its tone correction technology. This technology optimizes the visibility of a scene by increasing brightness in darker areas of the scene and compressing the brighter areas for sharper and clearer images," said Atsushi Iida, Product Manager of Security Solutions, Business and Professional Products Asia Pacific Company, Sony Electronics. XDNR technology, which minimizes motion blur under low illumination, further enhances images.

Analytics
There is more intelligence at the edge, as more encoders include video analytics. "Running analytics at the edge results in fast and scalable analytics across all sizes of installations," said Johnson.


To enable satisfactory system performance, encoding and analytics are often run on two different processors. For example, IndigoVision's encoding is done on a FPGA chip, while other functions run on an Intel IXP 420 processor. "This helps us to guarantee that video will not drop frames," McCarrison said. While some makers use third-party processors, Panasonic deploys its own proprietary LSI system UniPhier.

The unique design of video analytics can limit the use of CPU power, De Konink said. Detection of motion, nonmotion or multiple zones is basic. Rule-based analytics such as people counting, suspicious activity detection and face detection are also available. "We offer analytics ranging from anti-camera shake to applications pecific analytics, such as water vessel detection," Moorhead said. "The ability to link multiple rules is also provided."

Integration and Standards
There are currently no standards governing the development of video encoders. Several specification bodies such as ONVIF and PSIA are working to make integration easier. "Our products are ONVIF conformant and are able to exchange live video, audio, metadata and control information to any conformant VMS," Otterspeer said.

Apart from standard bodies, manufacturers can also partner with related providers to make their solutions compatible. "We have solution partner program named the PSDN program. Through this activity, we have about 230 VMS partners around the world. As soon as our new encoder is released, those partners will support the encoder," said Shusuke Aoki, Product Marketing Manager, System Solution Company, Panasonic System Networks.

Media formats are becoming more uniform, allowing products to work together. "There are new standards arising, like RTMP or Adobe Flash players and HTML 5 with open video," De Konink said. "Streaming video is governed by RTSP, RTCP and RTP."

A well-documented SDK can aid compatibility with third-party VMS. "While most of the major open platform VMS vendors support our encoders, we offer a dedicated website which provides our partners with SDKs, CGI commands, STKs, application guide documents, and other necessary tools required for smooth integration," Iida said.

"Connecting encoders to in-house VMS prevents possible compatibility issues and further ensures system functionality," Johnson said.

Selection Criteria
When upgrading an existing analog system to IP, the main considerations are image quality, reliability, easy installation and data security.

Depending on the physical placement of the cameras and the user's network, encoders are either placed close to the camera or centrally. "Small and easy-to-install one-channel encoders with built-in mounting brackets and modular systems for centralized solutions are desired, complete with redundant network connections and redundant power supplies," Otterspeer said.

Reliability and availability are key considerations. "H.264 offers high video quality at low bit rates," De Konink said. "This implies a minimal initial investment and even more important savings on operational costs due to the proven reliability, life expectancy and camera health check applications for proactive system maintenance."

Rugged designs enable more deployments. "Our equipment is designed for use in the demanding transportation market. By designing our products to function effectively in harsh environments, while maintaining the flexibility provided by optional rack or boxed housing options, we have ensured our products to be deployed in any market with confidence," Moorhead said.


Good ROI is key. "Cost is understandably a key consideration in the decision process when purchasing new equipment. Recognizing this, we have priced our solution competitively by including one-, two- and four-channel variants in the range, with the option of up to 56 channels per rack," Moorhead said.
Important video information needs to be carefully protected. "Both cameras and encoders should be password-protected to protect sensitive data transmission before it reaches the network," Otterspeer said. "Network connections can be established using secured links for the control channels."

Challenges
The growth of video encoders is inhibited by limited user education about network video and perceptions about analytics at the edge.

"Often the biggest challenge, when migrating an analog system, is convincing an end user to switch ‘front end' command and control to a digital solution," McCarrison said. "This can provide many cost benefits and add value to the system. The compatibility of existing analog PTZ camera protocols must be confirmed to ensure a smooth move to an IP-based solution."

Misunderstandings about video analytics pose a challenge. The best video analytics cannot accurately analyze an unclear image. "To resolve this, systems that provide good quality, crisp and clear images help in the recognition of small details," De Konink said.

Future Outlook
Standardized video encoders are a definite trend. "As IP becomes more popular in the security industry there has been demand for open standards, to improve interoperability between manufacturers," McCarrison said.

A uniform video format for high resolution, such as megapixel images, will have to replace standard definition formats. High definition video will push H.264 even more, but efficient compression is only available for network cameras, as HD video servers do not yet exist.

More devices will run on IPv6 for added network security. "Each device will have its own IP address and be directly connected to the World Wide Web," De Konink said. "This means there will be the need to encrypt the video stream itself."

