Success with Multisite Surveillance

Editor / Provider: Submitted by Barco, Mirasys and Bosch Security Systems | Updated: 11/26/2009 | Article type: Government & Public Services

Large government projects around Asia, such as airports and city surveillance, are turning to multisite surveillance systems for greater visibility and management control. From upgrading analog to installing new and complete IP solutions, this phenomenon creates success stories daily.


Barco Builds Visibility for Shanghai Pudong International Airport Shanghai Pudong International Airport Terminal 2 has been in operation since March 26, 2008. With the opening of the second terminal, the airport increased its total annual capacity to 60 million passengers and six million tons of air freight, making it one of busiest airports in the People's Republic of China.


To manage operational efficiency and overall security in a central and coordinated way, the airport installed a total of 82 Barco rear-projected display cubes in five different operational management centers. These five centers are all linked and coordinated, ensuring a seamless, fully-functioning organization and control management model.


Linking Five Centers
The Airport Operation Center is the onsite operation command center at Pudong Airport, centrally located in the airport facility. Its core responsibilities are airport operation management and emergency response. To ensure daily flight safety and onsite passenger service, the center is equipped with a display wall featuring eight by three 67-inch cubes.


The Emergency Response Center within the AOC has its own dedicated control room.


Another 24 display cubes are situated in the Terminal Operation Center, which facilitates daily operations, safety and service protection within the terminal. The TOC is the command center for the entire terminal area, managing daily operations in a unified way.


The Traffic Information Center is the key component in the new, multiterminal, multirunway operation model at Pudong Airport. A broad range of vehicles, including rail, maglev, airport bus, urban public transport, coaches and taxis are managed at the airport from this integrated traffic center. With the help of the control room display, the Traffic Information Center controls all terrestrial traffic and functions in real time, streamlining information to improve traffic service capability, operation efficiency and overall service quality.


Finally, the Utility Management Center is the energy protection system monitoring center at Pudong Airport. The center is responsible for monitoring the operation of ventilation, fuel supply, airport water supply and sewage processing, and power supply. This area has a large screen display totaling eight cubes, whereas the Power Control Center features a six-cube display wall.


More Visibility, Faster Reaction Time
All five centers at the Pudong Airport are equipped with Barco's display cubes to establish true, seamless multisite surveillance.


Mirasys Secures City of Bangkok
Mirasys' surveillance software was selected for one of world's most renowned cities, Bangkok, Thailand. As Bangkok renews its city-wide surveillance program, it sought a system that could integrate different types of hardware and cameras, and that would remain flexible over the coming years. Mirasys was chosen as the software provider due to its integration capabilities, reliability and long-term adaptability.


The software, which will support more than 3,000 network cameras in Bangkok, allows digital images to be recorded and monitored both locally and centrally. The system will also be extended with intelligence features to allow effective long-term use of the system. Bangkok's existing analog cameras will be integrated within the Mirasys solution.


M.R. Sukhumbhand Paripatra, Governor of Bangkok, said in a prepared statement, "We want to take additional measures to maintain the public safety of the entire city. The key to success will be the collaboration between public and private sector such as hotels, shopping malls, gas stations, convenience stores and movie theaters. With this particular procurement, we believe that there will more than 20,000 cameras to cover the most important areas within next four years."


Bosch Subtly Surveys Griffith
A bustling agricultural centre in New South Wales' (NSW) Murrumbidgee irrigation area, Griffith has a population of 24,000 and is the heartland of Australia's wine and vegetable production. Designed by Sir Walter Burley Griffin and founded in 1916, the city incorporates 10 hectares of parkland and lies near Lake Wyangan and the beautiful Cocoparra National Park. With a thriving economy and a young and growing population, Griffith has quickly expanded from a quiet rural town to a vibrant city. Throughout this process, Griffith Council and NSW Police have faced challenges common to all fast growing rural centers in Australia —an increase in crime in public areas.


In order to guarantee the safety and security of the Griffith Central Business District, it was decided that an IP video surveillance system should be employed. Importantly, this was a greenfield site — there was no existing surveillance system in place. It was a fundamental issue that made the installation both easier and more difficult. On the positive side, there was no legacy technology in place. On the negative side, the Council and the community had no experience with surveillance technology.


The Council, in conjunction with the NSW Police Department, identified an area of Banna Avenue that was particularly prone to assaults and other forms of violent crime. Armed with this information and a clear understanding of the required outcomes, the Council began the process of preparing for Federal funding and compiling a specification for tender release. The tender was released with suggested locations for cameras and areas of coverage required as a minimum. The aspects of the system that were seen as critical to the council were; reliability, quality, service and backup, operator acceptance, compatibility and value for money.


System Design
Designed around six locations, each comprising one PTZ camera and two fixed dome cameras, the multisite solution stores all video streams at 4CIF and 25 images per second for 31 days and is used by the New South Wales (NSW) Police to ensure safety and security in the Griffith Central Business District (CBD).


All cameras are from the Bosch Security Systems IP range and each camera location comprises a 4-port gigabit switch and media converter residing on a dedicated gigabit fiber LAN. The camera power supply, switch and converter are all housed inside the pole itself to avoid the need for a communications box on the pole.


Installation Challenges
There were challenges with the Griffith multisite solution. Griffith Council had no experience with CBD video surveillance systems and relied on town planners and engineers to manage the project from concept to handover. This involved the development of Standard Operating Procedures, compliance with the Code of Practice, Application for funding from the Federal Government and a Community Consultation Process.


There were also major challenges for the installation team and these began well before the system was installed. Cameras needed to be mounted on existing infrastructure in some cases. That meant a neat and attractive solution was required for mounting the cameras to poles. Careful design, product selection and consultation with the local power utility saw that the IP infrastructure was fit soundly within the poles.

GKB Security: A Refreshing Look

Editor / Provider: a&s International | Updated: 11/26/2009 | Article type: Hot Topics

GKB Security reintroduced itself through a strategic transformation of its logo, symbolizing its commitment to making system integration easier and staying close to end users.


From its beginnings as a hardware manufacturer to becoming a solution provider, GKB Security has made innovation its core value since 1996. In light of the industry's evolution, the company is expanding its integration capabilities. The launch of a new logo declares GKB's transformation into a solution-driven company. "The new GKB logo projects the image of kite, representing an integrated solution that connects vendors and users, which yields benefits beyond product features," said Peter Jen, President of GKB Security.


The company's focus on solutions means more investment in personnel training and dedication to customized services. "A major shift in enterprise culture and customer perception also poses challenges," Jen said. However, the accumulated know-how and technology will smooth over the transformation and allow GKB to target mid-range to premium customers.


Differentiation
GKB aims to provide tailored solutions, as small- and medium-sized security installations should enjoy the same technology benefits found at large-scale projects. "Making systems attractive with value-added features is key," Jen noted. A number of solutions deliver on this premise, including a PoS surveillance system, video alarm system and a Video Fire Detection System (VFDS).


Sound quality and ease of use enables GKB to be specified in industrial projects and win bids around the globe. Its video surveillance system has been deployed by ING banks in Turkey for ATM applications, while the VFDS has been chosen by Taiwan Power Company to be used at power plants and control rooms. Those successful stories are proof of the company's technical capability and are critical to propel sales, Jen said.


Future Plans
The company conducts its branding through distribution in more than 75 countries. Trustworthy partners and clear strategies help gain market presence. "In addition to working with OEM/ODM partners in the U.S., GKB is keen on developing and promoting its own brand worldwide," Jen said. Eyeing China with great interest, the mainland market will be a major focus region for GKB in the near future.


On the technology front, its R&D priorities feature system integration with IP surveillance, with video analytics taking a central role. A wide variety of solutions will be made available with greater integration of voice, access control and intrusion detection, Jen said.


As intelligent and integrated security solutions are trends, Jen believes GKB is on the right track. "Although the transformation will take years to complete, the company is able to take advantage of its strong brand foundation that has been established over a decade," he said. GKB's relentless pursuit of solid quality and integrated technology will help it adapt well to its new role to become a total solution provider in the next two to three years.

Security Stands Guard Against Financial Turmoil

Editor / Provider: a&s International | Updated: 11/24/2009 | Article type: Security 50

The world is facing the greatest financial and economic crisis to have occurred in more than half a century. As 2009 draws to a close, the Security 50 companies share strategies for surviving the turbulence and their realistic hopes for the future.


Security 50 Ranking Tables


From sales drops to stunted growth, it is clear that the recession has taken a heavy toll on the security industry, making analysts and interest groups reevaluate those recession-proof claims and groundings. In 2008, more than 90 percent of the 50 participating companies experienced growth. This year's ranking, however, shows that almost half of our participants' revenues declined. It is not all bad news. Although the recession has forced companies to tighten budgets and readjust spending, those who have taken the necessary measures have survived — and some triumphed.


Company Strengths
Whereas 2008 was dotted with mergers and acquisitions up and down the ranking, 2009 has seen diminished activity, with the exceptions of Assa Abloy and Nice Systems. This year, most companies agreed that growth factors were attributed to playing both strong defense as well as offense. "On the defensive side, we've made sure we've driven productivity improvements in our operations and have really focused on the cost side of the equation," said John Koch, President of ADT Security, in a prepared statement.


