Secure Connectivity Providers, CSL, have announced a new partnership with Optex bringing 4G secured connection to the Visual Monitoring solution.

The award-winning Intelligent Visual Monitoring Solution from Optex is designed as a cost-effective solution that adds video to a monitored alarm system. It consists of an IP device, The Bridge, which links sensors or panic buttons to ONVIF cameras, mapping the detection zones to the right cameras and a cloud-based gated portal which is then connected to the ARC.

To ensure The Bridge is always working it needs to be connected. The CSL Router provides secure, reliable and rapidly deployable 4G connectivity, ensuring an always-on service to guarantee The Bridge’s resilience. For all sites where it is critical to ensure continuous operation, Optex recommend their customers to have redundancy and include CSL’s award-winning solution. Optex can be used with all variants within the CSL Router range including the 4G only or 4G back-up options. Both send data via 4G, providing an instant, encrypted connection to the internet on sites where wired broadband is unavailable, impractical or slow. The 4G back-up option upgrades the existing broadband service to a private network and provides a reliable failover business solution if your wired broadband goes down. Dual SIM options are available for further redundancy and the autonomous nature of the CSL Router makes it ideal for rural installations where no wired broadband is available or installations that require a dedicated, independent connection.

Optex’s Sales Director, Ben Linklater, added: “Connectivity is fundamental for the good functioning of our Visual Monitoring solution. Security is also key, and a lot of development work went into making sure the communication between The Bridge and the Cloud is secure. Connecting The Bridge to a CSL 4G Router ensures those two critical requirements are always met – a guarantee of constant connectivity as well as an independent and encrypted connection to the internet”.

A landmark global distribution deal between Anixter and Quanika opens a one-stop-shop supply route for major integration projects, making it easier to incorporate best-in-class Axis and Milestone video tech with Quanika’s access control and visitor management software, and it allows off-the-shelf integration with a wide range of third-party systems.

According to Quanika, the global distribution deal with Anixter streamlines delivery of major integration projects across private and public sector markets. ICT and security systems integrators can now purchase Quanika software direct from Anixter to integrate a full choice of vendor technologies, ensuring efficient procurement and giving them everything they need for project delivery.

Quanika software meets the security, safety, and operational demands of small to medium businesses through to corporate enterprise, government, and multi-site applications, enabling off-the-shelf integration with a wide range of vendor technologies and systems.

The addition of Quanika software to Anixter’s global product portfolio provides compelling options for systems integrator customers to deliver end-to-end security and safety integrated solutions,” said Phil Campbell, European Sales Director at Quanika. “With Quanika Enterprise, users are no longer constrained by having only a limited number of cameras and devices. For the first time Quanika allows integrators to scale up Axis Camera Station VMS to manage larger and multiple sites from a single user interface, while using powerful Milestone Xprotect functionality for facilities and specific channels where it’s needed most.”

Quanika’s solutions have been deployed at high profile sites across Europe, and the company has a growing reputation for being able to adapt its off-the-shelf software quickly, adding new integrations to meet site-specific challenges.

Assa Abloy Entrance Systems has announced a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with LG Electronics Inc. (LG), the leading consumer Electronics Company for high-end display devices, home appliances, and multimedia goods for the development of a high-quality automatic sliding door equipped with LG’s Transparent OLED digital technology.

Under the MOU agreement, Assa Abloy Entrance Systems and LG will collaborate to provide an innovative, first-of-its-kind solution – a transparent OLED automatic sliding door. Combining LG’s industry-leading OLED display technology with Assa Abloy’s best-selling automatic sliding doors.

“It will not only provide convenient, touchless, and automated access,” says Mikael Carleson, President Pedestrian Door Solutions. “It will also present new opportunities for high-end retailers, commercial buildings, and enterprises to display advertisement, communication, and greetings to customers, visitors, or employees entering a building or area.”