Intelligence at the edge will become more common. "The implementation of the audio alarm in all of our encoders is an indication of that," Otterspeer said.

Retailers Improve Service with Smart Security

Editor / Provider: a&s International | Updated: 5/4/2010 | Article type: Commercial Markets

In these last few years, retailers have requested more integration between electronic systems used, for better protection and enhanced business intelligence.


Retailers need systems to record movement sat entrances and exits, monitor activity, and keep track of inventory and transactions. To achieve this, a myriad of electronic systems for security and loss prevention are used.


Guarding Entries
At all retail premises, entrances and exits are carefully guarded. Typically, the shop floor, offices and warehouses use traditional card-based access control systems. "There is a requirement to know which staff have entered these areas and when, along with real-time information about where members of staff are at, for health and safety reasons," said Mike Sussman, Chairman of Access Control at the British Security Industry Association.


Access control systems can apply alarm conditions, which indicate when a door has been left open, to better protect loading docks or warehouse areas.


Monitoring Activity
Most retailers use analog video surveillance systems for forensic purposes. Developments in video analytics, image resolution and network cameras have transitioned video surveillance for use in business applications. People, queue and zone counting, as well as heat maps and dwell time, give retailers a wealth of information to improve marketing and sales operations.


"Throughout a store, cameras usually monitor PoS terminals, as well as high-value items and attractive merchandise, such as makeup and perfume," said Johan Akesson, Director of Business Development in the Retail Sector at Axis Communications. Improved image resolution gives retailers better image quality and a bigger view. Connecting high-resolution cameras to PoS and electronic article surveillance (EAS) systems allows users to see details, such as the markings on a bill. It also makes it easier to identify individuals, if required.


Shoppers who see cameras placed around a store will be less likely to steal. "Today, retailers project surveillance images onto a digital signage screen, so that shoppers can see an image of themselves when entering a store. Notifying shoppers that they're being watched can deter theft," Akesson said.


For malls or department stores with large viewing areas, such as food courts or lobbies, high-resolution cameras can cover large areas with improved picture quality. "PTZ cameras can be found more in retail applications, because suspicious behavior requires tracking, particularly at entrance and exits," said Raymond Weijts, Marketing Manager for Recorders and Storage at Bosch Security Systems.


Lighting presents a challenge. Bright light can produce sharp contrast, making it impossible for traditional security cameras to see events unfolding inside trucks at loading docks, or dimly lit entrances, said Brian Leland, VP of North American Sales at Samsung Security.


Developments in WDR provide clearer images under backlit conditions and lessen problems caused by glare. Motion adaptive digital noise reduction can clear up dark gray images, and digital image stabilization can remove the blurs of motion to provide crisper still images, Leland said.


Analyzing and Enhancing Video
For the most part, awareness of video analytics is low. Considering the size of the retail industry, users who have successfully implemented and can afford analytics are still in the minority. "In the past, most large retailers cooperated with third-party consultants who analyzed the video footage provided from their stores separately," said Huw Edwards, MD of iCode Systems. Increasingly, retailers are beginning to adopt video analytics, but there is still a large learning curve associated.


One reason why retailers are hesitant about analytics is that most algorithms, with the exception of those measuring dwell time, require cameras to be ceiling-mounted facing straight down, said Hakan Moran, Director of Marketing for Cognimatics. "This allows you to see the shop from a bird's-eye view, eliminating the problem of obstruction (such as a person standing in front of another person)."


Budget restrictions prevent retailers from purchasing dedicated cameras for analytics. "If clients want to use all the algorithms offered in a single store, they would have to purchase separate cameras for separate algorithms," Moran said. However, improved business intelligence has generated ROI, so much so that marketing and sales departments at large retailers have begun requesting video analytics.


Analytics helps store operators understand customer behavior. People counting algorithms have had the most success. Deployed at entrances and exits or in front of certain displays, these algorithms measure the flow of people. Retailers can use counting to generate statistics on how many people stand in front of certain displays, and how that changes with different displays, Moran said. These algorithms can also be deployed at PoS terminals to optimize cashier management, by increasing staff during peak hours.


Heat maps help retailers identify which areas are hot spots, such as displays for promotional products. Dwell time algorithms measure how effective advertisements are, keep track of who passes an advertisement or display, and record how long they linger. "Combined with people counting, you can see how many people pass by your display, how many of them actually look at the advertisement and how long they look for," Moran said.


For security-focused purposes, forensic software enhances video to resolve and clear images, which can then be used for biometrics measurements and loss prevention. "Our forensic software for video monitoring can clarify identification features by measuring a person's height, size and shoulder width. It's true 3-D measurement-based, not just pixel-based," said Lenny Rudin, CEO of Cognitech. "In case of a breakingand-entering event, the software can help with video enhancement, stabilization and measurements of suspects to better identify a perpetrator."


