Category: Case Study
A Technology Triumvirate to Help Chill this Holiday Season
At this time of year, our thoughts turn to the heartwarming idea of a long holiday break enjoying sun and sea. Though it is unlikely that we can go on a typical holiday activity that we’ve loved, hopefully a nice relaxing break is still possible. But no matter where and how we will relax this summer, before we start packing we also feel a little anxious. Not just because we wonder what we should pack, but also about things that are left behind. We want to make sure everything is safe and sound during our travels. For households and business owners, this can be about a secured backyard, locked doors and windows, closed water valves, safe gas and electricity, and many others. Hikvision’s latest Pro Series cameras can take over the security duties for you. Now Hikvision has embedded both its AcuSense AI technology and its low-light ColorVu technology. This combination creates a powerful hybrid, providing 4K ultra HD color for you to see a scene clearly, and the intelligence to be able to recognize a security breach. What’s more, all these can be accessed and viewed remotely using Hik-Connect app on your smartphone or tablet. With this triumvirate of combined technologies and abilities, you can enjoy a laid-back life. See it clearly… We understand that you might be concerned about your pretty garden that you’ve been looking after with care, or your cat that is fed by a pet sitter during your leave. There is nothing better than a high quality, full-color real-time video which can reassure you; and that’s what the Hikvision cameras with ColorVu can provide. Hikvision ColorVu technology ensures the best possible vivid color to be reproduced in extremely dark scenarios, even on a moonless night. Cameras with ColorVu guarantee video with colorful details when they are needed. Access it easily… Next, it’s about how you see it. It is easy with the Hik-Connect app on your smartphone, which connects and communicates with all your security devices at your premises. With Hik-Connect, you have full access to real-time feeds, you can playback and receive event notifications remotely, even when you are lying on a beach. So you can easily look in on your pets or garden anytime. Understand it quickly… A carefree summertime break also means you are not disturbed as much as possible. You may have experienced annoying frequent alerts, from a traditional security system, and when you checked an event alert, you found nothing but a swaying tree in your front yard from the camera view. This type of ‘no-threat’ incident may happen from time to time, making people frustrated during a holiday. Hikvision AcuSense AI technology can help you solve this conundrum. By using AI, it enables a security camera to only trigger an alarm when a human or a vehicle pops up in the camera view, for example, if someone enters the restricted area in your warehouse. So you can focus on the real threats and act only when needed. At the end of the day, no one wants to be bothered in a relaxing environment. To take things one step further, some cameras with AcuSense AI can flash to deter the intruder away, or even allow you to give a warning through the built-in speaker. In this way, you don’t really need to worry and waste time on your holiday. A powerful combination With AcuSense and ColorVu, the latest Hikvision Pro series cameras are able to deliver much clearer, vivid color images helping you see the scene clearly. It also means that you can understand much more readily what you are looking at, with automated alerts demonstrating real security breaches, and everything can be viewed right in the palm of your hand. Let technology take away the stress, so you can chill out this holiday season!
Namchi, the ‘Sky-High City’ becomes ‘Smart City’ with Videonetics AI Powered Unified Solution
Situated at an altitude of 5500 feet above sea level, Namchi (means sky high) is one of the famous and biggest tourist destinations in Sikkim, a state of northeast India. Surrounded with spectacular view of the mountains, emerald and green forest, Namchi is well-known for its old monasteries, sacred temples, and annual festivals such as Namchi Mahotsav. Namchi was selected to be part of the Smart Cities Mission, an ambitious programme of Govt. of India. Under this programme, the city aspires to be a ‘world-class’ tourist destination and simultaneously maintain ecological balance with a vibrant community, offering an enriched quality of life supported by a robust local economy. In recent years, the city infrastructure has also shown rapid growth and welcoming thousands of tourists each year. Hence, making the city vulnerable to threats driven by overcrowding, chaotic traffic, haphazard parking in addition to other law & order issues. In the first phase of the project, the Namchi Smart City Limited wanted to cover its citizens as well as tourists with Namchi, the ‘Sky-High City’ becomes ‘Smart City’ with Videonetics AI Powered Unified Solution a robust surveillance system with proper traffic management without disrupting the normal day to day activities. The solution After thorough assessment of the requirements and consequent discussions with the officials of Namchi Smart City Limited, Videonetics designed modular and scalable unified solution, based on its Intelligent VMS and AI & DL powered video analytics, aimed to ensure continuous monitoring, efficient traffic monitoring, quicker response times and faster access to evidence in case of investigations and law & order management. Eyeing on every corner of the city A group of over 120 IP cameras have been installed at the important locations to monitor the entry and exit points connecting to the city, public ways, transport hubs, tourist attractions, markets, streets, traffic junctions to name a few. Now, security operators can easily view and manage citywide deployed IP cameras with intuitive interface of Videonetics Intelligent VMS, having complete situation[1]al awareness and can respond smartly to critical situations. Moreover, the smart navigation feature of Intelligent VMS allows simultaneously viewing of the live and the recorded videos in the same interface, which helps in prompt investigation of past activities without taking their eye off from the current incidents. Parking and directional analytics Namchi being a hilly terrain, has narrow roads with limited scope of turning it into broader ones, the authorities used to manage the traffic by declaring some of the roads as one-way carriage. Frequently, the city faced chaotic traffic congestion and accidents, due to unauthorized parking and wrong-way driving. To