Qognify joins NVIDIA Metropolis Partner Programme

Qognify, the technology solutions provider for enterprise operations and safety, has joined NVIDIA Metropolis, a programme designed to nurture and bring to market a new generation of applications and solutions that make the world’s most important spaces and operations safer and more efficient with advancements in Artificial Intelligence vision.

As a business, Qognify offers various video management Internet of Things solutions that help customers safeguard people and assets. The rise of IP camera deployments and the increasing number of video streams per installation has made it more essential than ever to add an automated perception layer to the image stream through video analytics in order to better understand how an enterprise’s space is being used. This is where NVIDIA with its Metropolis platform comes into play as the system helps Qognify reliably detect and classify important objects in the video stream.

NVIDIA Metropolis makes it easier and more cost-effective for enterprises, Governments and integration partners to leverage world-class Artificial Intelligence-enabled solutions in order to improve critical operational efficiency and safety problems.

The NVIDIA Metropolis ecosystem contains a large and growing breadth of partners who are investing in the most advanced Artificial Intelligence techniques and the most efficient deployment platforms and also use an enterprise-class approach to their solutions. Partners have the opportunity to gain early access to NVIDIA platform updates and further enhance and accelerate their Artificial Intelligence application development efforts. Further, the programme offers the opportunity for partners to collaborate with industry-leading experts and other Artificial Intelligence-driven organisations.

Chen Porat, vice-president of R&D at Qognify, stated: “The NVIDIA solution does all the heavy lifting for video analytics in combination with our own video analytics platform. We’re planning to roll-out to all of our VMS products in the future. It moves resource-intensive calculations to the GPU and therefore gives back bandwidth to the CPU to manage other tasks needed by our physical security solutions.”

Risk mitigation solutions

Qognify helps to safeguard today’s organisations, focusing on the outcomes of customers who place a premium on physical operations. Providing solutions to mitigate risks and optimise operations, Qognify serves thousands of customers all over the world as a trusted advisor.

The comprehensive portfolio of Qognify solutions encompasses physical security and incident management solutions, which add value for businesses in many sectors including manufacturing companies, transportation authorities, retail chains, banks and other financial institutions, ports and seaports, logistics service providers, schools and universities, correctional facilities, critical infrastructures and cities.

Headquartered in New York, Qognify operates major development hubs in Germany and Israel as well as sales and support offices around the globe.

*Additional information is available online at www.qognify.com

Eagle Eye Networks appoints David Barr as enterprise sales manager for EMEA

Eagle Eye Networks, the global leader in smart cloud video security, has appointed David Barr as enterprise sales manager for Europe in order to build the enterprise market segment throughout the region.

Barr has 30 years of experience in the security industry, joining Eagle Eye Networks after 17 years with Xtralis ADPRO, which in recent times was acquired by Honeywell. 

In his new role, Barr will work with Eagle Eye Networks’ global and EMEA end users and partners to develop their strategy as the security market transitions from an on-premise recorder market to a true cloud market for video surveillance. 

“This change isn’t happening overnight, but the great thing about Eagle Eye Networks is the possibility to start with a hybrid on-premise and cloud solution where clients can immediately see the benefits of the cloud without investing in new hardware,” explained Barr.

David Barr

“Eagle Eye Networks works with more than 3,500 existing analogue or IP cameras. Even DVRs can now be directly connected to the cloud. This is a game-changer for those companies wishing to upgrade their video surveillance, migrate to the cloud for additional cyber security and better manage their operations in a multi-site environment.” 

Rishi Lodhia, managing director for the EMEA region, added: “The creation of this new role and the experience David brings to Eagle Eye Networks illustrates the company’s continued growth and commitment to support enterprise customers within the region. Enterprise customers are transitioning rapidly to the cloud due to easy API integrations and open platform capabilities.”  

This appointment follows the recent announcement of an investment in Eagle Eye Networks of $40 million from Accel such that the business can further develop its cloud solution and Artificial Intelligence capabilities globally.  

Security & Safety Things “sparks new era” in video surveillance with commercial availability of supported cameras

Security & Safety Things is “set to reshape innovation in video analytics and computer vision” with the commercial availability of a number of new IP security cameras from a variety of vendors that leverage the Security & Safety Things open and secure Internet of Things platform. This new generation of security cameras will employ the free Security & Safety Things camera operating system, which enables the cameras to run multiple Artificial Intelligence-enabled applications in parallel.

