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What we consider to be the biggest technical breakthrough in alarm monitoring is still failing to take off in the manner we’d expect. It’s video monitoring, including video verification of intrusion events, a technology that reduces false alarm call outs and allows operators to ring police directly in the event of a verified burglary. THERE’S no doubt whatever that technology is now capable of delivering video verification and alarm monitoring in real time over existing networks. Thanks to H.264 and the advent of low cost, high resolution cameras equipped with IR capability, getting usable images down the line is a straightforward process. To me there’s more capability in remote video monitoring than we are currently seeing, especially given the technology offers monitoring stations the ability to deliver a drop-in service, where operators will call up a customer camera if an alert button is pressed and keep an eye on a situation – perhaps in a late night retail store. Another neat application is delivery of video for monitoring of an opening/closing or arming/disarming event. Deploying video to monitor events naturally leads to using video as a potential replacement for guard services and if there’s a team capable of handling response, this can work well, particularly if there’s audio combined with video. Challenging, is the fact that a video solution is remote and it cannot intervene or respond in the same way a security officer can. Where video monitoring can help though, is in checking license plates of vehicles for transport companies and opening gates remotely if the vehicle appears in the day’s manifest. Large operations may have thousands of heavy vehicle movements a day and being able to handle multiple entries from a single control point delivers significant savings, particular after hours and on weekends. But to me video verification is currently the biggest potential application of remote video monitoring – less in domestic than in commercial applications. I think at some point in the future, video verification will be a standard demanded by insurance companies – perhaps not for all businesses but for high risk businesses or those experiencing multiple break-ins or incidents. One of the great things about video verification, and one of the reasons industry associations should get behind the technology in my opinion, is its impact on false alarms. There’s no doubt there’s a double-edged sword here, given that reducing the number of responses by 80 or 90 per cent would be likely to lead to patrol company failures. In some ways then, false alarms provide a built-in subsidy allowing the existence of patrol companies that also respond to genuine alarm events. This said, best practise should dictate an end to all false alarms and more than any other technology, video verification offers our industry the capability to deliver this level of performance to customers prepared to pay for it. Not only does video verification offer the ability to end all false alarms, it’s a relatively easy fix, too. In other parts of the world, pressure on shrinking police forces is likely to drive the move to video verification. Typically, the folks in blue will not respond to an unverified alarm event – ever – and that’s in Australia as well as overseas. Should video verification ever be written into an Australian standard as best practise for alarm systems? In my opinion it should be, giving installers and monitoring stations a selling point that differentiates their clearly superior monitoring and alarm installation services. One of the challenges for monitoring and alarm installation companies is lean returns on installs and ongoing monitoring revenue. Video verification offers an additional selling point that leverages existing capabilities with a minimum of extra hardware. A key issue with all kinds of video verification is that there are no industry standards for resolution, delivery path, compression type, encryption level, minimum scene illumination (say 5m with IR), or any other relevant performance parameter. Given the thought that goes into ensuring alarm comms get through with the least possible delay, I think it’s a mistake for video verification to evolve into a welter of proprietary ‘standards’ with no guiding principles. In fairness, such official standards could be relatively broad, covering a range of resolutions, encryption protocols and comms paths, with a security level assigned to each solution, allowing end users to be sure what it is they are paying for. But there’s a bigger issue here. Without a common standard, a common reporting protocol, a common receiver-type (off-shelf server with common software, or an alarm monitoring software that integrates video), monitoring stations are painted into a farcical corner when it comes to the only technology that could eliminate false alarms for all time. They’ll have a choice - to standardize on one proprietary video solution and accept no others, or duplicate their video verification systems endlessly. This could mean dozens of video verification systems in one control room, none compatible with any other, or it could mean the monitoring station will need to build its own private video verification solution and integrate everyone’s cameras or video verification solutions into it. Further, installers are not likely to only install one brand so they’ll install what costs a customer least, changing monitoring stations to get the support they require. At present there are only a handful of providers offering video verification and given the proprietary nature of their systems, each has standardised on a single system by default. But taking video verification to its ultimate conclusion is going to require plenty of work and plenty of talk between manufacturers, monitoring stations, installers and end users. In the early days of the alarm industry, all reporting techniques were proprietary and it was only after the late 1980s that considerable standardization appeared. That plethora of standards was the bane of early monitoring companies and it looks likely that in the absence of concerted action, the expansion and integration of video verification might follow the same torturous course. “They’ll have a choice - to standardize on one proprietary video solution and accept no others, or duplicate their video verification systems endlessly. This could mean dozens of video verification systems in one control room, none compatible with any other” source - http://www.securityelectronicsandnetworks.com/NewsDetail/12-08-22/considerations_of_video_monitoring.aspx …


The team at iKey Security Solutions and I have successfully completed the Building Security Upgrade for 107 Walker St, North Sydney. Working with the buildings committee over a 15mth period, iKey Security were engaged to provide a total building management solution including Access Control (card swipe access), Alarm and CCTV. The building itself provided the team at iKey Security a challenge as the building is well over 40yrs old (including the 2 elevators). The site consisted of 9 levels with 42 individual office suites, 2 lower ground car parks, a main building entrance with double sliding glass doors and the 2 elevators. iKey Security installed secured access on over 30 individual suites, inside both of the elevators and the main building entrance doors. There have also been CCTV cameras installed across the site recording 24/7 from inside the foyer to down into both of the car parks; these additional cameras will act as even more of a deterrent to would-be vandals or criminals. Earlier this month, the buildings committee and the team at iKey Security signed an annual Service, Maintenance and Management agreement which will see iKey Security not only maintain the system, but provide 24/7 on-site support and manage the entire system on the committees behalf. iKey Security Solutions has delivered the best security technologies to Australian Businesses since 2001. With more than 15 years’ experience in the security industry, we work with our customers to deliver innovative, user-friendly security applications that protect and enhance daily business operations. …


Brett Gallen from iKey Security Solutions and John Acord from Forecourt Electrical have successfully completed the Electrical fitout for Newcastle's busiest McDonalds, King St. Working with MomentumBuilt (contracted builder), Brett and John were able to complete the entire fitout without fault. We look forward to building a continuous working relationship with MomentumBuilt and are optimistic about the future and the projects ahead. …