address such concerns, Videonetics artificial intelligence powered video analytics including no parking detection and wrong-way movement detection, were deployed to detect such situations. Operators are notified as soon as any vehicle is parked in a restricted zone and if any vehicle moves in the wrong direction. The Videonetics unified solution empowers command control operators to receive real-time insights from the city and upon recognition or prediction of unusual behaviour, they receive an immediate alert and notify the authorities. Centralized view of the city Videonetics Intelligent VMS and video analytics application are seamlessly integrated with Namchi Operations Center (NOC), an Integrated Command Control Center (ICCC), to simplify the response coordination between stakeholders and speeding up incident resolution. Working in conjunction with city administration, control room operators can switch from camera to camera using dynamic maps, empowers them to obtain critical event information as well as manage emergency situations by alerting respective stakeholders for quick action. And when necessary, Videonetics unified solution makes it possible to share forensic videos across departments, facilitating more collaborative and successful response efforts. Namchi adapting to ‘New Normal’ with COVID-19 War Room As the coronavirus pandemic evolves with different waves, Namchi smart city officials decided to transform ICCC to COVID-19 War Room by seamlessly integrating with Crisis Control Response and Mitigation System (C2RMS), an operational intelligence platform from Astrikos Consulting and Videonetics unified solution. By having this powerful and distinctive integrated solution, operators monitor violation of COVID-19 guidelines such as social distancing, crowd formation, people gathered without masks, predicting gathering and so on from the command control center and provide actionable alerts to authority or on-ground officials, for effective enforcement and decision making. In parallel, C2RMS proactively monitors and assess the spread, deeply conducts preparedness assessment, and delivers real-time insights on capacity management of hospitals such as status of hospital beds, oxygen, PPE Kits etc, to the authorities. The result The sagacious collaboration between Videonetics, Astrikos Consulting and Namchi Smart City Ltd, has become an exemplary model for other cities. Videonetics unified solution has exceeded city administration’s expectations in terms of its intuitive functionalities, identifying suspicious activities and ensuring smooth traffic movements. And the solution’s open architecture allows the seamless addition of more cameras and integration with other security systems as the city continues to grow and identify more needs. It signifies future development potential with maximum impact on people. Furthermore, the integrated solution has been extremely helpful for the city authority in aggregating and visualizing the video data collected over time, to deliver critical statistical information such as directional traffic data, traffic flow insights, hotspots of public gathering etc. Eventually, increasing the situational awareness, standardizing response protocol and implementing SoPs at city level and enhancing collaboration across various departments/ bodies emphasizing ‘the citizens come first’ mindset of Namchi city. Thanks to the integrated and unified solution that not only supported Namchi to achieve but also exceed its security goals.
K-12 Schools Increasingly Adopt Everbridge’s School Safety Software to Protect Students, Staff, and Faculty in Crisis Situations
Everbridge, Inc., the leading global player in critical event management (CEM), recently announced that three California county school districts became the latest to select the company’s industry-leading K-12 School Safety software solution to address crisis situations affecting schools and districts. Everbridge’s School Safety platform provides public safety-grade applications to accelerate response times and coordinate efforts to address crises affecting K-12 districts. The platform enables school administrators to orchestrate a collaborative approach for incidents including campus violence such as active shooters and bomb threats, as well as lockdowns and medical emergencies. The Fresno County Superintendent of Schools, among other K-12 districts across California, recently selected Everbridge to help protect their students, faculty, and staff during such emergencies. “Everbridge has provided a simple solution to school safety and their team has stood side by side with all of our Fresno County educators in an effort to solidify emergency partnerships,” said Dr. Hank Gutierrez, Deputy Superintendent, Educational Services, Office of Fresno County Superintendent of Schools Fresno County, California Office of Education among latest K-12 schools across 17 U.S. states and four countries to select Everbridge school safety platform to accelerate response times and coordinate emergency management efforts on K-12 campuses. Everbridge serves as approved partner for Alyssa’s Law mandate passed in Florida and New Jersey calling for silent panic alarms linked to law enforcement and first responder services. According to the FBI, 69% of active shooter incidents conclude in under five minutes, which does not leave time for uncertainty or indecisiveness. The Everbridge School Safety software provides a comprehensive solution to address critical events in seconds by engaging appropriate personnel on campus and at the district level, and first responders in an immediate and coordinated way. “A healthy learning environment will remain impossible without a sense of safety and well-being in the halls and on campus,” said Tracy Reinhold, Everbridge Chief Security Officer and former head of the FBI’s Intelligence Division, “As schools navigate threats both old and new, they need smart, reliable technology that can connect with first responders and on-site staff to ensure an immediate response to any emergency – from medical incidents to crisis situations. The faster we can make people aware that they need to take action, the better the outcome will be.” Everbridge’s School Safety functionality supports K-12 schools/ districts across 17 U.S. states and four countries, quickly orchestrating everything from: Equipping law enforcement with valuable insight of the situation. K-12 Schools Increasingly Adopt Everbridge’s School Safety Software to Protect Students, Staff, and Faculty in Crisis Situations Fresno County, California Office of Education among latest K-12 schools across 17 U.S. states and four countries to select