May 12, 2026
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Vertical Solutions

FIRE SAFETY AT THE TOUCH OF A FINGER-TIP

The fire industry has experimented with touch screen technology for many years as ever sophisticated and human friendly solutions are sought to tackle fire situations which can be particularly problematic in cases involving large, complex sites and high-rise buildings.

Protecting these buildings and often hundreds, if not thousands, of people from the danger and damage of fire requires ease of control and monitoring with touch screen technology providing this at the user’s fingertips.

In expansive buildings with complex designs, irreplaceable or valuable contents and large numbers of people to protect, the ability to quickly identify and monitor a potential fire can make a significant difference to avoiding life threatening situations.

Touch screen technology provides ease of use allowing fires to be located down to both a zone within a site and individual devices facilitating speedy evacuations, if appropriate, and focused action to isolate and minimise the spread and potential damage of the fire.

These intuitive systems are easily configured and can include dynamic graphics and maps allowing for a fast response which is essential in these emergency situations. Providing information about a possible fire at a glance, touch screen technologies also provide the benefit of ease of management and monitoring from one location saving valuable time and prompt preventative action.

Not all situations are as a result of an actual fire. Avoiding large scale evacuations to minimise disruption is another benefit of installing touch screen technology with this innovation also identifying faults and disablement issues.

Where touch screen technology is particularly invaluable

The innovative technology is particularly beneficial in settings such as hospitals for example, where evacuating patients requires care and time, with touch screen technology delivering the earliest possible warning and specific details of the location of the fire enabling the affected zones to be isolated.

Large buildings can be monitored from one location with touch screen technology facilitating a fast response to the specific area in question, maximising both time and efforts to tackle the problem before it escalates.

Buildings in remote areas are also particularly vulnerable and can also benefit from installing touch screen technology where assistance with controlling and extinguishing a fire may not be as accessible as in less remote locations.

Evacuations in these incidents, involving hundreds and possibly thousands of people, require speed, careful management and calm with fire systems that include touch screen technology delivering immediate and specific warnings that are paramount to the process to help avoid life threatening situations from escalating out of control.

Factors to consider when selecting touch screen technology

There are a number of factors to consider before choosing the right touch screen technology for a site including:

– Can it be networked to cover a large site without compromising reliability and performance? Some systems’ effectiveness can be significantly reduced if large areas need to be covered
– Is it easy to install and configure to your specific requirements? The ability to easily install and configure the system to the individual specification of a site is key, improving performance and heightening protection of the building
– Does it provide an effective and easy user interface? Ease of use should be paramount as it may be some years from initial installation before a response to a potential fire is required. Does it provide sufficient detail allowing monitoring and control of each location and device?
– Is it an independent terminal, saving significant costs? Touch screen technology on fire panels add significant cost, compromise performance and add complications
– Does it provide high quality, dynamic and easy navigation maps and site plans providing at a glance information on the location of a potential problem? Detailed maps, the ability to zoom into high definition images and ease of navigation can significantly improve the response to a potential fire situation
– Does the touch screen respond to gloved hands enabling fire fighters to monitor and control the situation? This is an important factor as fire fighters need to be able to operate the touch screen technology in situations where it may not be safe nor time efficient, to take gloves off

Advanced TouchControl

Leader in fire systems technology, Advanced, manufacture one of the market’s largest touch screens, TouchControl, with a 10-inch screen providing more detailed at a glance information.

Designed as a remote terminal rather than being part of a fire panel, the stand alone innovative technology means that users save on cost, complication and the independent network node means performance isn’t compromised.

One of the unique features of TouchControl is Active Maps which enable live zone status information in high definition delivering incredible detail. Users can easily navigate a site/panel and network via Active Maps.

TouchControl is easy to install and is a fully functional Remote Control Panel, often installed in receptions, lobbies and public areas providing full fire panel and network control and reporting. When not in fire-use the touch screen repeater can be configured to display corporate, advertising or health and safety messages to the public.

Designed with intuitive ease of use, quality, detailed reporting and monitoring, TouchControl has been the preferred touch screen technology for a number of buildings of all sizes within diverse sectors, chosen for its reliability and high performance.

Examples of TouchControl installations:

– Lidl – the popular European discount supermarket
– One of Bulgaria’s largest banking groups DSK Bank chose TouchControl for its high level of protection and reliability
– The world class chemical plant Victrex in Lancashire which delivers high performance polymer solutions to a range of sectors
– The 610,000 sq ft Leadenhall Building in London which comprises 45 floors of office space
– The Atlantic Islands Centre on the 5.5 sq mile Isle of Luing.

Advanced products include complete fire detection systems, multi-protocol fire panels, extinguishing control and fire paging systems. More details on TouchControl and Advanced’s wider product range can be found on the website at www.advancedco.com.

TouchControl: Overview from Advanced on Vimeo.

D‑Link adds McAfee Protection to its Covr AC2200 Tri‑Band Whole Home Mesh Wi‑Fi System

The COVR‑2202 now combines world‑class security features with sophisticated mesh Wi‑Fi technology for a safer, more secure and seamless connectivity.

COVR-2202 D-Link adds McAfee Protection to its Covr AC2200 Tri-Band Whole Home Mesh Wi-Fi System
The COVR-2202 now combines world-class security features with sophisticated mesh Wi-Fi technology for a safer, more secure and seamless connectivity

D-Link, a global leader in network-based solutions, has announced innovative security features for its AC2200 Tri-Band Mesh Wi-Fi System (COVR-2202), to provide blackspot free, high-speed, seamless Wi-Fi with added safety and security – specifically designed to meet the demands of the modern smart home.

The integrated McAfee Protection comes with five-year Secure Home Platform subscription and two-year McAfee LiveSafe Protection, and provides end-to-end security for each and every device connected to a home network. Emerging threats and vulnerabilities are identified and blocked thanks to McAfee’s Global Threat Intelligence, and its advanced parental controls ensure parents can keep their children safe from unsuitable online content. What’s more, existing owners can add this feature to their COVR-2202 by simply upgrading their device to the latest firmware.

The new feature forms part of D-Link’s expansion of McAfee Protection across its range of routers and home Wi-Fi solutions, which also includes the recently launched EXO Smart Mesh Wi-Fi routers (DIR-1960, DIR-2660 and DIR-3060).

The McAfee Secure Home Platform gives users complete control of their devices and ensures they are the first to know and respond to potentially threatening activity. This includes any devices trying to connect to malicious addresses, unidentified devices attempting to join the network, and the option to deny any new devices from connecting to a network. It also works with Amazon Alexa, providing an all-new way to control a network using voice commands. This feature allows users to monitor their network, block devices, and get up to speed on network notifications without lifting a finger. The two-year McAfee LiveSafe™ subscription allows antivirus software to be installed on an unlimited number of computers, tablets and smartphones.

The COVR-2202 works with a user’s existing router to create an expanded network that works seamlessly across an entire home. Each point creates an exclusive high-speed Wi-Fi zone, which allows users to run demanding multimedia applications from anywhere in a home.

Seamless, buffer-free connectivity is supported by the COVR-2202’s Smart Roaming technology with MU-MIMO and Smart Steering. This allows users to enjoy media streaming and internet phone calls throughout their entire home, avoiding drop outs and lag, even when moving from room-to-room. The system comprises two high-performance AC2200 Tri-Band Covr Points that eliminate Wi-Fi dead spots and provide fast Wi-Fi to homes of up to 550m2.

