April 24, 2026
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Home Articles posted by a&s Adria (Page 115)

AEM testers just got even better

Are you fed up with using testers that don’t meet your expectations, or had to carry multiple testers to find a fault? Finally available through EGAL, d.o.o., Ljubljana in Central and South-Eastern Europe, AEM is a company that not only values customer feedback but also strives to offer the best products available.

AEM’s award-winning CV-100 platform and its Network Service Assistant (NSA) has been improved with the New Enhanced Range of testers, which has now become the company’s standard range. AEM has made several enhancements based on customer feedback – the most notable being a capacitive touchscreen that is easier to use and navigate, with much-improved screen resolution.

Feature packed

It’s not just the screens that have improved. All CV-100 platforms, including the K50E, link adaptors even more rugged and durable, which means more time on-site and less downtime. For installers that need to carry out optical fiber testing, the K51E and K61E kits now come with more standard equipment including an inspection probe. This allows you to inspect fiber ends for dust or damage, ensuring your fiber connectors are always clean and ready for testing. The testers come with SC connectors and launch leads included, making both the K51E and K61E, LC, and SC ready right out of the box!

Perfect solution

Companies that specialize in smart/intelligent buildings should look at AEM’s K60E and K61E testers, which are the perfect solution for those requiring even more advanced features. Both testers get all the additional kit mentioned above but also come with a Category 6A patch cord adaptor, allowing you to carry out modular plug terminated link (MPTL) tests – essential for any installer installing Wi-Fi access points or IP CCTV cameras. This ensures that all Internet of Things now come with a new set of permanent link adaptors. These adaptors feature a ruggedized cable that is built to last and they have also been upgraded to meet Cat 8.1 standards. The shroud to plug has also been improved, making these permanent (IoT) devices can be installed to the correct standard, ensuring your work is always up to par.

Don’t just take our word for it – AEM testers have been tried and tested by real customers who have given glowing testimonials about their effectiveness and value for money.

Smart thinking

AEM CV-100 testers have always had advanced smart/intelligent building capabilities and are designed for more than just straight cable certification. They offer features like power over Ethernet (PoE) under load to determine if IoT devices have enough power, network tests that produce MAC and IP addresses, and traceroute to identify faults outside the local network. Plus, now they’re even better!

AEM understands that investing in equipment can be a significant expense, which is why it offers a 3-year care plan, including calibration and accidental damage. All adaptors can be swapped out once a year when worn, ensuring that your equipment is always ready when needed. AEM even protects your tester if it’s accidentally damaged – if it cannot be repaired, AEM will replace it.

Get in touch

For more information about AEM in the Central and South-Eastern European countries, call our EGAL sales team on + 386 (0)31 737 831 or send an email sales@egal-eu.com.

https://egal-eu.com/en/aem/

Choosing the Go-to Fire System for Smaller Businesses

Businesses in Europe need to ensure they comply with fire alarm regulations. But for smaller businesses which don’t require multi-panel systems and sophisticated programming, what are the options? Vladimir Zrnic, European Sales Manager at Advanced, explains.

An appropriate fire protection system is essential for any business to ensure that occupants are kept safe in the event of a fire. However, not all businesses are the same. While large business sites might need complex multi-loop networked fire panels with a high number of detectors, smaller and medium-sized businesses, such as coffee shops, healthcare clinics, small offices, bars, and restaurants might have far more straightforward requirements with simpler alarm solutions needing fewer detectors. Plus, when it comes to choosing a fire alarm, smaller businesses generally look for systems offering value for money, reliability, performance, quality, and a raft of benefits, but don’t want to invest in solutions that aren’t targeted at their needs. For instance, in a small coffee shop if a fire occurs the shop will be instantly evacuated so there is no need for a sophisticated multi-loop fire system that allows a phased evacuation, which would be necessary in a hospital.

With small-site budgets in mind, cost efficiencies have been central to the development of Advanced’s AxisGo, the new generation, single-loop fire alarm control panel which gives access to Advanced’s Axis EN premium features, including performance, quality, and ease of use but in a simpler, non-networkable format for complete fire protection peace of mind. For instance, one cost-saving innovation is that Go has 15 zonal LEDs for clearer visual indication without the need for a separate LED zone card, so no extra cost. Developed for smaller locations while still offering flexible and powerful protection, AxisGo provides complete freedom to quickly and easily design the perfect wired or wireless solution for any standalone site. But what other factors should small businesses look for in a fire alarm system?

Installation

Time is money so, choosing fire systems that are easy and fast to fit minimises costly, inconvenient downtime, which is good for engineers, and good for customers.