The apps automate the analysis of video data to produce valuable operational intelligence for business optimisation as well as provide easy-to-deploy tools that can aid in re-opening measures from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Organisations of all sizes around the world need flexible and easy-to-deploy solutions that enable compliance with constantly changing pandemic-centric Health and Safety mandates and provide future value to ramp up and optimise their ongoing business operations,” stated Hartmut Schaper, CEO of Security & Safety Things.

He continued: “Companies can now deploy cameras running the Security & Safety Things operating system and use a selection of apps from our Application Store to detect the absence of facial coverings in a retail environment. The next day, that same camera can help the same retailer optimise merchandise placement based on store footfall, in one store or throughout the enterprise, along with further optimisations.”

First camera manufacturer

This month, Qisda/Topview will be the first camera manufacturer to launch a camera running the Security & Safety Things operating system, followed in quick succession by AndroVideo, who will also start shipping its own Security & Safety Things-enabled cameras in Q2.

Bosch is making its INTEOX camera line available as of July followed by Vivotek and BSTsecurity, who plan to ship a bit later in Q3. The first devices from Hanwha Techwin that run the Security & Safety Things operating system are expected to be commercially available in Q4. Security & Safety Things, Hanwha Techwin, Vivotek, Bosch, Qisda/Topview and AndroVideo are all members of the Open Security and Safety Alliance.

The free Security & Safety Things operating system is built on the Android Open Source Project. It leverages the expanding processing and analytic power of modern IP cameras to exponentially increase the amount of operational intelligence that can be mined from traditional IP-based surveillance footage.

The applications that can be installed on these cameras, both in an on-premise as well as a remote setting, are created by highly specialised third party developers and available through the platform’s open Application Store. This already features more than 50 applications from more than 35 developer partners, with more than 30 additional apps expected to be available the store very soon.

Typical use cases

In addition to pandemic applications, use cases include the detection of weapons, behavioural analysis, payment systems for garages, drone threat detection and even identifying objects presented for purchase in a cash register transaction for cashier-free retail environments.

Together with some of its camera and system integration partners, Security & Safety Things is already running projects in a live setting. These projects use, for example, heat mapping and queue analysis in retail stores and automated payment processing and license plate recognition for barrier-free traffic.

These types of applications are running in pilots with the parking management solutions provider Peter Park as well as with the leading mobility provider SIXT.

*More information about the Security & Safety Things platform and how businesses can benefit from the platform can be found at www.securityandsafetythings.com

**For an overview of the Artificial Intelligence video apps currently available for the Security & Safety Things-supported cameras, the Application Store may be viewed at https://store.securityandsafetythings.com

 

Smart R Distribution provides vital link for CCTV expansion at New Cross Hospital

As a direct consequence of COVID-19, many hospitals have needed to quickly erect new portable buildings to expand the capacity of certain sensitive areas. In turn, this has created a requirement to immediately expand the scope of existing CCTV systems to ensure Control Room operators are able to monitor and react appropriately to any suspicious activity in the vicinity of the new buildings.

New Cross Hospital, which is run by the Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust, is just one of many throughout the UK faced with the challenge of ensuring all areas of its campus can be monitored on a 24/7 basis. Providing 700 beds and employing circa 9,500 members of staff, it’s the largest teaching hospital in the Black Country, having been originally built in 1900 as a workhouse.

The need to install a new 4K camera in a location over 300 metres from the hospital’s Control Room initially seemed daunting in terms of the cost of laying the network cabling normally needed to transmit the ultra-HD images captured by IP cameras.

“Apart from the cost of the engineering work and the disruption caused by installing the new cabling, it would also have taken several days to achieve,” said Dan Mather, director of Derby-based JKE Security who’ve enjoyed a long-term working relationship with the Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust.

“We clearly needed to find a much simpler and cost-effective solution which would enable our clients to take full advantage of the superb quality images captured by 4K cameras and, if necessary, pass evidence of any wrongdoing to the police.”

Finding the solution

Mather sought advice from Smart R Distribution, the Haverhill-based specialist electronic security products distributor. The business was able to offer Mather an assurance that its own brand 602POE-2P single port PoE Ethernet Extender would be able to reliably support a new 4K Wisenet PNP-9200RH dome camera by facilitating the transmission of the IP images over the hospital’s existing coaxial cabling.

The Smart R 602POE-2P is proven to be able to robustly transmit data over any two-wire cable and, with the ability to handle bandwidth of up to 200 Mbps, is more than capable of coping with the transmission demands of the Wisenet 4K camera.

