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30,000 Products Meet the ONVIF Conformance Requirements for Interoperability

ONVIF, the leading global standardization initiative for IP-based physical security products, has announced that more than 30,000 product models in the $120B global physical security market meet the ONVIF conformance requirements for interoperability.

This new milestone means that the number of ONVIF conformant, interoperable products has doubled in the last three years and tripled since 2018. Security system integrators and end users around the world rely on products that conform to ONVIF interoperability standards to create security systems using best of breed components, regardless of manufacturer, to meet the specific needs of their organizations.

“The demand for open systems is growing exponentially as organizations increasingly prioritize interoperability and freedom of choice for their security systems and beyond,” said Leo Levit, chairman of the ONVIF Steering Committee. “The rapid growth rate in ONVIF conformant products exemplifies that market demand as well as to the work of our member companies that have established these successful specifications.”

As a technical alliance, ONVIF creates interoperability specifications that provide standardized communication pathways for several security and surveillance industry use cases, including basic and advanced video streaming, metadata handling for video analytics, video recording and storage, as well as physical access control. Companies that are members of ONVIF contribute to committees and specialized working groups to create these specifications, and are currently working on new ONVIF standards, known as profiles, in the areas of cloud connectivity, IP audio and advanced metadata.

ONVIF membership is open to manufacturers, software developers, consultants, system integrators, end users, and other organizations looking to help shape the future of physical security technology.

Founded in 2008, ONVIF is a leading and well-recognized industry forum driving interoperability for IP-based physical security products. The organization has a global member base of established camera, video management system and access control companies. ONVIF offers Profile S for streaming video; Profile G for video recording and storage; Profile C for physical access control; Profile A for broader access control configuration; Profile T for advanced video streaming; Profile M for metadata and events for analytics applications and Profile D for access control peripherals.

Further information about ONVIF conformant products, including member companies and their conformant models, is available on the ONVIF website: www.onvif.org.

Effective Strategies for Managing False Fire Alarms

False fire alarms can lead to substantial financial costs, operational disruptions, reputational harm, and even put lives at risk, Vladimir Zrnic, Regional Sales Manager for Europe at Advanced explains.

False alarms are a persistent issue that cost UK businesses over £1 billion annually. The implications aren’t just financial; repeated false alarms make people complacent, delay reactions in real fire emergencies, and put both lives and property at risk.

European fire services are already under increased pressure from issues such as wildfires, which have burned almost twice as much surface area in Spain, France, Italy, Croatia, and Greece compared to last year, and false alarms can divert them from these real emergencies.

False Alarm Strategies
Effective false alarm management begins with a thorough fire risk assessment and proper fire system design. Two primary approaches are detector technology, which screens false signals, and intelligent fire panels, which analyse sensor data to verify alarms. State-of-the-art systems integrate these methods to significantly reduce false alarms.

Intelligent fire panels

Combining data from detectors with an intelligent fire panel enhances false alarm management. Multi-sensor detectors can switch between heat and smoke modes, and double-knock programming ensures alarms are verified by multiple detectors. Advanced’s AlarmCalm system, featured in panels like MxPro 5, Axis EN, and Go, includes software detector technology that allows time to confirm the presence of fire before triggering a full fire alarm.

Intelligent fire panel applications

Apartments: False alarms often stem from everyday activities like cooking or shower steam. With AlarmCalm, if a verification sounder is activated by cooking smoke, a resident can press the AlarmCalm button to silence the sounder allowing residents to manage these alarms, reducing unnecessary evacuations.

Shopping Centres: In environments like supermarkets, where bakery ovens and other heat sources are common, if smoke from an oven activates a multi-sensor detector a verification countdown timer can begin. If the smoke clears and no heat is detected the system will return to normal, avoiding unnecessary shop evacuations.

Manufacturing: High temperatures, dust, and chemicals in manufacturing plants can trigger false alarms. Here, verification delays help ensure that alarms are genuine, if no further detectors are activated the system will reset, reducing disruption and maintaining productivity.

