IFSEC, the world's largest annual event for the security industry, featured more than 1,000 exhibitorsseasoned and brand newwhen it took place from 21-24 May 2007 at the NEC in Birmingham, U.K.
IFSEC, the world's largest annual event for the security industry, featured more than 1,000 exhibitorsseasoned and brand newwhen it took place from 21-24 May 2007 at the NEC in Birmingham, U.K.
First-time exhibitors launching and demonstrating their products and services included, among others, QinetiQ, Kalamazoo Security Print, ADT Fire and Security, VSG, Payne Security, Appian Technology, SALTO Systems and Ministry Protection Services.
Payne Security launched its new service to offer short-term, secure, personalized smart cards for the security and access control industry. The recent investment in its digital print capability and card manufacturing allowed it to combine the latest in secure ID card printing with a variety of Mifare and proximity card inlays. At IFSEC, Payne Security also launched its new online bureau service, which gave customers even greater flexibility to order and receive their ID cards. Designs are created online and submitted to Payne Security, who then produces the cards and delivers them within 24 hours.
Also at IFSEC 2007, visitor management solution (VMS) provider Kalamazoo Security Print demonstrated how a VMS can help facilities and security managers deter corporate theft, meet health and safety requirements, and promote a professional corporate reputationnot only to visitors, but employees as well.
SALTO Systems launched a number of important new products. Marc Handels, Marketing and Sales Director, said, "As IP solutions move from niche to mainstream, we have developed our SALTO virtual network (SVN) system to provide 90 percent of the benefits of a fully online access control system, but at the cost of a stand-alone system." A smart combination of online and stand-alone readers act as "hotspot" data transfer points, allowing users to manage their access control requirements in a comprehensive, secure and comfortable way. "As the largest annual security event in the world, IFSEC was the ideal platform for us to display our SVN."
For the first time at IFSEC, LMC and Ministry Protection Services/CDS shared a demonstration venue in the Security Guarding and Support Services area. Ministry Protection Services/CDS demonstrated the explosive and narcotic detection capabilities of the K9, followed by LMC showcasing the latest arrest and restraint techniques using plastic restraints. The demonstration also included physical interventions, breakaways and three-man takedowns for security officers and the general public.
Aye Aye, Captain
Intelligent and IP were the buzzwords at IFSEC 2007. Intelligent video software, from simple counting to object and anomaly detection, was virtually at every corner of the show ground. ioimage, one of the pioneers of intelligent video appliances designed for simplicity, announced that BFi OPTiLAS, a distributor of specialized products and services for Europe's electronics and photonics markets, has deployed more than 1,000 of its systems.
Serving as ioimage's distributor in Spain and Portugal, BFi has incorporated security and surveillance solutions at a myriad of public, government and private organizations. "Our collaboration with ioimage led to rapid results for both us and our customers," said Oscar Romero, Security Division Manager of BFi OPTiLAS. "Since ioimage products are so simple to install and maintain, we have smoothly completed the deployment of over 1,000 systems in a relatively short period of time. Just as important, our customers have been extremely satisfied with the results in the field. We are confident that the partnership will only strengthen in the upcoming period."
MangoDSP, a provider of advanced video solutions for the CCTV, video surveillance, homeland security and defense markets, launched the Raven X2 PC104+, an intelligent video server designed to meet the requirements of outdoor and mobile surveillance needs. The Raven X2 PC104 met the Cisco Technology Developer Program criteria for interoperability with the Cisco 3200 wireless video router and has been integrated to deliver surveillance solutions for the evolving market needs, such as police cars and unmanned devices. The new solution is packaged in a rugged form factor, ensuring operational continuity in extreme surroundings. "We understand the growing need for innovative and effective security solutions," said Hugo Vliegen, Senior Manager of Market Development for Cisco. "Cisco Systems is driving an ecosystem around intelligent video for the 3200 series wireless router to ensure our customers have leading-edge, networked surveillance and video communication solutions. The Raven video server card from MangoDSP is a strong example of a company taking advantage of the strengths of the Cisco 3200 series."
