It’s clear that despite recent layoffs in the tech industry and general unease about the economy, there are still significant gaps in the number of jobs available and the amount of workers available to fill them. According to the Labour Department, there are 5.5 million more job openings than workers available. The physical security industry is not immune to these shortages. Last fall, Allied Universal reported being unable to fill thousands of open roles nationally while other smaller security-related companies also cited difficulties finding workers to fill open roles. Reported instances of burnout among security professionals are contributing to this. Physical security programs In one report, 84% of security pros and 80% of other workers felt burned out. The same report claims that burnout can lead to missteps and employees experiencing burnout were three times as likely to think that security rules and policies ‘aren't worth the hassle,’ compared to respondents who were not experiencing burnout. In one report, 84% of security pros and 80% of other workers felt burned out As security leaders look to address some of these concerns for long-term gain, there’s a new discussion to be had: Can technology bridge the gap between worker shortages and the need for robust physical security programs? Implementing technology that streamlines decision-making is one way to try and address retention within a physical security department, but technology in general may contribute to solving this issue. The role of virtualised GSOCs Mature businesses rely on a Global Security Operations Center, or GSOC, to collect and analyse information about threats to the organisation, its people, and its assets. But the resources required to properly staff and maintain a GSOC are beyond the reach of many businesses, including startups. This presents a challenge: the world is simultaneously more connected and dispersed than it’s ever been which makes managing physical security risks more critical – and more difficult – than ever before. Add in the challenge of sourcing talent for these operator and analyst positions, and many businesses might not be able to stand up a GSOC that can adequately serve the organisation. Centralised physical location A vGSOC performs the same functions without the need for a centralised physical location Many established enterprises rely on a physical GSOC to serve as the command and control centre for their security programs. These secure locations are where threats are identified and analysed and the appropriate response is determined. A vGSOC performs the same functions without the need for a centralised physical location, which saves money, enables scalability, is inherently more redundant, and gets the security program up and running more quickly than bringing a physical GSOC online. vGSOCs can also help organisations address worker shortages and staffing challenges by outsourcing the physical security function and providing additional support that may not have been available previously. Promoting remote work options We’re entering a period of remote work-centric operations, with a recent report by Ladders stating that nearly 25% of all professional jobs in North America will be remote by the end of 2022. This means that remote work is here to stay – and it may be contributing to the worker shortage when remote work is not an option within an organisation. As such, technology contributes to enabling more remote work functionality As such, technology contributes to enabling more remote work functionality. Organisations who want to retain workers by promoting remote and hybrid work options have to plan long-term investments in IT infrastructure that support these workers, account for security threats – both physical and cyber – and foster a supportive environment that embraces remote workers. Addressing false alarms In physical security, security leaders are tasked with making decisions in a split second using information that they have at their fingertips – and receiving hundreds of alarms each day can quickly lead to burnout and an increased risk of missing a true security event. The ‘noise’ generated by disparate systems within a GSOC, funnelled through security guards and analysts to assess and respond to can become debilitating. In some regards, the various systems within the GSOC – from access control, video feeds, analytics alerts, intrusion and fire alarms, Dark Web monitoring, and much more – can create so much of this noise that the actual event might be missed. Building scalable program It’s critical that physical security leaders start identifying and implementing technology Operators cannot digest all of these false alarms and noise long-term without experiencing the kind of burnout mentioned earlier. For many organisations to handle the amount of alarms coming in at any given point, leaders have to either add more bodies or implement technology to address these challenges. And as we’ve mentioned, shortages are plaguing even the largest companies. The good news is that we’re in a period of time where there are many available technologies that implement artificial intelligence (AI) to help address this noise and reduce the number of false alarms there are. It’s critical that physical security leaders start identifying and implementing technology to help retain their operator talent and build a scalable program for protecting people and assets. The case for advanced technology In a recent webinar, Travis May from Groove Jones said that having technology that’s innovative helps keep security operators working in GSOCs engaged. With the technical advancements in not only supporting remote and hybrid workers but also opening up the option for security operators to work virtually, physical security is taking a step forward in modernising its approach to building the modern workforce.

