Linked Table of Contents
Nine Questions With Martin Gren, the Network Camera’s Inventor
New App Lets Visitors Self-Register on an iPad, Tablet or Smartphone
Pelco Introduces ‘The New Era of Image Quality’
Paxton Access Adds New Distribution Partners
Arecont Vision Launches Bi-Monthly Product Update Webinars
Certification Makes Possible Best-of-Breed Security & Automation Solutions, Manufacturers Say
Get Trained on Products With Ease Online
Quintron Systems Placed on GSA Approved Products List
Codebench Integration With IDenticard Software
HID Global Launches Next Generation Access Control Readers & Contactless Smart Cards
A New Dealer Rewards Program from Camden
Integration Update Enables Seamless Transition From Analog to IP Video
Alvarado Debuts Easier to Use Website
NOTIFIER Releases BIM Fire Alarm Models
New Virtual Life Safety Seminar
New at ADI: Wi3 Solutions for Home Entertainment Networking
Video System Certified as Approved Product for U.S. Homeland Security
Software Predicts Intelligibility Before Installation
Panasonic Enhances Its Certified Reseller Program
White Paper Addresses IP Camera Project Design
Nine Questions With Martin Gren, the Network Camera’s Inventor
In September of 1996, Axis Communications, Chelmsford, Mass., launched the world’s first IP camera at a tradeshow in the United States. Fast forward to 2011, where at ASIS in Orlando, Fla., Axis took the opportunity to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the invention of the first network camera with attendees. Cupcakes, a champagne toast, speeches, and Martin-Gren-autographed AXIS M1011 network cameras all were part of the program.
Before the show, SDM had the chance to interview Gren, the inventor of the network camera, and the co-founder of Axis Communications in 1984 with Mikael Karlsson and Keith Bloodworth. Gren shared some of the lesser-known details of the journey to the first network camera.
SDM: What made you decide to start working on a network camera?
GREN: When Axis was founded in the mid-‘80s, we specialized in IBM printing. As the business of mainframes started to decline, we saw that our little company couldn’t live on just one technology for too long. So while the print server business ran quite well for more than 10 years, the Axis culture became one of exploring new ventures for products that “made your network smarter.” In this open technology atmosphere, we launched products like TCP/IP print servers and networked optical storage — which the now North American general manager Fredrik Nilsson actually wrote manuals for back then.
In the early ‘90s while on a business trip in Tokyo, I met a customer with an inventory of unsellable analog cameras and he asked if we could network-attach them. I thought it was a cool idea (and funny enough still a common problem today).
Coincidentally, one of our engineers named Carl-Axel Alm (who is still with Axis today) had been working on a network video conference system. When I got back from Tokyo and saw what he was working on, I said, “Let’s scrap the use of it as a video conference system. I do not believe in that market and it does not fit the Axis way of doing business. But your hardware is great for creating a network camera, so let’s do that instead.”
We all agreed and, many student master theses later, the world’s first network camera was launched in 1996!
SDM: What events surrounding the journey — from the first idea to the final product — still stick with you today and why?
GREN: We had the idea of the first network cameras just before the dotcom boom and before anyone outside of network engineers knew what the World Wide Web was. Thanks to our innovative culture, Axis was quite early having Internet email in 1988. So when we developed the first models of the network camera, it was based on various semi-open standards. These were a nightmare to install on our PCs (this was pre Windows 95).
After many trials on creating a software driver, we finally came up with the idea of using a Web browser as the viewer for the camera. This realization immediately changed our direction and led us to make the camera a Web-server with live pictures — much inspired by the MIT Trojan Room coffee pot camera.
Looking back at the original network camera, there are many things still in common with today’s cameras. The camera is still a Web-server and has a GUI (graphical user interface). We had an API (application programming interface) that we later named VAPIX 1.0, which was an easy-to-use HTTP-based interface.
SDM: Was there ever a time you didn’t think it would work?
GREN: Just before we got the idea of using a Web browser to interface the camera, we were close to giving up. Writing an image driver in a platform-independent way was almost impossible. We were quite frustrated trying to get the first unit to work. But the day we decided to use a browser, all the ideas fell into place and we were thrilled.
SDM: What did you first originally call the completed invention and why? (Did it have a ‘working’ name?)
GREN: We had long, long discussions on what to call it. “Network camera” was something we all agreed upon, but internally we wanted to come up with a name — not a number. After a lot of internal debate, and a lot of beer, we came up with the name “Neteye.” But we soon learned it was expensive to register a second trademark so, after some time, we decided to simply call it the AXIS 200 network camera. I’m glad to say though that the name Neteye still lives on internally as part of our culture. The U.S. office has named one of its conference rooms after it.
