Konica Minolta delivers surveillance solution for The Sweyne Park School

Konica Minolta Business Solutions (UK)’s intelligent video solutions and MOBOTIX c26 3600 cameras are protecting pupils, staff and property at The Sweyne Park School in Rayleigh. The “highly accurate and comprehensive” vision capability of the cameras has enabled the school to reduce a number of analogue cameras (and the associated costs and resources required to operate them), while at the same time enhancing the quality to 4K resolution.   

The solution has also provided The Sweyne Park School with the flexibility to install the equipment themselves, without expensive third party sub-contractors.

Dan Joslin, network manager at The Sweyne Park School, commented: “The models are so easy to install that we can now fit and configure additional cameras within 20 minutes. The quality of the images returned is second to none, providing a clarity that’s above and beyond what our previous solution would provide. In addition to the capabilities of the cameras, the solution provides peace of mind that there will not be any blackspots in viewing, providing 24/7 security for everyone within the school grounds.” 

The school is using the surveillance solution to watch over corridors, dining rooms and vulnerable areas. Konica Minolta’s intelligent video solutions and cameras also deliver “unrivalled” levels of cyber security, with powerful built-in and constantly updated end-to-end cyber protection delivered to thwart hacker attacks (and at no extra cost to the client).

The Sweyne Park School in Rayleigh, Essex

The Konica Minolta interior cameras are mounted flush to the ceiling and use cloud-based technology. They also feature built-in and encrypted DVR management technology. A MicroSD card is fitted into each camera as back-up storage and continues to capture video recordings should the external network connection or recording fail for any reason. Upon reconnection, the camera re-syncs the recordings with the central cloud-based storage.

Adding more cameras

It’s easy to add more cameras and any required additional storage. No dedicated servers, recording or software licences are needed, thereby saving time and money both at the point of system purchase and during its lifetime. This low maintenance solution is perfect for any location.

Additionally, the intelligent video solution has the capability to use audio to broadcast messages and alerts, as well as deliver pre-recorded files to support the management of the school. This will form part of the implementation of a programme of pre-recorded lockdown security drills, with audio files providing guidance for pupils around fire safety, crowd management and general safety. 

Gary Fletcher-Moore, head of sales for intelligent video solutions at Konica Minolta Business Solutions (UK), concluded: “Our solution is intelligent and can expand virtually without any limits, ensuring long-term security for The Sweyne Park School. Software updates are available via a free download. This means that the solution can be updated and enhanced as the requirements of the school and its daily operations evolve. It’s a future-proof solution.”

360 Vision Technology successfully combats global component shortages

360 Vision Technology, the UK manufacturer of rugged HD, hybrid, radar and thermal imaging cameras, has confirmed that, despite global component shortages, the company is bucking the trend by offering customers short lead times on its ranges of static and PTZ cameras.

As is true of many industries relying on the use of semiconductors and other electronic components, the global pandemic has seriously affected consistent component supply, thereby increasing lead times. In addition, even when they are available, some key component costs have risen dramatically.

In order to combat the inevitable challenges about to face the global supply chain, 360 Vision Technology introduced ‘extraordinary planning measures’ early on in the component crisis in a bid to secure bulk-buy purchasing on all key components for a minimum of 12 months on all standard product options. 

To cope with the additional demand on storage, 360 Vision Technology also invested in building a new factory floor facility that would hold the massive component stock.

“Despite global supply shortages affecting most CCTV camera manufacturers, with many quoting as much as 16 to 26 weeks for delivery, 360 Vision Technology is pleased to confirm that its current lead time on all orders for standard camera products remains between four and six weeks,” explained Sara Fisher, 360 Vision Technology’s sales director.

“Supporting British industry,” added Fisher, “the majority of 360 Vision Technology’s components are manufactured in the UK. Allied to this, our purchasing team has managed to consistently source components and maintain a cost platform that has led to little or no price increases being passed to our customers.”

Fisher concluded: “We remain confident in our continued supply of UK designed and manufactured products to support our installer and end user customers with price and lead-time confidence for their time-sensitive projects.”