“Although we didn’t source the camera directly from Smart R, it could not have been easier to connect it to the Ethernet Extender,” said Mather. “It was truly a case of plug-and-play, with both devices installed, configured and working within half a day.”

Commenting on the successful installation of the new camera, Paul Smith (head of security and car parking for the Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust) said: “During this challenging time, it’s essential that we’re able to continue to provide a secure and safe working environment for all our heroic colleagues who are so compassionately caring for people suffering from the Coronavirus. I’ve been impressed with how quickly various companies within the electronic security supply chain have been able to join forces and use their combined expertise to provide us with an efficient and cost-effective solution.”

Honeywell launches 30 Series IP cameras “to improve data and video protection”

Honeywell has announced the release of its 30 Series IP cameras: a new suite of video cameras that strengthens building safety and security through advanced analytics and secure channel encryption. With the new cameras, end users can also benefit from lower total cost of ownership and reduced risk as well as improved picture quality without increased storage needs.

“Honeywell is in the business of protection – from buildings through to data and the people within those buildings,” said Jeremy Kimber, video global product management director for Honeywell Commercial Security. “With the release of the 30 Series IP cameras, we’re providing advanced secure channel encryption that guards against unauthorised access and the unsanctioned distribution of data and video to help end users seamlessly integrate security into any business.”

Honeywell 30 Series IP Cameras are available in dome, bullet, ball and fisheye models that feature:

Secure channel encryption: The new cameras provide HTTP over TLS1.2 (HTTPS) encrypted streaming to Honeywell MAXPRO NVRs. They adhere to the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard. Together, these elements help meet the increasingly stringent requirements being set by IT Departments to shield businesses against unauthorised access and unsanctioned distribution of data and video, potentially saving end users up to $3.86 million (the average global cost of a data breach).

Advanced motion people detection: Traditional motion detection only detects pixel changes, leading to a higher false alarm rate. Advanced motion people detection is designed to reduce false alarm rates as it will only create an alarm when the moving object is recognised as a person.

Enhanced storage space and image quality: A higher quality camera resolution of up to 5 MP delivers exceptional images and comes with a user-friendly interface for secure remote viewing. The H.265 smart codec feature allows for storage of longer clips and lower bandwidth consumption, enabling images to take up to 50% less storage space, which decreases operating costs.

The new line of cameras is fully-integrated using HTTPS encrypted streaming with MAXPRO NVRs. They can also be used with performance-embedded NVRs linked to the MAXPRO Cloud multi-site video and access control management platform and with the ADPRO XO range of NVRs complete with on-board video analytics.

With advanced analytics and encryption capabilities, Honeywell 30 Series IP cameras offer an array of quality options for all SMEs, entry-level enterprise and critical applications where compliance is essential such as banking and finance, Government, the utilities, the education sector, retail and premium commercial.

LILIN’s megapixel outdoor IP cameras feature edge computing for object counting

LILIN is taking quality and value “to the next level” with the new ZMR8122X-P bullet IP camera. Perfect for outdoor installations, the ZMR8122X-P delivers Full HD 1080p (2 MP) video at up to 30 frames per second (fps), while also offering end users maximum protection against dust, dirt, and water.

On-board Intelligent Video Surveillance (IVS) enables security integrators to tailor the ZMR8122X-P to detect the objects and situations that matter most to the purchasing end user, in turn opening up new possibilities for customised applications.

IVS combines edge-level advanced motion detection, designated Tripwire, that allows a detection line to be drawn within a camera image – Semaphore + Tripwire – when a combination of events need to occur for an alarm to trigger. Object counting enables businesses, for example, to obtain accurate information on the number of people who enter or leave their premises.

To achieve excellent depth of field, the ZMR8122X-P is P-IRIS supported, meaning that it automatically adjusts like an auto iris yet prevents blurred images that can occur when an auto iris over-corrects for bright lights.

 

With P-IRIS, the camera is the ideal solution for situations where light is constantly and quickly changing, no matter how close or how far the subject is located. True day/night recording is enhanced by infrared LEDs and LILIN’s SenseUp Plus enabling clear night-time images at a distance of up to 115 feet or more.

The ZMR8122X-P bullet IP camera is for those security professionals who require detailed, high-resolution surveillance of challenging locations such as hotels, car parks and loading bays. It’s the latest addition to LILIN’s portfolio of advanced IP video technology engineered to improve ease of use for operators, simplify installation for contractors and deliver stable, high-quality video for end users regardless of lighting conditions to help protect people and facilities. 