For the past few years, security professionals have had to change the way that they go about protecting their organisations. From challenging old assumptions around access control through to implementing more access management and authentication policies, security has been at the heart of how companies have responded to the pandemic. The journey to more modern security processes that could support more flexible working was a rapid one. Remote work programmes have bedded in, based on how IT security teams have implemented better identity and access control. Identity and access control According to our research, the use of biometrics for authentication has doubled. In 2022, 55.9 percent of systems administrators say that biometrics have been implemented in their companies, compared to only 22.3 percent of admins that said their company used biometrics in 2021. Around 18 percent use SSO for their collaboration tools, while only 12.5 percent are not using SSO Similarly, single sign-on (SSO) has increased in popularity with 33.9 percent of companies using SSO across their entire organisation and 35.6 percent using SSO for a limited number of apps or devices. Around 18 percent use SSO for their collaboration tools, while only 12.5 percent are not using SSO. The change in a year has been huge - in 2021, only 20.4 percent of companies were using SSO. Remote work programmes These changes were essential in order to make remote work, well, work. Without the ability to control access and be sure that someone is who they say they are, remote work programmes can’t succeed. However, while these initiatives have succeeded so far, security management problems still exist. According to the Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report for 2022, there were more than 23,000 incidents and 5.000 data breaches at companies, showing the sheer scale of security problems that we are up against as an industry. While we have come far on the security journey, we can’t say that we are out of the woods yet. Security is the highest priority Security teams have gone through a lot of changes in how they make everything work According to 59.4 percent of systems administrators, security is now back as the number one challenge for them. Balancing security and user experience is critical too - no user wants to work with services that are cumbersome or intrusive, as it gets in the way of them being productive. Many employees can easily find alternative employment too, so implementing any security and access control processes that get in the way or hamper people in their work can easily lead to losing staff. Based on these trends, security teams have gone through a lot of changes in how they make everything work. The issue now is not so much making remote work possible, but instead how to make this process simpler and more efficient both for the user and for the security team responsible for everything. Users want secure frictionless access and authentication to all their IT resources. Maintaining effective security In the rush to get everything ready for remote work, companies invested in tools and products to fix the gaps that they had. For example, 38.2 percent of teams use three or more tools to manage their IT security. This worked at the time. However, the technology sector is famous for never standing still. All those tools have evolved and added to their services. This leads to more overlaps and redundancy in functionality, where the same overall goal can be achieved multiple ways. 38.2 percent of teams use three or more tools to manage their IT security In practice, this means that security teams can be paying more than they need to in order to maintain effective security. To respond to this, teams can look at how they consolidate their tools and remove anything that is a duplicate. This should help the security team to reduce their spend, but also help to streamline the overall process to manage access and security over time. Security and consolidation This kind of cost saving is important as it can help IT teams get ahead of any problems due to the current macroeconomic situation taking place. Supply chain delays, employment pressure and inflation can all affect businesses, and this will affect IT budgets and goals. For 26.2 percent of IT teams, recession planning is already taking place, while 57.4 percent consider recession planning a good idea. Only 5.1 percent of IT teams say inflation does not worry them. This consolidation exercise can provide an opportunity to look at the whole process around security and access, and what employees have to do in their work to keep secure. Auditing this can show up potential problems around how people work, but it can also flag where there are opportunities to improve the experience for users too. Providing easier access Biometric access can be used for logging into devices or physical access to buildings For example, biometric access can be used for logging into devices or physical access to buildings. This implementation can be extended to provide easier access to other services and single sign-on to applications. This joined-up approach can make biometric authentication more useful in how people work, rather than solely about protecting devices. Similarly, any tools that you have in place may be able to help your team improve their processes. For example, patching software is one of the biggest tasks that IT teams have to manage. Automating this area is a goal that all teams want to achieve, but the work is hard and - to be blunt - boring. Security can help here, as it will already have to know all the assets that the company has. Effective security processes This can be extended to cover more device management around areas like patching the software. By consolidating your approach, you can achieve more goals at the same time. All the work that security teams have put into managing access has helped their companies expand their possibilities for work. However, the economic situation means that there is more pressure than ever on how companies function. Helping employees across the company to work more effectively from wherever they are is critical for the future. This requires effective security processes to be in place that can identify and authenticate users, making them more efficient in their processes. Without this ability to make security easy and transparent for users, we will still have far to go in our mission.

Six months can go by in the blink of an eye. In 2022, it almost seems as if it has. Here we are already at mid-year after what has been an eventful six months for the security marketplace. There is still a lot ahead in 2022 for the industry, and our Expert Panel Roundtable has been considering what the coming months might hold in terms of technology change. We asked this week’s panelists: What will likely be the most important technology development in the security marketplace in the second half of 2022?

