TDSi enters new partnership arrangement with Enterprise Security Distribution

Integrated security solutions developer TDSi has announce the detail of a new distribution partnership with Enterprise Security Distribution. The partnership deal will see TDSi’s products and services being offered across the UK through Enterprise Security Distribution’s network of regional branches.

Andy Cross, TDSi’s distribution channel manager, commented: “We have ambitious plans to grow and further develop our distribution partnerships and Enterprise Security Distribution is a perfect partner. With a network of ten branches across the UK, ranging from Kent right up to Manchester, Enterprise Security Distribution boasts highly impressive market penetration and professional expertise across numerous sectors.”

Tony Streams, managing director at Enterprise Security Distribution, responded: “TDSi offers an unbeatable range of innovative and reliable security systems which provide high levels of RoI. Backed by class-leading technology and support services, we believe this partnership with TDSi will offer our customers improved choice and access to some of the best security solutions available.”

TDSi only sells its products through designated channel partners, so expert distribution partnerships are the key to its success. Andy Cross explained: “We rely upon the knowledge and market relationship of our partners to supply our customers with TDSi products and support. It would be impossible for us to reach and support all of these customers without this expert help. Therefore, it’s vital that we forge the right partnerships to ensure market growth and mutual success in growing our business.”

TDSi’s distribution partners have their specific expertise and focus, be that by geographical location or specific vertical sector. Cross concluded: “Enterprise Security Distribution has enviable expertise in not only access control systems, but also CCTV, intruder detection and fire safety systems. We believe our products are a great fit as part of these fully-integrated solutions and we’re very excited indeed to be opening this new chapter of co-operation.”

ISM heralds success of ‘Technology Days’ aimed at promoting benefits of PSIM in the Middle East

Intergrated Security Manufacturing (ISM) has hosted the first of a series of ‘Technology Days’ in Oman to demonstrate the design, development and thinking behind the latest Physical Security Information Management (PSIM) technology.

The company, whose Genesys PSIM platform is already installed in a number of high security sites throughout the Middle East, organised the events to promote the key considerations in specifying a PSIM solution: system architecture (ie how the system works, its resilience/redundancy and the impact of networks, etc), ease of use (including the simplicity of operator training) and life-cycle costs (as well as the overall return on investment).

Petri Hitches, ISM’s sales manager for the Middle East, enthused that the response to the presentations has been overwhelming. “The days were designed to be informative and educational, to heighten the awareness of what today’s PSIM systems are able to achieve and what makes a project successful. They were extremely well received.”

Audiences included high ranking officials from the regulators and local law enforcement agencies, as well as consultants, security integrators and end users responsible for various critical infrastructure projects.

The Technology Days were in part co-hosted by Ingenuity Technologies LLC of Oman.

ISM intends to organise and announce further dates later in the year.

Samsung all set to offer “out-of-the-box” software solutions on dedicated WiseNetIII Open Platform cameras

Last year, Samsung Techwin introduced its WiseNetIII Open Platform camera range. These bullet, dome and body camera variations run the very latest high performance DSP chipset, giving enough processing power to simultaneously use multiple edge-based applications. Now, Samsung Techwin Europe has given advance notice that the business intends to supply WiseNetIII models with pre-loaded applications.

Here, technology partner manager Dan England explains to Risk UK why Samsung Techwin Europe is going down the route of offering cameras with pre-loaded software, duly highlighting who will benefit from this significant move which is specifically designed to provide out-of-the-box solutions and, in turn, elevate video surveillance from simply being a security system to a smart solution that can deliver so much more for end customers. 

Risk UK: Dan, first of all can you tell Risk UK’s readers about your career to date?

Dan England: Yes, of course. I’m now in my seventeenth year in the security sector and, in that time, I’ve gained experience as an integrator and project manager. I’ve also worked for manufacturers of both access control and CCTV solutions. These days, I have developed a specific interest in edge-based video applications.

Risk UK: Can you also explain what your present role as technology partner manager entails?

