Invixium, a leading global provider of innovative touchless biometric solutions, recently announces that Eastern Platinum Limited (Eastplats) has deployed IXM TITAN with Enhancement Kit at their Crocodile River Mine. This deployment comes in response to a growing global need for touchless access control and temperature screening due to COVID-19. The local deployment of IXM TITAN was handled by South Africa-based integration specialists, Bluewhale Digital. Bluewhale Digital has 35 years experience in the South Africa mining sector, and after assessing a number of products, chose IXM TITAN for its superior specifications, build quality and ability to handle the unique challenges posed at the mine. Mining operations like Crocodile River Mine require extremely rugged security equipment. Invixium’s IXM TITAN is crafted with an all-aluminum body and a Corning® Gorilla® Glass LCD screen to withstand the harshest environmental conditions, from exposure to dust and sand to high impacts caused by nearby mine blasts. With an existing HRMS installed, Eastplats requires full feature integration with their time and attendance access control hardware. Shift schedules and breathalyzer results need to be checked to enter the mine, and TITAN’s time tracking data would be used to calculate payroll. Further, Eastplats’s COVID-19 response demands that temperature screening and mask detection be added to its access control protocol for thousands of employees and visitors at every shift, adding complexity to an already-intricate integration. IXM TITAN with Enhancement Kit was selected not only for its ruggedness and integration capabilities, but also for its high throughput. With the Enhancement Kit installed, the complete solution can touchlessly authenticate and temperature-screen 12 to 15 users per minute. Thousands of employees and the overall business risk monumental financial losses from delays in entry; thus, speed is a top factor in biometric hardware selection. “Our concern was for the safety and well-being of the Eastplats employees as well as addressing the large amount of time spent on collation and reporting for regulatory requirements,” said Matthew Simpson, Director at Bluewhale Digital, “In the midst of a global pandemic, we needed a way to safely and reliably move 500 people through turnstiles during shift change. We needed to do it with no physical contact, and in line with South Africa’s lockdown regulations.” Using IXM TITAN Bluewhale Digital was able to integrate employee identification and touchless core body temperature scanning, with Eastplats’ existing time and attendance system and their multi-layered security infrastructure. This, along with an automated system for restricting access until a COVID-19 declaration statement was signed by all those entering the mine ensured Eastplats received a fully integrated solution that reduced paperwork and reporting time, and prioritized the health and safety of all mine employees. Following a successful proof of concept trial with four IXM TITAN with Enhancement Kit units, Eastplats plans to add additional Invixium solutions at more entry points to Crocodile River Mine. Due to the ease of installation and integration with their existing system, Eastplats is highly satisfied with the increase in productivity and peace of mind provided by the Invixium solution. “There has been a revolution when it comes to face recognition in the rugged industry of mining, as fingerprints have obvious issues with the time it takes to wash hands before touching a delicate sensor. Add that to the risk of COVID-19 lingering on surfaces, and face recognition becomes the obvious answer for access control,” said Hannelie Hanson, General Manager at Eastplats, “Invixium’s products are quick and accurate, even in our mine, and the Enhancement Kit’s temperature screening reduces the number of steps it takes for a person to get to work safely and with ease. IXM TITAN’s integration with Crocodile River Mine’s current human resource management system and security software ensures managers have all the necessary documents and reports to manage staff and visitors in one location.” “Deploying biometric technology in the mining sector is extremely challenging,” said Shiraz Kapadia, CEO & President at Invixium, “We’re proud to have engineered IXM TITAN to be well suited for extremely harsh environments, like mines, and we are pleased to be the premiere biometric provider to mining operations worldwide, like Eastplats in Africa. IXM TITAN was selected for its ruggedness and speed in face recognition and temperature screening in various lighting conditions. The result is very positive. TITAN ensures a simple and comprehensive solution for employees and managers to allow them to return to work in a healthy, safe, and productive environment.” Invixium is represented by its authorized distributor Pyro-Tech Security Suppliers, located in Johannesburg. Invixium’s presence in South Africa has grown significantly since its regional launch in 2019.  

