Nigerian Mall Draws on IndigoVision Retail Expertise

Editor / Provider: IndigoVision | Updated: 8/10/2012 | Article type: Security 50

West Africa's biggest shopping mall, the 22,000 sqm Ikeja City Mall in Lagos, Nigeria has called in IndigoVision to provide a reliable surveillance system for its extensive retail operations, which include a cinema and supermarket, banks, cafes, bars, restaurants, smaller stores, and hairdressing and beauty salons. IndigoVision was chosen because of its flexible solution able to meet the different client requirements and specifications.

Steve Idornigie, Operations Manager at Broll Property Service Nigeria, states: “We needed a reliable, high-quality security system for a development of this size and importance. The IndigoVision solution makes it easy for us to monitor all areas, quickly identify incidents and review recordings whenever we need to.”

IndigoVision has built up considerable international retail surveillance experience, with clients that include John Lewis stores in the UK, IKEA France, Sears in Canada and many malls across the US. IndigoVision's retail solution integrates with electronic point of sale (EPOS) systems, giving retailers options to flag certain transactions, for example transactions over certain monetary values. In such cases video can be bookmarked or alarms can be raised to allow retailers to review transactions easily, identify individuals and analyse events at point of sale.

Working with consultants CKR Consulting Engineers and contractor Cappa d'Alberto, IndigoVision and its local partner Onesource Nigeria, the lead company for the installation and maintenance of solutions, established an integrated IP Video surveillance system, using IndigoVision's Security Management Solution SMS4, with vandal-resistant fixed dome cameras, PTZ cameras and HD fixed domes. Operators continually monitor cameras using Control Center, the user interface to IndigoVision's SMS4. Four Control Center workstations have been set up within the Mall's control room, and IndigoVision Network Video Recorders (NVRs) provide a recording capability with 14 days storage duration. A protect facility on the NVR segments removes the risk of events being recorded over at the end of the 14 day period.

IndigoVision's distributed architecture allows any system component to be located at any point on the IP network, including cameras, NVRs and video workstations. NVRs can be sited at the edge of the network to minimize bandwidth usage, which creates a fault tolerant solution. The architecture removes the need for a central server, which in turn eliminates the risk of a central point of failure. Any of the Control Center workstations can view live footage from any camera on the network as well as recorded footage from any NVR.

IndigoVision's Security Management Solution, SMS4, is also installed globally for projects in airports, ports, rail, traffic, cities, banking, mining, education, casinos, police, prisons and government.

Wisconsin Technical College Deters Crime With Axis Cameras

Editor / Provider: Axis Communications | Updated: 8/7/2012 | Article type: Security 50

When students at Wisconsin's Gateway Technical College were surveyed five years ago to help administration enrich campus life, many admitted that they didn't always feel safe on campus. Administrators immediately took the concern to heart and searched for ways to change that perception. In addition to hiring a professional security service to patrol each of the campuses more frequently, the college sought out a surveillance solution that would deter crimes and misdemeanors through more comprehensive and higher quality video and audio coverage of the buildings and grounds.

Solution
Technology Resource Advisors, Inc. (TRA) – a Milwaukee, WI-based integrator and Axis Partner – recommended a wide array of HDTV-quality Axis fixed and pan/tilt/zoom (PTZ) network cameras integrated with Milestone XProtect Enterprise video management software. Surveillance video would be stored locally at each campus, where select staff members have access to live feeds and archived footage of their respective campuses. As an added layer of safety, TRA configured the system so that the main security station at the Kenosha campus could simultaneously monitor the cameras across all its campus properties.

Result
Incidents of theft, physical violence and vandalism have dropped significantly since the network cameras were installed. The IP system has helped recover an instructor's stolen laptop, ensured new common rooms are well maintained and, in one instance, video of an alleged assault from the Racine campus was forwarded to the local police within 20 minutes of the event, which resulted in the suspect being apprehended the next day. Local reporters and community bloggers voiced amazement that anyone would try to commit a crime on a campus with such a high-tech surveillance system, and praised the cameras for catching the alleged criminal's “mug” on camera.

