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Raising Resolution… in a Future-proof Solution

Large industrial units often have a large area containing quite disparate security needs. Hikvision has a wide range of technologies to cater for every need, as was recently seen by a rubber producer in Poland. Kabat Tyre, in Budzyń, produces of rubber products for industry and agriculture, including rubber mats, machine tires, and inner tubes. When it came to developing a new security system to cover its 30,000 m2 production plant, Kabat turned to system integrator Tel-Kom Serwis, which used Hikvision products to deliver a hi-res fit-for-purpose solution that was also scalable for any future development.

Old systems with no flexibility

Kabat Tyre needed to overhaul their security system which was smaller and using lower resolution devices from different manufacturers. They needed to provide hi-res observation for their production halls, warehouse, office building and outdoor areas, particularly to allay their fear of theft from the plant and to provide peace of mind and operational support in case of accidents.

In some areas, image quality in difficult lighting conditions was a particular concern. Not every part of the large area is well lit. Landfills for black rubber products (for example tires) do not reflect well the light, making them difficult to observe with cameras of lower sensitivity.

In addition to this, they needed reliable motion detection and the ability to combine independent recorders into one system. The system needed to provide all of this in scaleable way, as this would be a system that will be expanded in the future.

They wanted to be able to add new features at an affordable price, without a nasty surprise when the bill came in. This was particularly challenging since they could not know what functions they will need.

Sharper images… even in the dark

Tel-Kom Serwis built a solution for Kabat based around five Embedded 4K NVRs (DS-9632NI-I8 and DS-7716NI-I4). These provided a strong core for the solution, also using iVMS 4200 software to manage all of the cameras, all operating within one LAN.

For the outdoor placements, numerous Ultra Low-light Smart Bullet Cameras (DS-2CD4B26FWD-IZS) were used. These use Hikvision’s DarkFighter technology to provide bright, colorful images even in very low light conditions. To cover the internal areas of the production hall and corridors, the EasyIP 2.0 plus fixed cameras (DS-2CD2T42WD-IS) were installed, and IR fixed cameras (DS-2CD2142FWD-I) monitored the office.

The tire testing points needed a slightly different device, since temperature exceptions needed to be monitored to protect against potential fires. So here, a Thermometric Bullet Camera (DS-2TD2136T-15) was used. With hi-res images, even in the darkest areas, security operators have a much better view of what’s happening across the whole 3.5 hectare site.

Arkadiusz Wierzbicki, from Tel-Kom Serwis, says: “A Hikvision solution made perfect sense to deliver this solution for Kabat Tyre as it provides easy installation, reliability, intuitive operation and good image quality. There are also no hidden costs, which was important for the ongoing development of their system.”

So Kabat Tyre now has a high resolution solution that brings all of its security needs together in a system that can be expanded to meet their changing needs in the future.

The future also looks rosy, as Kabat’s investor was so satisfied with the quality of the system, that it is already in talks with Tel-Kom Serwis about expanding it further. It is planned to build more halls increasing the production potential, in which CCTV systems and Access Control will be installed by Tel-Kom Serwis.

New Highly Integrated Long-Range Surveillance System from FUJIFILM

FUJIFILM presents the new long-range camera module FUJINON SX800 to the surveillance systems market. With a full HD camera and an optically stabilized, 40x zoom lens from FUJINON, two high-performance components are integrated into one system. This innovation is the result of years of experience in digital cameras and a dedication to the highest optical quality. Thanks to its powerful 1/1.8″ image sensor, the long focal length range of 20 mm to 800 mm and state-of-the-art image processing technology, the FUJINON SX800 is ideally suited for aerial surveillance.

In modern society, the security needs of citizens are constantly increasing. Surveillance cameras with long focal lengths are not only used to address sensitive issues such as border security but are increasingly being incorporated into public infrastructure such as airports, seaports and motorways.

Long range surveillance systems must cope with special challenges. For optics with long focal lengths, the smallest vibrations are sufficient to compromise the image information. Heat haze or fog in the air also impair image quality. And, a focus drive that is too slow leads to safety-relevant information loss. However, with the development of the new FUJINON SX800, FUJIFILM has found a way to minimize the impact of these challenges. Instead of developing a surveillance camera and a separate matching lens, the concept of a fully integrated system consisting of camera and lens has been realized.

