Notes from Norstrom

The Customer's ChallengeMount Enterprise, Texas, population 586, is situated at the crossroads of Highways 84 and 259.  Traffic is light, children can walk safely around town, and life is good amongst the old oaks and pines that provide shade from the Southern heat. But even in a quiet town, crime occasionally happens. On a Friday, a masked man walked into Citizens National Bank (CNB) in Mount Enterprise, pulled out a gun and held up a teller at point blank.  Moments later, he ran...

Ensuring that the best digital video systems are in place across an organization’s retail footprint is no small taskwhen that organization is as far-reaching as Wachovia. One of the five largest banks in the United States, Wachovia operates more than 3,500 retail financial centres and 5,000 ATMs throughout the country, in addition to other national and international financial service offerings.  When the $493 billion company decided in 2004 that it was time to start replacing o...

Biometric methods for identifying and authenticating persons are more and more in trend when it comes to increasing security in the areas of access control, time management and payment.  Since its first introduction onto the European market in Spring 2004, vein biometrics has received increasing attention: The VP-II "vein scanner“ of the LEGIC partner RTC checks identity based on the vessel pattern on the back of the hand.  The biometric data (210 Byte) can be stored on a LEGIC c...

Securitas Systems, a leading security integrator, is holding a special event for their Swedish customers during the European Athletics Championships in World Track and Field taking place this week, August 6-13, the world's fourth-most popular sporting event after the summer and Winter Olympics and World Cup Soccer.  Included in the activities for their clients, Securitas Systems will be demonstrating the latest product offerings in their portfolio, including Milestone Systems XProtect E...

Optelecom-NKF, Inc., a leading global provider of advanced IP-video network solutions, today announced it has received a contract from Saudi Technical Engineering Associated (STESA) valued at approximately $800,000 for an advanced Video over IP (Internet Protocol) security and surveillance network to be deployed at an undisclosed location in Saudi Arabia.Optelecom-NKF will provide system design services and, drawing on its new SiquraTM IP surveillance concept.  The company will deliver a mi...

The Board of Vigilant Technology ("Vigilant"), the Aim-listed company, which designs and manufactures sophisticated, "intelligent" solutions for the high-end CCTV security and surveillance market, will hold an EGM on 18 September 2006, at which it proposes that the shareholders should appoint Ofer Bar-ner and Oshri Shilo to the board of directors as independent non-executive directors, as defined by Israeli company law.Ofer Bar-ner (41), currently Finance Director of the...

The Background Radiohead, an internationally recognised 5-piece rock band, have a reputation for innovative, creative music, selling millions of records worldwide.  Each new Radiohead album outlines a new direction, always achieving critically acclaimed success for the band.Radiohead are currently playing a number of European Festival dates before headlining the V Festival in Chelmsford and Stafford in August.  The tour will enable Radiohead to debut new material that the band has been...

DVRs used to record interviews of suspects and victimsHeightened concerns over the safety of police officers and the need to defend officers against false allegations provided the impetus for Jacksonville State University (JSU) in Alabama to acquire March Networks video surveillance technology.With little more than hand-held audio tape recorders at their disposal, police officers were previously unable to record facial expressions and non-verbal behaviour that could provide context for statement...

Leading UK gaming operator Stanley Casinos has selected the Visimetrics range of FASTAR and VADER Digital Evidence Recorders as part of a UK wide CCTV upgrade.  The roll out, managed and supported by specialist integrator ID Technology Group, involves replacing the existing VCR based CCTV systems across the entire regional estate of over thirty prime gaming locations. An extensive on site trial was carried out, during which Visimetrics were able to modify the product based on feedback...

Integrated Systems Europe has today announced an intensive schedule of one day events in the autumn, targeted at key emerging countries in Eastern Europe as well as Turkey.  ISE is bringing the AV Systems Integration experience to the furthest reaches of Europe where the market offers unlimited opportunities.The Integrated Systems Europe 2006 Roadshow will visit four key cities over an 8-day period.  In an intensive one day programme, it will offer plenary sessions with keynote speaker...

