On 25 acres of commercial space, Telford Shopping Centre in the UK offers a selection of retail stores, restaurants, as well as hotels and a cinema. Sound is a key part of the customer experience, from ambient music to customer announcements and safety messages. The shopping mall operator was looking to upgrade the existing public address system with a future-proof and IP-networked solution. Enter the new public address and voice alarm system from Bosch.
Next generation voice alarm system for retail environments
From the start, PRAESENSA managed to keep installation costs low for the new shopping center public address system without sacrificing performance. System integrators were able to refurbish the existing loudspeakers installed at Telford Centre across 16 zones via minor modifications on the end lines. This required only replacing the obsolete control equipment – including a cumbersome call station with analog buttons – and amplifiers for an upgrade to the latest generation of IP-based audio system.
The upgrade is most notable in the call station that puts personnel in full control per touch screen with an intuitive graphic user interface. Managed via OMNEO media networking technology, the software-based system combines recordings from various media sources, including ambient music in MP3 format, commercials from a message library, plus end-of-day mall closing messages running on automated schedules. In case of an emergency, the public address system integrates with the fire alarm system to play pre-recorded alerts and evacuation messages targeted to specific zones. At any time, shopping center security personnel can send live voice messages and manually trigger the evacuation protocol.
Secure and fail-proof from the start
Out of the box, PRAESENSA meets the latest standards as a fully secure IP solution. All control equipment is connected via Secure IP, including encryption and authentication for complete protection against eavesdropping and hacking. The system also fulfills the needs of shopping center operators for around-the-clock availability: All critical system elements are supported by built-in redundancy to avoid outages, plus fault notification within 100 seconds meeting EN54-16 standards.
“We were very pleased with the installation of the equipment by North which caused minimal disruption and they also managed to keep us operational whilst the Shopping Centre was open. We are extremely happy with the quality and operation of the new Bosch equipment and the team are finding the system easy to use. Its of paramount importance to have a reliable system and this is definitely ticking all the boxes,” said Chris Titley, Facilities Manager, Savills (Telford Centre).
Whether in transportation and industry, universities, hotels, or shopping malls, public address and voice alarm systems help people stay informed and feel safe and comfortable. PRAESENSA from Bosch goes one step further. This advanced and extremely cost-efficient IP-connected solution also makes a statement for sustainability: It saves energy, conserves resources, and reduces CO₂ emissions. Can a public address system make buildings more sustainable? Yes. With energy efficiency on a whole new level.
Latest technology that uses existing infrastructure
As an IP-based system, PRAESENSA can often use existing IP building infrastructure with standard cabling and network switches. This can generate considerable cost savings for system integrators, installers, and building owners. A good example of this is the Telford Centre shopping mall in the UK. System integrators were able to refurbish the existing loudspeakers across 16 zones via minor modifications on the end lines. This required only replacing the obsolete control equipment and amplifiers for an upgrade to the latest generation of IP-based audio system. Thus, the service life could be extended and waste could be avoided.
Small in size, big on energy saving
As the latest in a long line of public address systems, PRAESENSA unlocks a new level of cost savings and sustainability. First is the form factor: While the legacy system occupied two rack spaces in the server room, the new solution cuts the size in half. This is achieved by integrated standby amplifiers that reduce the cost (especially for cooling) and space of the rack housing while also providing an effective redundancy measure.
Second, the system achieves a low energy footprint via smart power partitioning across amplifier channels. It adapts intelligently to loudspeaker loads, dividing the available output power across all channels to a maximum of 600 watts. As a result, overall power usage over the system’s lifetime is lowered, especially in the idle state where most systems spend most of their time.
In addition to high energy efficiency, PRAESENSA also offers the possibility of remote diagnosis and maintenance via internet. System integrators can work remotely with customers, minimizing costly on-site visits and effectively reducing travel and CO2 emissions.
Highly flexible and future-proof
The IP based PRAESENSA solution can immediately accommodate changes to building use. When you add or define new areas for use, the system updates the changes effortlessly. All devices across the system are IP-connected, facilitating both centralized and decentralized setup, as well as easy interconnectivity with other systems. The key hardware devices are controlled by custom software solutions, resulting in a system that is feature-rich and future-ready, with the potential for further capabilities to be added over time. This safeguards the installation and supports its longevity. PRAESENSA is now at the heart of the new safety system at Wycombe Wanderers’ Adams Park Stadium: The football club decided on a reliable and future-proof solution to keep fans safe, improve the match-day experience and save energy, hardware and space.
Honeywell recently launched its next generation global notification platform, VARIODYN ONE, designed to enhance in-building voice communications to improve response to emergency situations and general public address announcements. VARIODYN ONE brings new solutions, technologies, features and value for installers, system operators and building owners, including:
System Design: VARIODYN ONE is an IP-based public address and voice alarm (PA/VA) system that delivers exceptional usability and sound performance to address daily operational and safety needs of a building. It features a compact design with expandable modules for greatest cost-efficiency. Intelligent Network Controllers (INC) serve as an audio matrix via up to eight 500W amplifier channels and up to 48 loudspeaker lines. Cost optimization is assured by equipping only the necessary number of 8-loudspeaker line cards. The VARIODYN ONE system is fully scalable by Ethernet, connecting multiple INCs located as needed in the project. Available with ports for alarm call stations, with analogue audio in-/outputs or with an DANTE interface, each INC is equipped with secure FLASH memory for five hours of alarm messages, announcements, or background music.
System amplifiers and call stations
The system’s unique, patented power sharing solution provides a flexible configuration of power rating of each channel of a multi-channel unit, permitting also one amplifier channel to serve as a backup amplifier for others. A built-in EN54-4 certified power supply and battery charging unit delivers power also to an INC. This greatly reduces the system cost by eliminating the need for a separate power supply unit inside the rack.