SDM: Had you ever invented anything else before this?
GREN: We have not invented a specific category like we did with the network camera and the video encoder. But we have tweaked a lot of products into something completely new and different, such as print servers that supported multiple protocols and optical network servers with built-in hard disks. We were actually one of the first companies in the world who had embedded network attached storage (NAS), but it was 10 years before the technology was practically useful. So if we hadn’t invented the network camera we probably would have been a network storage company!
SDM: What were your initial expectations for the network camera? Did you expect the network camera would be what it is today?
GREN: Well, both yes and no. The Web browser realization was a game-changer and we knew we were onto something big. Still, that initial camera was meant for Web attraction. We went to various tradeshows in different markets and saw one that was 100 percent analog and based on a 50-year-old standard. Just like many of the dotcommers of the time, we said we could change this way of doing things in just a couple of years if we could make CCTV systems network-based and add remote monitoring capabilities.
In my presentation to the Axis board of directors, I said it was an amazing opportunity. The board said, “If you can sell 5,000 by this date, we will make it a permanent business unit of the company.” We sold more than 10,000. We then decided on doing the ASIC chip and started on our path to becoming a network video company.
SDM: How long did the process take, from first step of the invention to finished camera that could be sold?
GREN: It took about three years in all. First was the idea of the video conference system, then the frustration of not finding a common, open platform way to do it. And finally the Q&A process delayed the launch by six months. We had a prototype with us in the spring of 1996 to show it at CEbit in Germany, but decided to not show the product until it was ready, which turned out to be N+I in Atlanta in September that year. Fifteen years later and we still refuse to announce a product until we have working units in hand.
SDM: We have to ask: What happened to the first network camera – is it still around?
GREN: It’s still alive and kicking. I collected a bunch of them over the years and most still work! The only problem with those models is the battery for its real time clock, which was specified to last for five years. When testing a few of the original Neteyes, I actually found one where the time was still running — although it had drifted four hours off. Not too bad for 15 years and a battery working 10 years overtime.
New App Lets Visitors Self-Register on an iPad, Tablet or Smartphone
EasyLobby released its newest visitor management software product — EasyLobby eKiosk™. The new software turns any Apple iPad, tablet computer or smart phone into a self-registration kiosk for visitors.
“Visitor self-registration is becoming more and more popular in nearly every market segment,” said Howard Marson, CEO of EasyLobby. “Because many customer sites don’t have space in the lobby for a traditional self-standing kiosk, we developed this application as a smaller, more intimate alternative. With built-in touch screen and very intuitive ease of use, an iPad or other tablet computer can be handed to the visitor when they arrive, allowing the guest to fill out the registration form and print their visitor badge.”
When used in combination with EasyLobby’s eAdvance web pre-registration software, the new EasyLobby eKiosk software makes it fast and easy for visitors to register themselves upon arrival. The host employee can pre-register the visitor in eAdvance from their own computer; eAdvance then sends the visitor a confirmation e-mail with their registration number. When the visitor arrives and is handed an eKiosk-enabled device, they simply enter their name or the registration number, and their record will automatically come up.
EasyLobby customers can configure the visitor form on any eKiosk device to include whatever fields they want, including designating required fields. Customers can also display a PDF or HTML file with eKiosk for visitors to review and acknowledge or agree to. eKiosk also has the ability to screen visitors against a pre-registered visitor list and/or internal Watch List to keep unwanted or unauthorized people out. When the visitor checks in using eKiosk, an e-mail or SMS text is automatically sent to the employee being visited.
EasyLobby eKiosk can be purchased directly from EasyLobby or any of the company’s authorized resellers.
For information, visit www.easylobby.com or call 781-455-8558, or email sales@easylobby.com.
Pelco Introduces ‘The New Era of Image Quality’
Pelco by Schneider Electric announced its new state-of-the-art imaging science, SureVision, which made its debut at ASIS Int’l 57th Annual Seminar & Exhibits. SureVision combines Wide Dynamic Range, low-light and anti-bloom capabilities into one highly intelligent technology. The result is a camera that’s easy-to-install and use, and handles light nearly as well as the human eye — automatically adjusting to deliver exceptional detail and the best image possible in even the most challenging lighting conditions, the company said.
