Words of Wiseberg

The ChallengeBradford's popular National Museum of Film and Photography has had a security facelift with the introduction of new networkable digital CCTV from Dedicated Micros. The museum is the only one of its kind in the UK and contains some valuable and unique exhibits.  Security proved a key area to address during a recent relaunch and refurbishment.Faced with growing video tape management issues and problems with picture quality, museum management called in John Archbold, sales consult...

Bank One is the nation's sixth-largest bank holding company, with more than 1,000 banking centers and business offices in 23 states and multiple countries.  Much of the company's growth has come as a result of mergers and acquisitions, which have also resulted in a mix of video surveillance systems.   Surveillance systems at some of the acquired locations had been in operation for more than 20 years, and some sites still used film cameras.  Other locations possessed the lates...

Barclaycard are Europe's leading credit card issuer, with approximately 11 million cards in circulation worldwide.   At present, one in every five credit cards in the UK is a Barclaycard and there are currently 8.4 million UK users.  Barclaycard is accepted in over 22 million locations spanning more than 200 countries and there are currently 600,000 ATMs and banks available to Barclaycard customers.  Barclaycard were established in 1966 as the UK's first credit card. In...

The International Ship and Port Facility Code has imposed some of the most extensive security reforms and conditions seen in any sector since 9/11.  Great Yarmouth Dock has responded to the Code by installing CCTV systems at the heart of which are digital video recorders manufactured by Videoswitch.If the Videoswitch VDC digital recorders had been at Great Yarmouth in 1798 they would have recorded footage of Rear Admiral Nelson returning after his victories at Aboukir Bay and Cape St V...

The ChallengeWhen Medway Borough Council was seeking a cost-effective way to monitor schools across the borough out-of-hours, they consulted CCTV experts TJW Electrical.  An innovative solution was developed by TJW's IT consultant based on Dedicated Micros' DS2 multiplexers. Steve Craddock at TJW explains: "This installation would formerly have required setting up a bespoke network based on miles of fibre optic cabling, the costs of which would run into hundreds of thousands of pounds....

The ClientThe World Series of Poker is the oldest and most prestigious poker tournament and in 2005, it was the biggest it has ever been.  More than 32,000 participants took part in the three-week summer tournament at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, with more than $52 million in prize money at stake.The SituationThe Rio's team of three hard-working technicians and Honeywell's field support team faced several challenges in installing and integrating the World Series of Poker...

Finishing our two-part look at the Government's ‘partial regulatory impact assessment' on the SIA's approved contractor scheme (ACS). The document does say that among the SIA's aim is “to strengthen the extended police family by encouraging and supporting further engagement of the private security industry.  The scheme could be a key contributor in helping the police to tackle crime and disorder and reducing the fear of crime.” It does not go into more detail.  The do...

The ChallengeCambridge University's Wolfson College has completed a major upgrade of its campus security system. Dubbed 'the most cosmopolitan college in Cambridge', Wolfson was the first college to be established for both men and women.  It has over 700 students, most of whom are post-graduate students with a focus on research and scholarship.Following a freak accident last summer when lightening struck at the heart of the previous surveillance system, the college was looking at more cost-...

 The ChallengeOne of Scotland's leading tourist attractions, the Falkirk Wheel, has used its networked security system to help reduce customer queuing time and improve their visitors' experience of the day - as well as increase security.The world's only rotating boat lift and the centrepiece of the 85M Millennium Link restoration project, the Falkirk Wheel joins canals from the east to west coasts of Scotland, bridging two water levels that are 35 metres apart.Paul Bettison of Fairfield Con...

There are big changes happening out there, and there will be big winners and big losers in the security industry, Prof Martin Gill told audiences at the recent Norbain LIVE! roadshows. In his words: are you up for it? Martin Gill's first words set the tone: “One thing is certain; we are in a period of change. Some people will be winners and will win a lot; and some will be losers and will lose a lot. The winners and losers are being decided now.”  Security Industry Authority r...

Europe’s premier IP networked security event ‘IIPSEC 2006’ due to be held in Coventry (UK) on the 24-26th January 2006 report an increase in overseas support for the show from countries such as Taiwan, Korea, China, India, Germany, Spain, Holland and the USA. Commenting on the increased interest to exhibit event director Kevin Fagan said “In the last month we have been inundated with enquiries from almost all corners of the globe concerning the show.  Everyone it see...

Axis Communications and HP announced today that they will partner to deliver a network scanning solution for small & medium-sized businesses (SMB).  The HP Scanjet 7650n Network Scanner is an out-of-the box solution consisting of the AXIS 70U Network Document Server and the HP Scanjet 7650 Document Flatbed Scanner.  The HP Scanjet 7650n Network Scanner is the ideal business document communicator and fax replacement for the specific needs of SMBs.  The total value of this...

The Board of Croma, the specialists in the design, development and production of overt and covert surveillance, security and defence related products, is pleased to announce that following the announcement on 1 December of its final results to June 2005, and the exchange of contracts for the first of two acquisitions, the Company has now exchanged conditional contracts for the second of the two proposed acquisitions.  This exchange allows it to adopt further due diligence on the target comp...

The first people-counter in the new Vista Vi-Count range is now available, providing an easy and cost-effective means of gathering vital intelligence about trends and usage in all kinds of situations. The Vista Vi-Count Lite (VIC22L) unit is an advanced system which uses standard CCTV cameras to count people.  It obtains both ‘in’ and ‘out’ counts for two cameras, each covering up to two ‘lanes’, such as doors.  Accuracy is extremely high - up to 95%...