Both VARIODYN DCS Plus and ETCS call stations are fully monitored and certified to EN54-16 as alarm call stations and offer a redundant power and audio/communication interface. In addition to the buttons of DCS Plus, the VARIODYN ETCS is a powerful, multimedia call station with Ethernet interface, large color touchscreen, freely configurable functions, playlists and USB port.
Communication ans architecture
VARIODYN ONE uses common audio protocols which allow it to be more easily integrated with other on-site systems, such as DANTE A/V and SIP communication, without additional hardware or handshake issues. Power over Ethernet (PoE) is available, as well as redundant connections of the system network and the call stations. System cabling with color coding guarantees fault-free assembly and greatly reduced installation time.
The platform expands system capabilities even further than its predecessors to meet the challenges of even the most demanding projects: up to 3200 amplifiers, 3200 call stations, 19200 loudspeaker lines and 120 or more simultaneous audio streams. The system architecture and network topology are unrestricted following Ethernet networking guidance.
Power supply and configuration
The system can support both large and small system racks to support cost optimization for customers. High power 1HU/2HU EN54-4 certified PSU units deliver enough power and battery capacity to handle the whole large VARIODYN ONE rack with several kilowatts of audio power. For small system racks, amplifiers provide a built-in PSU unit with battery charger.
The VARIODYN ONE configuration tool and management software are built on the Honeywell Connected Life Safety Services (CLSS) platform, which will provide seamless integration with Honeywell Fire systems as a single, common user interface, making it easier to connect the PA/VA system to the fire panel. The CLSS platform also allows technicians to spend less time on site installing, commissioning and maintaining the system.
Reliability, redundancy, and cybersecurity
The system features fault tolerance in multiple aspects due to its distributed controller architecture, supervision of all system wires/components, total separation of amplifier channels, redundant network and call station connections. This system architecture and solutions greatly exceed the minimum requirements of VA system fault tolerances set by EN54 standards.
VARIODYN ONE has been developed with stringent cybersecurity requirements of critical infrastructure projects, designed with a security-by-design approach. All data and audio streams are encrypted and the system firmware is protected by secure boot. It also meets EN54-16/4 standards compliance and the TÜV Rheinland quality mark, confirming higher product safety, quality and performance than the EN54 minimum requirements.
VARIODYN ONE can support a wide range of applications like transportation, industrial, hospitality, healthcare, commercial and education verticals. It offers scalability, technical advancement and versatility and can be deployed as a voice alarm (VA) system for effective building evacuation or a public address system (PA) for targeted broadcasting and background music. Powerful yet scalable and cost-efficient as a system for versatile project types, sizes and complexity level, VARIODYN ONE is the top-end PA/VA global system offering from Honeywell.
Click here to watch a short video and download our brochure for more information.
Initially conceived as an international company, ZKTeco started out modestly, with only its products being sold abroad, without services and customization for customers. But then, at the global level, something happened that, contrary to expectations, opened new opportunities for many companies – the global economic crisis. In 2008, many security companies decided to try their hand at making it big in international markets. ZKTeco was among the pioneers.
Our editorial team has covered many events in the past sixteen years. Having published no less than 178 issues of a&s Adria magazine so far, we witnessed the emergence and maturation of technologies, innovations that caused controversies only to become commonplace, the disappearance of former industry greats who were thought indestructible, the rise of new companies, we talked and hung out with the professionals who, in fact, can be said to have sown everything that has grown in the past decades. But, after all those years, one thing manages to impress us every time – a story about a name and reputation that grow together out of the vision that everything is possible, regardless of the challenges. In search of one such story, this time we went to the suburbs of Madrid, a city and a corporate “forest” in which countless businesses flourish. Madrid is also the seat of the European headquarters of a company whose access and entrance control is an evergreen tree in this corporate forest. We want to tell you a story about ZKTeco.
Watch the video report:
Creativity from all over the world
The European headquarters and warehouse were founded in 2010 and have been located in Madrid for twelve years. A pioneer in biometrics and RFID technologies, ZKTeco is now a multinational company with close to 3600 employees. From the beginning, its founders and engineers sought to independently develop algorithms to verify the biometric characteristics of the body, which over the years has become an ecosystem for identity verification and smart security. Both hardware and firmware as well as software are produced internally, at research and development centers scattered from from the India to Xiamen, Dalian and Dongguan. Today, the company’s offer is rounded up not only with biometric and RFID modules but also with access control systems, turnstiles and barriers, video surveillance, metal detectors, and integrated security solutions. At its European headquarters, where the service, sales, development, and financial departments are located together with a warehouse whose capacities will soon double by moving it to a new location, ZKTeco’s partners and distributors can receive all the necessary services. From there, they provide support to other European subsidiaries: British, German, and Italian offices, whose numbers they also intend to increase.
The economic crisis is an opportunity to change strategy
We were greeted by an extremely pleasant team of people, led by Even Wang, General Manager of the European Business Group at ZKTeco, in whose company we felt as if we were members of the personnel. Socializing took place until the afternoon and was spent in pleasant and useful conversations. Their friendly synergy, we noted later, is certainly one of the wheels that powers the company’s business on European soil, about which we will learn more later.
“ZKTeco started as a small company, with two or three people”, says Mr. Wang from the outset of our conversation and continues: “The founder is Mr. John Che. The business started as a technology firm that was researching biometrics. At that time, biometrics were not so common in the world, so they tried to design one biometric module to offer to the market. Step by step, they decided that they could develop a time and attendance terminal. So, some money was raised to move to Shenzhen, a zone known for its electronics industry.” The company started to grow but that was not enough for a major breakthrough in the market. The business was mainly done in China, and only its products were sold abroad, without service and customization offered to the clients. But then, at the global level, something happened that, contrary to expectations, opened new opportunities for many Chinese companies – the global economic crisis. In 2008, Chinese companies decided to try their hand at making it big in international markets in order to prevent financial problems. “ZKTeco was among those who adopted this strategy at the earliest stage. In the beginning, we had a small team of people, but we were also lucky that the demand for biometric systems increased sharply”, adds our interlocutor. ZKTeco made a difference in the market by offering an attractive price, a broad range of products, and quality service. Clients knew that they could count on people who are always at their disposal, which is very important in business.
