It’s often been said that the way of working will change even after COVID restrictions are behind us. More people are remote working, and that’s set to continue. But these changes have been happening in the background for a while – with new attitudes changing the environment we work in. Consider that regular work activity – the meeting. These are changing from longer ‘presentation-led’ meetings to more versatile collaboration-style ones using digital presentation; and those require a different kind of space and technology support. New workforce = new work environment According to Futuresource, 75% of the workforce will consist of digital natives by 2030. This makes them key factors in how the workplace will change1 . This group thrives on digital ways of working, since they are the first group to have grown up entirely surrounded with digital technology. So a millennial is less likely to respond to a long meeting around a conference table with a turgid presentation. The new attitude towards meetings is that they should be dynamic, with clear actions and results. These are more collaborative brainstorms, where a smaller group of people can really discuss and co-present. Many employees are much more likely to engage and be productive in this kind of environment. There is one trend that has been directly affected by the pandemic – the flexibility of access to meetings. With more people remote working, the ability to connect together into a meeting space has become crucial. That can be done using an online platform, or as a hybrid, also including a smaller meeting room. In this way, more people can be included, maximizing effective outputs from the meeting. According to Reuters, in December 2019, Zoom reported 10 million daily users. Three months later, the number of Zoom’s daily participants jumped to more than 200 million2 . This was driven by the impact of the pandemic, but predictions are that significant growth is set to continue. Enter digital presentation This dynamic shift in the way meetings are held has a direct impact on the facilities and AV/ IT managers of the world. These are the people tasked to make it work. In some organizations it’s even led to office redesigns, with more small spaces replacing the larger, more traditional conference rooms. This is a trend that’s also set to continue – according to Futuresource, 66% of companies say dedicated technology for informal meeting spaces is a medium/ high priority. But what about presenting tools? Although the majority of presentations are still done using Powerpoint, higher levels of collaboration need a different kind of screen, for example. It’s important for more than one person to be able to annotate the screen directly, for example. People need to be able to connect wirelessly from their own devices (also known as BYOD, or bring your own device) to provide input. Remote team members need to have a way to ‘dial in’ and be involved in the meeting. This is perhaps why 2021 global sales are expected to grow to 2.5 million Interactive Displays, representing a 12% increase. Making a screen interactive All these functions are part of the design of Hikvision’s Interactive Displays. The embedded software turns the screen into a fully-functional white board. This means more than one person can annotate on it at any one time. They are able to write more ‘naturally’ on the sensitive multi-touch point surface. It also allows zooming in and out to focus on details as they work. In the new digital workplace, meeting contributors want to be able to concentrate on the discussion. This can mean they aren’t distracted by taking notes at the same time. So they don’t miss anything, the screens save the input being created as the meeting progresses. There’s almost no limitation to the amount of pages stored, so even if participants are seized with inspiration lengthening the meeting, the work is saved. The content can then be shared by email for further reference or action. The screen design includes technologies to make them as clear as possible. They have 4K ultra-HD resolution, a crystal screen to resist scratches and anti-glare technology, so bright lights does not affect clarity. Making digital presentation accessible Usability is a central part of the Interactive Display design. They have simple icon commands, which react to use. For example, the whiteboard/ annotation function icon pops up when the pen is picked up, ready for immediate use. They look good too, stylishly finished to make and meeting space look elegant and efficient. Content can be sent to the screen directly, using it as an AP hotspot. This allows users to control their content presentation, even when it’s on their laptop or mobile device. The screens support wireless projections of up to 4 devices simultaneously, so multiple users can ‘present,’ facilitating collaboration and brainstorming. The screens can be used for fluid and seamless video conferencing, using Zoom, Teams, and Webex platforms. They are equipped with an integrated 8MP camera, incorporating the expertise of Hikvision as a leading camera manufacturer, making interactivity easier. They also come with an omnidirectional microphone, integrated speakers, and OPS box (to support Windows), making a complete video conferencing solution. There is even the option to mount the interactive display on a trolley to move around and use in different rooms. All of this provides a flexible platform to host an effective, energizing meeting for the 21st century workplace. The world of work has been changing for a while, and the recent global health phenomenon has fueled this transformation. By harnessing interactive screen technology, facility managers can meet employee needs by providing truly flexible and collaborative meeting resources. Digital presentations can be interactive and productive, leaving the traditional dry ‘death-by-Powerpoint’ experience firmly in the past. Futuresource Changing Workforce Technology Trends 2020 https://venturebeat.com/2020/04/02/zooms-daily-activeusers-jumped-from-10-million-to-over-200-million-in3-months/  

Private clouds are most often used by government municipals, military bases, and financial institutions. Essentially, places with critical operations need greater control over their security. In fact, multiple organizations such as banks, schools, and hospitals use private cloud networks either by law or due to the security it enables them to offer their customers’ sensitive data. The private cloud model is referred to as ‘PaaS’ or Platform-as-a-Service. The client can store data, run programs, and back up information in a virtual environment provided by servers in a different physical location on their own. While the option is available for organizations to forge their own private cloud networks, most opt to use a secure network provided by a third party. It removes the added hurdle of management and maintenance from their busy schedules. Multi-fold benefits The benefits of the private cloud are multi-fold. The private cloud provides organizations with cloud resources dedicated to their sole use and is not shared with other customers. This means increased security of an isolated network while also adding increased performance due to the fact that resources are dedicated to one organization. A critical factor that leans numerous organizations toward the private cloud is its similarities with Local Area Networks (LANs). Here, it is not a substantial logistical leap for a business using LAN to relocate a section of their data to the cloud. Firewalls When it comes to highly sensitive employee or customer data such as medical records or banking statements, private cloud networks can help ensure that this information stays secure and protected. In a private cloud network, resources are only accessible from behind a distinct firewall. ewall. Yet, regardless of how secure a network is, they can still crash. Naturally, this can be a troubling development for companies that depend on networks to secure sensitive information. In comparison, private cloud networks offer a virtual environment that is far more resilient to failures. Because private cloud networks can operate throughout multiple servers, this creates partitions between each that allow them to pull resources from different areas. For companies that depend on the constant availability of their cloud-based network, this is a vital benefit of private cloud. It dramatically reduces the likelihood of downtime. Customization While the public cloud offering may be cheaper, it can also lack flexibility and customization. Clients can also feel the impact of other client loads, traffic, scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, and physical maintenance, like when changes or upgrades are required to the system’s architecture. Another main benefit of the private cloud is that users can mine their data inhouse. They can run reports to discover how many panels are running, what kind of panels they are, specific areas these panels are placed etc. This data will enhance their servers and determine what is in the field and what can be improved. On top of that, they can have their own branding for their Software-as-a-Service offering. The private cloud also offers users the opportunity to react very quickly to specific issues that may arise such as firmware upgrades. You can do all this without having to go onsite, thus saving time and money. A private cloud also allows you to predict maintenance, again proving to be a cost-effective option. Simply put, you have ultimate control. The benefits of private cloud networks are clear: enhanced security, increased control, improved reliability, and greater efficiency.  