Shoplifting is often viewed as petty theft by individuals, but that is not always the case. Overall, shoplifting is becoming more sophisticated and coordinated. Sometimes, retail crimes are strategic and expertly choreographed. Every step is carefully thought out — from the brand to the location to the items that are taken. Shoplifting, a major safety concern Also, the violence that accompanies these events is rising. Shoppers are rightly concerned about their safety while shopping, and the brand reputations of retailers are under threat. Traditional ‘shoplifting’ has two major differences, when compared to organised retail crime (ORC). The differences are numbers and motivation. ORC consists of groups working together to monetise theft, very different than an individual taking an item they need. Rise in organised retail crimes (ORC) ORC groups take in-demand items that they can resell for a profit, either online or at a physical location ORC groups take in-demand items that they can resell for a profit, either online or at a physical location. Also, ORC attacks are not random - they come with a high level of strategic thinking. “Armed with the right tools, retailers can identify ORC patterns that allow them to potentially anticipate and take steps to mitigate future events,” said Craig Szklany, the Vice President and Product General Manager - Loss Prevention & Liability at Sensormatic Solutions. Although ORC was rising before 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on people’s lives and livelihoods accelerated the trend.  Economy impacts shoplifting The economy also impacts shoplifting. “When consumers have less money to spend, they are more likely to steal necessities,” said Craig Szklany, adding “Keeping food on the table or finding an alternate source of income to pay the mortgage can be powerful motivators, and some individuals turn to retail crime to keep up.” One tool to fight shoplifting is analytics, which can be used to determine where shrink is occurring. Craig Szklany continues, “Understanding where crimes take place helps retailers make strategic decisions about where to place their loss prevention efforts.” Loss prevention systems with artificial intelligence (AI) Some of these systems are equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) that can identify ‘red’ and ‘green’ shoppers (thieves versus well-intentioned customers), as they move throughout the store, so retailers can respond proactively to potential threats. With enough data on these patterns, systems can alert retailers of at-risk locations" “Widespread use of these technologies can also help track ORC groups, as they move around regions or countries,” said Craig Szklany, adding “With enough data on these patterns, systems can alert retailers of at-risk locations.” He continues, “The increased use of scan-and-go and other forms of self-service checkout has made it easier for consumers to steal. Implementation of these systems has been one of the biggest factors in increased shrink for retailers.” Store visibility technology “The purpose of scan-and-go is to provide a seamless shopping experience for consumers, with smoother checkout and to help retailers reduce the need for employees,” stated Craig Szklany, adding “However, with increased theft, retailers need some form of monitoring at these sections.” He continues, “With store visibility technology and AI, retailers can both monitor self-checkout for theft, while also gathering insights that enable them to better identify and predict theft at these checkouts.” Intelligence-led loss prevention technology Craig Szklany adds, “Intelligence-led loss prevention technology provides a huge return on investment (ROI). Traditionally, items that left the store were as good as gone. With RFID and smart-exit technology, that is no longer the case.” These systems allow retailers to quantify theft events and include data on what was stolen and how much it cost. With that information, retailers can take a proactive approach to theft prevention, by providing enhanced evidence packages to law enforcement, which increases the chances of the items being returned to stores. Challenge of shift to the Internet of Things (IoT) The biggest change in retail technology in the last five years is the shift to the Internet of Things (IoT) The biggest change in retail technology in the last five years is the shift to the Internet of Things (IoT) and Store Visibility technology. Stores outfitted with integrated tags, pedestals, and AI-enabled video cameras can be connected holistically, so that retailers have a clearer insight into the thieves’ journeys in real-time. That data helps prevent future theft. These technologies provide a more accurate look into what exactly went missing, when, and where, which allows retailers to respond to shoplifting, in a way that they had not been possible in the past.  Modern loss prevention technologies offer flexibility “The great thing about modern loss prevention technologies is that they’re flexible,” stated Craig Szklany, adding “The same system that tracks ORC events can provide insight into energy use, floor optimisation, customer experience, and more.” RFID tags allow retailers to track inventory at the item level, so they are better prepared to make decisions about stocking and promotions. Computer-vision-based AI (artificial intelligence) that identifies ‘red’ and ‘green’ shoppers can also track customer sentiments and demographics, to enable retailers to offer special discounts and enhanced customer service, in order to improve customer experiences and establish loyalty. Benefits of video loss prevention technologies Ahead of busy shopping seasons, many retailers hire extra employees to serve as physical deterrents against theft, but labour shortages may take this practice out of reach this year. Video loss prevention technologies can reinforce retailers’ workforce, allowing them to be proactive against theft without drawing associates from their main goal: helping customers.