Built-in features that make a fire system a breeze to install, configure and use are therefore a must. For example, AxisGo is engineered with state-of-the-art microprocessor technology making it faster to operate and configure. AxisGo also features an easy-fit chassis and innovative door hinge for quick removal and easier installation, while familiar Advanced controls and menus mean there’s no lengthy learning curve for engineers. Plus, a new, intuitive configuration tool makes setup quicker and easier than ever, and a powerful design checker proves the system will work, even before visiting the site. Systems offering wireless detection can speed up installation even further. And if you do need support, Advanced’s highly-rated technical services team has your back with advice, tips, and training.

Capacity & compatibility

When selecting a fire system, it is important to choose one that suits the business site, especially for small businesses which require a simpler addressable fire panel with fewer addresses. That is why Advanced’s AxisGo comes with a choice of two loop sizes, so businesses only buy the size they need. The AxisGo comes with 50 addresses and the AxisGo+ offers up to 240 addresses if greater capacity is needed.

Selecting a fire system that offers a wide choice of devices is also key for greater design and maintenance freedom, plus wired, wireless, and hybrid versatility. For instance, the AxisGo is compatible with a versatile range of Axis EN devices, allowing flexibility for engineers.

Reliability

Once a fire system is installed, smaller businesses don’t want problems with it which could cause business closures, while engineers don’t want callbacks since these can be inconvenient and damage a business’s reputation. It can also add to engineers’ costs when they receive repeated callbacks. Therefore, it’s wise to choose a product from a leading manufacturer known for its reliability and good reputation, like Advanced.

Other ways to help avoid costly callbacks include choosing an EN-compliant fire panel, such as the AxisGo, which features a wide range of cause-and-effect programming to suit each site, as well as enhanced diagnostics for fewer faults, faster fixes, and better long-term performance. AxisGo also comes with AlarmCalm false alarm management as standard, delivering unprecedented control of alarm verification and investigation, ideal for avoiding unwanted alarms and out-of-hours callbacks.

Powerful, flexible service reporting is also vital to provide reliability. For example, the AxisGo brings full access to all of the features and benefits of Advanced’s established popular ServiceTool. This means by connecting a PC to the fire panel using a USB cable, engineers will be able to download service reports, inspect device history, keep track of service schedules, and demonstrate proof of servicing. So, it is a win, a win for ensuring ongoing reliability.

Future-ready

Ensuring the system you choose today is capable of reliable protection over the long term avoids the need for early upgrades and the cost and disruption that come with them.

Fire panels like the AxisGo feature the latest state-of-the-art microprocessor technology for performance and longevity. Operating at lightning speed, engineers can rapidly fit and check the equipment and then move to their next job, confident that people and property are safely protected from fire.

So, small and medium-sized businesses no longer need to invest in a fire panel more complex than they need or risk having insufficient fire protection with a simpler but unsuitable solution. Instead, the latest fire panels are specifically designed for smaller businesses offering non-networkable but powerful fire protection. All in all, the ease of installation and use combined with premium features, such as AlarmCalm false alarm management and ServiceTool support and reporting, make AxisGo suitable for the simplest to the most challenging standalone applications.

For further information on Advanced’s AxisGo visit: www.advancedco.com

Multisensor Cameras Become More Powerful Than Ever

Wide-area monitoring is an important part of video surveillance, especially for end users maintaining large, spacious areas such as airports, parking lots, and warehouses. Yet the challenge has always been the fact these areas need to be covered by multiple cameras, which can be costly and cumbersome to deploy.

Source: asmag.com; E-mail: editorial@asmideast.com

A single-sensor fixed IP camera offers high performance and great resolution, but it has drawbacks, the biggest of which is it covers a narrow field of view, which is a limiting factor when surveilling a wide area. Panoramic cameras overcome this problem by offering 180-, 270- or even 360-degree views of a given area, allowing users to monitor multiple sides all from a single device.

Panoramic and Multi-Directional View

Panoramic views can be enabled by a fisheye or multisensor camera. A fisheye camera has a single fisheye lens, producing a highly warped view of the scene. This leaves multisensor cameras, which include multiple lenses in a single unit, as an ideal choice. Multisensor cameras can be set up to offer panoramic and multi-directional views. Panoramic multisensor cameras fully cover a wide field of view. For example, a 180-degree camera can cover an entire street scene, and a 270-degree camera mounted on an outside corner of a building can provide total coverage in that space. These cameras are about providing situational awareness across wide areas.

Alternatively, multidirectional views can also be achieved. The sensors can be positioned so they point in multiple directions to offer detailed views from several angles in a particular area. They are ideal for areas such as hallways or road intersections, on outer corners of buildings, and especially in locations such as schools or retail stores.

