24 minute read
INDUSTRY NEWS
THE VOICE OF THE
PROFESSIONAL SECURITY INDUSTRY
BSIA urges alarm installers to take action on their alarm signalling estates in advance of the UK’s transition to an IP voice-based telephony service
The British Security Industry Association (BSIA) is urging security installers to take swift action on their alarm signalling estates in advance of the transition to an all IP (Internet Protocol) fibre based voice service with migration in some areas taking place as early as this autumn. Installers need to be aware of the following: Openreach is upgrading the existing analogue telephone network to an all IP service with the plan to migrate to a full Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) digital platform by the end of 2025. These changes are happening because the PSTN system is dated, difficult to maintain and because there is a global drive towards digital technology.
You may not be aware that the Electronic Security Industry will see the effects of the migration later this year when BT Consumer plan to expand their Digital Voice customer criteria to include ‘special services’ like security & fire alarms and care pendants. So, you may start to get enquiries from your customers asking how their alarm system may be affected.
Openreach are running IP voice trials in the Salisbury & Mildenhall exchange areas and PSTN services will no longer be sold in these areas from December 2020 and May 2021 respectively. Based on Openreach data, approx. 30,000 residential and business premises are in these exchange footprints. Any of these premises with an alarm that currently uses a PSTN line for signalling will be affected.
From June 2021 a further 117 priority exchanges across the UK will be migrated to the IP voice service affecting up to 1.2 million customers. After this date, PSTN services will no longer be sold in these exchange areas, which includes Belfast, Birmingham, Cornwall, London, Manchester, Leeds and Liverpool.
There are 5600 Openreach exchanges to upgrade in total and quarterly announcements are expected for exchanges subject to migration to meet the 2025 deadline.
Many security systems are subject to Police and/ or insurance policy conditions and customers have an expectation that their system will function on the new IP Voice service. Installers need to be diligent in ensuring this remains the case.
Ofcom and all telecoms stakeholders are also urging security Installers and the wider industry to take action to be prepared for the changes. Alarm signalling will be affected and Installers should contact their signalling service providers to limit the impact of the all IP transition on their customers.
David Wilkinson, Director of Technical Services, BSIA, said: “we have been keeping our industry sector up to date with the changes as they have developed, and given the recent announcements from Openreach, Ofcom and communication providers, our message has escalated to a ‘call to action’ asking installers to take proactive steps to mitigate the risks of systems that may fail to operate if left unchecked.”
Further detailed information supporting this statement can be found at www.bsia.co.uk/digital-voice
Custom Consoles reports strong demand for the Operator Safety Screen since its first shipment in early May. Customers to date include Al Jazeera, Amazon Prime, BBC Studioworks, BETV, CJP, Dega, Farnborough College, Gravity Media, IMG, Input Media, ITN, ITV, One Ten Productions, QVC, Racing UK, Solenis, STV, STV North and TimeLine. With over 300 sales in three months it is one of the fastest selling new products in Custom Consoles’ history.
“Broadcast media studios are gradually returning to a degree of normality following the Covid-19 pandemic,” says Gary Fuller, Sales Manager, Custom Consoles. “The Operator Safety Screen is proving a key part of the strategy introduced by facility managers to reduce the risk of airborne infection or direct physical contact between control room personnel. BBC Studioworks for example has introduced a suite of key Covid-19 safety measures across its three facilities. These include mandatory temperature checks, screen dividers in all Mayflex, the distributor of Converged IP Solutions, is pleased to announce that Avigilon has now achieved the ‘Secure by Default’ certification across their product range. This means that all four security camera vendors available from Mayflex including; Axis, Avigilon, Hikvision and MOBOTIX as well as open platform VMS provider Milestone are now ‘Secure by Default’ certified.
Secure by Default is a standard set out by the Surveillance Camera Commissioner to ensure that the default configuration settings of a product have the most secure settings possible, thereby making it more likely that when the system is installed it will be left in a secure state.
Secure by Default is part of ‘Secure by Design’ that ensures that a product has been designed from the foundation with security in mind and thereby providing galleries, UVC cleaning, one-way pedestrian routes and dedicated operating protocol documents specific to each site.”