In addition to the high-quality zoom optics, the FUJINON SX800 has a powerful combined optical and electronic image stabilization mechanism that provides angle correction of up to ±0.22 degrees. The integrated high-speed autofocus provides a sharply focused image in less than a second, while a fog filter and heat haze reduction technology helps prevent weather interference.

The system provides consistently sharp images – even of objects several kilometers away. In addition, the integrated design of the new FUJINON SX800 reduces the high adjustment effort normally required for camera installation.

As of Q3 2019, the FUJINON SX800 will be available as both a mobile stand-alone device and as a system that can be integrated into a pan-tilt head.

Unlocking the potential of mobile phones

According to official EU data, by 2016 94% of European large businesses were issuing their workers with some sort of connected mobile device. We seem to use our smartphones for everything. Yet, according to Assa Abloy, mobile phones are actually under-utilised when it comes to building security and access management.

Evolving technologies now enable us to manage access rights via mobile phone apps, open a door with a virtual key credential, and much more. An estimated 44 million mobile credentials will be downloaded by 2021, according to a recent IHS Markit forecast.

Assa Abloy believes that this is all because a mobile phone is so well adapted to controlling access at the workplace. It is convenient, secure and flexible. A screen-lock adds an extra layer of PIN, swipe passcode or fingerprint security. With phones, multi-factor authentication is baked into the credential. And how quickly would you notice if a plastic key-card went missing? Nowhere near as fast as you’d spot your smart phone was gone. Security and facility managers can do things with virtual keys that are impossible with a plastic credential. They can issue, revoke or amend them instantly and from anywhere with secure cloud access via a mobile phone. However briefly a temporary visitor needs to enter your building, the easiest way to let them in is with their phone.

Another recent analyst report suggested as many as 20% of organisations would use smartphones for access, in place of plastic smart-cards, by 2020. The move to mobile access control seems inevitable.

“Other highly security-aware industries like banking demonstrate the advantages of the smartphone,” says Thomas Schulz, Director Marketing & Communications Digital and Access Solutions at Assa Abloy EMEA. “Similarly, we see fast-growing interest in unlocking doors and other openings with mobile credentials, and in facility managers administering access rights via their smartphone.”

Schulz points to the new Arkansas State University campus in Mexico, where students and staff have no access cards to collect or validate. Every site user installs and validates their own Openow app and collects keys virtually.

Survey shows biometrics is accepted as a mainstream technology

A recent global survey has shown that biometric technology is already considered to be mainstream, that fingerprint technology is the most popular form, and respondents from the U.A.E and Brazil are the most enthusiastic to the idea of using biometric technologies.

Idemia, a world leader in augmented identity launched an independent international survey of 2,800 respondents to see what people around the world think of biometrics. More than 200 to 400 interviews were conducted in each of the 11 countries, representative of the overall population. The company drew ten main conclusions from the survey results.

1. Biometric authentication technology has a good reputation

Around the world, people are overwhelmingly positive about biometric authentication technologies, with 74% of respondents having a positive or very positive attitude towards it. What’s drawing them in? Having a single unique login, preventing fraud and the overall ease of use top of the list.

2. The World is ready

According to the survey, a whopping 90% of people around the world say they’re ready to use biometric identification processes. The majority, 61%, would use it to unlock their phones while others envisioned paying in store and online.

3. The tech/non-human aspect of biometrics is not a turn-off

Surprisingly the technical aspect of biometrics and the often-associated lack of human contact raised very few red flags among survey participants. Meanwhile, respondents were fearful of identity theft, data fraud and privacy concerns.

4. Biometric technology is already mainstream

Most of those surveyed (78%) have already dabbled in biometric authentication, namely fingerprint verification (63%). In our tech-infused world, only 22% of respondents have never tried it before.

5. Fingerprint verification is the most popular

Fingerprint is not only seen as the most secure and most accurate form of biometrics but the most convenient as well. Regarding accuracy and security, iris recognition was a close second, while facial recognition was runner-up in convenience.

