Qognify appoints UK and Ireland channel sales manager

Qognify has announced the appointment of Nigel Austin to the role of UK and Ireland channel sales manager. Based in the UK, Austin has the core remit of supporting Qognify’s customers and partners and driving sales and growth for its video management solutions in the region.

Austin brings more than 30 years of experience in the electronic security sector to Qognify. During his career, he has managed operational and sales teams in both the public and private sectors.

He joins Qognify from Chubb Fire & Security UK where he served as business development manager for national accounts. Prior to that, Austin held senior sales, management and business development roles at Honeywell, Norbain, Dahua Technology and Samsung (now Hanwha) Techwin.

Nigel Austin

Andreas Beerbaum, Qognify’s vice-president for international sales, commented: “Qognify already has a strong and successful presence in the UK and Ireland, working on major retail, airport and transportation projects. With Nigel’s appointment, we want to further increase our footprint in this market. He has the necessary experience and know-how to work with our channel partners and support end user customers in achieving their physical security goals.”

Speaking about his new role at the business, Austin informed Security Matters: “I’ve been working in the security sector for a long time now and, in my experience, Qognify presents existing and potential new partners with a truly compelling proposition to meet the needs of any organisation that places a premium on physical security.”

*For more information about Qognify visit www.qognify.com

Senstar unveils new sensor fusion engine driven by Symphony common operating platform

Video management and perimeter intrusion detection solutions specialist Senstar has issued its new sensor fusion engine which synthesises data from multiple sensors to generate actionable information.

“The concept of sensor fusion isn’t a new one, but we’ve taken it beyond simple Boolean logic integration to develop an engine that analyses real-time data alongside historical, locational, environmental and classification data before generating an alarm,” explained the company’s chief technology officer Jeremy Weese. “The resulting decrease in nuisance alarm rates and increase in system confidence enables security operators to focus on what’s important. Specifically, a quick and efficient response to real security threats.”

The Senstar sensor fusion engine accesses low-level data to intelligently characterise potential risks and data synthesis enables the system to achieve levels of performance that exceed those of the individual sensors. For security applications, this has direct and practical benefits, including the ability to maximise the strengths of individual sensor technologies, while at the same time avoiding their shortcomings.

When signal response data from outdoor sensors is synthesized with video analytics data, nuisance alarms generated by wind or debris are virtually eliminated, while the system’s high probability of detection is maintained.

Game-changer for the industry

“Senstar’s sensor fusion engine is a game-changer for the industry as it specifically addresses one of the top concerns for perimeter security, which is that focused on nuisance alarms,” said managing director Fabien Haubert. “Senstar continues to differentiate itself by advancing security technologies and simplifying deployment to better serve customers in the utilities, logistics and energy sector markets.”

Driving Senstar’s new sensor fusion engine is the Senstar Symphony common operating platform, which is a modular solution for security management and data intelligence. In addition to being an open and highly scalable video management system with built-in video analytics, it includes fully-featured access control and perimeter intrusion detection modules. The Senstar Symphony Common Operating Platform is the latest expansion of the Senstar Symphony video management software, itself a leading solution in the security industry for close on two decades.

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

Milestone Systems appoints Ritesh Deokar as country manager for India

The appointment of Ritesh Deokar is a strategically important move for the company, adding valuable experience and expertise which complement Milestone Systems’ ambitious expansion plans in the region.

Deokar joins the company from a senior management position at Larsen & Toubro Infotech, where he was responsible for global alliances. Prior to that, he was employed as national alliance manager at Wipro Limited, and has extensive experience working within the ICT sector in India. Deokar’s diverse background in both technology and security will be of significance to Milestone Systems’ growth in the region.

Ritesh Deokar

Jordan Cullis, director for the APAC region at Milestone Systems, said: “The fact that Ritesh brings a converged security and technology skill set to the company fits perfectly with our needs. Video management has evolved far beyond the point where it exists purely as a standalone technology. To fully harness the power of an open VMS platform like Milestone Systems, professionals need to understand and work with the myriad of technologies that integrate with our solutions.”

Deokar received his MBA from Nagpur University and is fluent in four languages: Hindi, English, Kannada and Marathi. He’ll now be based in Bengaluru.

Milestone Systems has committed to an ambitious growth strategy in the region, backed by a global plan to increase its innovation capacity by 45%.

Speaking about his new role, Deokar said: “I’m very excited to come to a leading global company like Milestone Systems at a time when there’s so much happening in the video management and surveillance industry in India. There’s enormous potential for our open platform VMS solution and my extensive contacts across the IT and security markets here will certainly give us some great scope to forge new alliances, build new solutions and really take the company forward across the region.”

