Axis and US tech institute to deliver software training program

Editor / Provider: Axis Communications | Updated: 4/11/2013 | Article type: Security 50

Axis Communications announced a collaborative educational initiative with Boston-based Wentworth Institute of Technology that provides students with a yearly hands-on training program to accelerate IP video surveillance learning and software application development in the physical security industry.

To kick-off this unique educational initiative, Axis provided network video equipment accompanied by hands-on training for professors and students in Wentworth's Department of Computer Science and Networking. The professors then encouraged students to design software applications they believe would solve challenges in the security industry – without any influence from Axis – as well as in other areas where network video technology is prevalent, such as telemedicine, webcasting, distance learning and retail store management.

The ultimate goal of this ongoing collaboration is to advance the future of intelligent analytic development in the video surveillance industry by expanding computer science learning at Wentworth. Specifically, Wentworth students will develop applications using the Axis Camera Application Platform, an open platform that enables software developers to create third party applications that can be downloaded to run inside Axis IP cameras and video encoders.

Milestone entry-level VMS now in LenovoEMC NVRs

Editor / Provider: LenovoEMC | Updated: 4/11/2013 | Article type: Security 50

LenovoEMC announced a new line of high performance NVRs with expanded video surveillance capabilities that deliver superior performance in capturing, sharing and storing digital video surveillance files. The new LenovoEMC NVRs are ideal for businesses with an existing network storage-based video surveillance network as well as those participating in the ongoing industry upgrade from analog-based surveillance systems.

The new LenovoEMC NVRs are the first in the industry to feature Milestone Arcus, the newest VMS from Milestone, the industry leader in open platform IP video management software.

"Customers that need dependable, affordable video surveillance will benefit from the integration of the new Milestone Arcus VMS platform with award-winning LenovoEMC network storage," said Eric Arcese, President and GM, LenovoEMC. "The result is a dedicated digital video recorder appliance with superior reliability, image quality, ease-of-installation and affordability, as well as the versatility to handle an organization's network storage needs."

The new LenovoEMC NVR product family includes three models: the double-drive LenovoEMC px2-300d NVR with Milestone Arcus, which includes 4TB of storage and 4 camera licenses; and two versions of the new four-drive LenovoEMC px4-300d NVR with Milestone Arcus, one with 4TB and 8 camera licenses and one with 8TB and 16 camera licenses. Each model also comes with a one-year software update plan, enabling users to receive the latest feature updates and releases from Milestone.

March Networks launches POS platform

Editor / Provider: March Networks | Updated: 4/11/2013 | Article type: Security 50

March Networks is pleased to announce its next-generation platform for the retail market. The comprehensive new solution helps retailers enhance security, ensure store compliance and increase revenues by 10 percent or more. Powered by the company's high-performance 8000 Series Hybrid NVRs and Searchlight for Retail video intelligence applications, it allows convenience stores, quick service restaurants and other retail organizations to aggressively cut losses from theft, and audit all aspects of their in-store operations remotely using customizable reports and easy-to-use video playback tools.

"Rather than using video surveillance only when there is an incident, this next-generation platform makes it possible for retailers to proactively improve their profitability and top line revenue," said Net Payne, Chief Marketing Officer, March Networks. "It enables customers to quickly identify and address areas that are affecting profits, whether that's shrinkage they didn't know they had, under-stocked shelves, or long lines at the cash register."

Increased Profitability with Searchlight for Retail
A cornerstone of the retail platform is March Networks Searchlight for Retail, a suite of intelligent software applications that seamlessly integrates video, security analytics and POS transaction data. The easy-to-use applications provide time-saving 'watch lists' - a set of customizable reports that run automatically and come complete with associated video images. Retailers can quickly scan through the reports and click further to review suspect transactions in more detail. By automatically alerting retailers to the potential theft typical in retail environments, these exception reports enable owners, managers and loss prevention investigators to audit their stores' daily performance in minutes. Additionally, Searchlight for Retail supports centralized searches across a few or hundreds of locations simultaneously, making it faster and easier to investigate suspect incidents and proactively detect losses at the POS or elsewhere in a store.

Improved Operations and Customer Service
The March Networks next-generation retail solution also helps retailers improve operations and ensure store compliance across their organization. Live monitoring and playback of recorded video is easily accessed using browser-based video management software. Mobile access is also available using March Networks Cloud, allowing management to see the condition of a store without having to physically visit the location.