This resulted in rapid business growth. They are proud, they say, of the decision taken at the time. But it was not easy. “You go to another country where no one knows you, you have to learn to live there, find customers, talk to them in your poor English. I joined the company in 2010. I initially worked in India and I know how hard it is for a Chinese company to start from scratch outside their home country. Language, laws, taxes – these are all great challenges. But we were trying to gradually adapt, find local people and partners, understand each other and bridge the cultural gap. I can say that after 14 years of development we have a great team. We now have 3600 employees, of which 450 are internationals. I think that’s the largest number of foreign employees in a Chinese company,” says Wang.
Going public
Another important turning point for ZKTeco happened in 2020, and it was marked by yet another trend among Chinese security companies – going public. The higher inflow of capital enabled them to further strengthen and expand. ZKTeco started the process of the initial public offering (IPO) a little earlier in order to become a public company and increase capital investments in expanding production and opening new offices. “The money will mainly be invested in research and development, especially in the software segment. The second part will be related to the service network; we will open five new offices, new warehouses and continue to employ local people. I think we need to have local people in every country because the value is to offer services to our clients locally”, explains Wang. ZKTeco currently has 38 subsidiaries in Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and overseas, but they want to open many new ones. In Europe, they plan to open offices in France, Romania, and Poland, as well as in other countries.
People are the greatest resource
Just in time when the company went public, the coronavirus pandemic broke out. Yet again, as it happened in the past with the economic crisis, ZKTeco has found an opportunity to offer new solutions to its customers, this time in the form of a cost-effective and adaptable solution for measuring body temperature and detecting the wearing of protective masks. “We got a lot of great clients, such as Telecom Italia and Spanish Telefonica, as well as the opportunity to gain access to many banks and government institutions. That helped us a lot to get through the difficult period in 2020. We have kept and even increased the number of employees. We kept working in all countries and continued with our development and research. We even opened our office in the UK during the pandemic. Even in the most difficult period in May 2020, our team continued to help our clients in Italy”, recalls Wang.
The greatest strength in the focus on entrance control
Although it initially presented itself as a biometric company, ZKTeco is always trying to adapt to different applications. “We are currently fully focused on developing entrance control technologies and solutions, including those handling the passage of vehicles, people, and luggage. I think that we can offer a high value in that. As much as AI and IoT change the world, people have to start from the entrance. The entrance is a key point for home automation and office security. For the past twenty years, ZKTeco has been working on one thing only – entrance control. We try to offer the best hardware and software solutions. That is why we have no less than 10 product ranges today. Our greatest strength lies in this type of focus”, says Even Wang, General Manager of the European Business Group at ZKTeco.
Breaking stereotypes
How ZKTeco managed to expand its business in Europe year after year was the topic we discussed in detail with Kinga Zarzyck, International Business Development Manager with ZKTeco, who was both our host and the person behind the organization of our visit. For years, ZKTeco kept facing one obstacle that prevented them from stepping out of the widespread stereotypical mold. In the eyes of its users, the company was mostly seen as a supplier of access control and time & attendance hardware. In recent years, however, they have focused on delivering solutions, ranging from offering consultancy and adapting solutions to project requirements to assisting with their implementation. “Our goal in the coming years is to change this perception because ZKTeco is changing and growing constantly, not only in terms of its revenue but also in terms of its solutions and their quality. To achieve this, we have opened local branches in Germany, Italy, and the UK in the last five years. We also have salespeople in Romania and Poland. We intend to open local offices in these countries as well as in France in the near future. It is very important for us to be close to our partners and to react faster and adapt our solutions to the needs of the local markets “, explains Zarzycka.
In order to provide the best possible customer support, the European branch expanded the most in the segment of its pre-sales and project departments. It is, in fact, a new segment of ZKTeco that was created not so long ago to support partners chiefly through products. While distribution is important, integration is another channel that needs support. They currently work with more than 100 partners across Europe. Upon asking whether they work directly with installers and integrators or with distributors only, we were told that everything depends on the country. “We also work with integrators, and not only with the larger ones that have the capacity to develop their own solutions. Yet, it all depends on the strategy in a particular country and how that country is organized. Not every distribution channel in a country can function at the same level or be as good as, for example, the Adriatic region”, says Zarzycka, citing the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, and the UK as examples of countries focused mainly on integration with security system management software.
More solutions for the customers
Our host is also in charge of organizing business in our Adriatic region. She has been cooperating with partners from Southeast Europe for four years, and for that purpose, she was a guest at our Adria Security Summit on no less than three occasions. “We have tried to get even closer to our partners throughout these years through the support received at the Adria Security Summit. We plan to attend the coming Summit in October in Croatia. It’s one way to meet potential partners and companies we could work with. It is not just about offering them our access control technology, which is our best-selling product in the region, but rather about introducing them to other solutions we can offer, such as parking ramps and turnstiles. In addition to small and medium-sized enterprises, we are also getting involved in other larger and more complex projects with varied and non-standard requirements”, says Zarzycka. To achieve this goal, they are constantly investing resources in educating partners and customers about new series of products and solutions. This is done while simultaneously working on integration with different security platforms, which means that they will be able to access the projects not only with ZKTeco’s hardware but also with a full range of specialized products aimed at other complementary security segments. Regarding the manufacturing segment, ZKTeco will soon move its warehouse to a new facility in Madrid. So, it’s all about a comprehensive approach whose proper implementation will make success inevitable.No delays in production and delivery
When it comes to storing products with the aim of timely delivery in difficult times marked by the chip shortages in the global market, ZKTeco claims that they have prepared for the lack of materials and stored a lot of raw materials. “We have no production delays, and in addition, we have doubled the stock of all the products we sell here in Europe, so we have no problems with delivery. It’s all just a matter of proper planning. I am sure that with a larger warehouse, the situation will be even better, that is, it will be an even smaller problem than it is now “, says our interlocutor. However, due to rising raw material prices and multiplied transport costs, they were forced to revise the prices of their products. But, on the other hand, they compensated for this by extending their warranty to three years.
