Tag: monitored CCTV

RVR Temporary CCTV monitoring solution

Security unplugged.

RVR have recently introduced their new security unplugged product and it is now available to installers to sell . Effectively this a temporary Monitored CCTV solution that requires no mains and is quick and simple to fit.

Alarms over mobile network.

The alarms are sent over the cellular network and the system comprises of a PIR detector with an inbuilt camera that on activation sends a 10 second video sequence to the remote operator. The cameras are backed up with night time illuminators to ensure nothing gets missed even in the darkest of areas.

Internal and external cameras with integrated sensor.

The camera comes in both internal and external forms and is robust enough to handle harsh environments. The system is affordable and portable and can be deployed just about anywhere. Each device in the system is powered by batteries with a 4 year life span and the manufacturers claim the system can be installed by just one person in under two hours.

Videofied.

The system called Videofied and it can be set using a wireless remote and  is ideal for homes phone towers construction sites caravan parks docks or marinas. The integrated GPRS Sim module makes the system user friendly anywhere you have a signal.

RVR.

RVR are a forward thinking company with plenty of experience in remote monitoring of CCTV and for them to endorse this product means that we can be confident that it is expecting sales to do well as we enter the next generation of CCTV monitoring.

Emizon 21 line monitoring solution.

Emizon  FAQ.

What is Emizon and why is it different?

Emizon is dual path signalling device used for the security industry. Uniquely its primary path is IP and its secondary path is GPRS. It has been developed to fit into the new world of IP and is an obvious option to monitor broadband telephone lines.

Is it compliant with BT 21 CN fibre upgrade. Also does it replace traditional signalling devices such as Redcare and DualCom?

It certainly is 21CN compliant. Emizon is designed to work with all upgraded lines. When it comes to replacing traditional signalling methods it is able to signal to grade 2,3 and 4  EN standards so therefore yes, it can replace any signalling solution.

Will the insurance companies accept it?

Emizon have their own advisers on this subject . As with any new technology insurance companies are often slow to move away from what they know. However. Emizon offers some very good reasons why Insurance companies will accept this technology and in terms of price Emizon is highly competitive.

Are they easy to install?

Emizon have spent a long time developing this technology awaiting the time when IP solutions will begin to dominate all physical security products and IP will become accepted as the standard way of communicating data. The installation is simple and non site specific , meaning engineers can carry the unit in their stock. The Emizon website offers a comprehensive guide to installation techniques and what will be involved.

Why would we want to change from traditional monitoring methods?

Digicoms are being routinely replaced now as this old technology is vulnerable to line cuts and changes to the BT network. A customer with a large number of sites will see significant savings on their monitoring costs if they chose to use Emizon over some of their more famous competitors.

New markets and opportunities for Emizon.

The most important opportunities lie in the CCTV monitoring field where the use of broadband lines is becoming the most popular way of transmitting CCTV alarms to a central station. In fact anyone who needs a permanent broadband connection for critical data transfer should consider having their lines monitored by Emizon 21.

Conclusion.

Emizon has hit the market place at just the right time. Broadband has started to take a grip as the most important communication path we have. The ability to monitor this 24 hours a day for a minimal cost can only mean this monitoring option goes from strength to strength.

External security perimeter protection IFSEC 2010.

External security solutions.

What solutions will we see at IFSEC this year with regard to external security protection? Integrated CCTV have lots of experience in both the advantages and the pitfalls of the different detection solutions. Below we list some of the options and when and where they should be used.

Perimeter protection.

External security  has been around now for many years now. Originally of course there was CCTV. At the time a fantastic deterrent. However as the criminal fraternity have become used to cameras and less fearful of the consequences of  CCTV evidence, the industry has had to concentrate on more effective ways of keeping criminals away from vulnerable sites.

Fixed beams or PIR sensors?

Both have their place, Pirs can of course be vulnerable to environmental problems such as flapping plastic , sunlight issues and wildlife. They can however be used in any position on the site and for blanket coverage are the best way to protect most external stock. Fixed beams are more reliable and stable but they rely on line of site between the transmitter and receiver and on many sites this just is not possible. Even where it is it tends to mean that the customer looses storage space and this rarely fits into line with his operational needs. Fixed beams are also overtly obvious and can be over-come on rare occasions because of this.

CCTV Analytics.

So are analytics the answer? This is a means where by using advanced video motion algorithms in conjunction with static CCTV cameras, security systems are able to generate an alarm condition . Human intrusion onto a premises can be detected with relative certainty. The drawbacks of this are generally related to lighting issues and of course the quality of the camera that has been installed. Most important is  the view we can get from that camera often we need lots of cameras if the premises is large or has lots of nooks and crannies, we then have the issue that too many cameras and the costs rise, too few and we leave vulnerable areas on the site. In addition if we have dynamic stock movements this means scenes can change and the  alarm point becomes irrelevant.

