10 Security Corporate News

1. LILIN Signs Distribution Agreement with Invision UK

LILIN, a manufacturer of IP-based video security products, announced that it has signed a strategic distribution agreement with Invision UK. This partnership enables Invision UK to sell and support LILIN’s product line.

Established in 1980, LILIN has developed a full line of products, from megapixel cameras to network video recorders that can be used with products from many leading companies including Control4, Savant Systems, and URC. This integration provides a smart, convenient, and efficient home solution for the user.

This new distribution agreement offers home automation and custom installation dealers access to a sales network from one of the U.K.’s fastest growing trade only distributors of integrated AV solutions for residential, commercial, and marine applications.

Jason Hill, Group VP of LILIN commented, “LILIN has committed to becoming the preferred manufacturer of HD cameras and recording systems to the global CI market, we are already integrated with Control4, Savant, and URC and expect drivers for ELAN, Crestron, RTI, and AMX to be finished in the new year. Our end-to-end HD surveillance solutions are suited to the high-end residential, leisure, and entertainment sectors as they are simple to operate, easy to integrate, and do not rely on PCs or software.”

2. Sentry 360 Announces the Largest 360-degree Camera Deployment in Mass Transit History

Sentry 360, a US-based manufacturer of ultra HD surveillance cameras and systems, announced the deployment of the largest 360-degree surveillance camera system in mass transit history. The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) operates the nation’s second largest public transportation system, servicing the city of Chicago and 35 surrounding suburbs. On an average weekday, approximately 1.7 million rides are taken on the CTA.

The Sentry360 cameras are integrated into the CT's existing video management system platform, made by Teleste. Teleste was able to integrate Sentry 360's intellectual property, through a software development kit, into the CTA's existing video management system allowing the correction of the fisheye view, and delivering the capability to pan-tilt-zoom in all directions both live and forensically, in recorded video.

This effort complements other CTA initiatives to bring video coverage across the entire fleet of rail cars, delivering the high quality of security to millions of commuters on a daily basis. Future real-time wireless communications will allow the CTA's control center and the City of Chicago's Office of Emergency Management and Communications to view live feeds from the rail cars on-demand, adding a vital resource for comprehensive incident management and response.

3. HDcctv Alliance Approves New HDcctv 2.0 Standards

Surveillance video standards organization HDcctv Alliance has ratified the next generation of its high definition security video standard, HDcctv 2.0. The new standard was agreed to by the HDcctv board of directors, and provides variants which have significant advantages over HD-SDI transmission.

The new standards have been developed and agreed for equipment which can produce HD video without the need for IP-based cameras or Ethernet cabling within the secured premises. Todd Rockoff, HDcctv Executive Director said, "There are two primary variants of HDcctv 2.0 – NR and AT. HDcctv 2.0 NR DVRs and cameras add plug & play up-the-coax remote control to the underlying HD-SDI format. HDcctv 2.0 AT delivers true HDTV signals over any legacy CCTV coaxial cabling, along with plug & play up-the-coax remote control."

Jon Hwang, CEO of Eyenix, said, "Those responsible for designing and specifying surveillance systems are now able to work with HDcctv as easily as they worked with analog CCTV 10 years ago. Certified HDcctv-compliant products from a variety of manufacturers will always interoperate, without having to test all pair-wise combinations."

4. ONVIF Releases Profile C for Physical Access Control

ONVIF, the global standardization initiative for IP-based physical security products, announced the final release of Profile C, which brings the functionality of the ONVIF global interface specification into the physical access control arena. Through Profile C, systems integrators, specifiers, and consultants are able to achieve interoperability between clients and devices of physical access control systems (PACS) and network-based video systems. With this final release, including the availability of the Profile C Test Tool, manufacturers are now able to introduce Profile C conformant products to the market.

With Profile C, compatibility between access control edge devices and clients is improved, installation simplified, and training time diminished because of the reduced need for multiple proprietary monitoring systems to handle different PACS devices. Profile C conformant devices within the access control system provide door and access point information and functionality related to basic door control activities such as locking and unlocking doors, when a door has been accessed, and other door monitoring tasks.

Profile C can also be combined with ONVIF Profile S for video and audio streaming so users can group related access and video devices, sharing the same device management features such as network configuration and system settings.

5. ABI Research: 500 Million Wireless Smart Home Devices Installed by 2018

The smart home concept is increasingly moving center stage and demand for wireless devices continues to grow. In 2013, sales of wireless embedded smart home monitoring devices, including contact and motion sensors, smart thermostats, and smart plugs, grew to 17.23 million, almost double shipments in 2012. Continuing momentum will ensure that by 2018, more than 500 million wireless smart home monitoring devices will be deployed in homes around the world. Growth will develop as new users move to smart home systems and as users extend their existing systems.

Vendors including Honeywell, GE, Nest (now Google), Kwikset, UTC, and many others are increasingly adding wireless connectivity to their home devices, bringing network connectivity and remote management to their offerings in order to appeal to growing numbers of smart home consumers.