Of the past couple of years we’ve visited major camera manufacturers and wholesalers a couple of times to get a feel for the balance of analogue and IP camera sales. The end of 2011 feels a good time to get another snapshot on the canary in the datamine. WE’VE all had a growing sense of the increasing prevalence of IP cameras and fully networked surveillance systems over the past 18 months or so – there’s a growing momentum in the sector that can’t be denied. Not surprisingly, the numbers camera makers and distributors offer suggest analogue and IP are now at or will reach parity sometime next year. It’s a pivotal moment and one that has been a decade in coming. Since those first sepia-toned CMOS IP cameras were released in the late ‘90s, full digital surveillance cameras have developed at a frantic pace and now offer end users and installers that most wonderful of network devices, the customisable platform. If anything should indicate to our readership – users and installers – the veracity of the arguments for IP, then this should be it. Our market has spoken. The time for motivated reasoning is past. We need to own our networked future fully – for better or for worse – the worse being an acceptance of revenue loss to network infrastructure. We’ve chosen not to speak with pure IP camera manufacturers or distributors, given their build or sales will reflect their complete bias to digital. Instead we are looking for a feel for the balance of sales in business that support both sides of the market. First cab of the rank is Cliff Simons of QVS, who says that the company’s sales are now 50 per cent analogue and 50 per cent IP, with 80 per cent of the IP being HD or megapixel and only 20 per cent being 4CIF devices. That 80 per cent IP being HD or megapixel is a key for me. The future is staring us right between the eyes. According to Simons, about 10 per cent of QVS’ high end analogue cameras are sold with encoders and the business is still sufficiently worthwhile that there are plans for new releases of analogue cameras next year. “Most quotes going forward are for IP systems where companies are looking for higher resolution cameras and longer storage scenarios,” Simons explains. For all their strengths, Simons agrees there are still certain weaknesses with HD but he says are being addressed by the latest technologies. “HD is still suffering in low light but there are some nice IR LED assisted cameras to help compensate,” he says. “Wide Dynamic Range is also much better now. Costs have reduced dramatically too, making HD cameras much more affordable. The key issue is getting the right lens for the camera. I think there is a shortage of affordable lenses for 5MP cameras and up.” Regardless of these issues, Simons thinks 720p and 1080p HD cameras are simply superior across the board – taking certain extreme applications out of the picture. “Yes, the pictures are fantastic. We can place 2 x 8MP Cameras back-to-back with no moving parts and achieve what a PTZ used to do without missing anything at all. And this is just one example.” Over at Pacific Communications, Keiron McDonough says the company has seen a steady progression in the take-up of IP products. According to McDonough, the decreasing prices of IP products compared to analogue, are further driving the IP take up. We’ve spoken before in SE&N about cameras as a digital platform and Panasonic’s SmartHD range certainly was a pioneer in smart digital features like face detection and banknote recognition settings for POS applications, as well as VMD. Importantly, McDonough says Panasonic is planning on expanding its range of digital features over the next year. “There are some very exciting features coming up in analytics, camera performance and more. We are very excited by this…watch this space.” On the key issue of minimum scene illumination, McDonough believes 0.3 lux in colour and 0.05 lux in black and white are sufficient for most applications – and good enough to make analogue yesterday’s technology. “SmartHD cameras use Panasonic’s unique MOS sensor technology that gives great low-light sensitivity, equal to most analogue cameras, plus you get megapixel resolution. In addition, low noise and a full digital path from camera to NVR make the SmartHD solution a smart step forward.” A key area of interest for installers and users is whether the standard for CCTV will correlate with SMPTE’s 1080p HD standard or if there’s room for proprietary interpretations of 1080p and 720p with similarly high standards of resolution, compression and frame rate. “SmartHD cameras use Panasonic’s unique MOS sensor technology that gives great low-light sensitivity, equal to most analogue cameras, plus you get megapixel resolution.” “Historically, CCTV has its own specific technology and many of it is borrowed from the Broadcast TV,” McDonough explains. “We believe CCTV manufacturers will closely correlate with any current standards. But other resolutions and standards may arise from particular requirements from a project or to implement a particular camera feature.” The key with any new technology is how quickly customers handle the transition. In the case of SmartHD, McDonough says existing customers adapting, and IT-capable clients are embracing the company’s technology. “For existing customers, Panasonic’s SmartHD NVR (WJ-NV200) makes life easy with a simple setup wizard making configuration of the NVR arguably easier to setup than a standard DVR,” he explains. “Because of this most customers are adapting well. In addition our Hills training institute will be softening the transition by offering training on the complete Panasonic IP product. “As part of this transition IT departments are now interacting more with CCTV systems that typically was confined to the guardroom. The result is new IT-capable clients.” Over at Bosch Sean Borg believes there’s been a major change in the past year. “I think we are starting to see a steep curve all of a sudden – only this year are we starting to see people starting to decide – well you know what – it’s time to buy 720p cameras,” Borg says. “It’s probably in part because more DVRs can handle IP, record HD and manufacturers have made it easier to set the system up. “Before now, setup was a bit antiquated and difficult to get this and plug it into that and make sure this drive was mapped to that system – now everything is finding each other, becoming more plug and play and I think that’s helping. And there’s a lot more education out there. I think it’s fair to say that we really should have been there by now with IP.” "HD is still suffering in low light but there are some nice IR LED assisted cameras to help compensate. “Wide Dynamic Range is also much better now." Part of the reason for the slowness of the transition isn’t the technology itself, it’s the age of the decision makers in installation and integration companies, according to Mark Edwards of Central Security Distribution. “In our experience, all the owners of businesses that are older – say mid-40s and above – are little slower to adopt IP solutions,” he explains. “This is not universal by any means but the companies with younger guys as decision makers are generally much faster with new IP technology. They come from that background. “The guys used to running cables and plugging coax in and not having to deal with the IT side of it are harder to drag through. There certainly are a few exceptions but it’s hard to get the analogue guys to change.” According to Edwards a key moment this year was when the CSD people say the new 1080p cameras at Security 2011 in Sydney. “When our team saw the new HD 1080p cameras and DVRs they were raving about them,” he says. “As our next step we will be bringing that technology in and then I think the analogue will really fade off.” As part of its move to IP, CSD distributes and supports Mobotix cameras which are renowned for their performance and that are increasingly competitive in price. “We carry Mobotix as our IP camera solution – we supply the electronic security industry with the product and stock is on the shelf with us – there’s no delivery delays,” Edwards explains. “Mobotix is incredible stuff. The products we have – when you compare the images – we don’t have anything like them so Mobotix is our flagship when it comes to IP video CCTV.” A really interesting study of the analogue/IP transition is Sony, which manufactures most the chipsets for the security industry and was brilliant at analogue and is equally brilliant at IP Video. Surprisingly, Sony’s numbers reflect a very strong pull to IP, despite the fact Sony is in the top 3 in analogue camera makers in terms of image quality, in our opinion. This reflect Sony’s pulling back on analogue CCTV and focusing on chipsets just as the analogue/IP transition began, as well as highlighting the fact Sony was an IP camera pioneer and has been in from the start. “Currently IP sales are 85 per cent versus 15 per cent for analogue with our current range, however, we have a new range of 650 and 700TVL analog cameras due for release in 2012 with wide dynamic range,” says Sony’s Steve Charles. “We have sold over 5000 channels of encoders over the past couple of years but we now see this now scaling back. Our focus is now on the soon to be released Z Series IP over Coax Hybrid SLOC cameras. “We still see growth in the higher end of the analog sector and over the course of 2012 we plan to further expand our existing analog business,” Charles says. “But IP business will remain our core focus and with the release additional complimentary products and cameras we expect to grow our IP business exponentially in 2012. Pointedly, Charles says a key reason end users choose analogue cameras over IP or megapixel in today’s market is due to existing coaxial infra-structure but he says that with the release of the Hybrid Z Series range, customers who choose to remain with analogue will have a HD alternative” When talk turns to outright performance, Charles does not think analogue can compete with HD. “No - IP camera performance is superior and now end users are more tech savvy - they are used to HD standards and picture quality,” he says. “We expect the cross over point where IP and analog market share cross paths is only 1 - 2 years away.” “Before now, setup was a bit antiquated and difficult to get this and plug it into that and make sure this drive was mapped to that system – now everything is finding each other, becoming more plug and play and I think that’s helping.” Source - http://www.securityelectronicsandnetworks.com.au/NewsDetail/12-01-16/the_great_divide_digital_vs_analogue.aspx …