Everbridge school safety platform to accelerate response times and coordinate emergency management efforts on K-12 campuses. Everbridge serves as approved partner for Alyssa’s Law mandate passed in Florida and New Jersey calling for silent panic alarms linked to law enforcement and first responder services. Automating school lockdown procedures via a panic button. Providing schools with the most technology and device integrations in the industry, including integrations with building access controls, shooter detection systems, and more. Engaging school and district leadership with one-touch conference calling. Helping to avert issues of violence or bullying on campus by empowering students, teachers, and staff to speak up through the anonymous tipping app. Safety Status check-in via two-way communication. Analyzing data after the incident for improvement planning. The Florida Department of Education recently chose Everbridge as an approved partner for the state’s Alyssa’s Law mandate. Beginning with the 2021-2022 school year, Florida public and charter schools will be required to demonstrate compliance with Alyssa’s Law, named after one of the students killed in the tragic shooting at Marjory Stoneman LightEdge Standardizes on Invixium Biometrics for Elegant, Touchless Access Control High-security data center standardizes on invixium biometrics for modern touchless access control Data centers require unique security solutions to ensure that their customers’ most critical assets are protected from theft. LightEdge, a premier provider of cloud and colocation services in the Midwestern United States, sought a biometric solution that matched the company’s high-level goals of security and futuristic design. Beginning in 2018, LightEdge sought to standardize on biometrics for a unique security application for both employ Douglas High School in 2018. The new legislation calls for silent panic alarms linked to law enforcement and first responder services. Already passed into law in New Jersey and now Florida, Alyssa’s Law is quickly gaining traction around the U.S. The legislation requires the Department of Education to set up a model panic alert system that can be used by public and charter schools in Florida’s K-12 districts. The alarm will be used to ensure school officials can contact nearby law enforcement quickly in the event of an emergency. Many colleges and universities also leverage Everbridge for their critical communications, contact tracing support and return-to-campus initiatives, including the University of Denver, UCLA, Harvard University, California Institute of Technology, University of Maryland College Park, University of Oregon, University of Texas at Austin, Michigan State University, and Washington State University. Internationally, notable schools that deploy Everbridge solutions include Nord University in Norway, Technical University of Denmark, Imperial College London, and the American University of Paris.
LightEdge Standardizes on Invixium Biometrics for Elegant, Touchless Access Control
Data centers require unique security solutions to ensure that their customers’ most critical assets are protected from theft. LightEdge, a premier provider of cloud and colocation services in the Midwestern United States, sought a biometric solution that matched the company’s high-level goals of security and futuristic design. Beginning in 2018, LightEdge sought to standardize on biometrics for a unique security application for both employees and visitors. Prior to modernizing their access control, LightEdge was using a hand geometry-based system to activate visitor cards as part of their check-in process and to secure critical areas with mantraps. Across LightEdge’s seven locations in the Midwestern United States, the security system would have to provide access control for hundreds of people including data center employees, tenants and visitors at each location. Further, LightEdge has experience with RS2’s access control software and the HID SEOS cards used at card reader doors, so their new biometric solution would need to be compatible with existing solutions. Standardizing on futuristic biometric access control locks down unique security workflow LightEdge selected the Invixium IXM TITAN because it is a high security biometric solution that blends airtight access control with sophisticated design thanks to its multi-biometric capabilities and elegant construction with an all-aluminum body and a 5.0” LCD screen to display authentication instructions. The installed system is integrated with AccessIt! by RS2 Technologies and has replaced hand geometry and card readers at two of LightEdge’s seven locations so far. After two years of continued use, LightEdge is pleased that this system offers the high security and fitting design promised, in addition to the partnership and expertise offered by both RS2 and Invixium. LightEdge’s benefits of migrating to access control with IXM TITAN include: Future-focused security: Biometrics offer the highest level of security possible, and touchless face recognition like that offered by IXM TITAN project an outward appearance of future-focus and sophistication. Seamless transition: Integration with RS2’s access control software ensures a smooth transition from LightEdge’s previous biometric solution to Invixium’s solution, so employees and visitors can enjoy a seamless experience. Sophisticated design: The overall design of IXM TITAN, featuring an aluminum body and large IPS LCD screen, evokes an image of design-consciousness and elegance for users. Standardized support: Standardizing on Invixium and RS2 allows the centralized LightEdge IT and security teams to better support each data center. “Uncompromising security is integral to Invixium’s DNA,” said Shiraz Kapadia, CEO & President at Invixium, “We understand that Data Centers like LightEdge need high-security solutions to assure their clients that their information and assets are protected from theft. IXM TITAN continues to deliver that and more with our signature security expertise and exquisite design that perfectly meet the demands of our most future-focused customers.” “LightEdge requires uncompromising security. Biometrics help us ensure the high level of accuracy we demand from our access control system. Our direct relationship with Invixium provides us with tailored support from a company that’s large enough to support our needs, but also intimate enough to be very personal. Standardizing on RS2 and Invixium helps us ensure that our system upholds our values of high security, modernness and futuristic design,” said John Martin, Director of Data Center Operations at LightEdge Solutions.
