Camera robustness, hemispheric technology and decentralized image and event management make MOBOTIX the logical choice for mobile security Challenge Robust and reliable in every vehicle at any speed Operators of public and private transportation or of commercial cargo fleets are required to be more alert than ever against vandalism, theft and violence in order to stay competitive and attractive for passengers in the future. A key contribution is the decentralized, high-resolution video security technology from MOBOTIX; because perpetrators can be identified much faster with highly detailed and gapless recordings compared to conventional video systems. ‘Video Secured by MOBOTIX’ is confirmed to be a strong deterrence of potential offenders and will help to increase safety and security of passengers and drivers. In addition, vehicles have to be used most effectively and need to be localized at any time. Security installers worldwide are excited about the effectiveness and outstanding image quality of MOBOTIX systems. Intelligent IP video solutions S15 FlexMount system is ideal for use in vehicles In order to ensure absolute reliability in mobile applications, even under extreme environmental conditions, S15 models of MOBOTIX have successfully passed the toughest certification tests. Simple installation, low space requirements and the absence of expensive, fragile recording devices result in a cost-effective security solution for any type of vehicle. The S15 model of MOBOTIX, providing a protected mountable camera housing with integrated flash memory, is resistant against shock, vibration and temperature variations. The ability to exchange the sensor module has proven to be cost-effective and practical, without having to dismantle the whole camera during transportation, all recordings are maintained. Smart and functional accessories enable the discrete operation to ensure passenger safety and protection against vandalism and damage in transport vehicles. The behaviour of passengers and drivers can be documented at any time. It is important to know the status of the bus or truck; whether it is within the predefined operational area or does an incident require the support of the nearest police station. Based on the transmission of the latest video and GPS data, emergency personnel can be directed quickly to the required location. Discrete and efficient with hemispheric The use of hemispheric technology in S15 or Q25 provides effective coverage of the complete vehicle interior with just one single camera. Installed with the surround mount in the middle of the bus, the entire passenger compartment is secured without any blind spot. An S15 or Q25 covers the complete area of the driver including entrance and outside. In addition an external camera at the rear or front increases the safety in and around the school bus. The consequent absence of moving parts and thus the guarantee of robustness, results in video solutions including recordings which are known as nearly maintenance free. Instead of traditional hard drives, which are considered problematic and expensive in automotive environments, industry-standard SD-cards are integrated directly in the camera to provide reliable storage.

Vancouver Island financial Institution Secures Branches with March Networks Advanced IP Video When the largest credit union based on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands off the coast of British Columbia decided to deploy a March Networks enterprise-wide video surveillance system in 2013, the opportunity to take advantage of advanced functionality was top of mind. The credit union, which operates 23 branches, 16 insurance offices, four regional business centres and one centralized contact centre, was using a system that was ‘old and slow,’ but a sole March Networks system installed at one of its locations in 2011 by security systems integrator Chubb Edwards was noticeably superior, said the credit union’s facilities management specialist. “We were really happy with the March Networks system, so when the time came to upgrade our video surveillance system, we didn’t need to spend a lot of time looking at other options,” he recalled. Having used both systems, he found the March Networks video surveillance system to be more intuitive and user-friendly. Equally important, it offered the potential to benefit from advanced functionality like video analytics and integration with its access control system. The rollout of March Networks 8000 series Hybrid NVRs and video management software to all of the credit union’s premises, including its administration and head office buildings in Nanaimo, was completed in 2015. The hybrid capability of the 8000 Series recorders was ideal because it allowed them to continue leveraging their investment in third-party analog cameras while slowly beginning the conversion to March Networks IP cameras for new locations and branch renovations. In addition to supporting the gradual transition to higher resolution IP cameras, the 8000 series NVRs provide enhanced image quality from the credit union’s analog cameras. Most of the NVRs are 8516 models, but the ability to scale up or down to 8508s and 8532s depending on the size of the location was important to the customer. Feature-rich recorders The 8000 Series Hybrid NVRs feature an embedded