Month: July 2017

Gemalto is enabling security and reliable connectivity for Dessmann’s new smart lock platform. The new solution from the global manufacturer of smart locks and safe boxes incorporates Gemalto’s Machine Identification Modules (MIM) and Secure Elements (SE), empowering users to lock and unlock doors with their smartphones or create digital key chains for multiple locks. The solution provides increased security compared to traditional locks. The mobile app can be used to create spare or temporary virtual keys remotely and can simplify shared accommodation services. For instance, it is able to track and monitor who unlocked a door recently. The application also sends instant notifications if a door is forced and can automatically trigger the lock’s built-in alarm. The smart lock market is likely to expand rapidly over the next few years. According to Transparency Market Research, its compound annual growth rate is estimated to reach up to 18.3%, leading to a substantial increase in market value, from US$226.7 million in 2016 to US$1.01 billion by 2024. Fuelled by rising standards of living and increased awareness regarding physical security and safety, the Asia Pacific region is fast becoming an important market for the smart lock industry. “Security is at the heart of any innovative smart lock technology and remains important for us. We are constantly on the lookout for complementary technology that enhances the security of our products and services.” said ZHU Zhiling, CEO of Dessmann, “Gemalto has a catalogue of solutions and expertise we need for our new smart lock. Its ability to deliver end-to-end security solutions as well as a roadmap to future IoT-optimized connectivity like LTE Cat NB-IoT instantly won us over.” “The world is turning digital at an unprecedented pace, with smart homes quickly emerging as the new cornerstone of connected living. We are expecting connected smart locks to become a natural part of people’s everyday life in the near future,” said Suzanne Tong-Li, Senior Vice President of Greater China and Korea for Mobiles Services and IoT, Gemalto, “Our complete suite of secure IoT solutions and services help manufacturers achieve the highest level of trust for consumers, which is essential for services like virtual keys.”

Indoor applications are particularly sensitive to quality Barco’s new X-series LED displays offer providers in that sector a powerful combination of superior quality, easier installation and enhanced reliability Through a combination of product upgrades, innovative technology and superior design, the new X-series displays from Barco meet a number of key requirements in the indoor display market. Suppliers of museums, houses of worship, retail, airports and control rooms can now call on superior tear-free images, easier installation and enhanced reliability backed by a new three-year warranty. “We really went back to basics in terms of what suppliers need in terms of outcome in 2017,” says Wim Buyens, Senior VP – General Manager Entertainment, “Image quality was obviously top of the list, but we also reduced the number of panels required to create a great effect and ensured that the panels will be as impressive years from now – a key benefit when looking at the total cost of ownership.” Tear-free images thanks to InfinipixTM Superior image quality is obviously a key element in indoor displays, as it guarantees the ‘wow’ factor. But how the image is processed can really affect the overall impression. ‘Tears,’ when the image jars, are incredibly disruptive to the viewing experience as they pull the audience out of the story being told. They are also catastrophic in a broadcast backdrop. Barco’s new Infinipix technology ensures smooth images – even when multiple panels or image sources are involved. Infinipix effectively creates a second ‘redundant’ data path to ensure all the LEDs receive the signals no matter what happens. What’s more, the X series comes in a range of four pixel pitches – 1.29, 1.58, 2.5 and 4mm to match just about any use. Reliability means peace of mind What today’s users need is not just another LED tile. To be competitive, they require a direct view LED display system that offers superior quality and can be used and maintained for multiple years and that keeps delivering the best image quality. So Barco’s new X-series could not come at a better time, as it brings them: Unique calibration for constant image quality. 2 data paths to eliminate the risk of image tears. Accurate colors under every conditions. 44% larger tile size (480×480) for fewer seams and fewer tiles to install. A 3-year warranty – extendible to 5 years.

