Editor’s Choice

EDITOR’S CHOICE

New RTE button for contactless access The hands-free request to exit (RTE) button from PAC fits into a standard single-gang electrical backbox and with simple wiring into PAC controllers including the 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 and its infrared technology is designed to prevent interference with other infrared devices located on-site. Housed in a 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. www.pacgdx.com

Battery powered PIR detector covers a 30m range Luminite Electronics has launched a new external PIR detector specifically aimed at the CCTV and alarm market.

The ESD30 detector provides a covert PIR detection range of up to 30 metres. The battery powered wireless PIR detector can transmit to any EasySwitch receiver over a range of up to 500 metres (line of sight) to form part of a lighting or alarm system. The detection area is 30m out and 20m across and the internal optics can be adjusted so that the unit does not have to be mounted facing the area to be covered. The unit can be easily adjusted for pet immunity to reduce false alarms. When the PIR is activated a high power red LED light will glow giving an added layer of security to deter intruders. The detector can be powered by 4 x AA batteries or 1 x 9v PP3 providing up to four years of battery life.

www.luminite.co.uk

VMS upgraded with enhanced event location Qognify has announced the launch of the Cayuga R15 VMS for multi-site corporate and enterprise projects focusing on enhanced usability and connectivity, improved maintainability and analytics.

One of the main goals while developing Cayuga R15 was to help security personnel quickly identify, locate and evaluate an event. This can present a real challenge when operating large systems with widely distributed locations and a large number of cameras. Cayuga R15 solves this problem by supporting the use of the Esri ArcGIS mapping platform, enabling cameras to be positioned on a map and available globally – depending on access rights. Multiple views or areas of interest within one map source as well as the clustering of icons depending on the zoom level make it easy to keep the overview on the map at any time.

www.qognify.com

Occupancy management added to platform

The latest version of Net2 – v6.04, from Paxton is now ready for installers to download. It features Net2 Occupancy Management which allows the limitation of the number of people in any given area; either barring access or sending an email or text to the building manager when a space nears capacity. It works across multiple areas of a site and can be set to operate a one in, one out system to support social distancing measures. In addition to this update, installers who want to use thermal scanning to help limit the spread of the virus can do so with a choice of hardware integrated from Hikvision, Dahua & ZKTeko.

www.paxton-access.com

NOTE: All technical specifications listed are provided by manufacturers

EDITOR’S CHOICE The security industry is busy and complex, so it’s easy to miss new products and services as they get lost in day-to-day activities. Every now and again, certain products grab our attention so here we take a look at a few of the products we think you won’t want to miss this month.

Radar solution can determine object information InnoSenT has developed a new radar solution for close range applications. The iSYS-5005 utilises 24 GHz MIMO radar technology and has new features such as radar tracking and can also determine object information.

The iSYS-5005 FMCW radar system differentiates objects via three dimensions: distance, speed, and angle information (3D radar resolution). The sensor detects multiple objects simultaneously and clearly distinguishes them from each other. This increases accuracy and presents the capability to differentiate objects allowing them to be precisely located within the space. The signal processindelivers current object data in real time.

The system is predestined for two applications: security monitoring and on-demand door opening.

www.innosent.de/en/index/

PoE extender cameras save time The new Wisenet PoE extender cameras are designed to save integrators and end users time and money when there is a requirement to install two cameras within 80 metres of each other.

For retrofit applications where an additional camera is needed, system integrators need to simply substitute an existing Wisenet camera with a PoE Extender camera, and then re-install it at the new camera location, with both devices being able to share the same cable run.

With the ability to support all PoE cameras within the entire Wisenet range, the new 2 and 5 megapixel PoE Extender indoor and outdoor dome cameras provide an equally cost effective solution for new installations as they reduce the number of network ports and switches, as well as the amount of cabling, required. Installation ease is matched by a reduction in the cost of the time system integrators would normally have to spend on site to install a new camera.

hanwha-security.eu

Camera management software and app for simple set-up

TRENDnet has introduced Mira, a new professional-grade surveillance camera management software. Mira is also the name of the software’s companion app, a free surveillance camera app for mobile devices. The Mira VMS software includes camera management features designed to simplify the monitoring of surveillance footage and the management of IP cameras. It includes much of the same features as previous TRENDnet VMS software such as live view for up to 64 IP cameras; motion detection, scheduling, and event trigger recording options; playback by event; and custom viewing modes. Mira VMS software also offers new features including support for Mac computers, e-maps for floor plan designs, and mobile app integration.

