Parks Associates’ new study, Smart Properties: The Value of IoT for MDUs, a survey of 300 MDU (multidwelling unit) property managers and owners, finds many multifamily residents and staff now expect their property to have an electronic access control system.

Of those owners/managers planning to deploy, upgrade, or replace an access control system in the next five years, according to Parks’ survey, 62% plan to do so to meet the expectations of their residents and staff. While improving operational efficiency is a key goal for multifamily properties, properties see a strong value in access control solutions’ core mission of enhancing community safety and security, both in terms of meeting resident demand and in preventing adverse events.

The report, “Smart Properties: The Value of IoT for MDUs”, compares top value propositions for smart apartment and IoT platforms and devices and quantifies the return on investment through operational efficiencies, increased rental rates, and decreased resident turnover.

“Companies’ major drivers for deploying access control are safety-related, both enhancing safety and security in the community as well as promoting the perception of safety among residents and staff,” said Kristen Hanich, Research Director, Parks Associates. “Providing staff access to residential units is another key driver and a core component of how these systems’ effectiveness is measured.”

The study also notes that MDU owners and operators are keenly interested in deploying tested IoT systems, with nearly 90% reporting plans on deploying, upgrading, or replacing tested smart building solutions in the next 12 months. Along with electronic access control systems, property video surveillance, smart thermostats, and smart irrigation controls lead in terms of imminent interest and demand.

“Several years of high interest rates led to a lull in new construction, with new technology adoption becoming increasingly prominent in retrofits,” Hanich said. “With historic amounts of new inventory hitting the market across both 2024 and 2025, existing properties will need to look towards new amenities for residents or be prepared to cut their prices to compete.”

Prosero has apppointed Jussi Virtanen as new Country Manager in Finland, thereby taking an important step for the group’s continued development and expansion in the Finnish market.

After starting its Finnish operations in 2020, Prosero has expanded to include 17 branches, with a local presence in over 30 locations and more than 450 employees.

The organisation in Finland has been led by Patrik Andersson and Jyri Aho, who have also served as managers for two of the group’s larger branches: Arvolukko Oy and Avain Asema Oy. Now Prosero will strengthen its team with Jussi Virtanen as Country Manager for Finland.

Jussi has substantial experience of leadership and business development in companies with a strong focus on development and growth. With his extensive knowledge of the security market, Jussi will be a great addition to Prosero, and together with the Finnish organisation, he will play a central role in Prosero’s growth journey.

Patrik Andersson and Jyri Aho will continue as regional managers and branch managers for Arvolukko Oy and Avain Asema Oy. Patrik, who has been on the team since Prosero’s debut on the Finnish market, looks forward to working with Jussi.

“It’s been a fantastic journey, leading Prosero into Finland together with Jyri, and seeing how the group has developed and expanded,” says Patrik Andersson. “Now, we’re strengthening our team even more, to take the next steps in our development, and I look forward to continuing as a Regional Manager in Prosero and Branch Manager for Arvolukko. Together, we’ll keep leading and developing the group to reach the next level.”

“I’m so happy to be joining the Prosero team,” says Jussi Virtanen. “Prosero’s development in Finland has been most impressive, and I’m convinced that my experience from the security industry and previous work with development-orientated companies will contribute to continued successes. Together, as a strong organisation, we can develop our branches and bolster their position as valued leaders in their local markets, while we also increase our cooperation with customers throughout Finland.”

“With Jussi as Country Manager, we’re gaining a strong, experienced leader with excellent knowledge of the security market,” notes Anders Uddfors, CEO of Prosero Security Group. “Most important, however, is Jussi’s proven leadership capability. We think is a perfect fit for Prosero’s decentralised model, which combines local presence and short decision paths with customers and employees with the competence, stability, and developmental muscle of a large group,” Uddfors adds.

BCD, a leader in purpose-built video recording and storage solutions, is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Founded in November 1999, BCD began as an IT-centric reseller building computer and server solutions for Fortune 500 companies. After discovering there was a need for more than just financial data servers in 2008, BCD made the shift from IT to IP and entered the security industry.

Over the past 25 years, the company has grown into a trusted partner for security integrators across the world and now has a footprint spanning over 235,000 recording appliances, storing data for over 4 million cameras in more than 97 countries. As a leading OEM partner of Dell Technologies, BCD is proud to work alongside industry-leading innovators like Dell, Intel, NVIDIA, Alcatel-Lucent Enterprises and many more.

“Reaching this milestone is a testament to the dedication of our talented team, the trust of our customers, and the support of our partners,” said Jim Gross, CEO of BCD. “We’re proud of the impact we’ve made and excited for what the future holds as we continue to push the boundaries of innovation.”

As BCD looks to the future, the company remains dedicated to the core values it was founded on – proactive response, white-glove service, and passion to deliver trusted solutions. With the intent to expand their purpose-built solutions outside of video data storage for the security industry, BCD remains excited that the next 25 years will see more growth and innovation than the last.