The ChallengeWest Midlands Police have invested in a state-of-the-art digital CCTV system to significantly improve the quality of city centre surveillance in Birmingham. The SolutionNine Dedicated Micros' high-end BX2 digital video recorders have been rack-mounted in the newly refurbished, temperature controlled communications room at Steelhouse Lane Police station, located next to the city centre HQ of West Midlands Police. High quality digital images are recorded from the 50 plus fixed an...

The Challenge The London Aquarium and County Hall - formerly the London GLC building - have upgraded their interlinked CCTV control systems with Dedicated Micros digital multiplex recorders.Located on the south bank of the Thames, the buildings are now using five Digital Sprites in conjunction with 75 video cameras covering the County Hall's two miles of corridors and leisure facilities; which include the London Aquarium, Dali Universe exhibition, Namco Station pleasure dome and several res...

One of the UK's fastest growing fashion retailers has invested in the latest digital CCTV recording technology to protect its stores from crime.  Oasis, renowned for its highly fashionable high street clothing has installed digital video recorders manufactured by Videoswitch at 60 of its stores.Oasis store managers take the lead in respect of reducing shrinkage.  Instead of security officers patrolling the stores, the managers capitalise on a combination of well-trained staff and C...

Following a busy spell of exhibitor bookings during the last two months including 3LCD and Belden, the organisers of ISE 2006, Europe’s biggest trade show for AV Systems Integrators report that the event next February in Brussels will be twice the size of the 2005 show and is almost sold out. Mike Blackman, Managing Director ISE 2006 is delighted, but not surprised by these figures.  “The AV Systems Integration market continues to grow at an increasing rate, the outlook for new...

Integrated Design's Fastlane Door Detective won the Merlion Award for the Open Category at the Safety & Security Asia 2005 exhibition in Singapore.  The winning product was displayed on a special Merlion Awards stand at the exhibition. Door Detective uniquely solves the problem of tailgating through access controlled doors.  Door Detective creates an infra-red field across a doorway to monitor the passage of every individual passing through the door, only alerting security staff to...

G4Tec is pleased to announce that Richard Jess has been promoted to Sales Manager of Scotland. Richard will be responsible for all sales initiatives in Scotland including the recruitment of additional sales staff.  He reports to Brain Fallon, division manager-Scotland.“It is my intention to grow G4Tec business in Scotland by providing exceptional customer service and hiring a world-class staff,” said Richard Jess, sales manager-Scotland.   “I am honored G4Tec has...

Arco, the UK’s leading supplier of safety clothing and equipment, has won a major design award for its state-of-the-art national distribution centre (NDC) in Hull.The flagship NDC triumphed in the Design Excellence category of the Hull Daily Mail’s British Business Awards. Harold Hardcastle, Arco’s Divisional Director, Estates, said: “The standard of competition this year was very high so it is particularly pleasing to win this award. “It’s a credit to the Mar...

Organization  Archipelago Marine Research Ltd is a world leader in the field of fisheries monitoring and marine environmental assessment. Based in Victoria, British Columbia, Archipelago has been providing marine biological services since 1978. The firm is responsible for monitoring analysis of several commercial fisheries, providing over 10,000 days of at-sea observing per annum. Successfully managed commercial fisheries must ensure that harvesting practices fit within long-term resource c...

The South Fens Business Centre is a new facility.  Purpose built with a funding package of 3 million pounds.  The building is attractive with aluminium framed windows and wood cladding to part of the structure.  It sits nicely in the surrounding countryside.  Situated close to Cambridge next to the A142 Chatteris bypass, the business centre provides economically priced office space for firms keen to be near Cambridge.  It is also hoped it will attract new business and em...

Pentax 8~120mm lenses have been installed in the North Yorkshire town of Harrogate by Baydale Control Systems of Darlington, as part of the city’s rolling surveillance expansion programme.Harrogate Borough Council takes a multi-role approach to the deployment and usage of surveillance systems.  Owing to the fact that so many aspects of crime detection, traffic monitoring and general city and asset management strategies depend on quality images, Pentax lenses were ‘non-negotiable...

Pentax lenses have been specified for round the clock surveillance in Victoria Park in the Tower Hamlets area of East London.  At just under 90 hectares, the park covers a massive area, especially for this part of the capital.  Managing its assets as well as the wellbeing of the people who use the park is a major undertaking.It’s a favourite destination for joggers and young families who use the adventure playground, ornamental gardens, tennis courts and bowling green.  The...

An innovative surveillance system installed by Intrepid Security Solutions is helping the Co-operative Group combat warehouse theft and improve staff performance.The Co-operative Group, which operates nearly 1,800 food stores throughout the UK, has introduced a Sentry SmartTrack CCTV system at its new National Distribution Centre in Coventry to detect internal theft.Intrepid has mounted two separate SmartTracks onto the ceiling of the Coventry site. Together, the tracks are 225 metres long, suff...

The ChallengeNewcastle's Telewest Arena has recently completed a full overhaul of its security system with the help of CCTV system consultants and installers Integrated Electronic Security (IES) - and has found an unusual benefit of going digital.The 11,000-seat Telewest Arena, that has played host to stars such as Justin Timberlake, Elton John and Cher, had suffered a spate of thefts, involving publicity material being stolen from outside the premises, where traditional pan and tilt cameras wer...

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...