Narita International Airport Selects Smiths Detection’s Automatic Tray Disinfection Technology for Safer Travel
Narita International Airport is Japan’s busiest airport and the first to acquire the Airport Health Accreditation (AHA) implemented by Airports Council International (ACI). Smiths Detection will assist Narita Airport to install 62 units of Ultraviolet (UV) light tray disinfection equipment in its latest effort to enable safer travel. The UV disinfection equipment will be integrated with 62 advanced security checkpoints across the three terminals by March 2022. “To best prepare for the resumption of international air travel, we are taking various measures to stay ahead of the curve and safeguard passenger health. This includes installing automatic UV light disinfection kits to disinfect security trays. The kit is proven to eliminate up to 99.9% of bacteria and viruses including coronaviruses, protecting passengers and staff from tactile transmission of contagious diseases.” said Susumu Kitabayashi, AVSEC Senior Manager, Narita International Airport, “As we look to secure our terminals and provide travellers a peace of mind, we are working with Smiths Detection who has provided reliable and experienced onsite support to meet the industry’s highest standard.” Additionally, Narita Airport has made investments in fully integrated checkpoint and hold baggage solutions to help ease traffic, reduce passenger wait time, cut down on touch points, and streamline security processes. These include: HI-SCAN 6040 CTiX, a computed tomography (CT) X-ray scanner producing high-resolution volumetric 3D images for quicker baggage assessment and low false-alarm rates. It allows electronics and liquids to remain in bags, speeding up passenger screening and reducing touchpoints. Evo, an automated smart lane that helps keep trays and passengers moving eliminating bottlenecks and streamlining the screening process. The body scanner eqo, a body scanner which automatically detects contraband of any concealed material and reduces the need for physical pat-downs. Checkpoint.Evoplus, a remote screening and operations management platform for faster decision making. HI-SCAN 6040-2is, an advanced dual-view X-ray system for cabin baggage, shortening inspection time. CTX 9800 DSi, a CT-based explosives detection system (EDS) for screening of checked baggage which provides high-levels of detection and low false-alarm rates. “We are delighted to be working with Narita Airport to take its security commitment to greater heights,” said Aurelien Guilbert, Managing Director, North Asia, Smiths Detection, “Narita Airport has been a forerunner in introducing technologies in its operations and security processes, and we are confident that with the latest installations, passengers travelling through Narita Airport will feel safe and assured in this uncertain time.”