Indeed, companies have paid very close attention to profit and cash flow. "In the past, the most important thing was revenues. Now, the focus is on cash and profit," said Amir Hayek, President and CEO of Electronics Line 3000.
For medium-sized manufacturers, a significant ROI on previously launched products has to be achieved before new ones are endorsed, said Eric Assouline, Export Sales Manager at CDVI Group. On the offense side, growth can be seen as a result of continued R&D investment, expansion of global presence (with special attention to emerging markets), strengthened customer and partner relationships, and increased marketing efforts. "In terms of marketing efforts, we've developed a new Web site and product packaging," said Dr. Avigdor Shachrai, President and CEO of Visonic.


Expanding Presence and Portfolios
With mature markets such as the U.S. and Western Europe severely hit, companies that stayed afloat turned to expanding their operations and local presence in new markets. Emerging markets — especially those of China, India, Latin America and the Middle East - have been penetrated with doubled efforts. "We've added personnel in different regions to support our system integration partners," said Ray Mauritsson, CEO of Axis Communications.


Improved support and communication with existing and new partners and customers also helped companies stand out. "Our traffic server now comes with service and maintenance packages," said Mario van der Kroef, Global Marketing Director of Optelecom-NKF.


More integration and interaction between industry players have also born fruit. "Expanding our partner ecosystem ensures integration with multiple third-party surveillance products and access control systems," said Peter Wilenius, VP of Marketing at March Networks. "Our open-platform video management software (VMS) is now certified for use with a number of third-party host and storage systems."


Mauritsson added that "the need for integration is one of the key drivers for the analog-to-digital shift. System integrators found this a great opportunity to add more value in a project."


Strengthening Brands
For some companies, resilient figures were results of major transitions, such as branding. "What we're seeing is that only a small customer base is familiar with our new brand for IP-based products. We want them to see all our products as part of a total, hybrid solution," van der Kroef said.


Others continue to refine their brand image. "Customers perceive our brand as good quality. This year, we've provided video surveillance components and systems for analog, hybrid and digital technology, with open interfaces for easy migration and integration," said Katharina Geutebrück, MD of Geutebruck.


Loss Factors
"The slowdown was steep and happened quite fast," Mauritsson said. "The high growth rate we had a year ago is not there today." Major players such as ADT, Bosch Security Systems, Assa Abloy, L-1 Identity Solutions and Axis have noticeably lowered their projections. Others have gone straight into decline.


Project business slowed as well. Installations have been significantly stalled due to tightened budgets and delayed payments. Distributors have driven down their inventories to wait for new order forms, further fueling uncertainty, said Lutz Coelen, CFO of Mobotix. Some companies, however, see this crisis as a chance to gain market share. "With the weak economy and less budgets available, attractive features of cameras include using high resolution, free software and built-in storage," Coelen said. "Our overall cost-effective solution has helped us gain market share."


Looking at forecasts, there are concerns that the general optimism for recovery is rather premature. "We don't see it happening as quickly as next year," Mauritsson said. Long-term growth potential, however, is unchanged, especially with new products being launched.


"We expect the recession to continue to negatively influence the first two quarters of 2010," van der Kroef said, echoing similar skepticism.


Opportunities Yet Abound
Where companies lacked local presence, they have looked for partners. Eastern Europe, Africa, Latin America and Asia were popular regions for business development.


Regions
In North America, longer sales cycles were typical, with customers moving less aggressively on project rollouts, Wilenius said. "To balance that, our revenues outside of North America increased by 58 percent during the first quarter of the 2009 fiscal year (May to July of calendar year 2008)." Like March Networks, the majority of other companies looked toward markets ripe for plucking, and have opened offices, invested in local personnel and tendered for projects in a myriad of vertical markets.


Despite the slowdown, North America is still the biggest market worldwide. Mobotix, Optelecom-NKF, March Networks, Axis, CDVI, Electronics Line and GeoVision have continued to fortify their sales channels there. "We're splitting focus between partners, expanding from our presence in Colorado to locating partners in the East Coast, Midlands and West Coast," Hayek said.


"While we're seeing signs of rising customer activity compared to earlier in 2009, we anticipate that North American organizations will maintain a more cautious approach to projects until further stability and growth are reached," Wilenius said. George Tai, CEO of Geovision, added that the education sector will remain opportune for next year.


In Western Europe. France, Scandinavia and the U.K. are picking up momentum in wireless products and IP adoption, Dr. Shachrai said. "It will take at least another year before we see the European market up and running again," Hayek added.


Latin America, especially Brazil, has been an increasingly solid market this past year. Where the commercial, industrial, transportation and banking sectors are concerned, the region is very promising. "We recently established our own office and personnel, and it's definitely an emerging market where we expect high growth," Mauritsson said. However, for most, Latin America is not yet the biggest piece of the pie.


In Asia, particularly China and India, companies have expanded their operations the most aggressively. "In India, we've signed more contracts with distributors and have done very well. Our strategies in China are different; we focus more on monitoring companies," Dr. Shachrai said, as China reigns as one of the world's largest and most stable markets in these trying times.


Vertical Markets
Consensus was that industrial and government projects have been the hottest verticals. Larger government sponsored projects have been delayed but are recently getting back on track.


Transportation has been a huge development area. IP-based video surveillance systems for traffic control and mobile solutions, including ALPR, network cameras, video analytics, sophisticated VMS and so on, have contributed to several companies' growth. "We anticipate that our company's revenue from traffic applications will increase by more than 25 percent, now that we have launched our traffic servers," van der Kroef said. March Networks, Axis and Nice have also been heavily involved with transportation projects.


With increased crime rates around the world, public surveillance and critical infrastructure have tightened security measures on all fronts. In both emerging and mature markets, IP-based video surveillance is increasingly deployed to better protect citizens and utilities.


In residential and retail segments, a growing middle class will expand needs for safety and security, said Laird Hamberlin, VP of Global Accounts, ADT Security. "We have seen some of our larger retail customers with some good investments continuing, but not necessarily at their historic levels," Koch added, in a prepared statement. A full recovery of Axis' retail business, Mauritsson said, is not yet expected for 2010.


Companies that focus on small-to-medium projects, however, were not as dependent on single verticals. As a result, they had more flexibility. "Our average project size is less than US$10,000, and our solutions are a good fit for many verticals — banking, transportation, retail and mobile solutions," Coelen said.


Products for 2009
Despite tighter budgets, growth has favored companies who continued to invest in R&D, resulting in a healthy number of new products being launched. "We invested more than 10 percent of our sales in R&D, which we believe is essential to provide innovative and reliable solutions," said Uwe Thym, VP of Marketing at Bosch Security Systems.


Video Surveillance
The majority of video surveillance solution providers zoomed in on improving resolution, frame rates and/or outdoor capability.


Mobotix released its newest hemispheric camera, using decentralized technology to restore panoramic images distorted by fisheye lenses. "This product was the most successful launch Mobotix ever had," Coelen said. The camera uses a 360-degree lens and has built-in storage, allowing users to work with fewer cameras but get increased resolution.


March Networks bolstered its portfolio with IP-based HD cameras supporting H.264 compression, and refined its software offerings. "We'll aggressively promote these products in the next six to 12 months," Wilenius said.


Optelecom-NKF, for better compression, also released its H.264-enabled video server, to integrate analytic algorithms and storage. Continuous development will eventually incorporate VMS and recording technology into a single solution, van der Kroef said.


Axis launched some 30 network video products this year, focusing specifically on two categories — H.264 (improved image quality) and enhanced outdoor capabilities. "Our HDTV-quality cameras with H.264 compression standards have been a success," Mauritsson said. Another focus was an outdoor ready, out -of - the-box product which shortens installation time and eliminates the need for an external housing.


As analytics mature, companies like Axis and Geutebrück have added them as built-in features. "We've launched a new network camera designed with outdoor motion detection running on the DSP," Geutebrück said.


Bosch launched a selection of cost-effective, all-in-one network cameras with onboard storage, catering to SMBs to protect and monitor property. "We also launched a dome camera with full PTZ capabilities," Thym said.


Intrusion Detection
Wireless intrusion detection solutions, in particular, sold well in 2008. "Our wireless control panel, with built-in GSM/GPRS, serves entry-level needs and meets international standards," Dr. Shachrai said, emphasizing that this product is Visonic's best-seller of the year.


Access Control
Web-based solutions were popular with Bosch and CDVI. "We developed a Web-based solution that uses a built-in Web server for access management," Thym said. And the CDVI solution includes software for visitor, parking and asset management, Assouline said. Integrating other systems gives manufacturers a better chance to sell their products and asks of end users to only familiarize themselves with one system, rather than several disparate systems.


Collective Challenges
Challenges that most of companies faced this year are careful channel partner selection and inadequate education of industry participants. More than ever before, these long-standing obstacles must be dealt with if companies expect growth to continue.


Channel Partners
Strategic expansion includes training for integrators, distributors and resellers to ensure project wins. "We continue to focus on providing our sales channels with the information and support they need to help customers transition from analog to full IP-based video surveillance environments," Wilenius said. "Additionally, we've launched an improvement program for our architect, engineer and consultant community."


