To Efficiency and Beyond! Security in Manufacturing

Editor / Provider: BY EIFEH STROM, a&s International | Updated: 7/18/2014 | Article type: Hot Topics

Production efficiency is more than just improving organization and effectiveness in a production facility. It is about saving manufacturers time wasted due to errors and money lost due to mistakes. For these reasons, automotive manufacturers are taking advantage of the beyond security applications of video surveillance cameras in their production facilities.

The automotive industry is considered one the world's most mportant economic sectors. When the global economy went nto recession in 2008, the overall globalmanufacturing output, including motor vehicle production, hit a major speed bump. With less money in the hands of consumers the demand for all types of goods decreased, which caused global manufacturing production to decline. However, now, as the global economy rebounds, globalmanufacturing is slowly starting to see in green again instead of red.

Global manufacturing output grew by 2.4 percent in the third quarter of 2013, according to a recent report published by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). In the first six months of 2013, statistics provided by the InternationalOrganization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (OICA) showed that global motor vehicle production went up 1.6 percent from 2012. Although both of these numbers are considered low, growth, no matter the amount, is a hopeful sign that both global manufacturing and the global economy have begun to heal. By region the UNIDO report pointed out a slight improvement in overall manufacturing output in industrialized regions such asNorth America, East Asia, and Europe. In the U.S., most of this improvement is attributed to increased production in the electronic goods, motor vehicles, and furniture markets. The report noted that US production of motor vehicles rose at a rate of 5.8 percent in the third quarter of 2013. Specific factors that have contributed to growth in motor vehicle production include low interest rates and the declining unemployment rate. On the other hand, overall manufacturing growth in Europe has been more fragile. Growth in the eurozone has been marginal; however, growth outside of the eurozone has been slightly better. Motor vehicle production in Germany rose 2.2 percent in the third quarter of 2013, opposed to production rate drops in both France and Italy. A sharp decline in production in Russia was also observed where motor vehicle production plunged by 27 percent compared to the same period in 2012. In Asia, Japan saw meager motor vehicle production growth of 1.7 percent, whereas Malaysia saw nearly 10 percent growth from the previous quarter.

Visual Inspection at SEAT Factory
With over 12,000 employees and annual production surpassing 375,000 in 2012, the idea of visual inspection was implemented by Axis Communications at the SEAT factory in Martorell, Barcelona, Spain.
In 2011 the SEAT factory became the production house of the Audi Q3, the first luxury car assembled in Spain. The use of barcodes in automotive factories to keep track of parts during the production process is standard. At the SEAT factory, they wanted to take extra measures to avoid delays and facilitate workflow. As a result, over 100 Axis cameras were implemented to complement the existing barcode scanning system for a visual verification system. By taking images of the barcodes that were identified as possibly containing errors, which were then sent to an emergency data-entry computer, the system provides visual verification that serves as a backup to the scanned barcodes. With images of the barcodes, in the event of a barcode scanning error, vehicles do not have to be physically moved by operators in order to be re-scanned.
Additionally, the cameras were also used to monitor the transport of car bodies throughout the facility.

With unimpressive growth numbers, manufacturers are now more than ever looking for ways to not only improve efficiency, but also reduce unnecessary costs.

PRODUCTION EFFICIENCY SAVES TIME AND MONEY
The automotive industry has many stringent requirements when it comes to production processes. Safety must come first when it comes to parts and assembly. Therefore, it is crucial that even the slightest defects be caught before becoming part of a finished product. Meticulous inspection of a production line, however, can be costly and time consuming, therefore efficiency is key. Time wasted is money wasted and with the economy as it has been, no one has either to waste.
Using video surveillance cameras that are typically used for security applications on the production line to improve efficiency is not a new concept. Nevertheless, as manufacturers become more aware of their benefits and their ability to be equally effective when it comes to improving production efficiency, more and more manufacturers are looking toward this solution.

