7 minute read
Ajax
PSI PRODUCT REVIEW 2021
MotionCam: The next level of informative alarms
ajax.systems Even the most reliable security equipment is never fully protected from false alarms. Most of the time, they occur due to simple oversights, hyperactive pets, or incorrect installation. But when the security companies react to false alarms, they risk getting late in case of a real emergency. Some send security patrols to check the unverified alarms right away. The others count the detector triggerings before responding and lose precious minutes in the result. In any case, false alarms bring stress for the consumers and the risk of suffering losses.
Prime security companies found the solution in photo and video alarm verification. Both options came with serious compromises. On the one hand, motion detectors equipped with cameras provided a technical possibility to see what triggered the alarm. But the systems that support such devices required frequent maintenance (due to low battery life), delivered low-quality pictures, and were significantly overpriced. On the other hand, video surveillance allowed for a 24/7 monitoring but came with the new difficulties: complicated installation and configuration, total dependence on the building’s infrastructure, high risks of malfunctioning and exploits, as well as the privacy issues. Both solutions didn’t have a chance to become the new security standard.
The market required the new cost-efficient solution that would unite the reliability and informing efficiency of the best security systems with the visual capabilities of the cameras.
We weren’t the first ones to develop the security system with visual alarm verification. But we have rethought the experience of using the equipment from the consumer’s and the service provider’s points of view. We tested and analyzed the weak spots and best practices in the industry and eventually created a breakthrough product in terms of informing speed, communication distance, and battery life.
To ensure fast and reliable transmission of the photo confirmations, we’ve developed a new Wings radio protocol based on Jeweller. The technologies that MotionCam and Hub 2/Hub 2 Plus use to communicate, nullify the interference between channels during the parallel transmission of alarms and pictures. With Wings, you can view the first snapshot of the situation in under 9 seconds! While the alarm signals sent via Jeweller are still delivered in a split second.
Once motion is detected, MotionCam takes up to 5 photos, which are compiled into an informative animation in the Ajax app
Photo transmission does not shorten the MotionCam communication range. Just like the rest of the Ajax detectors, the gadget operates at a distance of 1700 meters from the hub. This number is one of the top performance results for a camera-equipped detector. The Ajax security system still covers an area of up to 12 km², which is enough to protect the multi-story buildings but now with visual alarm verification.
MotionCam features an extraordinary—for a camera-equipped detector—autonomy with up to 4 years of battery life. This is not an optimistic forecast with ideal use conditions. Instead, it is an estimate for the typical operating conditions, which includes the regular activations and changes in weather conditions.
And we’ve considered the privacy issue. The MotionCam detectors activate their cameras only if triggered by motion when the system is armed. The users and the security company have no way to access the camera and request to take pictures. All photos are encrypted during transmission, and as they are stored at the Ajax Cloud (just like all the events in the security system’s log). No one analyzes and processes the photographs from your detectors.
MotionCam raises the informing quality of the Ajax security system to the next level while preserving its fundamental characteristics. Popular central monitoring software across Europe like Patriot, SBN, ABsistem, WBB, Horus, or Manitou support taking photos from the device. And the recent winning of the “Intruder Alarm Product of the Year” category at the PSI Premier Awards is a major recognition of MotionCam from the British professional community.
“I am proud that we can make such inventions. Without a doubt, the Wings technology sets the new standards in the security industry. Fast photo transmission at a distance of 1700 meters with phenomenal energy efficiency — it’s magic that was previously unavailable on the market. We’ve managed to boost the informing quality of the system to the next level and preserve the familiar user experience at the same time” - Aleksandr Konotopskyi, Ajax Systems CEO
PSI PRODUCT REVIEW 2021
Inner Range
Robust security and easy access for single sites
Inception is Inner Range’s award-winning Entry-level access and security system that blends powerful security measures with ease of use and trouble-free access at single sites
www.innerrange.co.uk
It is simple to install, offers anytime anywhere web browser access without the need for additional software and can integrate with CCTV and some building automation functions to benefit users.
Occupancy controls for safer environments Inception allows building managers to create safer environments by controlling the number of people on site or in particular areas. Inception can count users in and out of specific spaces and restrict access once a set occupancy threshold has been reached. This could be across the whole building, lifts, car parks or individual rooms or offices. Once the level is reached further users’ permissions are suspended until the occupancy count has a spare space.
Health and safety managers receive real-time monitoring and alerts. A report can be run at any time to confirm the occupancy status of any designated area. Inception can also produce trace reports to find specific people, for example to help locate the nearest first aider or security person in an instant. Smart building automations User counts can also be used to trigger other automated actions, such as being able to change heating and air conditioning depending on the number of people on site, or in a particular area. User counts can trigger messages about parking availability for drivers as they enter car parks, or the automatic setting of alarms as people leave the site. All these make life better and easier for users and security managers alike. By automating some building and facilities functions, security managers can free up their time to deal with the most important matters.
Latest updates Other recent updates to Inception include being able to support up to 96 areas within a single site and the use of Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) with Google Authenticator.
Inception can now automatically import new user data from CSV files, such as data from booking or payroll systems that automatically loads into an Inception controller.
An update to Inception’s alarm reporting settings ensures compliance with UL standards by allowing more granular information about alarm states to be recorded. This helps security managers understand issues and events on site and respond more efficiently.
Cyber security Inner Range has just announced a new strategic focus on cyber security, after auditing and formalising several existing cyber security measures. This continues a long history of robust cyber security at the access control manufacturer, with no reported cyber security breaches in its 30year history.
As with all Inner Range products, Inception benefits from cyber threat assessment as a routine part of product development, including coordinated penetration testing by independent accredited laboratories. Inner Range is also now offering clients cyber hardening installation guidelines for Inception, to help users and installers set up their security system securely.
Grade 3 intruder alarm Physical security measures are still important and Inception includes an intruder detection system certified as Grade 3, according to European Standard EN5013-1. This means users save time and resources by not needing to buy, install and maintain a separate intruder alarm system. Most insurance companies won’t provide business cover unless a Grade 3 alarm system is in place, so Inception offers peace of mind too.
World leader Inner Range has been a world leader in the design and manufacture of intelligent security solutions since it was established in 1988. More than 150,000 Inner Range systems have been installed in over 30 countries. Customers include hospitals and high-security units, colleges, distribution centres and pharmaceutical companies. government and critical national infrastructure.