6. Brazil and U.A.E are the most enthusiastic countries

Brazilians have a very positive opinion about biometric technologies. In fact, 89% have tried it, primarily because fingerprint registration is required to vote in the national election. The U.A.E. comes in second for its positive perception of biometric authentication (81%), appreciated particularly for its innovative and fun aspect. They are the least wary of fraud or data or identity theft.

7. The French are still sensitive about their biometric identity

While the majority (61%) of French respondents has a positive attitude towards biometric technologies, they are below the global average of 74%. Perhaps as a result, the country also had the fewest respondents who had given the mobile wallet a try.

8. Biometrics is big in banking

In banking, 82% of respondents want to replace PIN codes with their fingerprint although 87% would still like to keep it as a backup option.

9. People want to keep a close eye on their biometrics

Respondents are divided on how to register their fingerprints on a payment card, but most of them would prefer to enroll it by themselves via their banking app (42%) or with the help of a bank agent in a branch (67%). A vast majority would prefer to keep it in the chip of their card (40%) instead of having it stored in the cloud (11%).

10. Biometric mobile wallets are not yet trending worldwide

43% of respondents are already using their biometric data to pay with mobile phones. However, there is a huge regional divide with India leading with 86% versus only 11% in France.

Evolving Retail Sector Drives Electronic Article Surveillance Market

The electronic article surveillance market is expected to grow from USD 981 million in 2019 to USD 1,173 million by 2024, at a CAGR of 3.6%, according to the latest information released by Marketsandmarkets. A modernising retail sector and protection against inventory losses, shoplifting, and theft are the major driving factors for the market’s growth during the forecast period.

The evolution of the retail sector means that an increasing number of retailers are deploying retail automation solutions based on innovative technologies, including EAS, to provide services that are flexible as well as easy to access for both retailers and customers. As the EAS solutions help protect inventory loss from shoplifting and theft, optimise retail store performance, and enable inventory intelligence solution along with traffic counting; many retailers are deploying EAS solutions.

Tags are predicted to dominate the electronic article surveillance market (in terms of share) during the forecast period. Tags provide superior protection for goods to reduce theft and shoplifting. They induce an alarm when they pass in an active state through an EAS detection zone at a store’s entrance or exit. Two types of tags are available in the market—hard and soft. The functioning of a majority of tags and labels is relatively similar in terms of detection performance by the security antenna located at the doors. The majority of the demand for tags is generated from apparel and fashion accessories stores, due to the growing number of consumers, the number of retail stores is also rising at a rapid pace, propelling the growth of the electronic article surveillance market for tags.

Growing Usage of RF Technology Based Components

At present, say the analysts, RF technology holds the major share of the electronic article surveillance market, and a similar trend is expected to continue during the forecast period. The growth of RF technology is driven by the growing usage of RF technology based components in the end users including apparel & fashion accessories stores, supermarket & mass merchandise stores, and drug & health product stores. Moreover, RF technology has key features such as ultra-wide detection distance, simple installation and operation, low false alarm rate, strong anti-interference ability, and high stability and durability, due to which the market for RF technology holds major share of the market.

The market in APAC is expected to exhibit the highest growth rate in the electronic article surveillance market. A growing number of retail stores in the apparel and fashion accessories, and supermarket and mass merchandise sector are expected to create a considerable demand for EAS systems. Supermarket and mass merchandise outlets are increasing in number because of the high economic growth, rising consumerism, elevating standards of living, increasing disposable incomes, and changing lifestyles; this is expected to increase the demand for EAS systems in this region.

Companies in this market named as key players by the researchers, include Checkpoint Systems, Johnson Controls, Agon Systems, All-Tag Corporation, Amersec, Tag Company, Ketec, WG Security Products, Softdel, Shenzhen Emeno Technology, Cross Point, Takachiho Koheki, Stanley Security, Shopguard Systems, Dexilon Automation, Feltron Security Systems, and Sentry Custom Security.

Dahua Technology Wins Govies Award for Outstanding Security Product

Dahua Technology, a world-leading video-centric smart IoT solution and service provider, has been awarded a “Govie” by Security Today, an integrated product and technology magazine for the North American security market. The award honors outstanding government security products in a variety of categories, including video surveillance cameras.