Storage and Display
Most retailers have DVRs or dedicated servers for PoS or video data, operating independently of other systems. More retailers are replacing broken DVRs with NVRs, as NVRs are easier to maintain. "If there's a problem, software such as analytics can simply be reloaded, whereas for DVRs, the hardware might need switching out, resulting in a whole new installation of software as well," said Derek Rodner, VP of Marketing and Product Strategy of Agilence.


Technologically savvy customers are beginning to adopt virtualization technologies, using one large machine to store multiple systems and data. "This way, customers can gain economies of scale," Rodner said.


Since video surveillance takes up the most storage space, retailers are also interested in onboard camera storage. "Particularly for smaller retail applications, built-in standard definition card storage and free viewing software make these small camera systems cost-effective surveillance solutions," Weijts said.


For displays, more retailers are currently replacing simple public view monitors with IP-based and multipurpose displays, which allow surveillance systems to be integrated with other systems, such as emergency notifications, weather alerts, business intelligence and advertising, said David Gorman, COO and Executive VP at VuIT Communications.


Item-Level Tracking
No strangers to retail, EAS and RFID technologies track items for anti-theft, inventory management and product authentication purposes.


Michael Liard, Practice Director from ABI Research, said in a prepared statement, "We expect the overall RFID market to exceed US$8.25 billion in 2014, whereby the greatest growth will be found in real-time location systems, which includes baggage handling, animal identification and item-level tagging in fashion apparel and retail."


Recent developments include EPC Global implementation guidelines for GS1 RFID-based EAS, which provide a standardized method for using electronic product code and RFID as loss prevention tools, said Paul Chamandy, VP of New Business Development at Avery Dennison. "With this guideline in place, we expect manufacturers to become more willing to provide tagged merchandise to their retail customers."


Retailers will displace single function EAS technology with item-level RFID, which cuts costs and offers multiple benefits. With legacy EAS systems, the tags only performed the purposes of deterring and detecting theft. RFID provides a preemptive action capability to retailers at a level that EAS cannot generally match. Since each product has a unique ID, RFID also allows the retailer to identify a stolen product that someone might attempt to return for refund, Chamandy said.


In the past, RFID for security purposes used high-frequency tags. The majority of these tags were attached by the retailer in the retail shop. "Now we're seeing a trend of ultra-high frequency tags, which is more universal, reads over greater distances and can be used from the beginning of the supply chain all the way to the retail shop," said Jerry Garrett, MD of Convergence Systems.


Studies conducted by large retailers, such as Marks & Spencer, showed tagging high-value apparel eliminated stock outs and increased revenue. Often, if the item on the shelf is not the right size, people will not purchase the product. With RFID, retailers can find missing garments and replenish them much faster.


High-end retailers are investing in RFID for smart shopping. Customers can purchase loyalty cards, which have their credit card information stored on it, and walk through a gated area for self checkout without going through a traditional checkout counter, Garrett said.


New concepts like the "magic mirror" revolutionize RFID applications. In a clever bid to increase revenue at apparel stores, RFID providers have deployed tag readers inside changing rooms to scan chosen garments, which display matching accessories. "This is a smart retail window – you need to preload all these images onto the system and cross reference the garments," Garrett said.


Assuming customers do not bring in a large number of garments, these "magic mirrors" can become useful to shoppers. High-end apparel stores currently deploy these systems, with successful shops generating significant ROI.


Another development is the smart shelf. Near-field antennae have made it possible for shelf-level reading. "Every night, shelves are stocked. Every day, you can get a report on how many items were picked up off the shelf, then check whether that item went through checkout and if it was sold," Garrett said.


Retailers can provide this information back to the manufacturer of the consumer product, with information on how much they sold and how many of each item was picked up off the shelf. "It gives resolution and granular detail to that last meter of purchase — size, style, cut and so on," Garrett said.


However, retail stores comprise not only shelves, but also racks and other display furniture. "With racks, it's a bit complicated to put the antenna on the pole itself, but you can embed small antennae near the racks. The distance is programmable, from less than a meter to up to eight meters," Garrett said. Accuracy depends on the read range and how many items are being read simultaneously. Typically, an antenna reads only one or two items at once.


Recording Transactions
Retailers suffer heavy losses from transaction fraud by sweethearting — where cashiers purposefully do not scan an item, enter unauthorized discounts, make fraudulent returns, put manual entries into the system, and soon. Traditionally, PoS fraud is monitored by surveillance staff through a PoS terminal or by manually searching through recorded footage, Weijts said.