The most common complaints focused on poor lighting in the parking lots, too few security guards patrolling the campus and no emergency call boxes. The college added LED lighting to better illuminate all the parking lots, hired a professional security service to maintain a more visible presence and installed emergency call boxes throughout the campuses. Gateway then took security improvements a step further when the college made the decision to replace its outdated, disparate standalone analog surveillance equipment with a new network video system.

Gateway turned to Technology Resource Advisors, Inc., a Wisconsin IT and surveillance integrator, who had the knowledge and experience needed to help make the campuses safer.

“In our latest survey, students said they appreciated all the upgrades we've done,” shares Ray Koukari, Dean of Campus Affairs at Gateway Technical College, Racine campus. “They report that they feel a lot safer. And, in fact, security was given a top ranking, which is rare (in the educational world).” Gateway prominently posted signs at every entrance stating that the campus is under surveillance. “We want students and visitors to know that we're covering every inch and cranny of our campuses with video and audio recording,” states Koukari. “It's a pretty effective deterrent.”

Mix and match to cover every nook and cranny
“The problem with our old DVR-based analog systems is that they were standalone systems from a number of different vendors, some of which had gone out of business,” explains John Thielen, Director of Building Services for Gateway Technical College's Racine campus. “It was pretty hard to manage. We needed an enterprise network solution that could bring all those systems under one umbrella.”

While the new network-based surveillance system at the college has standardized on Axis vandal-proof cameras with HDTV-quality video and audio capabilities, TRA has network-enabled some of the campus' existing analog cameras with Axis encoders to extend the life of those legacy investments. Moving to an all- IP solution, TRA has drawn on the breadth of products in the Axis camera portfolio, choosing camera models with the best image quality and the right mounting accessories for each specific location and application.

“The Axis Product Selector portal is a fantastic tool that helps me select the right product,” acknowledges Thomas Reminga, CTO of Technology Resource Advisors, Inc. and an Axis Certified Professional, “while all the technical specs and engineering designs help me determine if a particular camera will give my clients the images they need.”

With these tools at hand, TRA deployed AXIS P3344-V and AXIS P3346-V Fixed Dome Network Cameras at every building entrance with an eastern or western exposure because these models could handle the wide dynamic range of lighting conditions, including day/ night change over, and provide better identification of people going through these choke points. Conversely, TRA installed AXIS P3304-V Fixed Dome Network Cameras in the windowless hallways where the need for wide dynamic range wasn't a factor. AXIS 212 PTZ Network Cameras, which could be mounted vertically or horizontally, gave wide coverage of indoor spaces with a 120° field of view. AXIS Q6034-E PTZ Dome Network Cameras were pole mounted in the rear parking lots and equipped with responders to automatically pan and zoom to the nearby emergency call station in case a panic button was pushed. Because of distances from camera sites to campus buildings, TRA used Firetide wireless connectivity to link the parking lot cameras to the network.

TRA also installed 3 different models in the AXIS P13 Series with increasing resolutions at every choke point in the parking lots. “We aimed the cameras with the narrowest field of view and highest resolution at the driveways to catch the license plate and facial features of the drivers,” explains Reminga. “We used cameras with progressively wider angles further back to observe where the drivers went once they exited the vehicle or parking lot.”

Tracking campus activity remotely with smart search Unlike their former analog system, Gateway staff can now remotely access the video from anywhere. “During a weekend snowstorm, instead of trudging my way to campus, I'll log onto the cameras from home to make sure the plow service has cleared the parking lots before school opens on Monday,” says John Thielen. “As Dean of Campus Affairs, I sometimes get calls after hours from security,” shares Dean Koukari. “So I'll just log onto the system from home and look at the archived video to see what happened.”

Each individual campus maintains its own security station for monitoring its specific cameras. Access is limited to the director of security, the dean of the campus, the service company providing the security guards and the facilities director. If a facilities director at one campus is out of the office, he or she can grant temporary password-protected access to another campus' facilities director to cover for them. As an added layer of safety, TRA configured the system so that the main security station at the Kenosha campus could simultaneously monitor the cameras installed at every other campus. “We really like the ease of use of the Milestone video management system,” states John Thielen. “We can do smart searches for things like a book bag left unattended in a room and figure out exactly when it disappeared from the scene.”

