barox set to showcase high-performance, cyber-secure PoE Ethernet switches at The Security Event 2022

barox Kommunikation AG, the global manufacturer of professional standard switches, media converters and IP extenders specifically designed for video applications, will be exhibiting at The Security Event 2022, which runs from 5-7 April at the NEC in Birmingham.

To promote the ease and depth of integration with third party VMS control, barox will be displaying a selection of its latest Ethernet Switch range on the Advancis stand (Hall 3 Stand F50). Demonstrating depth of systems integration, barox – itself an Advancis Premium Partner – will be showing switch integration with Advancis WinGuard PSIM software control, in addition to other solutions from Nedap, Cruatech and Zenitel.

The barox display will reveal how the company’s new range of managed and unmanaged industrial media converters caters for the demands of video and PoE heavy applications and features extensive cyber security functions that protect both the switch and network traffic.

With extensive management options, even the most complex of network requirements can be met. Advanced barox managed switch capabilities include active camera and PoE monitoring and active integration via switch modules for easy integration to popular VMS control.

PoE management

Supporting more simple, quicker and lower-cost installations, the barox RY-XX Series allows IP cameras to be fed robust PoE power via the data cable. Advanced PoE management allows installers to configure port settings for functionality such as connection, speed flow and auto-negotiation status, as well as power delay, and non-stop PoE with soft re-boot.

“We’re looking forward to meeting visitors to the show who would like to learn more about industrial managed and unmanaged media converters with the power to support the latest PoE heavy applications,” explained Rudolf Rohr, barox co-founder and managing partner.”

Rohr continued: “With the demand for increasingly more powerful PoE devices, such as dome cameras and all-in-one PTZ units, the barox range supports 802.3bt, with robust PoE power up to 90 W. In addition, for peace of mind, all barox Ethernet switches are designed to meet the specific operational and performance demands of CCTV surveillance, employing innovations that guarantee greater customer security and, for the installer, easy set-up and integration into leading VMS control software.”

*Further information is available online at www.barox.uk

Steve Carroll appointed as export manager at Comelit-PAC

Comelit-PAC has appointed Steve Carroll in the new role of export manager to support growth and capture emerging global opportunities for the recently acquired PAC access control portfolio.

Carroll joins the team at an exciting time for Comelit-PAC, which now stands as an all-encompassing security provider of door entry, IP access control, CCTV and compliant fire safety systems.

He brings 30 years’ experience to the company having worked for SMEs as well as larger businesses and gained valuable insights across many sectors and regions. Carroll will now apply his knowledge to the Comelit-PAC business and concentrate on the development of new markets.

Steve Carroll

“I’m delighted to be joining Comelit-PAC,” enthused Carroll. “It’s a company known across the globe for its focus on style, smart technology and innovation in realms of electronic security and fire safety. The business is also keenly focused on its customers, with an impressive sales and technical team ready to help at every stage of a given works schedule.” 

Continuing that theme, Carroll noted: “When you combine all of that with the unrivalled reputation of the PAC access control range, there’s incredible potential for continued growth. In my new role, I’m ready to use my experience, strong network and understanding of the markets to introduce new and existing customers to our impressive product and service portfolio.”

Steve Riley, divisional director at Comelit-PAC, added: “I’m pleased to welcome Steve to the team. It’s a sign of our investment in growing international trade opportunities. The skills acquired from his previous work experience will allow Steve to positively contribute towards the expansion of Comelit-PAC’s presence in international markets and provide fast and effective response to our customers’ needs.”

Riley affirmed: “This is yet another step forward in Comelit-PAC’s continuous development as a company that harbours clear global objectives. I’m sure that Steve will make a significant contribution to our future business development.”

*Further information on Comelit-PAC and its product range is available online at www.comelitgroup.com

Tavcom Training raises £3,000 for Naomi House and Jacksplace

Tavcom Training, which is part of the Linx International Group of companies, has succeeded in raising £3,000 over the last 12 months for its nominated charities: Naomi House and Jacksplace. As part of the company’s 25th Anniversary celebrations, Tavcom Training pledged to make a financial donation for every training course booked between October 2020 and October this year in order to help make a difference to local families and children dealing with life-limiting illnesses.