*Additional information is available on the 360 Vision Technology website at www.360visiontechnology.com

Digital Barriers launches EdgeVis MiniCam for temporary surveillance applications

As the market for rapidly deployable surveillance cameras expands, Digital Barriers – the UK-based provider of Internet of Things surveillance and security technologies – has announced the availability of the EdgeVis MiniCam. Compact, lightweight and affordable, and with secure low bandwidth streaming over cellular or Wi-Fi, the rapidly deployable camera is “set to shake up the market” for temporary and semi-permanent surveillance.

The EdgeVis MiniCam is designed for quick and simple deployment straight out of the box. With only a requirement for power and no additional cabling, up to 2 TB of storage, an IP66 rating and NDAA compliance, the one-piece unit can easily be attached to existing street furniture or dedicated wall or pole mountings in minutes. The camera includes advanced on-board analytics enabling rapid set-up, VMS integration and immediate alerts.

The EdgeVis MiniCam also includes patented low bandwidth video streaming technology, which saves more than 50% of bandwidth and can be capped to control costs and prevent unexpectedly high data bills.

Video analytics prioritise operators’ time by sending alerts to connected devices only when events require action. Capturing, sharing and enhancing areas of interest means end users can better co-ordinate events live and as they unfold.

Flexible mobile surveillance

“Our technology was developed to meet the demanding requirements of specialist law enforcement and defence agencies,” explained Zak Doffman, CEO at Digital Barriers. “The EdgeVis MiniCam represents a new generation of flexible mobile surveillance.”

Dale Hall, Group product management director at Digital Barriers, added: “We’ve focused on real customer needs by designing a product that’s simple and quick to deploy, but without compromising on functionality. It’s 5G-ready and has a range of optional Artificial Intelligence-driven features to address long-term requirements, ensuring that customers have a future-proof device for their organisation.” adds.

From private security through to local authorities, from healthcare to transportation and for logistics and first responders, the EdgeVis MiniCam is ideally suited to both everyday surveillance and special events. It’s powerful enough to cover major incidents and vulnerable facilities and sites.

*For additional information visit https://www.digitalbarriers.com/edgevis-minicam/ 

360 Vision Technology expands team with appointment of Faz Colbhie

360 Vision Technology, the UK manufacturer of rugged PTZ and thermal imaging cameras, has announced a further expansion of the team with the appointment of Faz Colbhie in the role of business development manager.

Colbhie joins 360 Vision Technology with over 13 years’ sales and business development experience in the security industry. In these roles, Colbhie covered end user, consultant, installer, distribution and retail sales, latterly in business development at AMG Systems Limited, and then as head of sales for Bosch Security UK.

Colbhie is also a Certified Master Practitioner and a trainer of Neuro Linguistic Programming skills.

In her new role, Colbhie will be further developing key relationships with security installers and systems integrators across multiple vertical markets and applications.

Faz Colbhie (left) and Sara Fisher

Working relationships

“I’m so excited to be joining the team at 360 Vison Technology,” explained Colbhie. “I originally met the company’s sales director Sara Fisher back in 2012 when she recruited me at AMG Systems. Over the next five years, we worked on some interesting projects together and that’s where I developed some of my best relationships in the UK security industry.”  

Colbhie continued: “At 360 Vision Technology, my main objective is to bring incremental revenue into the business by creating long-term strategic partnerships with customers to whom we can offer value and alignment with a range of innovative product, all matched to their projects and end user base aspirations. I’ll be developing relationships with customers new to the 360 Vision Technology range, as well as re-engaging with existing customers to nurture and maximise positive relationships.”

Further, Colbhie stated: “I’ve always had a passion to support UK manufacturing and it’s great to have the opportunity to return to another UK brand that holds enviable business ethics and values. The continually expanding product range is an inspiring portfolio that can provide security installers with a real edge and differentiation in the solutions they offer. I’m fanatical about giving the highest levels of customer service, and it’s incredibly refreshing to see the team at 360 Vision Technology balancing an honest and genuine understanding of customer support with a total dedication to designing and producing an innovative product portfolio.”