Hoping to prevent deadly vehicle attacks such as those that have struck in London, New York City and France in recent months, the Fremont City Council approved spending more than $540,000 for 12 Delta portable barricades to protect public events including Festival of Arts The barricades are intended to keep cars and trucks from driving onto roads and plazas where events such as the Fremont Festival of the Arts, Street Eats, Niles Antique Faire and Flea Market, and the Festival of India are held. Fremont Police Chief Richard Lucero said special events are an important part of a community’s fabric. “They provide an opportunity for people to come together in different ways than they do in their ordinary, day-to-day life and have a chance to connect,” he said, “In order for it to be effective, it’s got to be safe.” Lucero said the potential danger of cars driving into public gathering areas to kill and hurt people is “Very Real,” adding that the barricades are a ‘good, flexible way to be able to protect these venues cost efficiently.” On May 18, a woman was killed and 22 others injured in Manhattan when a man who police said was high on drugs drove his car through Times Square, hitting pedestrians before being stopped by a street barrier. Law enforcement authorities said that attack did not appear to be an act of terrorism. A city staff report on the barricades purchase quoted a May report from the U.S. Transportation Security Administration that stated, “Terrorist organizations overseas have advocated conducting vehicle ramming attacks – using modified or unmodified motor vehicles – against crowds, buildings, and other vehicles.” Fremont will buy a dozen MP5000 model, 20-foot portable barricades from Palmdale-based Delta Scientific Corp. The barricades have a battery-operated road plate that can be lowered to allow emergency or police vehicles through when necessary. The cost is $543,330, according to the staff report. On June 3, three men ran over pedestrians on London Bridge with a van, then got out and attacked other people near Borough Market with knives. Eight were killed that night and many others injured in the terrorist attack. The company says each barricade can be set up within 15 minutes and are lowered into place with hydraulic jacks. Although some vehicle incidents are the result of drivers experiencing a medical emergency while behind the wheel and losing control, Delta sales manager Jeremy Andrews said terrorist attacks are the primary reason such barricades are used at military bases, embassies, colleges and other organizations. “After 9/11, our business has grown tremendously,” Andrews added. Lucero said, “The purchase of barricades is simply about protecting the people that are in the venue.” Andrews said the barricades can also be used quickly if an impromptu road closure is needed for repairs or police activity. The company plans to deliver the barricades before the Aug. 5 start of the Fremont Festival of the Arts. The report said, “The city also hopes the investment in city-owned barricading would help reduce the cost currently borne by event sponsors, helping encourage more community building events.” City staff will be working up a ‘comprehensive, permanent downtown barricading plan’ to present to the council later this year. Delta always keeps an inventory of the MP5000s for purchase and quick delivery at their manufacturing facility in Palmdale, Calif. In many cases, they are needed for events that come up quickly such as politician or celebrity visits and other unexpected incidents.

Motorola Solutions and its partner mm-lab equip Bosch’s automotive proving ground in Boxberg, Germany, with the mm-lab Proving Ground Management System (PGMS) and Motorola’s LEX L10 Mission Critical LTE Handheld devices. The future-proof system integrates all proving ground management processes at Bosch for improving the safety and efficiency on the test tracks of the world’s largest supplier of automotive components. The rugged Motorola LEX L10 LTE handhelds provide best-in-class audio quality, voice clarity and echo cancellation for enabling secure and reliable voice notification in the test vehicle as well as clear communication between ground operators and test drivers on the track. As soon as test drivers log on to the Android On-board Unit (OBU), they are identified by the mobile telephony service and added to all relevant user groups. The Motorola LEX L10 also connects the ground operators and test drivers to the private LTE network at Bosch’s proving grounds using high-performance broadband technology. “We see a growing demand for customised mobile applications that support companies like Bosch that are looking to meet highly dynamic requirements, where reliable communication through broadband networks is key,” said Mark Schmidl, Corporate Vice President of Sales for Motorola Solutions in Europe, Middle East and Africa, “Our Motorola LEX L10 mission critical LTE handhelds together with mm-lab’s proving ground management system enable Bosch to communicate with their test drivers on the proving ground at any time, thus optimising the test results for their customers and enhancing their own technology evolutions.” The mm-lab PGMS telematics solution monitors tracks, analyses all vehicle movements, and increases proving ground safety by providing audio-visual warning signals, for instance when one of the text drivers is driving in the wrong direction. The system also increases the efficiency of management processes used in administrative services, integrating text and voice communications and adding multiple applications such as access control for test tracks and the reception system at proving grounds. “With our PGMS telematics solution and the Motorola LEX L10 handhelds we provide Bosch with a future-leading system, which fulfils all requirements of the world’s leading automotive supplier,” said Michael Meiser, Managing Director at mm-lab, “The system can be adjusted to the individual needs of the different Bosch proving grounds worldwide, and is fully integrated into the existing infrastructure – from the barrier control to the accounting system.” In total, Bosch operates nine proving grounds on four continents, covering all climate requirements for efficient testing and precision tuning of its customers’ vehicles. This includes a multitude of test tracks for all speeds, every incline, various amounts of tractions and the simulation of land or ice. Bosch’s proving ground at Boxberg, Germany, offers facilities including a high-speed oval, a driving-dynamics area, brake-measurement tracks and handling courses for testing different driving conditions and driver assistance systems such as brake tests on various road surfaces, driving on rural roads, climbing/ downhill tracks with high gradients. “We were looking for an integrated system that supports all operations on our proving grounds,” said Michael Gromig, Managing Director of the Bosch Test Center Boxberg, “Thanks to the new proving ground management system provided by mm-lab and Motorola Solutions, we have implemented a state-of-the-art solution that increases the safety of our test drivers, reduces administration and accelerates the smooth realisation of our processes. Customers and operators alike benefit from the new integrated system.”