Some companies supported customers who were more affected by the economic crisis, through extending payment terms or giving extra discounts. "We also increased marketing support for our partners by designing campaigns and attending trade shows," Assouline said.


For network camera providers, one key marketing challenge was to reach system integrators and end users with the full benefits of IP-based systems — there are simply too many people to reach. "Sometimes, system integrators have little incentive to change because IP is something new and they have to learn. This means leaving what you're comfortable with," Mauritsson said.


Education
Educating partners has been vital for growth. To this end, Mobotix has made countless webinars, themed training sessions and short films available on popular Internet portals, Coelen said.


A number of other companies, including Axis, Bosch, March Networks, Hikvision, Nice, Optelecom-NKF, Geutebruck, GeoVision, Hitron Systems, Victor Company of Japan (JVC), VIVOTEK and Tamron, have joined efforts in the ONVIF initiative, to help drive the technology shift by creating standard parameters. "We need to make sure that system integrators are up to speed with new techniques and can choose the best of breed when selecting a system," Mauritsson said.


However, lack of regulators to enforce compliance with existing standards could halt progress. "ONVIF and PSIA efforts to enhance standards seem like a good start, but we need to see if they will be enforced," Assouline said.


Rapid innovation, high market fragmentation and new alliances all contribute to a massive range of product offerings. "It is, thus, imperative to help end users distinguish pure marketing gimmicks from true value offerings," Geutebrück said.


Industry Weaknesses
Overall, the two biggest weaknesses of the industry are collective complacency (explosive growth in previous years) and conservativeness. To varying degrees, most economies are still suffering from the recession, which makes for difficult prediction and overall uncertainty. According to IMS Research, video surveillance equipment sales in Europe will have declined by nearly 7 percent by the end of this year, with the U.K. and Spain hit particularly hard. The Americas are expected to pose slight growth, said Udi Segall, Senior Product Marketing Manager at Nice Systems. Large stimulus packages in both the U.S. and Europe will cushion the blow somewhat.


Additionally, fluctuations in currency exchange rates make it difficult to penetrate certain geographical markets. "Fluctuations make our imported products more expensive," Dr. Shachrai said.


Security is a conservative and tricky business full of users reluctant to adopt innovative technologies, prolonging the transition from analog to digital. Looking purely at the video market, analog shares are still very high, and IP-based solutions are of a low penetration, Coelen said. When investments shrink, the result is a relatively large, negative impact on network video expansion. However, the slowdown is not an indication that the technology shift is not happening; rather, it simply shows that growth is reduced, Mauritsson said.


Charging Forward
Clearly, it has been a tough year, to have to balance budgets with continued innovation while maintaining or expanding global presence. On top of that, providing sufficient support to channel partners and increased vigilance in training may mean make or break for any company. Between a company's self preservation and its social responsibility, the Security 50 participants of 2009 have had a trying year, yet those who managed to tie all these loose ends have reaped rewards despite the volatile environment. Although the forecast for 2010 is far from transparent, attention paid to these areas and the Security 50's shared experiences will better prepare industry players for the future.

Vicon Watches over Monterey Bay Aquarium

Editor / Provider: Vicon Industries | Updated: 11/17/2009 | Article type: Commercial Markets

Vicon Industries, a designer and producer of integrated IP video surveillance and access control systems, has recently completed installation of a network-based video surveillance and management system for Monterey Bay Aquarium. The ViconNet system provides video coverage of the interior and exterior of the aquarium building, the portion of the Cannery Row tourist and shopping area adjacent to the aquarium and a nearby storage warehouse. The aquarium, built on property that abuts the Pacific Ocean in Monterey, California, is home to nearly 600 species of plants and animals, many of which are indigenous to Monterey Bay and the surrounding waters.


The aquarium is now protected by a ViconNet hybrid solution that combines analog and network cameras into a single network system that may be viewed and controlled from the facility's security operations center and from the desk of the security director. In total, the system includes over 60 cameras, the majority of which are 1.3 megapixel network cameras from Vicon's I-ONYX line. Most of the analog cameras remain from the aquarium's previous surveillance system and use encoders to digitize the video for inclusion within the IP network. A storage area network (SAN) provides extensive and secure onsite storage of recorded video. The ViconNet system is fully integrated with an access control system from RS2, one of Vicon's integration partners, so that access control events trigger the recording of corresponding ViconNet video.


The aquarium is consistently cited as one of the top U.S. family attractions, annually hosting close to two million visitors from around the world. Its unique architectural design allows water from Monterey Bay to be piped through the aquarium's exhibit tanks, creating an underwater environment that is truly an extension of the ocean itself and that can support organisms that could not survive in a standard saltwater aquarium.

Korea Update(Part I): A Force to be Reckoned with

Editor / Provider: The Editorial Team | Updated: 11/10/2009 | Article type: Hot Topics

As the global economic slump approaches recovery, Korean manufacturers gear up for 2010. Korean providers focus on distinguishing themselves from competitors in China and Taiwan with product differentiation. Expansion is part of their strategy as well, with an emphasis on emerging markets in India, South America and the Middle East.


To seize the IP trend, many Korean companies develop their own DSP technologies, such as C-PRO, Huviron, IDIS and APRO. Korean DVR manufacturers are also accelerating the migration from analog to digital with hybrid DVRs, such as CHANCE-i, Digi-IT, IDIS and LG Electronics.


Another vital trend is offering total solutions. With complete hardware and software lineups, notable players include IDTECK, Digi-IT, CNB Technology and LG.


Korean manufacturers supply to the world, ensuring strong market share by satisfying users. Their continuous R&D efforts keep themselves ahead of the pack.


(Note: The companies that follow are presented in an alphabetical order, based on company names.)


APRO Technology
APRO Technology has provided video surveillance equipment since 1995, including dome cameras, bullet cameras, box cameras, PC-based NVRs and LCDs. Its cameras have unique mechanisms for easy installation, featuring cable-managed concealed brackets for maintenance. Affected by the recession, APRO experienced a sales drop. "The Russian market was influenced the most by the economy in 2008, but business has picked up now," said Paul Yoo, Sales and Marketing Manager.


Strategies and Core Competence
APRO's cameras feature customized three-axis cable-managed brackets and wall-mounted brackets for dome cameras, which not only prevent cables from environmental hazards but also are aesthetic. "We were the first to design a cover for dome cameras," Yoo said. With significant improvements in Chinese products, APRO believes product competition will only get more intense.


Future Outlook
APRO is optimistic about 2009, and is expecting 11-percent revenue growth. The company was listed on the KOSDAQ stock exchange in June 2009 and acquired a DVR company four months ago. "We will have our own DSP in 2010 and launch a full line of speed domes and IP modules," Yoo said.


CHANCE –i
Established in 1990, CHANCE-i first provided VGA graphic boards, then expanded to DVR boards and related products. Despite the global economic crisis, CHANCE-i's overseas market grew in 2008, particularly in emerging markets like Brazil, said Young Hwa Oh, President. However, in 2009, the company received fewer orders from the U.S. and Europe.


Strategies and Core Competence
The company specializes in software with PoS and access control, hybrid DVRs and central management software. It also provides PC-based DVRs with MPEG-4 compression. "Our market strategy in the U.S. targets DVRs," Oh said. "Problems still exist for H.264 encoding and stand-alone DVRs are likely to have trouble searching available networks."


With enhanced integration with access control, the company's new DVR applies second-generation MPEG-4 compression with 32 channels at D1 resolution. CHANCE-I will launch a compact PC-based DVR at the end of 2009.


Future Outlook
Due to product differentiation, the company does not feel pressure from Chinese competitors. "Chinese manufacturers prefer to produce stand-alone DVRs instead of PC-based ones," Oh said. "We cooperate with our Taiwanese partner to get an edge."


For the future, CHANCE-i is cautiously optimistic. "The 2010 security market will be the same as 2009, but we believe the world economy will recover slightly," Oh said.


CNB Technology
Despite the economic recession hurting 2008 sales, CNB Technology experienced positive growth in 2009.


Established in 1999, CNB's branded products are widely accepted in Europe, with a German branch opening in July. Sales in Russia and the Middle East increased, while Asia sales remained flat. "About 90 percent of cameras in the
Middle East have CNB's brand name," said John Cho, Overseas Marketing Manager. The company will focus on establishing channels in southern China to serve the Asian market and fortify distribution channels in the U.S. for the next year.


Strategies and Core Competence
CNB will feature a full range of video products for 2010, featuring network cameras, NVRs and central management software.


To fight off threats from Chinese manufacturers, CNB designs value-added functions into its products. "We provide exceptional after-sale support with product replacement through our two-year warranty," Cho said.


Future Outlook
CNB has transitioned from being a network camera manufacturer to a system provider. With its technical prowess and full-range product lines, CNB is confident about an economic recovery for 2010.


Comart System
Comart System started out 12 years ago with capture cards and shifted to video surveillance in the past three years. Since 2008, Comart reached into the camera field, targeting the US, European and Korean markets. "We are expecting growth to triple in the Korea market by 2010," said Chang Hoon Seol, CEO.


Strategies and Core Competence
HD is a recent phenomenon. Comart is among the handful of companies that offer HD video solutions. "We believe if TV has shifted to HD, video surveillance will follow," Seol said.