Angus Darroch-Warren CSyP, managing director of the Linx International Group, said: “Tavcom Training and the Linx International Group are delighted to support the Naomi House and Jacksplace hospices and we look forward to developing the relationship over the coming years. These inspiring charities offer so much to local families who benefit greatly from the care given to family members faced with life-limiting and life-threatening circumstances. We’re all extremely proud of this achievement and hope that it will make a positive difference to many children and their families.”

Tavcom Training delivers accredited security systems training courses for installers, operators, managers and designers of video surveillance systems (ie CCTV), network IP solutions, intruder alarms, access control systems, fire alarms and all other types of electronic security systems.

The business offers a wide range of technical and non-technical courses within all security systems-related fields including security management, Control Room operations, system planning, project management, structured cabling, disaster recovery, counter eavesdropping, PAT testing and covert CCTV.

Expert hospice care

Naomi House and Jacksplace provide expert hospice care to more than 600 life-limited and life-threatened children, young adults and families from central southern England. Their nursing, care, play and family support teams are experts in delivering crucial emotional, spiritual and developmental as well as clinical and holistic care that children and young adults with some of the most complex medical needs require. They also offer vital respite support for families, giving them the chance to recharge their batteries and regroup in a calm and welcoming environment.

Connor Phillips, fundraising officer for Naomi House and Jacksplace, stated: “Everyone at the hospices has been completely blown away by Tavcom’s support. The company’s wonderful donation of £3,000 could fund many hours of a nurse’s vital care at Naomi House and Jacksplace. It’s only thanks to supporters like Tavcom that we’re able to be there for our families on the good days, difficult days and last days. Thank You so much to Tavcom Training.”

*For more information about Naomi House and Jacksplace, and the services they offer, visit https://www.naomihouse.org.uk/

**Further detail concerning Tavcom Training may be accessed online at www.tavcom.com

Veracity appoints Ashley Wyton as Group sales director

Veracity, the network video products developer, recently appointed Ashley Wyton as Group sales director. Wyton joins the company’s management team with a focus on strengthening the organisation’s relationships with security system integrators and installers and managing and expanding its worldwide distribution network outside of North America.

Veracity concentrates its attentions on IP transmission, data storage, video wall display controllers and sophisticated integrated Command and Control systems for the global surveillance and security industry. Headquartered in Prestwick, Veracity operates development, sales and support offices across the UK, North America, the Middle East and India.

Ashley Wyton

Welcoming Wyton to the business, Alastair McLeod (Veracity’s chairman and CEO) stated: “Ashley brings over 18 years of international security sector experience to our company. He has held a number of senior commercial roles with FLIR, Honeywell and, most recently, the Comelit Group. He will now work closely with me and the rest of Veracity’s management and expert staff to develop, support and extend the reach of our global business activities, building and growing long-term sales channels in both mature and developing markets.”

On joining Veracity, Wyton enthused: “I’m thrilled to have joined Veracity in what is a pivotal role. It’s a business built on innovation that supports its customers, and which provides solutions for a multitude of surveillance and system integration issues that exist in the market.”

Wyton continued: “We have some exciting plans to expand the reach of the business into new high-growth regions such as South East Asia. Indeed, the Veracity global business is well positioned for significant growth over the next five years, and I’m very much looking forward to working closely with our customers and business partners in order to positively influence the strategy of the organisation going forward.”

*Further information is available online at www.veracityglobal.com

Seagate Technology selects Genetec to secure global campuses

Genetec, the technology provider of unified security, public safety, operations, and business intelligence solutions has announced that Seagate Technology Holdings, itself a specialist in data storage and enterprise storage systems, has deployed Genetec Security Center to secure its global campuses and regional offices.

At the heart of this large-scale global deployment is the Genetec unified security platform which includes Security Center, the Genetec Omnicast IP video management system designed to manage more than 1,150 cameras, the Genetec Synergis IP access control system to manage more than 22,000 card holders, Sipelia for managing communications between intercoms and security operation and Seagate’s own high-efficiency, high-performance Exos X 5U84 mass capacity storage system.