The new Assa Abloy automated glass sliding doors have digital signage incorporated into the glazed door and will be able to project high definition images and videos. It will combine LG’s Transparent OLED signage (model 55EW5G) and Supersign Solution for integrated content management. By being far more transparent than similar LCD displays, the door will blend in seamlessly and naturally with its surroundings by reproducing accurate colours with exceptional brightness and high contrast. The product will also offer excellent durability and improved safety due to the robust design featuring tempered glass.

The latest report on the ANPR systems market to 2025 and including Covid-19 impact analysis, from Marketsandmarkets, predicts that the sector is expected to grow from USD 2.3 billion in 2020 to USD 3.8 billion by 2025, at a CAGR of 10.0%. The researchers suggest there are several factors driving the market, such as the deployment of ANPR systems in security and surveillance, and traffic enforcement applications, infrastructure growth in emerging economies, increasing allocation of funds by various governments for ITS, and so on.

Fixed ANPR systems account for the largest share
Based on type, the ANPR system market has been divided into fixed, mobile, and portable. Fixed ANPR systems held the highest share in 2019. The market growth can be attributed to the increasing demand for fixed ANPR systems for various applications, such as traffic management and toll collection. Mobile ANPR systems are widely used in police and law enforcement agencies to ensure proper security and surveillance.

Traffic management dominates
On the basis of applications, the market is categorised into traffic management, law enforcement, electronic toll collection, parking management, and access control. The increasing adoption of vehicles and stringent government regulations for implementing electronic toll collection systems is driving the growth of the ANPR system market.

Europe leads the way
Europe held the largest share in the ANPR system market in 2019, according to the analysts. In Europe, ANPR systems are widely used for law enforcement applications. The increasing government initiatives pertaining to the adoption of ITS and the growing population in this region are driving the need for an efficient transportation system, which, in turn, is fuelling the growth of the ANPR system market. Some of the key companies named as being actively operating in the market are Kapsch Trafficcom, Conduent, Q-Free, Siemens, and Genetec.

The boards of directors managing Allied Universal Topco and of G4S have announced that they have reached agreement on the terms of a recommended cash offer, to be made by Atlas UK Bidco Limited, a newly incorporated entity that is indirectly controlled by Allied Universal, to acquire the entire issued and to be issued share capital of G4S. The deal reportedly worth $5.1 billion combines two of the largest security companies in the world, and comes after G4S has spent months rejecting other lower offers made by Canadian company Gardaworld.

The G4S Directors of G4S are unanimously recommending that G4S shareholders should accept the offer, and according to the statement released by the company, they have irrevocably undertaken to do so in respect of their own G4S Shares, which represent approximately 0.21 per cent of the total shareholding.

The combination of Allied Universal and G4S will create a world-leading integrated security business with revenues of approximately US$18 billion, and a workforce of over 750,000 people, a strong international platform and an extensive portfolio of blue-chip clients across the public and private sectors.

Commenting on the Offer, Ashley Almanza, Chief Executive Officer of G4S said: “G4S has been transformed into a focused global leader in security services with market-leading solutions and a blue-chip customer base that is served by a dedicated and talented team of over 530,000 employees. The combination of G4S and Allied Universal creates the global leader in security with over 750,000 employees, industry leading capabilities and unrivalled market coverage. This unique and compelling combination will offer customers exceptional service and provides employees with an exciting future.”

Commenting on the Offer, Steve Jones, President and Chief Executive of Allied Universal said: “We are delighted that our offer of 245 pence per share has been recommended by the G4S Board. Our businesses know each other well, we share a similar culture and values and I am excited about what the combination of Allied Universal and G4S can deliver. G4S has an excellent service offering, an enviable global customer portfolio and it is led by a highly experienced management team. We have been impressed by the recent transformation of G4S which alongside our successful acquisition track record, underpins our confidence of ensuring a seamless integration of the two businesses. Combined, we will have over 100 years of industry experience and a more extensive global network in terms of people, customers and capabilities.”

