Reacting to market changes

INTERVIEW

Recently we heard that Panasonic is changing its organisation and moving its security business into a new entity called i-PRO EMEA. What does this mean for the UK market and for the company moving forward?

Last month we reported that Panasonic Europe B.V. and Panasonic System Communications Company Europe (PSCEU) will be transferring the European Security and Industrial Medical Vision businesses, currently part of PSCEU, into a newly founded independent company, i-PRO EMEA (Panasonic i-PRO Sensing Solutions Co. Ltd until end of March 2022). The new company will formally start its operations from 1 October 2021, and will be part of the Japan-based Panasonic i-PRO Sensing Solutions. To find out more about the news and its potential impact on UK installers, we spoke to Mike Burton, Manager of Regional Sales for UK and Ireland.

What is the thinking behind the new set up? A new organisation has been set up called i-PRO EMEA which will move both the security and the Industrial medical vision (IMV) departments away from the Panasonic company. We understand in the world of manufacturing that being able to adapt to current market situations in both technology and service is crucial for the industry to evolve and ultimately the end user to benefit.

With the creation of i-PRO EMEA it allows us a strong platform to build on the 60 years of history that Panasonic has as a manufacturer of high performance surveillance equipment with the flexibility to respond to the markets needs in a much quicker way. This is highlighted further when we see the technology lifecycles becoming shorter and therefore product and technology development needs to be completed and delivered in a much quicker manner enabling us to deliver on our customers expectations.

Is this more of a move in the background or will installers actually see some changes? From a perspective of day to day dealings with i-PRO, our partners will see no major differences in the way they are able interact with ourselves and we are working hard in the background to make sure this is realised. One key difference, however, will be the investment we are making into our team to make sure that we can deliver on our promises while enhancing the channels development.

They will, however, see some considerable changes in our operation which can be split down into 3 areas: Technology advancement –making sure that we have the right technology based on the correct product for our customers. Quicker delivery – with the implementation of an on demand manufacturing process, while enhancing market competitiveness making sure that the products are priced correctly.

The reality is our headquarters in Japan has been operational in this way since October 2019 meaning that the industry is already starting to see these changes with many new products being launched, without any deterioration of the performance and reliability.

Mike Burton

“With the creation of i-PRO EMEA it allows us a strong platform to build on the 60 years of history that Panasonic has”

So they'll see changes in the terms of the amount of technology coming through, but not necessarily in how they buy it and deal with distributors?

INTERVIEW

“We are very much still investing on the hardware side of our portfolio. I think it's probably where our heritage lies, but that’s not to say that AI and VMS platforms etc. aren’t a major part of our business moving forward”

(continued from page 15)

Our focus is to enhance and develop further our distribution channel business while also focusing our effort into, not just system integrators, but also into end users as well. We do focus heavily on understanding our customers’ needs and issues, this allows us to develop tailored solutions that meet their requirements and reduce ongoing problems.

In terms of the new technology development is it fair to say that it's more software based or are you still looking at hardware? We are very much still investing on the hardware side of our portfolio. I think it's probably where our heritage lies, but that’s not to say that AI and VMS platforms etc. aren’t a major part of our business moving forward.

Certainly from an AI perspective, if we look at what i-PRO is looking to do and become a major introducer of the technology, we have already launched 8 AI engine cameras in the last 8 months with a roadmap of an additional 12 – 16 cameras being introduced in the next 12, demonstrating our commitment to hardware.

In terms of AI from a software perspective, it’s technology that offers limitless possibilities and will be in the industry for a long time. We know that we can't necessarily be all things to everybody in this area but we know that there are a vast amount of independent companies that are focusing all of their time around developing new algorithms. They are however, in need a high performance products/hardware on which to host that technology, which is where we can support.

This approach also offers additional benefits to our clients, not only in the way that their security system develops but also in the operational cost.

By having technology hosted on the edge, we can make sure that each individual camera location is set-up and configured independently while guaranteeing its processing performance for making environmental based decisions. This removes the need for a complex server and network architecture, which can be costly to install, commission and difficult to maintain while also removing a single point of failure to the overall system.

