DIGITALLY MANAGED AND NETWORKED SECURITY

The monitoring side of security is being fueled by new avenues available to dealers to increase the recurring revenue both on commercial and residential accounts. As the security industry continues its migration toward a digitally networked platform, manufacturers in this arena are offering products designed to handle the speed and bandwidth requirements and price points necessary for applications that range from small to enterprise wide.

Remote site management, video observation, data archiving and alarm monitoring are possible with the use of “Smart Hardware” open architecture software applications and network protocols. Third-party central station monitoring facilities and cellular carriers are also involved in this evolution, enabling professional trained interaction with the “Smart Hardware” to provide appropriate timely reactions.

The benefits these technologies bring touch everyone involved in the process. On the front end, your installer’s job is being made easier thanks to simplified installation and configuration. On the back end, the benefits come from enhanced troubleshooting capabilities.

The customer is now afforded flexible system control. The overall community, in general, is experiencing the value of verified alarm reporting, pinpointed alarm dispatches and reduced false alarms.

This technology finds utilization in both manned facilities as well as those where security is required without the benefit of on-site security personnel. These tools also enable non-security type monitoring and intervention for every size client. Here is a collection of items suitable for bringing the new age of world class monitoring to your customers.

New Tools for the Monitoring Trade
AirVisual is an application service provider that specializes in the development of enterprise safety and security software. It makes possible, the management and wireless delivery of visual intelligence including video, audio and text to mobile devices over any network.

The company’s unique software driven solutions allow security professionals, law enforcement personnel, first responders and central stations to remotely access, monitor and control security systems from virtually any manufacturer using any computer or hand-held device such as a cellular phone, PDA or tablet.

Full telemetry enables control over internal functions such as PTZ control, DVR set-up/programming and access control with advanced notification features—including the ability to send bookmarks with specific information related to alarm events.

AirVisual’s product suite is comprised of three remote applications: IntelliViewer—a wireless video monitoring platform; TransViewer—a mobile vehicle surveillance solution; and RoadViewer—a wireless traffic information system. All three remote monitoring/control solutions are built on AirVisual’s core expertise in the management and delivery of wireless video, audio and text.

AirVisual’s IntelliViewer is a hosted software application that enables video surveillance (live and archived video in real time), access control and security systems to be accessed, monitored and controlled using any networked or mobile device. The remote solution delivers full telemetry to control internal functions such as PTZ operation or DVR programming via a secure network connection.

TransViewer delivers real-time images from the inside of a vehicle, multiplexes and records up to eight video cameras and two channels of audio. The system can also respond to panic alarms and processes GPS information to instantly locate a vehicle to facilitate faster and more efficient responses. The instant visual access capabilities of the system empowers command center operations to act quickly and confidently, improving safety and streamlining routine functions by providing a wide range of vehicle information.

RoadViewer alleviates many of the problems first responders experience due to everyday traffic by providing them a real-time view of traffic conditions. The system captures live video images from traffic camera networks and sends them along with alerts or other text-based information to wireless devices such as cell phones, PDAs or in-vehicle systems. The off-the-shelf solution works with existing GPS, sensor and map applications and can be integrated with intelligent transportation system (ITS) platforms for advanced traffic management. Various configurations are available for city emergency services, business fleets and individual daily commuters.

For more information on AirVisual, visit www.airvisual.com or call 212-822-8851.

Instant Status Reports
American Fibertek Afinety System allows security professionals to access the status of any of the American Fibertek digital fiber optic transceivers and the cameras they are connected to using a standard web browser. Status can be monitored from virtually any location where Internet service is accessible.

In the event of an alarm condition, Afinety e-mails the system administrator with real-time status of the problem. As a result, alarms can be instantly evaluated as “hard” or “soft” failures so technicians can prepare themselves with the equipment they need. Afinety is a firmware driven monitoring module designed as displayed within a Web browser. The system offers extensive system status monitoring for American Fibertek’s continually expanding line of digital transceivers employed on a network platform.

Afinety provides a direct ID/status link to each transceiver in the system including the name/location of the site, rack identification, the type of device in each slot of the rack, the serial number of the device and run-time hours. Status indication includes power, video level to verify camera operation, optical loss, temperature, contact status and signal verification. Afinety is password protected to prevent unauthorized access to system status information.

For more information, visit www.americanfibertek.com.

Enhancing Remote Site Monitoring and Control Capabilities
The Integrated Data Manager (IDM) from Honeywell is a data-monitoring solution that enables complete integration of transaction data with its corresponding video from multiple sites via LAN/WAN or DSL. Ideal for the casino, retail, hospitality and financial industries, IDM uses Microsoft’s .Net technology that allows quick integration with major POS systems, slot machines, cash counters, ATMs, online systems or any data-generating device.

Rapid Eye LT Digital Recording & Transmission System from Honeywell is a digital storage management tool that combines video, audio, and data capabilities in a single remote unit. The system consists of three major components: the Recorder Unit (RU), featuring LocalView, the local user interface that provides on-site video, audio and data management capabilities and basic system and camera configuration; ONEADMIN Software, the workstation/server-based administration tool capable of single site and multiple user management; and VIEW Software, the workstation-based operator program.

For more information, visit www.security.honeywell.com.

Working Hand-in-Hand
OzVision OzLine video alarm monitoring units fully integrate with all major central station software. They are a natural upgrade to an alarm system. The missing link between intrusion and video, they provide video verification, open/close video reports, notification upon event by e-mail and scheduled video tours.

OzVision has integrated its solution with the major automation software companies including MAS, Bold, Dice and SIMS. These integrated solutions allow central stations to become OzVision Compatible and offer video monitoring services.

The OzLine 2CS has two alarm inputs and transmits high-quality remote video images over standard telephone lines. The 2CS adds a small business and residential solution to OzVision’s other central station products, the four-channel OzLine 4CS and the feature-rich 12CS 12-channel unit.

These devices send pre- and post-video clips to the central station for verification. End users can also dial in using the included Control Center software to view live video from any computer.

OzVision has also collaborated with Honeywell for advanced monitoring capabilities. Honeywell’s V4000 Remote Video System is an OzVision compatible, “plug-and-play,” event-driven, video verification module that integrates seamlessly with its VISTA Series alarm panels. The V4000 works like a digital dialer in an alarm panel by dialing in to the central station and transmitting pre- and post-video clips of a triggered event over standard telephone and cellular lines.

Video clips from the V4000 are digitized and compressed using OzVision’s patented video compression technology to create files that are much smaller than conventional ones and which maintain a high level of video quality regardless of the amount of motion captured. Receiving pre- and post-alarm video clips simultaneously with the alarm signal enables the central station dispatchers to prioritize and verify alarms before acting on them—an ideal solution to the false alarm problem and no-response policies.