Contact sensors for detecting whether windows and doors are closed were the most popular smart home monitoring device shipped last year while motion sensors were in second place. Both devices support smart home monitoring functionality but can also be used for additional applications such as energy management. “Combined, over 84 million contact and motion sensors will ship annually by 2018; however, it is smart plugs, smart door locks, and connected smoke & CO detectors that will see the greatest shipment growth,” commented Adarsh Krishnan, Senior Analyst at ABI Research.

As the market for wireless smart home devices grows, there remains competition between wireless protocols to capture market share. Each protocol has its advantages and disadvantages and some will play more to the smart appliance rather than smart device space.

6. FingerTec Deployed in Al Jazeera and Headquarters in Qatar

Dealing with ever busy and always on-the-go news crews and thousands of employees, Al Jazeera news channel is finding a way to manage time attendance of their workforce effectively without disrupting their staff's hectic schedules. Considering a few options, the organization decided on FingerTec's devices due to its biometrics system, wireless connection, and multimedia feature.

Fingerprint technology provides the users with a hassle-free way of clocking attendance with just a touch on the scanner yet giving them accurate data of everybody each time. The devices are installed at the management building of Al Jazeera Channel to track the comings and goings of the employees at the headquarters, and at the same time act as a multimedia portal covering Al Jazeera news when the device is not in use for attendance.

The deployment of FingerTec's devices in Al Jazeera was assisted by FingerTec Qatar, FingerTec's distributor in this region. Both FingerTec hardware and software come with an option of utilizing Arabic, making it easy for local employees to choose if Arabic is indeed required.

7. IHS: Quality and Quantity Increase in Video Surveillance Cabling

Over 2 million kilometers of new cabling was used in video surveillance solutions in 2013. The study of IHS looking at the world market for cabling and Ethernet switches and infrastructure used in video surveillance, forecasts that market growth will exceed the rate for the wider market for video surveillance equipment, as surrounding infrastructure becomes more important.

When specifying systems, cabling and infrastructure has been seen a low priority when compared to cameras and recorders in the video surveillance industry. However, this balance is beginning to change. Aaron Dale, Market Analyst in the security group at IHS co mmented, "In response to the growing scale and complexity of video surveillance networks, end users are increasingly looking to future proof their cabling and infrastructure."

Dale continued, "Longevity of the system even beyond the camera's lifetime is increasingly featuring in end-users cost-benefit analysis; this has the effect of increasing demand in the high-end market. Indeed by 2018, Category 6a (or higher) Ethernet cable is expected to equal revenues for Category 6 (or lower) cable.”

Some vendors have been quick to capitalize on growth in this market. Furthermore, there has been a host of new partnerships bet ween video surveillance equipment manufacturers and networking equipment manufacturers. Such partnerships are likely to lead to video surveillance being increasingly incorporated on wider networks with more than one purpose.

8. SecurEnvoy Bolsters Security at Dutch Institute for Mental Health

SecurEnvoy's authentication solution was installed at the Dutch Institute for Mental Health. It replaces the previous token-based system used to identify staff when they logged into the corporate network. The system will provide security regarding access to electronic patient records.

The system installation was carried out by the SecurEnvoy partner Motiv, who also provided training on the system for two IT managers at the institute. Around 500 employees currently use the system and it is expected that all 1,500 carers will be working with it over the next 12 months.

9. PureTech Systems Unveils Pima County Water Reclamation Facilities

PureTech's video analytic surveillance software has been installed as perimeter protection for the Pima County Regional Wastewater Reclamation Department (RWRD) in Arizona.

The Pima County RWRD is responsible for nine water reclamation facilities within Pima County. RWRD is a significant producer of effluent/reclaimed water in eastern Pima County and a major steward of the groundwater and aquifer recovery in southern Arizona.

The locations utilizing the new technology include the Avra Valley WRF, WES Center, and Tres Rios WRF facilities. All three facilities are located in Tucson. The systems comprise multiple security technologies aimed at protecting the perimeter and critical assets of these water reclamation facilities. The installations feature geospatial video analytics and introduce PureTech's most recent third party capability — integration with the OnSSI video management software.

10. Raytec Systems Monitor River Conditions in U.K.

In the wake of devastating national flooding in the U.K., security systems are being deployed in a bid to minimize future damage and provide an early warning system to residents. Lighting specialists Raytec, Mobotix, and Farson Digital Watercams are three companies who have teamed up to provide a system designed to monitor river conditions in the U.K.

Designed by Farson Digital Watercams, the nationwide HD camera network using Mobotix cameras provides real-time video feeds of multiple river sites. But it is the Raytec infra-red LED lighting which is crucial to allowing the system to operate even during hours of complete darkness.

The network camera system allows interested parties to view live footage of the rivers at any time, day or night. This is especially crucial for monitoring locations which are isolated or difficult to access.

Farson Digital Watercams also saw the energy and cost saving benefit in choosing LED illuminators. All Raytec illuminators provide a 10 year life, have a low power consumption, and low running costs.