COVR-2202’s key features include:

Tri-Band AC2200 – two 5GHz bands and one 2.4 GHz with Wi-Fi speeds of up to 866 Mbps and 400 Mbps respectively
Smart Backhaul – dedicated 5GHz backhaul band for communication between Covr Points to optimise bandwidth across the whole Wi-Fi network
Smart Roaming – seamlessly connects to the strongest signal as you move from room to room, eliminating the need to disconnect and reconnect
MU-MIMO technology – creates a powerful, fast, and highly efficient Wi-Fi network that can handle a greater number of connected devices
Expandable network – Covr is a scalable solution. Simply add extra Covr Points where you need more coverage

Smart HVAC Systems on Cybersecurity and Connection Protocols

Compared to a traditional HVAC system, a smart HVAC system offers benefits including lower energy consumption, condition-based maintenance, predictive performance issues, and remote and automatic adjustments of the system. With it, tenants can live more comfortably, building managers can manage more efficiently, HVAC system technicians can work more easily, and total building utility fees can be decreased. There are several considerations for a building to adopt a smart HVAC system: for example, is the building old or new? Which wireless protocols should be used for the smart system? Does the system have sufficient cybersecurity protection? Overall, the smart HVAC system market is promising. The market needs have recently been expanded from residential buildings to commercial buildings, leading the smart HVAC system to provide comfortable living experiences for people working in offices.

Smart HVAC System Assists Energy and Operation Cost Saving
A heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system is responsible for controlling temperature and air flows in a smart building. With the ability to locate people inside the premises, the smart system helps buildings save significant energy consumption and operational costs.

A heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system sits in the middle of a building, it’s respon- sible for providing comfortable room temperatures and air flow for the people inside, no matter if it’s a hot summer afternoon or a snowy winter day. As buildings are adding smart elements such as prediction and remote controls, HVAC systems are also getting “smart.” Smart HVAC systems benefit buildings and tenants in several ways, such as providing energy efficiency, building maintenance, performance prediction and automatic adjustment. Overall, smart HVAC systems are able to save operation costs and provide a better living experience. Here are some benefits brought by smart HVAC systems:

– Energy saving, for example, is achieved by smart HVAC systems constantly demanding performance monitoring and meeting the optimal conditions. As a result, the system is required to conduct energy diagnostics, energy prediction modeling, fault detection diagnostics and model predictive controls to save energy.
– Condition-based maintenance allows HVAC systems to automatically identify equipment performance issues, providing visibility across managing facilities. Rather than having to schedule regular maintenance visits for repairs, they can now be done on demand.
– Predicting performance issues are achieved by intelligence and machine learning embedded in smart HVAC systems. Several sensors are installed on different parts of the smart HVAC system, it is able to predict when system issues are about to happen by analyzing all data gathered from the system’s sensors, including installation dates and performance changes. Due to the system’s ability to predict issues that are about to occur through war nings, higher reliability and uptime of the system are experienced.
– Automatic and remote implemented system changes are accomplished by external decision support tools and systems connected with the smart HVAC system. If any environmental sensors detect changes in the surroundings of a building, a smart HVAC system will automatically adapt to the changes, maintaining comfortable living conditions in the building.

“A truly smart system should be able to anticipate how it needs to perform optimally and adapt to its operations to meet those goals,” said Sudhi Sinha, Vice President & General Manager, Digital Solutions, Johnson Controls. IoT-enabled HVAC solutions offer users insights into data beyond temperature, including humidity and levels of indoor air pollution. In addition, smart interfaces, dashboards and apps enable building managers and tenants to monitor equipment and make adjustments remotely. “It’s all about creating a personalized user experience. With the IoT, building occupants and owners can now feel more in control of their environments,” added Sinha.

Vital Components for Smart HVAC Systems
Compared to traditional HVAC systems, several components of smart HVAC systems are adjusted in order to realize energy saving. First of all, the Compressor, which is the electric pump compressing refrig- erant, and the air handler, that blows air over the heating and cooling coils, needs to be optimized since they are both a major consumer of energy. If these two pieces of equipment run only as needed, a great amount of energy can be saved. Secondly, the ventilation system, which controls a building’s air flow, when and where a building needs external help to save energy. For instance, strong air flow isn’t needed in an empty meeting room or the hallway after office hours.

Through sensor- driven technology to detect the density of occupants in a certain space, the ventilation system works only when it’s needed. Lastly, smart thermostats that can read temperature, humidity, occupancy and other variables are important in the whole HVAC system. The thermo- stats learn from gathered data from the surroundings and make intelligent decisions for the building, such as eliminating uncomfortable heat caused by humidity. “At a basic level, the key components for a smart HVAC system is the sensor hardware and software that provides a way to collect information and an interface for the user to see the information, receive alerts and notifica- tions, and take appropriate action,” said George Tsintzouras, CEO of Alert Labs.

Retrofitting Old Buildings for Smart HVAC Systems
Connected smart sensors play a significant role in establishing smart HVAC systems in old buildings. By having sensors in the existing system, components and back-end software providing data analytics, old buildings can also receive benefits from smart HVAC systems.

For new buildings, it isn’t difficult to embrace smart HVAC systems. Some of them have even been installed from the very beginning. For old buildings, however, adopting smart HVAC systems is a challenging job. There’s even a term “retrofitting,” designed to describe old buildings adopting smart technologies. “In older buildings, a wireless and battery-operated sensor platform could be crucial as it might be difficult and, or, prohibited to install external cabling along walls,” said Peter Lindkvist, Sales Director, Lumen Radio. That is to say, old buildings aren’t required to remove all existing components of HVAC system to adopt smart HVAC technology. They can keep current equipment and install wireless and battery-powered sensors around, to experience the benefits of a smart HVAC system. “Alert Labs sensors can be installed at any age of building and air conditioning system,” said George Tsintzouras, CEO of Alert Labs.

Smart Sensors Turn Old Buildings New
Alert Labs offers four sensors for smart buildings – a water flow sensor, a flood sensor, a sump pump sensor and an A/C monitoring sensor and system. Its A/C monitoring system and sensor, called Sentree, is designed to be installed by residential central A/C units, detecting temperature, pressure of liquid and vapor and real-time amperage numbers. The device connects with cellular networks and provides 24/7 remote monitoring of residential central air conditioning systems. As it detects issues, it will notify maintenance and building managers right away.

The water flow sensor, designed for indoor water meters, detects water leaks, floods, humidity, temperature, and power outages. For its instant alerts of all variable changes, the sensor can help reduce water bills and prevent damages. The flood sensor, on the other hand, focuses more specifically on water leakage and flooding. The sump pump sensor detects rising water levels, pending sump pump failures and floods, aiming to save on insurance and prevent any accidents. Furthermore, data gathered from all sensors can be presented on a back-end dashboard provided by Alert Labs.

The dashboard for homeowners, for instance, offers A/C performance and status; and the dashboard for contractors enables the service team to offer proactive mainte- nance and repairs. For managers who take care of several buildings, the company also has a command center, letting them monitor multiple properties in one place, assign service teams to individual properties, and receive alerts and A/C analytics.

Making Maintenance More Efficient
“A smart HVAC system enables contractors to send the right technician with the right parts to repair the problem on the first visit which reduces truck rolls and increases customer satisfaction,” said Tsintzouras. With the sensors around the HVAC system, contractors can keep equipment running more efficiently by knowing when issues are about to occur. Service or maintenance calls, therefore, can be cheduled before a breakdown happens.