Benefits of Video Surveillance Cameras
Traditionally industrial cameras have been used in manufacturing settings for quality assurance and process control applications. Similarly, video surveillance cameras have typically been used for their video surveillance abilities — monitoring people, ensuring that there are no personnel in restricted zones, recording daily happenings, etc. “Video surveillance ensures safety rules are being followed, tools and equipment are handled properly, and that production personnel comply with defined processes at all times,” said Andrea Sorri, Business Development Director at Axis Communications. However, it has become increasingly more common for manufacturers to combine the use of industrial cameras with network surveillance cameras in manufacturing facilities — classical industrial cameras are used for inspection tasks and network surveillance cameras for process monitoring, according to Ingo Lewerendt, Strategic Business Development Manager at Basler. It is these beyond security applications of video surveillance cameras that have gotten the attention of automotive manufacturers. Wendi Burke, Director of Marketing at IQinVision, pointed out that because “cameras don't take a break, don't have bad days, don't get distracted or fall asleep, they're always on, always performing” video surveillance cameras, particularly high-resolution HD cameras, are extremely beneficial to manufacturers in helping catch costly manufacturing defects and other problems before the problems are repeated. In a similar way to how video surveillance is used in the automotive industry to enhance production efficiency, IQinVision high megapixel cameras have been used in the steel industry. Faults in manufacturing are costly mistakes for steel makers. Therefore, the Ellwood Group, a US-based steel manufacturer, deployed 250 IQinVision megapixel cameras throughout their 10 manufacturing facilities to not only help with video surveillance, but also with identifying problems during production. “As soon as one piece of defective steel is identified,” said Burke, “quality control staff are able to quickly review all video footage of that production process to find the fault.” From there, once the fault is found, it is corrected, allowing production to resume, saving both time and money.

Convenient Integration With Network Cameras
Since a standard IP infrastructure is used in most manufacturing facilities, network surveillance cameras that are built on an open platform can be easily integrated into a facility's existing system. This is one of the biggest advantages of using a network surveillance camera, as pointed out by Sorri. “Network cameras can be easily integrated into industrial manufacturing environments such as production lines to automatically perform visual inspections, to monitor production line efficiency, and to enable remote assistance for maintenance.”

Additionally, “Network cameras can deliver high resolution images at high frames allowing for precise analysis of quickly passing objects on a sliding band in an industrial production line.” Because network surveillance cameras can support intelligent video processing and video analytics on the edge, they can also be utilized to perform visual inspections for a specific step in a production line, alert the manufacturer to labels missing, caps not positions correctly or missing solder, according to Sorri. One of the biggest advantages of network surveillance cameras in manufacturing, as pointed out by Sorri, is that they “can be easily integrated into industrial manufacturing environments such as production lines to automatically perform visual inspections, to monitor production line efficiency, and to enable remote assistance for maintenance.”

After cameras are in place, that is where video management software (VMS) comes in to help manage, access, and control the images and recording; however, its usefulness in the automotive industry has helped to not only do the aforementioned tasks, but also streamline and improve the production process. When Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK was looking to improve production efficiency at their facility, they sought a solution that could not only be integrated with their current set up, but also be installed over 300 network cameras from various manufacturers to monitor the production lines and their facility. Nissan UK has always used machine vision tools, including highly specialized industrial cameras used to inspect individual processes, decide whether the correct part is in its exact location, take precise measurements, and act as “eyes” for the robots. However, these cameras do not give an overall view of a process, as they are designed to focus on one specific movement or task. In order to get a fuller picture, Nissan UK decided to deploy network cameras and Milestone's VMS. The open nature of Milestone's VMS gave Nissan UK the freedom to view footage from cameras from different manufacturers and capture process faults with live-video monitoring and instant recording and playback. This helped Nissan UK prevent production issues and eliminate causes of temporary stoppage on their production lines. Additionally, the convenience of being able to access images all of the camera images via a PC, as well as the ability to compare two videos side-by-side to examine how different employees work on a process, made management of the facility easier. The overall benefits of the VMS helped to not only improve both the quality and efficiency of Nissan UK's facility, but also gave them a system that could grow with the facility.

TO EFFICIENCY AND BEYOND
Efficieny in any industry is important, but in a competitive, high production industry like the automotive industry, efficiency is paramount to a facility's success. While “lean” practices help manufacturers in all industries reduce waste and boost effectiveness, the additional beyond security benefits of traditional security products, such as network surveillance cameras and VMS, have proven that the security industry is not just about catching intruders and controlling access. Offering additional benefits like production efficiency and workflow management show that applications for security products are endless.