“The introduction of SureVision fundamentally changes the conversation about megapixel cameras. The idea that the more pixels you have the better the image quality is no longer true,” said Scott Paul, Pelco by Schneider Electric’s senior product marketing manager. “It’s not the number of pixels that matters; it is the quality of the image. Video security cameras can overcome some lighting challenges, but when one scene contains bright, shaded and intensely lighted areas all together, image quality suffers. That’s why this technology — exclusive to Pelco by Schneider Electric — is an absolute game-changer when it comes to imaging science. SureVision handles light so well it outperforms cameras with a much higher pixel count.”
It is available in Sarix IX Series IP cameras and Sarix IM Series mini domes.
For information, visit www.pelco.com.
Paxton Access Adds New Distribution Partners
Paxton Access added two new distribution partners — Ingram Micro and PSA Security — to its exclusive list of U.S.-based distributors.
“This is an excellent strategic partnership that brings together two quality organizations with Paxton Access, a leading manufacturer of original access control products and solutions,” said Gary Thornberg, vice president of distribution, Paxton Access. “Ingram Micro, PSA Security and Paxton all share a future vision of success that is based on providing excellent products, solutions, services, and sales programs to our customer base,” he said.
Established in 1985 with worldwide distribution, Paxton Access said it established itself in providing innovative solutions aimed to make both the dealer and end-user enjoy an excellent experience for ease of configuration, installation, implementation and use. In addition, all products are backed by a no-questions-asked five-year warranty, and an emphasis on excellence in customer support.
For information, visit www.paxton-access.com or contact Paxton Access directly at salesUS@paxton-access.com.
Arecont Vision Launches Bi-Monthly Product Update Webinars
Arecont Vision will be presenting a new series of webinars to integrator customers every other month. The webinars will update integrators with inside information on new megapixel products and the tools available to promote them.
The first Arecont Vision “Products and Programs Update” webinar was presented on July 20, and future webinars will be held twice per day on the third Wednesday of November, January, March and May at 8:30 a.m. PST (11:30 a.m. EST) and 4 p.m. PST (7 p.m. EST).
“Our webinars every other month provide a new way to keep the integrator channel partners informed about our latest products and make sure they have the tools they need to promote our products in the marketplace,” said Raul Calderon, Arecont Vision senior vice president of Marketing and Product Management. “They also give us a valuable opportunity to communicate regularly with our customers.”
For information, visit www.arecontvision.com or call toll-free 877-CAMERA-8.
Certification Makes Possible Best-of-Breed Security & Automation Solutions, Manufacturers Say
Honeywell’s portfolio of VISTA Series residential and commercial security systems were certified by home automation provider Control4. Home automation integrators and security dealers can now integrate products from both companies to create “connected homes.”
The certification assures interoperability between Honeywell’s range of VISTA security systems and the Control4® ecosystem of devices. More specifically, Honeywell VISTA is the only security system able to exchange zone descriptors with the Control4 home automation system.
The Control4® platform gives homeowners the ability to automate and control a broad range of devices including security systems, HVAC, lighting and home entertainment systems from a number of interfaces including keypads, smartphones, touchscreens, tablets and TVs.
Honeywell security dealers interested in offering Control4 technology or aligning themselves with a Control4 dealer should email Honeywell@Control4.com. Control4 dealers should call 800-852-0086 to be aligned with a Honeywell security dealer.
For information, visit www.honeywell.com/security.
Get Trained on Products With Ease Online
Secura Key, Chatsworth, Calif., will continue its Product Training Program with monthly scheduled webinars. Each month, various webinars are available at no cost to anyone in the security industry or users of access control products.
Secura Key offers a Product Overview webinar, as well as a session on its SK-NET™ Software and its RK65K standalone product. These courses explain how to install and operate Secura Key’s standalone access control systems and readers.
By using modern web-based training tools, such as Citrix Go-To-Webinar, Secura Key offers its customers live interactive training at their own facilities, or any place with an Internet connection. Other courses will be added in the future.
Secura Key also is able to offer one-on-one training sessions for individuals or small groups by special request. Participants can use the microphone and speakers connected to their PCs or they can use an optional telephone call-in number.
Secura Key’s Technical Training Manager, Jeff Hamilton, conducts the live webinars. Hamilton is a 20-year Secura Key veteran and is intimately familiar with the product line.
Visit the Secura Key website, www.securakey.com, to register for the training; click on Support/Training.
Quintron Systems Placed on GSA Approved Products List
Quintron Systems Inc., Santa Maria, Calif., announced that its new version of AccessNsite® satisfied an extensive suite of tests by a GSA-approved laboratory to be designated as an approved Caching Status Proxy by GSA and placed on the approved products list (APL) as #582 at http://fips201ep.cio.gov/apl.php.
