Surveillance & Security News for November 2005

The munitions group at Maryland’s Naval Surface Warfare Center was in an access control quandary.  A Sign-in/out log had proved impractical and electronics were too expensive or too dangerous due to the potential of explosion.  The unlikely solution came from a nearby cow pasture.Call it bovine intervention. That’s the best way to describe the solution ESTECH, an electronic security systems integrator located in Annandale, Va., selected to solve the access control quagmire...

The ChallengeDedicated Micros Digital Sprite digital multiplex recorders have been installed as part of an innovative seven-year security plan in a South African "mini-city".  Melrose Arch, Johannesburg, is one of the largest urban development projects in the country, comprising a complex of shops, restaurants, offices, homes and hotels.  The first phase of a three-part security system rollout by Provicom, which will include a total of 1000 cameras when completed, has now bee...

The ChallengeOne of London's busiest shopping centres has upgraded to a digital security system controlled by three Dedicated Micros' DS2 multiplexers.The Plaza on Oxford Street is a 3-floor complex comprising of 38 retail outlets, a food court and a health club.  With long opening hours and a prime location at the heart of the capital's shopping district, security is a key management issue. The existing VCR-based system could no longer meet the stringent requirements for high quality image...

The ClientThe River Rock Casino and Resort opened for business in June 2004, with the hotel portion opened in August 2005.  River Rock is the first resort-style casino to be built in Western Canada, and is one of the newest resort and casino combinations in the Great Canadian family, which includes seven casinos and one horseracing track.  River Rock features 1,000 slot machines, 70 table games and Canada's largest Poker Room.The SituationDoug Gilroy and Mark Bayrock of Advanced Audio...

The new distribution agreement will increase ROKONET’s exposure in North America.ROKONET Industries, a leading provider of comprehensive security solutions worldwide, has reached a nation-wide distribution agreement with ADI North America as part of an extensive contract that also includes ADI International in Europe.  ADI North America will now sell ROKONET’s comprehensive line of intruder alarm products.Rokonet’s products are well known in the US and Canada, varying from...

The ChallengeLondon's most exclusive hotel, which has played host to stars such as Madonna and Michael Jackson, The Lanesborough has turned to Dedicated Micros to keep a tight rein on security.  The Lanesborough has built its world renowned reputation on hospitality and depends on top level security to ensure guests receive the care and personal attention they have grown to expect.  Director of Security Charles Smith had heard a lot about the benefits of digital CCTV technology and was...

Translink is Northern Ireland's public transport provider and one of the largest companies in Northern Ireland with a turnover in excess of £100m.  Over 75 million passenger journeys are made on Translink services each year.  In summer 2005 Translink's new £11.4 million Belfast train cleaning facility was installed with CEM's webEntry™ security system by CEM approved reseller Fire and Security Ltd. The 170 metre long, 30 metre wide and 10 metre high train facility was...

MetroValencia to deploy Verint Solution to enhance passenger safety across commuter rail systemVerint Systems Inc., a leading provider of analytic software-based solutions for communications interception, networked video security and business intelligence, today announced that Spain’s MetroValencia is deploying Verint’s Networked Video Solution to enhance passenger security for the city of Valencia’s commuter rail system. MetroValencia, operated by Ferrocarrils de la Generalita...

Dortronics Systems, Inc. Provides University of Boston With Custom Solution For Dormitory Access System.The “Made in the USA” found on all Dortronics Systems, Inc. products confers more than just a country of origin or sense of national pride.  To John FitzPatrick, Vice President of Dortronics Systems, Inc., it also means being able to bring quality commercial off-the-shelf or custom electromagnetic locking devices to market quickly using the in-house engineering expertise and p...

The ChallengeOne of the UK's leading sportswear retailers, JD Sports, has undertaken a security overhaul of some of their stores as part of a major refurbishment program. The SolutionJD Sports worked with consultants and installers Integrated Electronic Security (IES) who specified a digitally networked security system based on Dedicated Micros' DS2 multiplexers and Dennard's dome cameras. AIan Baker at IES says, "With shops on most UK high streets and large stock distribution warehouses in...

Honeywell today announced the appointment of Joseph Janick as sales director for Honeywell Systems Group in Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA).  Based in the Netherlands, Mr. Janick is responsible for sales of all Honeywell Access and Video products and systems, working closely with sales and marketing teams across EMEA to develop strategy and product positioning.Mr. Janick relocated from North America to the Netherlands earlier this year and officially commenced his role in April....

Vari-focal lenses from California-based Rainbow CCTV are being installed at petrol filling stations throughout South Africa. The units employed are the 3-8mm and the 5-50mm models, the larger lens being used predominantly on entrance and exit lanes.  They are functioning from Security Evidence cameras employing a Sony Super HAD chip and working at 480 TV lines.The lenses have been implemented by Johannesburg-based Spidereye, an installer covering high end industrial, leisure and infrastruct...

Airport Shutdowns Cost MillionsIn the last two months of 2001 there were 30 airport shutdowns in the United States alone.  Breaches in security resulting in shutdowns, cost the airline industry millions of dollars. Over 1,000 flights were delayed and 434 planes had to have their passengers exit for re-screening.In the past, shutdowns have typically been the result of a security breach at the checkpoint. These breaches have mainly been caused by:A person running through the airport without s...