ADT delivers tailored security to food and beverage industry

Editor / Provider: ADT | Updated: 7/11/2014 | Article type: Security 50

ADT announced the Food and Beverage Solutions Bundle as part of the company's strategic plan to deliver customized security and automation solutions to address the most common needs and concerns of business owners within a particular industry. In addition to the recently announced ADT Retail Solutions Bundle, the company also has further plans to deliver bundled solutions for small business owners of clinics, doctor's or professional services offices and mechanical shops.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately one in six Americans falls ill each year from foodborne diseases, underscoring major concern for small business owners in the food and beverage industry. Taking the wide gamut of threats into consideration, the new Food and Beverage Solutions Bundle is intended to help solve the most pressing issues that keep restaurant and bar owners up at night – from food safety and energy usage, to the safety of their customers and employees, and the security of their cash and other assets.

“The protection of small business owners and their assets is our bread and butter, and always a core objective in serving our customers,” said Luis Orbegoso, President of ADT Small Business. “With the increased threats faced by the food and beverage industry, ranging from food spoilage to sweethearting and inventory theft, our latest offering addresses these concerns head-on, and meets the specific needs of our customers in the food service business.”

The customized portfolio includes the ability to remotely control small appliances and monitor motion detection, door and window entry and video surveillance with event-triggered notifications. Additionally, smart thermostat features enable climate management throughout the premise, while freezer and refrigerator sensors can send alerts when temperature levels spike and breach a pre-programmed range, reducing the potential for food spoilage and increasing overall peace of mind.

“Our café is in a historic building that is a focal point of the close-knit Grandin community and a hub for customers to enjoy hearty, locally-sourced food with good company,” said Alan Porter, owner of Lil' Black River Café in Grandin, Missouri. “ADT has provided us with the peace of mind to focus on what we love to do – serve great food to great people – rather than worrying about potential theft or property damage. With multiple solutions installed throughout our cafe, we have around-the-clock visibility into our kitchen, refrigerator, dining room and basement, from anywhere, at anytime.”

The Food and Beverage Solutions Bundle addresses key security and productivity concerns across the food service industry, including the need to:
* Increase food safety and standards: ADT's new bundle can help business owners control their business environment through thermostat and small appliance control, as well as monitor the critical temperatures of their food inventory, helping to prevent perishable inventory from premature spoilage. Through remotely accessible video services, business owners can monitor sensitive merchandise and food preparation and ensure consistent hygiene standards are met by all of their employees.
* Remotely monitor and control: ADT Pulse Interactive Business Solutions allows business owners to remotely control and monitor all aspects of their business, whether they are physically on-site or not, including: regulating premise climate, monitoring deliveries, arming/disarming alarm systems and even turning lights on and off – all from any Internet-enabled device, including smartphones and tablets. Through Pulse, business owners can also schedule customized notifications via text or email when specific activities take place in their cafe or restaurant, such as activity in a restricted area like a back office or inventory room.
* Efficiently protect customers and inventory: Event-triggered video recordings and alerts help business owners monitor deliveries, inventory conditions and sensitive business areas, helping to reduce the risk of stock damage and employee and customer theft. These video monitoring capabilities can help to mitigate some of the common behaviors that hurt the bottom line, such as “sweethearting,” a major source of overall revenue loss.

Korean luxurious casino deploys Webgate HD-CCTV solution

Editor / Provider: Webgate | Updated: 6/23/2014 | Article type: Commercial Markets

WEBGATE, the Korea-based surveillance equipment provider, as well as a division of of Daemyung Enterprise, has completed the HD-CCTV surveillance system installation for a world-class casino in Pusan, together with their partner company SARADA.

The casino, located in Haeundae, is one of the top tourist destinations in Korea. It offers not just a wide selection of slot machines and tables where guests enjoy baccarat, blackjack and roulette. The whole casino is divided into various sections according to features and styles, providing premium service and amenities from a world-class casino, to meet expectations from travelers around the world.

While the casino sees huge money being handled during games every day, the video surveillance system becomes one of the core facilities in preventing illegal game or theft. This casino had been operating its video surveillance system with analog camera and DVR for a long time. However, there has been a continuous request of upgrading to full-HD video surveillance system. Representativesof the casino security  department had chosen WEBGATE's HD-CCTV system,  after making thorough comparison between "IP camera system based on network" and "HD-CCTV system based on HD-SDI transmission technology".