 Higher Image Quality

“Multisensor IP cameras contain two or more stand-alone sensor/lens modules in a single housing. This gives the camera a much higher pixel density for each field of view resulting in significantly higher image quality than what is available from a wide-angle lens paired with a single sensor. With more sensors contained in a single housing, installers, and end-users benefit from reduced installation costs from the single mount and one network cable carrying both power and data,” said Rui Barbosa, Product Manager at i-PRO Americas. “Multisensor cameras also minimize the ports required on a PoE network switch while needing only a single software license for the VMS. These cameras also take up less space and are less intrusive than multiple individual cameras.”

Multisensor cameras offer various benefits. “Using only a single network cable and IP address, multi-sensor cameras take the place of several conventional cameras, allowing users to monitor multiple areas with one device,” said Uri Guterman, Head of Product and Marketing at Hanwha Vision Europe. “They offer significant cost savings for end users as they require far less cable, conduit, and mounting hardware, and involve a single installation process, single power source, single IP address, and single VMS license.”

Applications

The unique features of multisensor cameras make them ideal for any deployment where a high-quality, wide area of coverage is desired. “Multisensor cameras are extremely versatile and are suitable for large indoor and outdoor areas, regardless of the vertical market. For example, at an airport, a multisensor camera can be installed indoors to keep the terminals safe and secure by effectively monitoring the flow of traffic in two directions or outdoors to monitor the airfield. At a school, it can be installed indoors to protect hallway intersections or outdoors to safeguard the parking lot. For cities, the multisensor camera can provide optimal coverage of major road intersections,” said Hamish Dobson, Corporate VP for Enterprise Physical Security at Motorola Solutions.

Vertical markets that can benefit from multisensor cameras include retail, cities, transportation, government, education, and hospitals. However, these cameras are used for non-security purposes as well, helping end users achieve further business intelligence. Beyond security, multi-sensor cameras have been proven to decrease shrinkage, resolve staff and customer disputes, provide forensic documentation to build cases and prevent fraudulent claims, and improve traffic flows in traffic monitoring, amongst many other applications.

Retail, in particular, can benefit. Multisensor cameras can be embedded with various analytics software to help organizations better deal with various aspects of their business. For example, retailers could use the 180-360 degree vision/view of the cameras to see how customers move around a store, where bottlenecks appear, and where cash desks are busy, so they can optimize the layout of the shop floor for greater operational efficiency and an improved customer experience

Empowered with Artificial Intelligence

More and more, IP cameras are empowered by AI-enabled video analytics, which adds more intelligence to the camera. Multisensor cameras are not exempt from this trend.

“Adding AI to a multisensor camera means a user does not have to constantly monitor for events, as it automatically alerts operators to specifically configured events, for example, vehicles entering an area and people loitering. They also provide accurate object classification, object tracking, rapid event search, and the possibility of edge-based business intelligence. Adding AI also reduces false alarms,” Guterman said.

“The addition of AI to a multisensor camera can turn video security systems from a reactive to a proactive solution. Security operators monitoring site cameras for long periods can experience attention fatigue and stress, which may result in missed events. Multisensor cameras that come equipped with AI-powered video analytics can help detect and alert operators of potential events that may go unnoticed and need their attention, such as a person loitering or a vehicle trespassing, and help expedite response times and investigations,” Dobson said.

According to Barbosa, because AI-based analytics can be installed on each sensor, it allows much more customization with regard to analytics being used in each direction. “An installer might have one direction being used to count people coming through a door, while another direction might notify how many people are in a checkout line. A third direction could be monitoring unauthorized access to a restricted area. The possibilities are endless, and that fact that you can do all of this from a single vantage point is truly powerful,” he said.

Types of AI Used

At the minimum, AI used in multisensor cameras allows for object detection and classification. This enables the system to detect objects such as people, vehicles, number plates, and others.

Then, there are more advanced solutions that can further analyze details in the scene. “More advanced models classify attributes such as age, gender, color and type of clothing, accessories (such as a hat, face mask, glasses, bag) as well as vehicle type, make color and even model,” said Uri Guterman, Head of Product and Marketing at Hanwha Vision Europe.

Advanced AI analytics are able to run on these cameras thanks to more powerful hardware, especially the system-on-chip, that has enough computing power to execute complex algorithms.

“When processing on the edge, it’s important to have a powerful and flexible SoC that can support multiple analytics processes in parallel while consuming very little power,” said Rui Barbosa, Product Manager at i-PRO Americas, who used his company’s offerings as an example. “Because the field of AI is changing so rapidly, i-PRO has chosen the powerful Ambarella AI SoC which is also advancing the technology behind autonomous vehicles, IoT, and robotics.”

Indeed, AI and multisensor cameras form an ideal solution for different types of users, who can be more situationally aware and perform their tasks with more effectiveness. “These capabilities can provide greater insight into what is happening at the site, allowing security operators to make better-informed decisions and respond to events. Multisensor cameras have no barriers to using AI analytics compared to standard cameras and the value they bring depends on the use case, the installation, and the field of view,” said Hamish Dobson, Corporate VP for Enterprise Physical Security at Motorola Solutions.