The solution provides the capability to poll the status of all registered PIV cards periodically and save the status responses from their issuer(s). This allows the AccessNsite physical access control system (PACS) to grant or deny access based on the certificate status of each PIV card.
“With Quintron’s multi-decade government systems sales and support experience, we decided to invest in a fully compliant, high security, HSPD-12 solution for new and existing federal, state, local, and critical infrastructure customers,” said Richard Finnegan, vice president and general manager at Quintron. “The approval of the AccessNsite software leverages the capabilities built into all versions of the federally issued smart cards now in use for PKI at the door credential validation. This solution meets the intent in the HSPD-12 Presidential Directive and supports recommendations by NIST Publication 800-116 for best practices in PACS applications.”
Quintron produced an AccessNsite HSPD-12 PACS hardware and software solution that incorporates OCSP certificate validation via the Federal Bridge at the time of card enrollment. The validation status is stored and is periodically updated so that a revoked certificate will cause a credential’s privileges to be immediately suspended. The result is a properly implemented, high-assurance solution that validates the card using up-to-date certificate status each and every time the card is presented at a door to gain access, the company said.
For information, visit www.quintron.com.
Codebench Integration With IDenticard Software
Codebench Inc., Coconut Creek, Fla. (www.pivcheck.com), a provider of TWIC / HSPD-12 / FIPS-201 authentication and physical access control middleware, integrated its PIVCheck Plus software with the PremiSys ™ access control system from IDenticard® to offer federal agencies and other government entities a fully compliant HSPD-12 solution.
PIVCheck software currently integrates with more than 23 different physical access control software platforms, and is deployed at many federal agencies, ports, petrochemical and military facilities. The software suite is an end-to-end card validation, authentication, and registration solution for HSPD-12 compliance.
Pairing the PIVCheck solution with PremiSys™ will allow federal government users and other organizations that need to comply with HSPD-12 requirements to easily validate FIPS-201 compliant credentials in real-time and to continue that validation on an ongoing, user-defined schedule. In addition, it will allow entities to easily register PIV, TWIC, CAC or FRAC cards without having to do additional data entry on each cardholder.
“This integration with Codebench will enable us to further pursue new government opportunities,” said Aaron Henderson, security software product manager at IDenticard®. “We recognize there is a strong need to register government-issued identification cards and partnering with Codebench enables us to provide the government market with a fully integrated solution.”
HID Global Launches Next Generation Access Control Readers & Contactless Smart Cards
HID Global, Irvine, Calif., a provider of solutions for the delivery of secure identity, announced the availability of its next generation access control readers and credentials based on the company’s new iCLASS SIO technology-enabled (SE) platform. This platform introduces technology-independent digital credentials that can be deployed for use on smart phones, microprocessor-based cards, contactless smart cards, USB tokens and related devices.
The iCLASS SE platform is an essential building block in the access control industry’s first Near Field Communication (NFC)-enabled mobile identity and access management solutions, now being developed by various HID Global partners. Based on open standards to support a wide array of smart card technologies, HID Global’s new access control platform supports iCLASS, MIFARE® DESFire® EV1 and other contactless smart card technologies. It extends physical access control beyond traditional cards and readers to enable deployment of mobile access with digital credentials. iCLASS SE provides users with the ability to dynamically increase security levels via simple firmware updates and efficiently address future changes in requirements as they occur.
HID Global’s iCLASS SE access control platform is based on a combination of Secure Identity Object (SIO) technology on the credential side and the SIO Processor™ on the reader side, which perform similar functions to traditional cards and readers, except they use a standards-based, technology-independent and flexible identity data structure that provides a new level of security, portability and performance.
HID Global’s next generation platform 13.56 MHz smart cards and readers include: iCLASS SE Readers and SIO Technology-Enabled Digital Credentials.
For information visit www.hidglobal.com/iclass-se. To download the complete whitepaper visit http://www.hidglobal.com/iclass-whitepaper.
A New Dealer Rewards Program from Camden
Camden Door Controls launched a completely new type of Dealer Rewards Program to the security industry. The program is open to any installer with an account at any authorized Camden distributor and includes up to 10 percent cash back rebates on purchases of Camden products delivered after April 2011.
In addition to cash back rebates, the Camden Dealer Rewards Program also offers:
• Online installer promotion (to facility owners/managers) through Camden’s website;
• VIP access to new Camden product information and samples before anyone else;
• Free Camden stuff, including apparel and coffee mugs.
