Monthly Archives: June 2010

Siemens Access Control Si-Pass Range

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Siemens – Si-pass range.

Siemens are famous for many different products both inside and outside the security industry.
They have now produced a range of access control solutions that aim to compete at the highest level with some of their competitors more recognised for access control manufacturing. Their Si pass Entro 6 software is the latest access control solution and is packed with features. It is able to handle up to 512 doors with up to 40000 users and can support 480 access groups. The access control software is able to allow 240 time schedules and has additional benefits such as alarm bypass roll call and anti pass back to ensure door security and to help maintain a high security level. The software is windows compatible on machines that run 2000 /vista and x/p as well as Vista. Other benefits include the ability to integrate the Siemans Sistore DVR and photo I’D.

Access door controller.

Together with software comes the SI- PASS SI 351-8 which is a door controller. The controller sits at the heart of the Entro system and can operate independently without the software. In the case of a network failure it acts as a disaster recovery system and can hold up to 10000 events that will instantly update once the failure is resolved. An excellent tool and one that can save lots of time and money.

SC7 smart card reader.

Siemens also have released the SC7 MIFARE smart card reader that can be used where access control is not the sole use of the smart card. It is integrated seamlessly into the entro controllers is IP 67 rated .The reader can recognise all industry standard smart cards and has been cleverly designed to be future proofed for new technologies that may be forthcoming onto the market.

Conclusion.

SI-PASS access control solutions have clearly been designed to compete along side some of the very best current technology on offer and there are also plans in place to integrate to CCTV and intruder alarms to give a complete integrated package. Worth following the product to see how this it progresses in the market place

Hybrid CCTV camera solutions. The way forward!

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CCTV what’s next?

In today’s market it cannot be denied that the whole ethos of security and ideas of how customers protect their premises is changing. Many companies are looking to recycle existing security equipment or at the very least their current wiring  infrastructure. New equipment sales and complete upgrades are becoming more difficult to sell as budgets are tightened across all areas of business. Some security companies view this as a depressing fact and have resigned themselves to less sales cutting their staff accordingly. This may however be a little premature.

CCTV servicing.

Service opportunities are rising as existing kit slowly begins to fail and begs to be replaced but a whole new system is often a luxury that many companies just will not stomach. So it is now the time to think smart. Networks and IT technology is a an unstoppable fact of life and upgrades in this area are inevitable so camera solutions have to fit into this ever expanding frame work . The whole situation lends itself perfectly to a hybrid solution.

What is a hybrid solution?

Well a hybrid DVR is simply one that can handle both old analogue technology and the new IP cameras that are seen as the future of CCTV and security. Phasing IP in is less costly but still allows an end user to embrace the new products that can bring extensive benefits. The only proviso being, that the IP cameras  must be specified correctly. The right camera for the right application.

Hybrid CCTV systems.

Forward thinking Installing Companies prepared to use old analogue cameras together with a hybrid DVR will find the first step to new on going sales has been reached. As Hd and Megapixel cameras become more and more prevalent they can be integrated into a hybrid system over a period of time. This is more in the thinking of company accountants looking to find a solution, but one that suits his needs and budgets.

Be flexible, service all the  security solutions on a site!

To grow sales be flexible. Take on one or more of the security disciplines on site. Then, a customer will be more reliant on their installer and again this will give an opportunity for more sales and even integration between the CCTV, access control and intruder panels.

Sales to increase?

So lets not be gloomy about how we can grow sales of megapixel, HD, IP cameras and DVRs. This particular period  of difficult market conditions should really be re-thought as a chance for innovative and forward thinking installers to grow and enjoy the bright future that new IP camera solutions will soon bring.

IP camera 200 series from Bosch

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Bosch 200 series.

Bosch have recently brought onto the market the new IP 200 series IP camera range. The camera is an IP unit that comes in two versions, the IP camera 225 and the IP camera 255. Essentially the 225 is a fixed lens and the 255 is varifocal . The beauty of the 200 series is that you need no DVR. The camera is a networked solution and has recording ability on board within the camera using a 16 GB  SD card.

Clear crisp images.

The camera produces clear crisp images and all video can also be reviewed over the network using CCTV software that is supplied with the camera. The images are compressed using H.264 and this allows an additional 30% storage capacity over MPEG-4 . Both IP cameras are colour units and are ideally suited to reception areas or tills where they could be used in multi- site applications and accessed by 1 individual responsible for all sites such as car hire franchises or late night stores.

More benefits.

The IP camera 200 series has even more benefits, it is a single box solution and easy to set up. Simply remove the unit from the box, fix in the required position and connect to the network via an IP point. It has built in motion detection and also audio detection. As mentioned before with both on-site or remote viewing via PC and power over Ethernet this is a fantastic solution for those who have a problem on a single area of their site and need a quick easy security answer.

Conclusion.

Very competitively priced and simple, the IP 200 range can fit into many situations and will find many takers, especially for monitoring and recording sensitive areas where a full scale CCTV camera system quite simply is not required.

Arecont AV2805 Camera

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Arecont.
Arecont Vision manufacture and supply a range of high-performance megapixel IP cameras that have taken the industry by storm over the last 18 months in particular. Based in the USA they have seen some stunning expansion in the UK market.
Using clever features such as mega video and surround video they have made some dramatic steps away from what we are used to with analogue CCTV today. Using these technologies Arecont have brought a new way of thinking to the security industry about how to deliver HD and megapixel solutions to the end user. This brings us to their newest camera release the AV2805.
1080p full HD camera
The AV2805 is the new 1080p full HD camera that Arecont have recently released. One of the main benefits claimed by Arecont for this camera is the competitive price. This does however not detract form the performance Arecont claim.
The image quality is second to none and the camera is available in day /night as well as colour versions. Compression methods are selectable and can be either MJPEG or H.264,  this allows the camera to be used in a wide range of applications. As always the main benefits are picture quality that allows post event forensic zooming something that sets HD and Megapixel cameras apart from there analog predersessors. The unit produces HD video with 1920 x 1080 pixels for unrivaled clarity.
Conclusion.
Arecont continue to produce new products and new ideas that can only help megapixel cameras become a more accepted and well used in the IPCCTV solution  that is becoming more and more widespread by the day.

Risco wireless intruder alarms

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Grade 2 WisDom wireless intruder alarm.

Risco  have released the wireless pick and mix kit which currently meets grade 2 standards.

They have called it the WisDom panel. In addition the pick and mix package allows you to select 6 wireless devices from the following.

A standard wireless PIR

A pet PIR

A panic wristband

A PA fob

A shock sensor

As standard you will receive a bell box in the package.

So why choose a wireless intruder alarm?

Wireless intruder alarms have their place. Small industrial units and domestic premises can benefit from quick installations. This keeps the cost down for customers and reliability has dramatically improved over the last few years. It is always advisable however to get a full radio survey carried out before an installation.

Domestic customers.

Domestic customers seem to prefer wireless intruder alarms for obvious reasons, no cabling , no mess, and engineers in and out before they know it. We have however been to some houses that are totally unsuitable for this type of solution. Thick walls in older buildings always seem to cause issues as can a radio alarm in next doors premises. We have also experienced problems from external interference that we could only deduce were caused by military sources.

Conclusion

So in summary , quick easy, relatively cheap as labour is dramatically reduced always carry out a survey to ensure you have a trouble free installation.