  Fabio Marti, Vice President, Marketing, Security & Safety Things As global demand for produced goods continues to climb, manufacturing organizations are facing new challenges in meeting customer demand and elevated safety concerns along the supply chain due to a backlog of goods in transit. New technology offered by smart cameras can help alleviate some of these pain points by providing an entirely new way of monitoring and controlling safety measures and optimizing operations within manufacturing plants – benefitting both businesses and customers. Smart security cameras gather and analyze data used to improve quality control, higher production efficiency and overall increased security. Manufacturing operations can benefit from early detection of production line bottlenecks, machinery breakdowns and other disruptions. Business intelligence analytics help improve inventory management, warehousing, and logistics processes for a more efficient facility. While specialized smart cameras have been in use for production monitoring in large facilities for the past few years, a new generation of smart cameras is helping smaller manufacturing organizations to more efficiently manage day-to-day operations, ensure compliance with workplace safety measures and detect production floor stoppages. These cameras, which operate on an open platform from Security & Safety Things (S&ST), are equipped with artificial intelligence infused video analytics and are capable of running a variety of different apps from an application store, much like a smartphone. With nearly 100 apps that address a growing variety of use cases, these smart cameras are easy to deploy and can very quickly detect issues that often go unseen by the human eye but may have an impact on operational efficiency and overall customer experience. “The value of a smart camera is in its versatility to both monitor and document proper production and the handling and transportation of goods, while simultaneously contributing to customer experience,” said Anton Wintersteller, Senior Business Development Manager, Security & Safety Things, “Smart cameras equipped with AI-enabled applications are becoming part of the tool kit for manufacturing facilities in looking for new and innovative ways to improve operations.” Improve security and safety for plant or warehouse staff Employee safety and security are top of mind for manufacturing and logistic facilities, with a constant threat of danger from machinery malfunctions and other accidents. Video analytics can help ensure compliance with safety rules such as proper use of machines, compliance with safety regulations, and the wearing of proper protective equipment. Smart camera solutions can monitor whether employees are wearing safety clothing, through the identification of hardhats, high visibility vests, work goggles, and required footwear. Additionally, these cameras can assist in the detection and notification of proper personnel when individuals enter safety zones around big machinery or other hazardous areas. They can assess levels of smoke and steam in closed rooms and other areas. By monitoring for potential slips, falls or other injuries, they can more quickly raise alerts – as well as to detect precursors of potential incidents such as smoke and fire coming from machinery. Fire prevention for warehouse asset protection Smart cameras play an important role in fire and safety prevention, through the early detection of flames, smoke, or spills in large commercial buildings. As warehouses and manufacturing facilities become less populated through the implementation of automation technology, smart surveillance will play a crucial role in the future. Video analytics, combined with AI and other current technologies such as thermal imaging can detect such incidents in an early state and trigger alarms faster and more reliably than conventional smoke detectors. This prioritization of building safety can help reduce insurance risk and high premium costs. Optimized inventory management and production efficiency Video analytics in security cameras are already helping manage large inventories in buildings and to improve the storage capacity of warehouse and manufacturing facilities. When goods and boxes of different sizes have to be stored using a maximum efficiency of space, smart cameras can help recognize incoming and outgoing items in real-time – according to size and format. This enables picking machines to better sort them appropriately. Quality control and enhanced security for logistics along the supply chain Video analytics can assist warehouse and logistic service providers in successfully delivering the correct product to the right location and customer in prime condition, by monitoring the condition of packaging along the entire supply chain, detecting open or damaged boxes at the loading dock before the delivery is accepted. In the production facility itself, smart cameras can alert drivers with incoming shipments of empty loading bays for offloading, or alert facility staff of potential blockages or hazards for inbound and outbound vehicles that could delay delivery schedules. The demand for goods will continue to increase and production will be tasked to become even faster and more efficient every day. Smart cameras can help individuals monitor security and operations in real-time, while providing valuable business intelligence that can monitor and document proper handling and transportation – leading to a safer, more efficient facility.