Dan England: My overall objective is to ensure that we’re best placed to provide end users with significant added value from their video surveillance systems.

Since Samsung Techwin Europe launched the WiseNetIII Open Platform camera range, we’ve been approached by countless software development companies who want to capitalise on the new business opportunities that can be created by running their solutions on the WiseNetIII cameras.

Dan England

My role is to manage, encourage and support all of these application developers, as well as video management software (VMS) providers, and work with them in partnership to ensure that our mutual customers have the freedom to choose from a wide range and combination of Samsung-approved solutions.

Risk UK: If you’re intending to pre-load applications on to WiseNetIII cameras, will this not restrict a customer’s choice as to which application they can work with?

Dan England: No, not at all. After listening to market feedback, it makes perfect sense to offer a number of ‘pre-packed’ options for those customers that are perhaps new to video analytics or would benefit from a simple ‘no-fuss’ purchase.

It’s also important to emphasise that customers will still be able to buy Samsung WiseNetIII cameras without any pre-loaded software and still have the option to upload applications of their choice as required. Following the connection of a WiseNetIII camera to the network, installers or operators simply need to upload their preferred app via the camera’s browser.

Risk UK: What are the advantages of ordering Samsung WiseNetIII cameras with pre-loaded applications?

Dan England: Our decision to do this is based on enhancing Samsung’s reputation as a brand that can always be trusted to look for ways to not only make it easier for customers to deploy our video surveillance solutions, but also for them to achieve maximum return on investment. In this respect, Open Platform is an exciting game-changer which we’re determined to help customers take advantage of on a continual basis.

Samsung’S WiseNetIII cameras

By pre-loading software which we’ve fully tested and evaluated, we will be saving installers, systems integrators and end users considerable time and effort in having to research the fast-growing list of available applications.

Plus, since we’ve worked very closely with the respective developers of the applications, customers can be assured of a seamless integrated solution that’s easy to configure.

Risk UK: What kind of applications are you recommending to customers?

Dan England: Well, the good news is that some applications, such as Arteco Automatic Number Plate Recognition and Facit video analytics, are already available pre-loaded on Samsung WiseNetIII cameras.

In addition to video analytics, we’ll be offering WiseNetIII cameras and domes pre-loaded with storage, people counting, intruder and perimeter protection applications as well as specialist retail analysis solutions.

Over the coming months, I’ve no doubt that many more different types of applications will emerge.

As predicted when the WiseNetIII series was first launched, one thing we can be certain of is that we will be able to look back in a year or so and be amazed at the diversity of applications that have been introduced. The very latest out-of-the-box application is in fact a specialist time-lapse solution from Pernixia which has been developed to meet the requirements of the broadcast and construction industries.

Risk UK: It sounds like it might be quite complicated for customers to order WiseNetIII cameras with the right application pre-loaded, and particularly so if they want to take advantage of the cameras’ ability to run more than one application. Is that the case?

Dan England: In reality this will not be a problem. Using smart part numbers, we will make it a ‘no fuss’ process for customers to identify and order the ideal camera/applications combination. 

Risk UK: Who are your preferred suppliers of these applications and which regions do they cover?

Dan England: We will publish a complete list on our website in the very near future with a mixture of European and global solutions. In the meantime, I’m available on e-mail (d.england@samsung.coM) to offer advice and guidance on the best option for specific projects.

March Networks delivers insights on “superior surveillance” in banking with video-driven business intelligence

March Networks, the global provider of intelligent IP video solutions, is helping banking organisations understand how they can use business intelligence drawn from video, analytics and transaction reporting to implement strategy, gain tactical and operational insight and facilitate effective decision-making. 

In a topical webinar, now available for replay on the Banking Technology website, Ely Maspero (March Networks’ IP video management solutions product manager) highlights the growing relevance and popularity of analytics and industry-oriented reporting tools. They’ve become so useful to banks, in fact, that an investment of just $1 in analytics resulted in an RoI of $13 in 2014, representing a growth rate of 18% since 2011[1].