HD-CCTV system can make use of  the existing coaxial cables of  the analog system,  and can transmit full-HD digital video without frame loss. Unlike IP systems, it doesn't cause delay during video compression or network transmission, and provides real-time video monitoring for security personnel. Thanks to the advanced video CODEC solution, DVR can record high quality video which is undistinguishable from the live video, so its recording can serve as evidence when accidents occur. Besides, the camera's anti-motion blur function, and high reliability  both played an essential part in making WEBGATE a solution provider.

One Cable Solution:
HD-CCTV's “One Cable Solution” was applied to casino's video surveillance system. One Cable Solution configuration means that by using the coaxial cable, DVR supplies power to camera and controls cameras' OSD menu and zoom/focus. Also, in this configuration, all channels have 30fps to provide full-frame recording. Casino security personnel are very satisfied with the new HD-CCTV system because they can have the most optimized system by operating the system in the same way with conventional ones. They said that they will continue to upgrade their rest analog system as well.

Herefordshire solar farm installed Optex sensors to reduce false alarms

Editor / Provider: Optex | Updated: 6/20/2014 | Article type: Security 50

The Herefordshire solar farm, located near Hoarwithy, is a multi million pound solar farm that provides power to the national grid. The remote site is predominantly unmanned and has a two kilometre perimeter.

To prevent the theft or damage of solar panels, the Herefordshire farm required a security system which could detect any intrusion on site and transmit alarms and live images to a remote video monitoring centre, which then verifies the situation and takes action accordingly. The new perimeter protection system had to be able to accommodate wildlife and environmental changes, as sheep are roaming around the site and could trigger false alarms. So could vegetation sway and change in weather. It was critical for the site owner to have the lowest false rate while keeping the catch performance rate to a maximum.

AVA Security & Communications recommended and installed the new security systems, comprising more than 25 of the active infrared REDNET perimeter detectors from OPTEX Europe, which are located every 50 metres. It utilises a 16 beam ‘net' configuration to provide high level detection capability and can be configured to drastically decrease the level of nuisance alarms. In this case two months after the installation was completed the monitoring centre received 300 times fewer false alarms than it would expect for a site of such site and complexity. The outstanding performance of the intrusion detection system helps improve the efficiency of the monitoring centre which can focus on investigating genuine alarms.

LILIN presents professional security solutions for gaming industry

Editor / Provider: Sponsored by LILIN | Updated: 6/16/2014 | Article type: Tech Corner

Casinos require absolute innovative video surveillance
Casino security surveillance system requires the ability to respond rapidly to incidents at diverse level of lighting. The gaming industry, one of the early adopters of video monitoring solutions, fully understood the need to guard property, people, and most importantly the integrity of its gaming operations. With several casino surveillance projects in the pipeline, LILIN leads casino security technology trends.

Gaming facilities and entertainment operations definitely need surveillance tools and software that are able to meet the most demanding requirements. Gaming video surveillance has to focus on the activities at the gaming tables and slot machines in order to prevent cheating,settle disputes and protect the casino from dishonest employees. It is difficult to secure and monitor due to the nature of the environment – fast moving chips/cards as well as flashing lights.

What casinos surveillance need
Gaming is primarily about surveillance, so real-time video viewing and effectively suspect tracing are vital in the gaming world. Also, the surveillance applications for casinos and gaming entertainment environments need to meet local, state, or national gaming regulations.

Video solutions for gaming & casinos
LILIN Ultra series cameras are available now. Casino operations have the option to adopt 120 fps IP-based cameras, UFG1122, and 4K Ultra High Definition cameras, UHG1182, and analytics software into their surveillance systems. LILIN advanced network cameras are able to distinguish the color of chips and record high resolution picture videos. Casinos also need panoramic 360-degree technologies, LILIN FD2452 – fisheye panoramic cameras can cover more area more efficiently with less staff.

When high rollers have arrived at the casino, License Plate Recognition technology can help to identify and flag. Point-of-Sale analytics technology can help to monitor employees. With LILIN advanced network cameras, gamblers, and dealers could enhance casinos' security management for a secured business operation.

Unparalleled clarity and picture quality
LILIN cameras with enhanced wide dynamic range for unparalleled clarity and picture quality, even in low light conditions / in variable light conditions. Scalable CMX solutions from LILIN can be expanded to support hundreds of IP cameras. LILIN's HD image quality allows operators to see the greatest level of details. With advanced features, including real-time face, motion, alarm detection, LILIN systems give you critical, high-definition coverage intelligence. LILIN end-to-end surveillance solutions can provide you the security intelligence you need to protect your house and players.