Selection Process

There are certain key considerations to be made when selecting an AI multisensor camera. First, it must be noted that in order for the AI to work effectively, the image quality must be good. Therefore, the user should look at the various specs to make sure the camera can produce a good-quality image.

“Total resolution and frame rates are important specifications to consider. Multisensor cameras are intended to be deployed in large areas where people, vehicles, and important details might be far away from the camera. The higher the camera’s resolution and frame rates, the easier it will be for it to capture the level of detail required, giving a clearer picture of what’s happening at the site,” Dobson said.

“IR illumination is another important feature to consider, particularly for monitoring outdoor areas where dusk or nighttime can make it difficult to see. The option to have IR illumination on multisensor cameras allows security operators to see the site clearly even when it is poorly lit or completely dark,” he added.

Being able to work with the right VMS is another key factor to consider. “It’s crucial that the AI camera be paired with a VMS system that supports all the metadata that the camera is generating. If the VMS can’t support all the data from the camera, then the system is limited from the start. This is why i-PRO created the Active Guard plugin that can be installed in popular VMSs such as Genetec and Milestone allowing them to display and work with every attribute the camera can detect,” Barbosa said.

Optimizing Installation

How to install a multisensor AI camera is also critical if optimal results are desired. In this regard, various considerations also need to be made, for example, the area to be monitored, the field of view, and the ideal height for installation.

“For the best AI-based analytic performance, it’s important to not mount the camera too high. A well-placed multisensor camera can easily replace three or four standalone cameras at the corner of a building or a hallway intersection. For hallways, it’s also important to choose a camera that can optimize the aspect ratio to display more hall than a wall. Depending on the distance to be covered, it may be useful to specify 4K sensors to ensure the pixel density is high enough to discern faces and other distinguishing features,” Barbosa said.

“Multisensor cameras bring a lot of flexibility and can be installed in many different ways. For example, 180-degree multisensor cameras are typically used for wall-to-wall coverage, whereas 270-degree multisensor cameras are most suitable to cover building corners with no blind spots. On the other hand, 360-degree multisensor cameras offer excellent coverage when installed in the middle of intersections and wide areas such as parking lots,” Dobson said.

It’s good to note that there are certain online tools that can help optimize installation. “Online tools such as the Wisenet Toolbox Plus allow users to make simple field-of-view calculations and select the right capabilities, lens options, and accessories for their specific installation. System integrators can easily search, filter and compare product specifications side-by-side and then compile a list of the products required for a specific project. This, in turn, generates a report on the estimated bandwidth and storage requirements for the project,” Guterman said.

A full suite of connected access solutions from ASSA ABLOY secure Helsinki Airport

London, May 2023 – Controlling access into and around Helsinki Airport is a complex task. Around 15,000 people work there; daily pre-pandemic passenger numbers hovered around 60,000 to 70,000. Airport managers chose electronic and electromechanical locks, keyless padlocks and readers to secure the site and improve access management.

Safety for staff of operator Finavia and the airport’s customers is paramount. For obvious reasons, only authorized people should have access to many areas. The safe management of movement — by passengers, staff and contractors — is critical to Finavia’s mission to deliver an efficient service in Helsinki.

To enhance user convenience, they sought new access solutions to help facilitate adoption of keyless security at the airport. Finavia also require solutions which provide compatibility: They secure all types of opening, from doors and cabinets to fences and cargo. Devices must integrate seamlessly with their Lenel access control system.

“Safety, functionality, durability, security of supply and usability were the reasons we chose the ASSA ABLOY solution,” explains Kari Mäkinen, Senior Access Control Specialist at Helsinki Airport.

A single supplier, a vast range of connected access control solutions

Working with ASSA ABLOY gave Finavia the broadest possible choice of solutions to meet their complex security needs.

With Aperio H100 battery-powered handles, many types of airport door are now connected to their access control system. These Aperio devices with inbuilt RFID capability were easy to install — without the cabling that traditional devices require.

“Now we see in real time who will open the lock and when, and we can modify and grant access rights — remotely,” says Kari Mäkinen.

Authorized building users come and go with programmable, secure ID cards. It’s much more convenient than a mechanical key: “The access cards of both Finavia personnel and staff of other companies are easily programmed with necessary access rights,” he adds.

“When employees change, their access is disabled. Or if the card is lost, it can be completely removed from the system. With mechanical keys, that process is much harder.”

Multiple connectable ASSA ABLOY solutions are deployed alongside wireless Aperio and CLIQ Protec2 CLIQ electromechanical door devices. Keyless, mobile-operated ABLOY padlocks secure fencing and cargo. An antimicrobial coating on ABLOY door automation buttons helps to prevent germ spread and reassures staff.