GeoVision introduced a new generation of GV-Control Center at IFSEC 2007. The GV-Control Center V2 contains an IP matrix controller to strengthen TV wall functions. The GV-Control Center V2 supports 36 matrix view displays on 36 TV screens, with each separately displaying up to 64 camera feeds. The IP matrix function in the GV-Control Center V2 makes it possible to view nearly 3,000 cameras in a huge IP matrix setting. "The point of developing IP matrix in the GV-Control Center V2 is to extend our DVR products into security services and system integration," said George Tai, CEO of GeoVision. "By adding the new function of IP matrix, we will strengthen TV wall functions and develop a better environment for control center surveillance."
Controlware Communications recently provided a leading-edge IP CCTV solution for St. Pancras International as part of the station's refurbishment plan for the High Speed 1 (HS1), the biggest-ever construction project in the U.K., formally known as the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL). Working with the Costain, O'Rourke, Bachy and Emcor Rail (CORBER) consortium and Rail Link Engineering (RLE), Controlware provided technical design, product supply, integration, commissioning and operator training services for a new, 450-camera surveillance solution. The new surveillance solution improves security and safety for passengers and staff throughout St. Pancras International. The solution includes a mixture of both static and dome cameras, IP codecs, networked storage and an advanced management platform. St. Pancras International will benefit from a comprehensive surveillance solution that is highly flexible, enabling video to be monitored from multiple locations.
Nice Systems provided alive demonstration of its complete, end-to-end IP video security solution, NiceVision Net, managed by the NiceVision ControlCenter application suite. Launched earlier this year, NiceVision Net is part of the NiceVision suite. It provides an enterpriseclass, scalable and open-IP system that includes edge devices, NVRs, video content analytics, extensive event management and control room visualization.
NiceVision Net enables seamless integration with new and existing third-party edge devices and security management applications (both analog and IP), and is available as software-only or as a complete, end-to-end turnkey solution. The NiceVision ControlCenter is a scalable solution for seamless control room management across large multi-user and multisite environments. It comprises new capabilities for real-time event management, enhanced investigation tools and a networkbased fully functional virtual video matrix. It enables users to manage hybrid technology architectures with a smooth migration path to a full-IP architecture.
Cieffe's high-resolution camera features a maximum precision pan/tilt drive, thanks to its DSP-based encoding system that allows for up to four different customizable virtual encoders. With its flexible architecture and powerful H.264 and MPEG-4 main profile algorithms, NETTUNO dome offers unrivalled image quality even on reduced bandwidths, thanks to the innovative MPEG-4 adaptive algorithm. NETTUNO is fully compatible with SiteManager, Cieffe's multi-site application. The dome is highly ergonomic and designed for easy snap-in installation; laboratory tests show that it can be assembled and put to use in less than nine minutes. Its step-to-step engines feature 400,000 different positions, for maximum accuracy and high precision movements. NETTUNO simplifies the design of complex CCTV installations that demand high quality video and scalable and flexible solutions. With NETTUNO, conventional camera cabling and PTZ controls become redundant; the audio-visual signal is transmitted in real time via TCP/IP, and it can be displayed live or in playback without any noise or interference.
Wireless
Another much sought-after product feature at IFSEC was wireless capability. From cameras and access control readers to intrusion detectors, signal transmission is made available over wireless connections. Siemens Building Technologies unveiled its wireless access control concept with the RF Codoor, which was an IFSEC Security Industry Innovation Award finalist. The RF Codoor is a wireless, all-in-one proximity and PIN reader, with a built-in power source that is mounted directly on the door. The RF Codoor is highly secure, cost-effective and easy to install. It can either be used as a stand-alone system or as a fully integrated, cable-free component of a
SiPass Entro access control system. SiPass Entro is a very flexible and user-friendly PC-based system, with integrated wireless capability. SiPass Entro's new controller, the SR35i, provides wireless communication via ZigBee and fully supports the RF Codoor. The SR35i enables wireless online communication between the RF Codoor and the SiPass Entro system for distances up to 25 meters. Even greater distances are possible via the use of repeaters.
Wireless doors in a SiPass Entro system function exactly the same way that wired doors do. All events, at all doors, are monitored and logged in the SiPass Entro software. The combination of the RF Codoor and SiPass Entro offers customers a very cost-effective way of securing up to 1,024 doors (up to 512 wireless) and managing up to 40,000 cardholders. SiPass Entro can also be used in combination with SISTORE DVRs, cameras, and an intruder alarm system to create a complete security system.