In the latest update of Milestone XProtect 2019 R1 video management software, Milestone Systems introduces two way audio in the Mobile Client, enabling the users to speak to people on camera, directly from their mobile devices. The first XProtect release of 2019 extends the usability of the Smart Client and takes it outside the control room with support for both one and two-way audio in the Mobile Client. This is beneficial for on-the-go security personnel, whose tasks require them sometimes to be away from the Smart Client. One-way audio allows users to listen to audio captured by the microphone connected to the camera directly from their mobile phones using the Milestone Mobile application. Users can also increase their situational awareness when a video is not available, like in extreme darkness or when an incident happens outside of the camera’s viewing range. Two-way audio takes the audio capability a step further with Push-toTalk (PTT), a feature that allows users to speak through the camera-connected speaker directly from their mobile phones. This enables security personnel to use their VMS systems preventatively for things like access control, crowd warnings, and intruder alerts – all available on mobile. Take action faster from anywhere with two-way audio in Web Client The 2019 R1 version of XProtect also includes support for two-way audio in the Web Client. Two-way audio allows users to speak through the camera-connected speaker directly from the Web Client anywhere. This transforms the VMS system into an interactive tool and allows users to respond quickly to things like access control requests and incident prevention without having to be physically present in the control room or on premise. Certificate based encryption The 2019 R1 version of XProtect takes the system’s resistance against cybersecurity threats a step forward by encrypting all communication between the recording server and other servers and clients connected to it. This certificate based encryption requires that all components communicating with the recording server including third-party solutions integrated with the VMS system follow a strict certification process, guaranteeing the system’s resistance against cybersecurity threats. This system design provides the user with the best performance encrypted end-to-end. In the latest update of Milestone XProtect 2019 R1 video management software, Milestone Systems introduces twoway audio in the Mobile Client, enabling the users to speak to people on camera, directly from their mobile devices.

QNAP Systems, Inc. released MediQPACS, an application that turns a QNAP NAS into a private PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System) server to help users securely back up DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) files from hospital modalities and allows for quick viewing and complete management of medical images. MediQPACS provides healthcare facilities with a budget-friendly alternative for their PACS server in HIS (hospital network systems) with 24/7 availability, central management, and dependable storage of all DICOM files. “DICOM files containing patient data are generally largesized, leading to potential storage challenges in hospitals, clinics and other healthcare facilities. With the MediQPACS app for QNAP NAS, these massive DICOM files from connected medical modalities and AET can be securely and centrally stored. QNAP NAS also features various methods for expanding capacity to fit future data storage requirements,” said Anay Badavne, Product Manager of QNAP Users can easily retrieve and view the DICOM files (including images, tags and patient information) on MediQPACS using the built-in viewer via network connection, providing greater convenience for medical diagnosis workflows. MediQPACS also allows for quickly viewing recently added studies of patients, greatly saving doctors’ time on importing and searching for patients and their studies. By dragging and dropping different DICOM images, doctors can view multiple images at once and can add a layer over the images for further diagnosis using tools such as windowing, leveling, livewire, flood fill contour and more.

The rugged build quality of the new Invictus PTZ camera from UK CCTV manufacturing company, 360 Vision Technology, has been proven in the field during a recent road traffic incident in north London, which provided a real-world test for the camera and its ‘Attack Detect’ response feature. Built into each Invictus camera, 360 Vision’s ‘Attack Detect’ automatically responds to a detected increase in camera load (such as the camera being hit by an object). On detection, the camera’s direct-drive pan/ tilt mechanism is instantaneously disengaged to prevent damage to the motor drive. A self-check routine then establishes if the camera has altered its direction of view during the attack, and an automatic re-initialisation is triggered – returning the camera to its last known position prior to the impact. The benefits of Invictus’ Attack Detect response to system operators is that post-attack, the camera always returns to its correct field of view, prior to being forcibly moved. This means that vital evidential footage will continue to be captured, and without the need for operator intervention. The feature also ensures that all camera-preset positions remain intact, vital to avoid disruption to the daily running of the system due to inaccurate preset positions.