The Operator Safety Screen is designed to fit Custom Consoles’ Module-R series of technical furniture but fits all other desks in the company’s product range and those manufactured by other furniture suppliers. Each screen comprises a strongly built birch plywood main frame with rigid low-profile floor supports. A clear polycarbonate panel bonded into the upper section of the frame gives operators an uninterrupted view of all equipment as well as their adjacent colleagues, to support their normal workflow. Handgrips are integrated into the frame for easy relocation.
Custom Consoles’ Operator Safety Screens are available
Mayflex Offer ‘Secure by Default’ Brands
nowwww.customconsoles.co.uk confidence to the end user that introducing IP devices on to their network won’t add any undue or additional vulnerabilities.
Tom Filce, Director of Sales – Security said “At Mayflex we only distribute best-of-breed brands, we aren’t badge collectors but specialists in each of our vendor partners and hence our five largest security partners are all ‘Secure by Default’. Our security portfolio is made up of the leading brands who we feel provide the best solution for our customers – every vendor that we sell, and support is carefully selected to make sure that they fit these criteria.”
For more information on the Mayflex security solution please visit www.mayflex.com
Award-winning IDIS camera keeps watch over Guatemala’s mountain of fire
IDIS video technology is proving itself in one of the toughest and most dramatic applications: 24/7 monitoring of volcanic activity at Guatemala’s Volcan de Fuego.
This volcano, one of the world’s most active and dangerous, is now watched day and night in order to give early warning of impending eruptions. Continual live footage can be viewed online by emergency agencies, scientists and residents, all captured by IDIS’ award winning 8MP 31x IR PTZ camera.
Even from over nine miles away, the 8-megapixel model is delivering ultra-high definition, full day, and night surveillance of the active caldera, showing sudden gas and ash eruptions as often as every 15 to 20 minutes.
In June 2018 nearly 200 people were killed on Volcan de Fuego during a series of explosions and pyroclastic flows which left little evacuation time. This was the volcano’s most powerful eruption since 1974 and its deadliest since 1929 but was far from an isolated incident. More than 60 major eruptions have been recorded over the last five centuries - and with 54,000 people living on the fertile farmlands within 10km of the crater, the risk remains high.
Consequently, ultra-high definition, continual video monitoring – alongside data from sensors including seismology and gas detectors - now aims to protect vulnerable communities living around the volcano by giving early warning.
The H.265 IR DC-S3883HRX camera, which features an 8MP, auto focus, and 31x optical zoom lens, IR performance up to 200m, and a highly sensitive autoreturn positioning sensor, was installed by IDIS, its partner EPCOM and Guatemalan telecommunications specialist Crelosa. Like all IDIS cameras, the model – which has won two prestigious design awards - benefits from true, one-click plug-and-play set up, making it ideal for hassle-free installation at height, in challenging environments, and in locations where engineers are exposed to increased risk.
The IDIS PTZ also features true wide dynamic range (WDR), allowing it to cope easily in changing lighting conditions; electronic image stabilisation (EIS) ensures steady coverage of scenes at distance, so images from the volcano remain crisp and sharp; and H.265 and intelligent codec requires minimum bandwidth even for 4K live monitoring.
The camera also remains stable despite the region’s variable weather conditions, including under strong sun, and when temperatures that fall sharply at night. The water droplet wiper proves essential during the rainy season. Smart failover and IDIS’ Ultimate Warranty gives Crelosa and the Volcan de Fuego monitoring agencies peace of mind that the camera will continue to deliver outstanding video in one of the world’s most dramatic settings.
“We are honoured that IDIS technology has been chosen for such an important application,” says Joon Jun, President of Global Business at IDIS. “Our camera is not only allowing volcanologists and scientists to learn more about this most active volcano, it will also potentially help to save lives.”
For more information, please visit www.idisglobal.com
PRE F P O R A I P RED VO I C E ?