Customer advocate

“It’s really exciting to be welcoming Faz to the 360 Vision Technology team,” enthused Sara Fisher. “We’ve had some great successes together in the past. Faz is a fantastic team player, customer advocate and an all-round joy to work with.  I have huge admiration for her industry achievements. We’re very lucky to have someone join us with such great sales calibre, commercial acumen and a wealth of industry knowledge. Faz is a great addition to 360 Vision Technology’s strong and talented team and I cannot wait to see the contribution and impact we’ll make together in the coming months.”

*For more information visit the 360 Vision Technology website at https://www.360visiontechnology.com

Vemotion Viewer app now features automated real-time incident alert and review

Vemotion Interactive, the UK supplier of low-latency, high-performance, plug and play live video streaming solutions for systems integrators and OEM solutions providers, has enhanced its real-time video and audio streaming apps, with an automated real-time incident alert and review feature.

Using the Vemotion streaming app’s new functionality, end users can now be automatically notified of any incident activated by a defined event, such as motion detected movement or an alarm. On activation, an e-mail is sent, which includes a link that takes the user directly to the point in time of the triggered incident on the streaming remote video.

Operators can then choose to review, pause, rewind or zoom into the event of interest to see the event’s detail unfold as it happened. To save on network (GPRS, 3G, 4GLTE, 5G or Satellite) bandwidth, high-resolution video resides on the edge, within the Vemotion encoder, meaning that, while optimised lower resolution video is streamed live to save data on demand, an HD quality stream of the incident footage can be downloaded to provide effective visual verification and identification of scene detail, such as people or vehicle license plates, etc.

As well as automated incident alerts, the Vemotion Viewer app’s functionality allows end users to view any live footage of interest, pause or rewind it, or adjust the live stream’s resolution and zoom-in. As the only data being streamed is the picture being viewed, zooming-in delivers the detail required, but without increasing costly bandwidth usage. 

In addition, depending on the scenario, an operator may choose to view incident scenes as Picture-in-Picture, or dual feed, enabling them to monitor continuing live events, whilst reviewing incident detail.

“The new automated real-time incident alert and review feature is ideal for users who may be busy monitoring multiple cameras and may otherwise miss something, or to be alerted to incidents covered by unmanned cameras, where not much happens for long periods and it wouldn’t be cost-effective to have them monitored all of the time,” explained Steve Haworth, CEO at Vemotion.

“Enabling much greater surveillance performance, Vemotion streaming apps provide highly secure and stable optimised video transmission and, with the new automated incident alert and review feature, they provide the ideal solution for a wide variety of police, local authority, Emergency Services and military-centric applications.”

*To view a real-time incident alert and review demonstration visit https://youtu.be/HHEUeNlTZVg

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

UVS integrates Lucidity video wall manager with Synectics’ Synergy Command and Control platform

Video wall technology expert Ultimate Visual Solutions (UVS) has announced that its UVS Lucidity video wall controller now integrates with Synectics’ Synergy Command and Control software platform.

The move is part of an ongoing strategic partnership which dates back more than 14 years, with the integrated Lucidity-Synergy solution now being installed across multiple client sites, subsequently helping to protect people and assets across the UK.

Synectics specialises in the design, integration, control and management of advanced surveillance technology for those myriad environments where security is operationally critical.

The Synergy Command and Control solution is highly flexible and user-friendly, helping to ensure customers can always access the information that counts. Mission-critical data is made manageable, meaningful and actionable.

Inaugural project

Based in the ‘Burnley First’ Burnley Business Centre, UVS provides video wall displays and audio visual solutions for a range of clients across the UK and the rest of the world. The company is led by four senior colleagues who, between them, have more than 70 years’ combined audio visual, Control Room and visual solutions experience.

The companies’ first project together using Synectics’ Synergy Command and Control platform was for Wakefield Metropolitan Borough Council’s Urban Traffic and CCTV Control Room back in 2007. Since then, the UVS-Synectics partnership has been involved in multiple security Control Room installations across the UK, including high-security prisons, Government facilities, local council security and Shopping Centre security monitoring applications (the latter including Manchester’s ever-popular Trafford Centre). These installations have provided hundreds of thousands of hours of protection for millions of people and multiple assets.