Bosch AutoDome 800 1080p HD Bosch is starting to flex some muscle in the HD video space with the release of its AutoDome 800 and AutoDome Junior models. With Dinion HD chipsets, these full-movement PTZs offer high resolution and all the other goodies. WE’VE stated a few times in the past 12 months that the HD standard is going to both free up and demand design teams take digital functionality to the next level. With its recent release of the HD AutoDome range, Bosch has achieved the Holy Grail – leapfrogging itself into the front rank of HD 1080p players while delivering users a stack of digital functionality. A great move from Bosch is giving the market a one-two punch in the form of the IP66 AutoDome 800 for external applications and the AutoDome Junior designed specifically for internal apps requiring a more compact footprint with no compromise on performance. At the heart of each of these cameras is a Bosch Dinion HD chipset that isn’t made by one of the 3 big providers – Sony, Hitachi or JVC. That means with Bosch you are getting proprietary design and a feature set you won’t be disappointed to find in a much cheaper camera in 6 months time. The 800 gets a 3-inch CMOS sensor while the Junior gets a 2.5-inch setup. “Our HD cameras are doing very well in the market and the technology from our 1080p HD camera is now manifesting itself into our moving camera portfolio,” explains Bosch’s Sean Borg. “Personally, I think standard definition will phase out. “Both these cameras have a full optical and digital zoom with the AutoDome 800 having a 20x optical zoom and the AutoDome Junior having 10x optical zoom (16x digital). Back in the analogue days we had 36x optical zoom but this was not as powerful as 20x optical zoom with HD. The transition to HD gives far superior performance.” According to Borg, the 800 and the Junior have full HD streaming allowing them to handle 1080p at 30 images a second or it’s possible to reduce resolution to 720p and stream 60 images per second. “We’ve got video content analysis onboard which is not a common feature of pan and tilt units – we’re proud of that capability,” says Borg. “Other features include stabilization, advanced privacy masking, 64 user presets, preset tours and alarms. Both cameras support H.264 main profile compression. Autotrack II automated motion tracking. “From a networking perspective you can run these units over PoE Plus so you don’t have to power them locally. And as with all our HD cameras, they are all ONVIF compliant and that means companies like Genetec, Milestone, Avigilon, DVTel in December – and many others – all can take our cameras.” AutoDome 800 The AutoDome 800 Series’ 1/3-inch CMOS sensor, offers 1080p resolution and sensitivity to below 1.0 lux. The AutoDome 800 Series supports 1080p30, 720p60, 720p30, 480p30 (WVGA), and 240p30 (WQVGA) resolutions for 50 Hz and 60 Hz models at 16:9 aspect ratio. Nice features of the AutoDome 800 include bandwidth throttling to manage bandwidth and storage requirements, as well as network-based control of PTZ operation, presets, tours and alarms as well as web-based configuration of all dome settings. That 1080p HD resolution at 30 images per second delivers 6 times the detail level of standard definition cameras, ensuring crisp video even when zooming in digitally to extend the camera’s range. In addition, the 16:9 aspect ratio increases situational awareness by maximizing the field of view without compromising image clarity. The high-performance 200x (20x optical/10x digital) offers variable pan and tilt speeds and AutoPivot ensure optimal camera control and viewing at all zoom levels. There are 99 user-defined presets as well as tour and AutoPan modes as well as integration with Bosch video products including the Bosch Video Client and the Bosch Recording Station, as well as the full range of Bosch video over IP products. Pan and tilt preset repeatability are accurate to within ±0.1 degrees and the AutoDome 800 Series delivers variable pan/tilt speeds from a crawl speed of only 0.1 degrees per second up to an ultra-quick 120 degrees per second. The dome is capable of pan speeds of 360 degrees per second and tilt speeds of 100 degrees per second between prepositions. Meanwhile, AutoScaling (proportional zoom) and AutoPivot (automatically rotates and flips the camera) features ensure optimal control. The AutoDome 800 Series uses an advanced H.264 encoder to create DVD-quality streaming video at ultra-low bit rates. Use of H.264 encoding, bandwidth throttling, and multicasting capabilities, minimizes bandwidth and storage usage to significantly reduce costs. Bosch's quad-streaming feature offers 3 H.264 streams and an M-JPEG stream in full and reduced bandwidth modes. During full bandwidth operation (full HD 1080p30 or high frame rate 720p60) the second stream is an exact copy of the first stream. In reduced bandwidth mode (720p30), the second stream is an independently configurable, downscaled-resolution stream. In both modes the third H.264 stream consists of HD I-frames only. As mentioned earlier, smarts are a big part of the AutoDome 800’s feature list. The AutoDome 800 Series comes with Bosch’s Intelligent Video Analysis (IVA) built-in. IVA is state-of-the-art intelligent video analysis that reliably detects, tracks, and analyzes moving objects while suppressing unwanted alarms from spurious sources in the image. The AutoDome 800 Series features recessed screws and latches for increased tamper resistance and has an operating temperature down to –45°C (–49°F). The outdoor pendant comes fully-assembled with a sunshield and ready for wall or pipe applications with the proper mounting hardware (purchased separately). In addition, the pendant housing comes equipped with a low-impact, high-resolution acrylic bubble for enhanced image clarity. Additional features include 2 alarm inputs and 1 open-collector alarm output, which can drive an external device. There’s also built-in iSCSI support allowing the AutoDome 800 Series to stream video directly to an iSCSI RAID array. There are 24 black or grey privacy masks displayed in the same scene. As the camera is zoomed, each mask changes size so the covered object cannot be seen. AutoDome 800 offers 20x optical zoom, 10x digital, 0.8 lux low light performance, signal-to-noise ration of 50dB, backlight compensation, White Balance ATW, Indoor, Outdoor, AWB Hold, Extended ATW, Manual Day/Night Monochrome, Color, Auto. There’s a data rate of 9.6 kbps to 6 Mbps depending on Overall IP Delay 240 ms AutoDome Junior Bosch’s AutoDome Junior is one of the best specced indoor PTZs money can buy. Starting off with full 1080p HD resolution and sub-1.0 lux minimum scene illumination from its 2.5-inch progressive scan CMOS, the Junior keeps on delivering with 160x zoom (that’s 10x optical, 16x digital) and day/night functionality. Diameter is 12.8 cm making the AutoDome Junior HD half the size of its big brother, the AutoDome 800. The small size has no impact on the breadth of the feature set, however, which is almost identical in features and capability to the bigger AutoDome 800. You get variable pan and tilt speeds and AutoPivot ensure optimal camera control and viewing at all zoom levels, as well as 64 user-defined presets as well as tour and AutoPan modes. The AutoDome Junior HD allows for a total of 15 individual, easy to configure privacy masks, per scene. There’s also the same direct network connection using H.264 and JPEG compression and bandwidth throttling to manage bandwidth and storage along with the same network-based control of all dome functionality including PTZ operation, presets, tours and alarms as well as web-based configuration of all dome settings. Pan and tilt preset repeatability are accurate to within ±0.1 degrees and there’s variable pan/tilt speeds from a crawl speed of only 1 degree per second up to an ultra-quick 120 degrees per second. The dome is capable of pan speeds of 360 degrees per second and tilt speeds of 100 degrees per second between prepositions. AutoDome Junior HD uses that advanced H.264 encoder to create DVD-quality streaming video at ultra-low bit rates. Use of H.264 encoding, bandwidth throttling, and multicasting capabilities, minimizes bandwidth and storage usage to significantly reduce costs. AutoDome Junior HD supports 1080p30, 720p60, 720p30, 480p30 (WVGA), and 240p30 (WQVGA) resolutions for 50 Hz and 60 Hz models at 16:9 aspect ratio. You get quad-streaming feature of the same 3 H.264 streams together with an M-JPEG stream in full and reduced bandwidth modes. During full bandwidth operation (full HD 1080p30 or high frame rate 720p60) the second stream is an exact copy of the first stream. In reduced bandwidth mode (720p30), the second stream is an independently configurable, downscaled-resolution stream. In both modes the third H.264 stream consists of HD I-frames only. There’s built-in video content analysis including MOTION+ video motion detection based on pixel change and includes object size filtering capabilities and sophisticated tamper detection capabilities. The AutoDome Junior HD also features Bosch’s Intelligent Video Analysis (IVA) – same as the AutoDome 800 does. This IVA is state-of-the-art intelligent video analysis that reliably detects, tracks, and analyzes moving objects while suppressing unwanted alarms from spurious sources in the image. There’s also image stabilization algorithms including shake in both horizontal and vertical axes, as well as a heavy-duty, tamper-resistant aluminium housing protects the camera from vandalism and theft. There’s built-in iSCSI support, an embedded web server that lets the installer access all the user settings, make camera adjustments, and update firmware via a standard web browser or via the Bosch Video Management System. Both the AutoDome Junior and the AutoDome 800 cameras conform to the ONVIF (Open Network Video Interface Forum) specification guaranteeing interoperability between network video products regardless of manufacturer. These are a strong release from Bosch that both meet the market’s current needs and deliver a platform for future development. Source: http://www.securityelectronicsandnetworks.com.au/NewsDetail/11-12-21/bosch_autodome_800_1080p_hd.aspx …


Brett Gallen and the team at iKey Security have been successful in their joint tender with Forecourt Electrical for the Electrical Services at the King St McDonalds in Newcastle. Brett Gallen (Director - iKey Security) and John Acord (Managing Director - Forecourt Electrical) have been working together over the past couple of years and this year joined forces to compete in the ever demanding construction industry. The have since been awarded their first contract together, the complete electrical contract for the King St McDonalds in Newcastle. The current restaurant will be completely demolished and rebuilt in 4 stages, while never shutting its doors to the public. Brett and John are both very excited about the potential this joint venture will bring to both of their current businesses and feel optimistic about the future of their working relationship. …