Showroom Tour
To get acquainted with the entire range of ZKTeco’s solutions, we visited a beautifully decorated showroom, which is divided into product segments, from access control and time and attendance to smart locks for hotels and smaller housing units. We were greeted by Mr. Robertodino Sebastiano Leita, an amiable International Presales Engineer with ZKTeco Europe. As an excellent connoisseur of ZKTeco’s products and solutions, he introduced us to each product group and answered all our questions in detail.
ZKBioSecurity – the Core of ZKTeco’s Solutions
At the heart of ZKTeco’s solutions is the ZKBioSecurity web platform, which integrates multiple functionalities. It is all about the so-called modules for access control, time and attendance, online and offline elevator control, hotel and visitor management, parking lots, mobile patrols, and video surveillance. There are also new modules that allow data management from all access control devices, including body temperature measurement. VMS modules that support thermal cameras and network recorders are also included. When ProFace X [TD] or SpeedFace V5L [TD] face recognition devices are used, the person’s image is sent to the software, with the security guard being able to identify the person with the higher body temperature than usual. The people flow management feature has been added to the time and attendance module. The latest version of the platform also provides advanced security features such as FP online registration, HTTPS encrypted communication, registration using a QR code, an LCD screen to display a log of live access events, etc.
“The platform is one of our main services. I do not define it as a product, but rather as a service because it includes all the necessary solutions within the security framework. Access control is at the core of what we do, and to that, we can add more functionalities that are translated into modules. The control we provide is primarily focused on user protection. By this, I mean any type of information, such as normal entries, normal events, alarm events, and some types of anomalies – all of which are perfectly controlled. It is possible to integrate not only with our other devices but also with the products made by our partners via APIs and SDKs directly. Each module communicates with other modules, which is fundamental. This means that if you want to verify the alarm caused by an access control system or activate the alarm, open or close the door due to an event in the CCTV or sensor module, you are actually able to do it”, says Leita. The platform can be used in projects of all sizes. Its optimized architecture, which enables advanced biometric identification, and a modern interface provide users with a completely new experience and easy management of various systems.
Time and attendance from anywhere
When it comes to time and attendance data and associated hardware, the key difference is that ZKTeco generally does not use controllers but rather terminals. Still, “the market has changed a lot over the years and we are aware that mobile and cloud solutions are taking precedence. That is why one of our latest innovations is GoTime Cloud, in which a user can now use a mobile phone in addition to traditional card and biometric verification methods, while the supervisors have total control over employees: where they are, what kind of work they do, etc. You can see on the screen that each working code is marked with an image and all of them can be exported as reports”, explains Leita. Localization is available in the form of a map, which is increasingly in demand in the market, and you can also create advanced calendars, custom shift schedules, or configure all changes in your company.
Integration of mechanical entrance control and access control
The entrance control product series features several categories. There are several types of turnstiles and barriers available, which are divided based on the level of mechanics and electromechanical control one needs. The showroom featured various three-arm turnstiles and turnstiles with curved and flat flaps and barriers for parking lots, together with vertical tripod barriers used in football stadiums. But the real benefit is found not only in the products themselves but in the fact that they can integrate with their own access control. “It is important to mention that we can perform any mechanical and software integration ourselves because we are the proprietors of our technology. This means that no matter what kind of reader or controller is demanded for turnstiles, we can offer it to our customers. This greatly simplifies the work of the installers who install them in the field”, says our host.
Innovation at work
To get an idea of the designing prowess of their engineers, we were introduced to the ZPad Plus, one of ZKTeco’s best-selling products. Originally, it was a device used for time & attendance, but during the pandemic, there came a need to check the green certificate. So, they used the original public applications certified by the Italian government and integrated them with their hardware, which can now make decisions and open doors or activate an alarm relay based on the validity or invalidity of the certificate. “It is one of our best designs so far and it has been a great success, especially because we have improved the algorithm that has the ability to check personal documents, so we can be sure that the certificate belongs to the person who shows it”, says Leita.
We also had the opportunity to check the Mars Pro series of turnstiles with flat or curved flaps, designed for spaces with a large flow of people. It has a modular structure and comes with new features, such as frame modularity, which can be easily assembled and disassembled. No matter what level of damage is done to your turnstile, only its impacted part will need to be replaced. However, the most important functionality is the number of ten million cycles, which is a rarity on the market.
Radar-equipped barriers
There are two types of barriers on the market: those with strong mechanical components, which can raise arms up to six meters long, and cost-effective barriers for residential and commercial areas. ZKTeco offers both types. The parking solution is based on LPR bullet and dome cameras integrated with barriers equipped with VR10 radar, which completely eliminates the need for any induction loop. When the vehicle leaves an area, it is not necessary to re-read the plates so a copper spiral is usually installed in the ground and it detects the weight of the vehicle and sends a signal to the barrier to open. With radar, there is no need for that, because it is simply pointed to the right side and calibrated. The license plates are controlled locally by a camera, while the VR10 controls the arms without the need to install a magnetic loop, which also makes the job easier for installers. Another good thing is the anti-shock mechanism, which detects an obstacle (e.g. a child passing by) and prevents the arm from falling. “An additional important functionality of this solution is that it can work independently or you can connect it to our ZKBioSecurity platform. So, in addition to all the information about vehicles that pass through the barrier, you can also link each car with a user in the system”, concludes Leita.