Video and analytics are increasingly being used together, not only to provide data on specific ATM-related fraud, but also to deliver meaningful insights into bank branch performance and help improve customer relations, reduce waiting times and increase the effectiveness of in-branch marketing activities.

According to 61% of those individuals surveyed by Technology Business Research at the end of last year, the main driver of business intelligence software market growth is operational efficiency.

Ely Maspero of March Networks

Financial institutions can be vulnerable to different types of fraud, from cash trapping and card skimming through to the more extreme use of explosives. While ATM fraud incidents fell by 26% last year, related losses did increase by 13%.

The combination of video and analytics can speed investigation times and identify at-risk ATMs to help reduce prevent fraud.

Video, analytics and transaction data

From a marketing perspective, video and analytics may be used to help banks maximise their up-selling and cross-selling opportunities by analysing staff and customer behaviour. Multiple banking departments can use the powerful combination across all aspects of client relations in order to help them move from a product-oriented business model to one that’s more customer-oriented.

“Today, most banks are using video surveillance to help reduce losses and better protect their customers’ assets,” said Ely Maspero, “but the combination of video, analytics and transaction data can target more than loss prevention. Video-driven business intelligence can provide banks with valuable information on the behaviours and habits of customers and staff, helping banks refine and improve their in-branch services.”

Talking specifically about the webinar, Maspero added: “This webcast highlights the many opportunities that today’s video analytics can provide, including the reduction of vulnerabilities and improving customer experience to help build brand loyalty and increase revenues.”

Reference

[1] Nucleus Search, September 2014

IDIS and 4Sight Imaging unveil “groundbreaking” ANPR solution for end users

Global surveillance solutions provider IDIS and 4Sight Imaging – a leading imaging technology company – have announced the successful integration of DirectIP with Veracity, a powerful and intuitive Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) software engine.

Proving “ten times more accurate” in independent comparative testing, the IDIS and 4Sight solution combines leading image analysis technologies with next generation DirectIP HD cameras, in turn leveraging the latest system architectures and advances in solid state lighting to allow a wide, multi-lane field of view that’s accurate across a wide range of weather, lighting and number plate conditions.

The “groundbreaking” solution eliminates the challenges traditionally associated with ANPR systems by removing complicated set-up, configuration and constant maintenance and system adjustments made possible through both companies’ patented plug-and-play technology. The end result translates to low system configuration and simple, fast deployment that delivers benefits in terms of affordability and a continued low cost of ownership for the end user.

Detail of an IDIS DirectIP camera

Customers are now offered a commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) and affordable ANPR solution featuring:

• “industry-leading accuracy” across a wide range of weather and operating conditions
• high performance, reliability and image quality combined with ease of installation and operation
• international plate recognition
• future-proof technology that inherently leverages new developments in camera hardware, system architectures and processing power

Commenting on the new ANPR solution, Brian Song – managing director at IDIS Europe – noted: “There’s natural synergy between IDIS and 4Sight Imaging with both organisations committed to delivering high performance technology combined with plug-and-play simplicity that offers ease of installation and operation and a low cost of ownership. We can now offer exactly that in terms of an ANPR solution following the successful integration of DirectIP and Veracity.”

Brook Jackson, managing director at 4Sight Imaging, added: “The complexities previously associated with plate recognition have until now restricted system integrators from maximising the opportunities around ANPR for their end users. The Veracity solution allows our partners to grow, protects their margins and at the same time ensures end user satisfaction.  One major car parking organisation in the UK has already seen significant return on investment through improved accuracy since rolling out the solution across their national estate.”

Used by a wide range of global customers across surveillance, car parking operations and access control, the Veracity and DirectIP solution delivers a variety of tangible benefits including:

• enhanced safety and security
• low cost of ownership
• increased profitability from car parking operations
• improved surveillance operations with high quality evidential images
• operational efficiencies through the automation of previously manual tasks

*For more information on 4Sight Imaging and Veracity go to: www.4sightimaging.com or e-mail: info@4sightimaging.com

**Further detail on IDIS and DirectIP can be found at: www.idisglobal.com