Large-scale viewing

UVS managing director Steve Murphy said: “The integration brings the significant display functionality benefits of the Lucidity video wall solution to Synergy users, including the display of multiple data sources such as web browsers, remote workstations, message boxes, RSS feeds and collaboration devices alongside traditional CCTV images. Any data source can be displayed anywhere on the video wall, thereby allowing large-scale viewing of data sources during specific incidents.”

Murphy went on to comment: “Via the integration, Synergy also provides detailed alarm configuration to ensure that relevant data is displayed automatically when specific events occur.” 

The most recent Lucidity-Synergy installation includes multiple video walls and provides multiple collaboration device inputs, allowing data from mobile devices such as iPads, phones and tablets to be instantly displayed on the video walls wirelessly via the integration. 

Sree Namelil, product manager at Synectics, concluded: “Synergy is designed to make sure Control Room operatives always have the information they need when and how they need it. Its ability to integrate with leading third party technologies is essential to this mission. We’re delighted to have partnered with UVS on this latest development.”

*For further information on UVS go to www.ultimatevs.co.uk

Eagle Eye Networks delivers 4G ‘direct-to-cloud’ body cameras

Eagle Eye Networks, the cloud video surveillance solutions developer, has introduced the ‘first-of-its-kind’ 4G ‘direct-to-cloud’ body camera designed specifically for commercial use. This new offering provides commercial customers with affordable access to feature-rich, professional-grade body camera services, which improve staff safety and accountability, trigger immediate response and deliver valuable evidence, all while protecting assets and keeping communities safe.

Body cameras dissuade aggression, improve accountability and reduce false accusations. Employees from private security officers through to retail staff, in-home service providers and delivery workers feel safer and more valued when wearing such cameras. 

Earlier this year, global research organisation Omdia identified body cameras in non-law enforcement applications as being a top trend for 2021, suggesting that the potential addressable market for commercial body-worn cameras dwarfs that of law enforcement.

“The commercial body-worn camera market is ripe for new entrants,” observed Paul Bremner, principal analyst in Omdia’s critical communications group. “Features such as cloud connectivity, 4G, live streaming, GPS and the price-point are important to retailers, delivery services, security officers and others in the commercial sector. New bodycam providers who can break the old law enforcement body camera mold with reasonably priced, feature-rich, professional-grade solutions are positioning themselves to fill a growing need within the commercial market.”

Extension of video cloud services 

Resellers are welcoming the arrival of body cameras that meet their needs. Jaime Abad Valdenebro, CEO at OmniCloud, is “excited” that Eagle Eye Networks has launched commercial body camera support for its Eagle Eye CameraManager platform. “Fixed IP cameras integrated with 4G-enabled body cameras represent the extension of video cloud services in a real mobile environment,” stated Valdenebro, “providing a new disruptive video surveillance solution.” 

He continued: “In a smart city application, Eagle Eye Networks’ new 4G, ‘direct-to-cloud’ body cameras will provide extra protection for security officers and ensure that patrols are completed on time. The 4G connectivity is important. It gives the user live access to body camera video. It will make a high- performance ‘true’ cloud video surveillance system even more powerful.”

With Eagle Eye Networks’ body cameras, end users can:  

*Use 4G or Wi-Fi for live streaming, real-time remote viewing and ‘direct-to-cloud’ recording

*Blend fixed, mobile and body-worn cameras, in turn making it easier for the entire surveillance system to work together

*Stream to a dedicated Monitoring Centre or Security Operations Centre and use geo-tagging for immediate response and support

*Experience a larger viewing area with fisheye capabilities (the latter are ‘de-warped’ in the Eagle Eye Networks Cloud Management Application

*Manage a large number of cameras in the cloud and observe the generated images from a dedicated Control Room

*Use two-way audio to clearly communicate

*Protect individuals at work and in the community 

*Future-proof the investment made with hardened cameras that offer ‘law enforcement-level’ durability and quality at an affordable price

*Gain flexibility for live streaming and video retrieval during docking with rapid recharge capabilities

Demand growing

“The demand for high-quality body cameras that connect to the cloud has been growing for several years now,” commented Dean Drako, founder and CEO of Eagle Eye Networks, “but has accelerated even more due to the pandemic, social unrest and the shift towards providing more remote services. Traditional law enforcement body cameras use a high-price subscription model, which is too steeply priced for commercial customers. Eagle Eye Networks will support the new Eagle Eye body cameras at the same low subscription cost of fixed cameras, making the solution affordable for commercial customers accustomed to paying up-front for advanced cameras with affordable long-term subscriptions.”