We ended our showroom tour by checking the solutions with smart locks for hotels and smaller housing units, with ZKTeco offering four series: online hotel management, offline hotel management, smart locks with local Bluetooth connection, or smart locks with cloud connection via an e-mail account. This enables remote management of credentials, without the need to go to the site.
Thirteenth security company in the world
After a full-day tour of ZKTeco’s European headquarters and the meetings with the leading people from its management, business development, and technical departments, we were left with the feeling that the company has made a lot of progress during all these years. When we reflect on its first appearances at major security fairs only ten years ago and its modest biometric solutions which focused on cost-effectiveness back then, we simply have to compare it with what we had the opportunity to see and hear during our visit. It is no wonder, then, that ZKTeco ranked 13th among the top fifty security companies in the world according to Security 50 list. They have come a long way from one product group to multi-series solutions but managed to keep the focus on one thing – entrance control. And that is the biggest advantage of ZKTeco.
a&s Adria: Mr Yashmakov, we go a long time back, since you worked for a known video surveillance provider. For those who haven’t read our magazine then, can you present your business experience in brief, with an emphasis on your move to Ajax Systems and your role within that company?
Yashmakov: Yes, we do go a long way back – I was there in 2015 for the first edition of the Adria Security Summit in Sarajevo, but my career in Security started long before that, so I guess I am as experienced as they come. But what does it mean to be “experienced” in today’s world? Experience helps you to avoid mistakes in a stable and predictable environment – but those two descriptions are no longer valid, so I think the new skillset for management should be attitude and adaptability. As many things in life usually are – my transition from Hikvision to Ajax was completely unexpected and unplanned because I was not looking to change my job. I remember I did my first Ajax interview mostly out of good manners because they invited me, so my curiosity was not so much about the job – but more about the company. My plan was to challenge Ajax with all the difficult questions that I could think about – but when the interview was over I realized that because my plan didn’t work my eyes were open to something that I couldn’t see until this point – “the future of Security”. I felt inspired by Ajax and I agreed to help built a new local team and set-up a new market structure in the Balkans&Adriatic – a region which I know well.
a&s Adria: Even though Ajax Systems has been in this business for only ten years, it has reached some impressive numbers. How did it all start for your company? What were its most important milestones, how many employees do you have now, and where do you sell your products? Last year, you reached a notable number of premises under your protection?
Yashmakov: Yes the company is around 10 years old but the first few years were tough, I mean the operational capacity was not yet at the same level as the vision and enthusiasm of the company. Our first Wireless panel was released in 2011 and at that time it was called “Страж” (meaning Guard in English). If you don’t recognize it today it means that this was not a huge success on the market. J This low point of our history is exactly what drove our CEO to go back to the drawing board and he redesigned everything: R&D, manufacturing, marketing the whole company was redesigned, even the logo of Ajax was changed to the one you know today and we added the word “Systems” after Ajax to make it clear that we provide professional systems. We have a belief in the company that there should be no compromise with quality, design and user experience, the products are just the outcome of this belief and this is why Ajax Systems is known for having “Zero Bullshit” policy. Today we have over 2000 employees out of which around 500 are local and are spread out in all major European countries, South Africa, India, UAE, America, Canada and Australia. Through our global distribution network, we sell in more than 130 countries – we are guided by common sense in everything we do.
a&s Adria: As a Ukranian company, Ajax Systems is facing a difficult time being in the midst of an attack from the Russian army. If you can share with us, what is it like for your colleagues to work in those conditions? Did you face losses in men or equipment, how did you keep your production going, and did you have to evacuate to another premises? Has your recently equipped research laboratory at the Faculty of Electronics at Kyiv Polytechnic Institute and your R&D offices in Kyiv and Kharkiv been affected?
Yashmakov: This is a sensitive topic for everyone at Ajax Systems and everyone in Ukraine for that matter. Rather than focus on this ruthless and unprovoked war, I prefer to tell you about an unexpected (to me at least) side effect of this situation. Ajax lead by our CEO showed the world a masterclass of leadership, crisis management, resource allocation, re-settlement of employees, logistics of finished goods and factory equipment, exceptional planning and all this while bombs are falling and people are in panic. Within the first week almost 500 people from Ajax were relocated to the west part of the country, accommodation was arranged for them and the salaries for the next month were paid in advance to them. Within the second week of the war a new factory building (more than twice the size of the old one) was introduced and equipped with more production lines than the old one. By the third week we had our first ready products produced in the new factory and we acquired a new warehouse with more capacity than we need for now. In the meantime, more talent is being hired in R&D because simply more of it is available and is concentrated just in the west part of the country – which means that our roadmap for the new products will come ahead of the planned time. So, in between Covid; Silicon shortage; Technical challenges from suppliers and bloody war in Ukraine – Ajax is coming out stronger than before. This is because of extreme dedication, motivation and unity between everyone in our ecosystem including our users of course. Imagine what Ajax will achieve when the environment calms down a little bit.
a&s Adria: You came up with a slogan as a means of resistance to violence. What message does it send?
Yashmakov: Basically the slogan is self-explanatory – Through our products Ajax Systems offers the feeling of being safe and having peace of mind about your property and loved ones. We work against thieves, fires or leaks – therefore “We stand against evil”!
a&s Adria: Having a lot of customers, how will you continue servicing their equipment and securing their premises?