LILIN progressing with advanced gaming monitoring technology
LILIN has been developing new products to meet the diverse requirements of the gaming industry. LILIN video management systems is designed for around-the-clock monitoring. Operators can easily extract details of recordings minute by minute from footages because LILIN high definition IP cameras support absolute magnification. Such high degree of resolution is able to capture subtle movements such as hand gestures even under the low-light conditions All gaming activities can be well-monitored at all times by LILIN solutions.

Sponsored by: 
LILIN is a global IP video manufacturer with over 30 years of experience. Throughout the years, the company has maintained its dedication to Creativity, Progress, and Excellence providing expertise in digital video with a strong focus on innovation moving forward.

Verint presents expanded intelligence solutions for retail sector

Editor / Provider: Verint | Updated: 6/12/2014 | Article type: Security 50

Verint Systems has newly expanded its portfolio of security and business intelligence solutions for the retail sector to continue delivering advanced technologies to help reduce fraud and loss, boost operational efficiency and improve the customer experience.

At the upcoming NRF Loss Prevention event this week, Verint will highlight a variety of intelligent solutions designed to reduce shrinkage and theft, according to Alex Johnson, senior director of retail, Verint Video and Situation Intelligence Solutions. “At Verint, we're committed to providing technologies that limit and negate vulnerabilities in loss prevention operations and reach beyond traditional security uses by integrating with common retail platforms through open standards and interfaces,” he added.

To help reduce shrinkage and achieve a significant return on investment, Verint provides retailers with Verint solutions, which include a comprehensive portfolio designed to meet the specific needs of a variety of retailers—from enterprise-class to specialty stores.

Advancements to Network Video Recorder (NVR)
Verint's comprehensive NVR platform, the EdgeVR, is designed to deliver scalable and enterprise-class video monitoring and recording capabilities. The NVR platform enhances security and streamlines investigations for retailers, allowing them to close cases quickly and proactively minimize losses. The latest version delivers all the benefits of an embedded NVR, including bandwidth optimization, remote access and robust surveillance analytics. It easily scales to support up to 64 IP and analog cameras, providing a path to migration for budget-conscious retailers.

Additional features include H.264 and MPEG-4 compression options and scalable storage options up to 16 terabytes. Consistent with the EdgeVR's open platform design, it integrates with various edge devices helping retailers leverage current infrastructures and expand to meet future system demands.

Further updates to the EdgeVR include advanced investigation tools, such as face detection, license plate recognition and a variety of surveillance analytics, providing retailers new levels of situation awareness. Other capabilities include:

Surveillance Analytics-- it  provides loitering detection, directional movement, line crossing, object left behind and missing item identification. Once the system identifies a predefined movement, it can send emails or SMS to the appropriate personnel, or relay messages to associated systems.

Mobile Client--it  allows security operators to remotely access video and view live and recorded video from multiple cameras simultaneously. Accessible from Apple iOS devices, the application delivers 10 pre-defined screen layout options, zoom capabilities and the ability to access recent camera views.

IP Camera Integrations--they  include supportfor the new economic line of Verint V3300 IP cameras, the Oncam Grandeye 360 camera when larger fields of view are required, and a Height Strip Camera for store entrances and exits.

Axis to demonstrate ‘smarter and safer world' video surveillance at IFSEC 2014

Editor / Provider: Axis Communications | Updated: 6/3/2014 | Article type: Security 50

Axis Communications will demonstrate how it is continuing to open new opportunities and delivering a smarter and safer world of video surveillance at IFSEC International 2014.

As well as showcasing the latest innovations in network video at the international security trade show, Axis will be inviting attendees to learn first-hand how partnering with them can help businesses discover new markets and tap into new commercial opportunities.

Axis will be joined by 5 of its key partners offering visitors the chance to learn more about cloud hosting, edge-embedded analytics, efficient transmission and the use of network video to continually drive business improvement and performance as well as safety and security.

Sharing the Axis stand (Stand E1000) will be leading video analytics companies, Digital Barriers, IPS Intelligent Video Analytics, Wavestore and also communications and video specialists Falt Communications and video hosting system provider, Observit.