Inner Range has announced several enhancements for its flagship product Integriti, including ONVIF Conformance and providing built-in visitor management capabilities. Integriti is Inner Range's enterprise-level intelligent access and security system, and its R&D team is constantly working on improvements to improve safety and ease of access for customers. Built-in visitor management Recently, a new update is available for new and existing customers, which includes allowing basic visitor management to be carried out directly within Integriti via a dedicated interface. Default properties and permissions can be set up for different types of visitors, making it easier for users to create suitable credentials, and manage current visitors on site. This is available for Integriti customers with ‘business’ or ‘corporate’ software options. ONVIF Conformance Operators can connect IP CCTV cameras that are ONVIF Conformant directly to Integriti From next month (August 2022), Integriti will also become an ONVIF Conformant product. This means operators can connect IP CCTV cameras that are ONVIF Conformant directly to Integriti, without the need for a network recorder or video management system for basic tasks, such as live video streaming, event monitoring, and exporting current frames. As part of the July update, Integriti can also integrate with MOBOTIX HUB cameras, and an existing interface with Milestone has more advanced options for operators. Further capabilities Other enhancements include being able to create QR code credentials for visitors directly within Integriti, without the need for a visitor management system, as well as new integrations with STid Bluetooth door readers, and Dormakaba wireless locks. Our director, Tim Northwood, said, “As a manufacturer, our R&D team is constantly exploring new ways to make our systems easier and more efficient for operators to use, and provide a slick and hassle-free experience for workers, residents, and visitors, all while maintaining high levels of security.” “These latest enhancements will give all customers more choice in how they manage access and security, as well as offering some cost and resource savings where additional third-party systems are no longer required.” Showcasing at the International Security Expo The UK team at Inner Range will be showcasing Integriti’s latest enhancements and vast integration capabilities, as well as its entry-level system, Inception, at the International Security Expo, in London in September. Inner Range systems have been installed in over 30 countries, offering trouble-free access and smart building management for local sites as well as national and global estates. Customers include hospitals and high-security units, colleges, distribution centers, pharmaceutical companies, government, and critical national infrastructure.

Altronix has expanded its popular line of Trove™ Access and Power Integration Solutions to support more brands of access control including Inner Range, Kisi, and Suprema – as well as DIN rail mount solutions ICT and TDSi. “Our collaboration with today’s top access control suppliers provides users with more flexibility when designing and installing access control systems,” said Ronnie Pennington, Director of Sales for the Americas, Altronix. Saving valuable space “For added convenience, our free Trove System Design Tool further simplifies the design process, to configure the specific access and power solution they need.” Altronix Trove Access and Power and Integration series easily combines Altronix power and accessories with access controllers available from the manufacturers. A variety of backplanes offers a wide range of scalable access and power configurations. These solutions simplify board layout and wire management while reducing costs and saving valuable space. Altronix products are NDAA and TAA compliant and backed by a lifetime warranty.

Verkada, a provider of cloud-managed enterprise building security and management, announced the launch of Verkada Mailroom to enable organisations to efficiently keep track of the mail, packages and shipments coming to their facilities. Authority comment "We're excited to add Verkada Mailroom to our comprehensive portfolio of cloud-managed enterprise building security products," said Brandon Davito, VP of Product and Operations at Verkada. "Making sure inventory, supplies, and deliveries get to the right people at the right time is critical to protecting our customers' assets. With Mailroom, businesses can easily track inbound shipments and keep their mailroom operations secure within our easy-to-use platform." Verkada Mailroom Verkada Mailroom is management software that enables organisations to regularly keep track of mail and shipments. With the Mailroom app, inventory managers and workplace staff can simply scan the label on any inbound package from a mobile device and it will instantly notify the recipient to collect the item -- no special hardware required. Integrates with Verkada cameras Mailroom can be used in traditional mailrooms, loading docks, or almost anywhere Mailroom also integrates with Verkada cameras out of the box. For customers with mailroom video cameras, office and inventory managers will see a full view of delivery activity within the Mailroom dashboard, making it simple to monitor activity and safeguard assets. Mailroom can be used in traditional mailrooms, loading docks, or almost anywhere where packages and freight come and go. The way Mailroom works Following is the way Mailroom works: Scan the shipping label. In just one click, Mailroom scans a shipping label via optical character recognition (OCR) to match the name to the recipient. From the label, details of the package are captured, such as location, carrier, tracking number, recipient name and Inventory and warehouse managers can add even more detail with custom notes, and additional photos. As an additional option, users can automatically print large name labels to make packages easier to locate on the mailroom shelf. Mailroom supports UPS, USPS, DHL, Fedex, Amazon, Royal Mail, OnTrac, Canada Post, and more. Send notifications automatically. Once scanned, employees are notified via SMS, email or Slack that their package has arrived. If the package hasn't been picked up after 24 hours, they'll get automatic reminders. Employees can mark that they have picked up their package via email, text, or Slack. Track and Staff can view a log of all items picked up and waiting, and double-click into the details of each scanned item. For organisations with multiple shipping and receiving locations, staff can select the correct location from the dropdown to see the appropriate delivery logs. Investigate lost items. With its native integration to Verkada security cameras, Mailroom makes it easy to do quick investigations of lost or removed items. See a live view of mailroom activity, as well as a historical snapshot of when an item was scanned. To more easily find lost items, filter by specific fields, such as tracking number, name or date.