Through a unified portal for both tenants and technicians, service calls can be scheduled by customers’ preference, reducing the frequency of off-hour emergency calls. “Property owners have insight into their buildings and can remotely adjust the system according to occupancy and time of day to save energy. The can also modify their behavior once they see how their property is performing or wasting energy with the incentive that they can save on their utility costs,” said Tsintzouras.

In addition to energy and cost saving, smart HVAC systems also improve management efficiency and building customers’ satisfaction. With smart sensors and the back-end analyzing and monitoring software, old buildings can also have the benefits from smart HVAC systems without replacing all the present equipment.

Mesh Frequency Bands in Smart Buildings
Wi-Fi, LoRa, Bluetooth, Zigbee… wireless connection frequency spectrums are crowded because of the rising number of connected devices around us. In addition to choosing one protocol, MiraOS, a mesh wireless network technology, could be another solution in smart buildings.

There are many connection protocols existing in the field of smart buildings, such as Wi-Fi, LoRa, Zigbee and Bluetooth. Each protocol has its best use Cases Wireless connections and power- efficiency, for the purpose of smart buildings, should be the most important features equal to selecting connection protocols. Bluetooth 5 and LoRa seem to currently be pretty promising in the field, due to their abilities to provide low power consumption and wide coverage connection for IoT devices in homes and buildings.

However, it’s pretty crowded between the wireless connectivity spectrums. IoT and M2M are thriving in the world, and many businesses are investing billions of sensors and actuators being wirelessly connected. According to a report by Gartner, it is estimated that around 20 billion devices will be connected by 2020. Another report by Ericsson predicts that 15.5 billion devices will be connected via short-range technology by 2020, accounting for 53% of all connected devices.

Furthermore, wireless protocols like Wi-Fi, Zigbee, Thread and Bluetooth all use the same frequency channel. The traffic jam might someday cause communication breakdown and service quality downgrading. “Many of the standard protocols available, such as BLE or Zigbee, do not have the capability to scale to thousands of nodes in one single network. They can neither cope with the amount of interference present in commercial buildings, nor are they energy-efficient enough to allow running the whole sensor solution on battery,” said Peter Lindkvist, Sales Director, Lumen Radio. These protocols don’t allow multi- protocol support. It means decision- making is difficult for smart building builders at the investment stage.

Guiding Networks to a Suitable Frequency
“MiraOS from LumenRadio is a best-of-breed wireless mesh for HVAC and Building Automation,” said Lindkvist. Mira operating system (MiraOS) is a future-proof wireless mesh network technology created and patented by LumenRadio. It enables mesh coexis- tence, ultra-lower power, over the air Firmware updates, easy commissioning and large-scale networks. The operating system is mainly powered by the company’s patented Cognitive Coexistence technology, an algorithm which enables real-time, adaptive frequency shopping.

“Within this algorithm, we build a predictive model of the frequency spectrum, where every single device weigh in the decision on the optimal channel to use in each individual (10ms) time slot,” said Lindkvist. Just like the weather forecast, the Cognitive Coexistence technology predicts how the frequency spectrum will be in the millisecond utilized and switch the connection to the best available and least congested frequencies.

Mesh Frequency Bands on Applications
Produal Proxima wireless solution, developed by building automation measurement and control company Produal, is created based on MiraOS from Lumen Radio and u-box NINA module. The solution, which includes several hardware devices, is able to route data from up to 100 wireless transmitters to automated buildings.

Swegon, a supplier of energy efficient and demand controlled ventilation (DCV) and indoor climate systems, is working with LumenRadio on a wireless climate control system – the WISE system. It is said to allow thousands of sensors, actuators and dampers to communicate and create an unprecedented indoor climate solution, helping buildings reduce energy consumption and operation costs, and increase the health of people in the building.

Unlicensed frequency bands, as more devices become connected, is today a scarce natural source. Frequency bands are just getting more crowded and congested day by day. Commercial buildings, are turning into an electro- magnetic mayhem, where different products and systems secure for airtime against smartphones and tenant Wi-Fi networks. “In order to remain reliable and enable industrial – and business-critical use cases, such as HVAC systems, OEMs must select agile technologies including strategies for interference mitigation,” said Lindkvist.

Smart HVAC Systems Vulnerable to Cyber Attacks
Like other connected devices, smart HVAC systems could also possibly be hacked. If attackers take over controls of HVAC systems, in the worst case, cities would break down and private data would be stolen.

All connected devices are standing under the risk of cyberattacks. Smart HVAC systems are no exception, either. Although IoT devices such as smart meters and HVAC unit sensors are not designed for web browsing, they do need to connect to the internet for data gathering, remote control and analytics. Their direct access to the internet, not in purpose, rather makes them major targets of cyber attackers, posing serious security threats for smart buildings.

Cybersecurity firm ForeScout Technologies have discovered that thousands of vulnerable IoT devices in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are vulnerable to cyberattacks. Its research showed that nearly 8,000 connected devices, mostly located in hospitals and schools, offered unauthorized access and were highly vulnerable to cyberattacks. Hacker’s manipulation from HVAC systems could possibly let them access private financial information and potentially retain unauthorized data in large companies. For special locations such as hospitals, dysfunctional smart HVAC systems could possibly harm patients who need to rest under certain temperatures and air flow. This type of attack scenario even has a codename – HVACKer.

Malware Uses Commands to Control HVAC Systems
To carry out attacks on an HVAC systems, hackers would first identify an HVAC system connected to the internet or sitting on a connected internal network. Besides looking for HVAC systems, hackers might also look for building automation software, which incorporates an HVAC component as well. Once they identify such systems, they will try to breach and take control of it. Then, they will import their custom malware to the system in order to infect other devices and computers on the same network. Malware, meanwhile, is mostly used to send commands, instead of stealing data. Sending commands on HVAC systems, however, is still dangerous. Theoretically, hackers could break into air conditioners across a smart city and turn on all of them, to cause a power surge that could disable a city’s power grid.

A Security First Principle Needs to be Put in Place
“Cybersecurity is an incredibly important issue that everybody has to deal with today,” said Sudhi Sinha, Vice President & General Manager, Digital Solutions at Johnson Controls. The first step to achieve cyber safety in a smart HVAC system, suggested Sinha, is for the supplier to have a robust product security program, which spans from product architecture, design, development, support and data management. Next, customers need to ensure that their networks and port are safe and not exposed to any vulnerabilities. To build a cyber-safe HVAC ecosystem requires every partner to take part in. Cybersecurity should be designed from the ground-up, with the final product being the management and data analytics software. Johnson Controls, for example, has a Security First principle in its development processes and product launch. It also provides cyber solutions tailored for the unique needs of each building, ensuring daily tracking of potential threats and provide rapid incident response.

“For cybersecurity, people need to be proactive and vigilant. It is better if companies adopt standard security frameworks,” said Sinha. For instance, buildings can ensure that they have industrial grade encryption solutions such as 128-bit AES, a running network or protocol supporting IPv6 traffic, and an IP-based security solution added on top like certificate handling or DTLS.

Market Needs for Smart HVAC Systems
In addition to smart home and smart residential buildings, needs for smart HVAC systems are also rising in offices and commercial buildings. Remote diagnostics and monitoring of smart HVAC systems, on the other hand, will become more important in the industry.

