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Hotels Embrace New Technologies to Improve Guest Experience

To improve the guest experience, hoteliers are investing in more new, smart technologies. By using everyday items like smartphones and giving guests more power over their stay, hotel operators are able to reduce their own overhead staff costs while also freeing up staff to focus on guest needs.
Izvor: a&s International
E-mail: redakcija@asadria.com

According to a study by Oracle Hospitality and Phocuswright, nearly two-thirds of American hotel guests said it was very/extremely important for hotels to continue investing in new technology to enhance the guest experience. In fact, there has been an upsurge in demand for smart hospitality software and services, according to a report by MarketsandMarkets. Hoteliers are looking for real-time optimized guest experience management, to lure revenue generation and lower operational costs, and increase the adoption of the Internet of Things (IoT) and energy management systems.

MarketsandMarkets predicts that by 2021 the smart hospitality market will reach US$18.1 billion, up from $5.7 billion in 2016. While hotels are probably not going completely staff-less anytime soon, automating certain functions with new technologies is definitely being welcomed by both guests and hotel operators alike.

Investing in More Technology is Improving the Hotel Experience

Technology is not only making it easier and more efficient for hoteliers to manage properties, it is also improving the guest experience.

Hoteliers aim to provide guests with the best possible experience, and in today’s ultra-connected world the incorporation of more high-tech services, like mobile check-in, is one way to do that. Traditional check-in and check-out processes are built around an outdated administrative process, not the guest experience. In fact, a recent study from Cornell University revealed that guest satisfaction decreased by 50 percent with even a five-minute wait at the front desk. From the perspective of hospitality technology providers, understanding that hotels rely on their ability to meet and surpass the expectations of guests is crucial.

“Any investment or innovation in technology must come in the context of how that platform can improve the guest experience. Thus, guest-facing, self-service technology is less about ‘replacing staff with robots,’ and more about personalizing and enhancing the guest experience,” explained Nicole Dehler, VP of Product Management at StayNTouch, a Shiji Group Brand.

“To put it another way, we tend to think less in terms of ‘high-tech versus high-touch,’ but rather how high-tech platforms can enhance high-touch service.” “Modern, mobile property management systems (PMS) turn these processes on their head for the benefit of guests and staff alike,” Dehler explained. “A mobile-enabled PMS lets guests check-in from anywhere on their smartphone, or through a self-service smart kiosk in the lobby. If desired, both of these devices can automate each stage of the check-in process, from key production, to ID scanning, to payment processing.” She also added that such a system can deliver targeted, automated opportunities for room upgrades and additional amenities — complete with vibrant images and product descriptions. This allows the guest to further customize and enhance their stay. Additionally, for a modest fee, guests can also choose an early check-in or late check-out time, all from the convenience of their smartphone. Across the industry, hospitality technology providers are seeing an increase in demand for mobile solutions, such as mobile check-in, which is being driven by the desire for more mobile key functionality.

Robert Stevenson, CEO of Intelity noted, “By fully automating mobile check-in and providing guests access to mobile keys, hoteliers are able to significantly reduce front desk friction, improve guest satisfaction, reduce operational costs and streamline their guests’ experience.”

Don’t Expect Staff-Less Hotels Just Yet
Brian Shedd, VP of Global Sales and Marketing at OpenKey pointed out that modern guests like using their smartphones to control more elements of their stay experience at hotels and hotels like reducing the overhead cost of staff. However, this does not mean that hotels are getting ready to replace the human element entirely with automation. “Running a hotel is a very complex undertaking and technology can only manage a fixed number of things,” Shedd said. “I think the future will see an extended use of technology in hotels to automate repetitive tasks such as check-in, check-out, room service and requests for things like extra pillows, etc., which will free up a smaller hotel staff to handle more complex guest requests and improve the hospitality element of the stay.” The concept of “staff-less” hotels is also relatively new, so hotel operators are still testing a variety of options.

“With respect to a staff-less check-in process, the most popular seems to be the combination of mobile key and kiosk to eliminate the need for a front desk interaction,” Shedd said. In either case, using technology to eliminate, or significantly reduce, the staff headcount at the front desk allows the hotel to save on operational costs. Additionally, Shedd pointed out using a smartphone as a room key also improves guest security and eliminates plastic waste.

Hotels Go Mobile to Appeal to Modern Tech-Savvy Guests

Many guests are now looking for the mobile conveniences they are accustomed to in their daily lives, as well as more advanced mobile functions, to be at hotels.

Mobile check-in is being adopted by more and more hoteliers across the globe and hotel guests are loving it. A study by Oracle Hospitality and Phocuswright found that guests want more control over their stay, with the majority of guests interested in being able to use their smartphones to do things like request in-room items, reserve restaurants, get information about nearby activities, etc.

“Mobility should be at the top of every hotelier’s mind — whether they’re searching for a property management system (PMS), point-of-sales (POS) or payment system. Put simply, travelers want guest-facing mobile options,” said Nicole Dehler, VP of Product Management at StayNTouch, a Shiji Group Brand. Dehler explained how a mobile PMS can empower staff to better serve their guests and make their arrival feel more natural and welcoming, and less forced and transactional. “When your PMS is run on a tablet, your staff can break free from the granite front desk and meet guests wherever they are in the hotel,” she said. “Mobility lets staff view instant room status updates and communicate with staff members directly from their tablet, front desk agents can provide VIP service from anywhere in the hotel. And because mobile PMSs benefit from an intuitive and easy-to-use UI, they can foster more natural face-to-face conversations between guests and staff,” she added.

Robert Stevenson, CEO of Intelity noted that one of the main features required for staff-less hotel management is mobile functionality through mobile key and mobile check-in. “Both of these solutions streamline guests’ experience at a property and give them the ability to either expedite their check-in experience or bypass the front desk entirely, which alleviates staff workload and allows them to focus on better guest experience.” Even traditional security companies are creating mobile ways to deliver keys to guests. Steve Hu, Product Manager at Merit LILIN explained how his company is developing its cloud smart QR pass, which acts as a mobile key and is sent via email to guests from the hotel. Upon arrival, the guests can present the QR pass on their smartphone to a LILIN door station equipped with a camera that decodes the QR pass and authenticates it for entrance.

Business Travelers Want More Mobility
Whereas in the past mobile check-in options were adopted by more modern boutique hotels looking for new and innovative ways to enhance guests’ experience, now mobile check-in has been adopted by properties in all market segments, from luxury brands, to business hotels, to large-scale resorts and hotel casinos. “Luxury properties pride themselves on providing a high degree of hospitality/ human interaction, but most business travelers would rather not stand in a check-in line even if the front desk agent is pleasant and accommodating,” said Brian Shedd, VP of Global Sales and Marketing at OpenKey. He explained that airlines have trained business travelers to expect that smartphones can be used to circumvent queues, and as a result this segment now expects the same benefit at upscale and luxury hotels.

“Brands such as Hilton and Marriott have recognized this and are rolling out digital key at all properties worldwide regardless of what segment the hotel is in,” he added. Oracle’s study showed that the vast majority of business travelers believe virtual check-in and check-out, as well as keyless room entry are very/extremely important. It also found that 47 percent of business travelers believe being able to make a request/ message the concierge or room service via smartphone is very/extremely important, compared to 28 percent of leisure travelers. Additionally, 44 percent of business travelers believe smartphone apps that control room climate/lights is very/extremely important versus only 21 percent of leisure travelers.

How the Latest Technologies are Making Hotels More Efficient

The addition of smart kiosks, in-room tablets and even guest service robots are helping hotels run more efficiently by freeing up hotel staff to focus on other tasks.

A survey of more than 1,200 hoteliers conducted by Expedia found that among the top investment priorities of chain hotels is increasing the tech budget. Hoteliers hope increasing tech spending will improve productivity, repeat visits and the guest experience.

Nicole Dehler, VP of Product Management at StayNTouch, a Shiji Group Brand expects that the Internet of Things (IoT) will revolutionize hotel customer service, security and room operations. “On one level, it helps hotels automate processes and save resources,” she said. “More significantly, IoT can also usher in an era of unprecedented personal- ization, with almost every object in a hotel room adjusting to a guest’s needs, preferences and preferred devices. Once established, these preferences can form the basis of an even more robust and nuanced guest profile, which can then be used to develop hyper-targeted messaging and offers.”

She also pointed to the use of artificial intelligence (AI), saying, “The ultimate goal of emerging AI will be to allow hoteliers to act on intelligence for multifaceted guest profiles in real time. AI will be able to analyze everything from a guest’s web and purchase history, to location data and IoT device interactions, to more subtle interactions such as conver- sational patterns with chatbots. The result will be a merging of customer service and data-analytics to create guest experience which is truly seamless and hyper-personalized.”

Reducing Staff With Kiosks, Robots, Tablets
Almost all hotels are automating at least some of its operations in order to improve efficiency and reduce costs. Robert Stevenson, CEO of Intelity noted that some of the latest technologies in this space are centered around guest service robots, like those seen at the YOTEL brand of properties; AI-driven ticketing, which uses machine learning to route guest requests to the appropriate department for fulfillment; and continued guest tracking and automation for improved guest experience and service. In-room tablets are also gaining popularity to assist in automating the in-room experience for guests.

According to Dehler, this trend is especially prevalent in the boutique, casino and independent brand sectors. Hotels in competitive locations are implementing in-room tablets as a way to differentiate themselves from the competition and elevate the guest experience.

“Tablets are being used to streamline in-room dining, provide guests with an on-demand connection to staff, automate service requests, reservations and other guest requests, and give guests control over their in-room environment through IoT functionalities,” Stevenson explained. “Not only do tablets automate the in-room experience for the guest, with things like room controls or by putting entertainment and news at their fingertips, but they also relieve the staff hours that are required to process guest requests. Additionally, implementing in-room tablets reduces the maintenance and cost of printed in-room collateral (e.g., compendiums, in-room dining menus, etc.),” he added.

Hotels are also using smart kiosks to transform lobbies into a guest-centric communal space. “When you remove the front desk — and its accompanying check-in lines — you can build your lobby around coffee shops, wine bars and lounges, or around functional co-working spaces,” Dehler said.

Voice technology is also gaining traction in both guest-facing and staff-facing parts of the hotel; although, rates of adoption are not as high as other forms of automation and is very property specific. Voice technology, though, can be used to process guest requests and automati- cally route them to the correct department to be fulfilled. Voice assistants, such as Apple Siri and Amazon Alexa, as well as AI-enabled chatbots could vastly improve guest convenience by adding additional ways to order services and communicate with staff.

Challenges to Implementing New Hotel Technologies

New hotel technology doesn’t comes cheap or easy; however, the benefits for hoteliers could far outweigh the initial costs and concerns.

Implementing new hotel technology comes with its challenges. While hoteliers want to modernize and ensure guests are satisfied with their in-house experience, budget, security and interoperability with other systems are still obstacles to adoption.

Overcoming the Cost Concern
Funding for hotel technology is still often a challenge for hotel operators when wanting to implement new technology, regardless of the cost saving potential. A survey by Expedia of over 1,200 hoteliers found that chain hotels are almost twice as likely to prioritize technology investment over small independent hotels. Still, a report by Hospitality Technology found that only 54 percent of the hotels surveyed planned to increase their technology budget in 2019.