Camden’s co-owner, Dave Malen, said, “We have made great progress in creating unique new products, in delivering the best product quality and in supporting those products better than any other manufacturer. Our new dealer program now gives us a way to offer unheard of value to the installers that choose Camden as their preferred brand.”
For information, visit www.camdencontrols.com or call 905-366-3377.
Integration Update Enables Seamless Transition From Analog to IP Video
Software House, Westford, Mass., part of Tyco Security Products, announced that its latest release of C•CURE 800/8000 access control software supports the American Dynamics HDVR, a powerful recording platform for both analog and IP video cameras, the company stated.
HDVR provides customers the benefit of deploying both analog and IP cameras on a single platform in addition to providing investment protection for those customers who want to transition to IP cameras in the future. HDVR supports a long list of standard-resolution and megapixel IP cameras. Customers can easily and cost-effectively add IP camera licenses to support future expansion.
Integrating analog and IP video from American Dynamics into C•CURE 800/8000 increases security officers’ effectiveness and efficiency because with the integrated solution they can view both streams from one interface. HDVR video can be associated with access control events and alarms for instantaneous alarm response. At the same time, security officers can perform standard VMS functions, such as viewing live and recorded video, date/time searches, and clip exports directly from the C•CURE 800/8000 monitoring station.
For additional information, visit www.swhouse.com.
Alvarado Debuts Easier to Use Website
The all-new Alvarado website is now up and running. The company added dozens of new features, improved product information and better resources to help dealers find the right product. Some of the time-saving features that have been added to the site include:
• New drop-down navigation makes it faster and easier to see exactly where you are going.
• Improved resources get architects, integrators and end users just what they need in a single mouse click.
• New search tool pulls up product information in seconds. Search by model number or product groups.
• New print and e-mail tools make it easier to share product information with clients and colleagues.
• New product pages have tabs that store everything from data sheets to CAD files and application images.
• See all similar products, popular choices and complementary solutions at the bottom of each page.
See the new website at www.alvaradomfg.com
NOTIFIER Releases BIM Fire Alarm Models
NOTIFIER by Honeywell, Northford, Conn. released digital content models of its most popular ONYX Series fire alarm control panels for architects, engineers and consultants utilizing BIM to create digital models of a building’s design and construction.
“We’ve seen a dramatic increase in requests for BIM content of our fire alarm equipment,” said David Correia, product manager for NOTIFIER. “This initial release is just the first in a series of models we’re planning to publish in the near future.”
NOTIFIER’s Drawings Webpage of BMP graphics, SXF and DWG Computer Aided Design (CAD) drawings and BIM models experiences an average of 3,100 downloads per month. Although just released, NOTIFIER’s BIM files already have encountered nearly 1,000 downloads.
McGraw-Hill Construction reported that less than 3 percent of new construction projects utilized BIM in 2007. Today, BIM is being used in the design of an estimated 38 percent of new starts, a figure McGraw-Hill expects to double to nearly 75 percent by 2014, according to NOTIFIER.
Traditionally, the design and placement of all elements involved in a building’s construction have been drafted in static, two-dimensional drawings using CAD software. To create a virtual, three-dimensional mock-up of a building, BIM pulls information (digital content models) from a database on the properties of each building component. The results of BIM are better estimations, collaboration and construction accuracy combined with reduced rework in the field, NOTIFIER stated.
For information, visit www.notifier.com.
New Virtual Life Safety Seminar
Using the contents of its Life Safety seminars, NOTIFIER by Honeywell developed a virtual version to educate architects, engineers and facility managers on the latest codes, trends and technologies. The free virtual seminar covers all aspects of emergency communications systems’ planning and design, presented by Jack Poole, fire protection engineer and principle of Poole Fire Protection. Additional modules educate on new IP and GSM/cellular fire alarm reporting technologies, advanced forms of smoke and CO detection, and International Building Code seismic fire protection requirements. The virtual seminar registration is free and available online 24/7 at www.notifier.com.
NOTIFIER created this virtual learning experience following its nationwide series of 17 seminars hosted for more than 1,200 attendees with numerous requests for more seminar locations.
“We integrated video of the actual seminar with slides and then divided them up into the applicable sections, which makes it quick and easy for users to locate the information they’re looking for,” described Marissa Guillen, communications manager for NOTIFIER.
New at ADI: Wi3 Solutions for Home Entertainment Networking
ADI recently expanded its network systems product offering to include solutions from Wi3 Inc. Dealers will now have access to the patented In-Wall IPTV/SmartTV home networking technology at ADI branches in North America.