Smart HVAC systems help smart buildings save energy consumption and operation costs. As many buildings are looking to become smarter, needs for smart HVAC systems are also rising. “Demand for smart HVAC systems is definitely there and increasing,” said Sudhi Sinha, Vice President & General Manager, Digital Solutions, Johnson Controls.

“There’s a strong push for creating more intelligent, on-demand solutions within the HVAC industry right now – driven by energy-efficiency require- ments, but also by the need to enable new data-driven business models and to create new service-related revenue streams for the big OEM’s (Ventilation- as-a-Service),” said Peter Lindkvist, Sales Director, Lumen Radio.

Smart HVAC Systems in Offices
“Smart living technologies are becoming popular outside of residential and hospitality spaces,” said Sinha. In general, people are spending a signif- icant portion of their lives in workplaces. Of course, they would want to feel more comfortable and engaging in this space, helping them become more focused and productive in their jobs. Smart building solutions in workplaces are more popular, suggested Sinha, “because it gives employees a sense of power to control their own spaces and use those spaces within facilities more effectively.”

“We have seen productivity increase by up to 20 percent in certain cases, employee retention by 10 percent, and innovation increase manifold. We have seen this happen across multiple industries and geographies,” said Sinha. For now, although more millennials have shown their preference on smart building technology, Sinha believed, other generations of people feel equally appreciative of it.

Remote Diagnostics Assists all HVAC Technicians
Recruiting HVAC technician talents with the right experience is time-consuming. As a contracted technician, they need to always keep up with service demands, business requests and retain happy customers. A smart HVAC system will also help on their job.

”HVAC business owners are looking for ways to do more with less. Consumers are also looking for ways to expand their smart building capabilities beyond thermostats and lighting,” said George Tsintzouras, CEO of Alert Labs. HVAC systems integrated with smart sensors are able to detect room temper- ature, humidity, water leaks and floods. In the near future, machine learning will further expand the capability of smart HVAC systems. Smart HVAC systems powered by machine learning are able to send alerts about potential issues as sensor readings are abnormal, before a customer really experiences a problem.

“Remote diagnostics are fairly new in the HVAC marketplace, but there are out-of-the-box solutions that are already providing contractors across North America with new business opportunities and growth,” said Tsintzouras. “Remote diagnostics and smart monitoring systems will be available in every technician’s truck in the near future.”

Market Challenges
“There are a few challenges that need to be addressed – cybersecurity, engagement with IT organizations, wireless and communication reliability because of the interference zones in areas where usually HVAC systems are kept, retrofitting and compatibility with older systems, data sovereignty in case of cloud systems,” said Sinha. “And most importantly operator and technician training around new digital and smart HVAC capabil- ities.”

Peter Lindkvist, Sales Director, Lumen Radio, on the other hand, mentioned other challenges for smart HVAC systems: “who should or could own the data, what services are building operators and real-estate owners ready to pay for, and design new product platforms that can scale well enough across large venues to allow fully integrated solutions.” The demand for more connected buildings and smart HVAC systems are growing. All partners should gather together, solving these challenges, and work on the next-generation smart building solutions.

Fisheye cameras: leaving no blind spots in sight

In video surveillance, covering blind spots has long been a challenge. As a result, fisheye cameras offering 360-degree panoramic views have become a popular alternative for end users seeking to monitor large areas. This article discusses some of the advantages and limitations of fisheye cameras, which the user should know before selecting a model that truly fits their objectives.
Izvor: a&s International
E-mail: redakcija@asadria.com

End user organizations seeking to monitor large areas, like retail outlets, hotel lobbies or warehouses, often find themselves constrained by using conventional box or bullet cameras, which point in one direction at a time. This leaves certain blind spots that are not covered and that can be exploited by criminals. A panoramic camera offering 180 or 360-degree views, be it a multisensor camera or a fisheye camera, can address this challenge.

Benefits and Limitations
One major advantage of fisheyes over multisensor cameras is size and weight. A multisensor camera, as its name suggests, has three to four sensors in one unit and therefore tends to be heavy and bulky; some models can have 314 x 512 millimeters in dimensions and weigh 4.8 kilograms. Fisheye cameras, on the other hand, are much smaller and lighter, with the diameter ranging from 146 to 160 mm and weighing less than 1 kg. While fisheye cameras offer certain advantages, it’s important to know their limitations as well.

Specifically, they have less resolution compared to multisensor cameras. “The early fisheye cameras did not have enough resolution to see the details of person’s face unless the person was very close to the camera. The latest single IP camera solutions use 4K cameras, with up to 12-megapixel resolution,” said Bob Mesnik, President of Kintronics. However, there is a caveat with that as well. “The resolution of the panoramic camera varies from the center to the outer edge of the view,” Mesnik said. “The resolution is best at the edge and worst in the middle.” Meanwhile, the viewing distance is something that the user should also know. According to Kintronics’ calculations, a fisheye camera with 4000 x 3000 resolution and an 180-degree lens allows enough resolution to recognize a person that is less than 11.9 feet or 3.6 meters away from the camera; further away the user sees less detail.

“Single-sensor 360-degree fisheye cameras have been around for many years. The problem with panoramic cameras has always been the lack of detail available at a distance,” Mesnik said. Outdoor applications can be an issue, too. “For most outdoor applications fisheye cameras are not better than multisensor cameras. For example, a corner of a building — users will not get the depth or overall image quality that can be achieved with a multisensor. That being said, for smaller indoor rooms fisheye cameras can be superior if the application requires full coverage,” said Thomas Carnevale, Founder of Umbrella Technologies.

According to Mesnik, fisheye cameras are best at providing situational awareness for users monitoring a large area instead of complex applications such as facial recognition, for example. “Fisheye cameras are used in some commercial applications where it is helpful to see an overview of an area,” Mesnik said. “If the prospect asks for other usage, we steer them to standard cameras. For example, we sometimes need to explain that the panoramic camera is not good for facial recognition.” Or, the user can pair fisheye cameras with standard cameras to achieve better monitoring. “For example, a retail store may use the wide area view to see everything in the store while using a camera at the door to view a person’s face as they enter or leave,” Mesnik said.

Some Applications of Fisheye Cameras
Generally speaking, fisheye cameras can be used in all vertical markets, helping end users monitor large areas. According to TKH Security in a blogpost, public transportation and healthcare can especially benefit, as blind posts can pose threats to the wellbeing of passengers and patients. Another vertical cited by TKH is marine vessels. “Marine vessels are usually gigantic and complex ships consisting of many different compartments and various areas, and fisheye cameras can come in handy,” the company said. “A wide-angle fisheye camera ensures full coverage of the area, using up less of the valuable space at the same time. The on board operations manager can cover a much larger amount of areas with half or even one third of the amount of cameras normally used.”

According to Mesnik, fisheye cameras are all very similar. “It’s important to note that it’s not the cameras that are significant for a vertical, but rather the dealer/ installer’s experience. Most dealers select cameras based on the relationship they have with the manufacturer, the reliability of the cameras, the support and return policies of the manufacturer (or distributor),” Mesnik said. “The cameras they choose are also affected by the video management software that works with the camera, the pricing they can get, their installation experience and the range of models available from the manufacturer.”