Retailers can audit stores at any time for cleanliness, stocked shelves, brand compliance and other factors that contribute to sales and a positive customer experience, and also turn to Searchlight for daily auditing reports, such as images from every store first thing in the morning to ensure each location is opening on time. Optional security analytics on the 8000 Series recorders - including loitering detection and queue monitoring - are also available to help owners and managers proactively address unacceptable customer wait times, people loitering outside of store fronts and other events via real-time alerts.

IKEA in Spain deploys smart POS

Editor / Provider: AxxonSoft | Updated: 4/10/2013 | Article type: Commercial Markets

IKEA, the famous Swedish manufacturer of furniture and home products deployed an intelligent POS surveillance system for its store in the Spanish city of Murcia based on AxxonSoft's POS platform. A total of 32 cameras including both network and analog cameras were installed at the entrances, cash register, and checkout areas. The system was implemented by WAF Digital Structures and local installer Prosegur.

IKEA required an integrated security system to combine smart store surveillance with monitoring of cash register areas, as well as to track and prevent fraud attempts. Special attention was paid to entrances and nearby spaces as well as to cash register areas. A total of 12 analog cameras and four IP cameras made by Brickcom were installed. Among these were 1.3-megapixel dome network cameras with digital and optical zoom.

The checkout area was equipped with 12 cameras, while entrances were equipped with four. A special feature was added to the integrated solution: alerts in case of repeated/unauthorized use of gift cards, which was a key requirement for a store that regularly holds promotions and sales. The system includes two servers and a POS intellect module; three remote operators can use the system simultaneously.

Smart surveillance systems are crucial for any mall or store, regardless of its size or product range. These systems increase profitability, protect staff and customers, and enhance customer service. But they are especially important at popular stores, which experience the greatest personnel workloads and risk of theft, fraud, and unruly behavior. The Intellect-based integrated security system met the client's needs of monitoring checkout transactions and included effective video surveillance and tracking of alerts and alarms.

The history of AxxonSoft's partnership with IKEA has plenty of precedents, such as the intellect-based solutions at IKEA stores in Rostov-on-Don and St. Petersburg in Russia.

Milestone entry-level VMS now in Veracity servers

Editor / Provider: Milestone Systems | Updated: 4/10/2013 | Article type: Security 50

Veracity, manufacturers of Coldstore, the surveillance industry's first sequential storage system, announces Coldstore Arcus, a video surveillance platform for security installations requiring simple live view and forensic playback capabilities with no need for intricate feature sets or complex system architecture. This solution is a pre-integrated product powered by Milestone Arcus VMS that is embedded in the Coldstore hardware - ready to plug in, power on and operate.

Veracity's Coldstore technology is a sequential storage system specifically designed for video surveillance storage. Milestone Systems' newly-announced Milestone Arcus is an embedded VMS offering for integration into technology partners' hardware platforms. Milestone Arcus and Coldstore are an ideal match, combining in a single-box solution which supports all IP camera types. Coldstore Arcus provides capacity of up to 60TB of video data storage and resource-effective power consumption of only 1 watt per terabyte.

The advanced sequential storage technology in Coldstore allows the use of any consumer hard drive to provide up to 60TB of high-reliability storage across 15 drive bays. The entire system operates on less than 66 watts, requires no external cooling and creates a significant differentiator in today's security market.

Veracity's Coldstore Arcus offers a streamlined video management tool and storage system that does not require a separate VMS server. Coldstore Arcus will be sold by Veracity's channel partners. Milestone Systems will provide future upgrades through ongoing releases of the software.

Milestone chose to partner with Veracity due to the innovative video storage approach implemented by Coldstore. Engineers from both companies have worked closely together to exploit the key product advantages so the end result will be a radical departure from today's traditional client/server/storage architecture.

Tomorrow's distribution model

Editor / Provider: Memoori Business Intelligence | Updated: 4/7/2013 | Article type: Hot Topics

The traditional distribution model for physical security products right across the globe was often referred to as “box shifting;” it offered products off the shelf but with few value-added services, according to a recent Memoori Business Intelligence report. This is now rapidly morphing into a sophisticated system delivering value-added services that its clients are now demanding.

There are five main reasons why the change in the structure of the physical security industry is causing the distribution model to change.