Tunnel Vision: Cubic and Transport for London Choose Ruggedised Predator PTZ Cameras for Traffic Safety Monitoring at Limehouse Link Tunnel
When Cubic Transportation Systems and Transport for London identified that the Limehouse Link Tunnel in London’s East End would benefit from an upgraded traffic safety monitoring system, they opted for the advantages offered by Predator Ultra HD cameras from 360 Vision Technology. Let’s face it: traffic tunnels are cool. Perhaps it’s their artificially lit, subterranean nature, coupled with the unspoken thrill of passing smoothly, at high speed, through an entirely manmade structure. Maybe it’s their place in Hollywood’s celluloid iconography, light tracing the contours of our protagonist’s face as they race toward, or away from, one crisis or another. Maybe it’s the way tunnels are the embodiment of human ingenuity made solid, engineering as pure solution: let’s get from A to B as efficiently as possible, and if that means going under or through whatever gets in our way, well, that’s what we’re going to do. Whatever it is, tunnels are irrefutably cool, and the Limehouse Link Tunnel is one of London’s coolest. Opened for use in 1993, it stretches for a little over a mile under London’s East End. Travelling along the A1203 from the Highway to Canary Wharf, it takes vehicles under the Limehouse Basin, Limekiln Dock and Dundee Wharf, then curves north-east under Westferry Road to emerge near the West India Quay DLR station. It’s apt that the entrances and exits to the tunnel are known as ‘portals’ – the Limehouse Link Tunnel transforms commuters into virtual time travellers, entering from the historic, fabled streets of the East End and emerging, blinking, into the hyper-modern glass and steel-emblazoned environs of the reclaimed Canary Wharf. Those portals are adorned with distinctive artworks, glimpsed by the passengers in the thousands of vehicles which traverse the length of the tunnel in both directions every day – on the western end is Zadok Ben-David’s circle of silhouettes, ‘Restless Dream,’ while the eastern portal features an untitled abstract by Nigel Hall. Underground safety For a massively busy tunnel like the Limehouse Link, safety is paramount. Speed limits are set at 30mph, and Transport for London traffic management teams constantly monitor the live video feeds from cameras sited strategically along its course to ensure traffic flows smoothly and any incidents can be acted upon swiftly and safely. The camera system in the Limehouse Link Tunnel is maintained by Cubic Transportation Systems. Award-winning Cubic has worked with TfL for many years, helping to deliver the famed Oyster payment system and continually working to reinvent the way integrated technology is used in managing traffic and public transport across London. Recently, it was decided that the existing cameras in the Limehouse Link Tunnel were in need of an upgrade. Cubic Senior Field Services Manager Neil Ashford explained. “The older cameras that were being used in the tunnel had become obsolete,” he said, “This was due to camera part obsolescence fault levels increasing, and critical areas of tunnel coverage becoming more challenging to maintain with adequate CCTV coverage. Roadside cameras need to be tough and reliable, so we needed a ruggedised model that could withstand the rigours of constant use in that environment.” Cubic had used Predator Ultra HD cameras from UK manufacturer 360Vision Technology on an earlier tunnel project, and this experience convinced Neil Ashford, and Cubic, that they’d be up to the task. The Predator PTZ camera range is a high performance, fully featured range of ruggedised pan-tilt zoom cameras, designed and manufactured in the UK. The distinctive Predator range comes with multiple protocols as standard, allowing quick and simple integration with DVRs, matrices, and IP VMS systems. The Predator Ultra cameras provide HD images, 30x optical zoom, and extremely low light operation. Technically adept One challenge the Limehouse Link Tunnel upgrade project faced was transmission – how best to ensure the 1080p HD images captured by the cameras could be sent to the TfL control centres. Thankfully, in addition to its direct IP connection options, the Predator cameras feature a 12-pin connection in the base of each unit, allowing the new replacement cameras to be connected directly to the existing cable infrastructure of the old camera system. This feature alone saved significant time and installation costs. “Being able to install the new Predator cameras without making any changes to the local camera infrastructure was a great advantage in reducing installation time and cost of the project,” Neil Ashford said, “Another of the key factors in choosing to use the Predators was the relationship we have with the manufacturer. They are the true expert on the camera, and working directly with them can help us to quickly and efficiently solve any issues that might arise. “Being UK-based is part of it, but the crucial thing is access to knowledgeable staff. I have a highly technical team of engineers, and thankfully 360Vision have highly technical staff who listen to and address any problems that we find with a camera. It’s a very good working relationship. In fact, I would go as far as to say that they are the best supplier I have ever worked with. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them on future projects.” Proactive monitoring A total of 56 Predator Ultra 30:1 HD cameras are now in active use in the Limehouse Link Tunnel. The cameras are monitored at a variety of locations including the primary Transport for London Network Management Control Centre (NMCC). The complex 24-hour NMCC operation integrates previously separate control departments into one central hub, providing a more efficient and linked-up approach to roads management. It’s part of the ‘Vision Zero’ approach to traffic and transport strategy, with a long-term aim of eliminating all deaths and serious injuries from London’s streets. Operators look out not just for active incidents such as accidents and collisions, but for anything that has the potential to cause one, including loose manhole covers or potholes. When one of these situations is spotted, the Predator camera is zoomed in to confirm its cause and help to diagnose a swift solution, which could include closing…