The availability of all these solutions from a single manufacturer — easily used with their existing access control solution — helped Finavia to create a unified, integrated system at Helsinki Airport so passengers pass through safely on the way to every corner of the world.

Download the case study: https://assaabloy.com/emeia-blueprint/market-product-assets/das/assets/AA_DAS_Finavia_Helsinki_Airport_Case_Study_A4_4pp_leaflet_WEB.pdf

Partnering with ASSA ABLOY helped a property developer to gain LEED certification

London, May 2023 – Interest in greener buildings is rising fast. In one recent survey of European commercial property professionals, 69% of respondents confirmed demand was growing, from both investors and occupiers*.

To drive and meet demand, Polish developer Torus aim for the highest level of LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification for all their properties in the Gdansk area**. To achieve this for two new office developments, they sought a partner for security solutions with extensive experience supporting green building certification and specifications. They partnered with ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions.

Like all Torus office buildings, the new Format office building and Alchemia mixed-use development are equipped with advanced technologies and set the highest standards for innovation and sustainability.

Where possible, Torus choose products which have Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and Green Circle documentation, favouring access control solutions which reduce both carbon footprint and energy costs.

Growing demand for green building certifications

To obtain the highest possible LEED rating, Torus works with suppliers committed to sustainable development and consistently demonstrates good practices in this area.

ASSA ABLOY BIM & Specification consultants have expertise supporting all types of the green building project. Detailed contribution sheets for six leading certification schemes —including LEED — are available to download***. Each sheet identifies the contribution made by multiple products and technologies towards criteria in the scheme.

“These contribution sheets are just the starting point for a hands-on collaboration which benefits the final building — in environmental, economic and social terms — over its full life cycle,” says Alicja Leszczynska, Specification Manager Poland at ASSA ABLOY “Collaborating with ASSA ABLOY equipped Torus developments with innovative solutions which improve buildings’ energy performance.”

ASSA ABLOY also publish several independently audited EPDs. Each one details an individual product’s total impact — a map of its footprint, from raw material, through manufacturing, logistics and use, to end-of-life recycling. These life-cycle assessments inform customers and detail the information required to support a submission to green building schemes.

“Wireless access control solutions such as energy-efficient Aperio handles, provide a high level of security, enable integration with other systems, and read many technologies, including mobile credentials,” explains Roman Sokolowski at Torus.

Customers and tenants often ask about sustainability; Torus can now meet this demand.

Reducing energy use by choosing the right access control solutions

Access control at the two new Torus buildings uses integrated, energy-efficient hardwired and wireless solutions: AperioÒ wireless door handles plus HID iCLASSÒ SE and HID Signo readers.

Battery-powered Aperio devices which secure doors consume much less energy during installation and operation than a comparable wired solution. HID Signo door readers have an Intelligent Power Mode (IPM) which saves 41% energy compared to equivalent readers without IPM configuration****.

“Wireless Aperio also provides flexibility, giving the possibility of expanding the system or using it elsewhere in the case of changes in the arrangement of office space,” says Torus’ Roman Sokolowski.

“The lack of wiring significantly reduces materials use, reduces costs, and ensures quick installation.”

To learn how ASSA ABLOY BIM and Specification consultants can help your project achieve green building certification, download the brochure: https://assaabloy.com/emeia-blueprint/en/documents/solutions/topics/bim-specification/downloads/AA_BIM_Awareness_Brochure_Screen_03_2023_FINAL.pdf

Reliable LPG Gas Monitoring in Modern Food Production

VALAMAR Riviera d.d. is the first and largest hotel chain in Croatia and the leading tourism company. It runs 36 hotels and resorts and 15 camping resorts on the Adriatic coast in Istria, on the islands of Krk and Rab, and in Makarska and Dubrovnik. In order to offer the holiday guests a consistently high standard of culinary quality, Valamar has opened a central purchasing department with modern food production called “Vinez” in Rabac, for supplying its tourist facilities from there according to HACCP standards.

Reliable Products From MSR-Electronic

In addition to the modern technology of the production plant, also called a large-scale catering kitchen, Valamar relies on products from MSR-Electronic: a reliable stationary LPG gas warning system from MSR-Electronic.

The PolyGard2 gas sensors not only reliably monitor LPG gas leaks in the production plant, but above all protect the people in this area from dangerous gas concentrations. LPG as a fossil fuel is often used for heating or cooking purposes.

C2 Exchangeable Sensors of the PolyGard2

The LPG gas sensor with digitized measured value processing, temperature compensation and self-monitoring for continuous monitoring of the ambient air is easily replaceable for recalibration on site.

The Sensor Cartridge SC2 includes a Pellistor sensor element, an amplifier, and a µController for measured values processing. All data and measured values of the sensor element are stored fail-safe in the µController and transmitted digitally via the local bus to the sensor board – in the case of Valamar to the Sensor Board SB2 by MSR.