1. Manufacturers have over time extended the range of their products, which now have a rich layer of features and capabilities. The supply chain must be able to understand and identify where their clients can benefit from them.
2. A strong brand and channel infrastructure giving reach and efficiencies. Marketing across the globe can now be achieved by small companies through the Internet at lower cost and this has increased the number of suppliers and solutions.
3. The pace of innovation is speeding up. Edge based storage and advances in analytics are creating more and more applications for IP video.
4. Open standards are starting to take a hold. This will open up competition even further and will reduce the barrier to smaller companies. Real competition will then kill off weaker companies and consolidation will come about through open market forces.
5. Increasing demand for full integration across all aspects of physical security solutions and now the business enterprise.

The channels of distribution in the physical security industry are changing to take account of these factors, particularly in the video surveillance sector, where IP network products have taken a major leap forward in the last three years requiring new skills for designing and installing systems. In the vast majority of cases the manufacturers don't want to be directly involved in providing these services to the end user and they therefore require the distribution chain to take on these responsibilities.

This has required new and existing suppliers to set up under the broad classification of distributors but broken down into resellers, system integrators and solution providers. Normally they buy directly from the manufacturer and some have a strong partner relationship to one or a few brands. The term distributor is still used by larger companies from the traditional supply chain and new ones from the information and communication technologies (ICT) business, but these companies now offer to supply all the components necessary to deliver a solution to installers. In addition, many of these companies will also operate straight online sales. Finally, a few manufactures normally having specialist products selling to a few verticals have opted to sell direct to the end user and install themselves. So one size does not suit all. However, for those manufacturers that want to obtain huge global scale (hundreds of millions in revenue) they need to operate through all the distributor channels, but not confuse the market by selling direct.

Since 2006 there have been major changes across the developed markets of the world in how products reach the end user. Our research shows that the value of product passing through the distributor channel has fallen off drastically from over 50 percent in 2006 to around 30 percent in 2011. Their market share has been taken by direct sales to resellers, system integrators and solution providers which have increased share to approximately 50 percent in 2011. The installer system integrator route has been joined by specialists from the ICT industry, and it would appear that the distributors have lost most of their share to these companies that have partnered with the manufacturers of IP network products to offer packaged solutions.

Whilst these trend appear to be most marked in the developed markets of Europe and North America similar trends are now being realized in Asia, and at the same time are now taking place in the access control market; but as yet it's not as pronounced. Getting IP network products to market is going to be a challenge for distributors and one they will have to meet because it will eventually take 100 percent of the business.

These changes are not so startling when taken over a six year period, but their consequences are now being felt, with the recent exposure of weaknesses in the distributor chain and the major European distributor Norbain's demise and fall into receivership. IP network products do not lend themselves to the traditional box shifting treatment of analog products and require more sophisticated application of skills; but few distributors have seen the need to work with the manufacturers to acquire the necessary skills.

Distributors that have become more IP savvy, such as the AES Group and Digitalcom in Thailand and Tri-Ed / Northern in the USA have been able to maintain their share by taking on more system integrator duties especially with regard to system / network design and commissioning. But not all distributors have taken up the challenge and have opted to beef up their eCommerce operations, which may well work provided they can achieve scale on this low margin business.

There is a place for the distributor but not in the traditional role, at least not for long. Knowledge is paramount, especially in a market increasingly connected through integrated building and security environments and bringing together packages that meet these needs and the IT services that they require is now necessary across the distribution network.

The Controlware Group has provided IT communications networking solutions since 1980. During this time Controlware has accumulated extensive experience in the design, delivery and maintenance of cost-effective IP networks. Since 1997 they have also specialized in the integration of applications such as IT security, storage and video surveillance systems. They can now offer total packages of IT communications networks, CCTV cameras, encoders, VMS, recording, and video content analytics systems. They work closely with installer and integrator partners to provide security systems for users from all vertical markets. Their value-added services range from consultancy, product advice and supply through to systems design, project management, commissioning, maintenance and installation through their channel partners.

Alliance and partnership is playing a major role in winning market share in the security business as manufacturers extend the range and depth of their alliances and partnerships with other manufacturers of adjacent products and their system integrators and solution providers. More formal arrangements of sharing data within the distribution chain has resulted in many new solutions for the end users going well beyond improving security. In the last 12 months we have identified more alliance arrangements between manufacturer's distributors and system integrators, working together to provide a solution for a particular vertical market and sharing the development and promotion costs.