Dallmeier is expanding its product portfolio with the Picoline. With this new entry-level camera, Dallmeier offers a compact and cost-effective solution for applications that require day and night recording with the highest resolution (IR mode). Whether for use in an environment with difficult lighting conditions or where space is limited, the Picoline promises high-quality results.

The Picoline combines high image quality with up to five MP resolution, a wide range of cyber security features and AI analytics in a compact surface mount housing. The small form factor enables installation in confined spaces on ceilings or walls and is powered via PoE. As an all-rounder, the entry-level camera is designed for a wide range of applications.

Domera operating system

Security is a top priority for the Picoline series. Thanks to the closed Linux operating system Domera OS, users benefit from extensive security functions. Regular external penetration tests, monitoring and maintenance ensure that the software components are always up to date with the latest security standards.

Security updates throughout the entire life cycle

In addition to functional updates for at least five years with the option to extend, Dallmeier provides security updates for relevant CVE vulnerabilities that have become known (subject to technical feasibility) for the entire duration of the software maintenance.

Efficient surveillance with AI Edgeanalytics

With the optional “Basic AI Object Classification”, the Picoline can detect and classify objects such as people or vehicles – regardless of movements in the background. AI Edgeanalytics applications, such as “Loitering Detection”, “Intrusion Detection” and “People Counting”, allow users to analyse and evaluate the events that are relevant to them.

Analysis via any ONVIF-compliant VMS and control of IoT devices

The camera series is ONVIF compatible, so users can easily integrate it with Dallmeier client software and other ONVIF compatible VMS systems. Event messages can be sent by email or used to control IoT devices via MQTT and HTTPS.

High image quality even in challenging lighting conditions

The cameras are equipped with a High Dynamic Range (HDR) function to optimise the capture of high-contrast scenes with very bright and very dark areas. Each frame is captured with two special settings that are combined in real time to produce a balanced result. The resulting video stream offers significantly more detail in both light and dark areas and is optically very similar to how the human eye perceives them.

Optional Edge recording

It is possible to record two video streams with different settings at the same time with Edgerecording on an integrated SD card of up to 1Tb. Triggered by an Edgeanalytics event, recording allows critical moments to be captured with adjustable lead and lag times. In addition, the video stream can be transferred to a recording system for permanent backup.

I-Pro has added 19 new models to its Aero PTZ camera line featuring enhanced durability and edge AI processing. Built for extreme weather and environmental conditions, the new, heavy-duty Aero PTZ cameras support up to 4K resolution and feature AI-driven analytics.

“The combination of extreme weather resistance and advanced AI-based analytics, like advanced auto-tracking to ensure clear visibility and accurate data in any environment, sets this PTZ apart,” said Gerard Figols, Chief Product Officer at I-Pro. “The Aero PTZ line now incorporates edge computing technology, aligning with our goal of bringing the advantages of AI everywhere. This makes it the most robust model on the market in terms of reliability and analytic power, capable of proactively securing mission-critical environments under the most extreme conditions such as hurricanes and cyclones.”

With a zoom range of up to 40x, the shock-resistant, water-proof Aero PTZ cameras are IK10, MIL-STD-167-1A, and IP66/68 rated for uninterrupted video protection during extreme weather conditions. They are also resistant to heavy salt corrosion (C5-M). The camera can operate reliably and clearly in temperatures from -50 to 65°C (-58 to149°F) with I-Pro’s newly developed transparent glass heater. As extreme weather phenomena become more common, I-Pro is developing products to meet the challenge. The Aero PTZ includes a robust pan and tilt motor mechanism that ensures accurate movement in winds up to 270km/h (168 mph), exceeding the Saffir-Simpson wind speed rating for category five cyclones and hurricanes.

The Aero PTZ is equipped with AI-based auto-tracking to keep persons and vehicles in focus, even in complete darkness, up to 560 metres (1,837 feet) with IR illumination. “The Aero PTZ features the longest nighttime IR illumination among PTZs in the industry. In addition to IR, white-light illumination can be turned on to deter intruders and preserve colour information when required,” adds Figols.

I-Pro’s open AI development platform allows multiple AI applications to be installed as needed for the operational environment, including third-party apps. With up to three simultaneous AI apps on the 4K model and up to two simultaneous AI apps on the 2MP models, a wide range of customised solutions are available. For example, when installed at a shipping port, a salt-resistant Aero PTZ could run the latest Vaxtor OCR application to read shipping container numbers as they pass through the port. At the same time, fire and smoke could be detected using a Noema detection app.

For maximum cyber security resilience, the cameras incorporate signed firmware, brute-force protection, and FIPS 140-2 level 3 compliance with a secure element chip to safeguard against cyber threats.

Easy and flexible installation options

The Aero PTZ is designed for hassle-free setup.

• It features easy kitting, cable connectors, and a newly developed mount bracket that supports one-person installation. Flexible power options support 100-240V AC or 24V AC/DC power for virtually any installation environment.
• Multiple resolutions and illuminators (IR light, white light) plus a range of body colors are also available to meet diverse operational needs.
• Support for additional industry standards includes NEMA TS2 (Traffic), MIL STD-810-G (US DoD), IEC 62236-4, and EN 50121-4 (Railway)