Oncam showcased how it is committed to bringing exceptional 360-degree imaging technology to the toughest and most challenging environments at the recently held 2019 Hazardex International Conference and Exhibition in UK. Making its first appearance at the event, Oncam displayed Evolution ExD camera range, which is certified for explosive environments. Housing a 5MP or 12MP module, the ExD explosive environment camera is the only 360-degree single-sensor camera with an explosion-protected housing and is designed to withstand the harshest elements, temperatures and pressure. For markets such as oil and gas production and refineries, power and utilities, wastewater treatment, grain handling and storage, and other hazardous materials facilities, this type of resiliency is key, as conditions are typically rough but comprehensive security is paramount. The ExD camera range is designed to prevent flames from leaving the housing in the event of a spark, and its certifications are applicable in various regions. The IECEx voluntary certification scheme facilitates the acceptance of equipment for use in explosive environments in many countries around the world. The system is based on zones that define the probability of ignitable hazardous material being present in the atmosphere such as gas and dust, and the ExD cameras are certified at a ‘high’ protection level. National deviations of the IECEx standard are used worldwide, with the ATEX Directive – a requirement in the European Union. The ATEX certification describes what equipment and work environment are allowed in an area with an explosive atmosphere. The ExD camera range’s ATEX mark certifies the camera for use in non-mining explosion prone environments, with an ambient temperature between -20°C and +55°C. The camera range also features a heavy duty 316L stainless steel housing and is rated IP66, IP67 and IP68 against water and dust ingress. The culmination of the camera’s characteristics highlights its ability to ensure the safety of people and assets in dangerous areas. But the housing of the camera is only one piece of its true value. At the core of the Evolution ExD camera range is Oncam’s patented dewarping technology, which allows smooth manipulation and gives users an immersive and unmatched 360-degree video experience. Panoramic surveillance is critical for obtaining a complete view of a scene with no blind spots. Operators can leverage 360-degree and wide-angle technology for remote site monitoring to ensure regulations are being followed, full coverage with enhanced situational awareness, and more informed and immediate response in the event of an incident. With no moving parts or maintenance required, this kind of technology reduces costs and increases ROI. Oncam’s ExD camera is shortlisted for the Hazardex 2019 Awards in the Personnel Protection Technologies (PTT) Equipment category.

IndigoVision’s large Enterprise NVR-AS 4000s have been upgraded, provisioning up to 25% more recorded camera streams, and up to 50% more usable storage. The number of recording streams has been increased to 800 with up to 3PB of usable storage. These NVRs provide guaranteed tamper free evidence, automatic failover and integrated back up as before, but can now cater to much larger sites. Fully integrated with IndigoVision’s security management solution, Control Center, and other security systems for complete alarm management, these devices are ideal for installations with large number of cameras in a single site, or for those with a requirement for long video retention. IndigoVision’s NVRs are designed to give the user expert storage for bullet-proof evidence. They are essentially the digital bodyguards who never leaves him unprotected. Combined with IndigoVision’s unique distributed network architecture (DNA), users can add more cameras and recorders as DNA removes the need for a central server, resulting in no single point of failure making it truly scalable to grow with them. Trusted in more than 15,000 installations, IndigoVision gives the right solution, experience, technology, and supports to provide them advanced safety.

In a bid to make customer interactions intuitive, responsive and friendlier, CP PLUS has launched AI-powered chatbot called CP TALK. The chatbot is a friendly chat assistant for the customers on the company website. CP TALK will help customers in exploring precise information about CP PLUS products and solutions. Quoting on the launch, Aditya Khemka, MD, CP PLUS said, “At CP PLUS, customers have always been the focal point. Emerging digital technologies such as the chatbot assisted platforms are going to change the way we have been interacting with customers; they are more likely to be the key drivers of customer satisfaction. Our own AI-based chatbot ‘CP TALK’ has been conceived to increase the ratio of engagement with our channel partners and customers. I am sure it will augment customer satisfaction to the next level.” Chatbot – CP TALK is designed to provide guided customer support to the visitors landing on the company’s corporate website. It will give intuitive answers to all types of customer queries pertaining to CP PLUS’ security and surveillance products & solutions. To apprise on the term guided-customer-support, AI based chatbot, CP TALK will interact with customers and give them relevant information regarding a product, ensuring seamless customer support round-the-clock. The chatbot can answer in two-ways; by displaying options or by answering individual customer queries via chat interface. “Artificial intelligence is an intriguing technology, especially when we are thinking about its implications as per the security and surveillance sector. We are proud to have launched our very own chatbot – CP TALK to enhance the experience of our customers. This is an AI-based chatbot developed to provide intuitive customer support. More importantly, the chatbot will provide customized support to each online customer, amplifying the relevance of our brand in this evolving time,” opined Yogesh Dutta on the launch of the chatbot.