Mitigating
risk, protecting your customers A call to installers
PAC accelerates the move to contactless workplaces with its new RTE button
PAC, the world leading supplier of innovative access control solutions, has announced the availability of its new contactless and hands-free request to exit (RTE) button, which will support organisations as the post-lockdown return to work begins in earnest. With strict hygiene measures and employee safety now more important than ever, access control systems have a role to play in preventing the spread of infection and PAC’s contactless RTE will help to reduce the number of potential contact points within a building.
‘Before the lockdown, contactless and hands-free technology was often considered a luxury rather than a necessity but that situation is changing quickly now that employees are returning to their workplaces,’ explained Pete England, PAC’s global product manager. ‘We intend to do as much as we can to facilitate hygienic workplaces and help organisations meet new safety standards during this time. Our new contactless RTE technology reduces the possibility of cross contamination and protects occupants, while also lowering the amount of surfaces that need to be regularly cleaned.’
Highly cost effective, as well as being quick and easy to install, the contactless RTE button fits into a standard single-gang electrical backbox, with simple wiring into PAC controllers including the popular 512 and 212 devices, as well as the Easikey 99 and 250 products. Where an existing push to exit button is in place, the contactless RTE can be retrofitted in minutes and its infrared technology is designed to prevent interference with other infrared devices located on-site. Housed in a stylish stainless steel faceplate, a prominent two colour LED changes from red to green when a successful request has been identified. It is also dust and water resistant to IP65 – something that is an important feature for use in harsh environments.
Ideal for use in a range of applications including offices, multi-tenant residential buildings, schools, hospitals, veterinary surgeries, hotels and care homes, the contactless and hands-free RTE can even detect hands when gloves are being worn. It limits the threat of transference of disease, infections and dirt between users and with an adjustable latch time from 0.5 to 20 seconds, it can also be used as part of a social distancing policy.
Pete England concluded, ‘All aspects of our lives have changed radically over a relatively short period and we need to quickly adapt to new ways of working. The current situation also means that organisations need to think about how they use access control technology, as they seek to protect building occupants. The contactless RTE is just one of a number of cost effective and easy to implement solutions that PAC is bringing to market to help meet the demands of its customers, as they combat the spread of infection.’
For further information please visit www.pacgdx.com
Equipping 16th-century doors with 21st-century access control
Schools and heritage sites present their own unique difficulties for security and access control. But what about a school that is also a heritage site of exceptional value? This was the challenge facing security administrators at the Colegio Diocesano Santo Domingo in Orihuela, Spain.
The Colegio Diocesano is more than just a school. Its historic buildings date to the 1500s, a heritage site as well as a place of learning — with a museum which requires the protection of the same access system.
Hence, the brief for a new access system required minimal disruption on two fronts. The college buildings are a Resource of Cultural Interest and on Spain’s heritage registry: they must not be damaged. School leaders also required little disturbance of everyday school learning. Wireless access control was the obvious answer.
A wire-free solution to a 16th-century problem
SMARTair® wireless access control devices now control access through 300 doors around the school. A mix of battery-powered escutcheons and weather-proof escutcheons, knob cylinders and wired wall readers (including for lifts), are connected to SMARTair’s intuitive software by a network of 38 wireless communication hubs.
The school chose SMARTair Wireless Online management for their new keyless access system. This powerful management option enables real-time security control to limit free access to and around the site, even if the school data network is down. Automated emails inform security staff of any incidents, keeping students, staff, equipment, and precious heritage safe.
“The main benefit is the ease of real-time key management — from any place and at any time — via the wireless online management system,” says IT Manager, Francisco Fernández Soriano. “This increases security for children and for staff, because no unauthorised people can enter the school.”
SMARTair locks and readers provide a streamlined way to manage access. Student and staff carry credentials programmed to allow access to specific authorized areas. SMARTair TS1000 software makes it easy to issue and cancel access credentials for temporary visitors such as parents.
“In addition to the main entrances and classrooms, access to private spaces such as lifts, offices, staff rooms, the church, the museum, the library and the IT room is constantly monitored,” he adds. “Thanks to our SMARTair devices installed at more than 300 doors, the security team can find out who has accessed which space and when, at any time.”