Surveillance in three store locations definitely delivering solid ROI for Castle Retail Group 3xLOGIC, Inc. has recently announced that Cash Saver stores, located in Memphis, TN, have installed 3xLOGIC NVRs and upwards to 120 cameras in three of its four store locations. Cash Saver is a cost plus food outlet, and promises a whole new way to save on groceries for Memphis. The company keeps the cost of operating its stores low with lower rent, no fancy décor, and less advertising. When Cash Saver began installing 3xLOGIC video surveillance, their main motivations were safety and curtailing losses. Since that time, Mark Gatlin, VP of Store Operations, has seen a lot more uses for his high-quality video images, “We’ve used the system many times to combat slip and fall claims. We’ve had car accidents, car break-ins; recently, we had a purse snatching, and we got a very good picture of the assailant.” Cash Saver has approximately 60 cameras at their largest location, the 24-hour Madison Avenue store. Two other stores about one-third the size of the Madison flagship location have approximately 30 cameras each. All stores have 3xLOGIC V7000 NVRs recording 3MP and 6MP 360-degree surveillance 3xLOGIC cameras, as well as fixed cameras. Gatlin expects to install 3xLOGIC video surveillance in a fourth store in the near future. Areas under surveillance include outside parking lots and sidewalks and just about every area on the sales floors, storage rooms, food preparation areas, and more. Gatlin has two monitors of video feeds on his desk and he chooses which cameras to view. He pointed out that the system is good for thwarting false liability claims and providing evidence of wrong-doing, but it is also helpful in providing good customer service. “We had someone claiming that they bought six steaks, they left the store and then returned saying there were only two steaks in their bag. By checking the receipt time stamp and then looking at the corresponding video, we can see what actually happened, we don’t have to guess anymore.” Gatlin monitors video during his work hours, and his assistant managers and co-managers use the system during other shifts. For this 24-hour grocery store, the 3xLOGIC system is definitely a force multiplier. “Another great aspect,” said Gatlin, “Is we’ve had false claims but also honest mistakes, at the end of the day when everybody watches the video, the conversation is over.” Gatlin can also be sitting at home relaxing, and he can pull up video feeds on his smart phone. “The image quality is very good, and when you show somebody the video and it pinpoints every action, it’s like having an unbiased eye witness,” continued Gatlin, “The stores only maintain video for a certain number of days, but if there is an incident, they burn a CD for their records and for sharing with law enforcement. We’ve cooperated with the police on upwards to a hundred different incidents.” Gatlin concluded, “When we bought the system, we took it on a try and buy basis, and after 13 months we were convinced we were seeing ROI every day, this system will pay dividends for years to come. We’re very pleased with our 3xLOGIC system.”