Under the slogan ‘just link it', Kaba will present user-friendly, networked solutions for access control, security and organisation at the Security exhibition Hall 3, Stand 3-311 in Essen, Germany. The central theme is the innovative CardLinkTM concept, which is a new functionality within the Kaba exos 9300 access control system.  It enables cardholder details to be registered directly on the badge, rather than centrally in the system, facilitating both stand-alone and online systems...

Ulrich Wydler of Kaba discusses how recent technological developments along with increasing demand for compatible components and total solutions, have led to the development of total channel management, which challenges the traditional supplier and distribution channels.The markets for mechanical locks, electronic access control and data collection solutions have historically developed separately.  This applies to suppliers as well as their distribution channels.  Locking systems made...

Citizens First bank decided to replace its DVRs with March Networks 4000 Series units at all of its locations Florida Bank upgrades to March Networks DVRs when originally acquired system falls short of expectations When management at Citizens First Bank in The Villages, Florida, decided to look for a new video surveillance solution, senior computer technician Mac Anderson and VP Bookkeeping and Security Officer Bobby Sullivan booted up their computers and began searching the...

When one of my colleagues spoke recently to the proprietor of a motor dealership - who also happens to have a key role in the Retail Motor Industry Federation - the message that came across loud and clear was the need for dealerships to take an active role in controlling risk, especially given the number of high value vehicles and parts on site. The good news in all of this, from a CCTV perspective, is how the latest event-driven solutions are proving invaluable in the drive to keep insurers hap...

Raytec, manufacturers of RAYMAX and RAYLUX illuminators, have been chosen to supply CCTV lighting for a high security nuclear power plant in Forsmark, Sweden.  Raytec will supply nearly 200 units of RAYMAX 200 to provide full 24-hour surveillance of the perimeter, and to provide lighting for a number of fully functional dome cameras within the grounds of the power plant.Forsmark is Sweden's largest nuclear power station and requires the highest levels of security and protection.  R...

To solve distance problem and to save installation cost, EDS, the Turkey-based solution provider, decided to choose most advanced IP based CCTV systems, ACTi video server plus with Transcoder to enhance Turkey building security surveillance system.This building surveillance project uses 14 pairs of video server (SED-2100R) and Transcoder (SED-3200) for solving connection problem.  Since the security guards are used to operate the original DVR system or to use control panel to control PTZ ca...

HID Global Corporation, a leading manufacturer in the access control industry, today announced that it will participate in Norbain LIVE06.  Norbain, recognised as one of Europe's most successful electronic security solution distributors, will hold LIVE06 at eight locations around the UK, between Tuesday 19th September and Thursday 12th October.  Product experts from HID will attend the shows to answer questions and provide in-depth advice about current and future installations to custo...

Integrated Engineering, a world leading powerhouse in the contactless smart card industry, announced today that its contactless SmartID readers have been approved by the US General Services Administration (GSA) as compliant with the Federal Information Processing Standard 201 (FIPS 201).  Integrated Engineering's readers are the first GSA PIV II Certified smart card readers included on the GSA Approved Products list for FIPS 201 compliant projects."We are very pleased to be the fir...

Paxton Access Limited, a market leader in the design and manufacture of electronic access control systems, has expanded its field sales team with the appointment of Nick Swift as Field Sales Engineer for the North East. "I am looking forward to meeting with the wide variety of security installation companies throughout the North East", says Nick Swift.  "It is a vibrant region for one of the strongest sectors in the security industry."Nick Swift's appointment comes a...

Verint Systems Inc., a leading provider of analytic software-based solutions for security and business intelligence, today announced that it has entered into a distribution agreement with SLE, providers of video surveillance systems for urban transport networks in France.SLE specialises in the design, development, installation and maintenance of Real Time Vehicle Location and Passenger Information Systems for urban public transport networks.  Under the terms of the agreement, SLE will hold...