For the jewelry business owner, ensuring the highest level of security has always been a top priority. VIVOTEK, the global leading IP surveillance provider, has built up a rigorous surveillance system for Peyrelongue Chronos, a well-known luxury boutique offering high-end jewelry in Mexico, to monitor their precious products without any blind spots and to prevent robbery or theft. Peyrelongue Chronos has recently remodeled its facilities, including an overall of the video surveillance system. In search of the best solution to meet demands for both outside and inside the store, Peyrelongue Chronos found all of its requirements met by the wide range of VIVOTEK cameras. The 180-degree multi-sensor MS8391-EV was mounted on the facade of the boutique to maximize the field of view with 12-megapixel high-quality images and reduce the number of cameras required, thus cutting down installation costs. The camera is also ideal for the outdoors because of the robust housing that resists rain, dust and protects it from vandalism or tampering. To enhance the outdoor security of the building, two FD9360-H cameras were added to monitor the avenue in both directions and provide clear night views despite the harsh outdoor environment. Inside the Peyrelongue Chronos store, two of MS9390-HV, the most efficient panoramic network camera, were installed in the jewelry area to surveil all displays as well as all movements within them. With its unique and stylish dual-sensor design, the MS9390-HV offers a 180-degree field of view and range of up to 20 meters, and is capable of maintaining a higher field of view (FoV) than traditional multi-sensor panoramic cameras using four sensors. Within the spacious and comfortable luxury watch area, two 12-megapixel fisheye cameras, the FE8191 and FE9191 were chosen to monitor the product showcases, delivering blind-spot-free 360-degree surround imaging of wide areas. Further enhancing performance, the FE9191 features AI-powered video content analysis – Smart 360 VCA, including intrusion detection, crowd detection, and loitering detection, which enables the security staff to receive alarm notification for any notable event. Finally, for the shared area such as aisles, entrances, and exits, the ability to capture high-quality images both in low light and high-contrast environments is a critical issue when selecting surveillance cameras. The 5-megapixel and 2-megapixel dome cameras, FD9189- HM and FD8166A-N, were chosen precisely for this reason. The FD9189-HM is equipped with 30 meters range IR illuminators for enhanced night vision, and the FD8166A-N is armed with invisible 940nm IR illuminators and capable to see up to 6 meters in total darkness, making it a sure bet to meet all the surveillance requirements in transit zones within this renowned boutique. “Thanks to VIVOTEK’s high-level security system, we are confident that we can guarantee our clients the best experience from the moment they walk in. Peyrelongue Chronos feels secure with VIVOTEK’s surveillance solution while servicing clients,” pointed out Ana LucíaGarcía, Marketing and PR Manager of Peyrelongue Chronos, “The most remarkable thing when working with VIVOTEK is technical support. They assisted me both pre-sale and post-sale to provide quality service to our customers. No matter what types of security issue my clients may have, I know I can solve it with VIVOTEK’s technology,” remarked Serafin Sanchez, Automatization Server Manager and Integrator Certified by VIVOTEK.  

Delta Scientific, the leading manufacturer of counter-terrorist vehicle control systems used in the United States and internationally, recently announced that a man from Santa Ana, Calif. attempted to cross from Tijuana into the United States via a closed lane at the San Ysidro Port of Entry south of San Diego on the afternoon of December 22 (2020). The Hyundai sedan struck a Delta Scientific TT218EC manual beam vehicle access barrier on the American side of the border. The driver was instantly killed. “The motive for the driver’s intention is still under investigation,” reported Greg Hamm, Delta Scientific Vice President of Sales and Marketing, “He had already hit two people on the Mexican side of the border before crashing into the TT218EC, which is a high security horizontal swing barrier with a K4 crash rating that is typical of the quality and strength of a Delta Scientific made barrier.” Beam barriers are the perfect solution for ingress and egress applications where you want to leave the roadway undisturbed. Delta cable and chain beam barriers are designed and used for both traffic control and high security applications. The buttresses sit on either side of the road with only the beam perched above it. These proven Delta barricade systems are deployed at government facilities, embassies, corporate headquarters, parking structures, nuclear power plants and automotive sales lots. The TT218EC beam barricade swing gate is specifically used at locations where vertical lifts are impractical and provides clear opening ranges from 10.5 to 24 feet (3,200mm to 7,315mm). It incorporates a heavy duty, multi-stranded cable or chain within the boom profile, which is held securely at both ends when fully closed, offering a formidable traffic control barrier. Impact from a moving vehicle is transmitted to the boom-supporting pillars. The high-strength chain of the TT218EC will stop a non-armored or non-tracked vehicle weighing 15,000 pounds at 30mph.