Offices: Varied occupancy offices can also benefit from flexible programming. With AlarmCalm, virtual building areas can be created independent of traditional fire zones, false alarm management can be tailored to specific needs to enhance safety and efficiency.

False alarms are more than just a nuisance—they compromise safety and incur substantial costs. Robust solutions like AlarmCalm combine advanced detection and intelligent fire panel technology to significantly reduce false alarms across diverse settings. By implementing such systems, businesses can protect their operations, reputation, and most importantly, their people.

For more information on Advanced’s AlarmCalm, visit: https://www.advancedco.com/solution/alarm-calm/

Mobile Children’s Heart Hospital Receives Bespoke Advanced Fire Protection

A mobile children’s heart hospital, built in El Salvador, was recently equipped with an Advanced wireless fire safety system, ensuring top protection for children undergoing heart surgery, their doctors, and staff.

Run by Kinderherzen, the mission of the hospital is to ensure that children born with serious heart conditions receive the treatment they need to go on and enjoy healthy lives. Kinderherzen operates in Germany and mobilises doctors to provide critical care for young patients in areas of the world with limited medical services.

Working alongside fellow Halma company Crowcon, Advanced was approached to devise a reliable fire safety system that would be easy to install, uninstall, and reinstall as the mobile hospital moved between locations across Europe.

For speed and ease of setup, Advanced’s innovative solution was to create a bespoke, wireless fire alarm system. At the centre of the installation is an Axis EN single-loop panel paired with a translator and 19 devices including point detectors, sounder-beacon bases, and call points covering various rooms within the hospital.

The system was pre-programmed at Advanced’s headquarters in Newcastle upon Tyne (UK) and shipped to El Salvador, ready for immediate fitting to minimise on-site setup time.

The wireless nature of the system not only simplifies the installation process but also provides flexibility for future expansions or reconfigurations of the hospital layout. This adaptability is particularly important for a mobile facility that may need to adjust its setup based on the specific needs of each location it serves. The ability to quickly and efficiently adapt the fire protection system without extensive rewiring or hardware changes ensures that high safety standards are maintained at all times.

Despite logistical challenges, the installation process was incredibly efficient thanks to the use of special mounting plates for the control panel, translators, detectors, and sounders, which reduced setup time to less than half an hour.

Speaking about the project, Paul Duffy, Technical Services Manager at Advanced, said: “We are extremely proud to support Kinderherzen in their mission to provide critical medical care to children in need. Given the temporary nature of the hospital, the fire alarm system needed to be robust but highly versatile. The reliability and ease of use of Advanced equipment make it perfect for this unusual brief, ensuring the ideal combination of mobility, performance, and safety.”

This Axis EN wireless installation ensures Kinderherzen staff can carry out their essential work with peace of mind that their team, facilities, and patients are protected by the highest standards of fire safety.

To learn more about Axis EN, visit: www.advancedco.com

For more information please contact:

Vladimir Zrnic

vzrnic@advancedco.com

+44 (0)345 894 7000

A versatile device for adding digital access management to doors and more

London, August 2024 – Having doors with mechanical security can be a drag on the effectiveness and efficiency of facilities management. While wiring ever more locks to make access control more flexible is expensive and disruptive, a wireless solution built for compatibility can be the answer.

It takes a few minutes to swap almost any mechanical cylinder for a digital cylinder and connect it to an access control system. The battery-powered Aperio® C100 Cylinder can equip almost any door without the need for cables. The same device can secure server racks with digital access control. It works seamlessly with almost any EAC system, via Online, Offline or OSS-standard integration.

The flexibility benefits of digital access with the Aperio C100

By supplementing an EAC system with C100 devices, facility managers continue to control every lock and user from their existing software interface. They can deploy a C100 at almost any interior door — including wooden, metal or glass doors — as well as server racks and almost any other opening with a regular locking cylinder. The C100 supports all standard RFID credentials, as well as cutting-edge mobile technologies.