Comart's core products are branded HD surveillance cameras and DVR capture boards. "We will have HD DVRs soon," Seol said. "Compared with megapixel network cameras, HD video surveillance provides more reliable real-time images."


Future Outlook
Chinese manufacturers cannot compete with Comart, as it targets different markets. "Comart targets high-end users and we believe the high-end market will grow after the economy recovers," Seol said. "We look forward to our HD products making up about 50 to 60 percent of our total revenue for 2010."


C-PRO Electronics
With clear management and professionalism, C-PRO Electronics possesses the technology know-how to manufacture products for security since 1996. Affected by the economic downturn, C-PRO encountered a slight decline in the first quarter of the 2009.


Strategies and Core Competence
C-PRO designs its own DSP chips with a top-down menu, designed for easy installation. With a common menu and adjustable functions, its DSP delivers resolution close to WDR quality. "C-PRO keeps up with different solutions to make flexible and suitable products for our clients," said Young Soo Lee, President.


Future Outlook
The company believes cameras with DNR features will be a new standard, along with network cameras in the industry. C-PRO also recognizes the potential of the IP market. "Network and analog cameras will have equal market share from 2012 to 2013," Lee said. "Compared to the HD surveillance market, IP infrastructure has fewer restrictions for distance, while HD surveillance may require standards for compression protocols and strong display support." For 2010, with the economy bouncing back, C-PRO is optimistic about the future.


Digi-IT
Digi-IT started out with DVR boards in 2001 and has expanded into hybrid products. As a niche player with great potential, Digi-IT supplies PC-based DVRs, video servers, software and accessories to the market. The company's sales regions include South Africa, Russia, the Middle East, the U.S. and the U.K. Despite weaker demand in the U.K. due to the economic downturn, it is preparing for product releases and new customers for 2010.


Strategies and Core Competence
Digi-IT devoted itself to IP seven years ago, which has heated up since 2007. The company believes video content analytics (VCA) are vital, embedding its network cameras with its own VCA. "We also cooperate with system integrators to provide a total solution for our customers with a good price-performance ratio," said M.Y. Shin, President.


While it faces cutthroat price competition from Chinese manufacturers, the company has superior offerings. "People choose Digi-IT for our better system performance," Shin said.


Future Outlook
Digi-IT is optimistic about 2010. "We will fortify our product integration, NVR and IP hybrid products," Shin said, along with total solutions.


HDPRO
HDPRO has been committed to providing reliable products since 1995, with high quality and affordable prices. It makes cameras, LCDs and DVRs. "We don't want to make low-end cheap products which negatively affect brand image," said Michael Kim, Overseas Sales Department Chief.


While the recession hurt HDPRO's US and European markets, it increased overseas OEM/ODM orders due to local channel efforts.


Strategies and Core Competence
HDPRO's cameras portray practicality and aesthetics. Its camera housing designs are user-friendly and support easy installation. An anti-cobweb camera holds international patents and is popular in Italy. "We installed a device to release a high-frequency sound, which keeps spiders away from the camera," Kim said.


Its latest 3-D DNR chipset shows bright images with reduced noise in complete darkness without IR, highlighting the company's practical focus.


Aesthetic design is also key. "We hide the IR lights behind two side mirrors of the camera," Kim said. "This allows the camera to blend in with the indoor design."


Future Outlook
HDPRO believes the world market will pick up in 2010. "Brazil, Russia and China are places of great potential," said Kim. "Although these emerging markets are not established, we're prepared to form partnerships now, before we lose opportunities in the future."


Huviron
"Huviron registered as a venture company in 2001 and was listed on the KOSDAQ in 2002," said Lewis Oh, Assistant Manager. "This achievement is rare in the surveillance field." Established in 1991, Huviron provides quality cameras, DVRs, lenses and accessories. Starting out with CCD modules, the company passed overseas quality approvals including ISO 9001, FCC, CE, IP68 and PCT. The merger with Bicosys three years ago reinforced Huviron's product diversity. Huviron emphasizes corporate team-building, which takes its organization to the next level.


Strategies and Core Competence
The core technology of Huviron is its two new DSPs. "Our core product applies the new DSP, with controllable IR LED output levels by RS-485, and supports easy installation for users," Oh said. Huviron will release a camera with 700-TVL resolution, along with a megapixel PTZ network camera at the end of 2009.


Future Outlook
When facing Chinese manufacturers, Huviron understands price competition is not a long-term strategy. "We increase our R&D investment and strengthen our product quality control," Oh said. "Our ability to respond quickly to customer needs is a plus and sets Huviron apart from other manufacturers."


iCanTek
Established in 2000, iCanTek provides network video products and solutions. "Our 2009 market revenue is basically the same as 2008," said Soon Ho Hong, President. "In first two quarters of 2009, our global OEM market dropped, but business picked up in the third quarter. We observed growth from our local distributors and customers."


Strategies and Core Competence
With 10 years in the IP field, iCanTek believes that network cameras will have 50-percent market share by 2013. "We see potential in the network camera field," Hong said. The company offers a full range of MPEG-4 cameras, along with H.264 megapixel cameras.


In the IP field, network cameras are relatively new, with about 20-percent market share. "There are many requirements for experience and knowledge when integrating systems," Hong said. "Newcomers with products only are not a threat to iCanTek," Hong said.


Future Outlook
In 2010, iCanTek will focus on the U.S., Western Europe and emerging markets in India, South America and the Middle East. iCanTek also wants to expand in China with software development and documentation. "The ultimate goal is to have powerful software to manage all devices made by iCanTek," Hong said.


IDIS
Established in 1997, IDIS has delivered security technologies with its DVRs, seeing it through the economic slump. "Our 2009 growth rate is lower than before, but the domestic market grew 10 percent," said Andrew Myung, GM of Overseas Sales and Marketing. The company benefited from its overseas markets, bringing in about 80 percent of its revenue from the U.S. and Europe, with the remainder from the Australia and Asia markets.


Strategies and Core Competence
To be more competitive, IDIS designs its own DSP for its H.264 products. "DSPs ensure cost efficiency, which attract more customers in new market segments," Myung said. "It ensures the ability for further integration with reduced cost."


IDIS is focused on IP. With megapixel cameras, central management software, stand-alone DVRs, hybrid DVRs and PC-based NVRs, IDIS strengthens its product lines to provide total video solutions. This complete offering helps the company ward off its challengers in China "We do see the huge potential of Chinese manufacturing," Myung said. "With enormous improvements, Korean companies need to enhance their technological advantages."


Future Outlook
IDIS is prepared for the future, armed with core technologies such as image processing, networking and data processing.


IDTECK
Established in 1989, IDTECK offers advanced RFID and biometric systems. It has survived the financial crisis with no slump in sales. The company enjoyed strong demand from overseas markets, including the Americas, Asia and EMEA "Our ODM makes up about 10 to 15 percent of IDTECK's total revenue," said Jessie Oh, Global Marketing and Planning.


Strategies and Core Competence
Positioning itself as a one-stop solution provider, "IDTECK is currently expanding its business as a system integrator," Oh said. Due to the recession, IDTECK focuses on enhancing existing products with better stability. It will launch IP and multicore solutions in 2010.


The company will not compete in price wars with Chinese manufacturers, but adopt a total system approach. "Single third-party products cannot perform full functions, compared to existing IDTECK products," Oh said.


Extensive customer services and e-training are another differentiation. "IDTECK's website supports 24 hours after-sales service and has online resource center for technical support," Oh said.


Future Outlook
It will open a European branch in 2010 for timely local support. IDTECK is also adapting to emerging markets. "IDTECK is in the progress of setting up a Spanish Web page and is planning on expanding in the Russian market," Oh said.


LG Electronics Security
Founded in 1958, LG Electronics serves as a global leader in consumer electronics. LG Electronics Security, a division of LG, worked through the global downturn with a market planning division to support its sales division with market analysis. "LG is putting new resources into the security division aggressively, to pull out potential or reduced demands of the market," said Silas Choi, Senior Manager of Overseas Marketing.


Strategies and Core Competence
Despite the crisis, LG devotes itself to developing high-end technology. "Our security lineup is in the middle of being completed, and LG is ready to provide total high-quality solution to our customers," Choi said. "LG makes its own image-processing chips and image signal processors. We can apply various adaptable technologies to supply security solutions to our customers."


Its high-resolution camera with 650 TVLs will be launched. A 1/2-inch CCD camera with built-in IR LEDs is tailored to environments with low illumination, Choi said.


Future Outlook
In response to the IP trend, LG launched H.264 cameras. "Video content analysis and an image management system are also installed in these models," Choi said. "We'll launch our hybrid DVRs in 2010 with network cameras."

1+1>2: A&S Undergoes Transformation to Ride the Tide of Change

Editor / Provider: The Editorial Team | Updated: 11/3/2009 | Article type: Hot Topics

In recent years, numerous alliances and strategic partnerships have been formed in the security industry, signaling unlimited growth potential. Messe  Frankfurt (Hong Kong) announced in September that it has acquired a majority interest in Taiwan-based A&S Group. This feature looks into the rationale behind this partnership and explores what it means to their customers, partners and the industry in general.