Linux operating system for improved reliability, an internal battery backup capability for a systematic shutdown in the event of an unexpected power interruption, and hard drive mirroring for data redundancy. Using 8 TB hard drives in all four slots, the recorders offer a maximum storage capacity of 32 TB – more than sufficient for an all-IP camera deployment that is the credit union’s near-term goal. The March Networks IP cameras provide much higher resolution video, and are better able to compensate for direct sunlight in the field of view, ensuring quality images regardless of lighting conditions in ATM vestibules. The credit union’s facilities management specialist and fraud investigators have access to the video through a Chubb Edwards dedicated network. The fraud investigators use the system primarily to capture evidence of ATM and debit card fraud, while the premises department uses it for transaction verification and to review evidence of slip and falls. “Video evidence is very helpful when it comes to resolving customer disputes because you can actually see what transpired,” said the credit union’s facilities management specialist, “If a customer doesn’t recall conducting a transaction, for example, we’re happy to pull up video and show it to them. Once they see themselves along with the date and time of the transaction, any concerns about the security of their account are alleviated.” Finding video is ‘quick and easy’ Finding video evidence with the March Networks system is a breeze. “It’s very quick and easy,” he said, “We simply select the branch, the camera, and the date and approximate time of the incident. The March Networks motion histogram speeds us to parts of the timeline that exhibit more activity in the field of view and thumbnails above the timeline allow us to quickly zero in on the video clip we’re looking for.” In cases of ATM and debit card fraud, investigators are able to copy relevant video clips quickly and easily for law enforcement. Branch managers also have access to the system, but only for live viewing. The credit union began using its own internal network for video surveillance, but decided to switch to a Chubb Edwards dedicated network to avoid traffic congestion and interference with its business systems. A dedicated video surveillance network also allows Chubb Edwards technicians in Victoria to take advantage of the March Networks software’s management features to remotely administer the system, change passwords and access real-time warnings of camera disconnection, disk failure, high processor or fan temperatures, and other potential problems. Upgrading to Command Enterprise and Searchlight Next steps for the credit union include upgrading to March Networks Command Enterprise video management software and continuing the transition to IP video. The decision to upgrade its video surveillance system was predicated on being able to acquire the banking-specific business intelligence functionality offered by March Networks Searchlight for Banking software. “I saw a demonstration of Searchlight for Banking at the ISC West show a few years ago and realized it would be a huge benefit for our fraud investigators,” said the credit union’s facilities management specialist. Searchlight for Banking integrates surveillance video with ATM/ teller transaction data and optional business analytics, enabling financial institutions to reduce losses from theft and fraud more effectively, and gather valuable information on customer service, marketing efforts and operational performance. The powerful software provides fraud investigators with automated reports that highlight suspect transactions – which could be instances of ATM skimming or cash harvesting – based on the financial institution’s key performance metrics, and include convenient links to the recorded video for further review. With Searchlight for Banking, investigators don’t have to first find the transaction in one system and the video evidence in another, allowing them to resolve more cases faster and reduce fraud. In addition, data from video analytics including people counting, queue length and dwell time monitoring can provide financial institutions with valuable insights on how their branches are performing and help identify opportunities for improvement. For example, the software can help identify times of the day when customers are waiting longer in line…

Working at high altitudes is considered to be extremely dangerous. Fire services, for instance, need to conduct safe rescue operations, yet they are by no means the only ones. Safe working conditions are equally vital for anyone working at solar or wind farms, in the forestry industry or at a brewery. Technical regulations are therefore in place, ensuring the provision of suitable equipment and training. Transmission poles, bridge pylons, industrial stacks, giant trees, rescue operations in the mountains – it may well seem that the higher a person has to climb, the more they need to be protected from falling. Yet there is no need to aim quite so high. Even a fall from a relatively low height can lead to severe injuries or death. The same applies to depths, for example in a well. “Anywhere a person might need to enter and where they are then completely enclosed,” says Klaus Bornack, President of Düsseldorf’s A+A – the