The calibration management is also integrated into the µController of the Sensor Cartridge. Calibration is done by: simply replacing the Sensor Cartridge and using the comfortable, integrated calibration routine directly at the system.

GC-06 Gas Controller

The gas controller is designed in accordance with the standard EN 50545-1 and can monitor and evaluate up to 100 gas sensors, 96 of them PolyGard2 digital and/or 4 of them analog (4–20 mA) sensors. 4 free adjustable alarm thresholds are provided per sensor. For the alarm messages, the controller offers 4 alarm relays with potential-free change-over contact and two analog outputs with a 4–20 mA signal. A separate relay is integrated for fault message.

With the extension modules EP-06, the Gas Controller can manage up to: 32 analog gas sensors, 32 alarm relays, and 16 analog outputs. For the main and field bus outputs there is an integrated overload and reverse polarity protection.

The free adjustable parameters and set points enable very flexible use in many applications of the gas measuring technique. Simple and comfortable commissioning, however, is granted by the configuration with default parameters.

In the event of an incident, MSR-Electronic gas warning systems alert the production staff, close the gas supply via the solenoid valve, and in parallel send an alarm signal via the fire alarm control panel to the fire brigade.

2023: Trends in Cyber Security

The digital revolution brings organizations numerous benefits and doing business without it is almost impossible. However, relying on computerized systems to manage day-to-day activities rises other concerns related to data protection and business continuity.  Fortunately, cyber security practices have evolved enough to protect data and assets and thus ensure business continuity.

In this regard, a&s Adria organize a webinar to discuss the trends and innovations in cybersecurity. Presenters will focus on the current state of cyber security and market demand for solutions that protect businesses from cyber threats. Additionally, the webinar will deliver the best cyber security practices advising attendees on what they should consider when choosing between different solutions.

Presenters:

  • Marko Gulan, Cyber Security Consultant, Schneider Electric
  • Oliver Urzica, Regional General Manager, Prianto
  • Tomislav Musić, Senior Cyber Security Consultant, Telelink Business Services
  • Miha Lavrič, CTO, CREAplus

Agenda:

  • Introduction to the current state of cyber security
  • Presentations on trends and innovations
  • Cyber security use cases
  • Q&A session

Date and Time: Thursday, May 18, 02:00 PM CEST

Registration Link: https://streamyard.com/watch/r7j4FCVnCZax

Bollards for More Advanced Storefront Safety

We often discuss electronic security systems such as video surveillance and access control. Yet certain physical barriers are also important elements in security. Among them are bollards, which have various applications.

By: William Pao, asmag; E-mail: asmag.com

Bollards serve many purposes. For store owners, bollards can play a key role in protecting customers/staff against vehicle crashes. “They can be used as delineation devices to separate moving traffic from another area. Sometimes this can be to delineate a vehicular traffic lane from a bike lane, or they can be utilized to differentiate a pedestrianized area (for example outside a stadium at the ticket lines) from a parking area or roadway. We also see them utilized many times to protect critical infrastructure (for example electrical equipment) or retail storefronts from vehicular impact,” said Joseph Hauss, President of Gibraltar Perimeter Security.

The Most Expensive Bollard in the World

Retail storefront safety can be much enhanced by bollards, the lack of which can be quite devastating. This is underscored in an incident in which, according to an article by the Security Industry Association, a Chicago-area man lost both his legs after an accidental crash in 2017 outside a 7-Eleven store where bollards were not installed. According to the article, the man in February received a record-breaking US$91 million settlement from 7-Eleven.

To this, Rob Reiter, Principal at Reiter and Reiter Consulting and Co-Founder of the Storefront Safety Council, commented: “What’s the most expensive bollard in the world? The one that was not installed in front of the sidewalk at a 7-Eleven store in Chicago. I have been studying the problem of storefront safety and vehicle-into-building crashes in the United States since 2010. We founded the Storefront Safety Council in 2012 to bring focus and hard data to a serious public health and safety problem that was being overlooked. What we have found after all these years is that safety has been very often neglected in those retail and commercial areas where Americans most often eat, work, play and shop.”

Thousands Injured Annually

Using the council’s statistics, Reiter cited certain figures that are particularly alarming. “Vehicles run into commercial and retail properties more than 100 times per day or more than 36,000 times per year. Each year, more than 16,000 customers, pedestrians, and employees are injured, and as many as 2,600 are killed. Many of these crashes are low-speed parking lot incidents that are easily preventable,” he said.

He added: “In the recent 7-Eleven legal settlement, evidence was revealed that confirmed more than 6,300 storefront crashes occurred at unprotected 7-Eleven stores over 14 years. Approximately 800 stores were struck three times or more, with more than 100 struck more than five times. The totals worked out to 1.3 storefront crashes per day or about 500 crashes per year at unprotected stores.”