Exception-based reporting (EBR) are simple recording tools and have been around for more than 15 years. These stand-alone systems require users to manually take all recorded transactions at the end of each day and load them into a central repository, Rodner said. This is not line-by-line reporting, which means that information gets lost.


For example, a price check, can become fraud if the cashier scans an item, punches in the price check button, and passes it off without ringing it up. PoS systems linked to video surveillance can catch this, as users need only search through PoS history and match the transaction with the video footage.


"At a centralized level, you gain visibility and see patterns that allow you to identify shrink activities not necessarily related to fraud, such as operation, efficiency and training issues," Rodner said.


A strong in-store analytics platform integrated with on-shelf availability systems can automatically capture every time a product is "picked" from the shelf and correlate it with PoS data and backroom inventory stock, Howe said. This type of insight can help retailers decrease out-ofstock situations and ensure product availability during peak traffic times, helping improve conversion and overall store performance.


"Basket analysis — analyses based on how the purchase of one item will affect the likelihood of people purchasing another type of item — can improve market research and streamline operations. This means that studies and results from intelligent POS systems are much more granular and can be used to improve the shopper's experience," Howe finished.

Security Shrinks Losses for Retailers

Editor / Provider: a&s International | Updated: 5/4/2010 | Article type: Commercial Markets

Possibly the most price-sensitive market, most retailers struggle to allocate funding for security systems. Problems such as user awareness, lack of IT infrastructure, integration complexities and cost considerations make it more important, now than ever, for security companies to double their efforts. Retailers want to see these issues addressed.


As of today, analog systems dominate because they cost less than IP. Serious players must be able to work with legacy systems to provide all the benefits of IP-based systems during this transition period. For the near future, analog systems will continue to dominate because most retailers do not have the budgets for expensive network devices and components.


Most networks in retail settings today run on old equipment, which cannot handle the bandwidth required for streaming video. Separate networks, therefore, are recommended for video surveillance systems. This way, video will not impact other networked systems such as access control, PoS systems and so on.


Hybrid systems are common in today's shops. However, integrating analog with IP-based systems proves to be less simple than claimed. Systems based on different communication protocols mean that full integration is rarely done. Rather, more systems are linked and operated side by side via simple electrical relay contacts.


Integration among different types of systems, such as video surveillance and PoS, is also difficult. Hardware, such as DVRs and PoS systems, is often found incompatible and requires new APIs and SDKs to be written for the systems to communicate.


As of now, the average retail chain still uses multiple systems — access control, intrusion and fire alarms, electronic article surveillance, PoS, video analytics and so on — all with separate user interfaces.


Most retailers know the benefits but simply cannot afford available solutions. In many cases, the cost of all the security equipment needed surpasses the entire security department's budget. However, as prices for IP-based equipment continue to drop, the market will see increased adoption. With all the benefits of business intelligence, open systems are the way forward.


While retailers cut budgets — to the point of laying off loss and asset protection personnel — there was a simultaneous increase in theft. "Security wasn't where it should have been, and we have now reached a situation where shrink grew significantly across the board in 2009," said Derek Rodner, VP of Marketing Product Strategy of Agilence.


As a result, almost 50 percent of retailers, worldwide, experienced an increase of shrinkage in 2009, said Matia Grossi, Industry Analyst at Frost & Sullivan.


The Global Retail Theft Barometer reported that petty crime, such as shoplifting or employee theft, made up more than 70 percent of global shrinkage in 2009. Putting this in perspective, the technologies available used to deter or apprehend offenders can make a genuine impact on reducing shrinkage.


"Within the security industry, retail may be the most rigorously quantified market. Unlike many applications that defend against high-value but rare instances, such as terrorism, retail security deals with constant and daily threats that can be measured," said John Honovich, founder of IPVideomarket.info , in a prepared statement. This helps in calculating ROI.


According to the annual National Retail Security Survey from the National Retail Federation, the U.S. estimated US$36.3 billion in losses to retailers from shrinkage in 2009. The average admitted dollar loss for employee theft was $2,672. "Depending on the size of the store and total cameras deployed, if systems can catch or deter one or two employee thefts per site, per year, the system may pay for itself," Honovich said.


Market Size
Globally, security providers have experienced a slowdown in retail sales. However, increased shrinkage has caused large retailers to continue to or increase spending for security systems, said Shusuke Aoki, Senior Coordinator, Overseas Marketing Group, Panasonic System Networks.


In 2009, worldwide spending on products for retail security was estimated to be $3.5 billion, Grossi said.


The North American retail market, comprising video surveillance, access control and intrusion product sales only, was about $650 to 700 million, said Paul Everett, Research Director for the U.S. at IMS Research. The European market was slightly smaller, estimated to be $450 to 500 million.