Yashmakov: Yes, we have many users I think we already passed 1.3M and this number is growing fast and all of those users have never experienced a drop in our service. The reliability aspect of what we offer to the market is a major selling point for us therefore it is important that we do not rely on open-source platforms or use outdated technology. One example is the communication between our Hub to our cloud, we created our own HTS protocol which is a binary protocol so it’s very fast and can work on small bandwidths plus we are hosted on Amazon cloud with multiple notes working in a cluster in three different locations in Europe which first of all provides excellent load balancing in order to accommodate our huge growth in the number of users and also we have one cluster always in hot back-up mode. If your readers are interested in some fun statistics, I can tell you that Amazon is giving Ajax 99.9% reliability of the cloud service, and together with our technology we can bring the availability of the cloud up to 99.99% throughout the year to our customers. To most people these numbers sound funny, but our business is based around this reliability. Our products on the other hand have a general defect rate of just 0.3% (this is a peak value) so our RMA center is not really overloaded as you can understand.
a&s Adria: As a part of your engagement against violence, you developed an app Air alert in just one day. What is it used for and how many people use it at the moment?
Yashmakov: This is a simple but very effective app made to help the Ukrainian people who live in remote areas or generally in places where the civil defense sirens are not so effective. We saw the need to have a reliable alternative tool to generate a loud alert warning of an airstrike or chemical attack or any type of danger to the public issued by the Ukrainian Government. This app supports “critical alerts” function, meaning that notifications will sound even if your phone is in sleep mode or is on silent. How many people are actually using it – I don’t know, but I think most everyone that is in Ukraine right now.
a&s Adria: Lets get back to your offerings. Your first product line is Jeweller wireless intrusion detection, fire protection, and leak detection. Can you present in detail its most important features?
Yashmakov: All of our peripheral devices are designed to detect specific threats, it could be unauthorized movement inside or outside the property with video verification for example, or detection of CO (Carbon monoxide) built-up in your garage, or water leakage in your server room, or smoke in your kitchen, or unusual temperature build-up in your warehouse or unexpected high electrical consumption – actually there are almost unlimited number of threats. Being able to detect is one thing, but being able to act on a threat in real-time is really what gives you the feeling of safety and peace of mind that we spoke about earlier. Being able to create your own specific scenario and to be part of the process yourself is what I think is the best feature of the system, for example – if water leak detected – then stop the water supply, or if fire detected -stop electricity, or if intruder detected – call monitoring company and switch on lights and so on.
a&s Adria: How far away from the hub do Ajax devices really work and how does your special energy-efficient radio protocol prolong the usage of batteries in your devices?
Yashmakov: The topic of wireless range and battery life always brings a lot of attention to the customers, because this is something easy to understand and more importantly easy to measure and compare. Unfortunately for everyone, this is far from the truth. In real life nobody uses a MotionProtect detector in open space in direct line of sight to the Hub, and nobody can predict how many alarms will need to be transmitted, what will be the temperature and how far the detectors will be installed from the hub – in order to fulfill the maximum range and battery life. So why do we give absolute values if they are never used? The answer is that there is no other way to measure in a fair and consistent way the performance of your products other than in a laboratory environment. This is why all manufacturers are following the same guidelines when making similar measurements to make sure we are not misleading the market (at least I hope all manufacturers are doing that).
To answer your question, in terms of wireless range we claim up to 2000m. To put this in perspective so your readers can have a clear picture – your average WiFi range is about 150m with very high-power requirement, then you have the ZigBee and Z-Wave networks which are made for smart home devices and are very low-power – but their range is still about 150m. So, by this comparison you can understand that we developed our own closed wireless protocol “Jeweller” to be low-power, high distance and most of all secure. Because of this, some of our detectors can run for 7 years without replacing the battery.
a&s Adria: How can a user monitor the Ajax security system?
Yashmakov: When I think about it, the answer to this question is the reason why Ajax Systems is breaking through one of the most boring, stagnant and uninteresting markets – the Intruder alarm market. So what is the answer? It’s called “User Experience”. Finally, the users are given the chance to have control of the system they paid money for, the users have the chance to help design their own system and to be informed about everything that is going on during their absence. All you need is internet connection and a smartphone. No additional fees or surprises.
a&s Adria: One of the most common requests from industry professionals is for a hybrid security system. The combination of wires and radio allows covering large and industrial facilities. The expertise developed since 2011 results in Fibra. What advantages embody the new Fibra product line of wired devices? The first release includes nine devices. What are they?
Yashmakov: I think it’s nice that you think that the most common requests from the industry is for a hybrid system, I wish this was the case. The Adria region and the Balkan region generally reacts with a small delay compared to North-West Europe when it comes to adopting new technology, but this is not a bad thing. Ajax is not trying to change the local habits of the market, we are trying to adapt to them. This is partly the reason we decided not to release “Fibra” products to the whole Europe but just parts of it, so the official release date is still pending for the Adria region.
Let me explain what’s the idea behind the Hybrid Hubs using “Fibra” communication technology. “Fibra” combines the reliability of wires with the freedom of radio connection, it is a digital-generation wired system. At the physical level, Fibra looks like a bus connection where detectors are connected to a control panel with a 4-core cable, but the benefit is actually hidden at the software level because our customers get the same user experience but in a wired connection. “Fibra” is taking all the benefits of the wireless so it is extremely low-power which means that 30 wired “Fibra” devices will run for 60 hours on a 7 Ah backup battery. This is 5 times more than Grade 2 requires, in fact it meets the Grade 3 requirements. In terms of the wired devices that you can add to the system, basically they are the usual indoor Motion detectors: MotionProtect, MotionProtect Plus and MotionCam. Magnetic door contacts: DoorProtect and DoorProtect Plus, and then you have Glass break detectors: GlassProtect and CombiProtect, then you have the StreetSiren and HomeSiren and the KeyPad.
a&s Adria: Like in Jeweller devices, data transmission within Fibra is encrypted. What anti-sabotage technologies are the devices equipped with?