Mobile app support provides instant alerts that allow for immediate action to help reduce risks and damages. The company’s new IP cameras can be set-up with a mobile device by scanning the QR code on the camera with the Mira mobile app to start the installation process. The Mira mobile app also offers access to live video, saving screenshots and videos and push notifications.

www.trendnet.com

INTERVIEW

No lockdown slowdown

How are systems integrators dealing with the many challenges of lockdown – and what lies ahead for them? We asked PSI reader Nicky Stokes, MD of ISD Tech, to give us an insight

As we all know, life in 2020 has been a bit different since March and no corner of the UK has remained untouched by the consequences of the lockdown. As security systems installers the restrictions of social distancing and isolation have led to a change in the way you do business. Some installers were initially reduced to carrying out emergency and remote maintenance only while others managed to keep a good level of work on the go as systems specified for preventing the spread of the virus or detecting symptoms gained momentum.

To get an idea of how installation companies may be doing after over 100 days of lockdown, we spoke to Nicky Stokes of ISD Tech who remains positive about the future.

How have the last 100 days been for you? At the moment, things remain busy. Even with social distancing measures in place, we’ve continued to handle all aspects of integration, including surveillance, access control and intercom, which are our core projects.

Did you use the furlough scheme? With projects continuing through lockdown we’ve been fortunate not to need to furlough any of our staff. Obviously not everyone is in the same situation as us but were lucky to be working on essential projects in the healthcare sector, as well as for customers in the gaming industry and in broadcasting. And we’ve tried hard to keep proactive and adaptable.

Some projects have been delayed. For example, one of our US customers closed all their facilities due to Covid-19, and this held us up. But we’ve since been able to go in by taking the right precautions. We’re making sure we’re using the correct PPE, and our engineers sit separately on breaks, travel in separate vehicles, and avoid using public transport. We’ve had to adapt processes to minimise the risk of infection to project team members and reduce the need for staff to quarantine.

How have you found the supply of kit? Like many systems integrators, we’ve had to work around the fact that deliveries of kit have become more erratic. Previously we could rely on next day availability, but supply chain challenges have made it harder to predict when some things will arrive. One of major access control vendors closed their factory, which had a knock-on effect – so we had to work quickly to find alternatives to work around the problem. Some of our suppliers, like IDIS, have kept us in the loop throughout the period and we have managed to maintain a good level of supply.

How can you make virus solutions a permanent fixture? Our approach has been to look for ways that customers might be able to re-purpose temporary measures to give value in the future. For example, where we’ve been deploying thermal imaging in reception areas, we’ve shown how the same cameras can be redeployed in comms and plant rooms to monitor server-racks, or air conditioning, etc. These are quite often requirements that should have been addressed before, but security is often a siloed

“Even with social distancing measures in place, we’ve continued to handle all aspects of integration, including surveillance, access control and intercom, which are our core projects”

Nicky Stokes (second left) receiving an IDIS Customer Recognition Award last year

INTERVIEW

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function, meaning other department heads are often not familiar with the benefits thermal cameras can offer. So, we are explaining how this technology is really good at alerting to the overheating of components that is often the precursor to a complete equipment or system failure, resulting in expensive repair services and call out fees. So, now is a good opportunity to get buy-in from other departments, and to get budgets released, which is exactly what we’re doing for many large London-based buildings.

At the same time, most of our sales activity has moved to video conferencing. And with new

“Looking further ahead, we are optimistic. We have a mixed portfolio of customers, so although some non-committed projects have been put on hold for the next year, we have others that are too far advanced to cancel”

technologies, such as video analytics that can be deployed to address occupancy density, we need to demonstrate these capabilities virtually – and not just show how they can address immediate challenges but how they can deliver operational efficiency and valuable intelligence in the future.

It’s really important for manufacturers to have up to date marketing and sales support assets, and in particularly videos showing examples of technology working on sites similar to the potential customers. Particularly when it comes to new applications that use AI and deep learning, it’s those materials that are helping us close deals.

How do you feel about the future? Looking further ahead, we are optimistic. We have a mixed portfolio of customers, so although some non-committed projects have been put on hold for the next year, we have others that are too far advanced to cancel. We’ve seen areas like food production affected by the disruption to fast food businesses – but that’s been offset by a boom in areas such as pharmaceuticals and gaming. For example, one of our gaming customers has just taken on a new eight-storey building in central London. So, I’m confident projects in these critical or fastgrowth sectors will keep us busy for the remainder of the year, while many other businesses will need time to adapt and assess the economic impact.

It’s been a learning curve and everyone is thinking on their feet and trying to do the best they can. We’ve been working with facilities and property managers, especially those managing multi-tenanted high-rise towers, and they realise the big challenge ahead of them to achieve anything close to how they previously operated while adhering to new safety guidelines.

I think that as with any new situation there will be ‘first wave’ solutions, and then there will be improvements further down the line. Where you have high occupancy buildings and challenges with lift queues that’s going to be very difficult to solve with social distancing, especially in busy areas of major cities. It may be that remote working will play a bigger role from now on. In fact, some companies have realised for the first time it’s actually more productive and cost-efficient to have some staff working from home.