Bosch Security’s Blue Line Gen2 family of detectors offers installers the things they want – long warranty, proven technology and easy installation and upgrade. JUST released by Bosch Security are the latest Blue Line Gen2 sensors. The range kicks off with the standard Blue Line Gen2 PIR Motion Detectors (ISC-BPR2) which use a pair of Fresnel lenses to produce sharply-focused images so as to give superior response to intruders. These lenses provide a high density 77-zone, 7-layer pattern, and there’s a selectable lookdown lens provides an additional three lookdown zones. This standard PIR also comes as a pet-friendly option. Next in line is the Blue Line Gen2 Quad PIR motion detector. This more advanced unit employs a couple of individual sensors that operate like two PIRs in a single detector. Each sensor processes signals separately. Both must activate to generate an alarm signal. This improves false alarm immunity relative to a standard PIR, because false alarm sources such as noise spikes and small animals are ignored. Quad detectors also provide superior catch performance versus a standard PIR. They are particularly well suited for challenging installation situations; for example, cases where cross catch of intruders cannot be guaranteed or where intruders are able to cross the detection pattern very quickly. At the top of the heap is the Blue Line Gen2 TriTech motion detector (ISC-BDL2), which uses a combination of passive infrared (PIR) and microwave detection technologies with advanced signal processing. There are pet-friendly models of this sensor too, that generate alarms for human intruders without generating false alarms for pets. Each of the 3 sensors in the Blue Line Gen2 range also comes in wireless versions making installation very simple indeed. Bosch’s wireless is Digiflex technology and it’s widely recognised as superb. “Upgrading sensors traditionally meant the panel had to be powered down and the sensors pulled out and replaced with others device or another brand. But with Blue Line Gen 2, you just undo one screw and then slide the sensor off the baseplate” Bosch’s Andrew Gray says key design features of the range include sealed optics to ensure no dust or insects can get onto the board, sensor or lens. Also central to Blue Line Gen2 are serviceability, upgradeability and a universal appearance for all detectors in the family. Reliability is guaranteed by a 3-year warranty. An especially neat feature of Blue Line Gen2 is its ability to be replaced in the field to meet changing needs simply by clicking the sensor off the wall. “These sensors are all self-locking so it’s simple to get them onto and off of the baseplate,” Gray explains. “They’ve been designed like this to make replacement easier. Let’s say there’s a Blue Line Gen2 PIR in a house working away and the homeowner buys a pet. “It’s now possible to upgrade the sensors in a couple of minutes – traditionally this meant that the panel had to be powered down and the sensors pulled out and replaced with others device or another brand. But with Blue Line Gen 2, you just undo one screw and then slide the sensor off the baseplate, then slide the new sensor onto the baseplate and click-lock it into position – no tools required - done. Detector changed. The wiring is all to the baseplate.” Gray explains that it’s not just all the baseplates that are the same, all the sensors are designed to look the same. “You might have an installation where there’s a TriTech in the garage where the dog lives and in the granny flat where there’s no easy way to cable you might have a wireless sensor and both look identical to the hard-wired quad sensors installed throughout the house where there are no pets. You can have 3 or 4 different models of sensor and all are the same – the presentation is identical.” For installers there’s an integrated spirit level so it’s easy to get the baseplate straight on the wall. The removable commercial grade terminal strip further reduces mounting time and simplifies wiring. Having optics and electronics tucked in the front enclosure and sealed with a protective cover prevents damage during installation due to static or tool slips. There’s also flexible mounting height allowing techs to position detectors at 2.3 to 2.7 metres without adjustment and all models provide 12 metre-deep coverage. At this point, Gray goes through a simulation of the installing and replacing a Blue Line Gen2 sensor and the process is too simple for words. Once the basic wiring is completed and the baseplate attached using that ever so handy bubble guide, replacing sensors is a matter of snapping them in and out one-handed. “Price varies – to the trade it’s about $A80 for a Tritech, $50 for Quad and $30 for a PIR but there’s discount on quantities,” Gray explains. “Interestingly, the TriTech is our best selling detector. It’s proven technology and does not false alarm. Some installers put a detector in that’s as cheap as possible to save money then wind up driving across town to fix or replace it. It’s a false economy. “When you are warrantying the installation for 12 months on labour and 3 years on parts and install the wrong sensor and get false alarms it will cost you. TriTech means you never go back and the customer is always happy. If a customer gets 1 or 2 false alarms they will never use or recommend an installer.” Sensor functionality Each of the Blue Line Gen2 sensors offers a range of onboard functions starting off with First Step Processing (FSP) which Bosch says offers almost instant response to human targets without producing false alarms from other sources. FSP adjusts the detector's sensitivity based on signal amplitude, polarity, slope, and timing. This eliminates the need for the installer to select the sensitivity level, thus improving ease of installation and reliability. There’s also dynamic temperature compensation which sees the detector intelligently adjust its sensitivity so that it can identify human intruders at virtually any temperature. Wall-to-wall coverage of a target area is provided by an improved lookdown zone and universal coverage of 12m x 12m more than enough for most domestic and commercial applications. There’s that self-locking enclosure, with integrated bubble level and custom gap-free, lift-gate terminal blocks to make installation and sensor head replacement easier, while optics and electronics are assembled in the front enclosure are protected from installation damage. The sealed optical chamber also prevents drafts and insects from affecting the detector and an externally visible alarm LED that can be disabled after installation allows easy walk-test. When it comes to mounting, these sensors can be positioned on flat walls (surface, semi-flush), with the optional B335 Swivel-mount Bracket, or using the optional B328 Gimbal-mount Bracket. They can be located in a corner (the junction of two perpendicular walls) or on the ceiling with the optional B338 Ceiling-mount bracket. If installers go with the pet-friendly models it’s possible to turn pet immunity on or off based upon application requirements. When pet immunity is turned off, the detector provides superior catch performance identical to the non-pet models. When pet immunity is turned on, the detector can distinguish between signals caused by humans and signals caused by pets. It ignores signals caused by one or two pets up to 20kg (45 lb) or numerous rodents. The Tritech detector also features Microwave Noise Adaptive Processing that adjusts to background disturbances, reducing false alarms without any impact on intruder detection sensitivity. On the technical side these sensors comply with EN50130-5 Class II, can handle relative humidity from 0 to 95 per cent non-condensing or for UL-Listed products, 0 to 85 per cent, non-condensing. The operating temperature is -30C to +55C, dimensions are 105mm x 61mm x 44 mm, material is high-impact ABS plastic and there’s RFI immunity (150 kHz to 2 GHz at field strengths less than 30 V/m). There’s also a connect tamper circuit to provide 24-hour protection circuit. Source - http://www.securityelectronicsandnetworks.com.au/NewsDetail/11-08-30/new_bosch_big_blue_gen2.aspx …