All sites are connected using the Genetec Security Center Federation feature in order to centralise monitoring, reporting and alarm management across the entire organisation.

The solution realised enables Seagate to pull in up to 1.3 petabytes of HD video in a single disk enclosure from hundreds of cameras and other Internet of Things devices without losing a single frame or data packet.

Stringent performance test

“Video, and especially multi-source HD video, provides a stringent performance test for any storage solution,” said Ken Claffey, senior vice-president and general manager of enterprise storage systems at Seagate. “Likewise, the data availability expectation of a robust and unified security platform like Genetec Security Center is formidable. The sheer volume of HD video streams, frames and metadata coupled with increasingly long retention periods represents one of the most challenging IT infrastructures to deploy.”

This enterprise-scale deployment provides a clear blueprint for a state-of-the-art, unified, high-performance physical security environment for modern and large-scale facilities.

“Enterprises with global campuses and Data Centre environments have mission-critical requirements,” stated Christian Morin, vice-president of product groups at Genetec. “Securing a growing number of assets across huge facilities, while staying ahead of emerging threats, is an increasingly challenging task. Through our partnership with Seagate, this enterprise-scale deployment is a great example of how enterprises can implement an holistic approach towards security that encompasses physical and cyber security, while at the same time ensuring compliance with fast-changing regulatory mandates.”

*Further information is available online at http://www.seagate.com

Zicam Integrated Security selects Wisenet as preferred video surveillance brand

Zicam Integrated Security Ltd – one of the UK’s fastest-growing installers of electronic security systems – has selected Hanwha Techwin as its preferred single source provider of IP network video surveillance solutions. 

“As a systems integrator always looking to innovate and provide end user clients with added value from their video surveillance systems, we’ve decided to work ever-more closely with Hanwha Techwin,” stated David Salisbury, managing director of West Midlands-based Zicam Integrated Security, which has specialised in state-of-the-art surveillance and detection security systems for over 25 years now.

Salisbury went on to state: “While we always offer objective advice to end user clients in respect of the best cameras, recording devices and VMS available to meet their specific requirements, we’ve found for most projects we’ve been involved in over recent years that, via authorised distributors, we’ve been able to source everything needed from the Hanwha Techwin Wisenet product range.”

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Remote monitoring

Although Zicam Integrated Security is able to take advantage of the full Wisenet range when recommending the most suitable products for specific applications, the business has recently been specifying Wisenet P Series AI cameras for almost all projects where the video surveillance systems are being remotely monitored.

“In addition to the superb quality of the 4K images captured by these cameras,” continued Salisbury, “they’re also equipped with deep learning AI video analytics which deliver a high level of detection accuracy while minimising false alarms. This is proving to be extremely valuable to our clients, such as DHL, in terms of them efficiently and cost-effectively protecting their assets, people and property.”

STEP Partner

As a Gold level Hanwha Techwin STEP Partner, Zicam Integrated Security is able to benefit from the support offered by the partnership programme, including an enhanced five-year warranty, access to a wide range of technical support resources, lead sharing and co-marketing activities.

Ben Speakman, UK country manager for Hanwha Techwin Europe, observed: “We’re naturally delighted that a knowledgeable and highly professional systems integrator such as Zicam Integrated Security has committed to recommending Wisenet-branded products to its clients wherever possible. We’re very much looking forward to helping the Zicam team capitalise on the new business opportunities being created by our next generation products, many of which are equipped with deep learning AI video analytics.”

*For more information visit www.zicam-security.co.uk

Comelit delivers Secur Hub wireless intruder alarm system

Comelit has extended its security offer for end users by delivering a wireless intruder alarm system. Designed to seamlessly operate with its inclusive app technology, Secur Hub allows businesses to not only control their door entry and CCTV, but also their intruder alarm regime.

The Italian security specialist, which is well known for its high specification solutions, has launched Secur Hub as an intruder alarm system natively connected to the Comelit Cloud, which itself encompasses both Wi-Fi and LAN connectivity.