ONVIF hosts 20th Developers’ Plugfest in Tokyo

ONVIF, the global standardisation initiative for IP-based physical security products, recently hosted its 20th Developers’ Plugfest in Tokyo. It’s a milestone that, the organisation believes, firmly emphasises the continued growth and demand for interoperable solutions.

Developers and engineers from 22 ONVIF member companies gathered at the three-day event to test their implementations of ONVIF Profiles with other ONVIF Profile-conformant products. Developers can test their products independently for Profile conformance, as well as test for interoperability between their devices and those developed by other manufacturers.

With 47 members testing their implementations of the six ONVIF Profiles, attendees logged nearly 250 hours of testing. In addition to Profile interoperability tests, all ONVIF clients had the opportunity to test using the ONVIF Device/Client Test Tool. From there, attendees were able to discuss with Test Tool developers any issues that arose during conformance testing.

“The continued level of engagement from our member companies at what’s now our 20th Developers’ Plugfest showcases the importance of interoperability to the industry at large,” said Per Björkdahl, chair of the ONVIF Steering Committee. “As new Profiles are developed to meet ever-changing market needs, it’s more important than ever for companies to collaborate and exchange ideas to create the best new conformant technologies possible.”

ONVIF Developers’ Plugfests are held twice each year around the world to enable the global ONVIF membership to gather for testing of their implementations. The next Developers’ Plugfest is scheduled to be held this coming November in Rome.

Per Björkdahl: chair of the ONVIF Steering Committee

Founded in 2008, ONVIF is an industry forum driving interoperability for IP-based physical security products. The organisation has a global member base of established camera, video management system and access control companies and more than 13,000 Profile-conformant products.

ONVIF offers Profile S for basic streaming video, Profile G for edge storage and retrieval, Profile C for door control and event management, Profile Q for quick installation, Profile A for access control configuration and Profile T for advanced video streaming.

ONVIF continues to work with its members to expand the number of IP interoperability solutions ONVIF-conformant products can provide.

*Further information about ONVIF-conformant products, including member companies and their conformant models, is available on the ONVIF website at www.onvif.org

Genetec and MOBOTIX unveil details of new technology integration partnership

Genetec, a leading provider of open architecture, unified IP security solutions, and MOBOTIX (the German manufacturer of video surveillance devices) have announced a technology relationship in which both companies will work together on R&D, testing, business development and sales support for new and existing enterprise clients.

Both companies enjoy a global reputation for quality, reliability, first class customer support and expertise in delivering flexible security solutions.

Genetec’s Security Center unifies video management, access control, ANPR and communications management within a single intuitive platform. The new technology partnership will offer single and multi-site management for MOBOTIX edge devices, leading to greater efficiency for a higher level of security.

MOBOTIX enhances video for physical security applications, business operations, process monitoring and sustainability through reliable camera hardware, decentralised architecture and energy efficiency. The company’s solutions include both optical and thermal imaging sensors.

Genetec and MOBOTIX have a footprint in more than 70 countries. Through this partnership, they’ll be able to offer customers from SMEs through to those managing enterprise multi-site deployments a flexible end-to-end IP video security solution.

“We’re happy to enter this technology partnership with Genetec as we recognise a natural synergy with the highly-scalable unified security platform that Security Center represents, as well as the catalogue of IP cameras and compression technology that MOBOTIX offers,” said Dr Tristan Haage, chief sales officer at MOBOTIX.

“With two recent 500-plus camera customer deployments in Europe and the Middle East, both companies are already realising the advantages of a highly-integrated hardware and software solution for enterprise deploymentsy,” added Hagge.

“As Genetec grows its presence in Germany, we realised the many symbiotic advantages we share with MOBOTIX,” observed Francis Lachance, director of product management at Genetec. “With MOBOTIX joining the Genetec ecosystem of technology partners, we’ll be able to offer the many differentiating features and capabilities MOBOTIX brings to the table, fully integrated with Security Center. It’s a win-win relationship.”

Qognify strengthens EMEA presence with opening of new central London head office

Qognify, formerly NICE Security, has announced the opening of its EMEA head office in central London. The new office is the home of Qognify’s regional sales and management team that also provides training and support services to its partners and customers.

Located at Blackfriars on the banks of The River Thames, the new office boasts a cutting-edge solution demonstration suite, showcasing the company’s full portfolio including the latest version of its situation management platform, Situator 8.0 (incorporating the Operational Intelligence Center), its new intelligent IP video surveillance suite and management systems (VisionHub), and the next generation real-time video analytics solution, designated Suspect Search.

Qognify has a well-established business partner​ programme​ and an impressive customer base throughout EMEA, which includes Aeroexpress, ProRail, Oslo Airport, Millennium BCP, Naftoport and many others.