These incidents highlight the importance of installing bollards at these premises. “Some of these areas have no protective bollard devices in place, while other places have bollards in place, but it is the wrong bollard and they still have an incident. The best practice is to procure a crash test-certified bollard from a reputable U.S. manufacturer,” Hauss said. “Bollards can be designed with aesthetics in mind with a number of decorative sleeve designs and marketing wraps that can be utilized as a revenue driver for the end user, as it can be ad space.”

Selection

The next question, then, becomes how to choose the right bollard solution for the storefront. According to Hauss, most bollards are made of carbon steel or stainless steel that is crash test-certified. “However, there are some products in the marketplace that combine proprietary materials outside of this in their design with some combination of carbon steel and/or stainless,” he said.

He adds that the user should also identify what their threat vehicle is and the location and traffic directions around the facility. “Is it just nose-in parking and pedal error that you are concerned with, or could a vehicle come off the road directly into your building at 50 miles per hour (for example errant vehicle at high speed)? Do you have high-value assets in your store that make it a target for ram raid attacks where someone will try to physically knock down the security bollard with multiple impacts from a vehicle to leave it and make a getaway in another vehicle? These are just a couple of questions to look at when identifying the correct bollard and the vehicle type and penetration necessary for your facility,” Hauss said.

Installation

The installation of these bollards is also important. According to Hauss, bollard spacing depends on vehicle vector analysis. “There are sites where nose-in parking is at a 45-degree angle and others at 90-degree. ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) spacing also must be looked at when implementing bollards, which can differ by the municipality on what their minimum requirements are for gaps. Can the vehicle actually come in at 90 degrees? This is an important question on the spacing,” he said.

Hauss adds that spacing can also depend on the manufacturer and how they were tested and certified. “Typically, 48- to 60-inch maximum clear spacing between bollards will accommodate the angled and nose in parking and meet ADA, but you must look at how the product was tested and certified,” he said. “If a product was tested with 36-inch spacing and it is installed at 48-inch clear, it may change the loading, as two to three bollards would be impacted in the test, but only one bollard would be hit in the actual 48-inch installation, as most vehicles are less than 8 feet in width. It all starts with utilizing a well-versed consultant that knows what products are in the marketplace and then utilizing a reputable U.S.-based manufacturer.”

Interview: Hanchul Kim, CEO, Suprema

Market demand for contactless security solutions continues to grow even after the pandemic. Known as the “Apple of the World of Physical Security,” Suprema is a specialized security solutions company integrated with AI that has original technologies for facial recognition and fingerprints. Its main clients are Fortune 500 companies, data centers, banks, and public institutions that require high security.

Interviewer: Damir Muharemović; E-mail: redakcija@asadria.com

 

a&s Adria: Mr. Kim, can you please present yourself to our readers?

Kim: Thank you for this opportunity. I am Kim Hanchul, CEO of Suprema. I graduated from the University of Wisconsin, USA, and accumulated work and technological experience in global business and software development in Korean and foreign IT companies such as Samsung Electronics, Motorola, and Harman. After joining Suprema in 2015, it has been leading aggressive business growth abroad through location strategies by expanding partner channels and establishing branches abroad.

a&s Adria: What portfolio does Suprema have?

Kim: It has a broad portfolio in all areas of access control systems, including AI-based fingerprint and face recognition terminals, Biostar 2, which is an integrated platform for access/assistance/visitors management and mobile access card solutions.

In September 2022, the company launched BioStation 3, which can perform 100% contactless access authentication, reflecting the growing need for the market for contactless security solutions in the post-COVID-19 era. Provides various contactless access verification options, such as facial recognition, mobile access card, QR, and barcode to improve user convenience. With a small size similar to that of a smartphone, it is characterized by the ease of installation and scalability that can be installed on any door, from small offices to business environments.

a&s Adria: Can you explain more about BioStation 3?

Kim: BioStation 3 is equipped with an AI processor, NPU (Neural Processing Unit), and can perform high-level facial recognition access authentication. Accurate authentication is possible even with changes to the face, such as various types and colors of masks, hairstyles, hats, and glasses. It has an intercom and RTSP (Real-time streaming protocol), allowing efficient bilateral communication with visitors anytime, anywhere.

a&s Adria: What’s the secret of accurate personal identification despite changes in masks, hats, glasses, etc.?

Kim: This is possible by AI which has undergone massive data learning. Data for 50,000 people have been recorded. About 12 years have passed since a facial recognition terminal was made. In 2010, I made a facial recognition terminal with a product called FaceStation, and at that time, the algorithm memorized the elements of the face. Then I tried to change it to AI. BioStation 3 creates an AI-based algorithm instead of memorizing. The algorithm has become smarter in the continuous learning process by securing data from various angles of the face accumulated since 2010.

a&s Adria: Are you proud to have a premium access security solution? What is the difference or strength of Suprema compared to other solutions?