“Each year we have the opportunity to view the latest and greatest products that will impact the government security sector, and this year’s contest is no different,” said Ralph C. Jensen, editor in chief of GovSec and Security Today magazines and the website SecurityToday.com, in the official Govies 2019 press release. “The solutions that have been entered represent great technology and innovations. I applaud all our entries and appreciate their tireless efforts to secure the government sector.”

An independent panel of judges from the security industry selected the winners in the 2019 Govies categories. The entries were evaluated for features, innovation, quality, design, market opportunity, and technical advances, among other characteristics. Dahua Technology’s Multi-flex™, a flexible, 4x2MP, multi-sensor camera, took home the gold award in the IP video surveillance cameras category.

The Multi-flex boasts innovative flexibility, allowing users to position each sensor module independently around the camera’s internal track for 180-, 270-, or 360-degree fields of view. The camera’s integrated IR illuminators move along with the sensors for nighttime illumination. One of the Multi-flex’s notable benefits is that it can be easily configured to minimize blind spots and improve situational awareness.

“The high-performing Multi-flex makes video surveillance more adaptable, easier to use, and more cost-efficient for a variety of vertical markets,” commented Jennifer Hackenburg, senior product marketing manager at Dahua Technology. “We are honored to be recognized for our contribution, which represents Dahua Technology’s continued innovation and commitment to quality.”

Gemalto Identity Management System to empower secure identities

Gemalto, a Thales company, is launching its Identity Management System (IDMS) that can help governments address the challenges posed by a world in which over one billion people have no official ID.

Using the latest biometric capture and identity verification techniques, Gemalto’s solutions enable public authorities to empower citizens with a fully secured and trusted Foundational Identity. This system supports people identification and authentication so they can securely access online and offline services such as education or healthcare, and proves their right to participate in elections, apply for a passport or open a bank account. Users retain full control over their personal data, choosing how and when it is shared with service providers.

UN targets universal provision of ID by 2030

The staggering number of citizens rendered invisible to public agencies by the absence of an official ID includes one out of three children worldwide. Most international financial institutions are supporting Digital ID schemes in many countries over the next ten years. These initiatives are also backed by the UN, which has itself set the target of everyone on the planet having a legal identity by 2030.

Mobile, biometric-based registration can reach remote and isolated areas

Gemalto’s IDMS provides authorities with a fully integrated, end-to-end solution which can adapt to existing identity schemes and orchestrate its interactions. The process starts with registration of a person and capture of their biometrics, with easy-to use mobile technology ensuring coverage can reach even the most remote regions. Registration is followed by entry onto a central database or civil registry and the creation of a unique individual identifier.

Reaping the benefits of Foundational ID

This Foundational Identity can provide the basis for issuance of digital and physical ID credentials, and subsequent registration with numerous different public bodies and services. All these processes can be verified beyond doubt using the individual’s biometrics and unique identifier. Gemalto’s approach also offers citizens outstanding protection, and assurance that their data will not be used for commercial gain.

US security industry growth outpaces GDP growth

Despite the backdrop an unfavorable economic climate, the security industry in the U.S. in general is outperforming expectations, with video-related products driving growth, according to trade associations, which on the whole are optimistic about where the security industry is going.

The Security Industry Association (SIA) is the leading trade association in the electronic physical security arena. It has more than 800 corporate and organizational members, and produces a bimonthly security market index (SMI). The index measures the current thoughts and future expectations of the security industry’s executives.

The latest SMI index stands at 60 – a little down from the beginning of the year but still positive. Any score above 50 indicates conditions within the industry are largely positive and that security professionals hold predominantly confident outlooks.

“If we look at the SMI we see the industry in the U.S. has been growing steady for a few years. There are of course ‘ups and downs’ in the confidence indicator, but overall it is positive,” said Geoff Kohl, Senior Director of Marketing at SIA.

The latest dip has been attributed to tariffs and the U.S.-China trade war. People had doubts but the market managed to sustain the setback, Kohl explained. “The global economy is always something that influences the industry. As long as the economy in general is growing, there will be investment that will require security.”

SIA’s latest poll found that 78 percent of respondents had a positive outlook for the next three months, while 16 percent predicted no change in their business environment and 6 percent responded that they expected a slight decline in business.

Product-wise, video surveillance continued to be a growth driver. “Video growth is outpacing all others, the applications for video as a sensor are very strong and there is a lot of consumer demand for it,” Kohl said.

