Surveillance & Security News for October 2005

The Home Depot builds a strategic advantage with actionable intelligence from Verint Video Solutions Every week, more than 22 million customers visit The Home Depot.  The world's largest home improvement retailer operates more than 1600 stores across North America, with 2002 sales topping $58 billion.  And with a new store opening its doors every 43 hours, The Home Depot is also the country's fastest growing retailer, evidence of its success in offering "the ultimate home improvem...

The ChallengeFollowing software problems with its existing installations, BP was looking to upgrade its security system network without having to embark on a lengthy and disruptive installation and staff training programme.  AGE Electrical Services recommended Dedicated Micros' Sprite Lite multiplexer from Gardiner Security. The SolutionPeter Robinson, Director at AGE explains: "We opted for DM's Sprite Lite because it's the most user-friendly multiplexer on the market, both from an in...

Access control and in particular visitor control is a very significant concern for the finance and banking industry.  Whilst the threat of covert intruders stealing computer hardware is a legitimate concern, the damage that can be done by a an unauthorised visitor, accessing live systems could be far greater. Many financial institutions recognise this specific threat, and it was no surprise when Mitsubishi Tokyo, the large bank in the world came to AC Controls seeking an access control syst...

The ChallengeUK Watch Ltd, Dudley, recommended Dedicated Micros popular digital product to replace the school's video recorder and matrix. The SolutionA 16-camera Digital Sprite with networking was installed and, by using the existing computer network, images can now be viewed from any networked PC around the school ensuring coverage in all areas.  Dave Parker, managing director of UK Watch explains: "The school wanted to update its security to provide all round cover, but it had to be...

Founded in 1926, Mercyhurst College, named one of the “Best Colleges” by U.S. News & World Report and The Princeton Review, is a leading liberal arts college.  Located in Erie, Pennsylvania, Mercyhurst’s 75-acre main campus has 50 buildings and supports over 3,500 students, faculty and staff.  In 1991, the college purchased a 100-year-old seminary for a second campus called Mercyhurst North East. At that site, nestled in the bluffs just west of the New York state...

New Fujitsu Solution offers Industry-Leading Biometrics Authentication Technology for High- Security applications in Global Markets Fujitsu Europe Limited, one of the world's leading suppliers of hard disk drives and computer peripherals and a market leader in document management scanners, today announced the arrival of its new ‘contactless' palm vein authentication device to the EMEA market as part of Fujitsu´s global launch.  With this unique device, Fujitsu is strivin...

Integrated Systems Europe and PLASA forge strong partnership at Europe’s largest AV Systems Integration tradeshowBy combining the best elements of one of the largest trade communities in Professional Lighting and Sound with Europe’s biggest trade show in Audio Visual Systems Integration, the two organisations will augment their knowledge of AV Systems, Lighting and Sound to turn ISE 2006 into the most stunning visual trade event ever held in Europe.This collaborative effort is the re...

Flight instructors are using Derwent’s MicroLED illuminators to remotely view helicopter crews’ performance under low light conditions.  Leading training providers Thales have recently installed the first Infra-Red lamp in a Lynx helicopter flight simulator for the UK’s Army Air Corps in East Anglia. Thales are so pleased with the results they are now looking to introduce the same technology to other flight simulator users, including military and commercial airlines. ...

OrganizationO'Bresky Enterprises has been Subway franchisee within the Minneapolis -St.Paul area for the past 13 years and currently owns and operates 16 locations.ChallengeO'Bresky Enterprises installed CCTV systems about 10 years ago but of the recorders were analog VCRs.  Tired of having to deal with high maintenance tape management unreliable picture quality, President Dan O'Bresky began his extensive research on digital recorders.   "The great thing about digital re...

Meeting the customer's needs Grouse Mountain required a CCTV system to monitor four orphaned grizzly bears inside their dens during the hibernation period. The video data,to be used for understanding the behavior and habits of grizzly bears during winter, then needed to be stored for future evaluation.Factors that had to be taken consideration for the den itself:1) It is a confined area with no illumination and high humidity.2) There are minimal opportunities (if any) to gain access inside the d...

The ChallengeWhen a major UK Shopping Centre was looking to overhaul its security system, installers KCR recommended the Digital Sprite from Dedicated Micros.  The Belfry Shopping Centre in Redhill, Surrey, is a massive complex that includes 50 shops and restaurants and welcomes around 25,000 shoppers a day.  As with most multi-store complexes, the Belfry is open for longer hours than most high street stores - until 8.00 pm some evenings.  The existing VCR-based system could no lo...

JVC partner, Shadow Security has installed JVC TK-C676E dome cameras at the new premier automotive group (PAG) centre in Boongate, Peterborough, UKMarshall Motor Group opened its new 15-million pound PAG Centre in Peterborough and the relocation to this site of its existing Jaguar, Land Rover and Volvo businesses in mid July, 2005. Shadow Security, who has had a long history with Marshall Motor Group and extensive knowledge of the automotive and aerospace security has installed around 45 JVC TK-...

Kraft Foods, is a global leader in branded foods and beverages, marketing many well known brands including cereals, snacks and beverages in more than 150 countries worldwide.  In April 2005, the company expanded its presence in the Egyptian market with the acquisition of local biscuit and snack-food maker “Family Nutrition”.  As part of this expansion Kraft invested resources in the Cairo factory including an upgrade in building security. As part of a complete security solu...

Access security specialist, Bewator, has launched a series of security system seminars across a range of business sectors, from retail to healthcare, education, transport and local governments. The latest seminar, taking place today at the Corus hotel in Bracknell, focuses on the retail & banking sector.Bewator seminars have been developed to keep end users of security solutions informed and up to date with the latest developments in security technologies and systems, and provide an insight...