FARO® Empowers Innovative Intelligence with Comprehensive & Accurate 3D Investigative Evidence
The ability to present unbiased, accurate 3D data in the courtroom as opposed to conventional 2D evidence can make all the difference in the outcome of a case. While still photographs, manual measurements, and written reports have been widely accepted as standard procedure, they often offer a limited perspective of a crime, crash, or fire scene that could be laden with information bias. When called upon, investigators (whether public or private) are tasked to seek and present the truth for their clients. For the most part, they only have a single opportunity to document evidence that is relevant and critical to the case, and they must ensure that the collected evidence stands up to scrutiny in court. For private investigation company Innovative Intelligence, the ability to quickly and accurately deliver crucial evidence for their clients’ investigations is paramount to cementing their success in an industry where credibility is key. Based in Auckland, New Zealand, Innovative Intelligence offers nationwide private and corporate investigation services – such as criminal and claims investigations. Recognizing the need for change Familiar with the struggles of evidence collection, the team at Innovative Intelligence saw great value in cap turing scenes in 3D detail, so they embarked on a journey to find a solution that would both improve their work processes and ensure the validity of their findings. Drones were initially adopted for overhead captures, which helped the team to provide context and perspective for investigation scenes that spanned a large area. However, this failed to sufficiently document and preserve the details in the scene. The team relied on conventional methods like cameras for scene captures, and employed laborious methods like tape and laser measures for cases that required accurate measurements. Frustrated, the team went on to research advanced 3D scanning solutions that were available in the market. After going through reviews on forums, the company made a decision to get in touch with FARO to learn more about its 3D laser scanners and software, and the rest was history. Enhancing investigation capabilities with 3D laser scanning A primary concern for Innovative Intelligence was to be able to obtain accurate measurements that would stand up in court. This would reduce contention over investigative evidence presented by the company on behalf of their clients. In addition, the team also desired solutions that were easy to use as none of them had prior experience with 3D scanning technology. “Besides the various benefits of the FARO hardware and software, what really swung our decision was FARO’s offer to provide a technical expert’s support if ever a situation arises where our scans are challenged in court.” Hamish Williams Managing Director, Innovative Intelligence The team eventually invested in the FARO® FocusM 70 Laser Scanner, FARO® ScanPlan™ 2D Handheld Mapper, FARO® SCENE Software, and FARO® Zone 3D Software – a suite of solutions that significantly enhanced their capabilities and expanded the range of services they could offer their clients. Details in most investigation scenes like apartments, vehicles, and fire sites can now be digitally captured in 3D with the FocusM 70, which proved especially useful for cases of arson, fatal accidents, and sexual assault, where precise data analysis is key. Separately, the ScanPlan is employed to offer visualizations of a scene in 2D for cases like burglaries, or to offer a snapshot of an apartment complex’s floorplan to complement the detailed scans done with the FocusM 70. Reaping fulfilling results Soon after adopting the FARO solutions, Innovative Intelligence’s capabilities rose to prominence among both private and public sectors due to its involvement in the investigation of a high-profile fire accident. The company was engaged by an insurance firm to digitize the damage to the roof and top floor of the SkyCity Convention Centre in Auckland, New Zealand, which was still under construction at the time. Probably the biggest commercial fire incident in New Zealand, the SkyCity fire burned for three days and caused the city center to come to a standstill with multiple road and business closures. Hamish and his team were allowed on scene once the fire was contained. Dangerous post-fire conditions would have made documenting the large, complex scenes in a timely manner very difficult. However, the FocusM 70 Laser Scanner enabled the Innovative Intelligence team to capture all the required scenes within just 6 hours onsite – at a rate of up to 488,000 points/ second. With a combination of the most advanced sensor technologies available, the adaptable FocusM 70 allowed the team to capture various scenes, whether in bright sun or in complete darkness, and allowed them to verify and make adjustments immediately to ensure a high-quality scan data end product. Speaking about the efficiency of the FARO laser scanner, Hamish shared, “If we had used photographs and conventional methods for measurements, we would not have been able to capture the number of scenes we had with the laser scanner and at the same level of detail.” As a result of the scenes captured, Innovative Intelligence was able to scientifically and forensically recreate the scene and produce a 3D, to-scale replication of the fire site and a Scene2Go viewer to assist in the investigation into the cause of the fire. Insurers and investigators who could not be physically present at the fire site were now able to visualize and assess the damages – and even deduce the cause of the fire incident. These outputs were shared across multiple agencies, including the fire and police departments, and major insurers to assist in all aspects of the inquiry. New possibilities With FARO’s FocusM 70 Laser Scanner, Innovative Intelligence is able to efficiently capture a 3D representation of a scene as it is at the time of the scan and record everything visible as data points – with just one scan. This point cloud data can later be used to digitally take measurements, create diagrams, animate the scene, and present ‘walk-throughs’ for courtroom presentations. “Our FARO laser scanners and software have given us greater confidence that…