Mul-T-Lock has worked closely with K.B.O Fire & Security to upgrade the security at Guildford College, in the United Kingdom (UK), creating a dedicated master key suite for the ultimate peace of mind of staff, pupils and visitors. Guildford College is the largest further and highest education college in the Surrey area, with approximately 3000 students and offers courses at all levels. Success rates are higher than national benchmarks with many students operating with the local community on a regular basis. Control and secure access for Guildford College K.B.O Fire & Security offered a number of innovative ideas to ensure complete security Controlled and secure access is a high priority for the Estates and Facilities team, who sought the advice of K.B.O Fire & Security to undertake a comprehensive security overview. K.B.O Fire & Security offered a number of innovative ideas to ensure complete security and a smooth operating system throughout the college site. Mul-T-Lock’s high security MTL400 patent protected solution The resulting master key suite was designed and installed using Mul-T-Lock’s high security MTL400 patent protected solution, which combines advanced technologies with enhanced key copy control and maximum resistance to all forms of lock manipulation. Sandra Searle, the Facilities Customer Services Manager at Guildford College, said “The college is committed to offering staff and students a vibrant, happy and nurturing learning environment. So that we can do this as safely as possible, we ensure the security systems, right from the entrance to the college and throughout the site, are all maintained to a high level.” Bespoke Mul-T-Lock master key suite system Sandra Searle adds, “K.B.O Fire & Security worked with us to produce a bespoke Mul-T-Lock master key suite that could enable total key management control. We are particularly impressed with the advanced protection capability as it means as a team, we can maintain a single key to open all doors as required and maintain differential access to rooms between staff, visitors and students.” With up to 90 cylinders installed in a scalable design, the master key suite system was installed quickly and efficiently, in order to ensure minimal disruption to learning timetables. Offering flexibility in access control With Guildford College, we like to consider ourselves as part of this team" Lance Harding of K.B.O Fire & Security stated, “With Guildford College, we like to consider ourselves as part of this team, where we can really understand the bespoke requirements. The benefit of working in this way is allowing for the flexibility of access, including accounting for the large number of part- and full-time students, alongside the wider community, who all use the facilities.” Lance Harding adds, “Here a master key system was the best choice and using Mul-T-Lock enabled total patented key control to keep the college, and all who attend safe and secure.” Mul-T-Lock and K.B.O Fire & Security partnership Tom Hyslop, the Regional Sales Manager at Mul-T-Lock, concluded by stating “By working with the college and K.B.O Fire & Security early in the specification process, the right level of protection could be designed into the master key suite, choosing MTL400 to make sure staff and students can work and learn in a safe and secure environment.” Tom Hyslop adds, “It also meant installation could be planned carefully around learning timetables. And now, staff can focus and maintain their high standards for the benefit of all who attend with total peace of mind security.”

A Danish town famed for two of Scandinavia’s biggest tourist attractions has seen its counter-terrorism defences boosted by a market pioneer based in Coventry. Hundreds of bollards within Safetyflex Barriers’ innovative Truckstopper range have been installed along a key transport corridor in Billund in Denmark. The route serves Denmark's second-largest airport Billund Airport, Scandinavia's biggest waterpark Lalandia, and Legoland which is the largest tourist attraction in Denmark outside Copenhagen. Truckstopper range  Our Truckstopper range has been crashing tested to stop vehicles traveling up to 50mph" Marcus Gerrard, Director at Safetyflex, said, “It is pleasing to complete another export order, particularly in Scandinavia, which is a market we have excelled in recent years. This particular site draws in millions of visitors every year due to its proximity to high-profile tourist attractions and a busy airport." He adds, “We are delighted to have supplied a mixture of fixed and removable anti-terrorist bollards to help keep tourists safe on pedestrian routes and close to bus stops. Our Truckstopper range has been crashing tested to stop vehicles traveling up to 50 mph and is a real success story for us, operating around airports, sports stadiums, and busy city centres." Truckstopper Bollard Marcus Gerrard continues, “This particular Truckstopper Bollard, which uses military grade steel, was a great solution, as it has a very shallow foundation, and has a patented design, that gives the bollard a nice slim line feature, to blend into existing architecture.” Safetyflex is based in Coventry, but operates on a global scale with 36 patents worldwide. The company’s technology and cutting-edge designs have resulted in major contracts overseas including in Europe, the USA, Scandinavia, and Australia, with exports accounting for 40 percent of the business.