Yashmakov: Yes for sure encryption is at the center of our R&D’s minds when they develop new communication methods. In the case of “Fibra” we use dynamic encryption where the Hub and devices change the encryption algorithm at every communication session, so good luck if someone is trying to decrypt the system using brute force. The Hub is always in monitoring mode and it scans all connected devices according to the settings made by the installer so the user (or monitoring company) gets notified if there is a drop in the voltage of any device or if the line is broken and power starts to drop. The latest upgrade of the system will bring the anti-sabotage one step higher as it will enable physical protection of the “Fibra” line from being broken. To accomplish this you need to connect the beginning of the line to one hub terminal and its end to the other. Such a connection creates a ring topology and in case of a line fault, the ring splits into two loops working independently of each other.
a&s Adria: Ajax Systems expanded the automation product line and developed a Socket (type G). You marketed that it has an unprecedented over-the-air communication range? And in what way are its settings more flexible?
Yashmakov: The type G socket is not really the main focus in this region because this standard is used only in the UK, Cyprus and Malta but if you are asking about the Socket in general then yes, being an Ajax device it has a range of about 1000 m but is also fully compatible with the Range extenders (ReX and ReX2) so that distance can be easily extended. The Socket gives you the ability to control appliances remotely and to monitor the power consumption of your premises, but I think its best feature is to help automate your security system. You can create scenarios with the Socket where the top power consuming devices are switched off as you leave your house so you never have to worry if you left something on, or switch off the lights in your office automatically when leaving, or turn on your coffee machine at a certain time in the morning. Those are just examples.
a&s Adria: Can you connect video surveillance cameras to the Ajax security system? With what video surveillance manufacturers’ cameras did you integrate your system with?
Yashmakov: Video verification of alarms is something Ajax really believes in, and considering the huge amount of CCTV cameras already installed it makes sense to combine your security system and video surveillance in one app. There are 3 quick ways to do that:
Use Ajax motion detector with a photo camera – MotionCam or MotionCam Outdoor (Winner of the Intruder product of 2020 – PSI Premier Awards)
Connect to Hikvision, Dahua, Uniview and Safire cameras and DVRs in less than a minute with no additional configuration needed (cloud to cloud integration)
Unlimited choice of manufacturers – using RTSP stream, which is a standard protocol in most IP streaming devices
a&s Adria: Can you present or enlist some of the most complex and important installations you have done throughout the years?
Yashmakov: Over the years we’ve had very interesting projects in remote locations, unconventional design solutions, and the value of the protected properties have won respect for integrators and developers. In the spring of 2021, the Ajax security system with the FireProtect and FireProtect Plus detectors was installed at the Ukrainian Vernadsky Research Base in Antarctica, the polar station plans to install even more Ajax devices. Thanks to the alternative power supplies for hubs and the Enterprise API, Ajax systems are now installed on yachts worth tens of millions of dollars. The system achieved a good track record on movable properties like mobile homes, freight transport, and food trucks, and is now confidently opening new vertical markets. This is a manifestation of great trust.
a&s Adria: What will the future of Ajax Systems look like, especially taking into account the latest unfortunate events?
Yashmakov: Pandemic health crisis, silicon shortage, technical issues from suppliers of components and now a brutal and completely destructive war in your home country – most companies will not survive. Ajax Systems however, is not like most companies, we are made up of tough people who are motivated and are willing to self-sacrifice because we all share a common belief that we are the driving force of the security market and we are pulling it forward by being different and not lead by old stereotypical views. The biggest prove that we have already changed the way people perceive security is that other manufacturers 10 times bigger than us are following our lead, some more successful than others.
I look forward to revealing our roadmap for the next 6-12 months and I can promise you that we are just beginning our journey to re-shape the market – but this will be done in the correct time and in the right venue together with our partners who have stayed loyal and have been very supportive and patient with us.
London, May 2022 – Replacing legacy mechanical locks with wireless electronic devices adds security and increases control without the expense or inconvenience of cabling doors. Now, new and existing Brivo Access customers can grow the scope and day-to-day benefits of their system by integrating Aperio® wireless locks from ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions.
Brivo Access customers can now operate more doors in their access control system by integrating battery-powered Aperio devices online to extend its reach. The seamless, real-time integration of Aperio helps customers become more cost-efficient and secure.
“Now Brivo customers can extend their system by securing more doors, lockers, servers, fire doors and more wirelessly. Replacing mechanical locks with Aperio devices, or equipping currently unsecured doors, gives them real-time control over many more openings,” says Piet van den Bossche, Business Development Manager at ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions EMEIA.
Business benefits from access control integration
Integration can benefit organisations in many ways, including cost control, employee convenience, energy efficiency and enhanced security. As a new whitepaper on integration explains: “One key benefit of integrating is a more streamlined operations workflow. Professionals are only required to manage and understand a single application, and software updates can be delivered directly to one platform, rather than several.” *
Almost any interior door, including wooden doors, glass doors and fire doors, can be equipped with an Aperio device and integrated with a Brivo Access system. Devices from the Aperio range available for integration include the award-winning wireless handle (H100), escutcheon (E100), cylinder (C100), security lock (L100) and an updated server rack lock (KS100).
These multiple hardware options allow Brivo users to select the most appropriate lock for the specific needs of each door.
“Brivo is proud to partner with ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions and continue to deliver valuable integrated solutions to modernize security while delivering exceptional employee and tenant experiences,” says Ingo Meijer, Regional Director of Europe at Brivo.
For convenience and continuity, site users can unlock Aperio devices using their existing standard credentials, including iCLASS, MIFARE and LEGIC options. They can also open existing and Aperio-secured doors via their Brivo Mobile Pass.