In the early 1990s, the security market was still at a nascent stage. The need for integrated solutions had not yet been instilled in the minds of corporate executives and government bodies, and security players everywhere focused heavily on selling "simple" products. "What's being developed and what's being demanded can sometimes be very different, and security professionals need information platforms like A&S to bridge the gaps," said Parson Lee, Publisher of A&S magazines and President of A&S Group. "We were the only publication truly dedicated to electronic security."


Over the last 19 years, A&S has transformed from a local buyer's guide to a series of professionally done, globally circulated, business-to-business publications, linking everyone in the supply chain, from IC designers to device manufacturers to distributors and system integrators. A well-known and trusted brand, A&S now has more than 10 publications under its label.


Advancing with Times
The company has witnessed catastrophic events taking place around the world these past two decades, and has observed a growing need for high-tech safety and security solutions that are integrated via software-based or IP-based technologies and can be utilized for nonsecurity applications and gains.


"As one industry veteran puts it, security is no longer a 'dirty business.' With R&D breakthroughs in communication protocols, software engineering and system integration, as well as government investments in homeland security and city surveillance projects, the security industry is moving forward by leaps and bounds," Lee said. With more IT and telecom giants entering the arena, the industry is in flux and in need of more robust communication tools and marketing vehicles.


These developments propelled A&S Group to diversify and start offering other media services like Web sites and events in 1997. "Print magazines, Web sites, themed events and trade shows are equally pivotal and are complementary to one another. Trade publications cater to people's habit of reading and provide incisive coverage that leaves an impression. Web sites provide volume, convenience and timeliness. Trade shows and events offer warmth and perspective." Lee explained.


Changing Landscape
During this evolution, Lee has always been mindful of increasing competition. "Just like many other SMBs in Asia, when faced with ever-intensifying competition from MNCs, we have to look for ways to remain a sustainable business." To quickly and simultaneously globalize and localize A&S's print, online and event portfolios becomes a must, and the company requires unprecedented amounts of resources to plow through all possible roadblocks.


A mutually beneficial partnership has, thus, been forged between A&S Group and Messe Frankfurt (Hong Kong), to pool and leverage each other's strengths for improved services, accelerated growth and reinforced global recognition. This transformation, Lee stressed, ensures that all A&S's brands — A&S magazines, asmag. com, SecuTech Expo, GDSF and CompoSec — continue to strengthen and expand.


"We believe in the growth potential of the Asian exhibition market and, in particular, the market for security and safety," said Stephan Buurma, MD of Messe Frankfurt (Hong Kong). "We know we have chosen the most experienced player in this field. A&S, with its in-depth knowledge in electronic security and regional developments, was the logical partner to give us a head start to our competition. We intend to capitalize on its expertise in trade publications and exhibitions, and become the leading integrated business and marketing platform in this industry."


This brand new alliance means a steep learning curve for both parties, but Lee believes that the right chemistry and balance can be struck in no time. "A&S is an experienced, integrated media service provider, and, with Messe Frankfurt's growth playbook and management tools, we will contribute significantly to its efforts in further fortifying and expanding its Intersec branding in electronic security."


Best of Two Worlds
Both Messe Frankfurt and A&S are striving to organize better and more effective exhibitions, and deliver even more informative content in print and online to reach all corners of the world. "Messe Frankfurt's global footprint, experience and professionalism will now further catapult our security trade shows and themed events to be of truly international caliber," said Lee. "Local" manufacturers and channel players worldwide will be able to capitalize on the added platforms to better communicate with one another, educate partners and users, and collectively promote the security industry.


The first joint project is Intersec Thailand, taking place in Bangkok in September 2010. Further exhibitions are planned to be launched in quick succession. "We don't want to underestimate our competitors and are fully aware of the challenges ahead," said Buurma, "but we do possess the best know-how and resources to be the leader in security and safety for the various Asian markets." Leveraging A&S's extensive experience in print media, Messe Frankfurt is also actively researching the potential to launch magazines in conjunction with its other key events in Asia.


A&S's clients, partners, visitors and readers alike will get to enjoy more diversified marketing options and richer service portfolios, Lee said. By integrating the existing Messe Frankfurt security exhibitions in Dubai and Argentina, as well as A&S's extensive regional events and global sales network, the new entity — Messe Frankfurt New Era Business Media — intends to achieve further synergies in terms of visitor and exhibitor acquisition.


"Our senior management, corporate mission and quality services remain unchanged," Lee reassured. "Our commitment to delivering the best also remains unchanged." A&S's existing team of reporters, sales network and worldwide contacts and partners are its invaluable assets, and the new group will continue to reel in more partners and talent from across the globe, allowing more knowledge and experience to be shared. With more localized magazines and events made possible and available, Messe Frankfurt New Era will be able to offer more comprehensive services to help more global and regional suppliers that are looking to grow.


"As the founder of A&S, I'm always thinking about how to better grow my people and the 19-year-old business to keep up with the industry and its expectations of us," Lee said. "Armed with Messe Frankfurt's global assets and renewed prowess, we aim to maximize the respective expertise of both organizations to scale new heights, to grow exponentially with global and Asian security solution providers."

Applying Security to Water Facilities

Editor / Provider: Submitted by Delta Scientific, DVTel, IQinVision and Mobotix | Updated: 11/3/2009 | Article type: Infrastructure

Integration plays at major role at water supply sites worldwide.


DVTel Secures Texas Water District
Tarrant Regional Water District (TRWD) commissioned a central operations center using DVTel unified intelligent software solutions a s the command and control software. The installation features DVTel cameras and a video analytics solution. Maez Security Consultants oversaw system specification and design, and Access Technology Systems was in charge of project installation.


Site Information and Product Solutions
TRWD is one of the largest raw water suppliers in Texas, providing water to more than 1.7 million people. Operations span an 11-county area and include maintaining dams at the Water District's four reservoirs and more than 150 miles of water pipelines. TRWD has deployed the DVTel solution at 30 different facilities, with approximately 150 cameras and more than 200 access control points.


Fort Worth is home to TRWD's security department and the central operations center. The control room has a Winstead console with 12 monitoring stations. A Barco video wall projects DVTel and supervisory control and data acquisition
(SCADA), live TV and can pull up facility blueprints. DVTel's professional engineering services (PES) group worked closely with Barco to integrate the technologies for full functionality.


TRWD's original vision was to pull all sites together to a central location. "Our goal was to improve upon our previous system with a fully integrated solution and a single point of control," said Norman Ashton, Risk Manager at TRWD. "Previously, we had four different software packages running in isolation of each other, not even popping video on alarm. We needed a much smarter system. Now staff can access any camera, any data and pull that up in the central operations center."


Operations have grown so substantially over the last two years, TRWD has hired a full-time staff member to oversee security. "The overall system, with the DVTel software solution at the center, is providing us with the necessary tools to track down issues and improve security," Ashton said. "I like the fact that the solution allows us to integrate with third-party technologies we need to meet our security goals."


Since the inception of the project, Ashton has seen the evolution of improving technology. "With the flexibility of the solution, we've completely redone our access management," he said. "One recent innovation is with this new building, it is fully armed at all times, but upon authorized entry the building interior alarms automatically turn off as staff move around while the building exterior remains alarmed. We're going to retrofit other buildings in the same way, then we can drop our alarm monitoring service and save money."


With flexible, scalable open architecture, TRWD plans to continue to expand its security system to keep pace with new construction.


IQinVision Upgrades Water Security
Waterford Township, Michigan, utilized IQeye megapixel cameras as part of a comprehensive IP video solution to better protect its valuable water resources. Tallahassee, Floridabased Mainline Information Systems was selected to provide video surveillance consulting, solution design and integration.


As suggested by its name, water makes up 11 percent of Waterford Township's 36 square miles. The Township's Department of Public Works (DPW) Water and Sewer Division treats and distributes high-quality potable water to residential, commercial and industrial customers. It goes through a network of 18 wells, 11 water treatment plants, 355 miles of water main and 8.25 million gallons of storage.


To protect these critical resources, the DPW began implementation in 2003 of a multiphase broadband wireless system to provide the township with high-speed wireless connectivity, including links to remote water and sewer facilities.


This early project phase included VGA-quality video surveillance cameras located at various water treatment, storage and sewer facilities to stream real-time video back to DPW's main office for monitoring and recording purposes.


DPW Director Terry Biederman recently participated in an Oakland County Homeland Security Grant program to upgrade and augment the system with high-definition (HD) cameras and an advanced software viewing and recording package. Mainline designed a computerized monitoring system that includes IQinVision megapixel cameras, JDS Softsite32 Enterprise video management software and Mainline professional services. The IQeye 2-megapixel smart cameras combine video analytics with quality HD resolution.


JDS Softsite32 software is used to manage the cameras. Biederman said the IQeye 2-megapixel resolution cameras "provide higher quality recording, allowing us to zoom in on an area and get more detail even on recorded video."


The IQeye cameras can resolve minute detail while recording event-based situations. They can be controlled by a computer on which objects can be tracked semi-automatically.


The system is programmed to alert DPW personnel — through e-mail to a desktop or handheld device — an event has occurred by sending a series of IQeye images or a 15-second video clip within five seconds of the event. Combined with the DPW's advanced SCADA system, which provides intrusion and motion alarms at facilities, the system provides highly actionable information for a timely, specific response.