Furthermore, Gateway takes full advantage of the VMS' ability to remotely control their Axis PTZ cameras and override their guard tour programming if the security staff wants to zoom in for a closer look at an event in progress.

Improving campus life in and out of the classroom Dean Koukari tells of one incident where Axis cameras were instrumental in recovering a faculty member's stolen laptop. “Someone broke the door to her office and snatched the laptop right off her desk,” recalls Koukari. “When she learned we had caught the incident on video and could clearly identify the culprit, she announced it to her next class. Within hours, the individual dropped the laptop off at an unmanned security desk.” Koukari acknowledges that since the person wasn't a Gateway student, the college would have been hard pressed to track him down.

Axis cameras have also played a key role in keeping renovated classrooms and common room furnishings like new. “We just completed year two of a three-year plan to update all our furniture,” says Koukari. “People warned us not to do it because it could eventually get trashed. But it all still looks like new – the flat screen TVs, the Xbox equipment and even the pool table.” Koukari attributes the absence of vandalism and damage to the students' awareness of cameras monitoring the area.

“Word is out that if you come on our campus, expect to be recorded,” asserts Koukari. “If we catch you causing damage or throwing a punch, we'll be able to identify who you are and you'll face disciplinary action. It has really helped to boost our reputation as a safe environment for our students and our staff.”

Bosch Supplies Security Solution to Luxury Apartment in Vietnam

Editor / Provider: Bosch Security Systems | Updated: 7/31/2012 | Article type: Residential & Consumer

With 750 modern apartments spread over five 28-story buildings, Vietnam's first luxury residential project, the Vista in Ho Chi Minh City, is the result of investments totaling $200 million. The developers turned to Bosch Security Systems when it came to ensuring the safety of the occupants and facilities. The latter includes 35,000 square meters of retail space, a 50-meter pool and a modern clubhouse boasting a steam bath, spa and sauna, a gymnasium, putting green and a tennis court.

At the Vista, Bosch surveillance cameras are in operation to detect movement and so protect people and property. An audible alarm warns of intruders entering a restricted area, and the sound is loud enough to be heard over a large distance. In addition, the integrated public address system informs the relevant occupants that an unauthorized person may be in the area. The alarm thus serves a two-fold purpose: it announces when a zone is in danger and can further help in capturing the intruder.

To facilitate round-the-clock surveillance throughout the complex, Bosch installed 56 vandal-resistant IR dome cameras, three AutoDome Series day/night PTZ cameras, and 15 of the LTC Series cameras. These are backed by the latest high-resolution, high-performance LCD monitors from the UML range, coupled with seven digital video recorders. Alongside this video system, no fewer than 800 LHM and general-purpose ceiling loudspeakers were integrated to allow for clear emergency messaging and public address announcements. Finally, Bosch installed more than 200 of the highly-efficient LBC horn loudspeakers, as these provide excellent speech reproduction and sound distribution for a number of outdoor applications.

Geutebruck video surveillance technology is key to Australian suicide prevention project

Editor / Provider: Geutebruck | Updated: 8/31/2012 | Article type: Security 50

Gap Park in Sydney, Australia, extends for a couple of kilometres along sheer rugged cliffs facing the Pacific Ocean. It is an area of stunning scenery which has a sad history of suicides, accidents and unexplained deaths. To reduce these human tragedies Woollahra Municipal Council implemented a master plan involving both deterrence and response measures, a key element of which is a Geutebruck GeViScope-based video security system designed by Security Consultants International and installed by Kings Security Systems.

Consultations with local residents, mental health and crisis support agencies revealed that troubled individuals attracted to this dangerous and relatively isolated location often spend several hours on the cliff tops before finally deciding to commit suicide, and that active intervention during this period might save life. So the council's plan included video surveillance to identify critical incidents day or night and assist rapid police intervention, as well as improvements to the park's amenities and safety infrastructure.