Built-in I/O ports allow the connection of external devices to help enhance alarm signalling and also enable features such as two-way audio.

NIT signs distribution agreement with IDIS for Middle East and Africa region

Ingram Micro company NIT, the regional value-added distributor of IP surveillance and physical security solutions in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, has just signed a distribution agreement with IDIS, one of the largest manufacturers of security and surveillance technology in South Korea and a globally recognised leader in advanced surveillance innovation.

Thanks to this agreement, IDIS’ full range of surveillance solutions will now be available across the Middle East and Africa through NIT. That range includes IDIS’ line-up of powerful IP cameras and NVRs, as well as a choice of VMS encompassing IDIS Center and the award-winning IDIS Solution Suite that’s both modular and scaleable in design, making it suitable for multi-site deployments and large enterprise-level applications.

“Our new alliance with IDIS provides significant opportunities for our company to build end-to-end and cost-effective surveillance solutions which can suit different vertical markets,” said Bassel Al Fakir, managing director of NIT. “IDIS’ advanced plug-and-play video technologies will open up great new profit opportunities for our resellers.”

IDIS DirectIP is an optimised HD surveillance solution based on a highly secure IP framework consisting of cameras, NVRs, network equipment and a choice of client software, all of which forms a complete package. IDIS’ high-quality cameras and NVRs complemented by VMS are easy to use and don’t require specialised training or expert knowledge to install.

“We’re very pleased to have NIT on board,” confirmed Harry Kwon, general manager of IDIS MEA. “NIT is using its expert knowledge and extensive partner network, which greatly extends IDIS’ reach across the region and opens an essential sales channel.”

Advanced video surveillance solutions from IDIS showcased at Security Essen

The very latest advances in secure surveillance technology, engineered entirely in Korea, are being demonstrated by IDIS on Stand E10 in Hall 5 at Security Essen, which runs from 25-28 September.

The IDIS Total Solution is increasingly being preferred by major end users globally because it offers the advantages of secure, exclusively Korean design and manufacturing, as well as “outstanding performance” in all applications.

Important innovations on show at Security Essen include IDIS’ flagship DirectIP solution, a full array of IP cameras (including Full-HD and 4K models), NVRs, network accessories and monitors, new privacy masking features to support end user compliance with data protection regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the IDIS Center (which typically delivers 50% cost savings on centralised monitoring systems in comparison with server-based solutions) and “game-changing Artificial Intelligence”.

Deep Learning Analytics

Proving to be the biggest draw for visitors this week is the latest iteration of IDIS’ Deep Learning Analytics (IDLA) technology that has opened a new door to the future of video analytics with “groundbreaking” 96% accuracy combined with a 200 ips speed allowing for the analysis of 32 channels simultaneously.

These exciting advances in video analytics make IDLA “more accurate, faster and more scalable” than competitive offerings. IDLA provides agile appearance searching, object detection and classification (for example people, cars and bicycles) intrusion detection, as well as loitering detection: all adapted to fit a 16:9 ratio.

The IDLA engine offers this “unrivalled accuracy” thanks to its advanced deep network architecture. IDLA is easy to set up and use simply by setting the region of interest and sensitivity. No calibration is needed.

Further, since IDLA doesn’t require additional processing power, end users can progress legacy hardware and cameras to transform their existing surveillance system into a powerful Artificial Intelligence solution.

Version 2.0 will be commercially available early next year. End users will be able to access both standard and advanced functionality, such as appearance search, through a single and affordable licence. Object detection and classification, intruder detection and loitering analytics are already available for users of the IDIS Solution Suite VMS.

IDIS DirectIP

Making its major exhibition debut in Germany, IDIS DirectIP is a true plug-and-play, end-to-end IP surveillance platform which offers “industry-leading” ease of use and performance. Consisting of IP cameras, NVRs, network equipment and totally cost-effective IDIS Center software, IDIS DirectIP is a complete package that’s easy to install, secure, flexible and scalable. It’s compatible with legacy systems and supports third party and ONVIF protocols for maximum installation flexibility. DirectIP provides users with Best in Class performance. Combined with the seven-year IDIS Ultimate Warranty, it’s affordable and cost-effective to run.