Robert Stevenson, CEO of Intelity said his company addresses the budget problem by providing a broad guest and operations platform, which helps keep costs low versus purchasing many discrete systems. Its platform also delivers on only what a particular property needs, be that improved mobility, in-room technologies or back of house improvements. “Many of these technologies drive immediate efficiency gains that pay for themselves,” he said.

Resistance to Change
Resistance to change is another hurdle that hotel management and ownership often face, according to Brian Shedd, VP of Global Sales and Marketing at OpenKey. “Many hotel general managers are slow to embrace new technology that requires re-thinking how things are done at the property. Many hotel staff are resistant to new technology that changes the way they do things, even when that includes eliminating things they really don’t like doing,” he said.

Many hotel operators face resistance from associations and unions that rely on hotel employees to pay membership dues, which happens when attempting to deploy technology that reduces staffing. “OpenKey works with hotel operators to help train staff on how mobile keyless entry can allow them to focus on aspects of their jobs that improve the guest experience while allowing technology to handle tasks that don’t require human interaction,” Shedd said.

Fighting Against Fraud and Security Concerns
Fraud is also a concern, especially when deploying self-check-in options. “Fraud can hurt a hotel’s bottom line through chargebacks, unnecessary housekeeping costs, missed bookings from actual customers, and of course the reputational damage to the hotel’s brand,” explained Nicole Dehler, VP of Product Management at StayNTouch, a Shiji Group Brand. Dehler noted that many hotel operators have a mistaken view that self-check-in increases the likelihood of fraud because an attendant isn’t physically present to verify the credit card and ID. However, modern self-check-in systems can use advanced facial recognition to scan IDs and check them against international databases for validity. “With the modern integrations of payment processors, automated check-ins are as seamless and secure as assisted ones.

Today, hoteliers can provide their guests with services that are secure and convenient, allowing guests to choose how they prefer to interact with the hotel,” she said. Guest safety and data security are also concerns for hotels adopting a more staff-less approach. According to Shedd, with the proliferation of data hacking today, hotel technology platforms should collect as little guest data as possible to deliver the required outcome. “Any guest data collected should either be deleted immediately after the stay is completed or stored in a data repository with enterprise-grade security to keep it secure.” Ensuring Systems Can Work Together Another major challenge is ensuring that the property’s tech stack is comprised of complementary systems that integrate with each other. The technology must be able to work seamlessly every time. “Glitchy hotel technology will result in guests going elsewhere out of frustration,” Shedd said. He used the Henn na Hotel in Japan as an example — the hotel famously “fired” half of its robot workforce for “sucking at their jobs.” Dehler also emphasized that hoteliers must insist on platforms with a truly open API. “Hotels require a myriad of technological systems to run success- fully, including PMS, CRS, channel manager, RMS, CRM, POS and payment integration systems (among others).

All of these platforms must interact seamlessly in order to maximize operational efficiencies, and provide a truly personalized guest experience,” she said. She added that integrated systems are better able to collect and share important guest data, leading to more robust and nuanced guest profiles, more targeted guest messaging, and ultimately a more personalized guest journey.

Integrating cyber-physical: Security in Banks without Breaking it

Cyberattacks on financial institutions are becoming more prevalent. Some media reports suggest that more malware was targeted at banks in 2019 than any other industry. Cyberattacks are also becoming diverse, ranging from simple phishing attacks to complex attempts to access credit cards and bank accounts. This is hardly news anymore though, banks, by the very nature of what they handle, make an attractive threat. But what is concerning is the increasing number of ways in which cyber and physical security threats converge. Integrated digitalized solutions for operational, as well as security purposes, are increasingly becoming a normacross industries. The downside of it all is this emerging security threat. In this article, we take a look at the new kinds of security threats that customers in the banking vertical should be aware of in 2020, how these can be mitigated with a proper framework, the role of systems integrators and how the right solutions can be used in the right ways.

What Kind of Cyber and Physical Security Threat to Expect in 2020?

In Britain, some of the largest retail banks have been forced to halt processing foreign currency orders after a cyberattack on exchange provider Travelex. In Africa, operations at several banks were affected after attack by Russian hackers.

There is no doubt that there will be more incidents taking place in the future, given the nature of the technology and how hackers continue to successfully exploit vulnerabilities. But even more, concerning is how physical security is now connected to cybersecurity. With physical security solutions becoming more and more digitalized and integrated, an attack on either of the domains could have wide-ranging repercussions.

“Financial organizations are battling a growing number of physical and digital security threats,” said James Somerville-Smith, Global Customer Marketing Leader – End-User Programs at Honeywell Commercial Security. “According to new research from Honeywell Commercial Security, which surveyed 1,000 large financial institutions across the UK and North America, physical security incidents in large financial institutions have increased across all access points, with half of respondents reporting that incidents affecting employee access systems, physical safety of staff and data centers have gone up over the last year.”

Sophisticated Attacks and Higher Loss
According to Joon Jun, President of the Global Business Division at IDIS, we are likely to see organized cybercriminals continuing to find and target any weakness they can exploit.

“With increased global political instability, we can also expect more state-sponsored cyberattacks on banks and other critical infrastructure where an attack can damage productivity and result in major disruption and financial losses,” Jun said.

On the cybersecurity front, major attacks and threats to the banking sector are focused in three areas, sensitive data exfiltration, ransomware attacks, and denial of service attacks targeting IoT devices, along with risks induced by third party vendors with weak internal cyber hygiene, according to Kevin Sheridan, Director of Financial Institution Services for Convergint.

Convergence of Attacks
Alarmingly, several attackers have taken advantage of physical security solutions that are in place. For instance, hackers gaining access to surveillance cameras at ATMs are able to access the pin codes that customers enter. Jun pointed out that theft of biometric data as hackers look to bypass multi-factor authentication (MFA). This danger was
highlighted last year when Kaspersky Lab researchers identified the selling of digital fingerprints together with
associated personal data on the dark market.

Finding Method in The Madness
To tackle these growing problems of attacks on integrated security systems and avoid security breaches of any kind, banks must plug the gaps between standalone platforms by integrating their physical and digital security systems across the entire enterprise.

“As many financial institutions are both multisite and multiregional, such as retail banks with HQs and then branches, this means striking a careful balance between global central integration control and different regions using different systems and equipment – or locally monitored systems with global remote management as a possibility,” Somerville-Smith said.

However, an even major issue is that while cyber and insider threats make for more fascinating stories, physical security can often be overlooked. Jun explains that these risks have not gone away though and include bank and ATM robbery, cash-in-transit attacks, social engineering to gain access to restricted areas, and corporate espionage.

Plus, banks should also be considering the safety of their airspace, with drones posing not only a terrorist threat to corporate enterprises but cyber threats too as they have the capability to Wi-Fi spoof and trick employees and visitors into thinking they are connecting to a trusted network in order for hackers to gain access into a bank’s corporate network as well as harness personal data including banking details.

Creating a Framework for Cyber-Physical Integration in Banks

In the UK and North America, financial institutions are shifting towards a global management system of physical security. Asurvey from Honeywell Commercial Security shows that half of the respondents (47 percent) said their company’s security is managed at a global level, with all branches under the same enterprise or integrated system, and a further third (32 percent) said they were planning to shift to a global model.

With integration playing an important role across both security measures and markets, enterprise solutions featuring remote oversight and management are going to grow in popularity.

A Holistic Approach

“The keyword is ‘integrated’,” explains Martin Koffijberg, Director, Business Development, Banking and Finance at Axis Communications. “A failure to look holistically at both physical and cybersecurity – to connect the physical with the logical – will inevitably create vulnerabilities. It is important to adopt some form of Enterprise Security Risk Management or Converged Security approach.”

Both physical and IT security should follow the same cybersecurity principles and be evaluated in the same way, Koffijberg added. The first step has to be an acknowledgment from physical security practitioners that these security devices are connected to the network and, while performing security operations, create new risks to a business that hasn’t been seen with older technologies.

Framework Components

First, thorough and continued risk assessments need to be part of every physical security manager’s playbook. Today, many banks in the West have implemented sophisticated physical identity and access management (PIAM) policies, which control not only access into buildings but into the corporate network too.

“These feature useful functions like shutting down access to networks when an employee leaves their laptop, desk or building,” Jun said. “Other functions include enforcing two-factor authentication before login and the use of analytics to flag suspicious network access or unusual activity.”

Speaking about his company’s experience in dealing with the situation, Kevin Sheridan, Director of Financial Institution Services for Convergint, said that their larger financial clients are focused on four key elements of securing their operational security systems to mitigate the risk of any potential vulnerabilities. These are:

1. Device Identification
With the volume of connected devices integrated into physical security systems at financial institutions, awareness of what devices are deployed, where they are deployed, and what their operational status has become more important than ever.

2. Device Hardening Protocols
Password management is a focal point of our most sophisticated clients. Changing default passwords, while seemingly a rather basic activity, is something that many institutions have struggled to achieve given the volume
of IoT devices deployed.

3. End-to-End Encryption
Physical security system architectures are increasingly having this level of network architecture as a requirement of physical security system design.

4. Patch Management
Keeping your systems up to date with the latest firmware patches and software updates, when combined with the aforementioned elements, reduces the attack surface significantly.

The Human Factor And AI
When designing a comprehensive security solution with a holistic approach, technology is only part of the problem to be dealt with. The other part is the people who use the technology. To mitigate physical breaches, human error, and surveillance monitoring, it’s also important to address the problem of fatigue.

“That’s where deep learning and AI solutions can transform control rooms operations for major financial institutes, including those that operate 100s or even 1000s of cameras across large and multiple sites,” Jun said “Because deep learning learns over time, it distinguishes between environmental factors versus actual threats, such as an intruder or suspicious loitering. This translates into fewer false alarms and reduces the chance of control room operators shut down alarms, resulting in a quicker, more appropriate response to incidents.”

Solutions Critical to Fighting Cyber-Physical Threats in 2020

Physical security systems and devices that are connected to the network are endpoints that can potentially introduce significant cyber risk into an organization. Physical security devices are frequently overlooked by IT departments and oftentimes, are not properly patched, updated, or managed.

“These devices are typically configured with default passwords, open ports, and protocols, and they run legacy firmware versions with known vulnerabilities,” explained Kevin Sheridan, Director of Financial Institution Services for
Convergint. “Hostile actors can exploit these vulnerabilities, allowing them to gain an initial foothold into an organization’s network. These compromised devices can then be used as a foothold within the network to pivot to other devices or systems.”

Properly hardening camera, card reader, video management, and other connected systems prior to their initial deployment, and properly managing them throughout their lifecycle, will significantly reduce the attack surface that can be exploited, thereby reducing risk.

Major Factors to Consider
According to James Somerville-Smith, Global Customer Marketing Leader – End-User Programs at Honeywell
Commercial Security, there are four key considerations to bear in mind when integrating cyber and physical security systems:

1. You must ensure that all physical hardware components are cyber secure in their own right
2. All intelligence and data must be protected behind a strong and comprehensive firewall
3. Access to sensitive areas such as data rooms needs to be protected by multilayered accreditation
4. Systems in sensitive areas are protected via local security so that personnel is not able to access systems unless they have properly badged into the restricted area. This will avoid giving system access to personnel in areas that they have got into illegally (e.g., by tailgating), with any breaches being flagged immediately to a central control room so that a response team can be sent to check the breach

Sheridan added that besides properly managing the cybersecurity of the actual physical security devices deployed at a client’s site, it is also imperative that the integrator itself has a strong internal cybersecurity program to ensure the integrator is not the vector for sensitive client data to be compromised.