A Note About De-warping
Panoramic views captured by fisheye cameras, while useful to monitor all corners of a given area, are often distorted and can seem unnatural to the human eye. This is where mapping or de-warping comes in, a technology that corrects this distorted view. De-warping is done by software that creates a corrected version of the 360-degree video stream transmitted by the fisheye camera. The type of fisheye lens plays a key role in this process. “The lens can provide stereo- graphic, equidistant, equidistant angle or orthographic images. The software mapping will be different depending on the lens,” Mesnik said. The de-warping process can be done in the camera firmware or in the supporting video management software. “Some camera manufacturers provide a software plug-in that does the mapping in the VMS. For example, Hikvison has provided software for Milestone,” Mesnik said. “A software- and-lens combination is available from Immervision. This company provides both a lens and algorithms that run in the camera. The company provides special Panamorph lenses and software that improves the quality of the video.”

Yet the user should know about some of the issues with de-warping. “Some fisheye camera manufacturers only have in-camera de-warping with no client-side de-warping ‘plug-in’ to a VMS, while others have in-camera de-warping but the de-warping algorithm is not sophisticated and the images look warped,” Carnevale said. “In addition, the video management software community is fragmented at best as it relates to true client-side de-warping of fisheye cameras. Some VMS’s have their own de-warping algorithms and others are brand- or model number-specific with an SDK integration. Still some integrations are just very generic between camera brands and video management software companies, leaving the user with heavy processing power issues with live de-warped displayed images.”

Selection and Installation Tips
The specification sheet of a fisheye camera may include a lot of information. According to Carnevale, users should look at the optics first. “Fisheye lenses are in much lower production than traditional board or P-Iris or varifocal lenses. Because of that, the quality gap is wide. This traditionally affects the image quality on the outer perimeter of the fisheye causing artifacts and uneven focus. More resolution is not always better when selecting fisheye cameras for this reason,” he said. “A close second place is low light. Evenly illuminating fisheye cameras is not an easy task. I’ve seen several models that only illuminate the image ‘straight-down’ so outside a five-feet radius the image is completely dark. Also because there are several IR illuminators focused this can cause over exposure.”

According to Mesnik, choosing the right products really depends on the customers’ own needs and requirements. “We ask questions such as what detail do you need to see? How far away do you want to be able to see a target? What are the lighting conditions? Is the camera facing a bright window that requires wide dynamic range? Do they want to view an area that is very dark?” he said. “Selecting the right fisheye camera starts with the customer’s objectives.”

Fisheye cameras are typically mounted on the ceiling to get the maximal result.

The following are some of the installation tips, according to Reolink in a blogpost:
– Avoid placing a 360 fisheye camera in or near a corner, as the walls will hinder its panoramic view.
– If the user plans to install a panoramic fisheye IP camera to the ceiling, make sure the camera is located in the center of the monitoring zone; otherwise the images will be reshaped.
– Keep the camera away from air conditioner vents and electric entrance doors.
– Make sure the fisheye camera is not near ceiling lamps or indicator light, which will interfere with the image signal and affect the camera’s image quality.
– Stabilize the 360-degree fisheye security camera with expansion screws to prevent it from falling down over a long period of time

Mission possible: Safeguarding Moscow’s extensive VTB Arena Park

Centralized video security and access control solution for new sports and events park, a 300,000 square-meter urban space
As Moscow’s latest events destination, VTB Arena Park attracts tens of thousands of spectators during concerts and sports matches. The US$ 1.5 billion project is also a city in its own right, featuring parks, shops, living spaces and a five-star hotel. Providing video security and access control on this massive scale proved a challenge, but not a ‘mission impossible’ for Bosch.

Securing a 300,000 square-meter urban space
The modern VTB Arena Park is a mixed-use development on a 300,000 square-meter area in the heart of Moscow. It’s a showcase for dynamic urban spaces, but also a challenge from a security manager’s perspective because of its size: The Dynamo Central Stadium in the middle of VTB Arena Park is home to the FC Dynamo Moscow football club and holds up to 26,000 spectators during league matches. The indoor arena entertains more than 12,000 guests during ice hockey matches, basketball games and rock concerts. These guests leave once the action is over, but the park also offers permanent retail facilities, residential spaces, and a five-star hotel.
As a result of the mixed uses of its spaces, VTB Arena Park presents a variety of specific security needs. For instance, the on-site security technology needs to provide seamless access to ticket holders during matches and concerts, but it also had to ensure the day-to-day safety of residents who live at VTB Arena Park.

“ We were fully aware that the multifunctional character of the VTB Arena Park would lead to complexity that could hardly be topped. We needed integration power, a partner who knew how to bind all loose ends into one solution that had never existed before.”
Alexander Kravchenkov, Deputy Head of Security Systems Maintenance Group IT Department at VTB Arena

Supporting security personnel with video analytics
The video security needs of the sprawling premises are diverse, especially during big concerts and sports events. The team required the ability to identify certain individuals – for instance a person in a red jacket – among feeds from several thousand cameras. It was also important to limit access to cameras in certain areas to specific personnel with the appropriate access rights and apply specific settings to single cameras.
Catering to these video security needs, Bosch installed more than 2,000 fixed and moving video cameras – both indoors and outdoors – to safeguard all facilities and the entire perimeter of the Arena Park. The team also secured the stadium, homes and offices with high-definition cameras especially suited for providing 24-hour security in outdoor spaces thanks to excellent low-light performance.

The cameras at VTB Arena Park also feature built-in Intelligent Video Analytics to support security staff in the control room with automated alerts. This video analysis automatically detects deviations from standard moving patterns, like a person entering restricted areas, and security staff can then zoom into a scene for closer investigation. The forensic search function also supports identifying and locating specific individuals, like the aforementioned person with a red jacket. For centralized control, security operators can manage all 2,000 cameras and connected video storage on Bosch recording units via the Bosch Video Management System (BVMS). The system provides the team with a single platform that also supports specific user access rights and settings for individual cameras or groups of cameras.

Integrating three access control systems on one platform
To achieve the same degree of integration in the access control system for Dynamo Central Stadium, the Bosch team needed to innovate: The stadium operates three different access control platforms at the same time: a paper ticket system that opens turnstiles for visitors during events on the SkiData system, proximity cards that unlock doors for employees via the Access Engine of the Building Integration System (BIS) provided by Bosch and a third, offline system by Simons Voss that permits entry at specific stadium facilities.
In order to create a single point of control for these three systems, the team devised a highly customized set-up on the Building Integration System (BIS) by Bosch. The customized system provides the security team with a central point of access and comprehensive overview of the entire park during large-scale events. It features custom interfaces with third-party software and hardware, as well as specific scripts to transfer relevant access data into the BIS event log. As a result, VTB Arena Park now commands a single platform to control all of the stadium’s access points, integrated with the video solution and intrusion alarm for end-to-end security at Moscow’s latest attraction.
„The capacity of Bosch to provide both video security and access control and at the same time being able to integrate its own solutions with third-party systems on a single platform, creating one integrated security systerm catering to all the various purposes, has made Bosch our main security partner.“ Alexander Kravchenkov

Compact for convenience – the G40, Checkpoint Systems newest space-saving EAS antenna

XXX 2019 –Checkpoint Systems, a global leader in source to shopper solutions, has today announced the launch of the G40, a small footprint acrylic antenna specifically designed to tackle theft in convenience stores.

With small format stores growing at an exponential rate globally, the need to protect merchandise in high traffic, small footprint environments is increasing. The compact RF-based, G40 EAS antenna offers a solution to cover areas where installation of traditional EAS proves challenging. Maximising space for product displays, delivering accurate detection between pedestals while back-shielding against false alarms caused by customers walking behind the antenna.