The Axis stand will feature some of its most cutting-edge technologies, including the latest innovations in ultra-high definition 4K resolution and AXIS Camera Station software for video monitoring and recording. Other advances on show in the ‘image usability' area will allow visitors to see first-hand Axis' Lightfinder technology as well as its Wide Dynamic Range (WDR), thermal imaging and other technical innovations such as its nitrogen-pressurized stainless steel HDTV PTZ dome cameras.

In addition, Axis will also be dedicating an entire section of the stand to its hugely successful partner programs, including the Channel Partner Program and the Architecture and Engineering Program, designed to support network architects engineers and consultants involved in the design and specification of IP-based security systems.

As part of its commitment to training and development, Axis Communications' Academy will also have its own presence on the stand. After having trained over 40,000 people globally and with training in the Northern European region at record levels, the Axis Academy is proving to be an expert in its field and clearly demonstrates the desire for recognized certified training to enable surveillance professionals to differentiate themselves in a crowded marketplace.

Atul Rajput, regional director, northern Europe, Axis Communications, said: “I passionately believe that, as an industry, we are guilty of underselling the benefits of network video. All too often network video is viewed as a cost when in reality it can be a revenue generating opportunity.

“We know that one of the benefits of network video is the endless opportunities for integration into complementary applications, but the question remains, is that of real benefit to our customers and what opportunities does it present? We need to be bold and engage with all areas and departments as our technology touches every part of a business from logistics and operations right through to marketing and, of course, security. Network video shouldn't be just a cost center; it should be a key component in driving operational efficiencies throughout a business. ”

“For years the conversation has only been about the transition from analogue to digital – that discussion has ended. Today's successful companies are those that are proactively looking at ways in which network video can create new business opportunities. Companies that embrace this and strive to discover new and innovative solutions can look forward to a smarter and successful future. ”

“At IFSEC we are determined to show people how we can help them and their organisations not only enhance their security, but also add real value to their business. We believe that our experience and that of our partner network mean we are perfectly positioned to drive this change.”

Milestone XProtect provides Finnish schools and harbor with full-range protection

Editor / Provider: Milestone Systems | Updated: 4/22/2014 | Article type: Commercial Markets

“Installing Milestone XProtect has done the trick. We have reduced the cost of vandalism by approximately €50,000 (around $69,054) per year. Now we have practically no costs in regards to vandalism. What originated as a need for general security has evolved: One of the main benefits of our solution is the broad usage of it.” - Eero Polonen, Technical Manager, Kontiolahti Municipality.

The Challenge:
Before installing Milestone XProtect software, Kontiolahti Municipality was subjected to extensive vandalism at schools and in the harbor. The harbor was especially plagued by theft of boat motors and oil, littering and other destructive activities that the old security system was not equipped to handle.

The Solution:
Installing Milestone Partner Hallstrom designed and implemented an efficient solution with Milestone XProtect Professional and XProtect Essential to manage 200 AXIS, Sony, Vivotek and Mobotix cameras. The cameras are installed throughout the entire municipality at hospitals, sports fields, harbors and schools. Hallstrom integrated Blackbox Light Control System, which has enabled the municipality to use XProtect Smart Client and Milestone Mobile to control not only cameras, but also all public lighting systems. Hallstrom set up the users with the XProtect Smart Client Finnish language interface, which significantly eases day-to-day operations for Kontiolahti Municipality.

The Advantages:
The Milestone XProtect solution has provided Kontiolahti with increased safety and has led to a significant reduction in vandalism saving around USD69,054 a year. The municipality can easily expand their security solution to more uses with the Milestone open platform.

Large yearly savings from reduced vandalism thanks to Milestone
The Milestone surveillance solution is installed all over Kontiolahti Municipality for many purposes, including keeping the citizens of Kontiolahti safe in public: “The general opinion in the population is that security has increased after we have installed the new solution,” states Eero Polonen, Technical Manager at Kontiolahti Municipality. The estimated savings are €50,000 a year due to reduced vandalism.

“Before we installed Milestone XProtect we were experiencing a lot of vandalism at schools in our area and at the harbor, where fuel and motors from the boats were frequently being stolen. That was the reason why we decided to install a new security system: to reduce the destruction of our facilities and further increase safety for our population,” states Polonen.

“A new security system was badly needed since the previous one was both outdated and lacked user-friendliness” relates Polonen.