From Technology to a Process
Martin Koffijberg, Director, Business Development, Banking and Finance at Axis Communications is of the opinion that the concept of cybersecurity should be looked at as a process rather than a technology. You can have the best security-related features built into technology, but if they haven’t been enabled or set up correctly your investment in this is lost and the associated risk increased.

This is no different for physical security technologies than any other IT device connected to a network. This has recently been highlighted by the UK Surveillance Camera Commission’s Secure by Design, Secure by Default certifications for manufacturers.

Balancing Costs and Efficiency
It’s not unusual for global banks to now hand over their technical physical security deployments to ICT departments. Cybersecurity risks are making convergence happen in some sectors, including banking, far more rapidly than the advent of IP surveillance did. It’s not unusual now to see surveillance decisions made by heads of IT and cybersecurity (or those people at least being major influencers on purchasing decisions) but this trend is occurring more in the west than elsewhere.

“However, these set-ups are out of the reach of many banks and are seen as too expensive to implement and maintain,” Jun said. “This is compounded by the fact cybersecurity experts in some parts of the world are hard to come by.”

Jun stressed on the importance of cost-efficiency, concluding that banks need the most cost-effective local NVR and centralized serverbased solutions available, and ones that use proprietary protocols and custom file structures which make them unfamiliar to cybercriminals and therefore very difficult to hack. Plug-and-play solutions could also play a key role, as they are easier to install compared to traditional systems.

Bank Security Challenges and the Role of Systems Integrators

There is no question on the need to come up with a comprehensive security framework that would integrate cyber and physical systems in the banking sector. Unfortunately, to implement such an effective framework, banks must overcome certain challenges.

For instance, legacy operating systems can be difficult for financial clients to justify replacing. If an access control platform, for example, isn’t investing in the cybersecurity feature set of their system, it can put clients in a tough position. A well-connected integrator with scale can help a client make sense of both the capabilities of their existing systems, as well as alternative platforms.

“In addition, there are many operating silos within financial institutions, with their own operating mandates and business objectives,” said Kevin Sheridan, Director of Financial Institution Services for Convergint. “Coordinating the cyber posture of those operating entities is absolutely essential. ATM/ITM groups, facilities, physical security
departments, and IT might have different priorities, but they all utilize physical security systems to deliver services to their internal and external stakeholders.”

In the past, many of these operating silos used a variety of integrators, both regionally and within lines of business, but in today’s environment, the most risk-aware clients are single sourcing integration services such that the security protocols are uniform across the entire enterprise.

The Human Factor
Some of the other challenges include the lack of understanding, at a high-level, concerning the risks posed by insecure IoT devices, including IP cameras. Confusion is fueled by mixed messages from vendors about “strong cybersecurity credentials” when in truth some have cameras that are far from secure- with even some devices listed on websites revealing vulnerabilities or backdoors that can be exploited.

“Security is still too often seen as a cost, and therein lies the danger – it is a mistake to just provide a budget for a surveillance upgrade without fully considering cybersecurity threats,” said Joon Jun, President of the Global Business Division at IDIS. “Equally dangerous may be avoiding decisions about upgrades or even maintenance, because strong security is not seen as a business asset. After disaster strikes, it’s too late for boards to discover that a successful cyber-attack via an IoT device, just like a physical attack, can be both disastrous and costly.”

What The Systems Integrator Can Do
Having seen the challenges, it is obvious that constant education, training, and skilling are essential. Every individual can essentially create a potential vulnerability, and a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. According to Martin Koffijberg, Director, Business Development, Banking and Finance at Axis Communications, this means that systems integrators (SI) need to work closely with the manufacturers of physical security equipment to stay abreast of both cybersecurity enhancements and potential vulnerabilities (and, critical, the action required to mitigate these).

“The way that security systems have been designed and manufactured has fundamentally changed over recent years,” Koffijberg said. “The importance of installation and commissioning security systems, combined with an understanding of how corporate networks need to be configured to protect the integrity of the device and network has changed, and human error poses the biggest risk.”

In other words, SI should prepare themselves by investing in technologies and top cyber talent on both the offensive and defensive sides, to better understand the risks that physical security devices can introduce into an organization’s network.

Kevin Sheridan, Director of Financial Institution Services for Convergint, explained that technology investments in credential management, scalable enterprise patch management, and firmware deployment platforms, as well as detection and response capabilities, are some of the tools needed to help reduce the risks often associated with
physical security devices.

“Follow a tried and true published standard; the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST)
Cybersecurity Framework,” Sheridan added. “It provides a common language that allows staff at all levels within an organization – and at all points in a supply chain – to develop a shared understanding of their cybersecurity risks. The Framework not only helps financial organizations understand their cybersecurity risks (threats, vulnerabilities, and impacts) but how to reduce these risks with customized measures.”

Thermal cameras are returning to the stage

Following the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, the market for rapid and massive temperature screening technologies, including those intended for body temperature measurements, could record enormous unplanned growth. Based on what we have seen so far, the global crisis is highly likely to change our understanding of the importance of thermal imaging systems.

Even before the outbreak of the current health and economic crisis, forecasts for thermal cameras were optimistic. The global thermal scanner market was expected to reach $ 6.7 billion by 2025, with a growth of 10.3%. These are the data from the report on the state of this market from 2019 to 2025.

Thermal Cameras in a Time of Pandemic
In parallel with the growing demand for advanced security solutions, rapid urbanization around the world is leading to stronger growth of the global thermal scanner and camera industry. Infrared thermal scanners can, for example, detect passively absorbed infrared radiation from objects. Based on their ability to be easily installed on cameras, resist interference and offer advanced detection features in all weather conditions, infrared thermal scanners are now used in military research and surveillance. Key factors driving the growth of this market include the growing demand for mass and rapid screening of body temperature of passengers at airports, large investments in the aviation and defense industries, and the increased use of thermal scanners in the automotive industry.

However, a key event that could change this market forever is the outbreak of the global coronavirus pandemic in early 2020. Advanced thermal imaging systems can detect the presence of fever caused by flu and pneumonia in a large number of people at the same time. Their main features include contactless quick inspection of the whole body, monitoring of large areas and distances, smart alarms and high accuracy of elevated temperature measurements. Thermal cameras have been on the front lines of the fight against coronavirus for months now, while drawing increased attention from both manufacturers and end users.

Mass Temperature Screening
The warehouses of the global sales giant Amazon have recently become places of strife that pitted employees against their management. At the beginning of the spread of the SARS-Cov-2 virus, the employees accused Amazon of not paying enough attention to their safety. The answer came in the form of installing thermal cameras in Amazon’s warehouses in the UK and other countries, with the aim of mass and rapid checkups of workers for coronavirus symptoms. The cameras helped detect the presence of fever by comparing a person’s body heat to ambient temperature and thus proved to be a faster solution compared to using hand-held thermometers for close contact. The application of thermal camera technology also served as a response to the claims of workers that it was almost impossible to maintain the so-called social distancing in the warehouses. Amazon has opted for the prevention in the form of thermal cameras which, in addition to facilitating their application in multiple locations, should also ensure uninterrupted business operations.

This and other similar cases have the potential to create high demand for thermal cameras across sectors, with a new challenge being the one to actually respond to the sudden increase in the number of product orders during the pandemic. Despite warnings from the World Health Organization that mass temperature measurements may entail false positives, the technology has so far proved to be very accurate and it could become a key weapon in the fight against coronavirus, except in asymptomatic patients who do not suffer from fever.

On the Front Lines
The beginnings of the application of thermal cameras in the field of biological protection are linked to the outbreak of the SARS epidemic in 2003, when users began to consider the use of these systems for rapid screening of body temperature in a large number of people. Seventeen years later, 2020 could prove crucial for Dahua Technology, one of the leading manufacturers of video surveillance solutions, which has been involved in the fight against the dangerous disease since the beginning of the coronavirus epidemic in the Chinese city of Wuhan. The application of the company’s thermal cameras for mass measurement of body temperature is not limited to the Asian continent where these solutions have already found their place in banks, stations and other public spaces. In the British city of Manchester, Dahua’s cameras are one of the most sought after products in the battle against coronavirus precisely because of their ability to offer an automatic screening of body temperature. Cameras are placed at the entrances to buildings with high circulation of people because these are the most suitable places to monitor the body temperatures of a large number of people. Finally, the cameras are not prevented from doing their job by masks or face visors worn by users. They also have the ability to recognize faces, which means that other hot objects such as heated food or drink containers will not be able to trigger false alarms. In addition to business facilities, it is expected that these cameras would find their place in schools, hospitals and law enforcement agencies because they all have a common need for rapid temperature screening in a larger number of people.

“In the previous period, the use of several different solutions, hand-held thermal cameras and others was discussed. Unfortunately, these are not reliable solutions, because, in addition to having deviations in measuring the temperature of the human body, they tend to increase the risk of cross-infection during and after the measurement itself. Also, some of the available thermal solutions without a reference body have deviations of as much as +/- 2 degrees, which is certainly not acceptable and is very dangerous in the case of medical application. Thanks to their high precision, high efficiency, strong adaptability and easy application, Dahua’s thermal solutions can be used in various types of scenarios”, says Dahua’s Sales Manager Elis Hrkalović.

Measuring Body and Equipment Temperature
COVID-19 proved to be an unwanted, yet attractive enough challenge for solutions that use the smart thermal sensors. FLIR Systems has introduced the A400 / A700 line of solutions with a smart thermal sensor, which also features streaming imaging technology. This sensor was originally intended for the cameras which are used to monitor equipment, production lines and critical infrastructure, but it will now also find its use in screening for elevated skin temperatures. These smart and adaptable systems offer precise, contactless temperature monitoring in a wide range of applications, including production process control, product development, emission monitoring, waste management, facility maintenance and environmental, health and safety (EHS) enforcement. Today, they will have an opportunity to prove themselves in keeping an eye on persons suspected to be infected with the coronavirus. For this task, these cameras should also be helped by technology that speeds up data flow and enables faster decision-making in the field, which, along with higher productivity, is a key factor in protecting people from the spread of the virus. This is why the A400 / A700 models are shipped with two configurations to meet the specific needs of users in a more flexible manner. The first one is the thermal sensor configuration, which is recommended for measuring elevated skin temperature and includes advanced measurement tools and alarms associated with edge computing to enable faster decision making.

At the same time, the image streaming configuration offers multiple serial displays of thermal images for easier control of production processes, better protection of product quality, and easier monitoring of potential failures that could jeopardize the operations of the production lines. By choosing one of these configurations, users can, in fact, design their own systems depending on the resolutions they need, and then activate the appropriate lenses and a number of optional functions that suit their individual mode of application. Jim Cannon, President and CEO of FLIR, commented on the use of thermal cameras to protect people in the era of the pandemic. “For more than 40 years, FLIR thermal imaging has provided technologies for professionals to improve not only their capabilities, but also their safety on the job. As the world works together to face the global COVID-19 pandemic, given the need for this technology, FLIR will prioritize initial deliveries of this new A-series camera to professionals using it in elevated skin temperature screening as an adjunct to other elevated body temperature screening tools to help to fight the spread of the virus,” he says.