If you’re mulling over access control solutions it’s worth bearing in mind that properly applied, access control really is the heart of a proactive electronic security solution. WHEN you think about access control one of the key challenges is recognising the exactly what such a solution constitutes. If you’re a cardholder, access control is a reader and a card. If you’re handling cardholder admin, it’s software management. If you’re a security manager, it’s automated reports and ongoing card costs. If you’re an installer, access control is more complicated – a sprawling network of readers, locks, door controllers and central controllers linked to local area networks via adjacent switches. But even this more nuanced view of the structure of an access control solution fails to capture the complexity and capability of the modern system. That’s because access control brings together hardware, comms and software components in a way no other electronic security systems do. Access control systems, unlike unmonitored video surveillance or alarms, have the capability to act physically on the basis of system design, software rules and electrical inputs/outputs – whether that is denying entry upon presentation of an unauthorised credential or the rejection of all cardholder entries in the event of fire. But just what constitutes an access control system and what gives these solutions their proactive power? At the heart of every access control system is the door controller, a solid state board in a dedicated housing that’s located near every entry point in a building to provide control of local doors. As a rule, controllers handle 2 doors per board or a single door with access control in both directions. Expander boards offer exponential growth. “At the heart of every access control system is the door controller, a solid state board in a dedicated housing that’s located near every entry point in a building to provides control of local doors” The door controller will provide power to electric strikes or magnetic locks via high current relays, along with Weigand reader inputs. There will also be inputs allowing door position to be reported in real time and outputs allowing activation of lights, cameras or operation of door strikes from a control room or the secure side of the door. Depending on the nature of the system, multiple 2-door controllers can be installed in parallel, or larger door controllers can handle high-rise applications. Along with power for door hardware and alarm inputs, a modern 2-door controller will also feature a network input to allow connection to a common data network for monitoring and administration. Once on the network, controllers can be managed locally or remotely and they’ll appear seamlessly on central management software. Another key element of door controllers is event buffering and a cache that allows distributed intelligence in the event of network failure or overload. There will also be features like anti-passback for those doors with inwards and outwards readers. It’s important to point out here that not all door controllers are created equal – not so much in terms of quality when considering the most popular products installed in Australia but in terms of designed purpose. Some 2-door controllers are simply 2-door controllers that might store the details of 128 cardholders. Going up a level there are door controllers that will handle 2 doors with a pair of readers (in and out) per door. Or they might handle 4 doors (with expansion to 8) and include 16 alarm zones, multiple areas and support 10,000 users standard. Then there are solutions that can handle 8 doors, 92,000 cardholders and 16 perimeter controllers. Complicating the issue are powerful access control and alarm controllers which are capable of supporting small/medium business applications, or multiple business units or offices on a site. Such systems can also be networked to form corporate and enterprise solutions controlled by powerful software. These advanced systems reflect the integral role of door controllers as network-based modules in a modern access control solution. Downstream of door controllers things are relatively straightforward, though there’s still plenty to think about. On the comms side, we’re talking RS-485 infrastructure. Then there’s door hardware starting out with electric strikes, electric mortise locks and electromagnetic locks. We’re not going to go into depth on locking devices here. Suffice to say, you need to choose a locking device that offers the correct balance of security, economy, reliability and performance. You also need to be sure your locks offer the sort of alarm reporting capability you need, including door open too long and tamper. Something else to bear in mind is that the some of the latest lock designs incorporate increased attack resistance and alarm capabilities – you need to take these features into account given they’ll option up your system’s security level. You also need to think about door closers when you’re installing locking hardware. The other important element at the door is the reader and with readers you’ve got a number of considerations relating to security levels, initial costs and lifetime cost of credential technology. This latter applies most directly to card-based solutions and relates to the cost of administering and replacing physical cards – usually proximity or smart prox. Card solutions include the ubiquitous 125Hz readers, 13.56MHz contactless smart card technologies and MIFARE and DESFire cards. Depending on the readers chosen, you may have a combination of keypad, mag stripe, keypad and proximity, proximity-only, or smartprox. Smartcards offer higher security levels, integration with payment systems and support for biometric credentials but at a higher card cost. Then there are straight biometric readers which remain outside the mainstream in Australia. This is odd considering the huge falls in cost we’ve seen over the past ten years. Biometric solutions kiss goodbye the ongoing cost of maintaining card libraries, which can be considerable over the life of a system. That’s appealing from an end user perspective. When you think readers you’ll also need to think about long range readers for vehicles and the power and number of these will depend on what sort of business you are protecting. With cars and vans, standard prox card readers may be enough but if there are heavy vehicles and your site includes boom gates, sliding gates and gatehouses, things go to another level altogether. In a comprehensive access control solution, additional downstream devices will include alarm inputs (security, safety and fire protection), CCTV cameras, thermal cameras, perimeter detection devices and more. All these devices will increase the resolution – the sensitivity – of an electronic security system. Upstream of the door controllers you’ll find network devices, network infrastructure, servers, workstations and attendant management software. The ability to port to networks may be an integral part of door controllers but there may be expanders required. Think about network encryption here – 128-bit 3DES is preferable. Network components are most likely to be those that make up your site’s data network. Access control and alarm signals are so small they take up no bandwidth on a modern network. Integrated video surveillance is in another dimension altogether but for the purposes of this discussion we’ll assume video runs on a subnet and is to be driven through integrated management software at a workstation or dedicated server level. The nature of the network will dictate system monitoring. Enterprise-wide used to be a solution that only applied to the big boys – the biggest end users and expensive enterprise-focused access control solutions. That’s changing fast now, with easy connection of door controllers on a handful of sites together with video integration allowing management fingertip sensitivity. Clearly the NBN rollout, which continues apace, will offer affordable application of big bandwidths and drive network infrastructure, making leveraging WAN-based VPNs the simplest of procedures. Current projections suggest a port speed of about 100/40 with a 1TB limit for just $189 per month and this is before the grind of market forces applies. At these prices, combining access and video surveillance across multiple sites becomes not only possible but eminently sensible. The integration of access control hardware into a network environment is also gathering way. Controllers are being designed for rack mounting that will make location in network rooms and integration onto networks normal practice. When you consider the long history of computer-based and network-based access control access control systems, bringing controllers out of dark closets under buildings and into online environments makes perfect sense. Source - http://www.securityelectronicsandnetworks.com.au/NewsDetail/11-08-29/access_control_fundamentals_door_control.aspx …


Things look messy for the Australian monitoring industry. Not only does the market face the ultimate phase out of PSTN lines leaving a million alarm systems mute, 2GSM and associated GPRS services don’t look to have a clear future either. NOT surprisingly, the electronic security industry’s central powers – ASIAL and the Australian Standards Alarms Sub Committee – face an uphill battle over the next few years. While the NBN Co is now a little more forthcoming on issues relating to getting alarm systems onto its broadband network, the processes required to achieve this remain nebulous. It’s tempting to go so far as to suggest the expertise necessary to handle the issues the alarm monitoring industry faces is so thin on the ground that outsiders are needed to resolve them. Reports circulating after recent meetings to discuss challenges suggest confusion reigns with little understanding and less agreement. Something else that’s stoking the fire is the fact monitoring has always been a tough, old gut. The result of generations of competitive spirit is layers of competing technology each with its cadre of fiercely independent players, none of which is prepared to listen to others, all suspicious of perceived attempts to lever competitive advantage. There’s also an analogue/IP divide. The general press has a tendency to talk about this digital division as if it’s some sort of generational change. In this case, dialler would be the precinct of greybeards locked inside their rebate towers. IP meanwhile, is the preserve of young digital progressives with badly styled hair and pants half down. The reality is that such delineations are utter bollocks. Most our industry’s true digital visionaries are in their 50s and 60s and have won ongoing success by evolving their businesses to suit the changing environments of the past 15 years. These are the guys we need to be listening to now because it’s not just a gentle trend facing monitoring companies and end users but the advent of a whole new technological stratum. One of the nice things about monitoring right now is the richness of comms technology. The latest alarm communications devices have 4 or even 5 communications paths – multiple wireless routes, IP and PSTN. The beauty of this has been that regardless of the sometimes patchy nature of new solutions, there’s always been a wicket keeper waiting to take the spinning ball - the most dependable of which has always been digital dialler. Now, digital dialler running on the PSTN network is a boring technology but the truth is it supports an end-to-end copper link from alarm panel to monitoring station that once formed shifts data at the speed of light. It’s this reliable old nanny that monitoring stations will shortly kiss goodbye. In the absence of PSTN there’s the NBN and all the spookiness therein, and there’s wireless technology. Of the 2, wireless – that’s currently 2GSM and the GPRS overlay – is the most tempting. There are no dangerous network components to create law suits with wireless, instead there’s a clean end-to-end link (you know what I mean) between the panel and the monitoring station that is supported by all the resources of a gigantic telco. And there are solutions with runs on the board. There’s no doubt the GSM network is increasingly reliable. The first GSM network in Australia was Telstra’s – launched back in 1993 on the 900MHz band and later upgraded to 1800MHz and further enhanced with GPRS packet data transmission capabilities. With coverage to 93 per cent of Australia’s population, 2G GSM and GPRS work well and offer capable wireless services. The products they support are mature. But insiders are now suggesting 2GSM’s days may be numbered and if true, this most straightforward solution to the phasing out of digital dialler faces an uncertain future. Logically, 2GSM and reliant GPRS products will move to 3G850 and/or superfast HSDPA formats but you can’t click your fingers and redo all existing wireless comms panels any more than you can replace one million dialler-based alarms with alternative IP and wireless-based comms technologies. Given the complexities, it’s hard to see how the monitoring industry will resolve these issues. Dialler worked because it was a baseline comms technology, owned by nobody. Any rebates accrued to the monitoring station holding the lines. But wireless – whichever wireless this happens to be – is a whole other thing. There are a number of quality providers of wireless monitoring solutions and despite the bickering over the years, all have been in the market a good while and showed plenty of commitment to their clients. But regardless of their various strengths, the wireless solutions they offer are their own communications solutions. They’re not an industry standard – they’re proprietary technologies based on GSM and GSM-dependent GPRS overlays. And they rely on the fickleness of telco-owned infrastructure. So what’s the alternative? Is it IP? Could a device be created that allowed direct communication between panels and control rooms over public space with no security risk, no intrusion of routers of dubious quality? It’s hard to see how. One way or another it would mean alarms sharing bandwidth in a domestic IT environment with music and video downloads and relying on network ancillaries of unknown quality. A home or small office network is no place for an alarm panel if security is being taken seriously - not without backup, anyway. This is a messy place for the monitoring industry to find itself but there are opportunities for new business and for coherent leadership. The Australian alarm industry needs to find a roadmap for its monitoring future and it needs to find one fast. Source - http://www.securityelectronicsandnetworks.com.au/NewsDetail/11-08-30/monitoring_weathering_a_perfect_storm.aspx …