The facial recognition market is expected to grow from USD 3.8 billion in 2020 to USD 8.5 billion by 2025, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 17.2% during the forecast period, according to the latest information from Marketsandmarkets. The researchers aniticipate that the market will experience substantial growth over the next five years due to increased investments by the government and defense sectors. Additionally, the growing surveillance industry, particularly in North America and Europe, could push companies to deploy or develop facial recognition solutions in the coming years, and a high adoption rate is also expected to be registered in the APAC region.

Since the 1960s, facial recognition technology has witnessed major changes due to rising investments in the surveillance space by enterprises globally. One of the major factors for the high growth of the facial recognition market is the rising expenditure on the technology by various government organisations. The technology has helped criminal investigations and facilitated various departments in the rapid identification of offenders. Government applications such as law enforcement, military and defence, homeland security, and state and national government together constitute approximately 60% of the facial recognition technology revenue, and this trend is expected to continue during the forecasted period. The Defense Advanced Research Products Agency (DARPA) funded the Face Recognition Technology (FERET) Evaluation from 1993-1997 to boost the advancement of facial recognition algorithms and technology. This helped in evaluating the prototypes of facial recognition systems and propelled these systems to become commercial product.

Software tool
The software tool provides quicker and easier identification and verification based on facial features, which helps in easing numerous processes, such as immigration, attendance tracking, and access control. Software tools are further divided into 2D facial recognition, 3D facial recognition, and facial analytics.

The increase in crime rate and terrorist activities are found to be driving the demand for advanced technologies, such as facial recognition. Currently, 3D facial recognition software is gaining traction with end users, as it can accurately detect and identify various facial expressions and positions. Companies such as NEC, Ayonix, Idemia, and Stereovision Imaging are offering 3D facial recognition software tools for facial recognition. It is expected that 3D facial recognition would grow with fastest growing CAGR during the forecast period

By application area, within the report, the facial recognition market has been mainly categorised into emotion recognition, attendance tracking and monitoring, access control, law enforcement, and others. Over the past decade, many major technology players have acquired companies that are operating in the facial recognition domain to add value to their own services. For instance, technology giants, such as Microsoft, Amazon, and Google, are exploring the space of facial recognition.

North America has a history of investment in facial recognition

Owing to their strong economies, the analysts expect the US and Canada to be major contributors to the growth of the facial recognition market. With technologies advancing every single day and growing economies of North America, companies in the region can afford to invest huge amounts on the adoption of these technologies. North America has a history of the use of facial recognition solutions and services. Flourishing technologies, such as smart infrastructures, smart city initiatives, the use of epassports, and evisas, are factors driving the growth of the facial recognition market.

Major vendors named by Marketsandmarkets as being active in the global facial recognition market include NEC, Aware, Ayonix, Cognitec, NVISO, Animetrics, Neurotechnology, Daon, Stereovision Imaging, Techno Brain, Innovatrics, Id3 Technologies, Thales, Idemia, Nuance Communication, Bio ID, Fulcrum Biometrics, Trueface.AI, Amazon, Facephi, Herta Security, Kairos AR, Sightcorp, and Microsoft.

Jeff Lee is the new Managing Director of Hanwha Techwin Europe. He has worked for the Hanwha Group for over 21 years and was appointed Hanwha Techwin Europe’s Sales Director in August 2019.

As the company’s Sales Director, he has been working closely with his predecessor Bob (H.Y.) Hwang, who has led the company over the last 5 years. Hwang is returning to Korea to take up another senior management position.

“Building partnerships and earning the trust of system integrators and distributors has always been fundamental to how Hanwha Techwin Europe operates. To this end, I firmly believe our company’s ongoing success can be secured by ensuring we always operate with integrity and that in addition to offering quality products and solutions, it excels in everything it does. Our existing comprehensive range of Wisenet products and solutions gives us a fantastic base from which we can together achieve great success during 2021. However, you can be 100% confident that our product roadmap and sales strategy will, in a highly competitive environment, help you achieve sales growth”, stated Lee in a message to Hanwha’s business partners.