Introduced at CEDIA EXPO 2011, the new WiPNET product line utilizes Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA) technology to create secure high-speed Ethernet connections over existing coax cabling.
WiPNET, which ADI describes as “perfect for retrofit installations,” bridges Ethernet signals onto the existing coax cable to share bandwidth with CATV or antenna signals. Each WiPNET location has CATV and two Ethernet RJ45 connections, and provides 125 Mbps of throughput at up to 16 locations to offer fast downloads, secure Internet surfing, seamless movie viewing and a consistent Internet connection. WiPNET extends the life of coax cabling with interchangeable cartridges that enable coax to handle any state-of-the-art networked component.
Without the need for any new wires, dealers can bring IPTV, gaming and advanced networking capability to any TV. Simple to install, self-configuring and effortless to set up, WiPNET allows dealers to enjoy a low cost of installation.
“With the increase of networking products and the rise in bandwidth demands of consumer electronics, Wi3 and its WiPNET product line is a perfect addition to ADI’s product offering,” said Ed Constantine, senior product manager for Wire, Structured Cable, Network Systems and Tools & Hardware at ADI. “ADI is focused on creating new growth opportunities for dealers, and the WiPNET will help them easily offer a quality solution for home networking.”
For information, visit www.adiglobal.com.
Video System Certified as Approved Product for U.S. Homeland Security
Genetec’s (genetec.com) video surveillance system, Omnicast, received both a designation as a Qualified Anti-Terrorism Technology and certification as an Approved Product for Homeland Security from the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Both the designation and the certification were granted under the Support Anti-terrorism by Fostering Effective Technologies Act of 2002 (SAFETY Act), which is intended to facilitate the development and deployment of anti-terrorism technologies by creating systems of risk management and litigation management.
Designation of Omnicast as a Qualified Anti-Terrorism Technology provides Genetec with limited liability for third-party claims arising out of the deployment of Omnicast with respect to an Act of Terrorism, as well as immunity from punitive damages. More importantly, this designation effectively protects all Genetec partners and persons in the manufacturing and distribution chains as Genetec becomes the sole liable entity for third-party injuries with respect to Omnicast in the case of an Act of Terrorism.
Certification as an “Approved Product for Homeland Security” is the highest level of distinction and provides some additional protections. To date, Omnicast is the only video management system with this certification and listed under DHS’ approved product list, Genetec reported.
The Secretary of Homeland Security conducted a comprehensive review of the design of Omnicast and determined that it will perform as intended, conforms to Genetec’s specifications, and is safe for use as intended. As part of the certification process, DHS also collected feedback from numerous existing Omnicast customers who use and rely on Genetec’s video surveillance system daily.
“Omnicast was one of the first IP video surveillance systems released over 10 years ago, and now, the first to be recognized as an ‘Approved Product for Homeland Security,’” said Alain Côté, executive vice president at Genetec. “We could not be more proud of this accomplishment and recognize that this provides benefits beyond our organization. This certification benefits all of our partners who continually support us in the development of our security technology, as well as in the growth of our organization.”
Software Predicts Intelligibility Before Installation
System Sensor, St. Charles, Ill., announced that its new Intelligibility Software from AFMG Technologies (coming soon) will enable designers and installers to save time and money on voice evacuation systems by preplanning to meet intelligibility code requirements, reduce post-installation changes, and limit over-design.
“With the new and expanded intelligibility requirements in NFPA 72-2010, there’s a huge need for this kind of design software,” explained Christa Poss, System Sensor marketing manager. “Some of our customers are new to intelligibility, while others want to manage the costs associated with meeting code while providing the best system for their customers. This software meets the needs of both by taking a lot of the guesswork out of installing a code-compliant system.”
Powered by EASE professional sound design technology, Intelligibility Software is scaled specifically for life safety professionals. First, import the room dimensions and characteristics. Then, arrange speakers with desired settings and locations to obtain a prediction of intelligibility scores and sound pressure levels. For documentation, Intelligibility Software provides a printable PDF document of the completed project inputs and prediction outputs, which then can be included in the job file, submitted to the AHJ, or used as a device placement guide for installers.
For information, visit systemsensor.com/intel.
New Integration Adds the Video Aspect to Intelligent Buildings
Honeywell and integration software maker Tridium Inc. introduced a software tool that allows integrators and security dealers to more easily incorporate digital video surveillance capabilities into larger building control systems. The Rapid Eye™ Driver enables Tridium’s Niagara Framework to communicate with Honeywell’s flagship line of Rapid Eye digital video recorders.