Some 2012 IFSEC exhibitors showed a number of case studies on how business intelligence can be gained through IP video surveillance systems brought together through partnerships. Two companies Axis Communications and Panasonic had displays showing how, in particular vertical markets, they had used video streams to provide business intelligence. In both case the concept was instigated by the camera manufacturer as a means to increase sales, but they have worked with other suppliers of surveillance products and access control systems to produce a seamless solution that fitted the needs of the end user. In addition, they have worked with system installers and distributors not only to orchestrate the marketing sales strategy, but identify new applications where they can add value for the end user.

The trends show that alliance has moved on from just joining different manufacturer's products together to providing a total solution between all the stakeholders and is driven by what the end user needs in order to deliver real benefits over and above improving the security performance. So if you want to compete with the top camera manufacturers you not only need to be up there close on performance, but also drive innovation in providing solutions that deliver more value-added and a quicker ROI for the buyer. The distribution network has a vital role in making this happen.

Increasingly the shape of the market is changing as security systems supplied for new projects are increasingly delivered as fully integrated systems, whereas in the past they were supplied as three separate and discreet systems. This has changed the balance within the routes to market with more of this business going through resellers, system integrators and solution providers.

We believe that as the physical security manufacturing business further consolidates the distribution network will be forced to follow suit, and over the next five years we shall see fewer but larger distributors playing an enhanced role. The market share of the resellers, system integrators and solution providers will increase as systems become more sophisticated and integrate with the business enterprise.

Nice Systems rolls out easy-to-deploy PSIM

Editor / Provider: NICE Systems | Updated: 4/8/2013 | Article type: Security 50

Nice Systems announced the roll out of Situator Express, an easy to deploy solution for security situation management which adds an advanced layer of management to the NiceVision IP video surveillance system. The solution enables organizations to effectively monitor, manage and correlate data from four principal security systems - video, access control, intrusion, and fire detection - at a low total cost of ownership.

Situator Express is an open solution that fuses video data from NiceVision with incoming data from additional security systems to provide a unified, holistic operating picture with an intuitive display of maps and images. Using smart sensor correlation, video analytics, and automatic adaptive workflows, Situator Express enables organizations to manage security situations in real time and coordinate the most effective responses according to predefined security procedures. With it, meaningful information is shared with all relevant stakeholders and collaboration is promoted with other departments and external agencies. The solution also has an integrated reporting tool that provides information for later investigation, debriefing, and proof of compliance.

Nice's Security solutions help organizations capture, analyze and leverage big data to anticipate, manage and mitigate security and safety risks, improve operations, and make the world a safer place. The Nice security, intelligence and cyber offerings provide valuable insights that enable enterprises and governments to take the best action at the right time by correlating structured and unstructured data from multiple sensors and channels, detecting irregular patterns, and recognizing trends. Nice Security solutions are used by thousands of customers worldwide, including transportation systems, critical infrastructure, city centers, banks, enterprises and government agencies.

Low-latency HD streaming

Editor / Provider: Ittiam Systems | Updated: 4/5/2013 | Article type: Tech Corner

Ittiam Systems announced its latest low-latency server-client streaming solution, which delivers full HD video (1080p60) at less than 70 milliseconds and less than 60 milliseconds for 720p60 video. The ultra-low latencies achieved will further enhance the response time for real-time interactive applications. Ittiam's low latency video streaming solution has been adopted across broadcasting, industrial and defense applications.

The solution benefits from optimization techniques across multiple components including drivers, codecs and media framework in both the server and the client. One key innovation is optimization for slice-based processing across both hardware and software, which has reduced overall latencies in both the server and the client. Latency-critical applications such as Kernal-based Virtual Machine over IP and vision-guided systems in industrial and defense applications will greatly benefit from this solution.

The solution can be tuned for deployment in different wireless networks or best-effort networks, making it adoptable even in portable devices, remotely operated vehicles such as unmanned aerial / ground vehicles, underwater operated robots, remote bomb detonators, and others.

Ittiam also offers a low latency HD media player on Android for mobile devices. This allows delivery of low latency video directly onto screens of mobile devices, which enables a new class of networked video applications using hand-held devices and thin clients such as cloud gaming. The low latency streaming solution is available as an SDK with a reference application for Android and Linux that can be integrated into custom application. Ittiam also offers a turnkey low latency streaming solution complete with codecs, media framework, application, board support package and ready-to-manufacture hardware design license.