The antenna, built on Checkpoint’s trusted EVOLVE electronics platform, delivers full system connectivity for remote servicing, management reporting and system updates to minimise downtime.

Simon Edgar, Senior Director of EAS Solutions at Checkpoint Systems commented: “The G40’s high-performance, small form factor, focusses on tough to protect areas offering retailers a cost effective, efficient EAS antenna that doesn’t eat into valuable space, meaning retailers can still maximise selling space while minimising losses.”

The G40 is available immediately.

Dahua Provides ITS Solution for the Capital of Mongolia

Ulaanbaatar is the capital and the largest city of Mongolia, with a population over 1.3 million, which is almost half of the country’s total population. Over the past decade, the number of vehicles in Ulaanbaatar has risen by more than 300,000. As the political and cultural center of Mongolia, the increasing number of inhabitants and vehicles within the city has caused a series of social, environmental, and transportation problems. Dahua’s sophisticated ITS (Intelligent Transportation System) solution has integrated advanced software and hardware including sensors, information and data processing and physical electronics and communication technologies to assist the transportation department of Ulaanbaatar, in enhancing the safety and efficiency of its transportation system.

Challenges

In recent years, the government of Ulaanbaatar has prioritized the improvement of traffic management and has identified the need of a cost-effective solution towards speeding, traffic light violations and other road safety related issues, to create a more secure environment for citizens. Due to the high-latitude geography of the city, this project is particularly demanding on the monitoring equipment withstanding harsh environments.

Solution

Based on advanced intelligent algorithms, Dahua has provided the city with its cutting-edge ITS solution consisting of the ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) system for 28 main roads, the E-police system for 8 junctions, 2 mobile speed measurement systems as well as 15 high spot PTZ surveillance units. The project took only three months from the initial analysis of the client’s demands and solution design to, the final delivery, overcoming various tough issues along the way.

ANPR System

As there are no current systems for license plate recognition in Mongolia, the Dahua team worked in collaboration with a partner to customize a Mongolian license plate recognition algorithm. This was then integrated into the Dahua traffic cameras, achieving a reliable recognition rate, much to the satisfaction of the client. The Dahua traffic cameras installed at the significant main roads of the city, are able to function between a temperature of – 40 ℃ ~ + 80 ℃ and a 10%~90% humidity environment. The cameras will actively monitor and inspect each suspicious vehicle, and automatically capture their license plates in real time, sending out an automatic alert when blacklisted vehicles pass by.

E-police System

The monitoring equipment set up at the eight junctions, is able to help the Ulaanbaatar transportation authorities in making quick responses to traffic accidents that are caused by running red lights. When a violation occurs, the Dahua all-in-one capture camera takes a series of images of the vehicle’s license plate number, along with the status of the traffic signal and an aerial image of the scene as evidence. Afterwards, the DSS management and storage platform collects the data from each camera, and distributes it to operators for further processing.

Mobile Speed Measuring System

The mobile speed measuring system detects vehicles that surpass the speed limit in all weather conditions. The system features an all-in-one design, making it easy to use and install at different locations at a moment’s notice. This portability allows traffic police to move the system to different places whenever necessary. It consists of an 8MP CCD camera with amulti-target tracking radar, allowing for an accurate instant speed measurement of each passing vehicle and crystal-clear imaging. The IR flash lamp also ensures excellent imaging capabilities even during the dark of night.

To better serve the client, the Dahua team has provided the operators of the local transportation department, with relevant technical training and demonstrated to them, the installation and deployment of devices. Additionally, all three systems are unified on a single platform within the control center, further enabling the end user to a more efficient monitoring and management of road safety.

Benefits

Dahua’s ITS solution facilitates road safety and keeps the traffic flowing smoothly, raising the safety awareness of drivers, resulting in a more pleasant journey for drivers. Advanced technologies such as LPR and fuzzy search, actively reduces manpower demands on the police force, while increasing the efficiency of current enforcement. Furthermore, Dahua’s solution has assisted the government of Ulaanbaatar to finance a sustainable, growing, and well-maintained system of security and safety.

Using innovation to enhance the shopping experience

The way people shop has been changing ever since the advent of online shopping. Traditional ‘bricks and mortar’ shops have struggled – with some failing and crashing out of the high street. But the survivors are now turning to innovation to help them compete. According to magazine AdWeek, 70 percent of businesses say that omni-channel strategies are important, very important, or critical to their success. One industry that’s looking closely at how technology can bring a new channel of advertising and revenue to them is retail, with a focus on customer experience. A good example of that is the use of camera technology to show people how they look in certain clothes, which is revolutionizing the clothing retail industry.

Maximizing relationships
In a world where the battle for attention happens constantly all around us, new innovative ways of capturing those vital moments where a prospect is looking at your brand are emerging. One of these is precision marketing – the art of maximizing the relationship you have with your existing customers. According to Inc. Magazine, it is five to 10 times more expensive to find a new customer than to sell to an existing one. More traditional methods of doing this have been used by companies for a while now – like loyalty schemes.
One trend on the high street is delivering experiential shopping to customers – for example, hosting events in stores, entertaining people and providing much more of a personal service. These are all designed to give people an experience that they cannot get online, so bringing their spending power back to the high street. In some cases, the experiences are merged, with shoppers visiting a store to see what’s possible, and try out the products, but actually when they buy, it’s through the online store. So, we have entered an era when people could come out of a store and feel satisfied, even when they don’t have the product with them!
There is a secondary benefits to these methods too – through these activities you can find out a lot more about your customers – their shopping habits, for example, and popular items. This all feeds into the Holy Grail of effective marketing – understanding your customers and their decisions.

Innovation in-store
Marketeers’ quest has now turned to technology to bring exciting new experiences to the shop floor, and at the front of the queue for these changes is the fashion industry. One of these innovative methods uses a camera (for example Hikvision’s DeepinView Facial Recognition Camera) to capture a shopper’s gender and age to recommend suitable products, giving them an immersive experience.
Software can also recommend items – either as replacement, or even to complement, which increases the sale value. The DeepinView camera is armed with Deep Learning technology, which powers the smart element of the solution. Although the system does not keep records of those it scans, and so cannot identify them, it can detect how old they are and their gender using facial recognition. It can also be used to create a VIP customer scheme (with explicit permission from the customer) so that when the camera recognizes the customer entering the store, the sales attendants are alerted, with information about the customer. This means they can immediately approach them with a much more personalized service. This can really help shoppers and goes some way to make them feel special, understood and catered to individually.
With touch-screen capabilities, the signage can also be used to help shoppers to find the right products, by searching and navigating through available products.
All of this adds an element of fun into the experience, giving shoppers a positive feeling about the brand and increasing the likelihood that they will return and even share their experience with others.

Hikvision’s solution
Hikvision’s solution for retailers is made up of its leading DeepinView Facial Recognition camera to detect characteristics and a Floor-standing monitor to show products and provide interaction.
DeepinView Facial Recognition Camera (iDS-2CD8426G0/F-1)
– 1/2.8″ Progressive Scan CMOS
– 1920 × 1080 @ 30fps
– H.265+/H.265
– 5 video streams

Floor standing digital signage (DS-6055FL)
– 55” screen (43” screen also available)
– Resolution: 1920 × 1080@60 Hz
– LED backlight
– Metallic appearance
– Auto coloring and image enhancing engine

With retailers turning to technology to be competitive in the digital age, some innovative solutions are appearing to attract shoppers into bricks and mortar stores through experiential activities. Hikvision has a number of solutions to help retailers with this, including smart cameras and digital signage to push the boundaries of what’s possible in-store. These also help retailer to practice precision marketing – by offering their customers products tailored to their personal needs.