Flir thermal imaging cameras.

Thermal imaging cameras are definitely a brilliant way of confirming an intrusion. They can even detect heat behind walls or in sheds. they are the best way to be  100%  sure that there is human activity within a restricted area. The only real drawback is the cost but Flir the main player in the marketplace have some convincing arguments as why they should be used more and more for commercial security applications. Definitely worth looking into.

Deterrent.

Of course it is all very well detecting an intruder but what is the best way to encourage them to leave site and leave property untouched? Some use lighting or a verbal warning and activate local alarm sounders. This works very well at moving criminals on, no one wants to be caught, so drawing attention to an intrusion though noise is highly effective. Other methods include a central station response to a fixed beam activation , that is we send the signal through like we would on an intruder alarm alerting the central station that the perimeter has been breached.

Off site response.

CCTV monitoring by remote central stations is the main way that most businesses choose to protect their external stock. Once an on site alarm is generated this sent together with the CCTV image to the central station. The image is presented to an operator and if a person is seen a key-holder is called and mobilized to site , In addition the central station can tannoy the site and warn the intruder that they are being watched.

Monitored CCTV broadband connection.

In the past the CCTV images were always sent by PSTN or ISDN phone lines. Now with these being phased out under the BT21CN upgrades most companies now rely on broadband to transmit these images. This is where without serious thought remote monitoring can become unstuck. What if the broadband line goes down? Well Emizon21 IP have the solution to that problem .They are one of the few who can monitor broadband lines properly for failure and transmit an alert via a secondary signalling path to the central station to warn them of  any problems with the line.

IFSEC 2010

So external security has come a long way in the last 20 years and we look forward to what IFSEC 2010 has to offer us this year. We think IP cameras able to generate alarms with on board recording and switched relay contacts to activate sounders will be playing a part but can they replace traditional methods. We will have to wait and see.

Digicoms fail under BT 21st Century Network upgrade.

Industry release warning.

Central stations have released more information about Digicom failures that are now known not just to be BT 21CN related but also associated with other NGNs (next generation networks) that other communication companies are supplying.

Examples of problems or failures.

1) Broadband installations

2) Star services

3) Lease cost routing

4) Changes from one supplier of communications to another.

Line providers change T & C’s.

The problem is starting to be considered serious enough by some communication companies that they have decided to to actually change their terms and conditions  to absolve themselves of responsibility if digicom signals fail to get carried across their network.

Upgrade now.

Central stations are now speaking to all intruder alarm companies advising them to speak to their customers and get their systems upgraded to 21CN compatible communication products these are as follows.

1) Redcare secure range.

2) Emizon.

3) CSL DualCom.

4) WebWay

5) Chiron

6) Risco.

Most of the above products are well established and proven solutions to current problem. More importantly they mostly offer duel path signalling and this is obviously much more secure and acceptable to insurance companies.

Prices.

Although monitoring prices are generally slightly more expensive than the  original Digicom would have been. The situation has forced the cost of dual path signalling down significantly and this means great opportunities for new sales, something that should not go unnoticed by security companies.

Garden centre CCTV

Integrated CCTV in garden centres.

Garden centres are notoriously difficult to protect. They are generally sited out of town and as a rule tend to back onto country side. As a result lighting is pretty much non existent and boundaries are easily accessible. Add to this the nature of the stock, easily moved, easily sold and generally quite expensive.

Lots of work  going to waste.

Some of the stock can take many months or years to reach a maturity where it can be sold so is very difficult to replace. A major break in at a garden centre especially externally can be a substantial setback to the business. So historically what type of security measures has the industry taken? Well in truth probably less than most businesses that store the majority of their value externally.

CCTV security in garden centres.

CCTV Cameras have always had a duel purpose within garden centres, they act as a deterrent for shoplifters during the day and give added security at night when being used for monitored CCTV. But what about lighting and how do false alarms affect the system on those hot summer evenings after the site is closes? You have plants and trees blowing about in front of the sensors sending an untenable amount of activations through to the central station. To be honest none of these issues have ever really been solved properly. Now however there is a product that will work in all situations and it is starting to become an affordable solution.

FLIR thermal CCTV cameras.

FLIR thermal CCTV cameras can now solve the problems of lighting and false alarms when combined with intelligent analytic technology. Now its not cheap but when you consider the on going cost of lighting, increasing light pollution issues and the reliability which means false alarms are essentially eliminated then it does become an attractive prospect. FLIR are confident that within 3-5 years prices will compete easily with high end spec analogue cameras and also the prices of HD and mega pixel IP camera solutions.

Conclusion.

So in conclusion security will always be required at garden centres and now after many years of false dawns a real security solution is on the horizon that  could be both affordable, reliable and stable.