Verint Systems Inc., a leading provider of analytic software-based solutions for security and business intelligence, today announced that it has entered into a reseller agreement with Dominion Technologies, providers of security solutions for the transportation market in Spain. Based in Spain, Dominion Technologies, part of the Dominion Group, provides enterprise business applications, telecommunication, automation and security solutions to companies in Spain and Latin America.  Under the t...

Nearly US $1.3 billion in combined revenues forecasted for 2006 Creates formidable player in the Controls Market Complete solutions for energy efficiency in buildings Industry leading Open Integrated Systems Full range of security productsSchneider Electric, parent company of TAC, today announced the completion of the acquisition of Invensys Building Systems (IBS), a division of Invensys Controls with operations in North America and Asia.  IBS will merge with TAC, a world leader in building...

IP Group to become major shareholderCOE Group plc, the developer and supplier of advanced video surveillance systems, announced that IP Group plc, the intellectual property commercialisation company, had agreed to be lead investor in a proposed fundraising of circa £1M.   At the end of July, IP Group's market capitalisation was £311 million, and at the end of May it had cash of £57 million.Andrew Wallace, Chief Executive of COE Group, said: "We...

Cega was founded in 1973 when two brothers, Graham and Clive Ponsford set up an aviation company at Shoreham Airport.  Operations soon moved to Goodwood, Chichester to meet a growing demand for repatriation of sick and injured holidaymakers.  By 1982 the founders decided to make Cega a dedicated air ambulance service, employing its own flight and medical crews.  Cega Group is in the top league of medical assistance companies globally, with a client list, which includes premier hou...

Inner city regeneration is believed to improve economic performance and tackle unemployment in our cities.  It also enables making the productive use of some of the brown field sites.  The Custard Factory in Birmingham is an example of how disused old industrial buildings can be brought back to life from what had seemed like terminal decline.  Sir Alfred Bird, who invented Birds custard powder, built the Custard Factory 100 years ago.  By the end of the 1800's Alfred Bird's s...

SCA Packaging is a leading provider in Europe of customer-specific packaging solutions with emphasis on state-of-the-art design and local service close to customer facilities.  SCA Aylesford is part of the Southern Region of SCA Packaging UK & Ireland and supplies industries such as consumer goods, produce, fmcg (fast moving consumer goods).  All products are produced from renewable and recyclable materials.  The Aylesford plant was opened in 1930 and the site also includes th...

The Sterile Services Unit at King George Hospital is responsible for cleaning, sterilising, checking, packing and distribution of hospital theatre and other equipment.  Their area spans Barking, Havering and Redbridge hospitals NHS trust.  TSSU also provides services for many private clinics and hospitals in the area.  The unit is extremely busy and in early 2005 the building was extended.  As part of the refurbishment project Jim Harold, Security Manager for Barking, Haverin...

March NetworksTM, a leading provider of Internet Protocol (IP)-based digital video surveillance solutions, introduced today the new members of its UK sales team.Under the leadership of Michael Rack, March Networks' Vice President of Sales for UK and Ireland, the UK sales team has expanded to include three industry veterans.  Jamie Barnfield and Martin Cowley join the Company, as Sales Managers while Ian Dickinson will take on the role of Customer Services Manager.  The UK sales tea...

Highly complex, wide-ranging system comprises hundreds of cameras to protect games DVTel Inc., multiple award-winning market leader in the development and delivery of intelligent security solutions over IP networks, today announced that the company's intelligent Security Operations Center (iSOC) was utilized as the command and control software for the IP-based, integrated security system at the 18th Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia.  The Games were conducted over 12 days in March...

University of Costa Rica has four analogue speed domes on one of its buildings that is very far from the monitoring centre.  It would cost the school a significant sum of money to extend coaxial cables between these two locations.  Actual coaxial cabling work would also have taken a lot of time and caused considerable inconveniences to the people in the university.  Fortunately, ACTi's partner in Costa Rica, Sonivision S.A., successfully solved the university's headache by a...