By integrating the Rapid Eye DVR with traditional building automation technology such as environmental controls, energy management and lighting systems, the Rapid Eye Driver allows facility managers to easily integrate building events with video recordings. Managers, for example, can perform tasks such as diagnosing HVAC maintenance issues or detect water leaks using video. This functionality increases the value of the overall investment in a video system that would typically only be used for safety and security purposes.
“Facility managers and building owners are increasingly interested in the ‘intelligent building’ because it delivers incredible value in terms of using less energy and lower operating costs, which contributes to sustainable environments,” said Marc Petock, vice president of global marketing communications, Tridium. “Bringing the Rapid Eye technology into the Niagara Framework is a big step in the direction of ‘intelligent’ buildings because video literally provides a telling glimpse into building operations, and the Honeywell and Rapid Eye brands are two of the most respected in the surveillance industry.”
The new offering marks the second major integration effort between Honeywell and Tridium this year. In March, the two companies released the Honeywell Software Development Kit (HSDK), which allows integrators, dealers and end users to more easily tie Honeywell’s Pro-Watch® security management platform to building automation systems and other Physical Security Information Management (PSIM) technologies.
For information, visit www.honeywell.com/security.
Panasonic Enhances Its Certified Reseller Program
Panasonic System Networks Company of America announced the new i-PRO Certified Reseller Program to provide more benefits than ever to top resellers of Panasonic’s i-PRO line of IP-based video surveillance equipment who meet training and certification requirements.
Resellers achieving i-PRO Certified Gold status receive quarterly cash awards based on i-PRO purchase volume, in addition to benefits such as marketing and sales support; priority technical and engineering support; and access to the full range of Panasonic i-PRO products. Resellers who are i-PRO Certified Silver, reflecting a lower purchase volume, are eligible for benefits such as in-house demo equipment at lower cost and special bid conversion pricing (when recommending Panasonic i-PRO products for an application or when submitting an alternate bid against competitive brands).
Panasonic’s previously analog-product-only resellers, who are now designated as i-PRO Regular Resellers, will have expanded access to most of the i-PRO camera and accessories line and have an opportunity to become i-PRO Gold or i-PRO Silver resellers based on future purchase volume and completion of certification requirements. Marketing and sales support for i-PRO Certified Gold resellers includes a priority lead referral program, a listing in Panasonic’s reseller locator, and an opportunity (by invitation) to participate in Panasonic’s Reseller Council.
Any current Panasonic Security Systems Reseller can apply for consideration as an i-PRO Certified Reseller by committing to fulfill the certification process within six months.
For information, visit www.panasonic.com/security.
White Paper Addresses IP Camera Project Design
How can a video system integrator effectively determine how much resolution is needed in an IP camera project? According to a new white paper published by Toshiba Surveillance & IP Video, a business unit of Toshiba America Information Systems Inc., that answer can be found by measuring pixels per square foot.
Pixels per foot represent the amount of detail or resolution you will see in a specific area of the image. The greater the number of pixels per foot the more detail you will see in the image. Best practices in the industry have determined that a minimum of 40 pixels per foot is necessary for facial or license plate recognition. Less than 40 pixels per foot is good for overall surveillance and greater than 40 is necessary for forensic work such as cash counting, currency evaluation or casino chip recognition.
To download a free PDF of the “Designing an IP camera Project” white paper, visit www.toshibasecurity.com.
Elk Products (www.elkproducts.com) has a new interface integration from the M1 Cross Platform Control to Lutron’s RadioRA 2 total home control system (www.lutron.com). The ELK-M1XSLU M1 to Lutron serial interface connects directly to the RadioRA 2 main repeater and enables the M1 to control and adjust the lighting, shades and scenes of a premise. “Providing control of our RadioRA 2 system via Elk’s M1 system adds convenience, energy savings and an enhanced security experience for the homeowner,” said Lutron’s Jeremy Kleinberg. “We are pleased that Elk is offering this added value to their customers,” said Kleinberg.
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SW24, the New York City-based security services company, announced a $250,000 sales contract with Mediacom, the seventh-largest cable television and communications services provider in the United States, for cameras and security services training to help protect 80 Mediacom locations in five states. SW24 said this is only an initial contract and that plans call for additional protection of Mediacom sales, service, data centers and warehouse locations that may eventually include more than 200 locations in 22 states in the next 12 months.