Kim: The chance that our products will recognize and misidentify people is approximately 1 in 10 billion. This is thanks to the in-depth learning algorithm developed independently and exclusively based on the technology accumulated over 20 years. This recognition algorithm is evaluated for its excellent false fingerprint/face detection technology. Another point of difference is that it has a design delicate and modern enough to be used in movies and dramas like JTBC’s ‘Confidential Assignment 2: International’ and ‘Private Life. Provides accurate facial recognition performance regardless of race or facial expressions of people worldwide, and this stability has been recognized worldwide, and a billion users currently use Suprema products.

a&s Adria: Suprema has recently been selected as Top 100 in the spin of the artificial intelligence fusion.

Kim: Suprema was selected as the 2023 Emerging AI + X Top 100, published annually by AIIA, the representative artificial intelligence association of South Korea. “Emerging AI + X Top 100” is an emerging company that is expected to be of greater value in the future, and refers to the top 100 national companies that will lead innovation through the merger between artificial intelligence ( IA ) and various industries ( X ). AIIA, industry, academia, and AI experts have conducted a quantitative and qualitative assessment of the future value of the company’s technology and business among 1,800 candidates. 48 companies with specialized solutions such as manufacturing, finance, and medical care were selected in 11 fields of the domain industry, and 52 companies that combine AI technologies in various industries branches in six fields of the merger industry (Cross-Industry).

Suprema, which provides integrated AI-based security solutions, has been named in the image and video processing spin in the fusion industry. Suprema recently introduced the BioStation 3, equipped with NPU ( Neural Network Processor ), an AI processor based on Deep Learning that leads the industry. BioStation 3 is an AI facial recognition solution that specializes in the contactless access authentication feature maximizing AI engine performance to accurately verify facial changes. The speed is so fast, so even in the busiest places of people, it is possible to authenticate quickly. I am honored to be recognized for its unique AI algorithm technology and future value. Suprema will continue to develop integrated security solutions using AI technology to always live safely and conveniently without users paying special attention.

a&s Adria: What are the solutions or products that Suprema is currently focusing on developing?

Kim: We are planning a major update to Biostar 2, an integrated access/assistance/visitor management and management software. Features such as the control panel and mobile access card issuance will be updated to improve cloud-based scalability, connectivity, and performance, and to more efficiently manage access, assistance, and visitors. BioStation 3 is estimated to implement the ‘Face Template on Mobile’ feature, the first access authentication method in this industry.

a&s Adria: The technology called ‘Face Template on Mobile’ is unfamiliar to me. Can you explain it briefly?

Kim: It is a technology that allows users to store and manage their facial authentication information on their personal mobile phones without the need to save it in the company’s database.

a&s Adria: I understand that the automation system was introduced into the assembly and inspection process at your plant during the transition to a smart factory. Is there a specific reason?

Kim: The first reason to automate production lines in small and medium-sized companies is to maintain high quality. We are implementing a “high margin” business by promoting premium products and I believe that due to our high quality, the premium position has been filled. The second is productivity. Automation can increase productivity.

a&s Adria: Is it impossible to automate the entire process?

Kim: 100% automation is difficult, but we are trying to automate simple tasks. I think it is significant and important that 100% of manufacturing is done in Korea. By 2023, the reliability verification process for all input products will be automated. Further, We seek to improve productivity by automating the logistical movement between processes by introducing an automated guided vehicle ( AGV ) and further expanding the automated process to apply it to all products.

a&s Adria: I am curious about specific future perspectives, such as short and long-term goals.

Kim: Recently, large-scale orders for Supreme Biostar 2 are increasing in industries such as construction, oil, gas, and data center security, mainly in the Middle East, Asia, and North America. Furthermore, our access control hardware products are widely used as high-end products on the world market. It is a strategy to expand the participation of the software business in the future by completing the advancement of the current software platform and continuously winning large-scale projects.

a&s Adria: What are the future trends in the security industry?

Kim: The demand for contactless access control solutions including facial recognition and mobile access cards continues to grow. In particular, the introduction of mobile solutions that can authenticate access via smartphones in educational institutions with generations of digital natives is increasing.

In addition, UWB ( Ultra Wideband ) wireless communication technology, which provides a more convenient user experience, is a striking topic in the IT industry. UWB technology is expected to have a broader capacity of uses, such as digital keys, lost and found search, payment services, and interior navigation. UWB technology can also be applied to physical security. If UWB technology is applied to the access control system, when the user approaches the door, the door opens automatically as long as the user has only one smartphone without having to take an action for access authentication. In the future, this technology is estimated to be used to create an environment for entering and leaving offices.

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