Secur Hub operates a high-performance, two-way radio link between the control panel and the sensors. It allows up to 16 IP CCTV cameras with HD resolution to connect to the control panel for users to view in live stream mode via the Comelit app and facilitates the recording of four cameras on alarm events for visual verification.

Francesca Boeris, Comelit’s UK managing director, explained: “To maintain and grow our position as a premier security specialist, we’re constantly evolving our solutions to present future-proof technology that keeps people and their places of work protected, in turn using the Internet of Things to deliver the latest app-friendly solutions.”

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Boeris added: “We’re also conscious of the need for simplifying the installation process to enable more installers to be able to offer this smart technology. Secur Hub’s functional design extends to all devices that communicate with the control panel and allows the system to be installed quickly. The support of a built-in intuitive wizard offers instant peace of mind and security.”

Setting the system

Specifically designed for quick installation, Secur Hub doesn’t require ports to be opened on the router – even for the app – for both system management and for viewing any connected CCTV cameras.  

Via the app, end users can set or unset the alarm system, check the status of each sensor and organise notifications or view the control panel event log. 

Boeris concluded: “Secur Hub is an exciting and innovative launch that really uses the best of our technology to offer a smart solution with the kind of stylish design that installers have come to expect from us. When combined with the Comelit app, it presents the perfect solution for the end user.”

*For more details on Comelit’s Secur Hub visit: https://www.comelitgroup.com/en-gb/systems/anti-intrusion/secur-hub/

360 Vision Technology extends VMS control with Digifort integration

360 Vision Technology – the UK manufacturer of rugged HD PTZ, radar and thermal imaging cameras – has announced a technical partnership designed to provide full systems integration with Digifort’s IP-based VMS solution.

Competitively priced and with no ongoing licence costs, the Digifort IP VMS software platform offers high-quality video monitoring and management combined with flexible and secure RAID video storage to suit any size of video surveillance project. In addition, the Digifort VMS can be upgraded to include analytics, LPR, facial recognition, Point of Sale and access control functionality.

Offering fast and simple set-up, the Digifort VMS now includes comprehensive camera SDK integration to the full range of 360 Vision Technology surveillance cameras. Full camera menu and set-up functionality is provided, including PTZ, camera iris and focus control, wash/wipe and auxiliary switching for built-in long-range IR and/or white light LED illumination.

Harnessing the power of network infrastructure, the Digifort VMS and 360 Vision Technology’s camera control can be used to deliver a high-performance, end-to-end surveillance solution for traffic monitoring, border control, public space surveillance, retail security, management and Health and Safety monitoring applications.

“It’s great to be working with, and harnessing, the powerful surveillance capability of a UK camera manufacturer,” enthused Nick Bowden, managing director at the Security Buying Group, Digifort’s UK and Ireland representative. “With the 360 Vision Technology camera range fully integrated into our IP VMS, simple device set-up and user-friendly operation is guaranteed. This will greatly enhance the user experience and maximise system performance.”

Sara Fisher, sales director at 360 Vision Technology, responded: “We’ve worked on a number of significant projects in conjunction with Digifort and customers have been very pleased with the performance of the integrated end-to-end solution. Digifort’s VMS solution makes for a perfect partnership with our range of industrial PTZ cameras.”

ONVIF goes live on GitHub for open source development

ONVIF, the global standardisation initiative for IP-based physical security products, is now live on GitHub, the online open source development platform. The repository at github.com/onvif/specs will help drive the development of ONVIF network interface specifications. 

“By having a repository on GitHub, ONVIF is making its interface specification development process more accessible, transparent and efficient,” explained Per Björkdahl, chairman of the ONVIF Steering Committee. “We encourage ONVIF members and the global developer community to go to our GitHub site and contribute to the standardisation work of supporting greater feature interoperability and innovation.”

ONVIF interoperability specifications are already publicly available as open standards and implemented by more than 400 manufacturers of IP surveillance cameras, video management software and physical access control systems to enable communication between conformant devices and clients from different vendors.