“It’s easier than ever to go keyless — to save time and money at a time when budgets have never been tighter,” says Robert Eriksson, Head of Product Management at ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions EMEIA. “As well as fast, cost-efficient installation, a C100 uses much less energy than comparable wired devices, because it is powered by standard batteries.”

The Aperio C100 Wireless Cylinder is a robust device suited to almost any medium- to high-traffic door — and has already proven reliable in all types of demanding locations. It is easy to install wire-free, and so makes an ideal choice for both retrofit projects and new buildings. And with the Aperio hardware platform designed for interoperability, it is straightforward to integrate C100 cylinders with almost any new or existing security system.

The Aperio C100 in action

The C100 is already trusted in all kinds of settings, where end-users all over the world benefit from seamless integrations with more than 100 different security and access systems — offline, online or with a mix of both within the same system.

At the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Grenoble, for example, Aperio C100 cylinders are installed in several hospital buildings. Previously, the open nature of the site posed a risk of intrusion. With Aperio, one immediate result was to drastically reduce theft from the premises. Online integration ensures hospital security managers can access door information in real time, even removing a swipe card’s permissions remotely, if required.

Stavanger’s new Concert Hall deployed Aperio to streamline access for a variety of user groups, including an orchestra, admin staff, up to 200 contractors and thousands of music fans. At different times, users need tailored access to 180 rooms, from auditoriums, rehearsal rooms and wardrobes to offices, a sauna, the canteen and an archive. Aperio digital cylinders give building managers the reliability and flexibility they need to manage all this traffic safely and efficiently.

At Luminy’s suburban campus, university administrators selected Aperio cylinders to secure doors in their new buildings. The laborious process of changing locks and reissuing keys — part of the daily workload with mechanical locking — has gone. Because Aperio locks are built for interoperability, they are flexible enough to integrate with the university’s room scheduling software as well as its ARD access control system.

“Since we installed Aperio, we have not had a break-in,” says Cédric Lopez, Maintenance Manager at Luminy.

“In hospitals and banks, theatres and universities — plus museums, offices, schools, public buildings and almost anywhere else — the versatility of the Aperio C100 Cylinder has brought security to people and assets, as well as peace of mind to facilities managers,” adds Eriksson.

Summer Security: New Palm Readers & Smart Cylinders

Greetings! As summer approaches, we are excited to share valuable updates and security solutions in this month’s newsletter. In this issue, meet part of the dedicated team behind our Quality Control, and RMA processes. Gain valuable insights into their expertise and discover the recent service enhancements we have implemented to provide you with a smoother and more efficient after-sales experience.

During the summer, facilities may experience higher visitor traffic or temporary staff. Manage high visitor traffic with the new Armatura Palm Reader. Secure and efficient, this palm recognition device (AMT-PVS-50) grants access without physical cards or keys and integrates seamlessly with third-party solutions.

Also, the CY21 Series digital locking cylinder offers the perfect solution for enhanced security without the hassle. These easy-to-install smart cylinders combine all the functions and designs of a smart access control system as standard, providing convenient keyless entry and management for homeowners. Their sturdy construction ensures reliable operation throughout the summer season.

Finally, our team will be showcasing our latest security solutions at Security Essen and ZUKUNFT PERSONAL EUROPE in Germany. Stay tuned for details on booth location and event highlights – we look forward to meeting you there!

New Bosch Acquisition Strengthens Position in Building Automation

Bosch Building Technologies plans to acquire DMS Digitale Mess- und Steuersysteme AG, headquartered in Ettlingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. DMS AG offers solutions and services in the areas of building, industrial, process and room automation as well as building and energy management.

According to the company, corresponding agreements were signed by Bosch and DMS AG on July 18, 2024. It has been agreed that the purchase price will not be disclosed. The acquisition is subject to approval by the relevant regulatory authorities.