Fast installation and secure integration
Because Aperio locking devices are wireless and battery powered, they can be installed quickly, without breaking walls or disrupting everyday work at the premises. In one recent ASSA ABLOY benchmarking study, labour costs for installation were estimated to be 80% lower for wireless locks versus comparable wired locks**. For a large project, this can easily add up to large cost savings.
Aperio integration with Brivo is online, which gives facility managers control over many more doors in real time. Brivo ACS300, ACS6000, or ACS 6100 control panels connect via IP with the Aperio AH40 communications hub. Each hub connects over the air with up to 64 Aperio wireless devices, enabling live communication between the system and every Aperio-protected door or opening.
The well-known industry event is returning as a new opportunity for companies to meet and bring about positive results in 2022.
So far more than 85 booths have been reserved by the world and regional companies that confirmed their participation.
The structure of the exhibitors proves that the event has expanded beyond the borders of security into the equally important worlds of IoT, ICT, smart solutions, and other disruptive and emerging technologies. Floorplan with companies and booths is available on the link.
Also, this year’s edition of the Summit will bring a range of novelties to the conference program, making it more attractive to all our participants. In addition to this, there will be certified industry training dedicated to all corporate security managers and representatives of security agencies.
The two-day program will serve as a regional and continental hub to promote networking, the exchange of experiences and expertise, as well as the forging of new business alliances.
The specific benefits provided by the Summit include a contribution to the business performance of regional companies, supporting the entrance and expansion of global companies in the local markets, and boosting the foreign investments by international companies in the sectors we cover.
We are inviting you to keep a watchful eye on all news relevant to the coming Adria Security Summit 2022 in Zagreb, as a place at which we celebrate our industries and push them forward with smart business networking and the promotion of innovation.
Stay tuned and regularly check our website for more information. Information is readily available at www.adriasecuritysummit.com.
London – April 2022, Electronic access control (EAC) systems have become widespread, thanks to benefits like the security they provide to medium-to-high traffic buildings and their flexibility in access provision.Their advantages are familiar: more efficient management of user access, granting and revoking permissions anytime; real-time door status information; removing the security threat posed by lost mechanical keys; and many more.
The first widely deployed access systems were wired and — although they offered these benefits — many aspects needed to improve: Energy efficiency and installation costs were two prominent issues.
Wireless access control solutions address these two problems, by reducing the energy consumption of a lock and requiring few or even no alterations to the door.
Architects request energy-efficient building solutions
According to the Harvard Business Review, energy efficiency has become one of the “key levers of business success.”** As such, it is increasingly present in the design and construction of new buildings.
“Working regularly with architects, we see that the energy performance of new buildings is a growing priority for them,” says Mikel Gaztañaga, SMARTair Sales Manager at ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions. “It is essential to offer more efficient solutions that help them obtain BREEAM® or LEED certification. Systems such as ASSA ABLOY’s SMARTair for small- to medium-sized business are wireless and battery powered, so their energy consumption is lower than that of wired systems, as they work intelligently and consume energy only when necessary.”
Battery-powered wireless locks use less power than traditional wired locks, where magnets are often permanently connected to mains electricity. Wireless locks work differently. They only “wake up” when presented with a credential to make an access decision. This translates into energy savings and a carbon emission benefit, as well as potentially significant savings on energy expenditure — over 70%*, or thousands of euros over the lifetime of a typical access control installation.
Installation stage is another opportunity to reduce costs and save energy
“The installation phase could contribute even more to cost savings when architects choose wireless access technology,” adds Gaztañaga. ASSA ABLOY analysis for the same report estimated the labour-cost saving for a wireless versus wired 100-door installation at 82.5%.
In addition to being much faster than wired installation, it is less intrusive. SMARTair wireless locks require minimal drilling of the door, while wired access control requires wiring through and partially around the door. Choosing a wireless system makes it possible to improve security at an existing building via a retrofit process which does not inconvenience staff or disrupt daily work routines.
Two Spanish projects where benefits are clear
“We recently equipped new build-to-rent housing in Barcelona for BeCorp,” explains Gaztañaga. “This type of construction for rent is on the rise. In the case of BeCorp, it offers contemporary apartments with services such as a concierge, swimming pool, gyms or spaces for co-working. They needed a keyless solution to save time in key management. Another benefit with a wireless solution like SMARTair is energy efficiency. At a site with more than 3,000 openings, the savings can add up!”
Yet another potential sustainability bonus for BeCorp was the option for residents to unlock with a mobile phone via the Openow™ app. This saves money on physical card costs and reduces the housing’s ecological footprint by cutting the use of plastics.
“We are also really proud of the Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research of Córdoba (IMIBIC), a health research centre which had very demanding needs,” says Gaztañaga. “In addition to energy savings, SMARTair’s ease of installation was critical.”
“Credentials were another saving. There was no need for IMIBIC staff to change their current access card, because SMARTair is compatible with all major RFID technologies.”
Whereas BeCorp was a new construction project, at IMIBIC installation was carried out on doors already installed, while the institute had to remain fully operational. Because door devices were not wired, installation was quick, did not disrupt the workforce, and generated savings in installation costs.
To learn more about the SMARTairÒ wireless access control system, visit https://campaigns.assaabloyopeningsolutions.eu/smartair
After receiving positive feedback from the participating buyers for its effective and personalized services, Secutech has extended the business matching service to May to provide more buyers with the opportunity to connect with the industry-leading exhibitors.
This program will be the easiest and most flexible way for visitors to meet reputable Taiwanese and international suppliers for security, building, mobility, and fire & safety solutions.
a&s Adria is partnering with the event and inviting all interested parties to register and take part in this unique opportunity to establish business connections with Taiwanese brands.
Click HERE to register for the 1-on-1 online business matching >>