How Ajax Protects the Vernadsky Research Base in Antarctica from Fires
In the spring of 2021, the Vernadsky Research Base, a Ukrainian Antarctic Station, was equipped with an Ajax security system featuring FireProtect and FireProtect Plus fire detectors. The Ajax equipment was delivered at a distance of 16 thousand kilometers and now protects the scientific base in Antarctica. From this article, you will learn how to install a fire alarm system at a facility if that facility is a polar station. Wasn’t there already a fire alarm at the Vernadsky Research Base? There was, but no one upgraded it for 36 years (since 1985). For the first 10 years, the base was used by British polar explorers. At the time, the base was called ‘Faraday’ and belonged to the United Kingdom. Since then, it changed name, flag, and country, but not its fire detection equipment. “There are 10 to 14 members of the Ukrainian expedition living at the Vernadsky Research Base. They are scientists and the people who run the station. Every year, one team of polar explorers replaces the other. They study the Southern Ocean, the Earth’s magnetic field, and Antarctica’s climate, flora, and fauna. For example, they record the ‘languages’ and ‘dialects’ of whales, monitor the hole in the ozone layer, and make daily meteorological measurements to predict the weather worldwide and global climate change.” The old system malfunctioned and caused false alarms. Some detectors were inoperable. But finding spare parts for them (and bringing them to Antarctica) was becoming more difficult. What happens if there is a fire in Antarctica? Antarctica is the windiest place on earth, where hurricane-force winds blow most of the time. Even a tiny flame can quickly turn into a large blaze. Most of the buildings at Antarctic stations were built decades ago. These are often small wooden houses with metal panels insulated with foam. When the foam burns, it releases the deadly phosgene gas. In 2020, there was a short circuit at the Russian ‘Mirny’ station. The fire burned down laboratories, the radio room, and other buildings. A polar station is an unusual facility. What to consider when choosing an alarm system? Communication reliability. The station is a complex of buildings, so it is important to cover them with one system. For this, the most reliable radio communication with a long range is required. Communication reliability. The station is a complex of buildings, so it is important to cover them with one system. For this, the most reliable radio communication with a long range is required. Fire alert. There is a person at the station who monitors the system. You need a system with a handy alarm-monitoring app for PCs as well as loud sirens to alert people to danger. Climate impact. During the cold season, the temperature outside drops to -27°C. In residential premises, it is kept at +16-18°C, and in non-residential ones, it is kept with a slight ‘plus.’ The specifications of the detectors must correspond to these conditions. Why was Ajax chosen for Antarctica? The policy of the Antarctic Center is to buy Ukrainian. And only buy the best – you can’t economize on Antarctica. The price of failure is very high, and shipping costs a lot of money. A marker was triggered – if a security system – then Ajax. And we were not mistaken with the choice. Viacheslav Marchenko, Deputy Director of the National Antarctic Scientific Center (NASC). In addition to the hub (the security system control panel) and two sirens, ten Ajax fire detectors were delivered to Galindez Island in West Antarctica. They protect against fire, detect smoke and rapid temperature swings, and prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. When connected to the Ajax security system via the secure Jeweller radio protocol, the detectors can operate at distances of up to 1,300 meters from the hub. Ajax fire detectors will do the job even if the station loses access to the Internet or there is no one to monitor alarms. The devices can operate independently from the system control panel. Even if there will be no connection with the hub, detectors will recognize the threat, and the built-in sirens will alert the danger. The siren volume is 85dB to wake up even those who fast asleep. Ajax will also handle it when the temperature in the station premises drops to +11-12°C (happens when there are strong winds). Detector’s operating temperature ranges from 0°C to +65°C. Finally, there is no need to worry about how frequently you have to send new batteries to the station. The autonomous operation period of the detectors is up to 4 years. How to bring equipment to the edge of the world? All Ajax devices were bought in Ukraine. It took three planes, one ship, and about seven days to get them to Antarctica. Five of those were spent traveling by ship, which crossed the most stormy place on the planet – the Drake Passage. Each polar explorer brings three bags – two with their own stuff and one shared. Ajax was delivered in such a bag. The system was installed by the lead specialist, the system mechanic of the Vernadsky Research Base. For participation in the expedition, the competition committee of the National Antarctic Scientific Center selects the best candidate among applicants from all over Ukraine. The system mechanic supervises the quality of installation and ensures the reliable operation of the equipment Installation and setup. How did everything go? Ajax devices are ready to work out of the box; the battery is already pre-installed, and the detectors don’t need to be disassembled. They connect to a hub in one tap in the apps and mount in a few minutes on a SmartBracket. Any questions can always be resolved by contacting the Ajax support team, which is available 24/7 and helps users from all over the world in six languages. How does station alarm monitoring work? The station uses the computer with the PRO Desktop app installed. A screen with all the indicators is placed in the lobby of the main…
The University of Arizona Speeds up COVID-19 Vaccine Roll-Out with Genetec AutoVu ALPR