The quality of the feeds is getting better as are management tools that provide actionable data. “Analytics and AI (artificial intelligence) are definitely influential in driving this forward,” Kohl noted.

Data issues hamper successful machine learning and AI launch

According to a survey of 277 data scientists and other artificial intelligence (AI) professionals in large companies across nearly 20 industries, AI is still in its early days and challenges abound to prevent AI’s successful implementation.

Nearly all companies pursuing AI projects have run into problems with data quality and data labeling. Four out of five data scientists said training AI with data is more difficult than they thought, according to the survey conducted by Dimensional Research.

More specifically, errors in data, not enough data, data not in a usable form, and not having enough people and tools to label data, are the challenges.

The amount of data required to train the AI algorithm is huge. 72% of the respondents reported that, in their current project, production-level model confidence will require more than 100,000 labeled data items; 10% indicated they’d need more than 10 million.

“Labeling and annotating training data for machine learning projects is a serious problem for data science teams, and a significant obstacle to getting those projects into production,” says the report titled What Data Scientists Tell Us about AI Model Training Today published by Alegion, which commissioned Dimensional Research to conduct the survey.

Human resource issues

Nearly two thirds of the data scientists surveyed said their machine learning (ML) projects have progressed beyond proof of concept (POC), which is the litmus test for an idea, like identifying strawberries and how ripe they are, for example.

The next phase of feeding the algorithm with enough data “to be ready for validation in the real world” presents a host of challenges, the report says.

Human resource is also an issue. 80% of data scientists’ time is spent on preparing and managing data. This is problematic for companies because data scientists are expensive, and also, it is dissatisfying for data scientists “who take the job to do interesting, challenging and strategic work, not to draw boxes,” the report says. As a result, data scientists are not left with much time to do what they were hired to do – using machine learning to improve the business, and to potentially “carve out a position of industry dominance through innovation,” the report says.

Outsourcing produces results

The surveyed data scientists said “offloading training data labeling and annotation” is associated with a significantly higher rates of successful project deployment. This is not surprising, given the typical volume of training data involved, the small team size and the numerous data quality issues.

“Depending on the volume of data the algorithm requires as well as the number and complexity of the tasks needed to structure the data appropriately, an ML project team may need to find, train, and manage hundreds of people,” says the report.

Up to 71% of companies have outsourced some AI or ML activities. Companies that don’t have the correct data and enough data often outsource the data collection task.

Also, people are needed to supply human judgement to the data preparation process. “These data specialists drive the tools, label the data and evaluate the work of other people,” the report says.

New management for TOA Electronics Europe GmbH

TOA Electronics Europe GmbH completed a change in management. Wolfgang Pein replaced Toshio Sakata as Managing Director and took over main responsibility for the EMEA region, as well as for sales in the DACH region and Poland. Toshio Sakata will remain in the company management team and will continue to lead all activities in Russia. Charlet Dadoun, the director and head of the French office, retired after several decades as an employee of TOA. His role was filled by the former Export Sales Manager, Volker Scheid, who will additionally be responsible for France and the Benelux countries and will complete the management team trio.

“The new leadership is completely characterised by continuity on the one hand and renewal on the other,” explains Wolfgang Pein. “TOA Corporation usually sends Japanese managing directors to its subsidiaries. At TOA Electronics Europe GmbH, we are breaking with this pattern – very consciously and deliberately. By handing over the position of Managing Director to an employee from Europe, the company is strengthening its proximity to its customers – and is nevertheless relying on the international orientation of TOA Electronics Europe GmbH, as the new management brings to the table many years of experience in the entire EMEA region.

Wolfgang Pein sees his employees as a guarantee for the healthy development of the company:

“TOA Electronics Europe GmbH is growing steadily and sustainably. Our success forms the healthy basis for the further expansion of our activities, for example through personnel development in sales and product management – thus we are facing up to the future tasks of the industry: AI, IoT and CyberSecurity. We continue to place value on our employees arriving successfully at TOA, being optimally trained and certified so that they can develop confidence in their skills and their position at the company. This confidence in our expertise is the basis for working with our customers and distributors. This principle applies to the entire TOA Corporation worldwide. It has led us well up to now and will continue to play an important role in the future.”