"With its latest solution, Ittiam brings together high quality video and low latencies, setting the stage for a wider adoption of low latency streaming," said Bhavani Gopalakrishna Rao , Senior Manager Video Networking Systems." Ittiam's solution, based on programmable Digital Signal Processors such as the DaVinci DM8169 video processor from Texas Instruments Incorporated, retains flexibility while providing low video processing and delivery latency... Ittiam's low-latency streaming systems have already been deployed in latency-critical applications, including live communication, video surveillance, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle navigation, interactive multimedia applications, collaborative medical devices and custom government and defense applications."

Ittiam's low latency streaming solution is available on a programmable SoC such as DaVinci DM8169 video processor. Unlike Application-specific Integrated Circuit-based implementations, the programmable system provides greater flexibility in adapting the video for application-specific use cases along with other differentiating algorithms.

Indiana day spa improves customer service with HD surveillance

Editor / Provider: IQinVision | Updated: 4/4/2013 | Article type: Commercial Markets

The Woodhouse Day Spa in Indiana recently replaced its analog video system with an IP video surveillance system consisting of 34 IQinVision megapixel cameras and Exacq Technologies mobile VMS to enhance security and customer experience. The cameras were deployed in public areas, at the check-in and check-out counters, in the retail shop, laundry room, and outside the front entrance of the 929 square meters (10,000 square foot facility). No cameras were installed in any treatment rooms. Homeland Technology Group is the integrator for this project.

About four years ago, Ryan and Sarah Lindemann, the spa owners, installed an analog video surveillance system. “The facility is quite large and we wanted to keep track of where everyone was,” said Ryan Lindemann. “Unfortunately, that system proved cumbersome, it was difficult to retrieve the video we wanted, and the image quality was bad.”

Lindemann explained that the new IP system is utilized 90 percent of the time for live monitoring and the balance is incident review. Staff can monitor video at the check-in and check-out desks, the employee break room has a monitor. Staff has become good with monitoring. The spa wanted to keep things quiet and restful, with most staff wearing headphones for efficient and quiet communication in locating staff and dispatching staff to guests in need, added Lindemann.

During initial installment of the video surveillance system, most of the staff thought it was used for employee monitoring, but soon learned it could enhance customer experience and help them work more efficiently, said Lindemann. The video system has been used to review video of when an item went missing, or if a guest questions whether a treatment went the prescribed amount of time. The video system also provides a deterrent against the possibility of employee theft.
 
Lindemann also pointed future additional uses for the IP video surveillance system, which can help the couple spend more quality time with family, when they have their second child. “We can monitor camera views on our iPads and iPhones and on our PCs at home,” said Lindemann. “My wife sees the potential to use the video system to keep on top of activity at the spa so she doesn't have to rush back to full-time work as quickly as she did with our first child.”

UK food processor tackles the deep freeze

Editor / Provider: Bosch Security Systems | Updated: 4/2/2013 | Article type: Commercial Markets

Hannah Foods, a family run business in Skelmersdale, U.K., recently upgraded its legacy video surveillance system with a new system consisting of 40 Bosch Security Systems cameras, three DVRs and a keyboard. Some of the cameras were even installed by Unique Integrated Systems (UIS) in the deep freeze and operated at 23 degrees Celsius. The new video surveillance system includes a mixture of Bosch vandal proof IP domes, and 2X D/N domes for indoor and outdoor surveillance.

Hannah underwent a US$4.57 million (￡3 million) expansion of the business in 2008 that integrated the cold store and chiller, so that all its products can be brought in from local, national and international suppliers and distributed by a fleet of temperature-controlled vehicles. The original system was in dire need of an upgrade, and due to the challenges on site, such as operating in deep freeze environment, Bosch domes were chosen for the job, said Mark Ashall, Operations Director, UIS. Hannah chose the cameras after Steve Dobby, Technical Sales and Support Manager at Bosch made several demonstrations.

“Our old system was very weak and because of the poor quality of the images we could not prove someone's involvement when a couple of incidents happened externally and internally,” said Anthony Whiteside, GM at Hannah. The new security system has proven to be invaluable, and recently assisted the food company in determining damages to its building had been caused by a HGV driver, while reversing into the loading bay. “Had it not been for the cameras we would not have known who had done it and been thousands of pounds worse off because of the damage,” Whiteside added.