10 minute read
New kit on the block
NEWS EXTRA
Expanding connectivity
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Ajax Systems held its third Special Event recently at which the company introduced several additions to its security portfolio most notably the new wired Fibra technology with a product line of the same name, along with a host of other new launches. Here we take a quick look
Fibra is a digital-generation wired technology combining the reliability of wires with the freedom of radio connection. An ordinary four-core cable, coupled with Fibra is reported to enable up to 2,000 meters of connectivity, compatibility with all types of devices, 60 hours of operation of a system consisting of 30 devices on a backup battery, anti-sabotage, photo verifications, instant notifications, hasslefree installation and remote configuration through an app. According to the company, everything that was possible in wireless Ajax is now available with wires and Fibra.
At the physical level, Fibra looks like a bus connection: detectors are connected to a control panel with a four-core cable. However, the Fibra communication protocol has inherited the advantages of Jeweller radio technology; it requires minimum power for two-way packet data transmission. This feature provides freedom when installing the system.
One Fibra line can connect one detector or dozens of various detectors, sirens, and keypads in any combination. MotionCam Fibra detectors are no exception. Users don’t need a separate cable to receive photo verifications. They are transmitted over the same line that the system devices use to communicate events. In the Ajax app, devices are organised by rooms and groups, regardless of their physical connection to a hub. This means the security system has both physical and digital architecture.
Multiple Fibra lines allow the wiring to go by a convenient and safe route and then adjust the digital architecture of the system in the PRO app. With this flexibility and a 2 km of length margin, no matter whether installers are protecting a multi-floor building or several buildings, they don’t need to complicate the system with signal amplifiers or additional power supplies.
The Fibra communication protocol logic ensures collision protection: even 30 detectors connected to one line will communicate steadily even while being triggered simultaneously. Alarms are transmitted in 0.15 seconds.
NEWS EXTRA
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Photo on demand
To help Ajax users eliminate unwanted stress in one click, a line of MotionCam and MotionCam Outdoor detectors will support a “photo on demand” feature. No worries about privacy: only those system users who have permission to do so will be able to request a photo. Privacy permissions can be determined in the hub settings.
Also, with the new MotionCam detectors, it will be possible to confirm fire alarms visually. To do this, users/installers just need to create a scenario in the detector settings picking FireProtect or FireProtect Plus detectors that can generate a request for a photo. There will be devices on the market with and without photo on demand support.
ReX 2
The new ReX 2 now not only increases the signal range, but also controls the communication itself.
Regardless of whether the application has five, ten, or a hundred devices connected via ReX 2, the radio modules will automatically adjust for optimal power consumption. Four built-in antennas and two independent radio modules double the communication range between a hub and wireless Ajax devices, including MotionCam detectors.
Regardless of the size of the protected area, and walls thickness, alarms are transmitted instantly, and the first photo from MotionCam is delivered in 13 seconds.
Hub 2: now with 4G
High-speed mobile internet penetration varies from region to region. Therefore, to ensure the security of all users regardless of the communication technologies, Ajax Systems will release Hub 2 in two versions: Hub 2 (2G) and Hub 2 (4G). The 2G modem version will be complemented by a new one with a more advanced modem supporting 2G, 3G, and 4G (LTE) networks. Ajax users can choose a hub that suits their region, considering the available communication technology.
Alarm delivery without Internet
Security system always needs to be connected, resilient to Internet disruptions, and able to transmit a signal in case of danger. For this purpose, Ajax Systems has developed vhfBridge, a module that provides a hub with one more communication channel with a monitoring station. In case of an alarm, an event is transmitted along the chain: from a hub to the vhfBridge module via Jeweller, then by wires from vhfBridge to a third-party radio transmitter, and from there to the monitoring station. The whole process is instant. This allows using an Ajax system in cities with unstable Internet connection, in the mountains, nature reserves, or desert areas.
Smart socket with a UK plug
Ajax has expanded its automation product line and developed a Socket (type G). The UK version of the device will have a functional button that allows operating Socket without the app or Button. Also, the settings will become more flexible: a configurable overcurrent threshold, brightness fine-tuning, and power meter resetting. The socket will have an overthe-air communication range with a maximum radius up to 1,100 meters of two-way encrypted connection that does not depend on Wi-Fi.
MultiTransmitter
In response to requests from industry professionals, MultiTransmitter integration module will receive support for detector connection with two and three-resistors. In other words, the integration module will be able to distinguish more types of events from the connected wired detectors. This will make renovation more flexible with multi-zone alarms in commercial properties and increase the number of compatible devices.
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DIY retailer adopts end-to-end video solution
Home improvement and DIY store Safti, in East Flanders, Belgium, has modernised its video surveillance infrastructure with an end-to-end IDIS solution. The company has since reported that the upgrade has paid for itself within the first year.
The company previously relied on a legacy video system that was hampered by blind spots, poor image quality and insufficient external cameras, and so a modernisation was initiated by managing director Barbara Braekman, granddaughter of the company’s founder.
Barbara consulted with systems integrator Vermeulen, who recommended a complete end-toend surveillance solution using IDIS’s DirectIP technology.