By product breakdown, retail is the largest market segment for video surveillance. However, the North American retail market declined by 6 percent in 2009, with a forecast of 1 percent growth for 2010, Everett said. The decline was steeper in Europe, with a 15-percent drop last year and a 5-percent fall expected for 2010.


Apart from video, total spending on retail technology systems will exceed $20 billion by 2014, according to an ABI Research report. This figure, however, includes equipment such as PoS systems, payment terminals, barcode scanners, PoS printers and electronic article surveillance (EAS) systems.


With increased integration between retail equipment and security systems, opportunities are limitless. However, loss prevention budgets are small. According to the National Retail Security Survey, "loss prevention budgets accounted for only 0.3 percent of retailers' 2007 annual sales, and of that budget, 30 percent was used for capital equipment such as security systems," Honovich said.


Lack of Regulations
Despite increasing needs and demands, there are few regulations for retailers on physical security. The only requirements are those issued from insurance companies, usually for a loss prevention program that can include alarm monitoring or video surveillance systems, Grossi said.


The movement towards IP, however, pulls in different decision makers such as IT managers and CIOs to address compliance issues of data protection/handling together with network management and data storage, Grossi continued.


As a result, retailers rely on the advice of consultants, manufacturers and installers to determine what their security needs are, and which systems are appropriate.


Limited Awareness
In general, most retailers are overwhelmed with the amount of product choice and information available, said Vy Hoang, Executive VP of Sales and Marketing at i3International.


Furthermore, many retail organizations are just discovering the information and insight their surveillance cameras can provide, said Kathryn Howe, VP of Sales and Marketing at BVI Networks.


Therefore, there is a gap between the available technology and its capabilities, and the general retailer's awareness. For the last 10 years, loss prevention providers focused on decreasing fraud. Today, there is a vital shift in the market. "Manufacturers are recognizing that the bigger problems, including operational, promotional, supply chain, and training issues, are what lead to shrink," Rodner said.


Site Requirements
Regional differences between the U.S., Europe and Asia Pacific show security priorities are not universal. The Global Retail Theft Barometer reported that in 2009, customers committed the majority of fraud occurring in Asia Pacific and Europe. In the U.S., staff caused the most shrinkage.


Different systems protect against internal and external theft. For example, PoS systems integrated with video surveillance can better document transactions handled by employees. EAS systems and RFID tagging can prevent customers from walking away without paying for their goods.


Moving along the supply chain, the site also has an effect on system selection. Warehouses, grocery stores, department stores, boutique shops, supermarkets and malls have different issues and requirements.


At warehouses, most systems require the use of video analytics. "We have found that directional alerting and area alarms to be the most important. These systems should be integrated with access control," said Huw Edwards, MD of iCode Systems. Large warehouses deploy directional alerting analytics to optimize the packing process. These analytics ensure the correct operation of such policies.


In a grocery store, customers might lack the necessary IT resources to select and maintain networks. "Often times, we need to tell them where to place the cameras, how to focus the cameras and what types of networks they need," Rodner said. "There are Payment Card Industry compliance issues that grocery retailers have to understand, and we help them out if they don't."


Thousands of transactions happen daily in grocery stores, emphasizing throughput and making shrinkage much more difficult to find, as opposed to a large department store, Rodner continued.


A cashier at a department store may spend significant amounts of time alone in his or her department. With the amount of inventory available, refund fraud, where employees take something and process a return on a gift card, is high on the list of concerns. PoS systems are used in both cases, yet the type of fraud found can vary, meaning that simpler systems that do not record all transactions can easily overlook this.


For EAS systems, some malls may require retailers to comply with certain unobstructed door widths, which is a need to be considered when setting up entry and exit gates. "EAS performance can be limited by gate width," said Paul Chamandy, VP of New Business Development at Avery Dennison. "The reading widths of most EAS gates have been designed to fit the width of typical entrances found in single shops and boutiques. However, overhead systems are better suited and being increasingly used for wide, unobstructed entrances found in malls."


Parking lots for department stores and malls are another area of concern. "Cameras need to monitor for incidents and provide safety for customers to come and go", said Johan Akesson, Director of Business Development in the Retail Sector at Axis Communications. "If retail stores are located in areas that are less safe in the evening, customers will feel safer shopping at venues with monitored parking lots."


Other security concerns apart from fraud can prompt the use of technology such as RFID. "At a mall, RFID bracelets can be issued to children so that they don't get lost," said Jerry Garrett, MD of Convergence Systems.


Choosing the Right System
Not only do retailers need to choose the right system for their needs, they also need to become more aware of the various uses security systems can be used for. Business intelligence combines information gathered for security and channels to improve marketing and operations. It is clear security and loss prevention systems providers need to support and consult retailers about the range of available options, as well as the benefits and real-life challenges involved in deploying these systems.