Installation and integration
Installation of the school’s new SMARTair system demanded minimal work. Some school doors date to the 16th century, so major alterations to door hardware were not possible. “The system was installed without a hitch and also without any disruption to classes,” confirms Fernández Soriano. Because SMARTair is a modular system, scalability is built in. They can extend or fine-tune their access system when they choose. Indeed, SMARTair’s “Phase II” is already under discussion.
SMARTair software also easily slotted into the school’s existing management workflows. The Colegio Diocesano has used iinventi education management software for the past five years. Integration with SMARTair software was simple: access control, the library and canteen are managed from an integrated system.
“SMARTair gives the school’s security team the answers they need,” concludes school director, Reverend José María Fernández-Corredor.
To learn how easily SMARTair® wireless access control could secure your premises, download a free solution guide at https://campaigns.assaabloyopeningsolutions.
eu/smartair
Hanwha Techwin has launched AI deep learning based video analytics Social Distance Measuring application which, in a COVID-19 affected world, helps businesses to implement their social distancing policies.
Developed by A.I Tech, Hanwha Techwin’s award winning technology partner, the server based Social Distance Measuring application is able to accurately measure the distance between people in a camera’s field of view and will generate an alarm if social distancing rules are not being complied with. Users can also be alerted if the number of people within an area exceeds a specified threshold.
Effective in indoor and outdoor environments Compatible with all Wisenet cameras, the application has been developed for use in workplaces, such as offices and factories, as well as a wide range of other indoor locations including art galleries, museum and places of worship. The Social Distance Measuring application performs equally well in outdoor environments and offers a highly effective social distancing implementation tool for public transport environments and in city centres where local authorities are looking to monitor and manage the crowds which may gather in popular locations.
The application has been integrated with Wisenet WAVE Video Management Software (VMS), with users having the option to use web-based AI Tech dashboard to collect, aggregate, view and act on alarms and events from multiple camera streams. The data can also be visualised through charts, tables and images, whilst data is easily exported through .csv, .jpeg or .pdf and integrated into third-party systems. The dashboard is fully customisable to meet individual user’s operational requirements and is accessed via a PC, smartphone or tablet.
Peace of mind
“In our ‘new normal’ world, there are countless businesses who wish to give their colleagues, customers and visitors confidence that the need for a safe distance between them, is being respected,” said Uri Guterman, Head of Product & Marketing for Hanwha Techwin Europe.
“The Social Distance Measuring application will help them do so and as such, perfectly complements the capabilities of our licence-free Occupancy Monitoring solution which is designed to be installed at entrances and accurately counts the number of people entering or leaving a building. Both are part of a suite of COVID-19 related solutions offered by Hanwha Techwin, which also includes a Face Mask Detection application.
For more information about Hanwha Techwin, please visit www.hanwha-security.eu
Vision Box implements automated gates at Terminal 1 Of Kansai International Airport
Europe’s leading multinational technology company, dedicated to improving the quality and security in government services, travel and border control, has announced the launch of automated pre-security gates at the Kansai International Airport in Osaka, Japan, the second largest airport in the Vinci Group, handling over 30 million passengers annually.
Vision-Box has successfully implemented five banks of 12 pre-security gates (GT11) at Terminal 1 of the Kansai International Airport, operational from Monday, 27 July 2020. The partnership supports Kansai Airports’ wider efforts to promote a ‘Fast Travel’ experience for passengers, allowing for a smoother departure procedure. By automating the boarding pass confirmation procedure at the departure gate, the self-scan will replace the need for inspectors to manually check and scan passenger boarding passes, speeding up the overall travel experience.
The launch of the automated gates comes at a pivotal moment for Kansai International Airport, allowing for fast contactless operation, helping prevent the spread of infectious diseases especially during the current covid-19 pandemic.
