Flir Systems, Inc. has named Daniel Gundlach as Vice President (VP) and General Manager (GM) of the Security division within Flir’s Commercial Business Unit. Gundlach will lead all facets of the security business, including strategy development, product innovation, sales and marketing, and operations.

Gundlach joins Flir from Apollo, a United Kingdom-based fire detection company, where he served as VP of Sales and Marketing. Prior to Apollo, he spent nearly 20 years at Bosch, including seven years as the VP of Marketing and Business Development for their Security and Safety Systems business. He served in numerous roles during his tenure at Bosch Security and Safety in both the United States and Europe, including VP of Marketing, VP of Business Development, and Chief of Staff to the President and CEO of Bosch Americas.

“Our security business is vital to Flir’s mission to save lives and livelihoods, and I’m excited for Daniel’s contributions to that aspiration,” said Travis Merrill, President of the Commercial Business Unit at Flir. “Daniel brings to Flir deep security industry expertise as well as impressive sales, marketing, and operational leadership experience. I look forward to working closely with Daniel on applying his experience and skills for the benefit of Flir’s customers and partners.”

Gundlach has a Master of Science degree in Physics from the University of Hannover, Germany and a Bachelor of Science in Physics from the University of Rostock, Germany.

Securitas has acquired all shares in the electronic security company Allcooper Group in the United Kingdom. Enterprise value is estimated to approximately MSEK 73 (MGBP 6).

Allcooper Group, founded in 1987, specializes in the installation, maintenance and monitoring of a wide range of security and fire systems. It operates from bases in Gloucestershire, the West Midlands and London with around 100 employees and annual sales of approximately MSEK 88 (MGBP 7). Allcooper’s expertise in electronic security and its portfolio of long-term customers will provide excellent support in Securitas’ pursuit of its strategic objectives.

“The Allcooper Group has been a valued trading partner of Securitas UK for several years and this acquisition further strengthens our portfolio, as we continue to build our electronic security services as part of our Vision 2020 strategy.” explains Brian Riis Nielsen, Country President, Securitas UK.

Customers of IndigoVision will now be able to access advanced facial recognition technology following the announcement of a new partnership with AnyVision.

The new partnership will see AnyVision’s renowned Better Tomorrow software being integrated with IndigoVision’s Control Center, its innovative Security Management Solution.

Trusted by customers around the world for over 25 years, IndigoVision is committed to keeping customers at the forefront of security innovations and the new integration with Tel Aviv-based AnyVision is a powerful new addition to its portfolio of cutting edge solutions.

The new integration will see data records from AnyVision’s facial recognition functionality being seamlessly sent into Control Center, enabling the fast and accurate identification of missing or wanted persons, even in large crowds.

Pedro Simoes, Chief Executive of IndigoVision, said: “Our goal is to help our customers utilise and enjoy the benefits of the very latest security innovations and so we’re delighted to be working with AnyVision which is at the forefront of self-learning AI-based person recognition software.

“Ideal for government, police, casino and airport sites, their facial recognition software overcomes challenges around poor light conditions and different angles of view to deliver incredible accuracy and detection rates for our customers.”

“IndigoVision and AnyVision share a partnership built on true innovation in the security sector,” said Eylon Etshtein, CEO of AnyVision. “We value both their position and reputation in the marketplace and look forward to creating solutions that will bring about a better tomorrow.”

Partizan has implemented another good project in UAE, Dubai, which is approved by Dubai police and local consultants. Partizan’s local customer, one of the biggest system integrators in the area, had installed 50+ cameras to the new residential building in Al Barsha, straight after Mall of the Emirates.

Partizan True WDR cameras have a very high sensitivity and great wide dynamic range in small body size with minimum weight. It is makes these cameras ideal for indoor installation in different lighting and placement conditions.
2 MP AHD cameras by Partizan is an excellent Full HD dome cameras for indoor video surveillance. The 1/2.8″ Full HD Sony Ultra sensor gives you a clear image and high detailing of the video during the day and high quality of the picture at a distance of up to 20 meters at night.

When you are buying Partizan, you are buying peace of mind with best in class support without brakes, 3 years warranty for all models, and many more bonuses, which will make your life and business safer.

A safe is usually a purchase for life. But how secure are certified safes? And are the burglary tests carried out by specialised laboratories at all comparable in view of the large number of different types of safe constructions and multitude of interpretation possibilities that can arise when reading a Standard?