Eran Noam, EMEA vice-president at Qognify, commented: “Our prestigious new EMEA head office in London is the ideal location from which we can provide the best possible service to our growing customer base in the region and to our partners, all the while delivering our market-leading solutions.”

As a business, Qognify helps organisations mitigate risk, maintain business continuity and optimise their operations. The Qognify portfolio includes video management, video and data analytics and PSIM solutions deployed in financial institutions, for transportation agencies, at airports and seaports, for utility companies and city centres and to secure many of the world’s highest-profile public events.

*For further information visit: www.Qognify.com

VMS developer Wavestore and NBM agree terms on distribution partnership

Wavestore, a leading global supplier of video management software (VMS), has agreed a new distribution partnership with NBM Distribution. Under the terms of the agreement, NBM Distribution will supply Wavestore’s hardware-based solutions to its extensive customer base of installers and systems integrators throughout the EMEA region. 

NBM Distribution was established in 1988 to service the growing demands of the computer network market. From an 11,000 sq ft warehouse located in Hemel Hempstead, the company offers the IT channel an extensive portfolio of network solutions developed by leading manufacturers including MOBOTIX, Allied Telesis, Synology, Brand-Rex, Netgenium, Redetec, Riello, GJD Technologies, Prism Enclosures and Rittal.

Supported by an ongoing commitment to provide all customers with the highest level of service in the data cabling industry, the company has increased its sales to over £9 million.

Danny Kindell: managing director of NBM Distribution

“We’ve decided upon a single vendor strategy in respect of video surveillance products and, on that basis, we carefully evaluated video management solutions from a wide range of manufacturers before reaching this distribution agreement with Wavestore,” said Danny Kindell, managing director of NBM Distribution.

“Wavestore’s open platform VMS will provide our customers with the option to deploy a video surveillance solution which can be integrated with a wide range of other  security and IT-related systems. It also works particularly well with Megapixel and 360-degree cameras manufactured by MOBOTIX whom we work with on an exclusive basis.”

Identifying new business opportunities

Also commenting on the new working arrangements, Chris Williams (director of Wavestore) said: “NBM Distribution’s in-depth knowledge and understanding of the network sector makes the company an ideal partner to help us identify new business opportunities within the IT channel. We’re looking forward to working with the NBM Distribution team to bring the benefits of our video management solutions to the attention of professionals who work within the network sector.”

Wavestore director Chris Williams

Williams added: “The timing of this partnership agreement could not be better as it coincides with the imminent launch of Wavestore V6 which will incorporate a number of exciting and innovative new features. These include the EcoStore intelligent power saving hard drive management technology offering a potential power saving of up to 90% per hard drive. V6 will also feature Wavestore’s proprietary data storage solution. Its highly scalable recording design supports up to 64 Petabytes of storage per single volume, each with a capacity of up to 64 trillion images, and is configurable for an unlimited number of volumes.”

Wavestore is a powerful and user-friendly Linux-based video recording and management system able to simultaneously record images captured by combinations of analogue, IP, Megapixel, HD, HD-SDI and 360-degree cameras.

As a business, Wavestore is fully committed to an open platform philosophy. This enables the company to integrate and work closely with camera manufacturers and other third party technology partners in offering a comprehensive security solution which can include video analytics, access control, Command and Control, Physical Security Information Management (PSIM), motion detection, license plate recognition, abandoned object and intruder detection, people counting, perimeter security detection and traffic monitoring systems.

WaveView in operation

Wavestore’s video management software is ONVIF Profile S-conformant. Profile S describes the common functionalities shared by ONVIF-conformant video management systems and devices that send, configure, request or control the streaming of media data over an IP network, and includes specific features such as PTZ control, audio streaming and relay outputs.

Paradigm shift in the approach to VMS

The expertise of its hardware and software development teams ensures that Wavestore is able to react quickly to rapidly changing market demands. Indeed, many of the features incorporated within Wavestore V5 were introduced as a direct result of listening and responding to customer requirements.

Some of those features are unique to Wavestore. One such is de-warping software, which facilitates the recording and display of the fish-eye images captured by 180 and 360-degree panoramic cameras.

Wavestore’s DVRs, NVRs and HVRs are rugged, reliable and straightforward to install, configure and operate

Developed on the Linux operating system, Wavestore’s DVRs, NVRs and HVRs are rugged, reliable and straightforward to install, configure and operate.

Wavestore systems are also easily expandable and upgradable as and when a client’s requirements change, while Wavestore’s powerful SDK and metadata capability enables integrated security solutions to be developed that will provide a rapid response to dynamic events for end users.