The project began with restyling the park entries, erecting new inward curving fences along the cliff edge to deter climbing, as well as installing new seating and low level LED lighting to improve the ambience especially at night. New signs were added to draw attention to two purpose-built, vandal-resistant telephone help points. These have autodialing for the charity Lifeline and the emergency services, together with automatic audio visual feeds and location ID. Four Bosch MIC 412 thermal PTZ cameras were positioned to provide vision at night and in bad weather, at considerable distance and amongst vegetation.

With additional federal funding in 2011 came a GeViScopeHS/R with an expansion unit; additional fixed view cameras for monitoring the telephone help points; and five Moog ‘thermal & optical' cameras for providing thermal and optical views at the same time.

Most cameras are concentrated near the entrances and along the cliff-top walk so that monitoring centre operators can help police with missing persons searches by identifying individuals as they enter or leave the park, and locating them if they remain in the park.

The remote operator only views the live video and assesses the situation when requested to do so by the police – i.e. when a member of the public has reported a possible incident, when there has been an emergency call from a help point, or following an alert from Lifeline. The operator can also review recorded footage for post-incident investigation but only with specific permission from the Council.

Justine Henderson, communications manager and spokesperson for Woollahra Council reports, “We know the footage has been useful to police in responding to potential on site emergencies as we've seen an increase in use of the monitoring provided by the camera system. At the start of the project the footage was being used for retrospective investigations and now it is being used more for direct interventions – which is a good result.”

Analytics identifies dangerous incidents
In autumn 2011 an extended trial using a selection of existing cameras was successful in establishing that the Geutebruck GeViScope's VMD video analysis function running on thermal camera streams could accurately identify dangerous incidents and provide a reliable basis for alerting the emergency services.

The VMD software was set up with two lines of alarm zones, one along the fence and one parallel on the seaward side. Time thresholds were used to pick up someone climbing over the fence, and an alarm was set to trigger immediately if a target moved from the first line of zones into the second line at the cliff edge.

The system correctly identified incidents where individuals, or groups, breached the safety fence and ventured out to the cliff edge. Some people were clearly just making sight-seeing or thrill-seeking explorations but others seemed to have more troubled motivations. False alarms were minimal and proved very easy for operators to recognise and disregard.

In the light of this, Woollahra Council is seeking funding to add a small number of fixed view cameras to the video system to establish a permanent analytic detection ‘fence line'. This VMD option is substantially cheaper than ground-based radar and offers the advantage of combining video display, detection and verification all in one. With some dedicated fixed view cameras taking care of these core functions, the existing PTZ cameras would then be available to provide the operator with a wider view, more accurate details etc., without risk of disturbing the VMD function.

“Geutebrück Pacific's entire team are particularity proud of this project,” says managing director, Anthony Brooks. “It's very exciting to be applying this advanced technology outside the traditional security environment and particularly where it has the potential to deliver very positive outcomes for many individuals and their families. We can't think of a more worthwhile and satisfying project.”

Technology Tightens Mining Safety

Editor / Provider: Tevin Wang | Updated: 7/31/2012 | Article type: Commercial Markets

The fact that mining sites are in remote locations creates significant challenges for service delivery. Long distances, combined with high risks associated with the industry, leave mining security and safety a lot of room for improvement.

The first step in managing site security issues is to identify and assess all risk factors applicable to the individual site. “When assessing sites for a solution fit, we take the approach of understanding how the site operates from a who-where-when- why point of view,” said Evan Morgans, Strategic Program Manager at Gallagher. “Covering of all aspects of who is allowed to access a specific area at what times, and most importantly, why that person is going to an area which is tied to licenses, inductions and competencies held by the person.” Whether that person going to an area holds the necessary licenses, inductions and competencies required.

Dave Erchull, VP of Global Risk Partners, agreed. “Security needs also change as the mine evolves. Increased production means more gold and silver may be stored on site. Even new construction, additions to the mining property, and the opening of new ore deposits can have an impact on security practices. Yet, rarely does a mine consider new security practices as a high priority.”