MOBOTIX has had a thermal imaging program since 2016, and the company has so far mostly used thermal radiometry for the purpose of monitoring production processes and security, using integrated algorithms in the camera itself to help with the detection of unusual phenomena. “Recently, the market has been seeking help with detecting elevated temperatures and it is currently focusing on that. The MOBOTIX camera is an all-in-one solution, which users can easily use for any purpose. We’ve been using camera metadata for years to give our users insights into that data with the help of MFILES (Document Management Software), and the integration with AI, deep learning and video analytics software is something the market demands and is easily achievable through Konica Minolta’s portfolio,” says Vito Lalić, Business Development Manager for the Adriatic region at Konica Minolta. As the biggest advantage of their system, he stresses the fact that it is a stand-alone German-made system with integrated analytics inside the camera, and that no additional servers, recorders and equipment that increase the price for the user are needed to achieve the high-quality results.

Benefits of Thermal Cameras Will Be Sought Even After the Pandemic
At the end of the day, the use of thermal cameras to combat the coronavirus will not change their basic purpose. Their key advantage is reflected in the ability to support the installation of a smaller number of cameras within an installation and ensure saving money & time in the process, particularly compared to the use of conventional video surveillance cameras. Due to having access to larger surveillance ranges, organizations can place fewer thermal cameras along the perimeter compared to what is needed in the case of visible light cameras and achieve the same or even better coverage levels. Lower infrastructure investment saves time and resources both for end users and system integrators.

In addition, the prices of thermal cameras have dropped significantly in recent years and are now inching closer to those for standard cameras. All of this is creating more space for their wider application across all verticals. Martin Jensen, Global Product Manager for Thermal Cameras at Axis Communication, claims that the fact that thermal cameras create images solely on the basis of the heat radiated by people and objects is particularly important for these developments. This means that they can “see” a clear outline of a potential threat, no matter how poor the visibility is, and that they are equally effective in complete darkness and on a sunny day. “This is particularly useful for 24/7 monitoring in hazardous or remote areas where there may be no light at night and that are impossible to monitor physically,” says Jensen, adding that “Combined with features such as cross-line and motion detection and advanced analytics, thermal cameras consistently deliver a low rate of false alarms. In addition, as thermal cameras don’t deliver images that allow reliable personal identification, such as specific facial features, it’s a useful device in areas where surveillance is necessary but mustn’t interfere with people’s privacy (e.g. hospitals).”

Eyes of the Perimeter Security Team
Thanks to their features, thermal cameras will find their place most easily in perimeter protection. In ideal conditions, the most suitable place for the implementation of these devices is found right inside the perimeter, especially in the one that has stricter requirements for alarm triggering and detection. This means that thermal cameras can, in principle, serve as the literal “eyes” of perimeter security teams. This is especially true for tracking objects, vehicles and intruders, which is a task that thermal cameras can easily perform even in complete darkness, with strong lighting and in extreme weather conditions. “If deep learning algorithms are built into thermal cameras, they can even offer a classification of people and vehicles for more accurate target detection and more reliable perimeter protection. Another application relates to contactless temperature screening of objects. A thermal camera can help detect and visualize temperature anomalies and activate an alarm when a temperature value approaches a dangerous one. This effectively raises the possibility of sending warnings in a timely manner before, for example, a fire breaks out. It is ideal for industrial use, waste management and other applications,” says Myler Zhong, Hikvision’s General Manager for the Adriatic Region. His colleague David Montague, Senior Director EMEA, Security at FLIR Systems, shares this view. According to him, thermal cameras are breaking new ground as a key component of comprehensive security solutions for perimeter protection, especially in the segment of commercial security. The reason for this is the fact that they can offer superior image contrast in the widest range of work environments, from complete darkness to the most extreme weather conditions. In addition, they offer long-distance detection, which, depending on the lens and technology used, can go up to 20 km.

Artificial Intelligence and Analytics as Allies
Thermal cameras will also benefit greatly from advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and analytical functions that are used to support their work. Combined with analytics, for example, they can analyze a potential detected threat and automatically reject the target which was recognized but classified as harmless. In addition, they can immediately send notifications to security personnel about critical events. The application of video analytics on the camera itself, i.e. on the edge, allows the camera to operate much faster when it comes to determining the level of threat. “The image can be analyzed immediately within the camera, reducing bandwidth for data transfer as well as storage costs,” says Jensen.

His colleague Montague also stresses the role of integrated or external artificial intelligence in achieving the top-notch results with thermal cameras. Together, these technologies can offer much more than standard cameras, as thermal cameras have the lowest false alarm rate and reduce operating costs. Their visual display is simpler and does not depend on the lighting levels. This can be a key consideration for installations connected to remote alarm monitoring centers. The same is true for the users that have to deal with limited bandwidth and networking resources, as the installation of thermal cameras reduces their operating and infrastructure costs. “Thermal cameras enable AI on long distances without the need of illumination, reducing the number of cameras needed, civil works and total cost of ownership. Thermal cameras will operate on adverse climate conditions like fog and rain, providing customers a true 24/7 operational security system. Thermal cameras are the best option available for accurate and effective auto-tracking handoff from fixed cameras, enabling automatic and autonomous intruder tracking operations“, says Montague.

Hikvision representatives state that two types of solutions are currently used in the thermal camera industry for this purpose. The first type includes thermal cameras manufactured with built-in artificial intelligence and video analytics, in which the image is processed with the help of a graphics processing unit (GPU). They can help customers save on the cost of licensing third-party video analytics systems. Another approach is for device manufacturers to allow algorithm companies to integrate their video analytics solutions with their hardware to offer behavioral analysis, people counting, and other features.

Manufacturers Are Looking Ahead
In response to growing demand, Axis is offering the Q1941-E thermal network camera. The model enriches the company’s product portfolio with a special video analytics application called Perimeter Defender. The solution focuses on stability and affordability, paired with simplified calibration for the ease of use. “The camera includes Electronic Image Stabilization that delivers more clarity in the footage, and the software allows simple and remote configuration of the system. Thanks to the recently added Axis Perimeter Defender PTZ Autotracking application, it’s also possible for a fixed thermal camera running Axis Perimeter Defender analytics to automatically steer a PTZ camera to zoom-in on and follow an alarm object,” says Jensen. Last year, Hikvision also introduced thermal cameras in the economy class. This product series offers a resolution of 160×120 and is designed to offer short-range protection of perimeters and prevent fires. The company expects this solution to emerge as an affordable option for applications such as warehouses, museums, data centers and offices. Models from the DS-2TD2617 series of thermal network bullet cameras, such as the S-2TD2617-3/P, stand out in particular. “It makes thermal technology an affordable solution for small to medium businesses for the first time and helps raise more awareness about the public perception towards thermal and its advantages,” says Zhong.

FLIR also decided to make use of its rich experience in working with the military industry to offer to the commercial market the thermal technologies that have already proven themselves in this segment and passed detailed testing. The usability of this hardware is significantly complemented by the capabilities of the related technologies, which is why FLIR has focused on software, video management system, PSIM and hardware. Fixed and PTZ thermal cameras offer a wide range of available lenses and use edge computing or server analytics, with optional support for third-party analytical systems, if they are needed. FLIR wants to offer advanced and comprehensive security solutions, which is why, in addition to thermal cameras, the company offers sophisticated radar systems, drone detection systems, CCTV cameras, drones and TruWitness, a centralized security system for managing global events.

Additional Solutions
During the coronavirus crisis, thermal cameras have emerged as a tool to help assess whether someone is healthy or not and determine the exact criteria for allowing a person to gain access to spaces with many people. “The problem is that they are expensive for the regional market, which will deter many from buying them,” says Boris Popović, owner of Alarm Automatika, adding that “we must not forget about more affordable solutions in the fight against the spread of coronavirus, such as contactless IR long-range thermometers which can be used for the same purpose. They are reliable and contactless, they do not obstruct the flow of people and can signal if someone has a fever.” The company states that, after the prescribed hygiene measures of the crisis headquarters began to affect the organization of businesses, they quickly noticed that the application of numerous measures can be significantly facilitated and automated by security which also allows for better record keeping and higher level of control over the consistent implementation of the measures. Examples include the constraints on the number of persons in business premises, public and public transport areas, keeping mandatory distance between persons, shorter working hours, wearing face masks and body temperature screening. “Translated into the language of security, it is about increased surveillance of gatherings of people in excess of the allowed minimum (video surveillance), more rigorous recording and controlling of people entering indoor spaces (intercoms, access control, video surveillance) and communication without physical contact (intercoms), and we immediately started working on new ways of applying what we know very well. That is why in a short time we managed to devise a series of practically applicable solutions to be implemented during the coronavirus crisis, which our customers will continue to use in the usual way even when this crisis is finally over”, says Popović, adding that due to the wide range of offers even the so-called corona solutions are now available in several versions for applications of varying levels of risk, and the website and B2B pages of Alarm Automatika offer insights into all of them.

VIVOTEK also offers a solution that, although not based on temperature measurement, can certainly help in the fight against the spread of the epidemic. It is a 3D people counting technology based on artificial intelligence. “Our solution is mainly intended for users who have to maintain social distance indoors, so we can automatically control the entry of people. The solution has a wide range of applications and it is mainly focused on the retail and transport sectors which work with larger groups of people”, says Đorđe Baćić, Business Development Manager at VIVOTEK. The solution has many applications. The most important is social distancing, which can greatly prevent the spread of the virus, while other useful functions include relieving employers and employees of the burden of maintaining social distancing measures, where, instead of employees, the system itself controls the entry of people indoors, thus protecting employees themselves. In the end, once we return to normal times, the system will not lose its functionality, but rather continue to be used in collecting data on the fluctuation of visitors in specific spaces.

Bright Future Even After the Epidemic?
Lower prices of thermal cameras have propelled them into the spotlight for both the users and manufacturers of security equipment. Although they have been a valuable component of security systems since the earliest days of this technology, their availability has been primarily limited by cost. By removing both of these barriers and catching up with the growing interest in the use of thermal cameras to monitor biological parameters, this technology could experience a genuine revolution in terms of expanding its scope of use and simultaneously increasing users’ willingness to include them in various security installations in many verticals.

Five Key Advantages of Thermal Cameras
Thermal cameras allow users to see what their eyes cannot – invisible thermal radiation emitted by all objects, regardless of lighting levels. Some of the key advantages of these systems actually concern the security domain and it is here that thermal cameras demonstrate their strengths compared to other technological solutions intended for surveillance.

Low light conditions. When ordinary cameras are used to monitor the perimeter of a building, they often have to deal with low light conditions. This is an area in which thermal cameras can do their best because light does not affect their performance.

Visual limitations are not an obstacle. Standard cameras and even human eyes often have trouble tracking objects and terrain through natural barriers that obscure the field of view and block the reflected light. As thermal radiation passes through visual barriers, thermal cameras can “see” what is happening in the field in situations in which the ordinary cameras are generally powerless.

No camouflage. Standard cameras that monitor only visible light can be deliberately fooled in some cases. This can be achieved by visual camouflage or in situations in which similar colors or patterns blend into each other. This can make objects or people that need to be identified temporarily invisible to the camera. Thermal cameras are resistant to these tricks.