With the purchase of DMS AG, Bosch Building Technologies intends to further strengthen the important growth area of building automation. The acquisition complements the 2019 and 2022 purchases of GFR Gesellschaft für Regelungstechnik und Energieeinsparung – now Bosch Building Automation GmbH – and Hörburger GmbH. Last year, Bosch Building Technologies grew by 25 percent in the building automation sector in Germany, significantly outperforming the market.

With the acquisition of DMS AG, Bosch Building Technologies has added the important area of process automation to its range of solutions, becoming a full-service provider for industrial manufacturing companies. The portfolio includes integrated and cross-domain solutions in the areas of building security, building automation, energy efficiency, sustainability consulting and digital services.

“With DMS AG, another building automation specialist with highly qualified and experienced associates complements our system integrator business. Together, we want to expand our existing portfolio for industrial customers and develop new forward-looking solutions and services that will enable the economical and sustainable operation of industrial buildings through to production,” says Thomas Quante, president of Bosch Building Technologies.

“We are very pleased to be part of Bosch Building Technologies in the future. Together, we can generate new added value for industrial customers,” says Jörg Hössl, CEO of DMS AG.

G4S’s Key Role in the Launch of One of Serbia’s First Smart Cities

Preventing traffic accidents, flooding and copper cables from being stolen in one fell swoop may sound improbable but Pančevo, a city near Serbia’s capital, is hoping to have accomplished just that. What’s made this possible? Pančevo has embarked on a venture to become one of the country’s first smart cities, with an end goal of improving quality of life for local citizens through efficiency and sustainability gains.

Systems integrator

 As the systems integrator, G4S Serbia played a key role in this project. In short, this required the company to design and procure solutions for three specific problems the city was trying to address after being awarded a public tender. To help make its designs feasible it chose to partner with Bitgear, a Serbian startup that specialises in sensors for a range of uses.

Integrated Electronic Security Systems Engineer Vladimir Ilic, who worked on this contract from the start, says G4S’s involvement in smart cities is a natural progression for the company given its experience in delivering electronic security systems, which also centre on technology and data.

Flood prevention

Flooding is one of the three issues that officials were keen to address given the city’s antiquated drainage system and its close proximity to a major river. Bitgear sensors were installed around the city to monitor water levels which set off an alarm once a certain threshold is reached, enabling blockages to be dealt with in a timely fashion.

The sensors are also capable of detecting when manhole covers have been opened, helping stop the theft of copper and fibre optic cables. Vladimir says: “The theft of cables can be costly for telecom companies to replace; thieves can steal as much as 1km of cables if a street is that long. It causes significant service disruption to customers too.”

Smart traffic solutions

 Downtown, G4S has implemented a smart traffic solution at one of the city’s busiest road crossings to help prevent road traffic incidents. It is linked up with the local police database allowing automated tickets to be issued to drivers that run a red light or are speeding.

Elsewhere at two well-known traffic accident blackspots, sensors capable of measuring the microclimate have been activated. The ground temperature is then displayed and, depending on the conditions, drivers are encouraged to slow down. At a later date, sensors will be added which can measure air quality and pollution rates.

Privacy concerns

While the benefits of smart cities are evident by what’s been achieved in Pančevo, the concept has its critics, not least around privacy concerns and the collection of big data. In response to this, Vladimir says: “Most of the equipment we’ve installed are sensors. Where we are using video, the cameras have been carefully positioned to monitor traffic violations and not to identify individuals. We are also prohibited from using any facial recognition technology.” He continues: “Another key benefit of smart cities is that real-time, complex data can be easily collected without the need for a data analytics team.”

Future smart solutions

Vladimir and the team believe these solutions could easily be replicated in other cities and are exploring what else can be implemented in Pančevo as it continues its transformation into a fully fledged smart city. Initial ideas include installing information kiosks across the city to help visitors find the nearest pharmacy or hotel, for example, as well as displaying which trails are open for walking in the nearby mountains.

