Live from IFSEC 2007 - Day 3

May 24, 2007
From video servers to high-tech buried intrusion detection, a tour through the IFSEC 2007 tradeshow

Paxton Access kicked off the day with a press conference to promote some of their newest products that will be coming soon to the US market. Adam Stroud, director of sales and marketing introduced the new Net 2 Nano Wireless Control Unit and the Net 2 Desktop Reader, new for 07 and available in the US in the 4th quarter. The Net 2 Nano communicates wirelessly with the Net 2 Desktop reader with no need for a data line.

Also available towards the end of Q4 will be the EasyProx, a complete system in a door handle. No wires, means simple installation, east to you proximity technology that is compatible with Net 2 software. And, lastly, available now in the US the Hands Free Reader. Convert existing readers via an interface that reads 1.5 meters with an active key fob. This application is designed for those with special access requirements. This product can be retrofitted to any existing equipment and makes the perfect upgrade.


Check out photos from IFSEC Day Three

"R U Ready for HSPD-12?" While walking the expansive floor of IFSEC, Henry Lott, UK sales manager for the Cygnus Security Group, and I were greeted by Scott Howell, director of marketing, and Lars Suneborn, director of government programs for HIRSCH Electronics. They drew my attention to the new Hirsh Verification Station, affectionately known as the RUU-201, the only four-factor authentication card code access control product. According to Howell, this product was designed for the HSPD-12 initiative.

"We've seen great response by government agency's that have employees that travel between sites," said Howell. "For example, when a treasury department agent visits another government facility the interoperability is seamless. The RUU-201 can confirm the identity of a cardholder to a Personal Identification Verification smart card."

According to Suneburn, the opportunities in the private sector are endless.

"We've seen interest from major hospital groups that can apply this product to checking and verifying doctors and surgeons that travel between hospitals to perform services and operations." Howell added that HSPD-12 could spread into corporate America very quickly with many applications on the horizon.

Although I didn't have my partner in fun Bruce Doneff, consultant to the security industry and U.S. manager of the IP UserGroup, with me, our friends at DVTel welcomed us in to discuss the topics of the day. When asked about the Cisco acquisition of Broadware, Kim Robbins, marketing manager for DVTel was happy to share her thoughts.

"Cisco's recent moves validate what DVTel has been evangelizing for the past five years," said Robbins. "This is where the industry is going. We are racing ahead to enterprise level solutions based solely in IP Systems."

Robbins has been with DVTel for seven years now and has a comprehensive knowledge of how the industry operates. Part of our discussion turned to the topic of what a true systems integrator is.

"I think system support defines systems integrators," said Robbins. "If you don't have an IT manager on staff with Cisco certifications you should strongly consider adding them to your team. At DVTel we try and link the IT VAR with the Security VAR in a partnership. One of the biggest challenges we see on the customer service side is not the products; it's getting the network right. Today, everything is software based, and you need to know how to grab logs off of a computer, set up an IP network, place the firewalls correctly, spec the storage needs, set up the right redundancy, set up servers and clients to spec, understand load or bandwidth issues on networks as well as the overall configure the architecture of the network. One of the goals of today's security integrator is to turn security from a cost center to a profit center. You can use video in marketing and manufacturing and at the point of sale. You can add software to ultimately do more."

Another new and exciting product offering came from Mango DSP.

"We are here to introduce a scalable intelligent video solution running up to 60 D1 video channels with analytics," said Oren Feldman, Mango's marketing manager, who was talking about their high-performance RavensNest unit. "The RavensNest sets a new standard for high density video solutions allowing D1 resolutions and analytics from many leading vendors on all channels."

Mango DSP worked with Texas Instruments, MICRON and Object Video to deliver the Raven system. The goal was to create "an integrated video server designed to meet the requirements of outdoor and mobile surveillance needs."

"What we have here is a rugged intelligent video command and control system that was originally designed for the Israeli military. We have created a surveillance solution for evolving market needs such as police cars and unmanned devices," added Daniel Peled, V.P. of sales for Mango DSP.

IFSEC wouldn't be complete without a stroll through the Fire & Rescue halls to see the latest products for the fire service. One could not miss the impressive both from Michigan's own Safety Technology Inc. On hand were STI's President Margie Gobler, Executive Vice President John Taylor and National Sales Manager Michael Mikaelian. Showcasing their full product lines, Taylor pointed out that the new STI Universal Push Button, which is targeted to locksmiths working in electronic access and egress, should debut sometime in the fourth quarter of this year.

As the show wound down for the day, a visit to UltraVision Security Systems out of New Hampshire was in order. Bill Lozon, their V.P. of sales and marketing, had been following SecurityInfoWatch.com's coverage of IFSEC and wanted get us a firsthand view at their intrusion detection products.

This is the U.S. manufacturer that walked away with the "Best New Intruder Alarm Product" during the prestigious IFSEC awards competition for the company's UltraSensor. According to Dennis Johnson, president of UltraVision, the UltraSensor is a proven and effective implantation of ultra-wideband technology in motion detection sensors for life-safety and security applications. "The UltraSensor product line has the world's first motion sensor that is completely buried," said Johnson.

"The motion detection system can effectively see through materials such as concrete, earth and asphalt to detect intrusion by humans or vehicles in areas with high security needs," added Lozon. Also on display was the LifeLocator, the standard in rescue detection when such disasters as earthquakes, floods, explosions or similar occurrences that result in victims trapped under debris piles, from man made to natural debris that result from structural collapse.

Wrapping up today's show with a wonderful cocktail reception was the announcement of the launch of CMP's IFSEC India, scheduled for Oct. 25-27, 2007 in Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. According to IFSEC officials, India along with the entire South Asian region, is one of the fastest growing emerging markets in the world. Having seen the show floor plan, many leading security manufacturers have already secured their stand.

Signing off from Birmingham. England ... next stop, Boston, Mass., for the NFPA show!

---See Photos from IFSEC Day Three