Body cameras are initially available on the Eagle Eye Networks CameraManager platform, with availability on the Eagle Eye Cloud Video Management System (VMS) in 2022. The Eagle Eye Networks body cameras can also be protected with Eagle Eye Networks’ rapid replacement service.

*Further information is available on the Eagle Eye Networks website

Bold Communications joins Dahua Eco Partner Programme

Monitoring platform provider Bold Communications has joined Dahua Technology’s ECO Partner Programme which is designed to create a closer integration and development relationship between Dahua and technology providers, with those parties involved working to deliver an integrated monitoring solution for commercial Alarm Receiving Centres and private Control Rooms. 

Security solutions typically require technology from more than one manufacturer. An integrated system will often incorporate legacy equipment, new technology and multiple product types. In the Control Room, a tool is needed to process the interaction between devices and present information – and tasks – to the operator in a clear and simple interface. This requires high level system design and co-operation and the ECO Partner Programme provides a platform for the process.

“Interoperability is key for the monitoring business,” stated James Wang, Dahua’s vice-president and general manager for the business in the UK and Ireland. “Together with our technology partners, we are driven to develop more comprehensive solutions for the industry. The ECO Partner Programme not only focuses on technical enhancements, but also offers our business partners the opportunity to explore our ecosystem and network with vendors with compatible solutions.”

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Bold Communications software supports compliance with industry standards for alarm and CCTV monitoring, using video verification to filter false activations and support an appropriate response. Alarm events can be generated by Dahua analytics or a third party detection device and received by Gemini with live and pre-alarm video. With false, nuisance and duplicate alarms filtered out and all information, video and handling tasks presented in a single display, the operator can then train their entire focus on handling genuine alarm activations.

Specialist security services

Integrated Visual Protection, a National Security Inspectorate Gold-accredited Alarm Receiving Centre in London, provides specialist security services throughout the UK. The Bold Gemini platform enables Integrated Visual Protection to provide a range of alarm and CCTV monitoring services, with Dahua being a popular option. 

Operations director Piers Brown commented: “To deliver a premium monitoring service for our clients means that our operations have to be robust, seamless and efficient. Combining high-quality CCTV images with fully-featured Alarm Receiving Centre software helps us to meet that standard.”   

Bold Communications’ integration development and design is driven by new technology and the needs of the monitoring sector. Becoming an ECO Partner with Dahua Technology is another important step forward in that process.   

*Further information is available online at www.boldcommunications.co.uk and info@boldcommunications.co.uk

Motor Fuel Group in charge thanks to Wisenet cameras

Motor Fuel Group (MFG), the UK’s largest independent forecourt operator, has entrusted Wisenet cameras manufactured by Hanwha Techwin to help protect its major investment in electric vehicle charging hubs.

With the sales of electric vehicles growing, MFG is accelerating its plans to offer ultra-rapid, electric vehicle charging bays with up to 12 charging bays at each location across its 900-plus station network. Dedicated Wisenet video surveillance systems are being installed to detect and deter vandals, as well as maximise the customer experience by helping MFG personnel to quickly identify if any charging equipment has been damaged.

Andrew Edwards, group infrastructure director at MFG, explained: “Reflecting the wish of many drivers to own eco-friendly vehicles, we expect the sales of electric vehicles to continue to rapidly increase year-on-year, which is why we’ve made a commitment to lead the market with the provision of fast, clean and 100% renewable energy.”