Come and join us for the inaugural Central Coast Home Expo!! We will have great specials for those that attend and look forward to showcasing the very latest in home security solutions. …


Bosch has released the Dinion HD 1080p Day/Night IP camera, the latest addition to the Bosch high definition (HD) portfolio. The high quality camera achieves best-in-class performance, combining full HD resolution images with excellent low light operation and color reproduction. The Dinion HD 1080p Day/Night IP camera delivers uncompromising vision even in busy, colorful scenes. 1080p is equivalent to 2 megapixels, conforming to the HD standard. The entire advanced image pipeline, from lens to image processing, ensures images stay sharp throughout the scene. This allows reliable identification of faces, objects and alphanumeric information over a wide area. Operators can zoom in to any part of a scene to examine specific details without losing clarity. A specially selected image sensor enables superior detection and analysis. Images are exceptionally clear, making it easier to identify items, while different color tones can be distinguished even in poor lighting. Spotting alarm situations is easy and very dependable. Built-in Bosch HD-optimized IVA (Intelligent Video Analysis) flags any events on-screen so that operators never miss suspicious activities. IVA captures comprehensive details of scenes which can be stored for later review using Bosch Forensic Search. The Dinion HD 1080p Day/Night IP camera features a new, next-generation camera design. Constructed with careful attention to detail, the camera has a professional look and feel and features an extended operating temperature range, making it ideal for hot or cold climates. Installation and setup is very simple. The camera starts up quickly and has a user-friendly control interface. The best-in-class motorized auto-back-focus makes it easy to get the sharpest image the first time. Power over Ethernet means no additional power supplies are needed and the camera is extremely energy efficient, consuming just 3.5 watt. Check out the new Dinion HD IP on the Bosch stand at Security 2011 Source - http://www.securityelectronicsandnetworks.com.au/NewsDetail/11-08-20/new_dinion_hd_1080p_day_night_ip_camera_from_bosch.aspx …


IT’S been an unusual time for security industry types, with 2 exhibitions back-to-back and a spate of recent road shows meaning a lot of work has been done showing off new product over the past couple of months. The abundance of new stuff tends to give the impression of an industry in motion and that’s a nice feeling to have, given the slow couple of years we’ve experienced. The overarching feeling for me is that mid-year and leading into year-end we’re going to see more new product than we might have expected and a lot of it is going to be in access control, an area that’s been subdued for some time. In fact, for a long time, integration with CCTV systems has seemed to onlookers as the biggest deal in access control. This year there is a stack of major new software releases both happening now and pending soon, including new DAS Security Commander software for Challenger, Protege’s GX flexible management software and later in the year we’re going to see big new things from Inner Range. With increased activity from CEM Systems, Kantech, Salto and ASSA ABLOY there’s going to be growth in this area of the like we’ve not seen since the froth and bubble that surrounded Cardax, Tecom, Inner Range and Genesis back in the mid-1990s. What’s interesting is the breadth of the new products we’re seeing. It’s not just a matter of a couple of new software releases – competitiveness is noticeable at all levels of this market. There are new readers from HID, Sagem, Hitachi, CEM Systems and others. High quality network-based product is coming from Chase with PCSC, HID with Vertx, ongoing enhancements to controllers from that perennial over-achiever, Gallagher with CardaxFT, as well as ongoing enhancements to the controllers of Australia’s most popular access control solutions. Automation is also sparking up with Protege’s GX claimed to be especially capable and interesting applications taking place in Australia and overseas with Concept where automation and integration capabilities are being leveraged to offer operational functionality in industrial and service applications. It’s always risky to predict anything about the future of biometric readers but there are more of these readers visible and they are smaller, less expensive and more appealing than they’ve ever been. The range of Sagem fingerprint readers deserves attention more than ever and Hitachi’s Finger Vein ID has big wins in Japan. When it comes to wireless linking of mechanical or locally powered locking solutions you’re talking about gear from the likes of Salto, and ASSA ABLOY with Aperio. There are applications where these technologies are an excellent and cost effective way to increase security levels on large sites. Another area of access control where we are seeing ongoing development is intercoms, which are increasingly networked, surveillance-capable and downright functional for domestic and commercial applications. Taken as a whole, my expectation is that increased competition in the access control segment will deliver improvements in both technology and functionality in all areas. Seldom do we see so many key releases occurring virtually simultaneously, in the scheme of typical R&D timelines. Some of these improvements will be expected, others will be inventive and unusual, such as FSH’s integration of a CCTV camera into its delayed egress MEM 2400EXTC delayed egress lock. All these improvements will demand a reaction from competitors, driving the next generation of access control solutions to ever greater levels of sophistication. Source: http://www.securityelectronicsandnetworks.com.au/NewsDetail/11-08-17/access_control_industry_revving_up.aspx …


Brett Gallen and the team at iKey Security Solutions have just become a new member with the Harbourside Chamber Group at North Sydney. The team is excited about joining their local chamber group and hope to increase the local knowledge about what business want form their local security providers. iKey Security Director, Brett Gallen, is "looking forward to the opportunity of working with local businesses and business owners and providing them with 'what they want' when it come to their security". The team at iKey Security have grown their business from strength to strength and according to their directors, "their success has been built on partnerships from the day they started their business". They're optimistic about increasing their local business clients by offering all chamber members some great introductory offers throughout 2011. …


Samsung has introduced a new range of ONVIF compliant 3 megapixel cameras capable of displaying Full HD 1080p resolution to deliver outstanding evidence grade images. The three cameras in the range, the SNB-7000 camera, the SND-7080(F) internal dome (with flush-mount option) and the SNV-7080 weatherproof vandal resistant dome, all incorporate Samsung Techwin's WiseNet2 DSP chipset which has been specifically designed to provide users with maximum benefit from the latest megapixel and high definition technology and includes Wide Dynamic Range (WDR) operation for use in challenging lighting conditions. Capable of displaying multiple resolutions from CIF (352 x 288) through to 16:9 format 1080p Full HD (1920 x 1080p) and up to full 3 megapixel (2048 x 1536), all three models support dual-streaming of video using H.264 and MJPEG compression. The cameras can therefore be simultaneously used for real-time monitoring, mobile monitoring, high quality or high-efficiency recording, SD memory recording and/or E-mail notification purposes. In addition, Samsung's Smart Codec compression technology allows specific areas of interest within a scene to be captured at a higher resolution than the rest. This means that areas such as doorways, human faces, or windows are transmitted or recorded at full resolution, whilst other areas within the scene are reduced to save file sizes and put the user firmly in control of bandwidth management. Four point polygonal privacy zones, bi-directional audio support and PoE (Power over Ethernet) are just a few of the impressive features built into all three models whilst lens focusing can be controlled via the network using the cameras' manual and one-shot auto focus function incorporated into the SND-7080(F) and SNV-7080. Other key features include: Progressive scan technology, which provides sharper edges on moving subjects and vehicles in order to enhance image quality. It is most noticeable on paused images, providing picture-perfect stills of, for example, number plates without any blurring. Wide Dynamic Range for applications where there are strong contrasts between light and dark areas, such as shop entrances with glass entrance doors, Samsung's latest WDR technology adjusts both the bright areas and dark shadows much more effectively to provide a well-balanced image across the entire scene. Third generation Samsung Super Noise Reduction technology, which not only allows a colour image to be captured in much lower lighting conditions than traditionally possible, but it also eliminates image noise in low light conditions without creating blur or ghosting. This has a dramatic effect on reducing bandwidth requirements when networking and can save up to 70% recording space on the recording device. Fully compatible with Samsung's licence-free NET-i viewer software, which allows remote viewing, control and administration of single or multiple site security systems via a PC anywhere in the world. What's more, with the iPOLiS iPhone and Android applications, users are able to access their systems on the move. The SND-7080 and SNV-7080 are offered with an extensive range of accessories and brackets to provide a choice of wall, pole, parapet, pendant, corner and in-ceiling mounts. …


Brett Gallen and his team at iKey Security have just begun working with Goodman Building Services. Brett was first introduced to Goodman while completing the ITT Water and Wastewater project at Eastern Creek. After getting final approval they have begun servicing Goodman clients such as Coles and their Nation Distribution Centres. The team at iKey Security is looking for to working with Goodman building services and supporting their clients throughout Sydney and greater Sydney. …