Consorzio Centro TIR Como Docks is a customs and logistics area that extends 150,000 m2 near the capital of Lake Como in Italy. Dubbed as the "Gate of Europe" by transport operators for its strategic location, it can accommodate up to 250 heavy vehicles at the same time, with a monthly transit estimated between 12,000 and 18,000 vehicles. "We are the last outpost before Switzerland for hauliers who have to carry out customs clearance operations directed towards Northern Europe," says Fabio Bertolutti, Head of Como Docks. Challenges As one of the most important points between the Mediterranean and Northern Europe, the Como area faces massive logistics traffic. Como Docks welcomes approximately 1,000 heavy vehicles daily, which prompts an efficient management system. However, with their earlier system, this was not the case. "Previously, each driver would receive a paper ticket at the entrance. They need to have the freight forwarder validate it to deduct an amount from the total parking time," explains Mr. Bertolutti. "We needed to streamline the management of incoming trucks and reduce the personnel at the gates." Solution An automated ad hoc system The idea of the project was to install cameras with license plate recognition to automate the entrances and exits" Dahua Technology Italy, alongside its partner Techno Impianti, has implemented an automated ad hoc system that deploys various technologies. Initiated in 2019, the initial idea of the project was to install cameras with license plate recognition to automate the entrances and exits while registering the vehicles. “In midstream, it proved to be a stimulating challenge that allowed our project division to combine multiple technologies with a significant share of customisation," says Roberto Frigerio, Sales Manager at Dahua. ANPR ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) cameras were installed at the gates to detect the license plate and the Telepass (if any) of the vehicles. Employee vehicles are registered in the allowlist, exempting them from payment. After confirming these data, the barrier will open.   Parking Management System “When a truck completes the paperwork in the customs office, it receives a two-hour discount on the parking space through our software PMS (Parking Management System),” explains Luca Monza, Project Solution Engineer at Dahua. “At the exit, the final count takes place by comparing the license plate reading with the Telepass (payment can also be made by card or cash). The PMS was already created with a client device dedicated to payments. We have made several customisations required by the customer; from integration with Telepass to reporting," he added. IP video intercom and cameras The modular IP video intercom allows people to contact the on-duty personnel, who can answer from the internal monitor Moreover, in the sensitive areas of the complex, such as the hangars and warehouses of freight forwarders, 50 bullet and speed dome cameras equipped with IVS video analysis and perimeter protection were deployed. Access control terminals were also installed to allow entry even at night using passwords or card. The modular IP video intercom allows people to contact the on-duty personnel, who can answer from the internal monitor or the DMSS mobile app. The devices transmit data via a double fibre-optic connection and wireless radio links (back-up) to the control room, where they are managed by the DSS Express software platform and two redundant NVRs. Results The Dahua intelligent solution developed and implemented in cooperation with Techno Impianti has successfully enhanced the operational efficiency of Como Docks. The number of personnel in the gates was significantly reduced, allowing even a single staff to remotely control two entrances and three exits simultaneously. An extension of the project is already in the works, which includes outdoor informative LED walls. Overall, the implemented system has gained warm recognition and positive feedback from both the customer and its partner. 99% license plate recognition Dahua not only provides high quality products but also the correct assistance at every stage" “Dahua had assured us that the cameras would read 96% of the license plates but I can say that the statistics are even better (99%), despite the very different fonts of license plates from all over Europe. What made the difference was the openness of the Dahua system and the absolute availability in terms of customisation," Mr. Bertolutti explained. “Together with Dahua, we were able to define and optimise solutions to meet customer requirements. I can say once again that we have chosen the right partner: Dahua not only provides high quality products but also the correct assistance at every stage, and we rely on them since 2012," says Giacomo Casartelli, owner of Techno Impianti. Integrated security and smart business solutions "This system involves multiple sides of the Dahua proposal: license plate recognition, access control, video surveillance, video intercom, transmission, and automation." "Here at Como Docks, Dahua’s approach to the market has materialised, offering integrated security and smart business solutions tailored to create real value for the customer," Mr. Frigerio added.