Mobotix Watches German Waste Management Plants
The Waste Management Companies in Wiesbaden (ELW), Germany, have a clear mission. "We secure the quality of life in Wiesbaden — we're customer-oriented, present and competent," they said.


Some 760 employees make sure 340 miles of highways and 240 miles of sidewalks are cleaned, 1,600 waste receptacles and 13,000 garbage cans are emptied, 8,000 feet of channels are cleared and 3 million cubic feet of sewage water is purified. All duties are divided between four sewage plants in the city.


"Today, we use state-of-the-art technology to get our rivers and lakes clean and to make sure that they stay that way," said Michaela Kessler, head of the sewage plant. "This is how we help to ensure that we have water, life's elixir, in the highest possible quality."


Its technology includes 55 Mobotix cameras, which are installed at the sewage plant grounds for access control, grounds surveillance and observing the sewage purification process. "We have made extensive changes in the main sewage plant over the past eight years. Many things that were added to the plant cannot be effectively checked by a regular patrol today," said Hans-Peter Schranz, head of electrical engineering at ELW. "That's why we have installed Mobotix cameras at specific points to provide us with a good overview of the entire plant at any particular time."


"The robust, maintenance-free Mobotix network cameras beat the analog cameras by miles," said Herbert Hützen, head of the project at Passavant-Roediger Controls (PRC), a system integrator. "Thanks to the integrated combination of telephoto and wide-angle lens, they not only perform the same function, they are also very easy to install and integrate into the existing fiberglass network. And they also offer convenient recording features and event-controlled recording based on predefined motion fields."


"We should not forget that this special suggestion was considerably less expensive," Schranz said.


"What we needed was a flexible management system to conveniently control all the cameras," Schranz said. "The Mobotix system made it possible to manage several cameras using a standard Web browser. But with more than 50 cameras, we needed a special solution."


Uniserve Internet & Multimedia provided Winston camera management software that can be ergonomically operated quickly and intuitively. "They actually delivered a management solution that fits the cameras — and it really works," Schranz said. "We are very happy with this complete solution."


ELW is considering other projects. "The sewage plant in Biebrich is currently being expanded and is controlled by the main sewage plant at night," Schranz said. "That's why we plan to install cameras in Biebrich in the near future as well."


Since the ELW plans to centralize the night-shift staff, they may install cameras at the waste disposal site and works yard. "I am firmly convinced that we will be able to fulfill these expectations with the Mobotix cameras," Schranz said. "The system can be easily extended to meet future requirements."


Delta Scientific Barricades Protect Water Utilities
Delta Scientific announced the US Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation will install its DSC7500 swing beam barricades. The barricades will protect the nation's water diversion, delivery, storage and hydroelectric generation projects. The bureau has already installed Delta's counterterrorist barricades at many of the nation's best-known dams.


The DSC7500 swing beam barricade closes off one or two lanes of a roadway and provides counterterrorist level protection against vehicle attack. Crash tested, the barricade stops a 15,000-pound vehicle traveling 50 mph with zero penetration, equivalent to 1.2-million foot pounds of kinetic energy. It meets the K12 crash certification standard set by the US Department of State.


"Water and hydropower are extremely important aspects of our nation's infrastructure," said David Dickinson, Delta Scientific Senior VP. "The DSC7500 is certified to stop truck bomb attackers dead in their tracks right at the barricade."


The DSC7500 is supplied as an easy to use manual gate or powered with full automation features. Other versions of the DSC7500 Series include a full swing gate with anti-climb features that can replace existing non-rated swing gates. A cantilevered sliding gate with Delta's DSC7000 series crash beam is also available with the full crash rating.


Delta's beam barricades are available in hydraulic and manually operated models. All models are crash rated with one version enhanced for applications at nuclear power plants. Their clear openings range is from 10.5 to 20 feet.


Delta builds seven broad classes of counterterrorist vehicle barricade systems, including beam barricades, wedge barricades, bollards, sliding gates, shallow foundation high security barricades, surface mounted barricades and portable barricades.

Multilayer Protection Caters to Luxury Retail Security

Editor / Provider: a&s International | Updated: 10/21/2009 | Article type: Hot Topics

Exquisite jewelry, haute couture and designer appeal — what does it take to protect these top-of-the-range valuables? As the recession takes a harsh toll, upscale retailers look for a way to combat losses, while creating a more satisfying shopping experience.


Over the years, crime has continued to plague the retail industry. According to 2008 Global Retail Theft Barometer Survey conducted by Center of Retail Research, global inventory shrinkage cost retailers US$104.5 billion, equivalent to 1.34 percent of total sales. The survey analyzed 920 large retail corporations in 36 countries.


"Rapid shrinkage, a combination of shoplifting, employee theft, administrative mistakes and vendor fraud goes directly to retailers' bottom line," said Angie Barnes, Director of Marketing and Regional Sales, Manager SW, NAVCO Networks and Security Systems. "With recession looming, losses in inventory and cash will be higher than ever before."


With valuable merchandise — be it jewelry, designer goods or upscale fashion — luxury retail items are frequent targets. The Jewelers Security Alliance 2008 Annual Crime Report found crime against U.S. jewelers increased 16 percent in 2008, resulting in total losses of more than $103 million.


Syndicated crime groups present a growing threat for high-end retail establishments, said J.M. Allain, President of Panasonic System Solutions Company of America. The average U.S. retailer spends about $230,000 annually on labor costs to fight organized retail crime, according to the National Retail Federation's 2008 Organized Retail Crime Survey. Many larger retailers can spend up to $1 million a year.


Leading surveillance technology allows retailers to respond better to this industry-wide issue. Any solution employed must tackle three major fraudulent behaviors: Outright theft (shoplifting, organized robbery, after hour break-ins); payment fraud (invalid checks and credit cards); and staff crime, said Michael Flink, President of Americas, ADI Global Distribution.


Working in Collaboration
With more value at stake, Allain said, the luxury retail market depends on the strategic use of several technologies.


Integration is key when IP convergence forms the backbone of the solution.
"With multiple security systems — video surveillance, access control, alarm and tagging systems— integrated upon one platform, retailers are able to reference to video if any of them are breached in any situation," Barnes said.


Liability and injury compensation claims from employees and customers cost retailers greatly, said Roni Klein, VP Sales, Verint Video Solutions, Verint Systems Asia Pacific. Slip, trip and fall accidents may lead to significant legal spending. "The video image thus has a key part to play in providing evidence to refute prosecution and perform constant surveys on premises to create a hazard-free shopping environment."


The Global Retail Theft Barometer Survey found disloyal employees accounted for 36.8 percent of shrinkage, with total losses of $38.1 billion. Video surveillance with PoS terminals have been used to spot till theft, such as staff undercharging purchased items or refunding excessive amounts for cheap items returned.


Integrated data management (IDM) ensures transactional data is captured with associated video. "The system maintains a searchable log of transaction number directly linked to the recordings," Flink said. "Any manipulation over registers — including voids, refunds and manually-keyed credit card sales — can be instantly identified."


Full Video Coverage
High image quality enables real-time responses. "In retail's dynamic environment, where glass partitions and doors are common setup, a wide dynamic range camera allows fine details to be captured under a combination of extreme lighting conditions," Allain said.


To achieve full coverage of high theft spots and sensitive areas, a mixed population of cameras is required. "Megapixel cameras promise a wider coverage of areas and are good at seeing faces close up," said Fiona Ungar, Marketing Communications Manager at ioimage.


Domes are in demand for their inconspicuous form, while PTZ cameras are gaining momentum for their tracking capability. When it comes to perimeter monitoring, autonomous PTZ cameras outside the shop track intruders, unusual parking and loitering with high effectiveness, Ungar said. "With hands-off software, a triggered regular camera can automatically pass a tracking alert to a PTZ camera without losing visual contact."


A fully networked system for remote access is a must. Specifications on local recording with a network interface enable video to be captured and preserved locally, while allowing real-time remote monitoring over the network, Allain said. Without a physical visit to each site, central monitoring makes it possible to watch over a large number of stores.


Network surveillance brings the advantages of scalable architecture, Flink said. "Regulation amendments and luxury retail expansion for a mall requires management for large volumes of video feeds and extensive storage capacity."


Working hand-in-glove with video surveillance systems are video analytics. Intelligence allow early warnings. "Proactive monitoring prevents crime before it actually takes place," said Janos Kópházi, CEO of Intellio.


Sophisticated video motion analytics spot anomalous activities, whereas unusual sound creation can be monitored by audio detection, said Johan Akesson, Director Business Development, Retail sector, Axis Communications.


Given that tasks can be allocated to smart cameras, it reduces the burden on security personnel. "The return on investment (ROI) is very fast," Ungar said.


Multiple Access Protection
Upscale retailers benefit from integration of access control and biometrics. "Luxury stores are often cased before being burglarized, as criminals pay a site visit before the planned robbery," Allain said. Facial recognition helps draw up a blacklist of suspicious characters and makes sure only employees and customers enter.