“The key to reducing the security risk is to look at how the mine is keeping the product safe, controlling access to the product, maintaining good camera coverage and installing an adequate alarm system,” Erchull added. “Solutions must be customized based on several factors including mine site, the product, what level of refining is done on site and [in] remoteness.”

Perimeter Security
“From a security point of view, there is a lot of additional security on mines around gold rooms and diamond sorting rooms, or high value products,” Morgans said. It is done in consultation with the site and risk analysis, by comparing the cost benefits of a given solution and the damage that could incur from a possible loss of products. “Depending on the physical environment, we install perimeter security solutions around these locations where it can deter, detect or delay intruders attempting access.”

Although perimeter fencing is important, mines are often open and outsiders are often allowed in. Moreover, perimeter fencing is often impractical due to the large and difficult landscape of mine sites. “North American mines have very lax perimeter security, which allows criminals to enter the property and get close to areas where the precious metals are stored and loaded,” Erchull warns. “The prospect of several million dollars of gold can tempt many hardened criminals. The threat isn't only to the mine's product. An armed robbery that takes place during the work day is a threat to the employees.”

“We recommend doing perimeter security with a combination of technologies including electrified fences and various sensors that can detect changes in wire tension, wires being cut, or a fence panel being lifted out or tilted,” said Morgans.

Video surveillance combining video, audio, thermal images with access control can be integrated with perimeter security. “By associating thermal camera with intrusion algorithm to a powerful PTZ dome lets operators get a more reliable monitoring of large areas while [the] PTZ feature keeps [an] alerted area under surveillance,” said Andrea Sorri, Director of Government, City Surveillance and Critical Infrastructure Development, Axis Communications.

Geo-fencing areas can be first created with different security layers. For instance, anyone entering the outdoor area of the mine, the so-called “green area” is watched by cameras. In that area the focus is on a general surveillance whereby faces must be clearly identifiable. In the pre-sorting area where the precious materials are already present, recording should be linked to the access control system, which means that the recording only starts when someone enters the area. The access data of the person is subsequently linked with the video image so that the security personnel always have the personal data as well as the image on hand.

Manchester Metropolitan Business School Protected by Samsung Techwin

Editor / Provider: Samsung Techwin | Updated: 7/25/2012 | Article type: Security 50

Security personnel will be relying on Samsung video surveillance cameras to help them maintain a safe and secure environment at Manchester Metropolitan University's new Business School when it opens in September 2012.

The new Business School will be located in an architecturally stunning $1.2 billion building located on the University's All Saints campus. 4,000 undergraduate and 1,000 postgraduate students will be able to enjoy the ultra modern facilities of the new building whilst pursuing degrees or carrying out research in all the major sub-disciplines of business and management.

“The teaching rooms and lecture theatres in the new Business School will be equipped with the very latest IT equipment, projection and audio equipment,” said Mark Shutt, Security Manager for Manchester Metropolitan University. “We will need to detect any would-be thieves who might be tempted to steal the valuable equipment that we have invested in to provide the best possible teaching facilities. Apart from the cost of replacing any items which might be stolen or damaged, the consequential costs in terms of disruption to the teaching process is also something we are determined to avoid. We also intend to have a zero tolerance policy in respect of anti-social behaviour.”

110 Samsung dome cameras have been installed throughout the new building, 95 of which are SNV-3080 fixed position dome cameras. The remainder are SNP-3301 PTZ domes which have a 30x optical zoom facility to allow operators to observe close up detail of faraway objects or people. Both models incorporate Day/Night cameras and feature Wide Dynamic Range (WDR) technology which makes them ideal for locations where there may be strong contrasting lighting conditions. They also both offer multiple streaming of images with a choice of MJPEG, MPEG-4 and H.264 compression methods, providing the option to simultaneously transmit images to multiple locations at various frame rates up to 25 frames per second, and at different resolutions. This allows different authorised users to monitor live images at the University's control room whilst having the option to record and store video evidence at another location. At the same time, images can be saved onto an on-board SD memory card and if required, email notifications of any incidents can be sent to a smartphone.