world’s leading trade fair on personal equipment, corporate safety and safety at work – and Board member of IVPS, the German Association of Manufacturers of Personal Protective Equipment, “Take a brewery, for instance, where barrels need to be cleaned at regular intervals. Sadly, it keeps happening that an employee faints while performing such work. This may be because they’re short of oxygen, or it may be because of toxic gases descending to the bottom of the barrel. Anyone rescuing them and letting themselves down into the barrel would then also faint.” This makes it essential to use rescue equipment with proper fall protection where a person can be suspended in an upright position if they faint. In Germany alone, says Bornack, manufacturers are selling about EUR 1.8 billion worth of personal protection equipment. Alongside protective gloves, footwear and clothing, about 25% of the revenue comes from life-saving products such as respiratory protection, fire protection and safety ropes, as important equipment to keep down accident figures. Such products are based on technical standards and the accident prevention regulations set up by Germany’s accident liability insurance associations, thus warranting compliance with minimum safety requirements. Moreover, thanks to EC directives, the regulations are applicable across borders, throughout Europe, and an important new element will be the upgrading of the former PPE directive 89/686/EEC to the level of an EC regulation from 2019. Indispensable: Training and seminars Under the law, it is basically the job of each company’s health and safety officer to ensure compliance with minimum standards. They therefore need to receive training as multipliers, so that they can be contacted about any questions that might arise and provide information and the necessary details about fall protection. A health and safety officer can demonstrate how to wear a belt or harness correctly, and they are also familiar with issues such as load safety. Furthermore, they are trained in the regular checking of PPE for operational reliability. Training in the checking and practical use of PPE is provided by companies such as Bornack (which has three training centres, including a large high-altitude facility in Marbach on the river Neckar), DWS Pohl, Edelrid, MAS and ABS Safety. Training courses are indispensable for the proper use of protection equipment. Good equipment is essential, but the better a user is trained, the more they are protected. After all, any work on radio masts and bridge piers is risk-prone, and when a person is in danger and needs to be rescued, this can never be described as an everyday situation. Even professionals such as special command units, fire services, the police and Germany’s Border Protection Group 9 can reach their mental and physical limits. This makes it all the more important for such workers to receive regular training in handling special situations and therefore to attend courses held by suitable service providers. Anyone requiring rope access in their work needs to be fully familiar with their workplace. This is the only way for them to understand the risks and to take suitable precautions. Moreover, technology always has its limits – and the same is of course true for safety technology. A rope access worker needs to be made aware of both these circumstances through suitable courses and must be trained in the correct use of their equipment. “This means providing a realistic environment,” says Bornack, “where they can learn to master high altitude situations – not just physically, but also mentally.” “To establish rope access as a legitimate working method in Germany, our members have decided to define a set of safety and training standards,” says the German Industrial Rope Access Trade Association (FISAT) as it comments on its foundation. A similar focus is maintained by the Global Wind Organisation, an association of companies catering for the offshore market. This organisation, too, has formulated regulations for equipment and training content which are applicable throughout the EU. Another industrial rope access workers’ organisation with certification as a training facility is IRATA (Industrial Rope Access Trade Association). From an alpine world to a working environment The history of fall protection at work is not as long as it might seem. Scaffolding is not always suitable as an access method, and a crane is often too expensive and cannot be set up everywhere. While the cost and benefit of construction projects were often still manageable, inspections and repairs – particularly in exposed places – increasingly required new and secure access options. According to the German Industrial Rope Access Trade Association (FISAT), the scope of the work originally covered maintenance and repairs of defective spires, sculptural architecture, certain high-altitude works of art, as well as offshore oil rigs and onshore wind farms. The association further explains, “Germany experienced an increase in public awareness about rope access work in 1995, with the shrouding of the Reichstag in Berlin – to realise the design of the artist couple Christo and Jeanne-Claude, over a hundred rope acess workers had to be employed. At the time, such work was still not generally permitted, but after long negotiations…