UK and Malta based CCTV specialist Dedicated Micros came to the 11th hour rescue of the ‘Merlins Over Malta’ project by sponsoring the crucial support aeroplane for the epic journey of a Spitfire and Hurricane from the UK to the Mediterranean island they helped so valiantly to defend over 60 years ago.Said Chairman of Dedicated Micros, Nigel Petrie: “We are delighted to have been able to step into the breach when the original support aircraft fell through and cover the costs of...

Treviglas Community College in Cornwall has saved thousands of pounds upgrading its surveillance systems by deploying Axis Communications Power over Ethernet-enabled (PoE) network cameras, as well as a range of other hardware from Axis.  The upgrade followed an extensive review of the college’s ten year old, analogue-based CCTV system which revealed major shortcomings. A total of 18 new AXIS 211 Power over Ethernet Network Cameras and one new AXIS 2130 PTZ (Pan Tilt Zoom) Network Came...

ADT has recently won a major contract to protect certain sections of the London Underground rail network, providing fire and security systems for the bustling transport network.The London Underground became the world’s first underground railway when it opened in London in 1863.  Today, the London Underground is one of the busiest underground rail networks in the world, with over 3 million passenger journeys a day, some 507 trains in operation across 13 separate lines, serving 275 stat...

IR illuminators and vari-focal lenses from Rainbow CCTV are being used to monitor child development at a clinic in Minneapolis.The University of Minnesota is internationally respected for its childcare work, which includes analysis of cognitive development and reactions to visual stimuli in the young, particularly infants with attention deficit disorders.For the analysis to be valid the youngsters need to concentrate fully on what is presented to them from a computer screen and staff have create...

JVC’s high resolution colour video monitors, the DLA-SX21E projector and CinePro rear projection screens have been selected by Advanced Vision Systems for a major security refurbishmentAn upgrade and refurbishment to the Sedgemoor District Council’s colour video monitor stack has been undertaken by installer Advanced Vision Systems. The upgrade inside a completely refurbished Council building includes twenty one JVC colour video monitors (21-inch), model TM-2100PN, and a command wall...

Zandar Technologies has played an integral part in improving the monitoring facilities at another UK council control room.  Funded by a £3 million refurbishment grant, Sedgemoor District Council in Somerset has upgraded their existing CRT monitor system to incorporate a more flexible display system which includes real-time viewing of high resolution CCTV images using the FusionPro 3RU MultiViewer from Zandar Technologies. The installation was completed in a refurbished Council buildin...

System uses Bosch’s latest high resolution Dinion 540 line CCTV cameras for high quality imagesFull system includes 130 Bosch cameras, video switchers, DVRs and monitors etc.Bosch Security Systems has won a £250k plus order to equip the new Eurostar interchange stations at Dartford International in Ebbsfleet and Stratford International, which will serve east and north east London, with a high performance CCTV system.  Bosch are supplying the CCTV including 130 cameras and housin...

Advanced Perimeter System Limited is often challenged to come up with a new security system or perimeter protection solution.  One such challenge we received was when our distributor in The Netherlands came to us with a problem that Dutch Rail were experiencing on a fleet of their maintenance vehicles carrying out repairs on the rail network. One of their wagons carried large drums of copper wire to be used for the overhead electrification wires.  Being pure copper wire, the drums were...

Dome cameras, colour monitors and quad processors from Rainbow CCTV have recently been installed at a leading medical facility, the Health Central Hospital in Ocoee, Florida.Health Central offers 171 beds, a 24-hour emergency room, special delivery maternity unit, paediatric unit and helipad.  Current expansion is adding an advanced cardiac care unit with 30 beds. The CCTV installation includes the QPCF quad processor.  These connect up to four cameras and one VCR, offering quad and sw...

Wynsors World of Shoes has teamed up with Intrepid Security Solutions to develop a footfall monitoring system.Wynsors World of Shoes has shown that investing in the latest retail technology can help retailers understand sales trends, attract more customers and transform in-store security.  The fast-growing footwear retailer, which has 25 stores throughout Lancashire, Yorkshire and the North East, has introduced a range of innovative measures to enhance its business.Up-to-the-minute informat...

As divisions of Swedish-based Capio AB, one of Europe’s leading providers of private healthcare, the companies operate independently.But, says General Manager Paul Hobson: “We’re very much a single European organisation and it’s important that we have a partner who can offer a seamless European service."“One of the benefits of working with Siemens Medical Solutions is that there’s a local Siemens representative in all our countries.”Over the past ye...

A University of Bath student has taken a prize in a prestigious European scientific and engineering award for designing a locking system to stop the theft of valuable paintings. Tom Howard, a student in Mechanical Engineering, won third prize in the Scientific Award BMW Group 2005 prize for his design of an anti-theft device for art galleries.He was one of only six students out of 230 entrants from 26 countries to receive a prize, and he will share part of the 70,000 Euros (£47,700) prize...

BP upgrades from analogue to digital CCTVHoneywell today announced that Honeywell Video Systems has been specified for the supply of all CCTV equipment for the BP owned petrol station forecourts in the UK.  This is a two phase project that involves the upgrade from analogue to digital video systems, followed by the upgrade of the original digital systems to the Honeywell Digital Video Recorder (DVR).Phase one was completed in July.  Phase two will happen, over the next 18 months, on a...

Staff and shoppers can shop in safety and securityThe Valdichiana Outlet Village based near Florence in Foiano, Tuscany in Italy has invested in IP-based video solutions from JVC and Milestone Systems.  11 JVC VN-C655UB network IP PTZ dome cameras, 27 VN-C10U network IP static cameras with built-in web servers and Milestone XProtect software were installed by HESP Services in July 2005.  Smau-Gfi, a HP Partner, assisted HESP Services in the provision and installation of an optical fibr...