Click here for more information about what Hikvision smart solution can offer retailers.

New panoramic outdoor detector from OPTEX

Introducing OPTEX WX Infinity and WX Shield series, a new ranges of outdoor PIRs that offer panoramic 180° detection coverage and 12m radius to detect any intrusion around a residential or commercial building.
WX Infinity series and WX Shield series are built upon OPTEX’s extensive track record in providing outstanding sensing performance for outdoor intruder detection applications, while the wide (180°) detection area coverage brings a feature that is ideal for protecting larger residential grounds and flat roofs.

WXI series
The WX Infinity series comprises two wired and two wireless models available either as the standard or anti-masking version.
The WXI sensors can provide two, independent 90° 12m detection areas, one for the left side and one for the right. Sensitivity and alarm output can be set up independently for these left and right areas. For instance, the left output can trigger for a simple awareness alarm while the right side output prompts CCTV camera system to set an event index.
Area-masking shutter allows a sliding mechanism to quickly mask an area and makes the detection area narrower to avoid obstructions such as swaying vegetation. The set-up procedure has been made easier by including an automatic walk test mode to ensure a quicker and more accurate installation.
The WXI motion sensors benefit from OPTEX’s sensing analytics that filter out noises that are common in outdoor environments, and also distinguishes between humans and small- to medium-sized animals. The sensors also include temperature compensation and double conductive shielding to ensure best performance in sunny and hot outdoor environments. All WX Infinity models feature a tamper-proof back panel and the anti-masking models (WXI-AM/ WXI-RAM).

WXS series
The WX Shield series provides flexible range detection and settings, as well as a selectable low (0,8 – 1,2m) or high mount (2m) option. Like in WX Infinity the sensors feature two completely independent 90 degrees detection areas.

WXS comprises two PIR models and two dual-tech models. The dual technology (available in WXS-DAM and WXS-RDAM) combines PIR and microwave technology which provides the ultimate stability in detection performance and is ideal for applications where strong sunlight hits the land or car headlights shine directly into the sensor.
WXS series is equipped with self-learning IR and intelligent anti-masking. The sensors are also equipped with the Shield advanced features including double conductive shielding to avoid false alarms triggered by bright sunlight or RFI, automatic walk test and 5-year warranty.
“Outdoor warning technology can help prevent crimes by detecting and reporting intruders before they attempt to break into a building,” says Jacek Wójcik, OPTEX Managing Director, Central and Eastern Europe. “Early intrusion detection is what OPTEX has been focusing on for the last 40 years by delivering an extensive line-up of outdoor intruder detection sensors that provide reliable outdoor security.”

Best solutions to manage mall parking lots

About 79 million cars were sold across the globe in 2018 and this year sales are expected to remain steady, according to Statista. As these cars take to the roads, there is an increasing need for parking lots that are managed with advanced technologies.
Izvor: a&s International
E-mail: redakcija@asadria.com

Malls and shopping centers present some unique challenges to parking management. The most significant among them is that there is always some kind of movement in the parking lot. Visitors enter and exit throughout the day, and in some cases, night. There is also the need to provide convenient payment systems that are easy to user.

Technological advancements and user behavior have prompted the emergence of certain trends in this industry, according to the International Parking and Mobility Institute (IPMI), an association of professionals in parking, transportation, and mobility. Key among them are the use of mobile technology, increased use of guidance systems, and better access control and payment options.

Then there are also concerns on changes in the automotive industry. As electric cars become popular, mall owners may create special spaces for them. Looking ahead, there are bound to be more autonomous cars and that would present a whole new challenge altogether.

The following is a look at the major requirements of parking management in the mall and shopping center vertical and potential criteria for selecting solutions.

What Are the Major Security Concerns in Mall Parking Lots?

Being a place where crowds gather, malls are vulnerable to several kinds of attack. But in parking lots there are other concerns too.

The number of malls across the globe is increasing. So are the number of private vehicles that people use to get to these malls. The situation inevitably calls for improved parking lot management solutions that can take care of safety concerns as well as make processes more efficient. From a systems integrator’s (SI) perspective, understanding the evolving threats in mall parking lots is integral to offering solutions that would ensure maximum protection. Speaking to a&s recently, Arvind Mayar, CEO of Secure Parking Solutions listed some of the major concerns that SIs should be aware of.

1. Bomb threats
Malls are places where a huge number of people gather every day. This makes them a target for terrorist attacks. In December last year, two people were killed and about 30 wounded when a bomb exploded at a mall in the Philippines. Similar incidents have taken place in other places too. While they may not always have occurred in the parking areas, car bombs are a serious threat that parking lot management systems should be concerned about.

2. Vehicle theft
Theft of cars or things kept in cars parked at shopping centers is also a cause of concern. Incidents such as the burglary at the Stanford Shopping Center in Palo Alto last year continue to show that parking lots are far from safe at present.

3. Accidents
Accidents are a risk wherever vehicles are being driven. In the closed spaces of parking lots, where there is limited room to maneuver cars, this risk is higher than in several other places. According to the insurance firm ThinkInsure, one in five accidents happen in parking lots. While most parking lot accidents are minor and involve low-speed impact, they can still result in serious damage and injury.

4. Fire
According to Mayar, the possibility of vehicles catching fire is a major issue that needs to be addressed when providing solutions for parking lots. Some experts point out that car manufacturers increasingly use more plastic in vehicles now than before, leading to fire-related incidents becoming a major concern.

5. Vandalism and related issues
Damage to cars by vandals is also a concern. This becomes all the more common in malls that have nightclubs or bars and inebriated people acting irresponsibly, according to Mayar. Vandalism may not always be an isolated incident and could happen as part of a theft. According to Twin City Security, a firm that offers security services, malls are the new main streets of the U.S. This means the wide range of security concerns that could have been expected on the main street can now be expected in a mall. In the specific context of parking lots, we could say that any concern that’s relevant to a car parked in the streets could also be applicable to malls. The only difference here is the efficiency of a parking lot management solution. An ideal solution should be able to integrate with different security systems like surveillance cameras, access control systems, and fire solutions, to act in accordance with a given situation. Naturally, security is just one benefit of a parking management solution. Operational efficiency, economic and environmental advantages would also benefit mall managers as well as their customers. Drivers will be able to know the number of vacant parking spots available before entering the area. Some solutions even offer mobile solutions that can inform the drivers of the status through short message services. This reduces the amount of time, energy, or manpower that would otherwise be spent searching for a spot considerably. In turn, it also reduces pollution.

Major Challenges in Managing Parking Lots

Several parking management challenges can be dealt with by employing some of the latest technologies on the market.