“We took advice from a number of people, as well as carrying out our own research in order to ensure that we had chosen the correct cameras for what we wished to achieve from the video surveillance system,” said Mark Shutt. “After considerable analysis of all the options available, (and there was certainly no shortage of other cameras to consider), we came to the conclusion that we could trust the Samsung brand and that their cameras offered us the best price/performance ratio.”

The images from all of the 110 domes are streamed across the network to a secure control room located in the University's Cambridge Halls South building. Operators in the control room can view live or recorded images of any incident with the help of Samsung's recording software platform via one of six monitors.

Bosch Integrates MIC Series With MG Squared Lowering System

Editor / Provider: Bosch Security Systems | Updated: 7/24/2012 | Article type: Security 50

Bosch Security Systems has announced the successful integration of its MIC Series 550 high-speed pan-tilt-zoom cameras with MG Squared's Lowering System – a device used frequently in intelligent transportation system and secure perimeter installations. The combination makes it even easier and safer to install and maintain pole-mounted MIC Series 550 cameras in these settings.

“With their rugged design, MIC Series 550 cameras are rapidly gaining popularity for monitoring roadways around the world,” said Willem Ryan, senior product marketing manager, Bosch Security Systems. “MG Squared's advanced technology provides customers with the ability to mount our equipment at the best heights and locations for their traffic surveillance requirements while providing easier and safer access to the cameras for any future maintenance needs.”

MIC Series cameras provide 550 TVL resolution with 36x or 28x optical zoom for sharp images even at great distances. The flat window with a long-life silicone wiper and optional washer system enables customers to capture images that are free from distortion in dry and wet conditions.

Built to survive harsh environments, MIC Series cameras feature an IP 68/NEMA 6P-rated housing to ensure complete protection against dust and water ingress without the need for pressurization. And, for reliable operation in tough roadway applications, the cameras can withstand 130 mile (209 kilometer) per hour sustained winds and gusts up to 180 miles (290 kilometers) per hour, as well as shock and vibration up to 20g and 2.0g respectively.

With a Lowering System from MG Squared, MIC Series camera installation and maintenance can be performed on the ground by one technician, eliminating the need for bucket trucks, cone crews or lane closures. This provides tremendous cost savings as well as a more efficient and safer work process. It also frees design engineers from previous limitations on mounting heights, since pole and camera locations are no longer determined by where or how high a bucket truck can reach.

“Independent studies and reports have shown an estimated 80 to 92 percent life cycle savings in video surveillance maintenance costs when customers incorporate a lowering system,” says Martin Manners, III, vice president and general counsel, MG Squared. “Integration with the MIC Series 550 gives customers a rugged PTZ camera that will survive the most challenging conditions along the world's busiest highways and secure facilities.”

Czech City Cuts Crime and Improves Traffic With IndigoVision

Editor / Provider: IndigoVision | Updated: 7/13/2012 | Article type: Security 50

The city of Chomutov in the Czech Republic has chosen a new wide area surveillance system, based on IndigoVision's IP Video technology, to replace its ageing analogue CCTV system from the 1990s. The new wide-area system is part of the city's strategy to reduce crime and improve traffic flow monitoring across Chomutov. It provides the city of 50,000 (80,000 in the metropolitan area) with system reliability and security, as well as integrating with the city police's crisis management software which is linked to it by three Control Center stations. Control Center is the user interface to IndigoVision's Security Management Solution SMS4. The high level of integration has led to improved decision-making and response.

IndigoVision's low bandwidth requirement and excellent picture quality were key factors in the city choosing its solution, along with the distributed architecture with no need for a central server, and easy back up of the NVRs. Mr David Zazo from MP Chomutov stated: “The new system has transformed surveillance in the city – it's reliable and completely stable, with unlimited growth potential due to the distributed architecture. The city police can make better, faster decisions with the excellent picture quality now available to them.”

Local IndigoVision partner MKDS Besy s.r.o. installed 32 analogue PTZ cameras, of which two are mobile to create more monitoring options, connected via 32 IndigoVision 9000 encoders. Two Windows NVR-AS Network Video Recorders are in place, with one in operation and one as back up. The system has 4TB of storage capacity with RAID5 resilience.