Explaining why G4S is an ideal partner for this type of project, Vladimir says: “We are a one-stop shop covering all needs. As well as being a systems integrator, we can screen alarms into our control room should the customer want this, and provide patrol and response if needed.”

3-Year Warranty Optionally Available for MSR Controllers & Sensor Boards

MSR-Electronic is offering the option of extending the warranty for controllers and sensor boards to 3 years. This emphasises its commitment to quality and customer satisfaction.

The optional 3-year warranty covers material and manufacturing defects and includes the repair or replacement of the defective device. It can be purchased for all newly purchased controllers and sensor boards in its PG2 and PX2 product ranges.

Simon Lüftl, Head of Support, explains: “With the optional 3-year warranty, we offer our customers even more flexibility and security. They can fully rely on the quality of our products and ensure that their gas detectors work reliably in an emergency.”

Gas detectors from MSR-Electronic are designed for use in a wide range of demanding applications, including

  • Buildings: garages & tunnels, laboratory & medicine, food processing
  • Industry: H2 gas monitoring, petrochemicals, agriculture and chemical plants
  • Marine: commercial shipping, private shipping

The devices offer reliable protection against toxic and explosive gases and thus contribute to the safety of people, systems and the environment.

ASSA ABLOY Acquires Speciality Lock Business in Canada

ASSA ABLOY has acquired Wesko Locks Ltd, a Canadian manufacturer and supplier of electronic and specialty locks.

“I am very pleased to welcome Wesko Locks into the ASSA ABLOY Group. This acquisition delivers on our strategy to strengthen our position in mature markets through adding complementary products and solutions to our core business,” says Nico Delvaux, President and CEO of Assa Abloy.

“Wesko Locks has an extensive portfolio that complements our current high-security products and solutions,” says Lucas Boselli, Executive Vice President of ASSA ABLOY and Head of the Americas Division. “Their focus on high quality, innovative products and excellent customer service reflects our values and I’m excited for them to be part of Assa Abloy.”

Wesko Locks was founded in 1990 and has some 70 employees. The main office and factory are located in Mississauga, close to Toronto, Canada.

Sales for 2023 amounted to about MEUR 14.9 with a strong EBIT margin.

Ajax and Rexel Extend Partnership to Finland

Ajax Systems, one of the largest security systems manufacturers in Europe, has begun a new chapter in its cooperation with Rexel, a prominent player in the European market offering electrifying solutions. From now on, Rexel will offer Ajax security and automation solutions to its customers in Finland.

After a successful venture with Rexel in Sweden, Ajax Systems is confident in this partnership on the new market. The cooperation will go beyond Ajax intrusion products to cover fire detection, leak prevention, and automation solutions as well.

“Rexel has already demonstrated successful cooperation with Ajax Systems in other European countries. The partnership has offered new business opportunities to both parties, and there are more to come thanks to a wider product offering in Finland. Rexel’s strong local presence and numerous stores across the country are a chance for Ajax products to influence a wide range of clients, which is particularly important given a new fire safety law in Finland,” says Michael Hygild Toxverd, Regional Sales Director Northern Europe.

“Rexel has invested heavily in building a range of automation solutions, and Ajax will play an important role in this strategy. Both Rexel and Ajax aim to offer innovative security approaches, making it easy to agree on this collaboration. We are confident that our cooperation will be successful and beneficial for both parties. Ajax’s innovative and high-quality products enhance Rexel’s existing range, providing electrical contractors with a valuable new addition to their offerings, ” comments Marko Penttinen, Procurement and Marketing Director, at Rexel.

Ajax Systems has been officially present on the Finnish market since 2018. Over the past two years, Ajax product portfolio has been expanding with solutions that align with Rexel’s business focus. Smart sockets, light switches, outlets, an expanded fire protection portfolio, and CCTV systems can take the partnership between the companies to the next level for better customer service in Finland.