Access is a sensitive issue for storage areas where exquisite jewelry pieces are secured, said Dr. Sri Hartati Kurniawan, CTO at RCG. Biometric access emerges as a reliable and robust answer for identity authentication. "As it cannot be stolen or lost to gain access, biometrics verifies authorized agents — not just their credentials — into the restricted areas."


Rather than preventing theft, there is a growing trend to contain suspects. Topnotch retailers turn to interlocking, or a pair of security doors, for better protection. "An instant lock down signal can be sent to store access once triggered," said Kurniawan.


A Swiss jewelry store installed two sets of bulletproof glass doors at its entrance. Authorized customers at the inner door have to wait to exit, as the outer door is securely locked. "Grab and run" type robberies are made impossible, due to the inaccessible architecture, which was first published in GIT Security & Management.


Accurate RFID Tracking
RFID technology transforms security in retail by offering full visibility of any product movement, said Warwick So, GM of Competence Centre, Schmidt. Each tag can be individually programmed, lending itself to the authentication of returned merchandize.


Previously at established retail stores, alerts or warnings were triggered at the entrance with typical electronic article surveillance (EAS) systems, where false alarms would occur. "RFID allows a warning to be created within a store, sent in a highly discreet manner that prevents customers from potential embarrassment caused by a false alarm," So said.


RFID readers concealed behind walls or mounted above ceilings perform effectively, without disturbing aesthetic features or sales processes. RFID is gaining popularity due partly to its tiny form, So said. "Streamlined product design is made possible, where it is being sewn into garments, designer bags and labels, without being noticed."


RFID tagging of high-value items is growing fast. The global RFID market in retail application reached US$338 million in 2008, said Richard Sebastian, Research Analyst at Frost & Sullivan. "The estimated growth rate of RFID is expected to be 15 to 20 percent in 2009 and 2010."


Legacy tagging systems, such as low frequency EAS, remains a deterrent for RFID uptake. "Transition to an ultra high frequency system requires infrastructure establishments, resulting in a longer integration cycle," So said.


Keen on Appearance
For jewelers and designer stores, aesthetics are an overriding concern. Well-branded retailers require minimal visual impact, where surveillance systems need to blend discreetly into an environment, Allain specified.


Akesson seconded the idea that high-end stores consider discreet design as a must. "A non-intrusive equipment design, like colored housings, is essential for inconspicuous installation."


Surveillance for non-security applications is a fast growing field, continued Akesson. "From traffic counting, dwell time and path analysis, intelligent video analytics enhance operation effectiveness by understanding customer buying behavior."


The statistical video data facilitates marketing decisions, including strategic product placement, merchandise space allocation and store layout design, bringing in profit, Kópházi said.


With PoS data to verify sales results, Klein said, video analytics help companies identify successful merchandising and advertising strategies.


The RFID tag also serves to provide additional information, such as choices of colors and suggestions for complimentary pieces. The smart tagging system creates a seamless shopping experience, and satisfied customers mean better sales, Kurniawan said.


The ultimate goal is to crossbreed security functions with business operations, while optimizing budget allocation, Barnes emphasized.


Constraints and Outlook
Legacy systems remain the primary barrier to intelligence, Kópházi said.
To best utilize analytic software and traditional analog systems, migration to IP with an easy platform is crucial. Encoders help ease that transition, along with enabling refurbishment of an existing infrastructure asset, Barnes said.


Geographically dispersed IP video networks continue to grow, posing a growing challenge to central management, said Klein. The ability to reduce excessive video storage is valuable, particularly for luxury brands with a global footprint. "At the point of capture, video analytics generate actionable intelligence for immediate decision with greater accuracy, and improve resilience of local operation."


Bandwidth is a difficult issue for multisite monitoring, due to high telecommunication costs associated with large bandwidth for a commercial application, Flink said.


Given today's technology, intelligent cameras stream video through the network only upon alert, reducing bandwidth consumption, Ungar said.


The volume of bandwidth and storage have been reduced by more than 50 percent with H.264 compression, leaving room for increased image quality and more cameras, Akesson added.


Finding the budget for purchases or upgrades will be difficult for retailers, given the current economic downturn. Over the years, customers who might have had broad spending goals are now looking for a fine point to invest in, Barnes said.


The primary task is to help retailers understand the positive ROI, to benefit from the prevention of crimes, Kópházi explained.


"Video surveillance systems are easily cost-justified based on the money they could save and the peace of mind they provide," Allain said. "It provides a classic example of how a business can realize ROI — especially in the case of luxury retailers, when more is at stake."

Intelligent Traffic Systems Untangle Roadblocks

Editor / Provider: The Editorial Team | Updated: 10/20/2009 | Article type: Hot Topics

Intelligent transportation systems offer benefits along with complexities. A&S takes a look at how problems integrating IP and analog are being resolved.


There are several reasons why intelligent transportation systems are being deployed. On the road, they offer up-to-the-minute traffic reports and find available parking. With real-time updates, drivers can select the best travel routes, save fuel and minimize emissions. Most importantly, smart traffic solutions improve driver safety and can save lives. New products and systems provide better scalability, reliability and cost-to-benefit ratios.


Intelligent traffic systems are complex, said Antonio Toaiari, Technical Director of the Thales Integration Center Italy, Thales Group. They include detection and measurement of traffic along major roads, along with remote control and setting of traffic light cycles. Notification is another requirement, providing information for drivers on traffic conditions, parking areas (public information displays) and alternative routes. They also must monitor environmental conditions, view real-time conditions and trigger alarms. Thales has developed a set of solutions for transportation, security and automation, with projects all over the world.


"These systems are being integrated and managed by a central management and control platform that allows operators to engage in real-time interventions according to real-time conditions," Toaiari said. When building traffic management systems, he stressed municipalities must consider previous investments which were installed earlier. "Their integration in the new scenario is a challenging task for system integrators."


That task will become lighter.


Inex Technologies has experience with analog systems for ALPR systems, said President and CEO Jim Kennedy. Until recently, the camera essentially was an analog device.


"Once we take the image into our processor, the license plate image is digitized and, from that point on, the system is no longer analog," Kennedy said. "Often, the processor is located near the camera, so the role played by any analog technology within the system is minimal. Now we have migrated to digital ALPR cameras and the small portion of remaining analog technology has been completely eliminated."


It is his view that development or integration problems do not enter the picture with APLR systems. "The point where we deliver the results — the license plate read and associated images — are already in a digital format," Kennedy said.


Standards
Standards are key to intelligent transportation systems. Increasingly, 5.9 GHz DSRC technology looks set to replace 915 MHz DSRC in the U.S. and 5.8 GHz DSRC in Europe, as it delivers standardized intelligent traffic products for large deployments. Improved and cost-effective communication capabilities enable the technology to support uses in vehicle, public-safety and commercial applications.


Another transmission standard is continuous air-interface, long and medium range, which delivers wide-area communications. This performs well on a number of different network platforms, including 2-G, 3-G and 4-G, as well as satellite, microwave, millimeter-wave, IR, Wi-Max and Wi-Fi.


Some users experience difficulty with wireless networks. A dedicated network is required, to prevent the traffic transmission system from overloading.


Scalability
The large number of video devices makes scalability a requirement for intelligent traffic systems. Some experts feel the real issue is system architecture from the edge to the central monitoring station. "If you consider that the system is already digital after the processor stage, than there is little difference," Kennedy said. "If, on the other hand, someone designed the system so that all video came to a central site unprocessed, then you have a different challenge." Bringing standard-based video to a central site requires substantial bandwidth for each camera, either by wireless or a fiber optic network. "Of course, digital cameras can be networked, and such networks will not have nearly the bandwidth requirements of analog video streams," Kennedy said.


In Toairi's experience, most existing city surveillance cameras are analog, connected to video management software through video encoders. "Normally, this has had an impact on the network connecting the various field components," he said. "It is up to the system integrator to offer a better solution by adapting the existing system or deciding to replace it."


Thales has developed a flexible video management system that integrates a video processing algorithm. "Adapting the architecture to specific projects is easy, thanks to the functions and configuration management tools," Toairi said. The system provides support in emergency conditions and operating procedures can be configured.


Fiber Optics
Fiber backbones are expensive and each project has to be examined to justify the cost, Kennedy said. As ALPR is used for generating revenue or capturing lost revenues from toll violators and speeders, the difficulty lies in public acceptance. Traffic monitoring technologies are considered an infringement on personal liberties or designed to extract money for questionable reasons.


Thales has been working with fiber options since the early 1980s, enabling the best performance when it comes to data transmission. "The global cost of the technology is considerably decreased compared with the beginning," Toairi said. "It cannot, however, be justified when considering the associated civil work and infrastructure, if the potential of these two is not developed or planned to be developed in the future."


In certain scenarios, fiber optics is mandatory to assure service quality and reliability. "A way to decrease the payback time is to deliver added value and mission-critical services, while sharing transmission bandwidth among various operators," Toairi said.


Reliability
"We are known for delivering solid license plate images and data at any vehicle speed, at any time of day and in any climate," Kennedy said. In his opinion, a good ALPR supplier will not have a problem with low-light environments because "dealing with low light is part of what we do; the same can be said for environmental and climatic situations."