To find a better solution to secure the municipality, Eero Polonen teamed up with Milestone Partner through seven years, Hallstrom LTD Partnership. Hqllstrom is a Finnish expert in the fields of ICT and security, and is one of the leading suppliers of IP-based surveillance solutions in Finland. Their effective solution with Milestone XProtect Professional and XProtect Essential has significantly made a difference in helping the municipality with their problems.

“We chose Milestone XProtect because the product is reliable and stable, which is very important for us. Moreover, the Milestone solution is scalable, so it can be used in everything from small systems to very large systems. That is a big advantage,” says Polonen.

Kontiolahti gets additional benefits from using open platform software
Besides helping the municipality reduce vandalism, the video monitoring solution is also used to secure the personal safety of citizens living in elderly homes and for checking conditions at sports venues: “With Milestone Mobile we remotely check the condition of a sports field to plan maintenance, for example,” says Polonen. The solution has also proven to be beneficial during the long cold winters: “In winter the staff can remotely check how much snow falls to decide how often they have to plow ice away from roads and parking places.”

 The integration benefits of open platform
Kontiolahti Municipality sees many advantages of the Milestone open platform that makes it easy to integrate with third-party systems.

“Hallstrom has integrated XProtect with the Blackbox Light Control System. This allows us to control the lights at different locations directly from the XProtect Smart Client interface,” says Polonen. “A big plus in regards to the XProtect Smart Client is that it has been translated to Finnish. That contributes to making the clients easy to use. In general, I think the XProtect Smart Client is very intuitive and easy to manage and the fact that we can use the same client for all platforms is an extra plus.”

It was the system integrator Hallstrom who recommended Kontiolahti to go with the Milestone solution, and Hallstrom has thoroughly trained each of the users in how to use the solution. “We have received very good support from Hallstrom who has quickly responded to our questions and inquiries throughout the purchasing, installation and support process,” concludes Eero Polonen and adds that the municipality is planning on expanding the solution to cover even more institutions.

Axis releases video monitoring solution Axis Camera Station 4.0

Editor / Provider: Axis Communications | Updated: 3/28/2014 | Article type: Security 50

AXIS Camera Station 4.0 is a complete video monitoring and recording solution designed to perfectly match Axis' extensive range of network cameras and video encoders. Axis Communications, the global supplier in network video, launches a new release of its video management software AXIS Camera Station. With the introduction of AXIS Camera Station 4.0, Axis is setting a new standard for easy and efficient video surveillance.

“Many feature-rich video management systems on the market today are also quite complex to install and use,” says Peter Friberg, Director of System and Services, Axis Communications. “With AXIS Camera Station 4.0 we prove that it is possible for a video management solution to be both powerful – and easy to use. Based on experience from 50,000 installations worldwide and input from installers and users, we have improved the system in many aspects. This launch is a first, important step to really put efficient operation and identification in focus.”

The new release includes a setup wizard with automatic camera discovery which guides the user through every step of the configuration process. This allows for the system to be up and running within minutes.

The user interface of AXIS Camera Station has been re-designed with focus on ease-of-use and intuitive operations for key areas such as live view navigation, event configuration and video investigation.

With AXIS Camera Station 4.0, Axis introduces Extended Smart Search. By simply defining an area of interest the user can search through vast amounts of high definition video in just seconds for quick investigation and retrieval of evidence. The new Extended Smart Search function is based on AXIS Video Content Stream technology – a technology where certain information in the images is captured by the camera and sent as a separate stream together with the video and audio files.

AXIS Camera Station allows the user to take full advantage of Axis' market-leading network cameras and their capabilities, such as 360o overview recording with client de-warping, multi-view streaming, Axis Corridor Format, H.264 compression and advanced camera-based video motion detection providing high definition video for identification even if bandwidth and storage is limited.

A new type of mobile home

Editor / Provider: Gary Tang, a&s SMAhome | Updated: 3/6/2014 | Article type: Hot Topics

The introduction of the smartphone and other mobile devices, in conjunction with advancements in wireless networks and cloud-based services, has brought a new meaning to the term“mobile home.”Today, it is possible for homeowners to check on their homes regardless of where they may be, provided that an Internet connection is present. While the majority of consumers have yet to embrace the smart home concept, there is no doubt that its adoption is set for rapid growth. According to a recent report by Juniper Research, smart home revenues will reach $71 billion by 2018.