Fewer false alarms. Often, these cameras are proven to be more cost-effective in protecting business and other facilities because they help reduce the number of false alarms. This is accomplished by using advanced analytics software which can easily work with both high-contrast images and videos created by means of tracking thermal radiation.

Higher return on investment. Thermal cameras are a very affordable option for many companies and other organizations that want the best and most economically efficient solutions in the security market. The total cost of a security system with thermal cameras is generally lower than that of a single CCTV security system. Due to the superior performance of thermal cameras, the projects require a significantly lower number of surveillance cameras. In addition, the majority of ordinary cameras cannot see beyond 200 meters at night and need additional lighting, which is a new source of expenditures for the users, even without counting the installation and maintenance costs.

SMART INVENTORY MANAGEMENT HELPS RETAIL IN OPERATIONS, REDUCE SHRINK PROVE

Special Feature
Retailers today are looking for smarter, more time-efficient, more cost-effective ways of inventory management. Traditional methods of inventory management are time-consuming and prone to human error, which costs businesses time and money. By deploying smart inventory management solutions such as autonomous inventory robots, smart shelves, RFID, etc., retailers are able to reduce shrinkage and improve overall business efficiency. The average shrink rate in the retail industry in 2018 was roughly 1.4 percent, which translates to US$50.6 billion, according to the 2019 National Retail Security Survey by the National Retail Federation. The majority of survey respondents indicated that they will allocate more money to loss prevention efforts, with a majority of that going toward technology. The need for more advanced inventory management solutions in retail has driven retail technology providers to develop smarter, easy-to-use solutions. Furthermore, with new challenges facing retailers, these solutions may be the key to improving business operations and providing customers with a better in-store shopping experience.

Smart Inventory Management Provides Retailers with Real-Time Data
Utilizing smart inventory management, like autonomous inventory robots, smart shelves and RFID, is helping retailers become more operationally efficient and reduce shrinkage.

Smart inventory management is enabling retailers to make informed decisions based on real-time inventory data. Today, as the retail market shifts more toward omnichannel and cross-selling, the need
for accurate data has become more important than ever for retailers to make informed decisions. “Smart or real-time inventory is an innovative way to control cost and operations using data to minimize inefficiencies,” said Sergio Ramos Jubierre, Product Manager for Stockbot and Head of Retail at Pal Robotics. Traditional inventory management is done by hand, which Jubierre notes is only appropriate for small retailers (i.e., less than 500 square meters). However, on a bigger scale this method is costly and time consuming, as well as more prone to human error. By automating the inventory process retailers can not only save time and money, but also increase operational efficiency and reduce the dreaded retail shrink. In fact, a recent report estimates the global retail automation market will reach US$19 billion by 2023, according to MarketsandMarkets.

Autonomous Inventory Robots Provide Real-Time Data

Autonomous robots have found their way into an entire gamut of industries, including retail. Several robotics companies have developed autonomous inventory robots specifically to help retailers automate the inventory process and provide a plethora of other valuable data. Pal Robotics created Stockbot, its autonomous inventory-taking robot system for retail. Equipped with RFID and a vision camera, Stockbot provides retailers with the necessary data to make informed inventory decisions. The robot is able to autonomously move around and perform inventory while the shop is open with customers. Furthermore, it does not require any additional equipment or complicated setup. “Due to the high amount of data Stockbot is able to generate it has a positive impact on customers, employees and management,” Jubierre said. “By being able to localize products Stockbot positively influences the in-shop customer experience, and, therefore, the brand reputation as well.”

Smart Shelves Tell Businesses When to Restock

Smart shelves have been around since the early 2000s and have become an alternative emerging technology in the retail business. By utilizing various types of sensors (e.g., light, optical, weight, etc.), smart shelves not only keep track of current stock availability but can also measure customer interest and enhance the in-store shopping experience. Recently Amazon launched the Dash Smart Shelf aimed at small businesses. The shelf has a built-in scale that can be set up to automatically place orders with Amazon to restock when supplies are low; alternatively, it can send notifications to alert the business if automatic ordering is not wanted. Kroger, the US’s largest supermarket chain and world’s fifth-largest retailer, partnered with Microsoft to develop its EDGE smart shelf. The shelf is powered by Microsoft Azure and connects to IoT devices. The technology aims to enhance the grocery shopping experience by connecting to the customer’s smartphone shopping list and highlighting similar items on the shelf. It also allows Kroger to better manage its inventory and eliminate paper and tags by enabling stores to quickly change prices on digital displays.

Analytics Predict When to Reorder

Retail analytics are often integrated with a store’s point-of-sales (POS) system, analyzing data to help retailers better optimize their inventory and make pricing decisions. The National Retail Federation’s 2019 National Retail Security Survey reported that 55.6 percent of retailers surveyed have already implemented some kind of POS analytics across all its stores. “Analytics are now available closer to the retailer decision maker due to the ability to have more computing and cleverer analytics software close to the data user,” said Harley Feldman, Co-Founder and CMO of Seeonic. Feldman pointed out that more analyzed data will become available to retailers as analytics algorithms improve and computer processing power grows. He added that data capture will also continue to improve as better RFID tags are created to deal with distance, metal and liquids. Demand for RFID (radio frequency identification) is on the rise in the retail sector. This is partly a result of the growing need for real-time inventory tracking and the growth of omnichannel retailing, according to a report by Frost & Sullivan. Retailers have been using RFID for quite some time; however, as analytics have improved and the need for more data has increased, more and more retailers are adopting
RFID solutions. “Soft goods retailers are already beginning to see real benefits from RFID,” said Don Taylor, VP of Business Development at Newave Sensor Solutions. According to Taylor, some soft goods retailers are already quoting 10- to 30-percent inventory savings with RFID while keeping more goods on their shelves and improving inventory accuracy. “We have found that using real-time technology such as RFID, when compared to current inventory methods, is much more accurate,” Taylor added. “This technology provides more information to manage and track products and is far less labor intensive and more accurate.” He noted that audits in particular are highly inaccurate, being just a spot check. “The analogy is that audits are like a photo at one point in time compared to real-time smart technology that is like a video showing exactly what was happening over a specified period of time,” Taylor explained.

How RFID Can Improve Real-Time Inventory Management for Retailers Retailers are driving growth in the RFID market, using the technology for real-time inventory tracking and to improve customer experience.
Retailers are driving growth in the RFID market, using the technology for real-time inventory tracking and to improve customer experience.

Advantages of RFID in Retail

Harley Feldman, Co-Founder and CMO of Seeonic opined that using passive RFID tags is the best method for counting in-store inventory. He explained that using RFID tags gives retailers the ability to perform in-store inventory much more quickly and accurately than manual counting, while also allowing them to easily collect inventory data electronically. Data from RFID also provides retailers with the ability to use analytics to monitor store inventory, such as time-on-shelf by SKU or item, react to changes in demand more quickly, and monitor items from the time they enter the store until sold. Still, there are challenges to using RFID. For one, the technical limitations of 10 to 15 feet of read distance and difficulty with metal and liquid items can be problematic; although, future developments in RFID are expected to improve upon these issues. Then there is the issue of the item’s manufacturer needing to be the one to create and attach the RFID tags. Over the last few years, though, it has become more commonplace for manufacturers to place RFID tags on merchandise, especially in apparel, Feldman noted. The cost of an RFID solution is also a barrier — costs include readers, antennas, the tags, etc. “The tags are typically in the US$0.06 to $0.09 range and carry the SKU of the retail item along with a unique serial number for that individual item,” Feldman said. However, as the technology continues to develop and advance, and as demand continues to rise, the price for RFID is expected to decrease making costs more affordable.

RFID and Smart Shelves

To get around the issue of tagging each individual item, Newave developed a patented RFID system to track merchandise availability in real-time without tagging each item with an RFID label. This system focuses on grocery, convenience and mass merchandise retailers. Newave’s Smart Shelf system provides retailers with information on shelf item movement in seconds using the company’s patented wave RFID antenna technology. When an item leaves the shelf, Newave’s Smart Shelf sees it even when it is not tagged. Based on criteria set by the retailer for low inventory limits, the Smart Shelf software signals an alert in real time that can be sent on-site to store managers, or remotely to merchandising and loss prevention personnel as well as suppliers. It can also trigger an audio alarm message and a video capture alert within the store. “Newave’s Smart Shelf system strives to make it easy to get real-time in or out-of-stock shelf information available anytime to any authorized person or group,” explained Taylor. Such a system could greatly lower costs by providing on-shelf merchandise availability without the need for tagging the products on the shelf.

WHAT RETAILERS WANT IN A SMART INVENTORY MANAGEMENT SOLUTION
Retailers are looking for smart inventory management solutions to help reduce shrink, improve the customer experience and boost overall operational efficiency.

Today more than ever brick-and-mortar retailers need smarter, more efficient inventory management solutions. The most common methods of retail inventory management currently used are technologies and processes that have been around for several years. “Unfortunately retailers continuing to use these methods will still see out-ofstocks at a minimum of 4 to 8 percent of sales, and scanning bar codes for shelf management has proven to be very labor intensive. In many cases, retailers do not have the personnel to monitor and manage their inventories and shelf availabilities. This drives the consumer to other stores or online shopping,” explained Don Taylor, VP of Business Development at Newave Sensor Solutions To combat these issues and to keep customers coming into physical stores, retailers want to improve the in-store experience by reducing out-of-stocks, personalizing in-store ads and having store personnel focus on customer needs. Retailers are also looking for solutions capable of automated tracking of shelf inventories, faster scanning of products, ease of installation for new systems, reduction of labor costs and real-time visibility to a problem at the shelf. According to Harley Feldman, Co-Founder and CMO of Seeonic, the top issue requested by retailers is inventory accuracy by SKU currently on shelves in retail stores. “Retailers are satisfying more and more customer demand, especially ‘Buy Online and Pick Up in Store (BOPIS)’ orders, from store inventory. Therefore, the inventory accuracy is critical to satisfying customer demand accurately and quickly,” he said. Other requests such as data for time items spend on shelf and times items are removed and returned to shelf can be performed more accurately with the serialized data available from the RFID tags, Feldman added.

Easy-to-Deploy Solutions and Positive ROI

Deploying a smart inventory management solution requires time and money — two things retailers want to spend less of. To overcome those obstacles companies like Pal Robotics and Newave Sensor
Solutions have developed solutions that are easy to deploy and guarantee good ROI. “We have created a ready to deploy solution that doesn’t need any layout modifications or additional store installations,” said Sergio Ramos Jubierre, Stockbot Product Manager and Head of Retail at Pal Robotics, of its autonomous inventory-taking robot Stockbot. Pal Robotics provides clients with leasing options that could allow retailers to deploy Stockbot with no upfront cost and positively impact operational optimization and return on investment (ROI). “Stockbot generates data that can be integrated and manipulated for numerous application, such as store floor management, supply chain visibility, process automation and accuracy, omnichannel retailing, promotional activities, returns, locating items, loss prevention and cross selling. Those have a direct impact on store/brand reputation, customer satisfaction and thus on sales,” Jubierre explained. Taylor explained how the soft goods retailers that first adopted RFID into their store operations have seen a good ROI and are continuing to expand RFID use. Retailers are also beginning to move away from handheld RFID scanning and toward fixed portal readers, which allows them to better utilize store resources and improve productivity. Major mass merchandise retailers are also beginning to use RFID portals in their distribution centers to track cartons and pallets going in and out. Newave believes this will evolve into more store-level use of RFID technology. For instance, the company, along with its partner, recently completed installation of over 1,500 dock door portals for a leading international retailer. Within days the RFID solution paid back with a 25-percent improvement in productivity by day two after installation.