In the independent SECOTA (Security, Equivalent, Certification, Organization, Testing and Auditing) project, laboratories, testing and certification bodies and other representatives from the physical security and insurance industry are working together to clarify these issues. The aim is to increase transparency for customers and insurers in a confusing market.

Comparison tests start

After extensive preparations, the comparison tests will now begin. In March and April 2019, test institutes from six countries will be using angle grinders, oxy acetylene torches and other typical burglar tools to test a total of 126 specimens produced specifically for the tests. Each laboratory will carry out 35 tests with various tools under the independent supervision of SECOTA.

“The tests are designed in such a way that a certain basic knowledge of safe barrier materials and the handling of burglary tools is required,” explains project manager Falko Adomat, who is one of the initiators of SECOTA as Deputy Managing Director of the European Security Systems Association (ESSA) e.V. Identical sets, each with 16 test specimens, had been produced in advance for the institutes. These cover the entire range of barrier materials, from simple sheets of metal to sandwich constructions and high-strength armouring.

Open to all testing laboratories

“This is the largest independent comparison test to date in accordance with EN 1143-1,” reports Adomat. Each laboratory starts with the same requirements and will perform the same test as all others. “In addition, we have determined from the start that every laboratory is welcome – regardless of association affiliations, links to certification bodies, size or geographical origin,” he clarifies. In addition to the six participating bodies, other testing laboratories have already expressed their interest.

In recent months, an independent working group with 25 international members from all sectors of the physical security and insurance industry has developed the concept for the comparison tests based on a holistic approach. According to Adomat, the cross-industry discussion process in the SECOTA project makes a decisive contribution to ensuring that tests and certifications in Europe are comparable and comprehensible for all stakeholders. “All participants are determined to continuously improve the quality of the tests in the course of the harmonisation process that is now beginning,” he reports. For this reason, a transparent exchange of information has been agreed in the project.

First test results in May 2019

After completion of the tests, the SECOTA working group will evaluate the results. An internal discussion will follow in May 2019. In the medium term, the laboratories will announce their participation in the comparison test and thus provide strong evidence of their independently tested quality.

The working group has agreed not to leave it at this one test. Rather, it is planned to create permanent transparency for insurers and customers. “To this end, quality control must be reinforced by regular comparison tests,” clarifies the project manager. This is because private consumers, commercial users of secure storage units and insurers are dependent on valid information on the actual security level of tested safes. This information can only be obtained through an independent, reputable authority that checks how testing laboratories interpret the European standard EN 1143-1 and whether they meet the industry benchmarks. “We want to establish this authority with the SECOTA project,” says Adomat. For this reason, laboratories that have not yet participated in the project are cordially invited to participate in the harmonization process and in future comparison tests.

Partizan has installed new ANPR cameras in DAFZA (Dubai Airport Free Zone) entrance, where it is monitoring and checking several thousands of cars every day.

Partizan is running its new number plate recognition system for all Gulf countries. ANPR System “Partizan Sniper” has: high accuracy up to 98%, country and region recognition, plate type recognition (public, police, taxi etc.), easy to install and adjust, colored and B/W number plate recognition, supports Arabic number plate letters, works without ANPR loop, up to 4 cameras per server, up to 4 monitors per server, software 3D adjustment of the image from camera (no need to physically change the camera angle or positioning), intelligent license plate cutting and alignment, advanced search tools, export to Microsoft Excel and PDF, can be integrated with existing IT platforms, smart parking management alarms, white/black list and email alerts supported.

If you want to know more about Partizan’s solution, please contact us through https://partizanstore.eu/pages/contacts/

Caelus Natural Resources Alaska, LLC is producing oil from a six-acre man-made gravel pad, the Oooguruk drillsite (ODS), which is several hundred miles north of the Arctic Circle. The Oooguruk development project in Harrison Bay in Alaska’s North Slope region. Over 30 million barrels of oil have been produced from Oooguruk since 2008.

Conditions are extreme–temperatures can drop to minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit, the sun sets for two months every year and there are polar bears–the world’s largest land carnivore. ODS is in the migratory path of apex predators, polar bears. To prevent unwanted encounters between humans and bears, an innovative security solution is required on ODS. The system is designed to detect approaching animals as early as possible. Simultaneously, it must function reliably and efficiently in the Arctic’s tough environment.