Memoori’s 12th annual world report on the Physical Security Business estimates that the total value of physical security products at factory gate prices in 2020 was $31.7Bn, a decline of over 7% on 2019. Sales declined over all 4 quarters as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. This has ended eleven consecutive years of growth in the industry.

In June 2020, the World Bank published a baseline forecast envisioning a 5.2% contraction in global GDP in 2020. Against this backdrop, the Memoori report delivers a best estimate of the global market for physical security products going forward to 2025 based on two scenarios. At this time, Covid-19 has been having second spikes in Q3 / Q4 and several countries are experiencing rolling lockdowns. On this basis, Memoori researchers believe their 2nd scenario looks most feasible where global markets take around a year to return to some normality and mass global adoption of a vaccine is achieved within 18 months. Memoori suggests this scenario has a probability of 65%.

Counteracting these macroeconomic forces, the pandemic has also created demand for new solutions to help control the spread of the virus. Physical security products have risen to the challenge, helping to implement social distancing protocols through existing access and video systems with AI-powered analytics. Thermal cameras have also been deployed to measure people’s temperature, with demand being strong. However their usefulness has been questioned, with the World Health Organisation saying that on its own temperature screening “may not be very effective”.

Despite all this Memoori analysts are still confident of the industry’s robustness and prospects for growth over the medium to long term. Market drivers like the threat from terrorism and crime are unlikely to abate, whilst urbanisation and smart infrastructure will further drive demand for more and better security systems.

Above all the Covid-19 outbreak will force suppliers to radically rethink how they operate their business, in particular resilience to externalities. In parallel, there will be lessons to learn on having a more coordinated and resilient supply chain. The analysts find that the video surveillance business is too dependent on Chinese OEM’s and component manufacturers. With many of these factories closed for the first two months of 2020, it caused temporary supply chain issues.

As we move forward Post-Covid, Memoori concludes that vendors will need to investigate customer’s requirements thoroughly, particularly those businesses that have been severely damaged by Covid-19. It will be more difficult for these customers to find the budget to invest and therefore they have to be convinced of a return on their investment. ACaaS and VSaaS can provide a solution to this problem and there is evidence of significant accelerating growth in cloud services.

Salto Systems, a leading manufacturer of electronic access control solutions, has acquired Gantner Electronic Austria Holding GmbH. Gantner is an Austrian company specialised in access systems, electronic locking and locker systems, cashless payment, cash register and billing systems, staff time recording systems as well as ticketing and management software for leisure facilities.

In addition to Gantner, Salto has added Clay (NL) and Danalock (DK) to its portfolio in recent years, thereby strengthening its position in cloud, mobile access, and customer-centric solutions such as ticketing systems and cashless payment.

Part of what attracted Salto to Gantner was their strong commitment to research and development. “The addition of Gantner to the Salto portfolio offers a very bright future for our ability to continue to deliver the absolute best in electronic access control solutions,” said Javier Roquero, the Co-founder and CEO of Salto. “The Gantner product suite offers a variety of innovative locking solutions as well as cashless payment and ticketing systems that enrich and diversify our product offering and will enhance the end-user experience. We are thrilled to welcome Gantner to the Salto family.”

With a combined workforce of 1,200 employees in 40 countries, including more than 230 dedicated to R&D, a turnover of €260 million and over a million access points delivered each year, the combined group consolidates its position as a global leader in electronic access control.

Salto and Gantner are ready and willing to accomplish new growth projects together. The combined group will enable Salto’s customers to offer their guests and employees a hassle-free end-to-end journey (e.g. access to parking lot, main entrance, elevators, ticketing, cashless payment, lockers, office doors, canteen and leisure facilities, all with the same credentials).

The transaction was financed by a combination of capital increase, bank financing and cash. The capital increase amounts to €125 million and has been subscribed by both existing shareholders such as Alantra(SP) and new investors such as Sofina (BE), Peninsula Capital (LUX), and Florac (FR). Financial investors will hold a combined 30% stake in Salto, with the remainder retained by Salto’s founding members and managers (60%) and private investors (10%).