Milestone and Axis Watch over Italian City

Editor / Provider: Milestone | Updated: 4/28/2010 | Article type: Infrastructure

Milestone, a provider for open platform IP video management software, has been chosen as the foundation for a flexible surveillance system by the city of Venaria, Italy. Milestone platform provides future scalability and the addition of new innovations such as Axis H.264 network cameras and the integration of LPR video analytics.


Just a few kilometers from Turin, Venaria last year welcomed one million visitors attracted by a beautiful 17th-century palace erected by the house of Savoy. The cultural complex and surrounding gardens constantly draw high-prestige visitors like the President of Italy, former US president George Bush and current California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. On this basis alone, one can appreciate that Venaria’s security needs are of the highest level. In addition, the Ceronda Creek and Stura River flow through municipal territory where the effects of any flooding on the palace and historic center are dreaded.


The municipal administration had tried to address these needs earlier with an analog video surveillance system, to protect some of the town’s crucial areas. That experience, according to Municipal Police Chief Luca Vivalda, “produced sparse results and brought critique.”


In January 2008 they conferred the task of a new IP installation to ASM Venaria, a public agency that is carrying out the project and handling the maintenance. The advantages are two-fold: cost savings and maximum guaranteed discretion in meeting high security needs associated with visiting public figures, as well as protecting the privacy of its citizens. The image data never leaves the municipality because there are no external agencies involved.


ASM personnel are Milestone-certified and directly involved in setting up the command center operations. They designed a scalable video surveillance system that was flexibly accessible, easy to use, compatible with privacy laws, and able to meet the local prefecture's requirements pertaining to extraordinary events. The system covers the monitoring of traffic, the security of citizens, tourists and guests, and watching the rivers for the Civil Defense, where Axis cameras follow the watercourse flows in real time at critical junctures. The surveillance also monitors such areas as recreational parks and residential zones, schools and administration buildings.


ASM Venaria's IT Manager Ivano Voghera, said, "Chief Vivalda and I undertook inspections in other cities with video surveillance installations, carefully evaluating both hardware and software. We chose Milestone’s IP video software platform and Axis network cameras. The Milestone platform has the right functionality for the operations center, which fully met our requirements for a system simple enough for the staff to easily learn it, yet capable enough to guarantee immediate response to any need whatsoever."


The project is entirely financed by the municipality. The installation required a new network infrastructure and that choice fell to mesh technology, which is quick to set up and reliable: in case of a radio link crash, the data communication is passed to another link. It is supported by a fiber optic network.


About 90 Axis network cameras are installed. Initially Axis dome cameras and fixed cameras had been chosen, however, they have since been nearly all replaced with the newer Axis one, which is full HD and supports the H.264 protocol that uses less bandwidth.


The IP video software is preferred for its greater degree of functionality. "Milestone ensures a high level of service. For example, when we decided to go with the Axis camera, it was so new that not even Milestone had the proper drivers yet, but they supplied them in just 15 days, allowing the project to go forward as needed," Voghera said .


In 2009 LPR was also implemented, exploiting a much-appreciated capability of the Milestone platform to integrate new functions and video analysis modules that can be implemented as need arises by simply adding the required dedicated license, without having to modify the user interface.


The Milestone platform enabled the creation of a distributed architecture system in which all the images are converged onto a central server accessible by the municipal administration. Taking advantage of the Milestone video management for creating a varied and controlled user access hierarchy, the installation allows workstations to also be deployed at the traffic control center, municipal health authority, civil defense and the national police station. Operators are given rights to certain cameras by location, and to live or recorded images, as relevant.

Barcelona Airport Soars with Siemens Security Solutions

Editor / Provider: Siemens Building Technologies | Updated: 4/28/2010 | Article type: Infrastructure

Siemens has supplied the security for the largest infrastructure project in the Catalan region of Spain in the last 20 years. The new Terminal 1 at Barcelona International Airport (known as El Prat de Llobregat Aeropuerto), the second largest airport in Spain, was inaugurated on June 17, 2009, consolidating Barcelona's place amongst the most important air hubs in Europe.


Through its group company TECOSA, Siemens installed the support elements for all the public information systems throughout the airport. Additionally TECOSA supplied to the airport management center all the operator positions and also carried out the integration of the video walls from Barco facilitating the control of the maintenance and operation services for the airport itself and the information systems for passengers. Furthermore TECOSA also has ongoing responsibility for the maintenance of the access control and video surveillance systems.


One of the largest civil engineering projects ever undertaken in Europe, Terminal 1 is an extremely functional complex in terms of logistics, combining advanced technology and passenger service. The architecture combines a multicultural character with the luminosity and environmental warmth of Mediterranean style, with natural light a feature in all passenger areas. The result is a communications hub and user-friendly service-center that blends with the surrounding areas of ecological interest with minimal impact.