The two mobile cameras use IndigoVision's Activity Controlled Framerate (ACF) feature to keep bandwidth requirements low over their Wi-Fi connections. ACF controls the framerate of the video stream based on the amount of motion in the scene. When there is no activity, video is streamed at minimal framerate; the instant any motion is detected, video is simultaneously transmitted at maximum configured framerate to maximise data capture. This significantly reduces the bandwidth and storage requirements for cameras monitoring generally static scenes or during quiet periods such as at night, demonstrating truly responsive technology.

Sunell's Cameras Help to Improve the Security of MMIA

Editor / Provider: Sunell | Updated: 7/3/2012 | Article type: China Corner

The Sunell cameras include motion detection, alarms, and automatic zoom functions, allowing the MMIA security team to instantly focus on a scene of interest or concern.

Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) is an international airport located in Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria, and is the major airport serving the city of Lagos, southwestern Nigeria and the entire nation.

Following the 1999 election, the security situation at Lagos began to improve. In 2009, the airport served 5,644,572 passengers, and the amount is increasing by ten percent or so in these 2 years. The airport authority shall continue to improve their services for both domestic and international passengers, especially the security and surveillance to bring the airport to meet the international standard.

Faced with the challenge of such a place with massive people gathering, the airport authority replaced its old low resolution cameras with 80 network high speed PTZ cameras (SN-IPS54/70DN) from Sunell. They were installed in locations including the airport hall, arrival/departure gates, passenger check-in, baggage handling, employee areas and external areas such as the parking lots, areas around the airport, etc.

Coming to the highlights of the product, it is suitable for monitoring in large-scale scenes, like airport, stadiums, sea ports and banks, etc. It adopts advances ARM ISP and FPGA platform, equipped with Hitachi HD zoom camera, the highest resolution is 1280×960. It supports Onvif and PSIA conformance. Also with the open SDK, it is compatible with over 40 national mainstream platforms. The positioning is very precise with a ±0.02 degree, accuracy, even at very low speed.

The Sunell cameras include motion detection, alarms, and automatic zoom functions, allowing the MMIA security team to instantly focus on a scene of interest or concern, whether it's a suspicious person walking through the airport hall or a suspicious piece of luggage in baggage claim or in one of the airport's restaurants.

PTZ cameras, MMIA has established a centrally controlled system that is capable of 7×24 real-time viewing and monitoring to boost effectiveness.

NY Municipality Future-proofed by Axis Network Surveillance

Editor / Provider: Axis Communications | Updated: 7/3/2012 | Article type: Government & Public Services

Mission
Following a US Dept. of Health and Human Services report on workplace violence, Oswego County (NY) legislators were compelled to examine safety and security in their own municipal buildings. The conclusion: more needed to be done. After examining 15 different system bids ranging from analog DVR to all-IP, Oswego's IT department selected a county-wide IP video surveillance system to give the Sheriff's Department real-time information it needed to protect employees, taxpayers and county assets.

Solution
Cedar Path Solutions Group, a NY-based engineering firm specializing in network surveillance and physical security, recommended an IP video system that piggybacked on the county's existing wired and wireless network. Michael Klapheke, Senior Engineer for Cedar Path and Axis Certified Professional, led the team that installed more than 50 outdoor-ready and ruggedized Axis PTZ and fixed dome network cameras, feature-rich Genetec's Omnicast video management software and reliable Hewlett-Packard ProLiant DL380 G6 archiving servers at each building.

Video is stored on archivers and accessed via individual Genetec client stations throughout the county as well as streamed to the Sheriff's Department's central monitoring station. Motion detection triggers recording to optimize bandwidth and storage while accelerating archive searches.

Result
The Axis IP cameras have helped the Sheriff's Department identify thieves and recover expensive assets, including rolls of copper stolen from county storage facilities. The system is also set up to alert law enforcement to altercations in the courthouse parking lot. The Highway Department even uses network video to monitor weather conditions across the county, dispatching snowplows and sanders as needed from the nearest municipal garage during a winter storm, which saves the town time and money on potentially wasted man-hours.