Vermeulen achieved the required area coverage by installing 20 IDIS Super Fisheye cameras, positioned internally and externally. The 12MP cameras capture images in all lighting conditions thanks to IR and WDR and enable wide-area visual awareness with a choice of viewing options and six dewarping view modes, which ensure no loss of detail, even at the periphery of every scene.
Four additional IDIS bullet cameras were installed to enhance protection at key car park entry and exit points, and to give complete coverage of the drive-in area. In addition, 17 IDIS vandal-resistant 2MP domes were installed to improve security at checkouts and store entrances. Video surveillance with zero latency provide a 24/7 monitoring and response capability, while IDIS Failover guarantees stable recording.
The IDIS Solution Suite VMS is at the heart of the system, with its feature set of easy-to-use video monitoring, management, and administration tools operated from a single, intuitive user interface. And with IDIS Solution Suite, Safti has no annual licence fees, no camera connection fees, and no hidden charges for functions that aren’t being used. Safti’s investment in the video solution was recouped within the first year through reductions in losses and operational efficiency gains.
“Safti is delighted with the IDIS video solution that we’ve provided because it’s not just improving security but helping to deliver a better customer experience,” says Peter Vermeulen, Owner, Vermeulen Group.
IDIS’s plug-and-play tech allowed the system to be installed with the store fully open, notes Dirk Vercruyssen, Managing Director, IDIS Belgium: “A single 64-channel 4K IDIS NVR satisfies Safti’s current storage requirements and ensures scalability and flexibility, making it simple to add more cameras. And IDIS Solution Suite will allow Safti to adopt the latest IDIS deep-learning analytics as the business evolves.”
Installer boosts productivity with management software
Trustee Fire and Security has boosted productivity by 25 per cent using field service management software. Since deploying the BigChange job management platform, Trustee has also been able to deliver improvements in customer service by providing digital, real-time reporting from service engineers using mobile devices linked to live vehicle tracking.
Trustee is based in Orpington and provides solutions for both domestic and commercial properties with a range of services from fire and intruder alarms to CCTV, access control, automatic gates, fabrication and emergency lighting. Trustee embarked on a major business expansion drive three years ago and has since seen year-onyear growth.
Two years ago Trustee realised that their ageing legacy system could not cope with the expanding business. A new system was needed to provide a fully digital solution with high levels of automation, and a platform for future ambitious growth plans.
“We work in an industry bound by a lot of health and safety legislation and is broadly behind the times when it came to digital working; it was still an industry burdened with paperwork,“ says Nick Toomey, Director, Trustee Fire and Security. “We knew that moving to a real-time digital reporting system was the future but finding a suitable system proved difficult. BigChange proved to be the best option and offers tremendous potential as the platform to transform this industry.”
BigChange brings together customer relationship management (CRM), job scheduling, live tracking, field resource management, financial management, and business intelligence into one simple to use and easy to integrate platform. Trustee run a fleet of vehicles servicing clients across the south-east of England, with engineers equipped with rugged tablets for managing their jobs and reporting; the BigChange platform synchronises mobile devices and the central CRM so Trustee has complete visibility of all jobs.
Trustee particularly like the automated scheduling and routing, ensuring the best allocation of resources, optimised and backed with useful management information, such as the calculated cost of each job. Invoicing in BigChange is also much quicker and two-way integration with Xero accounts software means BigChange provides a completely seamless endto-end business solution.
“BigChange has enabled us to eliminate paperwork and completely digitally transform the way we work. That has led to productivity gains across the office and field service operations of around 25 per cent. However, it’s customer service where the greatest benefits are being realised. Customers are very impressed with the provision of instantly updated data from our engineers and automated communications,” Nick Toomey comments.
Harrods Village, a gated development located on the banks of the River Thames, has teamed up with Interphone to implement a maintenance solution for onsite security systems. Under the partnership, the security systems and building technology integrator has enabled Harrods Village to complete essential work and ensure door entry, access control and CCTV systems are fit for purpose.
“Our previous maintenance relationship was underperforming, so we needed a new partnership approach that operated in the timeliest and cost-effective manner possible,” explains Eve Pickering, Estate Manager, Harrods Village. “Interphone’s ability to understand our requirements and budgets has enabled us to proceed with much needed and long-awaited security system upgrades.”
Following a competitive selection process, Interphone undertook a full site survey and proposed a strategy to either replace, upgrade, or maintain the problem systems.
The decision was taken to update the door entry system at one apartment building due to the lack of available parts, while continuing to maintain the access control system. This included the installation of monitors in 63 flats and two entrance panels to provide a reliable and effective experience for residents and visitors.
Interphone also identified issues with cabling, so installed a fibre network to connect the buildings and gatehouse, support IP cameras and create an upgradeable technology infrastructure. Meanwhile, thirty-two IP cameras were fitted to increase the visibility across the estate, with wide angle devices specified for priority areas to deliver multiple streams and zoom capabilities. This was backed up with trip wires to provide alerts to the gatehouse of any prohibited access over external walls. Four additional cameras have since been added to the system, with a further 24 planned to monitor building entrances. “Customers are very impressed with the provision of instantly updated data from our engineers and automated communications”