If you were asked what is AI currently being used for what would you say? We're starting to see lots of requests about AI, some of them along the lines of more traditional security solutions while some are a little bit more adventurous, the interest is growing but ultimately allowing us to reduce the false alarm rates that we have traditionally seen from other technologies.

In terms of the current deployments, these centre on applications like protecting virtual fence lines for large area sites, city centre surveillance, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic, making sure that social distancing was being monitored as well as Face detection providing stadium protection making sure unwanted people are not entering and causing trouble.

We're also working with some proof of concepts across Europe for highways which

AVAILABLE AT ADI

INTERVIEW

(continued from p16)

“Not all scenarios are of a standard nature and this is where we feel that being able to partner with many third party AI technology companies opens up more opportunity to find a solution needed”

Listen to the full interview with Mike in the PSI Security News Podcast

can monitor average and maximum speed of vehicles passing or whether or not seatbelts are being worn.

As a relatively new technology we are also experiencing more requests from our end users and channel partners about how AI technology can resolve their current issues, as you can imagine not all scenarios are of a standard nature and this is where we feel that being able to partner with many third party AI technology companies opens up more opportunity to find a solution needed.

There does seem to be a little bit of confusion between what is AI and what's analytics in the industry do you see that? Yes we also see similar confusion, our belief is AI understands its environment and makes decisions based on a certain criteria set up within the system configuration, before providing an alarm, whereas analytics is more using pixel based movements in particular directions to create an alarm, which does not allow the ability to filter out false detections.

Analytics do play a part in the industry but this doesn't necessarily give you the differential needed for actual use, for instance with perimeter detection, if we're interested only in human activity around a fence line, we don't want to be picking up pixels movement of a bird or a deer that's going through the scene and sending alarms back to the control centre, because that ultimately becomes a hindrance to the operator and has the potential to be ignored. AI technology used in the correct way provides a much friendlier user experience in handling alarms.

So where do you think the UK fits in, in the development of security technology? Are we ahead of the curve or behind it? I don't think that there is a huge difference between the system requirements we have in the UK and across Europe. As a global manufacturer we see technology moves forward at a similar pace across all regions and we’re seeing a lot of projects with similar foundations and requests. This is giving us the opportunity to look at how we develop or adopt AI technologies further.

What I would say about the UK market, compared to the rest of Europe, is that it is probably one of the most established market spaces, this provides is an easy platform for all security manufacturers to showcase new products and technology to a larger number of customer and gauge the success before launching to wider regions. This does make the UK security market one of the most fiercely competitive environments to be in.

Do you ever think we'll be a day when video systems powered by AI and analytics will cover all aspects of security, access, fire etc. in a building? I actually think that there are many different answers to this question.

In principal yes this could be utopia for clients having one product that serves all security needs across all disciplines, but I do also understand that the single point of failure in this style of system would be terrifying for a security manager.

The second element to consider here is the end users and how they feel about having all security disciplines being looked after by a single provider, many prefer not to have all of their eggs in one basket as this may not play to their core strengths and can potentially have a similar effect as a single point of failure to the system.

Lastly, referring back to earlier in our conversation we spoke about technology lifecycles and the way in which technology is being superseded at a quick pace, this could cause challenges to our customer; both in changing of legislation in a particular discipline and how does this get upgrades or the best way to invest in a phased upgrade approach with budget constraints in place.

From personal experience I tend to see the solution chosen in this scenario is a centralised software platform, allowing all security systems to be managed in an effective way from one control position.

This style of design also allows each system the opportunity to operate individually, should the centralised control platform fail, making sure the site remains secure and de-risking the single point of failure.

EDITOR’S CHOICE

Control multiple security systems with one device

KeyPad Plus brings secure contactless user identification to the Ajax system. To change the security mode, a user presents one of the access devices, Pass card or Tag key fob, to the keypad. These devices are copy-protected and can be connected to multiple security systems. Each Pass or Tag is equipped with an original DESFire chip. An access device transmits data to a keypad only after an instant authentication session. The transmitted data is encrypted with the AES algorithm. KeyPad Plus allows users to control multiple security systems with a single physical device. Having built-in memory, Pass and Tag can store credentials to 13 hubs, which makes them universal keys for security systems in offices, apartments, cottages, or warehouses.

ajax.systems

New single-path new signalling solution is launched

CSL has announced the launch of the MiniAir 2, a single-path signalling solution that utilises a 4G/LTE-M path to signal an alarm from a protected premises to an ARC. It comes with a standby SIM as a backup to safeguard systems if the active SIM fails. Both SIMs operate on an independent network from the other for total resilience. It is designed for both residential and commercial premises as an affordable upgrade from a digital communicator to secure signalling.