The T1 complex is based around three elements: the passenger processing building which comprises the check-in, baggage reclaim and airside shopping areas; two lateral docks and one longitudinal dock for passenger boarding; and a lobby where the various transport systems come together.


At the security points controlling entry to the passenger departure lounge, Siemens installed walk-through scanners with pulse induction, multizone, metal detection that locates weapons and devices in footwear (as well as those concealed on other parts of the body), therefore eliminating the irritation of passengers having to remove their shoes. At the automatic luggage system SATE (Sistema Automático de Tratamiento de Equipajes), Siemens installed scanning equipment for secondary luggage inspection.


The Siemens Building Technologies Division was also commissioned to install the fire protection system within the terminal. The centralized system runs on a server and includes 24 fire control panels (with the capacity for 2,000 elements each), 27,000 fire detectors, 1,900 manual call points and 70 aspirating smoke detectors.


The 544,000-square-meter terminal building is a large, bright and luminous space designed for functionality and passenger comfort. Throughout the terminal, there are 256 flight information screens and 14 passenger service points with more than 1,000 signs to facilitate passenger movement. The layout of T1 is also accessible for people with reduced mobility with 49 moving walkways, 26 mechanical ramps, 48 escalators and 125 lifts inside the terminal. It also has eight meeting points for people who have requested assistance, as well as several information points. The car park building has 108 reserved places for people with reduced mobility on the second floor.


Osram, a Siemens division and one of the largest lighting manufacturers, provided the expertise for optimum lighting throughout the terminal and navigational lighting on the airfield. Siemens technology was also present in the lighting control, the new control tower, control and electrical panels, the energy/emergency central station, pneumatic transport and beacon marking.


The new terminal has an aircraft ramp of 600,000 square meters and facilities include 168 check-in counters, 50 jetways and 15 baggage carousels (one being equivalent to four old ones in Terminal 2, the former Terminals A, B, C). With the opening of the new terminal, the airport has increased the number of passengers it is capable of handling from 30.2 million passengers to 55 million passengers per year. The expansion has brought about a 300-percent increase in passenger areas, airbridges and baggage carousels and a 1000-percent increase in operational areas. The commercial service area is now four times greater and there are also improved public transport services, with transitions between different modes now being short and straightforward. With regard to air movements, the airport has increased its capacity from 52 operations per hour in 2004 to a potential maximum of 90 operations per hour.


The terminal has a 23,800-square-meter shopping area with 51 shops and 30 bars, restaurants and catering facilities. It has a business center of more than 2,500 square meters, a gym, hair salon and rest areas, with four, fully equipped, VIP lounges covering 6,000 square meters. Also, the airport provides a Wi-Fi network for its users, a bike lane, a chapel and a multifaith chapel, one bank office, 16 cash machines and five vehicle-hire offices. There is a left-luggage service along with 1,900 hand luggage trolleys and 4,500 for hold luggage. Two public car parks provide more than 11,000 parking spaces, 1,015 long-stay spaces and 1,000 VIP and contingency parking spaces.

Axis and OnSSI Network Video Make Rounds for US Health Care Provider

Editor / Provider: Axis Communications | Updated: 4/27/2010 | Article type: Commercial Markets

Axis Communications, a provider for the network video market, announced that Missouri-based CoxHealth has deployed more than 100 Axis network cameras and encoders at its ambulatory surgery center and parking garages to ensure safety and reduce crime.


As a result, the healthcare organization that boasts a 2.3 million-square-feet campus has cut both the number of thefts in its surgery center and vehicle break-ins at its parking lots while maintaining the same size security staff and holding costs down.


NetWatch, an Axis solution gold partner, served as integrator for the IP-based system. It selected Axis as the camera provider because of the company's superior product warranty, proven quality and consistent experiences of excellent technical support.


Originally, CoxHealth had analog cameras implemented in parts of its facility and parking garages, but they could not be networked together and offered inferior quality images. In addition, it was tedious and time-consuming to pull up video of past incidents using DVRs.


NetWatch worked with CoxHealth to devise a transition strategy that included both network cameras and Axis video encoders. These encoders enable many IP capabilities, including central monitoring, motion detection and camera tampering alarms, and provide complete integration with other network cameras. Eventually, all analog equipment will be replaced with network cameras from Axis.


NetWatch implemented Axis PTZ and network cameras in outdoor areas and had network cameras indoors, the latter supporting advanced H.264 compression allowing CoxHealth to store video for up to 30 days.