Overcoming Retail Challenges with Smart Inventory Management
The retail sector faces many challenges when it comes to implementing smart inventory management, ranging from cost to resistance to change.

Implementing new technologies always comes with its challenges — this is no different in the retail sector. Nowadays retailers face new challenges. Among these are dealing with growing demand and the dynamic nature of product movement. Other challenges originate from the side of operation and logistics. Sergio Ramos Jubierre, Stockbot Product Manager and Head of Retail at Pal Robotics highlighted scalability, tracking, automation and reporting as some of the biggest difficulties that need to be tackled. Additionally, speed of delivery is a problem encountered by both customers and retailers. Challenges with RFID in Retail Jubierre pointed to RFID technologies as a compelling solution for the retail industry. In addition to RFID tags, the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector has adopted barcodes. “Due to the low margin in the FMCG sector barcodes are the preferable choice for food retailers,” he said. The cost of RFID tags is most definitely a barrier to adoption for certain smart inventory management solutions, as is the cost of the technology needed to read the tags and collect the data. However, the price of RFID tags is dropping and will continue to do so with the projected growth in volume. “Metal and liquid-filled items will benefit from newer tag designs,” explained Harley Feldman, Co-Founder and CMO of Seeonic. The number of manufacturers adding RFID tags to their products will also continue to grow as more and more retailers demand the tags be added. “Since it is more efficient to add RFID up, but it provides the ability for retailers new to RFID to add the technology more easily,” Feldman said. He explained that automatically collecting RFID data is desired, but the cost to do so is still high. As a result, most retailers still use handheld RFID scanners to collect real-time inventory as they are flexible, inexpensive and readily available. Unfortunately, handheld scanners require a person to use it resulting in labor costs.

Challenges with Smart Shelves

In regard to using smart shelves for inventory management, it can be costly since the retailer may have to replace its existing shelving to incorporate new sensing devices. Don Taylor, VP of Business Development at Newave Sensor Solutions explained how in many cases Newave’s Smart Shelf can retro-fit to existing shelving to reduce the cost of installation. In fact, Newave’s Smart Shelf solution has helped retailers reduce out-of-stocks by 60 percent in the first few months after installation. To achieve accurate information on smart shelves, Taylor noted the retailer needs to already have some disciplines in place. Newave requires a product planogram, so that they can monitor and track every SKU. “Retailers need data to be able to determine if they have achieved a positive ROI on their new technology investment. Newave can provide real-time information to any authorized smart device on out-of-stocks, low inventories and missed sales to name just a few categories that will assist the retailer in formulating an ROI,” Taylor said. According to Newave, its technology will deliver a positive ROI in less than a year.

Championing New Technologies

In order for more smart inventory management solutions to be adopted, it is important that retailers are educated on the benefits of these new technologies. Oftentimes it is the lack of education on new technology, not understanding how it works, how it can benefit a business, that keeps them from adopting smart solutions. Retailers need an internal champion to drive new technologies through their stores. By providing proper training to retailers, they will have the knowledge needed to understand and push for new smart technologies.

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Critical Infrastructure Protecting Critical Infrastructure with the Latest Counter-Drone Technology

The commercialization of drones, also called unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), in recent years has not only made them more accessible to the general public, but also more readily available to those looking to wreak havoc and cause harm to critical infrastructure. This is one of the reasons counter-drone technology, also called anti-drone technology and counter unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS), is seeing significant growth.

Izvor: a&s International; E-mail: redakcija@asadria.com

Despite there being strict regulations governing drone usage (e.g., where they can and cannot be flown, how high they can be flown, etc.), the widespread availability of drone technology has made it difficult to control. To combat this problem, companies specializing in C-UAS are continuously developing more advanced technologies to ensure the safety and security of all critical infrastructure.

Critical Infrastructure Threats Boost Need for Counter-Drone Technology

The popularization of drone technology is driving the need for counter-drone or anti-drone technology to protect critical infrastructure.

Drone technology has rapidly advanced in recent years with adoption coming from a range of users including individuals, industrial and military. Unfortunately, the use of drones, also called unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and unmanned aerial systems (UAS), is not always respon- sible, even being used as weapons. As such, there is a strong growing need for counter-drone technology, also referred to as anti-drone or counter unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS). 

“There is increasing concern about the intended or unintended misuse of drones, ranging from invasion of privacy over covert delivery of drugs and weapons, to the endangerment of public figures and terrorist attacks,” said Götz Mayser, Director of C-UAS at Rohde & Schwarz. “With the prolif- eration of small rotary-wing UAS that are easily available, the age of the  UAS-threat has become a reality and defending against it will require considerable effort and resources from both industry and the military. C-UAS technologies are becoming the go-to technology for homeland security, law enforcement agencies, private security and other government entities.”  

Furthermore, the adoption of drone technology is expected to continue growing especially as use cases and capabilities of drones are further developed. “Looking forward governments must focus on technology that can assist in regulation as opposed to simply counter- or anti-drone technology.  It is important to first differentiate between the potential threats from the technology and the various types of drones that need to be monitored,” said Thorsten Chmielus, CEO of Aaronia. He added that it is also essential that end users consider the value of the drones that present threats when considering the value of the equipment used to monitor drones. 

According to Mayser, governments are currently looking to develop new defensive capabilities that draw upon autonomous decision-making mechanisms as well as networked sensing systems that are capable of detecting, tracking, identifying and defeating hostile drones over complex and varied environments. “Homeland security, law enforcement agencies, private security and other government entities will put their trust into more multi-effector solutions and countermeasure that include control  link jamming, GPS jamming, sensor blinding or disruption of electronics,” Mayser explained. 

In terms of overall growth, the global anti-drone market is expected to reach nearly US$2.3 billion by 2024, up from $499 million in 2018, at a CAGR of 28.8 percent, according to a report by MarketsandMarkets. Growth is mainly attributed to increasing terrorism and illicit activities across the world, as well as rising incidences of security breaches by unidentified drones. Furthermore, the number of C-UAS technologies being developed is an indication of the increased threat UAVs are posing to various sectors and regions around the world. 

Counter-Drone Technology Demand by Region 

From a regional perspective, Dave Preece, Chief Data Officer and VP of Marketing at Fortem Technologies noted that his company has customers in the Middle East, Europe and Asia Pacific that are all in desperate need of counter-drone technology. 

“Saudi Arabia, Japan and the U.K. are also good examples. There have been well-publicized drone events where billions of dollars have been lost due to inadequate C-UAS,” Preece added. Research from Frost & Sullivan reported North America, led by the US Department of Defense, is expected to spend substantially more than any other region on C-UAS. It added that the Middle East has shown a lot of interest in C-UAS but due to uncertainty about the technologies, is hesitant to make purchases. On the other hand, Europe has the additional ability to use systems at airports as a result of private ownership and better funding, according to the report.  

Latest in Counter-Drone Technology Helps Protect Critical Infrastructure

The latest developments in counter-drone technology are helping critical infrastructure operators fight against the threat of UAVs.

As drone technology gets more advanced, so too must counter-drone — also called anti-drone or counter unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) — technology. From the most basic level, there are a few things that every counter-drone solution must be able to do effectively. According to Dave Preece, Chief Data Officer and VP of Marketing at Fortem Technolgies, a counter-drone solution must be able to see/detect, track, classify, identify and assess all drones in the protected airspace. It must also be able to integrate with existing security systems and sensors, as well as be able to ingest third-party data sets, such as those provided by unmanned traffic management (UTM), automatic dependent surveillance — broadcast (ADS-B) and Remote ID. 

“A viable counter-drone system must be able to protect the existing security above and beyond its fence lines and map to rules of engagement and escalation of force protocols that are in place,” Preece said. On the market today there are three basic sensors available for drone detection: radar, radio frequency (RF) monitoring and optical sensors, each of which have their own set of limitations. Thorsten Chmielus, CEO of Aaronia opined that radar technology is ineffi- cient when considering drone detection due to the size of drones and limitations in the radars, such as coverage, opening angles and range. 

“The solution further becomes expensive when we consider the need for visual verification due to potential false alarms from birds, leaves falling from trees, sandstorms and more. Because of these problems radar can’t be used as a so-called main sensor,” Chmielus said. On the other hand, RF monitoring presents several benefits including greater range of detection and simulta- neous detection, verification and classification. However, for the most part these systems only offer simple direction finding, or even worse only RF monitoring of common frequency bands, which is of no use since today’s latest generation of drones can operate at any frequency band, Chmielus explained. Preece pointed out that the large majority of anti-drone technology today relies on radio frequency. 

“RF solutions are OK for clueless and careless drone operators who are using a drone’s remote control device to fly the drone. In these cases RF solutions can locate a rogue drone and then interrupt the signal by taking it over or jamming it. They can also locate the drone operator,” he said. Unfortunately, now that criminal and terrorist drone operators know they can be detected, they do not employ a remote control. 

In fact, according to Preece, criminal operators can fly most drones without detectable RF (RF-silent drones) by using easy-to-use free downloadable software. A report by Frost & Sullivan pointed to “disruptive transformations in the [C-UAS] market” in the form of artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms that can automate the detection, identi- fication, locating and tracking of drones with minimal false alarms, and directed energy weapons that can mitigate multiple drones quickly and/or simultaneously. 

To capitalize on the future of the C-UAS market, Frost & Sullivan recommends that companies develop as-a-service revenue streams with effective systems that are easily transportable; build C-UAS that can detect, locate and track drones no matter what their configuration or mission; and integrate advanced AI into C-UAS to automate as much of the process as possible.

Overcoming Obstacles for More Effective Counter-Drone Technology 

Deploying counter-drone technology at critical infrastructure doesn’t come without its obstacles; however, the latest solutions are ready meet these challenges.

Critical infrastructure requires robust counter- drone technology — also called anti-drone or counter unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) — for protection against drone threats. Although there are many challenges when deploying these technologies, counter-drone companies have developed solutions to overcome these obstacles. First, though, it is important to understand that drone technology presents a number of different challenges for traditional surveillance equipment, including, but not limited to, the size of the drone, the angle/ altitude of attack, velocity, multiple drones (swarms), the location of operator and the mode of communi- cation between the drone and the operator, according to Thorsten Chmielus, CEO of Aaronia. While end users are quick to focus on the soft or hard kill measures available for drones, Chmielus warns that these are not effective without efficient and accurate detection since these measures impact existing systems at critical infrastructure. “The focus should be on more than drones, as today most of our infrastructure is dependent on RF systems, these must be efficiently regulated and monitored,” he said. One step critical infrastructure sites can take is to digitize their airspace so they can see everything in it, offered Dave Preece, Chief Data Officer and VP of Marketing at Fortem Technologies. He also recommends working with local authorities to establish no-fly zones for drone enthusiasts.  