Brett Gallen and the team at iKey Security Solutions have successfully joined the Erina Chamber of Commerce. Since the opening of the Central Coast office, the team at iKey Security were looking for new business netwoking opportunities in the area and though that by joining the Erina Chamber of Commerce they could build up their local business knowledge as well as offer there products and services to any and all local businesses. The team at iKey Security are looking forward to meeting with everyone in the chapter and are optimistic about helping local businesses improve their current security systems in place. …


2 Door Access Control System with Integrated Intruder Alarm and 24/7 GPRS Monitoring for Small Commercial Applications - $3,699.00* The Solution 64 from iKey Security Solutions provides you with an elegant solution that will fit your business perfectly. This integrated security and access control system combines an impressive array of functions with future focused technology and the ability to adapt to your changing needs and work environment. Finding the right security system for your business need not be a complex and time consuming task. iKey Security have a special running until the 30th June 2011 where you can now invest in upgrading your security system for one low price of $3,699.00*. The Solutions 64 has the ability to control 8 restricted access points (i.e. doors), 64 alarm zones and 128 users; it is easy to use as well as maintain. Your new Solutions 64 Security Systems will include the following: 1 x Solutions 64 Control Panel w/ Proximity Codepad, Siren, Strobe, Piezo, 12V 7amp Battery, Power supply and Metal Enclosure 2 x Blue Line Quad Alarm Sensors 1 x Sol64 Relay Module 2 x Weatherproof RFID Card Readers 2 x Electric Door Strikes (ES200 or FEM20) 10 x Proximity Cards 1 x GPRS Monitoring Unit (monitoring charges will apply) 1 x 12V 1.5amp Power Supply 1 x 650VA UPS (uninterrupted power supply) All installation, commissioning & 2hrs training. Download the Bosch Solutions64 product brochure Contact our office and speak to one of our security specialist today on 1300 15 65 35 * Price given is ex GST and for a standard installation; price is subject to change following site visit. Promotion Dates ~ 01-Jan-2011 - 30-Jun-2011 …


DECEMBER 2010 and the beginning of 2011 have taught the electronic security industry a hard lesson – the importance of power supplies to the operation of security solutions during emergencies. When we think of threats to our sites, things like robbery, terrorism and fire quickly spring to mind. But monitoring stations in Brisbane say loss of power was the key problem they faced during the floods. For an entire week thousands of homes and businesses lost alarm monitoring services as their backup batteries failed. Typically, an alarm system has backup power to continue operation for 24 hours after power fail - this varies but not by a great deal. The end result is that properties that lose mains power will lose their fire and burglar alarm protection within a day. Energex started turning off power as flood waters surged down the Brisbane River and ultimately up to 100,000 homes and businesses were without power, most for up to a week. There was also significant loss of power supply in Far North Queensland when Category 5 Cyclone Yasi struck in early February. Yasi had a massive core 500km in diameter and while it missed the major centres of Cairns and Townsville, Tully, Dunk Island and Mission Beach were badly damaged, with 175,000 homes losing power and communications. No less challenging was the impact of the Christchurch earthquake at the end of last month. As sedimentary sands and shales liquefied during the powerful seismic shock, there was significant damage to infrastructure, including power supplies, telephone poles and pits, and mobile phone towers. Around 80 per cent of homes lost power after the earthquake and Kiwi energy supplier Orion made slow progress restoring services as a result of network and road damage. At the same time, Telecom, Vodafone and 2degrees worked hard to repair networks and to get around the single biggest problem mobile phone sites faced as a result of the earthquake – yes - loss of power. This involved the use of generators as a stop gap until lines could be repaired. From the perspective of electronic security solutions, in all cases it seems that the loss of power is the key issue our systems face when infrastructure is damaged or destroyed during major natural disasters. Graded monitoring stations with backup power supplies and comprehensive facilities fared reasonably well in Brisbane. Those that lost mains power simply switched over to generator and battened the hatches. But it’s the end user systems in the field that are at greatest risk and while it’s tempting to throw up our collective hands in the face of acts of nature, serious thought should be given to preparing systems to function as well as possible, and as long as possible, when power is lost. There are a number of ways to address the issues and they vary depending on system size. For basic alarm systems and access control solutions, increasing battery sizes and adding small solar panels would mean alarm systems could handle power loss for longer periods. Importantly, such a solution would not be particularly expensive. Larger public surveillance systems which would be of real use to police and emergency services during major disasters need to supported, too. In such cases UPS support would be a real benefit but most UPS solutions are designed to handle only an hour or 2 or power outage at most. That means small generators need to be considered. Large industrial, commercial and defence installations are no less vulnerable to natural disaster. Security managers and integrators should seriously think about support power – even if only to a skeleton system – allowing retention of key functionalities in the event of widespread power loss. You want fire alarm reporting, some access control, control of gates, some intrusion detection and CCTV cameras enough to allow general monitoring of your facility and support of manpower and emergency services teams. In a world awash with electricity, it’s easy to forget that the greatest threat to all electronic and networked security systems is power loss. The time to recognise that fact is now. …


Samsung iPolis Simplicity and Style SAMSUNG has released its new iPOLIS range of IP and network products encompassing hybrid VGA and HD megapixel cameras, network video recorders and encoders, each designed to maximise image quality while maximising available bandwidth. The innovative network products are the perfect solution for reliability and remote viewing, offering realistic high quality video streaming via a network. All that is required is a LAN connection and modem to access streams from any location with intuitive Centralised Management Software (CMS) allows a simple solution to build a fully integrated security system. Samsung has a hyperactive approach to accepting new technology demands and implementing them into their range of iPOLIS, redefining how crisp and detailed images are being delivered to users. Dual outputs (BNC & Ethernet) enable a simple and cost effective integration of upgrading from an existing analogue to IP system. With no cables being required to run from camera equipment back to the control room, allows for easy expansion if required. Intelligent Monitoring is provided through built in intelligent video analytic functions including Motion Detection, People Counting and Object Tracking. Progressive scanning allows for the monitoring of moving objects without blur, while SNRIII/Motion Adaptive DNR eliminates noise thus generating a distinct and clear message. Samsung Super Dynamic Range (SSDR)/ Extended Dynamic Range (XDR) increases the level of visible detail in dark areas, while maintaining image clarity and detail in brighter portions of the recorded image and remote accessibility offers effective viewing over a wide range of equipment from PCs to smartphones. The free iPOLIS mobile application, available on iPhone’s iOS and Google’s Android operating system are designed specifically for Samsung Techwin security network products. The application allows you to view live video, audio out and control PTZ functions from your network cameras. It is password protected and can have a total of 32 operational cameras registered to it. …


Brett Gallen & the team at iKey Security have just been approved by TRADES MONITOR as an Accredited Contractor. TRADES MONITORS history is an exciting evolution that began over 40 years ago by founder and current managing director Sydney Steen. Today they're Australia’s leading Contractor Compliance service company which deals in information services and specialist risk management for Companies using contractors. Specialising in contractor management and contractor accreditation, we currently monitor over 80,000 trades and service providers, through over 200 Clients. We monitor all types of occupations from plumbers to engineers, from valuers to site auditors and all trades in between. iKey Security look forward to working closely with TRADE MONITOR clients across australia. …


Brett Gallen & the team from Prestige Alarms in WA have completed the CCTV upgrade for the WA facility for ITT Water & Waste Water. Brian Krishna, the Western Regional Manger in WA & Cheryl Wright the Operations Manger in Sydney we looking to save cost by changing their security requirements. The contacted Brett Gallen who designed & implemented the security system at their sydney facility to identify their options to save money on their current security bill. Brett suggested they invest in a CCTV system which has the ability to be accessed remotely. Upon site inspections, they were able to recommend the same CCTV system installed in sydney giving the team at ITT consistency in their security systems across the country. Following the installation Brett travelled to WA to meet with Brian for a final site inspection; they were both very please with the final result. …