When the University of Arizona (UA) was chosen as a COVID-19 vaccine point of dispensing (PoD), they wanted to put in place a distribution process to get the vaccines out to as many people as possible as quickly and efficiently as possible. To do this, they turned to Genetec Inc. (Genetec), a leading technology provider of unified security, public safety, operations, and business intelligence solutions, and Route1 Inc., a leading data-centric systems integrator. “We had already heard about how ALPR (automatic license plate recognition) could be used for tolls and monitoring traffic flow, and we were eager to see if the ALPR cameras could help us automatically track vehicles entering and exiting our PoD,” said Jim Sayre, Director of Operations – Parking and Transportation Services at the University of Arizona. To build a solution that would not only offer valuable insights about their PoD operations but would also be affordable and easy to set up, UA chose to implement the Genetec AutoVu™ Managed Services (AMS) solution with four ALPR cameras installed throughout the PoD. This was paired up with the Travel Times module within Genetec Security Center for added insight and functionality. Having mounted the poles and set up the cameras beforehand, the actual set up was completed in under two hours on opening day. Because the entire Genetec solution is hosted in the cloud, the university is able to use the software for as long as the PoD remains open without draining budgets. Using AutoVu, the UA operations team can see exactly how long it’s taking vehicles to get through the PoD and for people to get vaccinated, and then identify what they can do to get them through faster. All ALPR data is sent back to Security Center, where the Travel Times module automatically analyses data and delivers insights the UA team can act on. This helps them immediately identify if there are random delays or potential issues that need to be further investigated. As a healthcare-related operation, UA made sure the Genetec solution complies with all Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requirements. According to Sayre, “The cameras don’t know who the driver is, or the people in the vehicle; and we’ve made it clear that we’re not running this against a motor vehicle database or anything like that, so we’re ensuring privacy.” Thanks to the Genetec solution, the UA team discovered early on that various team leaders had different processes for appointment checkins. When UA standardized those processes, they could consistently get vehicles through the PoD faster and maximize the number of vaccinations. The team also noticed that on certain days of the week, cars were taking longer to get through certain points in the PoD. After an initial inquiry, they realized those days often had mostly new volunteers who were still learning the ropes. The UA team was then able to adapt the volunteer schedule to ensure experienced personnel were always onsite to assist newbies and keep the throughput of vehicles high. “This AutoVu™ and Travel Times module within Security Center built by Genetec and Route1 have helped us make the vaccination process more efficient and was so easy to deploy. We’ve been able to increase the number of vehicles through the PoD in the same amount of time, and consequently, we’ve given out more vaccinations. And that’s what this is all about – helping our community get vaccinated against COVID-19,” concluded Sayre. “We never cease to be impressed by our customers’ ingenuity, resilience, and resourcefulness,” said Stephan Kaiser, AutoVu™ General Manager at Genetec, Inc., “The University of Arizona is another shining example of the ways in which our customers are using their security systems as strategic tools to fight against the pandemic, and go beyond traditional applications to deliver more value.”
Malta Police Deploys Motorola Solutions’ Body-Worn Cameras to all Frontline Officers
Malta Police Force has recently deployed Motorola Solutions’ VB400 body-worn cameras to all frontline officers across the Republic of Malta. The roll out is part of the Malta Police Force’s transformation strategy which aims to modernize the police force while increasing trust and transparency with the community. The five-year service contract for the comprehensive video solution includes evidence management software to process captured video footage securely and the new Holster Aware feature which allows the camera to automatically start recording if a weapon is unholstered. “Every day, these body-worn cameras will capture evidence, deliver transparency and increase the efficiency of our workflows,” said Malta Police Commissioner Angelo Gafà, “In high-stress situations – which our officers often face – this technology will capture critical footage of what’s happening on the scene without impacting our officers’ focus or attention.” Integrated with the VB400 cameras, the new bluetooth-activated Holster Aware sensor detects if an officer removes their weapon from its holster and automatically activates the officer’s body-worn camera to start recording. When this occurs, the bodyworn cameras of officers in close proximity will also activate, providing a holistic view of the situation from multiple perspectives. As part of the agency’s workflow, the video footage will be directly uploaded, securely stored and organized using Motorola Solutions’ VideoManager evidence management software. “Malta Police joins police agencies around the world in adopting our integrated body-worn video and cloudbased evidence management solution to increase transparency and allow police officers to focus on keeping communities safe,” said Michael Kaae, Regional Vice President of Europe. Motorola Solutions’ VB400 bodyworn cameras are widely adopted by frontline emergency teams including the National Police in France, Belgium Police, Romanian Police, Romanian Border Police and multiple police forces across the U.K.. Motorola Solutions is a global leader in mission-critical communications and analytics. Our technologies in land mobile radio mission-critical communications, video security & analytics and command center software, bolstered by managed & support services, make communities safer and help businesses stay productive and secure.