Internal CCTV cameras should be an essential feature in every school, according to the headteacher in charge of one of the country's newest comprehensives.  Sheffield's King Ecgbert School has recently been relocated to new purpose-built premises and Head Teacher Bob Evans finds the Vista CCTV system to be invaluable.  "As far as I'm concerned, it is not a luxury - it is an essential."There are two elements to the use of internal CCTV, he says. "It helps protect our pupi...

Following their success with tunnel radio and safety communications systems for the Roherhithe and Blackwall tunnels, Tyco’s Traffic & Transportation group has won another major tunnel contract worth over £100,000.  This latest contract is to equip the new Baldock Tunnel for Hertfordshire County Council with Emergency Services Radio Re-broadcast and Loudspeaker Public Address systems to provide safety and evacuation messaging in the event of an emergency.  Tyco’s...

Why ‘only the best in visual surveillance' will doThe Celtic Manor Resort near Newport in South Wales will be most widely known as the host course to the recent All*Star Cup celebrity golf championship.  For golfing aficionados it will also be known as the host to the Ryder Cup in 2010.The Resort is noteworthy on several levels, not least of which is that it represents the single largest private investment ever made in the entire British hospitality industry.  Welsh telecommunica...

Newport City Council schools needed to find a way of reducing vandalism, which had become a common problem for many schools across the region.Under the Newport Community Safety Partnership initiative, the City Council, Gwent Police and private sector partners including Axis Communications put together a fully networked surveillance solution, which enabled monitoring of hotspots such as school roofs in the after hours.AXIS 2400 Video Servers were deployed to distribute video images from CCTV came...

OrganisationThe Manitoba Taxicab Board is an independent quasi-judicial tribunal created under the authority of the Manitoba Taxicab Act.  The Taxicab Board is responsible for regulating the operation of taxicabs in the City of Winnipeg.ChallengeDue to the nature of the occupation, taxicab drivers are frequently victims of robbery, physical assault and even murder.  In many cases, incidents are not even reported to the police.  However, with the most recent murder of Mr. Pritam De...

RequirementProvide high bandwidth, high throughput wireless solution to fully exploit the power and features of their 21-mega pixel security cameras.SolutionUtilised the Wavesight’s high performance WaveMAX wireless bridges to deliver an industry leading surveillance solution.  Envisage Technology Ltd is a high-end CCTV distributor for the UK and Europe, with an emphasis on original products that fill niches conventional CCTV cannot do justice to.  Envisage Technology have earned...

Dowshu is pleased to welcome Sean Clancy to its ever expanding team of security experts. Sean brings a convincing security background to his role as Southern Regional Sales Manager. He has worked in the industry for 20 years in high profile companies including Burle Industries (Formerly RCA), Rediffusion Communications, Loronix and PTS Security Ltd (Specializing in Pelco), gaining extensive expertise in manufacturing, distribution and systems integration. Like all Dowshu staff, Sean’s skil...

The ChallengeKirklees Council in Yorkshire has invested in a major new security and access control system for tower block tenants in Huddersfield. The SolutionCombining traditional analogue matrix technology with the latest digital capability, the new system has been designed to offer residents of two 16-storey tower blocks, Holme Park and Bishops Court in Kirklees, near Huddersfield, secure access to their homes.The concierge system comprises a 256-way FBM analogue matrix, 14 BX2 digital video...

Uncompromising SecurityPrison systems must ensure the security of staff and the prevention of inmate escape. Considering that penitentiary institutions have a large ratio of prisoners to staff members this can be a daunting challenge.  Solutions must be intelligent and advanced to handle breaches in security while covering many different locations at one time.  Due to strained governmental resources, the system must also be cost-effective.  To meet these security requirements, sev...

The ChallengePaul Smith, the clothing designer and retailer, has installed digital multiplex recorders from Dedicated Micros in nine of its UK shops.The SolutionAmong the installations, the company is using DM's new entry-level model, the 4-camera D4, specially designed for smaller retail environments.The D4 has been used in six locations, including London's Covent Garden, Kensington, York, and Bicester.  DM's D4 was considered ideal, as Paul Smith needed small and discreet security arrange...

AC2000 SE provides advanced security to Irish PortCEM Systems has supplied its AC2000 SE integrated security management system for installation at Port of Cork, Ireland.  The contract was awarded by ADT Fire & Security and will be supported by an advanced CCTV system and intercom network, part of a major contract ADT has signed with the Port of Cork to provide an advanced integrated security system.The AC2000 SE (Standard Edition) system has been safeguarding many high security faciliti...

By adding value in this way, we are able to develop genuine, long-term partnerships of mutual bene?t.By coincidence, Centrica and Siemens both launched strategic relationship initiatives 18 months ago, focusing respectively on key suppliers and customers.“Having a strategic relationship with a supplier strengthens communication across both companies,” explains Sarah Clarkson, one of Centrica’s Strategic Supplier Managers, “especially when you have, as we do, executive spo...