Brett Gallen & the team at iKey Security Solutions will be expanding their security business to address the growing needs of the Central Coast & Newcastle regions. The new office will be located at Erina on the NSW central coast. This office will work with customers between the Central Coast & Newcastle giving customers more choice when it comes to their security requirements. iKey Security Solutions has delivered the latest security technologies to their clients since 2001. With more than 15 years experience in the security industry, we work with clients to deliver innovative, user-friendly security applications that protect and enhance daily business operations & residential location. Some of iKey Security well established clients include Nokia Australia, Northline Freight & ITT Water & Waste Water. We all look forward to the challenges the new opening will bring & are positive the new location & team in Ernia will provide more competition through its competitive pricing & quality products & services. We look forward to meeting with the local businesses & residential customers from the moment we open. …


Brett Gallen & his team at iKey Security have been appointed to supply & install the new security system for the Consulate of Peru's new sydney office. The Consular General was looking for a solution that was cost effective & would incorproate an intruder alarm with 24/7 back to base monitoring by the Australian Federal Police, CCTV including DVR & cameras & keyless Access Control. iKey Security worked closely with the consulate to deliver a system that was not only cost effective, but totally security, easy to manage & most importantly, meet their needs. …


ITT Water & Wastewater is Flygt, Sanitaire, Wedeco and Leopold, a world leader that offers fully integrated solutions for fluid handling in transport and treatment, of water and wastewater. We are present in 140 countries around the world and holds 70 global patents. 6000 people are deeply committed to delivering the best and most effective integrated solutions possible. Since moving to the greater west in late 2008, Brett Gallen has been working with their IT Manager Kam Ng to provide ITT with a state of the art security system complete with Access Control, to monitor staff movements, CCTV with remote viewing & an intruder alarm with 24/7 back-to-base monitoring. Upon inspection & testing of all of the equipment, iKey Security was able to offer Kam & the ITT team a new Annual Maintenance Agreement which will give the team at ITT piece of mind knowing that their security system is again covered in the event of system or item failure. In the event of a failure, iKey will send a technician to site to repair or replace the part/s that need attention. …


iKey Security has completed the security upgrade for the Malaysian Consulate in Sydney’s CBD. Brett Gallen, Director of iKey Security has been working closely with their business partners to bring the latest in security technology to such clients. In brief, the client was looking for a access control system that was going to be easy to manage in-house with the flexibility to expand easily. iKey supplied & installed BQT's SmaX access control, with its easy to navigate web interface, it was easy to understand why they chose that product. …


We are pleased to have launched iKey Security's new website! The new site includes information on the different services that ikey offers to its customers. To browse through our solutions, click here. We are now offering product updates. If you're interested in receiving special offers and product news in your inbox as it becomes available, please sign up by clicking here. Your feedback is welcome! Send any comments on the new website through to Brett Gallen by emailing brett@ikeysecurity.com. Kind regards, Brett Gallen Director - Security Systems …


iKey Security have been awarded the electronic security contract for the Darling Harbour Project managed by Bovis Lend Lease. This is the first time iKey security have been awarded such a significant contract with one of Australia's largest developers. Management at Bovis were looking to save costs on their security & after a couple of meetings decided to go with the solution put forward by iKey. The security system included 2 mechanical turnstiles with access control to stop unauthorised personal gaining access to the site without having been through the induction process. iKey Security also supplied 2 wireless card readers which are being used at the truck entries to record who has come in & gone out. With up to 500+ people onsite at any given day, iKey suggested they invest in a card printer & software to easily identify each & every person on site. …


Seeing Machines is an award winning Technology Company with a focus on vision based human machine interfaces. Seeing Machines technology platform is based on world-leading computer vision processing technologies that allow machines to see and track human faces and certain facial features. These technologies enable the development of new cutting edge products and applications, ranging from devices that improve road safety & save lives, to those that help manage eye disease and prevent loss of eyesight. iKey Security was awarded & completed the security contract to secure Seeing Machines new Head Office located in the Canberra's CBD. The new system included CCTV for internal & external locations as well as the SmaX Access Control system. The IT Manager for Seeing Machines, Rayyan, awarded iKey Security the contract because of the 2 things, application & service. Although iKey Security was going to be slightly higher in price, Rayyan believed that the team at iKey Security provided them with the right access control system for their business & the high level of customer service he felt was important to their business. …


iKey Security complete the 4th Nokia Care Centre security upgrade on time before the re-opening of their new store. Another successful installation completed by iKey Security see's Nokia's security dream of having consistent security equipment in each of its Care Centre locations throughout Australia. Nokia Care Hurstville were supplied by iKey Security with another identical security system making life that much easier for them to manage. The security upgrade consisted of CCTV & intruder alarm. This is now the 4th Nokia Care Centre that Brett & his team have upgraded to meet the strict requirements set out in Nokia's security brief. Each of their stores DVR's (digital video recorder) are networked over the Nokia Care WAN allowing each of the stores to be monitored from their Sydney head office. The goal is to have consistency throughout the stores, with the same DVR, cameras & intruder alarm, making it easier to manage well into the future. …


Brett Gallen & the iKey Security team complete the security upgrade for Melbourne's Nokia Care Centre in Melbourne's CBD. Another successful installation completed by iKey Security see's the coming to life of Nokia's security dream, having consistent security equipment in each of its Care Centre locations throughout Australia. Nokia Care Melbourne were supplied by iKey Security with another identical security system making life that much easier for them to manage. The security upgrade consisted of CCTV & intruder alarm. This is now the 3rd Nokia Care Centre that Brett & his team have upgraded to meet the strict requirements set out in Nokia's security brief. Each of their stores DVR's (digital video recorder) are networked over the Nokia Care WAN allowing each of the stores to be monitored from their Sydney head office. The goal is to have consistency throughout the stores, with the same DVR, cameras & intruder alarm, making it easier to manage well into the future. …


ITT Flygt has been able to move into their new facility in the greater west with the state of the art security system installed and ready to use. Brett Gallen and his team at iKey Security had been working around the clock to complete the final stages of the new security system for ITT's new Sydney head office. The system complete with Access Control, intruder alarm and CCTV was completed on time for the company's launch complete with US CEO on site. Brett has built a great relationship with the IT Manager Kam Ng who has been the project manager for the total security fit out. They have spent a lot of time together working out the finer details of what ITT expect the system to provide them with. The system is truly one of the more technical sites with integration into the sites fire management system and main gates. …


Brett Gallen & the iKey Security team complete the security upgrade for grand opening at new location on Hobart's CBD main street. Another successful installation completed by iKey Security see's the coming to life of Nokia's security dream, having consistent security equipment in each of its Care Centre locations throughout Australia. Nokia Care Hobart is a much smaller locations than that of Sydney, Melbourne however, iKey have supplied an identical system making life that much easier for them to manage. The security upgrade consisted of CCTV & intruder alarm. Angus Jon, The Care Centre Business Manager for Nokia, visited the site for its relaunch & was impressed again with the work completed by Brett & his team. …


iKey Security have completed the CCTV upgrade for NORTHLINE Freight's Distribution Centre in Sydney's West. Northline was incorporated in 1983 & is a privately owned and managed Australia wide freight management company providing an extensive range of services from long haul road train and rail container transport, to high tech warehousing and home delivery, to interstate containerised furniture removal services. Michael Bloom, Northlines Logistics manager was after a system that would help prevent & act as a deterrent against theft, loss & product damage. Brett Gallen worked closely with the Northlines management team to deliver the right system for their environment. The system proposed by iKey consisted of a 16CH DVR with 15 WDR day & night CCTV cameras strategically installed to cover 100% of the 10,000sm distribution centre key areas. …


iKey Security have completed their 1st Nokia Care Centre upgrade. Following discussions with Nokia's head of corporate security, Michael Beckwith, Brett Gallen & his team at iKey Security secured & completed the 1st Nokia Care Centre upgrade in Brisbane’s CBD. Nokia were looking for a CCTV system that could be monitored over their WAN giving them the ability to monitor them from anywhere in Australia. Brett & his team worked closely with the IT team to make this possible. …


Brett Gallen and the team at iKey Security have completed the security upgrade at their client’s new Silverwater location. The security upgrade covered access control, CCTV and intruder alarm with 24hr/7 back-to-base monitoring. The site to date has been one of the iKey Security's biggest fit outs with over 15 access points, 30 Hi-Res night and day CCTV cameras internal and external and approx 48 alarm zones. Following the upgrades Brett Gallen was lucky enough to meet with Nokia's head of Corporate Security Asia Pacific, Michael Beckwith. Michael and his team were extremely impressed with the upgrade completed by iKey that they began negotiations shortly after with Brett and his team to upgrade the Nokia Care Business throughout Australia. …