Costex Tractor Parts of Miami, Florida is a forty-year-old distributor of replacement parts and engines for Caterpillar and Komatsu heavy equipment. When they were preparing to build a new, 350,000-square-foot headquarters in Miami, Florida, they knew they needed a state-of-the-art security system designed, installed, and configured specifically for the facility. It contracted E.G. Telecommunications & Technologies, security, and telecom installer, to deploy a complete Dahua security solution that was scalable, easy to use, and dependable. Challenges Before construction began, Evaristo Galvez, founder and president of E.G. Telecommunications & Technology (EGT&T), laid out a blueprint for the new security system. Due to the facility's massive square footage, which includes offices, a warehouse, and a parking lot, he decided to use fiber optic cable. “The system is so huge I had to design it with fibre optics – I needed to cover distances of 600-800 feet,” he explained. “In the end, we installed 20,000 feet of fibre.” Scalable security system Costex wanted each division to be able to access only the cameras that covered their respective departments Another effect of such a large building was that while it needed a lot of camera coverage, Costex wanted managers of each division to be able to access only the cameras that covered their respective departments. At the same time, Costex's owner and CEO wanted to be able to access all the cameras from the comfort of his office. Additionally, Costex wanted to implement a system that was scalable as their facility grew, they wanted to be able to easily add more cameras and storage devices and integrate them seamlessly with the existing system. Solution Dahua had worked with EGT&T before and became the first choice for this project because of its high-quality products, economical price, and dependability. Once he designed the system, Galvez turned to Luis Gomez and Greg Larson of Dahua Technology USA for product recommendations. Not only did they provide guidance on which devices would be best for the job, but they also visited Costex with him to do product demos, and they were able to offer bilingual English-Spanish support. IP transmission, PoE switch The Discovery feature lets the switches discover cameras and recorders quickly and automatically In the end, Galvez deployed a full Dahua system including 190 IP cameras, recorders with a total of 256 channels of recording, a Digital Surveillance System (DSS) Server (DHI-DSS4004-S2), an Extended Video Server (EVS) (DHI-EVS5016S-R), and thirteen switches of either 16 ports (DH-LR2218- 16ET-240) or 24 ports (DH-LR2226-24ET-360). These transmission devices are layer 2, managed, PoE switches that have two 1000 base combo ports and two 10/100/1000 base T-ports compatible with fiber or Cat5e/6. Galvez chose these switches due to their fibre capabilities and straightforward integration: they integrate with the web management portal to make system supervision easy, and the Discovery feature lets the switches discover cameras and recorders quickly and automatically. DSS Express Dahua's DSS Express allowed Costex managers the access they needed to manage their specific departments. "We were able to provide nine client stations, each with the capability to access about 20-30 cameras that covered their department and not access cameras of other departments," explained Gomez. "Each manager had access to their cameras in their office on a 50" TV with a client PC attached. At the same time, the Costex CEO was set up in his office so that he could pull footage from any camera." Remote monitoring, storage The DSS platform will let Costex access remote locations from the main location as its footprint gets bigger – Costex plans to expand into two more buildings and is already adding more cameras. With nearly 200 cameras, storage capabilities and reliability are crucial. The total storage requirement will be more than 240 TB. Upon Dahua's recommendation, Galvez added a 16 HDD EVS (DHI-EVS5016S-R) to the system to create redundancy. 32-channel NVRs The 32-channel NVRs, each of which has a built-in storage of 24TB and can accommodate up to 4K resolution "This gave Costex a failover recording system," said Gomez. "If anything happened to any of the NVRs or the mainframe, this lets them keep recording." The 32-channel NVRs (DHI-NVR6A08-32-4KS2), each of which has a built-in storage of 24TB and can accommodate up to 4K resolution, also have full redundancy on their hard drives. Gomez highlighted the significance of this configuration, "If there is any damage to one NVR, you only sacrifice 32 cameras. We made sure that each recorder was receiving inputs from cameras in multiple departments so if an NVR failed, Costex would never lose all the footage from a single department." Results “When a company gives you three years’ warranty for replacement and two more years for repair, that means you can count on them,” Galvez remarked. "I appreciate the support I get from Dahua," Galvez said. "They came with me to the building when I started working on the deal their live demonstration was really important. When spec-ing a project, you can write everything on paper, but people want to see reality. Dahua came with a demo system, and Costex got to see everything." Easy to use "We were excited to be a part of it from the beginning," Larson remembered. "Everything in the building, from the light switches to where the cameras go, was very thoughtfully planned out." "Costex's leadership team was very detailed in knowing everything that was going in that place, and we wanted to create a reliable system that met complex needs while being easy to use." Smart Search feature Using the Smart Search feature of the NVR, Costex caught a construction worker causing damage and shared the incident Costex immediately noticed the benefit of their new Dahua system. During the construction of their new warehouse, a window shattered. Using the Smart Search feature of the NVR, they were able to efficiently pull the incident out of three days' worth of footage and prove that the window had broken on its own, and then claim the warranty on it. They also caught a construction worker causing damage and shared the incident with the construction company. Reliable system "Everything has been working perfectly, and the system is reliable. Dahua gives us great support here: in no more than 24 hours, we can fix anything having to do with the cameras," remarked Galvez. From being able to assign camera access to specific users, to know that their video data is backed up twofold, to being able to easily scale, Costex was happy with their Dahua solution, Galvez reported. Costex was happy with EGT&T as well: they awarded the company with a certificate recognising their outstanding work. "In appreciation of their valuable contribution in the construction of the Costex Tractor Parts headquarters," it read. "Thank you for helping make our dream a reality."