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Morris Tait Associates (www.morris- tait.com), a manufacturer’s representative firm serving southern California, Las Vegas and Arizona, announced the addition of John MacDonald (southern California) and Scott Wallis (Arizona) to its team. They are well-known for sales acumen, technical knowledge and customer relationships, the company said.
Morris Tait’s line card includes Sonance, AMX, Panamax, SIM2, Seura, iPort, Marantz, Liberty AV Solutions, Furman and more.
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Lumidigm’s (www.lumidigm.com) new Mariner fingerprint reader extends the reliable reading accuracy of multispectral imaging to Windows PC-based biometrics applications. The new Mariner sensors make biometric authentication simple and affordable for real business applications in industries ranging from healthcare to transportation, logistics, passenger ID, heavy industry, construction and others, according to the manufacturer. “With Mariner, we are able to bring the field-proven Lumidigm Advantage to more users in more markets,” said Phil Scarfo, Lumidigm senior vice president of worldwide sales and marketing. “With Mariner, we are offering extremely fast, durable and reliable business-class biometric readers for desktop user authentication and other Windows PC-based applications, even special mission-critical healthcare applications.”
Mariner’s multispectral imaging reads both surface and subsurface fingerprints in cold, hot, wet, dirty and dry conditions, according to Scarfo.
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SimplexGrinnell, Westminster, Mass., a Tyco International company, launched a new web store at www.simplexgrinnellstore.com. The enhanced site expands SimplexGrinnell’s existing time solutions web store to support online transactions of a select set of products across the company’s master time, fire alarm, fire suppression, integrated security and healthcare communications product offerings.
“We recognize that our customers are looking for a fast and convenient way to purchase many of our products that do not require installation support,” said Dave Baer, vice president of marketing for SimplexGrinnell. “This new site helps us combine the strengths of our local market presence with the convenience of a 24/7 site where customers can view and purchase our products.”
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Digital Monitoring Products’ (DMP) SCS-VR — which the company said is the industry’s first and only virtual software receiver — earned UL1610, the “Standard of Safety for Central Station Alarm Units.” The new certification enables central stations to rely on an alternative to traditional receiver hardware. Adding monitoring capacity is now as easy as installing new software on any UL-listed server, where the SCS-VR can act as the primary receiver or backup to existing hardware receivers. 1610 Central Station is in addition to the UL 1076 Proprietary Listing earned in June 2010.
“The SCS-VR is perfectly suited to accommodate the increasing migration away from dialup and POTS towards network and cellular. It provides a better way to receive signals, without the cost and hassle of more hardware,” said Mark NeSmith, DMP’s vice president of sales.
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BriefCam® (www.briefcam.com), the developer and provider of Video Synopsis solutions for rapid reviewing, analyzing and indexing of video, announced an integration partnership with Pivot3®, a provider of unified storage and compute infrastructure solutions. Video Synopsis™ is an award-winning technology that summarizes hours of events into a “brief” that takes just minutes to watch, whether online feed or offline archival footage. With Pivot3 video surveillance storage, server applications share storage hardware resources to reduce overall power and cooling.
The partnership is in line with BriefCam’s recently announced support for virtual machines that enables enterprise users to run VS Online on high-end, high-channel-count systems in a cost-effective, scalable manner, said BriefCam’s Dror Irani.
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Tri-Ed / Northern Video Distribution (www.tri-ed.com) entered into an agreement with the A.P.I. Authorized Dealer Program to provide the DSC and GE product lines in the United States. Tri-Ed Distribution has had a long-standing working relationship with the A.P.I. Dealer Program in Canada.
“We have aggressive growth plans for our dealer program in the U.S.,” said Josh Garr, A.P.I.’s president and CEO. “We wanted to partner with a distributor that we know can best serve our dealers. A.P.I. and Tri-Ed have enjoyed a great partnership in Canada and we look forward to expanding that partnership in the U.S.”
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VES Fire Detection Systems’ VES Elite product line is now available via PSA Security Network. As a PSA vendor partner, both member companies and distribution customers are able to purchase VES product and become certified on Elite networked systems.
The Elite line of analog addressable fire detection systems is competitive with addressable systems of all sizes, the company stated, adding that Elite is suitable and ranges from small, single-panel applications to large multi-node networked systems up to 32,000 points. VES also offers a unique set of Web-based tools for integrators including online systems programming, troubleshooting and backup.
“We are very excited to be the first and only full-line fire alarm manufacturer to partner with PSA. We feel that VES is uniquely positioned to provide innovative fire alarm products and a superior level of service and fulfillment to PSA members and customers,” commented Andy Johannsen, director of Sales for VES.