With rapid urbanization and increased population density in cities, there is a heightened need for mobility solutions. Private vehicles are a preferred mode of transportation for many people in developed economies. As the standard of living continues to go up in several parts of the world, more and more people and companies buy new cars. For cities, this has brought with it the challenge of creating parking spaces. The concept of the parking lot has evolved quite a bit over the years from just a place where people could leave their cars to places that are managed by automated solutions to ensure security and operational efficiency. The number of malls and other commercial centers is also increasing in cities, attracting more and more people who prefer to drive in with their cars. This has increased the need for efficient parking lot management systems in malls, not just to make sure people have a hassle-free experience but also to avoid wasting money and resources. Nevertheless, there are several challenges that mall management and solution providers face when it comes to managing parking lots. Some of these challenges are the reason automated systems have come into place. Others persist despite the introduction of such systems.

Manual Ticketing is Time Consuming
Before venturing into the realm of automated parking lot systems, let’s take a look at why electronic solutions should be used. Manual ticketing systems take up time and require more manpower, resulting in higher costs and slower processing. While this may be seen as an obvious issue to many, the fact is that there are still several malls and commercial entities across the globe that are yet to make the shift from manual ticketing systems. Paper-based ticketing systems also make the job of information management difficult. In case of any untoward incidents, the management should be able to provide information about any vehicle parked in their space immediately. Automated electronic systems make this possible.

Access Control and Ticketing System Failure
One of the worst nightmares for a parking lot manager is the malfunctioning of any access control system. Since malls are often open for long hours and mostly every day of the week, parking lots will be in use most of the time. Should an entry management system fail in any way, there could be delays that leave customers upset.

False Damage Claims
According to Arvind Mayar, CEO of Secure Parking Solutions, there are always some customers who try to claim that their car was damaged while in the parking lot, when in reality the car was already damaged before entering the lot. To deal with such an issue, there is a need for high-quality video surveillance that can provide clear images of the condition of a vehicle at the point of entry. Adequate lighting is also required to support the surveillance systems that are being installed.

Integration
Installing new parking solutions at existing malls and shopping centers is a challenge. But perhaps what’s even more difficult is the integration of these solutions into third-party systems. For instance, surveillance and fire may be managed by a different vendor. Unless all the companies involved are willing to support integration, operations could be tough.

Open standards for traffic data exchange like DATEX II become relevant in this context. Fortunately, major companies do support such standards. For instance, Siemens’ intelligent parking solution offers links to third-party applications via open standards such as DATEX II. This interface can allow for the integration of data produced by a system for payment providers, enforcement and in-vehicle platforms that consume data in order to provide services that add value to the infrastructure in place.

Six Major Requirements of Parking Lot Solutions Customers

Security and convenience are key for parking lot management. But providing them is not as simple as it sounds.

Mall and shopping centers require parking lots that offer convenience and safety to their customers. But this is just the tip of the iceberg when considering customer requirements. When providing such a solution, systems integrators (SI) should know the specific demands of end-users in order to provide a hassle-free solution.

1. Ease of finding parking space
People arriving at malls should be able to know the number and location of vacant parking spots even before entering the premises. There are several ways in which solution providers deal with this. Sensors placed at parking spaces inform the system on the status of the space. Signage boards placed outside of parking lots can display the information gathered from these sensors. Alternatively, some systems may also provide mobile-based services so drivers can send a message to the system to get an update on vacant spots. There are also app-based solutions that can inform drivers about where they can park their vehicles.

2. Security
Surveillance systems are necessary to ensure the security of cars parked. Apart from providing evidence for forensic purposes, applications like a license plate recognition (LPR) system can help to identify cars that warrant special service, like those of VIP customers. Analytical solutions may also come in handy in detecting intruders and providing instant alerts to security personnel. Several major global security vendors have dedicated parking lot management solutions that include cameras equipped with LPR integrated into the access control system.

3. Cost-effectiveness
According to Arvind Mayar, CEO of Secure Parking Solutions, many customers are concerned about the initial investment for a solution. While high costs can deter many end-users, systems integrators and solutions providers should be able to convince customers of the long term financial benefits that increased operational efficiency would bring.

4. Multiple payment options
Customers should be given the option to pay in their preferred mode. This could be card, cash, or a mobile payment system like Apple Pay. This could speed up entry and minimize the chances of long lines forming. The parking management software should be easy to configure and set up, and should be able to calculate the parking duration and cost. In the case of cars that have management-issued passes, the system should be able to exclude them from payment.

5. Integration and retrofitting
Solutions that can be integrated into existing systems are necessary for older buildings. Considering that there are already several malls in many developed countries, systems integrators will often have to work within certain constraints.

6. Analytics
Analytics solutions provide deeper insights into the behavior of customers, allowing management to improve the customer experience and optimize operations. These solutions can also provide information on the status of machines and if they require any maintenance. Reports can be automated and scheduled to be sent by email at regular intervals. In short, the requirements of the customers in the field are a mix of solutions that would improve safety and business operations. For SIs, knowing the right hardware and software to put in place, integrating them with existing systems, and ensuring their seamless operations is what matters most.

Consultants Speak:
How to Select Parking Management Solutions for Malls

Although several advanced parking management solutions have hit the market in recent years, many shopping centers and malls have stuck with traditional systems.

Speaking to a&s, Ian Goodwin, owner of the Parking Consultancy, pointed out that traditional systems use a barrier with a ticket vending machine where the driver pays upon exit. However, as technology evolves and malls look to improve their systems, solutions like license plate recognition (LPR) will become more common. LPR would be especially useful in places where the parking is free but only for a limited amount of time. An LPR system can assist in tracking how long a car has been parked in the parking lot. Given the several different brands of parking solutions on the market, the customers should know what to prioritize when making a purchase. Here we list some of the major factors to consider when buying a parking management solution.

1. Reputation and cost
This would seem like an obvious point to some, as going with a reputable brand is necessary for reliability. However, those who are familiar with the industry will tell you that reputation and cost do not always go hand in hand. Quite often, customers compromise on the quality of a product for the sake of cost. In Goodwin’s opinion, zeroing in on a few brands that have a history of providing reliable products is a good way to start. Goodwin pointed out that especially in the U.K. market, several Asian manufacturers, especially those from China offer reliable solutions that are easy on the pocket as well.

2. Sticking to a single brand
There are companies that provide either hardware or software alone for parking management. In Goodwin’s opinion, it’s better to stick to complete solution providers who sell both hardware and software. “Sometimes the hardware and software may be manufactured by separate companies … But in my opinion, it’s much better to stick to in-house built software,” Goodwin said.

3. Installation and support
The company should provide support for the installation and setup of the solution from scratch. Make sure the solution requires minimal maintenance while ensuring that quick after-sales service is assured. Some experts suggest ensuring the company has a local presence as a priority. This would help them understand the local conditions and provide suitable support. Any downtime of the product will lead to losses for the management. Hence while purchasing a solution, the customers should be clear on how quickly the company will provide maintenance support in case of a malfunction. “There should be agreements in place with the solutions provider about the after-sales service,” Goodwin said.

4. Detailed reports
The solution should be able to provide a structured and detailed report on the payments made by customers, who is in a car, and, if possible, analytics data to the management. This will help understand factors like the peak time and frequency of users and help in making informed decisions on tariffs and other rules.

5. Friendly but secure
Customers who visit a mall are not going to be happy if the parking solution is not easy to use. Hence being user-friendly should be a priority. This will also make the work of mall staff easier. However, user-friendliness should not come at the cost of security.

6. Third-party integration
Being able to integrate the parking management systems with other systems like security and safety solutions will help in ensuring better management. Integrated systems can work quickly in the event of any unwanted incidents. Such solutions are also easy to operate and control from a management perspective.

 

ISSUES

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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.