NetWatch also implemented OnSSI's recorder with VMS to monitor and manage events and alerts. As opposed to the existing multiple DVR system that required individual login to view and review cameras, the OnSSI VMS enables CoxHealth to centralize camera controls, storage and management. Three Dell servers were also added for additional storage.


In addition to identifying break-ins and accidents occurring in parking garages and entrances/exits, CoxHealth can also identify issues in surgery center hallways, medicine distribution centers and confidential documents rooms to avoid incidents. In fact, the security staffers are commissioned law enforcement officers who make regular arrests and have been successful in their prosecution of crimes thanks to critical video evidence. Security staff monitor network camera views from a central location, leveraging intelligent video and the intuitive OnSSI VMS to identify incidents and dispatch patrolling staff to areas of concern.


"We need to protect our property around the clock," said Joe Rushing, Director of Public Safety and Security for CoxHealth. "We couldn't possibly hire enough people to cover all the ground that our network surveillance system does. In addition, hospitals can be a target for narcotics theft. So we've put Axis cameras at a number of key distribution points where we know there's a lot of foot traffic, like medication cabinets, medical disposal areas and our pharmacy."


Among the benefits of IP-based systems is the ease and speed of identifying incidents. CoxHealth can now pinpoint video footage in only minutes vs. hours-to-days using the old analog system.


In one high profile arrest, individuals stole a backhoe from a neighboring construction site. Using the outdoor, high-resolution Axis network cameras, CoxHealth quickly identified the suspects' car following the stolen backhoe and utilized footage to help apprehend and arrest the culprits.


In the next implementation phase, approximately 60 Axis network cameras will be installed in the new emergency room building to monitor medication disposal, storage, pharmacy and common areas. CoxHealth also anticipates implementing advanced video analytics to help determine the number of vehicles using parking facilities as well as patients and visitors entering and leaving facilities.

Aimetis Software Secures Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting at the Port of Spain

Editor / Provider: Aimetis | Updated: 4/20/2010 | Article type: Government & Public Services

Aimetis , a provider of intelligent IP video surveillance software, announced that its Symphony was deployed to provide critical surveillance during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) that took place at Port of Spain in Trinidad and Tobago.


CHOGM is a meeting of the heads of government from all Commonwealth nations. It is convened every two years to review global, political and economic developments and to conduct a strategic overview of the Commonwealth's work in support of the interests of member countries.


With the safety and security of important heads of government and state at stake, including Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Canadian Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, Aimetis Symphony was required to meet very strict surveillance requirements in terms of reliability, integration, flexible deployment and real-time alerts.


"Aimetis is proud to have played a central role in the overall security plan for this important event," said Marc Holtenhoff, CEO for Aimetis. "Aimetis Symphony delivered video management for hundreds of cameras providing monitoring personnel with real-time alerts and a robust set of video management and investigation tools."

Eutecus Video Analytics Module Optimizes Video Security Devices

Editor / Provider: Eutecus | Updated: 4/20/2010 | Article type: Component

Berkeley, California, Eutecus announced the Bi-i V401X video analytics module, implementing Eutecus' multicore video analytics engine (MVE) on a single FPGA chip.


The Bi-i V401X, a self-contained, small form factor, reference design for rapid incorporation into network cameras and other video security edge devices, can also serve as a standalone video analytics device. Ideal for implementing embedded video analytics capabilities, it combines the power of robust hard-coded image processing capabilities with the flexibility of a fully programmable application development environment.


The basis of the Bi-i V401X, Eutecus' multicore video analytics engine, is an easily configurable, compact, high performance processing architecture enabling a complete video analytics solution on a single low-cost FPGA, the Spartan 3A DSP.


The Bi-i V401X delivers a full complement of video analytics rules ("all the algorithms, all the time") with input resolution up to 720p HD and multiple event detection at 30 fps with analytics performed at full resolution. The VA platform footprint (including video input-output and other interfaces) is 77 by 36 mm with a power consumption of four to five watts.


The system is available for stand-alone testing or for rapid integration with other modules via a choice of standard connectors. For application development, the developer can simply embed MVE commands into their C++ code, or utilize Eutecus' ready-made multicore video analytics evaluation kit V3.0, which requires only configuration, no programming, to demonstrate a wide variety of typical video analytics functions.


MVE evaluation kit V3.0 is a complete low-cost embedded video analytics evaluation and development environment that includes the Bi-i V401X, allowing users to test high-performance video analytics on live or pre-recorded video. The kit includes a selection of video clips. Eutecus is ready to take orders for the MVE evaluation kit V3.0, with expected lead-time of six weeks.


MVE evaluation kit V3.0 also allows users to use MVE's video analytics algorithms on PC, for rapid testing and prototyping, and introduces MVE's feature-based tracking capabilities, along with numerous improvements and simplifications to the provided GUI.