Speaking about the launch of the automated gates, Jeremy Goldstrich, COO at Kansai Aiports said: “We are delighted to partner with Vision-Box to implement cutting edge contactless automated gates at Terminal 1, allowing for a seamless travel experience for passengers. By automating the boarding pass confirmation procedure at the departure gate, we will realize a smoother departure procedure. Until now, an inspector took a boarding pass from the customer in front of the international security checkpoint and read it with a scanner to determine whether or not to pass it. Kansai Airports will continue to proactively introduce cutting-edge technology to improve the convenience of the airport and provide a comfortable and new travel experience.”
Speaking about the partnership Miguel Leitmann, CEO of Vision-Box, said: “We are delighted to announce a partnership with Kansai Airports. This is another positive step forward in increasing our presence in the country as we aim to deliver innovate projects which focus on seamless travel and identity management. We believe that the team at Kansai International Airport share our vision to modernise and change the landscape of the travel and aviation industry for the better. While Vision-Box continues to drive such technology in the field, Japan is no doubt one of the leaders in technological development and this partnership is testament to our hard work and expertise in delivering such innovation.”
Vision-Box is also working closely with The World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) and other industry organisations to launch a second phase of measures to rebuild global consumer confidence to encourage the return of travelling, which will focus on safe and efficient solutions to get the travel sector functioning near normal conditions. Vision Box also recently published a focused, high-level industry survey of the world’s top airports, airlines, and government agencies titled the ‘Effects of COVID-19 pandemic on the aviation sector’, which found 63% of organisations in the aviation, airline sector and government agencies seek to implement biometric technologies at airports for contactless travel.
For further information visit www.vision-box.com
Gallagher and Detection Technologies Limited join forces
Security solutions manufacturer, Gallagher, has partnered with Detection Technologies Limited, a highperforming microphonic cable solutions manufacturer. The partnership will see Gallagher distribute Detection Technologies’ VibraSector and MikroTek detection systems as part of their perimeter security portfolio.
The partnership was formed following an extensive on-site product assessment, which highlighted and confirmed the high quality of Detection Technologies’ products. Testing of the products returned very low false alarms and excellent detection probability – two of Gallagher’s key measures of performance.
“At Gallagher, quality, performance, and reliability contribute to the non-negotiable foundation of our STANLEY Security, one of the UK’s leading security providers, has produced a range of valuable resources for organisations looking to meet government guidance on workplace safety during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The resources include a guide to thermal cameras in the workplace; practical advice on how to leverage security technology to help maintain social distancing; site occupancy management solutions to help keep customers, visitors and staff safe through real-time people counting software; and a detailed overview on the types and benefits of remote security monitoring.
In addition, visitors to the site can download a free Future of Security e-book, which includes insights from experts across STANLEY Security and identifies technologies considered to be fundamental in helping businesses navigate today’s – and tomorrow’s – challenges.
Further to the range of valuable resources showing security solutions,” says Rachel Kelly, Gallagher’s Chief Product Officer – Enterprise Solutions. “As we continue to expand upon our product portfolio and work to delight our users, we’re consciously partnering with organizations who align with our values and help us deliver exceptional outcomes. We’re pleased to partner with Detection Technologies to offer wider access to perimeter intrusion detection systems around the world.”
Gallagher will distribute Detection Technologies’ VibraSector analyzer, VibraTek Plus sensor cable, and MikroTek analyzer to most countries worldwide.
STANLEY Security provides customers with COVID-19 workplace safety resources
For further information please visit www.gallagher.com how customers can use security systems to help make workplaces COVID-19 safe, a new ‘Clean Touch’ video is included on the website showing how STANLEY Security is maintaining social distancing during customer site visits and sanitising procedures. This includes turning up on time, every time to avoid congregating; sanitising vehicles and tools before every customer visit and only having one person per vehicle; wearing facial coverings and gloves which are changed throughout the day; and sanitising workspaces at customers’ sites on arrival and when leaving.
For more information on STANLEY Security’s COVID-19 workplace safety resources, please go to
www.stanleysecurity.co.uk/resources/blog/ coronavirus-serving-our-customers-safely-andhygienically
Club Car takes to the streets
Club Car is now street legal in every country in the EU.