The contract to install the Wisenet systems was awarded to AGE CCTV, a division of AGE Electrical Services Ltd. “We’ve been installing new video surveillance solutions and upgrading existing systems at MFG forecourts for over 15 years,” explained Jason Gargiulo, managing director of AGE CCTV. “In all cases, we’ve used Wisenet cameras in line with MFG’s decision to single-source cameras and recording devices from Hanwha Techwin.”

Gargiulo added: “It was just a simple matter of working with Hanwha Techwin’s pre-sales and technical teams in order to specify which Wisenet camera from the company’s extensive range would best assist MFG’s personnel to observe close up detail of any activity occurring at the charging hubs.”

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Bullet cameras

Depending on the number of charging bays at each location, AGE CCTV has installed one or more 5 MP Wisenet QNO-8080R bullet cameras.

The QNO-8080R is a true day/night camera equipped with built-in IR illuminators which enables it to capture superb quality images regardless of the lighting conditions. It also benefits from enhanced Wide Dynamic Range functionality which performs at up to 120 dB to produce clear images from scenes containing a challenging mix of bright and dark areas (which normally results in overexposed or underexposed images).

With many MFG electric vehicle charging sites being unmanned, authorised MFG personnel are able at any time to remotely access the live images captured by the H.265 Wisenet QNO-8080R cameras or retrieve the recorded video of any incidents. They can do so from a desktop PC or laptop by using Hanwha Techwin’s management software or conveniently via their smart phones or tablets by making use of the Wisenet mobile app.

The images are transmitted over 4G technology and, in this respect, the WiseStream II complementary compression technology built into the QNO-8080R models is proving to be a significant benefit. Bandwidth efficiency is enhanced by up to 75% compared to current H.264 technology when Wisestream II is combined with H.265 compression.

MFG has never hesitated to invest in the latest technology to ensure that its people, property and assets are kept safe and that the highest quality of service is provided for its customers.

Andrew Edwards concluded: “We’re delighted with how AGE CCTV and Hanwha Techwin are continuing to work in partnership to help us achieve our key objectives as a business.”

Genetec Clearance camera registry streamlines public-private collaboration

Genetec – the technology provider of unified security, public safety, operations and business intelligence solutions – has announced an update to its camera registry module for Genetec Clearance, the digital evidence management system that facilitates collaboration between public safety agencies, corporate security departments, businesses and the general public.

Video evidence is an invaluable tool to help investigators review events, assist the public and solve crimes. However, the methods used to retrieve recordings from privately-owned cameras can be cumbersome and time-consuming as they rely on security officers manually collecting video from the scene.

The camera registry module for Clearance offers an entirely digital and automated experience to facilitate this process on a much swifter basis and provides a new avenue for law enforcement to work closely with residents and businesses in their community.

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“Genetec Clearance is now our overall case file with everything in it, including all of our evidence and case-related documentation,” said Captain Mike Bell, Identification Division Commander at the Galveston Sheriff’s Office in Texas. “Where we used to keep paper records, we now store everything digitally in Clearance including crime scene photographs, patrol photos from mobile phones, interviews and all of our reports and records. Using Clearance means that, when we have to work with case files for whatever reason, all of the data we need is right there at our fingertips.”

Digital public safety

The module allows cities and agencies to create a digital public safety programme whereby businesses, public institutions and residents can enrol to assist with investigations. Once participants have registered their cameras, detectives can rapidly locate cameras nearby investigations and request recordings to facilitate evidence collection.

Recordings are provided voluntarily by participants and are sent back to the authorities through a secure web portal. Video exports from any camera system may be shared such that business owners and residents can continue to use their existing equipment without incurring any additional costs to participate in the programme. Detectives can then review and preserve videos received from these requests directly from Clearance.

Erick Ceresato, senior product group manager at Genetec, told Security Matters: “Investigators are under a great deal of pressure to solve cases. Our goal is to provide cities and public safety agencies with the technology that helps them to reduce the time spent on mundane tasks and provide methods for them to collaborate more effectively with businesses and the public.”

Cresato added: “We’re pleased to offer solutions like Genetec Clearance that can be used to build closer partnerships within communities and better leverage the full potential of evidence that’s available to improve public safety.”

*Further information about Genetec Clearance is available online at https://info.genetec.com/clearance-camera-registry-features.html