Companies Offer Solutions to Beat Challenges

Before counter-drone technology can be deployed effectively, it is important to define the potential threats and the value of the critical infrastructure, according to Chmielus. Aaronia offers completely modular systems, which allows the company to provide greater protection in areas deemed as critical and offer a hierarchy of sensors to ensure a fully integrated solution that is efficient and consid- erate of end-user requirements. They aim to bridge the gap between radar and RF-monitoring by offering a 3D RF solution, which can monitor the complete spectrum of RF (20 MHz to 20 GHz) in 3D and real-time. 

Chmielus pointed out that although the focus today is on “silent” drones, just because you cannot hear something does not mean it is not making some noise. By providing complete spectrum monitoring, Aaronia offers the opportunity to detect any device emitting any frequency. 

“You must consider the value of the threat and in most cases, these are homemade devices that definitely emit some frequency. Satellite communi- cation is heavily regulated and expensive, as such it is unlikely that most threats are operating completely silent. Technology has become easily accessible; it is possible to procure transmitters that can be set at any frequency for a few hundred dollars with no regulation,” Chmielus explained. 

Additionally, Aaronia’s patented 3D DF antenna provides the altitude of the drone, or any flying RF emitter (e.g., 4G phones), together with the coordi- nates of the drone at 1-degree accuracy. “This is essential as we are speaking about flying targets — without altitude it is impossible to move and focus a high zoom PTZ camera to the target,” Chmielus said. False alarms are also a big challenge for counter-drone technology. Fortem SkyDome’s ThreatAware with TrueView radar RCS and doppler, impact assessment AI, Pattern of Life algorithms and real-time EO/IR cueing help bring the false alarm issue under control. 

Another challenge for many counter- drone technologies is not being able to see all the objects in 3D space. Fortem Technologies touts a proprietary, AI-based radar on which its C-UAS solutions are built. “Fortem SkyDome uses our TrueView radar and sees all the drones in the airspace regardless if they are emitting RF or not. Every drone is detected, tracked, classified and identified as a threat or not using Fortem SkyDome’s ThreatAware engine,” Preece explained. 

Fortem’s solution conducts threat assessment of drones in the protected airspace multiple times per second. “SkyDome has deep integration with several EO/IR cameras that are cued multiple times per second to provide streaming video of the drone in question. Drones that are assessed as a high enough threat can be mitigated by the Fortem DroneHunter. DroneHunter can be launched to conduct surveillance and to provide another visual angle of the drone in question. SkyDome also integrates with existing security systems, drone remote ID, UTM and ADS-B to provide seamless and complete situational awareness and drone disambiguation.”

Hikvision launches new generation of AcuSense products

Latest deep learning algorithm boosts products’ false alarm reduction capability to 98% accuracy

Hangzhou, China – 13 February 2020 – Hikvision, the world’s leading provider of innovative security products and solutions, announces the launch of a new generation of its signature AcuSense products, with significant updates. 

“Hikvision AcuSense products were introduced in 2018, with the idea of making intelligent alarms and services available to small businesses and residential customers for the first time,” says Frank Zhang, President of International Product and Solution Center at Hikvision. “In a nutshell, AcuSense technology enables security personnel to focus on human and vehicle events rather than insignificant objects, so they can act more efficiently which helps save time and costs, while end users can get full control of their security system anytime, from anywhere.”  

Improved alarm accuracy

The latest Hikvision AcuSense devices are engineered with an upgraded deep learning algorithm, which analyzes live video streams and labels them as “human,” “vehicle,” or “other events.” Those labeled as human and vehicle will trigger alarms for security staff, while other events such as rain drops, animals, or the movement of foliage, for example, will be drastically disregarded. The result is a striking reduction in false alarms – now with an accuracy approaching 98%. In this way, security personnel can focus on genuine security issues and take action. Additionally, related videos are automatically sorted by categories for easier search.

Enhanced motion detection with human / vehicle classification

Customers familiar with Motion Detection will appreciate the capabilities of AcuSense technology as well. Taking users’ habits into full consideration, Hikvision designed AcuSense products to integrate human and vehicle classifications with motion detection. More specifically, when motion is detected, the system analyzes whether or not it is associated with a human or a vehicle, and whether an alarm should be triggered. So, when users enable the motion detection function, they can enjoy the same level of alarm accuracy afforded by Hikvision’s AcuSense technology.  

Flashing light and two-way voice conversation 

When real-time deterrence is needed, Hikvision also offers camera models with a flashing light and auditory warning. As soon as an alarm is triggered, the built-in light flashes. Simultaneously, security personnel can communicate with the person who triggered the alarm to confirm their authorization, thanks to the built-in speaker and microphone in the camera. Of note, the latest AcuSense cameras even support customized audio tracks, which can be pre-recorded to suit various environments. 

Better performance in low-light environments 

The latest AcuSense camera lenses are equipped with an aperture reaching up to F1.4. This technology allows more light to enter the lens, for optimized image brightness, and better performance in low-light environments.

Larger detection area

Compared with previous AcuSense cameras, this new generation extends target classification distances from 10, 15, or 22 meters to 20, 25, or 30 meters, depending on the model.

Customers can choose from 2 MP, 4 MP, or 4K resolutions, as well as dome, turret and bullet housings to suit their specific installation requirements. 

For more information about the latest generation of Hikvision AcuSense products, visit https://www.hikvision.com/europe/products/IP-Products/Network-Cameras/Pro-Series-EasyIP-/ 

Contact us today for your hassle-free solution! 

About Hikvision

Hikvision is a world leading provider of security products and solutions. Featuring an extensive and highly skilled R&D workforce, Hikvision manufactures a full suite of comprehensive products and solutions for a broad range of vertical markets. In addition to the security industry, Hikvision extends its reach to smart home tech, industrial automation, and automotive electronics industries to achieve its long-term vision. Hikvision products also provide powerful business intelligence for end users, which can enable more efficient operations and greater commercial success. Committed to the utmost quality and safety of its products, Hikvision encourages partners to take advantage of the many cybersecurity resources Hikvision offers, including the Hikvision Cybersecurity Centre. For more information, please visit us at www.hikvision.com. 

Press Contact

Ada Han

Tel: +86 571 87356120

Fax: +86 571 89935635

Email: hanfei@hikvision.com 

MOBOTIX sets standards for utilities, the energy industry and mining: Extremely robust, extremely sensitive, reassuringly secure

Langmeil, xx February 2020 – The new open and modular video system platform MOBOTIX 7 changes the way video surveillance and video analytics are used. With an ever increasing  portfolio of hardware, software and intelligent solutions, MOBOTIX applications are not only solutions for current requirements but also scalable for the future needs of various industries. 

One of the main areas of focus are utilities, energy and mining industries. MOBOTIX 7 is the latest addition to the MOBOTIX family  and enables deep learning and AI tool’s  in addition to the standard for which MOBOTIX is known; reliability and performance.

The MOVE models, the proven Mx6 and the new MOBOTIX 7 series cover all industry requirements, from high-quality industry standard to AI-based IoT video systems developed for innovative and future applications. MOBOTIX sets new standards in the market: Extremely robust, extremely sensitive, incredibly secure – Beyond Human Vision. 

Beyond Human Vision – reliability under the toughest conditions

With complex applications needed in utilities, mining, energy and treatment plants not to mention oil and gas , the need for powerful , reliable and sustainable solutions is more important than ever.

Whether it is due to Health and Safety , cost management, efficiency , asset recovery or just simply security MOBOTIX can deliver in any environment to any standard.

“The robust MOBOTIX video systems ‘Made in Germany’ are designed to reliably cope with the extremely demanding external influences in the energy, utility and mining sectors: they can withstand even the most extreme conditions over a long period of time. Highly sensitive optics, thermal sensors, infrared emitters and intelligent apps master the most difficult optical conditions, such as fog, haze and darkness.

“The cameras’ Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF) average service life is 80,000 hours (> 9 years),” explains Hartmut Sprave, CTO of MOBOTIX AG. “We offer exactly the right overall solutions that are tailored to the respective company in the industry.  

Prevent unauthorized access and elementary damage, optimize processes

Critical  infrastructure must be secured at all times. Intelligent MOBOTIX video systems recognize dangers before they can spread and with our early fire detection Thermographic solutions, preventative measures can be taken. 

“For MOBOTIX, a complete solution does not only mean covering today’s needs. We demand that our solutions are future-proof and offer our customers from the utilities, energy and mining industries comprehensive, robust and at the same time sensitive and cybersecure video surveillance solutions that help them to protect their systems, their employees and the environment and to meet future requirements,” emphasizes Thomas Lausten, CEO of MOBOTIX AG. 

Cyber Security “Made in Germany”

All industries and verticals have been subject to cyber attacks. This is why MOBOTIX solutions, which are as robust as they are intelligent have strict cyber security protocols which are constantly being increased to maintain the highest level of security we can offer.! MOBOTIX only uses powerful and high-quality electronic components. This principle is consistently applied right into the digital world. Cyber security is a top priority at MOBOTIX and is strictly adhered and maintained through the MOBOTIX Cactus Concept.

Even more: MOBOTIX cameras are high-performance computers with eyes and focus on data security and protection. The entire video analysis – and optionally also the recording – takes place in the camera. The self-sufficient IoT cameras transmit images – securely encrypted end-to-end to the highest standards – to the network only when relevant events occur. Transmitting less data also means fewer opportunities for cyber attacks. Edge computing eliminates the need for central video servers and recording devices. 

MOBOTIX has been certified for cyber security by the internationally renowned French testing institute CNPP (Centre National de Prévention et de Protection) as the first European manufacturer in CCTV as well as Secure by Default from the UK and also penetration tested by SYSS in Germany. 

MOBOTIX is also committed to data security in compliance with the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Both access rights and camera settings can be adjusted according to the application and sensitivity: 100 percent “Made in Germany” for the highest possible cyber security.

About MOBOTIX AG

MOBOTIX is a leading manufacturer of premium-quality intelligent IP video systems, setting standards for innovative camera technologies and decentralized security solutions with the highest level of cybersecurity. MOBOTIX was founded in 1999 and is based in Langmeil, Germany. The company conducts its own research and development, and manufactures its own products with the guarantee of excellence attached to “Made in Germany.”  Other sales offices are located in New York, Dubai, Sydney, Paris and Madrid. Customers worldwide trust in the durability and reliability of MOBOTIX hardware and software. The flexibility, built-in intelligence and unparalleled data security of the company’s solutions are valued in many industries. MOBOTIX products and solutions help customers in industries such as industrial manufacturing, retail, logistics, and healthcare. With strong international technology partnerships, the company will continue to expand its universal platform and develop new applications in the future.

For more information, please contact:

Svenja Meisenheimer

Regional Marketing Manager Europe South/West & MEAPAC

Mail: Svenja.meisenheimer@mobotix.com

 

Phone: +49 6302 9816 116

A game-changing concept in installation and wireless remote commissioning – saving time by up to 75 percent

New FLEXIDOME IP starlight 8000i fixed dome cameras from Bosch deliver clear advantages for users and installers

Businesses today demand far more detail than ever before. Higher resolutions, higher frame rates, better light sensitivity and excellent dynamic range, all matter when it comes to capturing images that can distinguish individuals or objects for irrefutable evidence. The new FLEXIDOME IP starlight 8000i fixed dome cameras easily deliver all the quality you need to meet these demands.
In challenging lighting conditions the new FLEXIDOME IP starlight 8000i cameras offer Bosch’s starlight technology, together with HD 1080p, 6 megapixel, or 4K ultra HD resolution to provide crisp and highly detailed images even in low-light situations. Exceptional image quality, combined with the latest bitrate management techniques and data security measures, means this new camera family delivers excellence in video security, data management and data security.