Opening the development of network interface specifications to the greater developer community will allow for input from other industries, such as IoT, Artificial Intelligence, cloud services and other technology domains.

Source files

The ONVIF GitHub site provides the source files of ONVIF specification-related documents, including schema files, which describe the XML framework of specific ONVIF features and functions. Developers with an active GitHub account may propose changes via so-called pull requests.

A dual licence scheme enables ONVIF to publish these extensions and enables further evolution by the open source community. Changes ultimately accepted by the ONVIF Technical Committee will be published on the ONVIF public website. 

The GitHub platform enables greater automation and efficiency by automating key areas of the process. This includes removing the manual handling of change requests via a ticket system and automatically merging accepted changes into a development branch, which eliminates the need for a dedicated editor to update the network interface specification files.

Over the course of its 11-year history, ONVIF has also developed several Profiles (groupings of certain functionalities derived from established ONVIF network interface specifications) that enable the performance of a set of features: Profile S for streaming video, Profile G for video recording and storage, Profile C for physical access control, Profile Q for quick installation, Profile A for broader physical access control configuration and Profile T for advanced video streaming. While Profile development is not open sourced, ONVIF widely expects that specification contributions realised via open source will support the development of future profiles.

*To learn more about ONVIF and contributing via GitHub visit https://www.onvif.org/about/faq/

IDIS ranked among top security equipment manufacturers for 2020 OSPAs

Confirming IDIS as one of the most trusted suppliers of surveillance tech in the UK, the company has been named as a finalist in the 2020 Outstanding Security Performance Awards (OSPAs). Indeed, IDIS is the only video manufacturer to have been selected as a finalist in this year’s awards scheme.

Now Korea’s largest in-country video surveillance equipment manufacturer, IDIS has established a committed customer base in the UK by offering end-to-end video solutions that combine plug-and-play simplicity with advanced functions. It’s an approach that has seen its sales grow consistently every year since its 2013 UK launch. In 2018, year-on-year sales were up by 78%, with 22% consolidated growth across Europe.

UK OSPAs founder Professor Martin Gill CSyP FSyI informed Risk Xtra that IDIS and the other 2020 finalists had been identified by an independent panel of experts scoring against impartial and ethical judging criteria.

“All those who are finalists have reached a score threshold and those with low scores, or ranked lower than tenth equal, have been eliminated. This ensures our finalists represent the very best in the industry.”

From the early days of IP, IDIS took a different approach to its competitors. When many were talking about the advantages of open architecture IP surveillance and solutions on corporate networks, IDIS understood that there were drawbacks in that approach. Today, it’s almost universally accepted that, for many SME video surveillance applications, dedicated networks are better.

IDIS identified this reality correctly from the outset because the business wasn’t led by what new technology could do, but rather by what customers actually needed.

As a result, IDIS DirectIP was the first genuine, one-click plug-and-play solution which, at a stroke, removed a major burden on professional installers. IDIS believed there should be no need for engineers to learn how to handle networks and routers, or to manage passwords for each individual device. Supporting installers who don’t have an in-depth knowledge of networking, IDIS’ ‘For Every Network’ peer-to-peer technology allows engineers to deploy secure, multi-site surveillance solutions on a rapid basis.

IDIS has also led the way with other important innovations, including reducing the video storage and transmission burden for end users with its Intelligent Codec, a powerful compression technology that cuts bandwidth requirements by up to 90% when combined with motion adaptive transmission.

To make the migration to H.265 easier and more affordable for end users, IDIS developed a dual codec solution allowing simultaneous H.264 live viewing and H.265 high resolution recording. Another example of technical innovation being fitted to customer realities, not the other way around.

IDIS has also focused on improving value for end users, with its totally cost- and license- free IDIS Center VMS being powerful yet easy enough for non-specialist staff to use.

“IDIS innovations have a proven track record of providing targeted and original answers to specific problems faced by end users and installers,” explained James Min, managing director for IDIS Europe. “We’re delighted that our approach has been recognised in the 2020 OSPAs and look forward to the awards ceremony on 26 February.”