“Within two weeks of installing the cameras, we recorded two events of polar bears on ODS. The images were crystal clear. We even have one camera installed 100 feet from the ground, and the resolution is shockingly good.” Dale Hoffmann, former Land Manager, Caelus Natural Resources Alaska, LLC

Bosch solved the exceptional challenge using the MIC IP fusion 9000i camera. It combines a robust design with Intelligent Video Analytics and was developed specifically for use in extreme conditions. Eleven of the cameras have already been installed on ODS, with five more at the planning stage. After receiving specific training, the company’s electricians and IT staff installed the system themselves in the shortest possible time.

The cameras defy the extreme cold by means of a deicing function and motor-powered silicone wipers. Bosch starlight technology enables clear images even in low light and the thermal imager delivers images in total darkness. With built-in Intelligent Video Analytics shared by both the optical and thermal imagers, the system can detect polar bears even when they are swimming or far off in the distance.

As soon as a polar bear appears in the vicinity of the island, the Bosch cameras’ tracking function is automatically triggered and personnel are notified. The necessary personnel safety measures can then be implemented quickly and efficiently. An alarm brings employees inside, and staff trained by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service monitor the polar bear and use a gradually accelerating deterrence plan to cause the bear to go away without harming it.

Installing the intelligent system means there is greater safety for both humans and animals. “We no longer need to rely on someone watching the cameras to see the polar bears,” says John Hellén, Health, Safety and Environmental Manager, Caelus Natural Resources Alaska, LLC.

When you’re securing premises in Iceland, you need a reliable system that can cope with both plummeting temperatures and low-light levels. Hikvision cameras were used in such a solution – chosen by Securitas Iceland to secure a harbour for customer Samskip in Reykjavik.

Challenge
HarbourGlobal logistics company Samskip is one of the larger transport companies in Europe with offices in 24 countries in Europe, North and South America, Asia and Australia. They operate an extensive network of container services to and from Iceland, along with refrigerated cargo logistics and international forwarding around the world. One of their locations is a harbour in Reykjavik, which includes warehouses.

Operating in sub-zero temperatures and with low-light even in daytime for some of the year, Samskip needs a special kind of surveillance system.

When temperatures are as low as -30˚C, electronics can become unresponsive, or stop working completely. These are also the temperatures where maintenance is more challenging – these are not ideal environments for technicians to be working outside. The biggest snow depth ever recorded in Iceland was 279cm in North Iceland in March 1995, for example. Although this was the worst winter ever recorded, it gives an idea of the potential extremes. There are also snow storms and the high wind chill factor to contend with.

Low light in the winter months means that solutions in Iceland need to be better able to provide clear images in failing light. During winter, Iceland’s high latitude means shorter days – the longest day in the middle of December has only 5 hours of light, for example, with the sunrise at around 11am and sunset between 3 and 4pm.

Despite these unique conditions, Samskip needed to have a good overview over all that is happening around the harbour complex, both inside and outside. Specifically, they needed to be able to trace products and goods in the warehouse.

Solution
PanoVuIceland’s leading security provider, Securitas, rose to the challenge, providing a solution using more than 150 Hikvision products, including PanoVu and DarkFighter cameras. All these cameras can operate to a temperature of -30˚C. The PanoVu cameras provide excellent wide angle surveillance to cover as much of the area as possible.

DarkFighter technology is a popular choice in Iceland because it gives clear, useful images even in the lowest of light scenarios. The smart function on the cameras means that operators are able to identify potential issues by analysing people’s behaviour. They can also trace a product between locations and see its condition at receipt and delivery, enhancing both security and business efficiency.

To complement the Hikvision solutions, Securitas chose Seagate as their preferred storage vendor with their Skyhawk. The solution included Seagate’s high-stability Skyhawk drives, especially developed for surveillance applications. Skyhawk surveillance drives are equipped with enhanced ImagePerfect firmware to deliver ultimate reliability and zero dropped frames, and SkyHawk Health Management, a software designed for prevention, intervention and recovery. Bergvin Þórðarson, Samskip’s Security Manager, says: “The cameras meet the requirements for analysis of people and merchandise. We are confident with both Hikvision and Securitas – in both their product and people. We know that they will fix any issues and react quickly if there’s a problem.”

Securing large areas can be a challenge all on its own, but the addition of potentially crippling weather conditions means a security solution needs to be robust. Hikvision cameras were up to the challenge and provided reliable security for the entire operation.