Visitors to Hall 5 are also learning about how IDIS Dynamic Privacy Masking is supporting users in complying with privacy legislation. IDIS Dynamic Privacy Masking securely masks areas of interest without transcoding, allowing end users to protect the privacy of selected individuals, for example bystanders, in any video footage which is being used as evidence in a Court of Law.

Together, these advances offer end users, installers, consultants and distributors new levels of system-building flexibility and security with significant cost advantages.

Joon Jun

Joon Jun, president of IDIS’ Global Business Division, stated: “IDIS technology is now recognised as a trusted and premium brand. It’s being adopted by major users around the world. This success is thanks to our commitment to highly secure manufacturing – which is exclusively Korean – and innovative design which keeps us at the very forefront of the video surveillance sector.”

KBC makes upgrading analogue to IP “simple and cost-effective” with development of EoC/EoU transmission

KBC Networks, the developer of industrial transmission equipment for IP and HD systems, recently introduced its new and robust eCopper product line featuring Ethernet over Coax (EoC) and Ethernet over UTP (EoU) transmission in a multi-port design perfect for using existing copper cable infrastructure to accommodate IP cameras.

This simple and innovative product family offers a cost-effective way to connect the latest in IP cameras using existing coax or copper wiring to a remote monitoring station. Through the copper infrastructure, eCopper powers both its transmitter and remote cameras, eliminating the need for any additional power source at the camera site.

eCopper also provides Power over Coax (PoC) management, giving system operators the ability to remotely turn each port’s power on and off from the central monitoring location. This PoC feature is a plug-and-play solution with a user-friendly GUI affording easy set-up and system maintenance.

“Our eCopper products offer integrators an excellent alternative to rewiring an entire location when they upgrade to IP cameras,” said Domenic Isola, director of strategic accounts for KBC Networks. “It makes retrofitting affordable and adds power and functionality while using existing infrastructure.”

The eCopper product line offers a single-channel transmitter and single, 4, 8 and 16-channel receivers, available for both EoC and EoU transmission. The single-channel transmitter and receiver can be wall-mounted while the four-channel variant offers a wall or DIN rail mount. The eight and 16-channel receivers come as a 1 U high rack mount.

*For more information about KBC’s eCopper product line visit the company’s website at www.kbcnetworks.com

Hanwha Techwin announces enhanced warranty programme at Wisenet Conference

Over 200 delegates who attended the Hanwha Techwin Wisenet Conference held in Barcelona on Tuesday 14 March heard managing director Bob Hwang announce the introduction of enhanced warranty support for Hanwha Techwin STEP Partners.

With immediate effect, Silver, Gold and Diamond level STEP Partners will benefit from a new five-year warranty programme that covers parts and labour on all Hanwha Techwin IP cameras and NVRs, with the exception of zoom/focus functionality, pan/tilt motor assemblies, slip-rings and HDDs, which will remain at three years.

Companies who participate in the STEP Partners Programme are able to take advantage of a wide range of benefits designed to help increase their share of the video solutions market. The advantages include regular sales discount, project pricing, marketing support, technical tools and free training. 

“Our Wisenet range of cameras and recording solutions have proven to be exceptionally reliable, and we’ve decided to reward the loyalty of our STEP Partners by providing them with an additional competitive edge in the form of improved warranty terms which they can offer their end user clients,” said Bob Hwang.

“This further demonstrates our confidence in the robustness of our products and is just one of many ways in which we’re striving to build a reputation for being a brand that can be entrusted to be the single source provider of high performance, end-to-end video surveillance solutions.”

While the five-year warranty is designed for Silver, Gold and Diamond level STEP Partners, everyone else can continue to profit from the existing three-year warranty terms.

New Wisenet X Series

The new Wisenet X Series introduces 26 new cameras in 2 and 5 megapixel models with H.265 transmission. They’re ‘supercharged’ by the “most powerful chipset” ever incorporated into a full camera range.

At the Wisenet Conference, the Hanwha Techwin team demonstrated how the all-new architecture chipset built into Wisenet X cameras “delivers industry-leading video performance”. Delegates were shown how they and their clients can make good use of a long list of built-in camera features.

“We believe that, given their unrivalled image quality, efficient network transmission and enhanced user convenience, Wisenet X cameras define a new standard for IP network video surveillance products,” concluded Hwang. “Together with the recently-launched Wisenet P 4K range and feature-rich Wisenet Q cameras, the Wisenet X Series provides our customers and business partners with a formidable product line-up, allowing them to successfully compete for any video surveillance project.”