In the midst of a rise in building material thefts, construction company DECHO used Hikvision's solar-powered wireless cameras to guard the construction site for its much-anticipated Coast Garden project. Safeguarding valuable materials Building material shortages and rising prices fuelled a rise in construction site thefts in New Zealand, which has prompted worries among builders, project managers, and contractors. The DECHO Group is one of Auckland’s most innovative and respected land developers, serving civil infrastructure, industrial, and building markets. DECHO's newly launched Coast Garden project is a new, premium development under construction in the highly sought-after Hobsonville Peninsula locale. The exclusive Coast Garden development is a brand new 4.3-hectare subdivision delivering exceptional waterfront living on an elevated clifftop site on the peninsula. Executing single project We need a security solution to protect our high-value items such as machinery" "We need a security solution to protect our high-value items such as machinery, tools, copper, and other building materials." Ning Zhao, Director of DECHO, said, "Our projects don't get completed overnight. It can take months and years to execute a single project. The construction sites endure all kinds of weather, power issues, security problems, and many other challenges. Therefore, we are in need of a solution that boosts security quickly and easily with simple installation and suited for deployment in any kind of outdoor environment, and without need for a fixed network or power supply." Hikvision's solar-powered solution To protect its valuable tools and equipment, DECHO researched several options and deployed Hikvision's solar-powered security camera setup. EXIR Fixed Bullet Solar Power 4G Network Cameras and 4K ColorVu Fixed Bullet Solar Power 4G Network Camera Kits were placed around the perimeter of DECHO's Coast Garden construction site. DECHO researched several options and deployed Hikvision's solar-powered security camera setup The solar-powered security camera setup uses a 40-Watt photovoltaic panel and a highly durable 20 Ah rechargeable Lithium battery to power a Hikvision EXIR Fixed Bullet Solar Power 4G Network Camera. Because the setup gets power from the sun, there is no need for fixed power or network cables on site. With the product's smart power management features, each setup can provide up to 7 days of operation during cloudy or rainy periods when fully charged. Its 4G camera further adds a 32 GB eMMC (embedded MultiMediaCard) in addition to an SD memory card, this ensures continuous video recording even if there is an interruption with the SD card. Hassle-free installation According to DECHO's Director, Ning Zhao, the fact that the Hikvision solar-powered cameras can be installed hassle-free was a key deployment feature for the company. The pole-mounted unit weighs just 14 kg (30 lbs), and no wires or cabling are required, making the deployment process fast, easy, and cost-effective. "With its own power source, each Hikvision camera can be deployed anywhere on the site without having to route cables, saving valuable time and resources, which could be redirected to other critical tasks to help the company complete construction on time," said Ning Zhao. Solar power cameras Empowered by ColorVu technology, the cameras offer clear vision in extremely dark environments Empowered by ColorVu technology, the cameras offer clear vision in extremely dark environments. "Construction site compounds are most vulnerable to theft at night," commented Ning Zhao, "With these cameras installed, our valuables are now well protected during vulnerable out-of-hours periods." Besides that, intrusions can now be detected accurately and addressed immediately. As the AcuSense technology embedded in the cameras helps to differentiate between humans and other moving objects such as animals, falling leaves, or heavy rain, false positives are minimised, and DECHO will only be alerted in the event of real security threats. In addition, being waterproof and dust-resistant, the solar power cameras are suitable for deployment in any kind of outdoor environment. Significant cost savings "These cameras are sturdy enough to withstand the harsh conditions on the construction site, as well as Auckland's frequent rainy and windy weather," said Ning Zhao. Requiring only a single solar panel, the self-contained setup operates for up to 7 days on a single battery charge, which delivers significant cost savings for DECHO. In addition, powered by clean and renewable energy, the solar cameras not only help to save operational costs for the building firm, but also reduce the company's carbon footprint. Ning Zhao commented, "We work hard to build a green culture within DECHO. Deploying a solar-powered wireless camera system represents an opportunity to have an immediate positive impact on sustainability."