The UK’s Telephone Network Upgrade (All IP) is well underway yet many alarm systems are still utilising legacy digital communicators that rely on PSTN. MiniAir 2 provides a radio signalling solution to ensure alarm systems can still send signals to the ARC. This professional signalling upgrade also ensures systems maintain their existing Police URNs.

csl-group.com

Interactive noticeboard can reduce site visits

Intratone’s Interactive Digital Noticeboard is designed to make communicating with Housing Association tenants faster, easier, and more inclusive. Display important information, such as maintenance schedules or repair notices, as well as public health information and general announcements, via the secure remote online management system.

An efficient way to keep tenants informed that also reduces waste, the Interactive Digital Noticeboard removes the need for paper-based notices, which can often be lost or mistakenly taken down. Plus, it reduces the need for time-consuming site visits.

intratone.uk.com

Connectivity for lights, heating, gates or cctv

The RF-RBX Wireless Output Relay Box from HKC Security has two changeover output relays that wirelessly communicate with either an SW-10270 control panel or, in standalone mode, an RF-AK7 keypad and/or RF-Keyfob. It is listed as easy to install and ideal for multiple uses that require wireless outputs e.g. remote arming/disarming CCTV sites, access and gate controller equipment.

The RF-RBX can also be controlled via the HKC SecureComm App (cloud subscription required).

It is IP67 rated to ensure it is weather proof.

hkcsecurity.com/en-GB/

New wireless sounder works with PIRs

Powered by 4 x 1.5v batteries (supplied), the LGsounder from Luminite will emit an alarm sound up to 117 decibels. There are 32 alarm sounds to choose from, along with a flashing beacon which is available in red or blue.

A built in adjustable timer silences the sounder after activation. This can be used with any alarm product that has volt free contacts including the Genesis and EasySwitch PIRs. Activation is via a momentarily closed contact, for Genesis PIRs use the LGMRU4x4 receiver and for EasySwitch PIRs use the ESR8+8 receiver.

luminite.co.uk

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.

Smartphone link enables door panel to be contactless

The Hero door panel line consists of a single element: a panel made of 316L stainless steel, with large steel keys and six tamper resistant torx screws, for flush mounting helping with vandal-proofing.

Hero is designed for Duo video systems with bus power supply and is ideal for large complexes, with a digital keyboard consisting of 14 large keys, backlit also in the outline of the button, backlit graphic display, wide angle camera and status icons. Hero manages up to 500 users with individual passwords, it is ready for mechanical assembly of any proximity readers. 2 independent outputs: 1 for electric lock and 1 with relay for automatic gate or other lock.

If integrated with the XE2922 board, Hero can be connected with the apps Farfisa Smart Access and Farfisa Smart Dial for contactless access control, through smartphone via Bluetooth, thus contributing to the containment of covid-19 (notouch / nocovid) contagion.

accesssecurityproducts.co.uk

NDAA compliant video recorders for a smooth migration

NDAA compliant Wisenet Pentabrid video recorders launched by Hanwha Techwin are designed to extend the life of existing analogue based CCTV, whilst providing a smooth migration to an IP network based video surveillance solution.

Combinations of analogue or IP cameras up to 4K ultra high definition can be connected to the new Wisenet Pentabrid 4, 8 and 16 channel video recorders, with a simple onboard software switch enabling users to convert any channel from analogue to IP, when required.

The recorders, which are ONVIF Profile S conformant and supersede existing NDAA non-compliant Pentabrid devices, are equipped with features such as dual track recording, multiple monitor output and the ability to create user groups. They also support a range of Intelligent Video Analytics including audio, face, defocus, enter/exit and camera tampering detection, which trigger a variety of actions when an event occurs, such as moving a PTZ camera to a pre-set position or automatically sending email alerts to specified personnel, as well as directly to the Wisenet Mobile App.

hanwha-security.eu

BRAND PARTNER

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