Kennedy is not aware of any APLR suppliers that work only on projects with specific conditions, say indoors, vehicles traveling at less than 50 miles per hour or during the day. "If there are such suppliers, they won't last long in the current arena where requirements for ALPR equipment are very high and are being met," he said.


However, analytics are notorious for false alarms. An Asian metropolis deployed an intelligent video solution, only to abandon it for manned monitoring that was deemed more effective. More standards in analytics and better customization are needed for demanding outdoor traffic applications, before intelligent video can be deployed further.


The market offers a range of equipment designed for reliability and performance, which comply with environmental requirements and operative scenarios, Toairi said.


Operating conditions in cities are less challenging than harsh industrial environments, such as the petrochemical sector or combat operations. "Thales has also developed wireless solutions for applications in harsh and safety related contexts," Toairi said. "Sometimes, though, available budgets challenge the system integrator in finding solutions to fit the requirements."


Accurate LPR
A Bosch solution uses technology gained from free-flow ALPR. "It offers a flexible, simplified license plate recognition solution for private roads, tolling, car parks, gated communities and secure business premises," said Jan Noten, Application & Business Development Specialist for Digital CCTV, Bosch Security Systems.


Using high-contrast license plate imaging provided by dedicated ALPR cameras, the system compares characters found in plate images with its preloaded font library. This allows it to determine the exact characters on the license plate and its country of origin.


The system's microprocessor compares this information with a user-specified white/black list to determine if entry or exit is allowed. "These Bosch cameras produce images that are unlike those of standard CCTV cameras, comprising white boxes containing license plate characters set against a black background," Noten said. "The cameras do this by removing all ambient light sources, such as headlights and sunlight glare, through optical filtering techniques and images using only the illumination that they put onto the scenes."


Uncluttered, high-contrast images make it simple for any ALPR software system to find and process important data. "The result is significantly improved accuracy rate rates and more reliable ALPR," Noten said.


Clear Tunnel Vision
Lighting challenges in tunnels are being successfully addressed. At road tunnel entrances and exits, light levels change from daylight — as high as 100,000 lux — to the relative gloom of the tunnel's artificially lit interior. "This places severe demands on cameras deployed in these areas, particularly with regard to sensitivity and dynamic range," said Ad Biemans, Product Marketing Manager for CCTV, Bosch Security Systems.


A Bosch camera combines a 15-bit DSP with a high-speed positioning system to overcome this issues. "Bosch has made use of the power of its DSP to accentuate details in a scene that would otherwise be lost," Biemans said.


A proprietary feature, known as XF-Dynamic, uses histogram equalization to enlarge image details by amplifying tiny variations in illumination. "The XF-Dynamic provides a 32-fold increase in dynamic range compared with a standard camera, which means that scenes remain clearly visible even if bright shafts of sunlight penetrate the interior of the tunnel," Biemans said.


The advanced processing power of the camera's DSP provides improvements in contrast and increases dynamic range through the camera's proprietary auto black function. By dynamically stretching illumination levels in scenes to reduce darkest areas to (near) black, auto black enhances contrast in color pictures obscured by exhaust fumes or smoke in a tunnel.


"The auto black function, previously found only in black-white cameras, results in significant improvements in visibility, enabling control room operators to continue monitoring traffic even in the event of a tunnel fire," Biemans said.


The camera combats motion blur by combining features to maintain optimal performance even if the lights go out. "The camera can be switched into default shutter mode," said Biemans. "This is sufficient to capture vehicle registration plates without motion blur."

PIR Sensors Detect for Threats

Editor / Provider: a&s International | Updated: 10/15/2009 | Article type: Tech Corner

Alarm production is strong in Asia, with more sophisticated offerings. A&S looks at key technologies, along with top regions and challenges for alarm vendors.


Intrusion detectors are basic and effective security devices. With adjustable settings for alarm sensitivity, intrusion detectors sense for genuine threats and go off. However, a number of legitimate events can trigger an alarm, such as a family pet or air conditioning. For PIR detectors, their sensitive CCDs use temperature to detect motion. Several solutions deploy smart technology so alarms respond only to true emergencies.


Chinese vendor Longhorn has made alarm products since 2001. "One of our PIR sensors integrates Italian-certified technologies, Russian techniques and a Chinese-patented temperature sensor for an integrated solution," said Tony Guo, Manager at Longhorn. Another product features a patented optical component, better for long distances and capturing events at more accurate angles.


Quality is a top concern for detectors. "We make great efforts to keep the consistency of product," said Ken Li, GM at Chuango. "We ensure that every batch of products is the same as the original sample."


Eliminating false alarms is a priority. "Suren is releasing a new outdoor motion sensor with dual-frequency IR (DFIR) technology for accurate human motion detection with superior false-alarm rejection," said Eric Micko, Director of R&D, Suren Systems. "New DFIR anti-sway processing distinguishes swaying objects from persons moving across the sensor's monitored area."


Sunwave uses two IR detectors for two different zones, which only alarm when both zones are breached. "The false-alarm possibility is dramatically reduced," said Billy Chan, GM at Sunwave. "It can be adjusted to recognize different pets or moving objects according to different definitions: wavelength, temperature, height and reflection frequency."


Jinghualong Safeguard's dual-tech motion detector combines microwave and PIR with intelligence. "Its biggest innovation is the unique way of installation," said Richard Lee, Sales Director of Jinghualong Safeguard. The design connects wires and brackets so installers do not set up them up separately. This saves installation time, makes maintenance easier and protects wiring by
encasing it in the detector.


The Wolf-Guard motion detector is mounted on a sensor head and is very sensitive, with nine levels of sensitivity. "Other companies have microwaves and multiple points, but not us," said Frank Wan, Sales Director at Wolf-Guard. "We use a waterproof IR cover and make it dust-proof, so it's less easy to trigger false alarms for outdoor applications."


Eliminating False Alarms
As alarms are designed to detect intruders, they can also detect perfectly innocent events. "False alarms are caused by many different things," Guo said. "In homes, there are wireless devices, cell phones and air conditioning, which can all trigger false alarms."


One of the most common causes is operator misuse. Factors resulting in the false alarms include aging lines, installation location and product stability, Lee said.


Longhorn's solutions are designed to reduce false alarms. "Product noise may sometimes set off an alarm, so we make our components less noisy," Guo said. "Another way is using multiple technologies to detect if an intrusion is real."


Pet immunity features in more recent detectors. "There are two ways to deal with pets," Guo said. "One is by physics; the other is by components and algorithms."


The traditional physics method relies on animal size and height, as pets are shorter than humans. "By physics, the alarm would set zones by height, with one for animals," Guo said. The other method analyzes motion, with components running programs. "Our algorithms analyze animal motion compared to people, as people walk at a regular gait."


Integration
Some vendors are making their products convergence-ready. PIR detectors are part of complete smart-home solutions, said Kevin Wang, Marketing Manager for Scientech Electronics.


Along with home automation systems, detectors are integrated with video as well. "Suren is releasing a new outdoor network camera with illumination and mounting bay for an outdoor motion sensor," Micko said. "Standard versions will be available, as well as OEM versions with customer specified, third-party PCB cameras and IP-interface PCBs."


Longhorn has also developed intrusion products designed for total security, as its portfolio includes video. "The products will follow triggered alarms, with alarm integration added to network cameras," Guo said.


Applications
PIR detectors can be found in numerous installations, with wired or wireless depending on the application. "Wired detectors are more suitable for commercial areas and installation companies, while wireless detectors are more suitable for families," Lee said.


In residential applications, both wired and wireless deployments are seen. "At home, wireless solutions take up less space, since they don't run wires across the floor or block windows," Guo said.


Wired devices are considered more reliable for high-security applications. "Telecoms use a special wire, as wired solutions are more reliable and have less interference compared to wireless," Guo said. "At banks, they like wired. Unmanned sites have no operators to change the batteries, so wired alarms are preferred."


Larger applications also prefer wired solutions. "Normally, home users will take more wireless sensors, while the general engineering contractor or large-scale public places will take more wired sensors," Li said.


Challenges
Striving for improvement is how Asian vendors have stayed ahead of hurdles. "Costs are competitive with more players," Guo said. "We must develop our own chips for the lowest cost. There's the transition to full digital, which will be a big challenge for technology."


Strengthening technical know-how is a top priority. "Designing reliable motion sensors is a multifaceted challenge," Micko said. "While reliably detecting moving persons, the motion sensor must reject changing-temperature, nonmoving objects, electromagnetic interference, air currents, mechanical shocks, bright white light, insect intrusions, tampering and so on. Suren engineers' extensive motion sensor design experience is the key to customer satisfaction."


Manufacturers want to increase product competitiveness. "As basic technology improves, intrusion products face opportunities and challenges," Lee said. "We strive to apply new technologies for detection and transmission, along with lowering costs, for our long-term goals."


Making relevant solutions is part of product competitiveness. "New products should be appropriate for sales and markets, which should keep pace with the times," Li said. Listening to customers will be a continuous effort. "We customize products by customer needs," Wan said. "We know market needs so our alarms satisfy most needs."


Useful innovative products must also be efficient. "This is a new challenge to reduce manpower and be energy-saving," Chan said. With lofty goals for humble equipment, Asian alarm vendors promise to remain dominant worldwide in the long haul.