Why Now?
Various forms of home automation have existed over the past 2 decades, but they have been too expensive and troublesome for most homeowners. Today, however, costs are significantly lower, and the ubiquity of mobile devices and the emergence of the app economy have made it easy for consumers to interact with products and services.

Alarm.com has been a part of the evolution to the smart home market, having been first-to-market with some features, said Jay Kenny, VP of Marketing at Alarm.com. “We launched our first mobile app in 2009. That really was a big game changer; the mobile app and mobile device is one of the key things that has driven really rapid adoption of the technology.” Indeed, in the following years, Alarm.com started to see rapid growth—Alarm.com is the largest connected home platform in the U.S.A.

For mobile apps, cross-platform support is crucial—iOS and Android native apps, as well as web apps.“This is extremely important to reach the mass market as consumers can make devices work together and schedule them to run at certain times without having to download additional apps for each device, said Bob Cooper, CMO at Zonoff. Zonoff is behind the technology that powers the Staples Connect platform.

The big trend toward cloud services is also a factor driving adoption for consumers, since they dramatically decrease the cost of ownership, Kenny  continued.

In hindsight, it is only natural that consumers who are always connected will want to always have access to devices in their homes.“A lot of companies have observed that opportunity and are now getting into the market,” said Kenny.

Security at its Core
Right now, many consumers are attracted to the direct benefits of a connected device. No products bring direct benefits as security products do, making home security one of the core features of the smart home that is driving adoption. A basic home security system comprises video, sensors and 24-hour alarm monitoring. When an alarm goes off, the police will show up; when there is a fire, firefighters come to put it out. 2 high-growth add-ons to those services are video monitoring and energy management, Kenny said.

Video monitoring is one of the most important components in a modern home security system.“More and more people are adding video cameras to both the outside and inside of their homes. Being able to stream real-time video to a mobile phone is really interesting to people, both from a security perspective and an awareness perspective,” said Kenny.“If you have kids, it's nice to know that they are safe at home and are doing the right things. If you have pets, you also want to know that they are safe and are having fun. Both the awareness and security aspect of the video are really important.”

Even something as simple as a smartphone controlled garage door opener can bring significant convenience and peace of mind to homeowners. Since many Americans enter their home via the garage door, it is not only important to know the status of that entry point, it is also convenient to have the ability to check that status when a homeowner has driven 10 minutes away from home and worries that the door is still open, said, Bob Dahlberg, VP of Business Development at Arrayent. Arrayent's platform powers the home appliances of numerous well-known manufacturers.

Spreading Out From Security
Security is the primary service that consumers value and are willing to pay for, but Alarm.com is also seeing it drive a lot of adoption in thermostats and lighting. According to Parks Associates, nearly two thirds of US consumers are interested in buying a smart thermostat. Dahlberg agrees:“This industry has tipped. If you are in the thermostat business and you don't have a connected thermostat strategy, you are going out of business.”

As for lighting, it is the lowest cost way to impact the home environment. LED bulbs are getting lower and lower cost every day, getting close to compact fluorescents. ZigBee vendors are quoting ZigBee SoCs at less than $1 in 2015,”Dahlberg said. “The combination of LED and connectivity means lighting control (on, off, dim) will be very easy to install.”

Low cost is important because while there are vertical opportunities for all connected products, the near-term value of smart appliances is all around a collection of small conveniences; no single feature alone is compelling in its own right, Dahlberg continued.

UniKey's VP of Sales and Marketing Dirk Wyckoff thinks it is also crucial for the smart home that devices can stand on their own when integrating devices into a single intelligent system.“For a product to have mass appeal, the product's value proposition to the consumer must be singular in nature, meaning it must stand on its own without necessary integration into a larger system that is typically reserved for services with monthly fees. The product must be simple and elegant in both interface and appearance.”UniKey developed the technology behind the popular smart lock Kwikset Kevo.

A home full of devices that can interact with each other for the benefit of the user is indeed attractive. The concept of energy management has become popular—not just controlling appliances via a mobile app, but the integration of those appliances with the rest of the home, Kenny said. “For example, when I arm my alarm system, the thermostat automatically adjusts. If I leave my backdoor open by mistake, I can have the system adjust to that, too.”

Related article:Smarthome, pulling it all together

** This is a part of a&s SMAhome magazine and mySMAhome.com coverage. For free subscription, please click here.