Club Car’s electric utility vehicles offer an attractive alternative to traditional petrol-powered vehicles. For a start there’s no petrol costs – and zero emissions.
Club Car’s vehicles have the power to perform numerous campus tasks, from mail delivery to security and maintenance.
Want to know more? Contact your Club Car representative today.
STREET LEGAL
www.clubcar.com info_esa@clubcar.com (+44) 777 180 5463
A leading British designer and manufacturer of anti-terrorist bollards based in Coventry has won a contract for a major government project to protect key infrastructure in Norway from vehicle attacks.
Safetyflex Barriers has secured a deal for its innovative Truckstopper bollards to be installed at various locations to help secure the public and buildings from potential terrorist vehicle attacks.
The export win means it is now the main supplier of anti-terrorist bollards into Norway.
Its specialist technology and cutting-edge designs have resulted in major contracts in the UK and overseas including Europe, the US and Australia, with export now accounting for over a third of business.
Its range of anti-terrorist bollards and barriers are capable of stopping large vehicles from being used as deadly weapons in areas such as shopping centres, sports stadiums, government buildings, military, utilities and key infrastructure centres.
Marcus Gerrard, director of Safetyflex, said: “We are really pleased to win these key projects in Norway as part of our ongoing expansion into new international markets. We are securing major contracts around the world because we can offer something totally different.
“Most anti-terrorist bollards are very large and round, and can look overbearing and ruin the street scene whereas our Truckstopper bollard designs are slimline and oval, and more aesthetically-pleasing.
“They can be hidden within street furniture such as planters or bike racks around the public realm and often passersby are unaware that they are a barrier to stopping a large vehicle at speeds of up to 80mph.
“A shallow foundation size of only 20cm also means that they can be set up without the need to re-diver utilities which makes them highly cost-effective.
“We have also now launched a new range of surface mount anti-terrorist barriers which require no foundations and only need to be placed on the ground, making them ideal for securing temporary events, markets and stadiums.”
Safetyflex Barriers has worked closely with the Department for International Trade in Norway based at the British Embassy, and with their security and defence team.
Marcus said: “We have been really grateful for the support from the Department for International Trade in Norway.
“Through their local knowledge and network, they helped with introducing our solutions to key government departments and Norway’s top security advisers and consultants.
For information visitwww.safetyflexbarriers.com
i-PRO Introduces New Camera Series with AI Engine for Higher Levels of Intelligence at the Edge
Panasonic i-PRO Sensing Solutions Corporation of America, formerly Panasonic Security Group in the U.S. and now branded as i-PRO, is launching its new series of surveillance cameras with artificial intelligence (AI) engines. The newi-PRO X-Series enable analytical applications on the network edge, further optimizing performance, system bandwidth and storage requirements. “Our new i-PRO X-Series take imaging to a whole new level by providing intelligent video analytics at the edge while maximizing network and bandwidth efficiencies,” said Bill Brennan, President, Panasonic i-PRO Sensing Solutions Corporation of America. “The introduction of these intelligent edge devices is indicative of the new direction we are taking with the formation of our new company, i-PRO, to deliver proactive security with cutting-edge technology.” The new i-PRO X-Series employ an AI engine with on-board analytics to detect suspicious changes in scenes, automatically adjust image settings of the scene being analyzed, and optimize video compression to conserve network bandwidth and server storage capacities. The new cameras can install up to three (3) video analytics applications, with two (2) applications available in July. The two analytics now available include: Intrusion Detection, capable of detecting any human, vehicle, two-wheel motorcycle or bicycle; and Privacy Masking to detect and recognize human figures in a video scene and pixelate their figures or faces for privacy protection. A new software development kit (SDK) is also available for third parties to develop compatible software. The new i-PRO Extreme X-Series includes six (6) new models with 5MP or 4K resolutions in indoor and outdoor vandal-resistant dome or box configurations. The 5MP models will be available in August, and the 4K models will be released in October. Additionally, the new cameras are bundled with i-PRO Video Insight 7.7 VMS software and feature a five-year warranty.
For more information visiti-PRO.com/surveillance