However, their hidden potential is the built-in state-of-the-art video analytics. It helps to increase the accuracy of the security solution even further by intelligently distinguishing between genuine security events and known false triggers. So users are alerted only when necessary. But far more importantly, built-in Intelligent Video Analytics helps to interpret the captured video data, enabling businesses to use it for much more than security alone. All FLEXIDOME IP starlight 8000i cameras feature Intelligent Video Analytics as standard.

Intelligent Video Analytics is specifically designed for the most demanding environments, delivering the highest levels of accuracy for mission-critical applications such as perimeter protection of airports, critical infrastructures, government buildings, border patrol and traffic monitoring Intelligent Video Analytics is extremely resistant against false triggers caused by challenging environments such as snow, wind (moving trees), rain, hail, and water reflections, and therefore ideal for providing automatic object detection over large distances.

With Bosch’s new generation of FLEXIDOME IP starlight 8000i fixed dome cameras, users can rely on improved levels of security thanks to the highest levels of accuracy. What’s more, with built-in video analytics, customers can make smarter business decisions by reusing their video data for applications beyond conventional security. The ability to interpret video data at the source can also help to identify patterns. For example, in airport traffic, identifying ‘hot spots’ in the airport’s shopping area that can subsequently be used to position high margin products to increase sales, or to improve the experience of travelers by identifying possible ‘road blocks’ to optimize flow through the terminal buildings.

The cameras’ design, water resistance (IP66), vandal resistance (IK10+) and operating temperature range of -50 to +60 degrees Celsius make them ideal for challenging indoor and outdoor applications. Added support comes from the high quality, dual layer coating of the camera which provides protection against corrosion. Depending on the application, the new FLEXIDOME IP starlight 8000i cameras can provide round-the-clock clarity and detail regardless of lighting conditions, time-of-day or object movement. The FLEXIDOME IP starlight 8000i camera with 4K ultra HD resolution offers a solution that can cover large areas or identify objects at long distances. When maximum low-light performance is needed, the new camera family offers starlight technology in all three resolution options to capture highly detailed color images in scenes with minimum ambient light. Fast-moving objects are easily captured with frame rates of up to 60 frames per second, and objects are captured perfectly in both dark and bright spots in the scene thanks to a High Dynamic Range of up to 134 dB.

Game-changing installation Installing a professional IP video surveillance camera has never been so easy. Using Bosch’s new Project Assistant app, you can pan, tilt, roll and zoom (PTRZ) to point the camera to the required field of view – without ever having to touch the camera or lens. Wireless or remote configuration and commissioning can also be done at a later stage once all cameras have been installed. Simply connect the Project Assistant app that can be installed on desktop, tablet and smartphone devices wirelessly to the camera. It’s completely free to download from various App stores and works on Apple, Windows and Google (Android) platforms. Or connect remotely via the network using the camera’s web interface or the Bosch Configuration Manager. All FLEXIDOME IP starlight 8000i cameras offer a unique installation concept consisting of three simple steps. First, install the mounting bracket. Second, mount the connection box to make the cabling connections. Finally, attach the camera module. This ensures fast and easy installation without the risk of dirt and dust ingress since the camera module remains sealed throughout the complete process, and the ‘bubble’ no longer needs to be detached because all lens positioning adjustments are motorized. What’s more, by using the integrated wireless or remote configuration and commissioning functionality, installation is even more simplified.

The new FLEXIDOME IP starlight 8000i range delivers a game-changing concept for installation, as well as remote configuration and commissioning. It introduces the next step in built-in video analytics by offering machine learning capabilities to train the cameras to further improve security and offer new business opportunities. All combined with the image and quality that is expected from Bosch. The FLEXIDOME IP starlight 8000i cameras deliver clear advantages for users and installers.

ISE departs from Amsterdam in style: Exhibition delivers against a uniquely challenging backdrop

AMSTERDAM, 21 FEBRUARY 2020: ISE 2020 completed its 15-year stay at RAI Amsterdam on Friday 14 February 2020. The special ¡Hola Barcelona! event held on the final day brought down the curtain on ISE’s residence at Amsterdam’s leading exhibition centre. Politicians and executives saluted the RAI venue and the City of Amsterdam while looking ahead to the future with the show’s move to the Fira de Barcelona next year.

Against a backdrop of the international health crisis and a storm sweeping across Europe, ISE 2020 delivered a vibrant exhibition floor and a compelling programme of content that included conferences, keynotes and training. The four-day show ended an exciting chapter in the exhibition’s history.

Mike Blackman, Managing Director of Integrated Systems Events, commented: “This year’s show demonstrated to us just how determined our attendees were to come to ISE. Many of our exhibitors exceeded their targets for customer engagement and lead generation. The show has delivered on all fronts: as the global industry’s biggest annual forum, as a launchpad for new solutions, as a place to do business, and as a source of professional development and education.”

While attendance was understandably down against the previous year, crowds still flocked to the event. Daily attendance figures, which include exhibitors and attendees, were as follows:

  • Monday 10 February (build-up, conferences and Opening Address): 11,112
  • Tuesday 11 February (first day of exhibition): 27,592
  • Wednesday 12 February: 34,004
  • Thursday 13 February: 28,678
  • Friday 14 February: 15,213

 

This makes a cumulative total of 116,599 visits to ISE 2020. Removing repeat visits by individuals on subsequent days gives a total of 52,128 unique attendees.

Thought leadership and expert opinion were to be found across many channels at ISE 2020, ensuring that delegates had an abundance of opportunities to ‘Learn. Discover. Be Inspired’.

In the Opening Address, former Disney executive Duncan Wardle gave an engaging and thought-provoking demonstration of how to unleash the creativity within all of us.

Fourteen conferences in two venues addressed business strategies and technology trends across the broadest range of vertical markets ever served by an ISE professional development programme. This well-received line-up included the launch of the Control Rooms Summit, and the creation of the Smart Workplace Track as an offshoot of the Smart Building Conference.

On the Main Stage, jointly organised by ISE, AVIXA, CEDIA and AV Magazine, expert speakers offered thought leadership on a wide range of topics. Attracting a diverse and talented workforce within the AV industry was the focus of a number of these sessions. AVIXA’s Diversity Council Forum featured a keynote speech from BBC Creative Diversity Director June Sarpong, and in a session organised jointly with WAVE (Women in AV), the AVIXA Women’s Council was addressed by the Hon. Àngels Chacón, Minister for Business and Knowledge in the Catalonian Government. And on Friday, a panel session jointly produced by all four content partners discussed practical measures for recruiting new talent to the industry.

The largest AV Career Day ever held at ISE was an outstanding success. Over 170 students and faculty from 12 different universities across five countries took part in the event, organised by AVIXA and CEDIA. Presentations, discussions and show floor visits gave participants a real flavour of the wide variety of career paths that the industry has to offer.

AVIXA reported excellent take-up for its FlashTrack sessions, which offered 20-minute presentations on key topics across User Experience, Design, AV-IT and Emerging Trends. The association also launched its Digital Art Challenge at ISE 2020, in which digital content creators are invited to submit one-minute videos to be considered for a special big-screen showcase at ISE 2021.

Dave Labuskes, CTS, CAE, RCDD, Chief Executive Officer of AVIXA, commented: “Having now had a few days to reflect on our last ISE in Amsterdam, I am struck by the sheer determination and enthusiasm our AV industry friends and colleagues showed last week. In the face of significant challenges, thousands of people still made the trip to the show, attended conferences and took part in the networking events, awards and parties, and engagement across the show floor was meaningful and important. For our part, the AVIXA Conferences, Flash Tracks and Main Stage programme were all very well attended. This year we were gratified to have grown our participation in the AV Career Day. We also launched our new and exciting Digital Art Challenge – a year-long contest to celebrate those artists and creative teams helping to change the way people experience the world.

“And of course, we held the inspiring ¡Hola Barcelona! event on Friday – a chance to thank our great hosts for the last 14 years, the team at the RAI and the city of Amsterdam.  We very much look forward now to ISE 2021 in Barcelona.”

CEDIA reported its most successful professional development programme to date, with an increase in uptake of over 50% on last year. The association’s inaugural Design & Build Conference was well attended and received excellent feedback from its audience of architects, interior designers and other design and build professionals. On the association’s stand, membership enquiries exceeded targets, and the twice-daily CEDIA Talks proved very popular.

Tabatha O’Connor, CEO of CEDIA, commented: “ISE 2020 has been our best ever show. Our Professional Development programme proved to be the most popular yet with registrations at an all-time high. As part of that programme, we ran our first, dedicated conference for architects and interior designers which was a phenomenal success. The CEDIA programme for the ISE Main Stage was well supported as were the CEDIA Talks hosted on our booth. We were also delighted to be part of AV Career Day, welcoming a CEDIA party from Liverpool University. We signed up a record number of new members and enjoyed a great evening with our community at the CEDIA Party, held in the spectacular surroundings of the Johan Cruijff Arena, home of AFC Ajax. CEDIA thanks the city of Amsterdam, and the RAI, for its hospitality over many years, and for an exceptional finale in 2020. We can’t wait for ISE 2021 in Barcelona!”

The considerable efforts expended by its exhibitors in creating attractive and effective stands were celebrated in ISE’s fourth annual Stand Design Awards. Independently run by EXHIBITOR magazine and judged by a third-party panel of exhibition industry experts, the competition determined the best stands against seven criteria across four size-based categories from small (up to 49sqm) to XL (400sqm and above). The respective winners in these categories were Rocketsign, Lindy, BenQ Europe and NEC Display Solutions.

Outside the RAI, a spectacular projection mapping installation on the upper floors of the complex’s Elicium building – created by ISE and the RAI in conjunction with seven Technology Partners – presented an unmissable demonstration of AV technologies for ISE attendees and for local passers-by.

In preparation for ISE 2021 in Barcelona, over 80 Spanish professionals from a broad cross-section of vertical markets were invited to ISE 2020 as part of the event’s Special Interest Group programme. Supported by ACCIO, ICEX and Grupo Eventoplus they took part in a special programme of tours, presentations and networking functions, culminating in the ¡Hola Barcelona! event.

During ISE 2020, over 950 exhibitors booked their stands for ISE 2021, with 61,968 square metres of stand space sold by the close of the show. This equates to 82% of the available ISE 2021 show floor, and approximately 115% of this year’s exhibition floor space. Reflecting the increasing number of vertical markets that ISE serves, additional Technology Zones for next year include Live Events and Lighting, Broadcast, and VR/AR/XR.

The content programme at ISE 2021 will be augmented by three new strands produced by TNW (The Next Web), focusing on technology and its impact on society: Growth Quarters, Startup City Summit and The Assembly. This co-operation between ISE and TNW was announced on the first day of ISE 2020.

ISE 2021 will take place at the Gran Via – Fira de Barcelona on 2-5 February 2021.

 

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a&s Adria – professional security magazine for providing total security solutions is a monthly circulating publication and a licenced representative of Messe Frankfurt New Era Business Media for Adriatic region, which consists of following countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro, FYR Macedonia, Slovenia and Serbia.