Frost & Sullivan Recognizes iView Systems for its Pioneering Security and Surveillance Software Platform

The Modular iTrak Incident Reporting Platform Offers Unique Operational Benefits to End-users

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., June 07, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Based on its recent analysis of the Public Safety Systems market, Frost & Sullivan recognizes iView Systems with the 2011 North American Frost & Sullivan Award for New Product Innovation for its iTrak Incident Reporting and Management System. The iTrak platform is a modular security and surveillance software platform designed to manage and automate key tasks in risk management environments. It provides overburdened security and surveillance agencies with an integrated software tool, enabling the most efficient deployment of available resources.

Incident reporting and management systems are expected to provide highly secure solutions that will cater to multiple departments and agencies for a broad range of transactions required by security, surveillance, public safety and risk management departments. There exists a need for a scalable solution, which provides a single centralized database of multiple properties, subjects and personnel, including an extensive search engine. iView Systems’ iTrak platform offers a complete integrated and converged physical security information management (PSIM) reporting solution for security, surveillance and loss prevention environments.

iTrak incorporates detailed case management, mechanisms to control losses and insurance costs, customizable notifications and workflows, as well as advanced statistics and metrics. The system allows users to track the relationship between people and events, providing users with a complete overview of stakeholders, their level of involvement, and single-click access to historical data to view prior events and incidents.

The iTrak solution caters to incident and case management, computer aided dispatching, notification management, work orders, facial recognition, license plate recognition, visitor management, and anti-money laundering. Ideal for any risk management or loss prevention environment, it delivers quick and accurate analysis with comprehensive graphing and statistics, pinpointing liabilities and controlling losses and insurance costs.

“iView’s approach is to provide customers with a centralized, fully converged platform enabling a multitude of transactions and tasks to be handled through a single desktop environment,” said Frost & Sullivan research analyst Anand Srinivasan. “In a typical enterprise, iTrak can replace over eight disparate systems with a single enterprise application, providing tangible operational benefits as well as economic benefits relating to IT support requirements.”

The modular architecture of iTrak uses the latest software and development technologies to not only avoid product obsolescence, but also to enable rapid integration with related systems. The technologies employed in iView’s platforms are based on Microsoft .NET, SQL Server, Web Services, and XML technologies.

iTrak’s unique home page design centralizes and provides immediate authorized property specific access. Its automated daily log module allows the consistent and accurate entry of routine activities with the ability to escalate to a full investigation. The incident reporting module provides detailed case management, including creation, classification, follow-up and report management. Combined with a comprehensive search engine and thumbnail view, individual subject profiles can be sorted and quickly identified. In addition, the platform requires minimal training requirements, as it possesses a quite efficient and simple user interface.

“The benefits of the iTrak solution transform into better efficiency for customers, as centralized shared information enhances productivity, allowing staff to work more effectively,” said Anand Srinivasan. “It also provides seamless communication between different departments and agencies, such as security, surveillance, risk management, legal and safety agencies, which ensures everyone is on the same page and prevents conflicting reports on the same incident.”

iView’s key strategy to target the multiple applications is to provide a centralized, converged and vendor-neutral platform, delivering an easy-to-use interface with intelligent business logic to simplify the end-user experience. The innovative elements permit the iTrak system to gather significant advantages when compared to other market participants.

Based on these achievements, Frost & Sullivan is proud to recognize iView Systems with the 2011 North American New Product Innovation Award in the incident reporting and management systems space. Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents this award to the company that has developed an innovative element in a product by leverage leading edge technologies. The award recognizes the value-added features and benefits of the product as well as the increased return on investment (ROI) it offers customers, which in turn increases customer acquisition and overall market penetration potential.

Frost & Sullivan’s Best Practices Awards recognize companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis and extensive secondary research in order to identify best practices in the industry.

About iView Systems

iView Systems specializes in the development and deployment of a complete integrated and converged physical security information management (PSIM) reporting solution for security, surveillance and loss prevention environments. iView Systems addresses the needs of multiple industries for a single desktop incident management and reporting system, providing both an incident and subject centric solution. iView's core product (iTrak) was developed with extensive consultation with the security and surveillance marketplace. iView Systems has rapidly attained industry recognition for its unique solutions and now provides incident reporting, dispatch and visitor management platforms and services to the global security marketplace, including the gaming, banking, corporate security and other loss prevention environments. iView Systems is dedicated to maintaining a consultative process with its clients to ensure that all deployments are optimised to meet their specific requirements, through design, configuration, deployment and post deployment project processes. iView Systems is located in Oakville, Ontario, Canada.

About Frost & Sullivan

Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, enables clients to accelerate growth and achieve best-in-class positions in growth, innovation and leadership. The company's Growth Partnership Service provides the CEO and the CEO's Growth Team with disciplined research and best-practice models to drive the generation, evaluation, and implementation of powerful growth strategies. Frost & Sullivan leverages 50 years of experience in partnering with Global 1000 companies, emerging businesses and the investment community from more than 40 offices on six continents. To join our Growth Partnership, please visithttp://www.awards.frost.com.

Media Contact:

Mireya Espinoza

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With Public Sector Violence on the Rise, How do you Get Help when Every Second Counts while Balancing Privacy with Public Safety?

We can show you how with just the push of a button, you can instantly alert a authorities and open “eyelids” on SITUCAM’s (www.situcon.com) Privacy Protecting Camera System allowing responders to see exactly what is happening. Then get you the help you need, while your privacy is guaranteed at all other times.

With violence on the rise in town buildings across s the United States, Marshfield, MA felt it needed to enhance its conventional 911 System to further ensure employee and public safety.  Because of privacy restrictions, likely targets such as the selectmen’s meeting room in the Town Hall were strictly off limits for a traditional video surveillance system.

Marshfield found its answer with SITUCON Systems’ innovative Privacy Protecting Technology. The SITUCAM enclosure system provides mechanical eyelids over the network cameras. In the privacy protecting mode, the eyelids remain closed, making it clear that the cameras are e not in use. In the awareness mode, the eyelids open to o allow the cameras to transmit video and other critical information to 911 dispatchers.

SITUCON’s wireless alert buttons allow town employees to instantly notify police of an incident and automatically initiate recording by the network cameras. Information about the person who pressed the alert button – including their photo, cell phone number and location – are displayed for the dispatcher with the video. Marshfield has also chosen to automatically activate the cameras after-hours, using embedded intelligent video motion detection to deter vandalism or theft.

 “This one-of-a-kind system solved our greatest challenge by allowing us to place cameras in sensitive locations where we never c could before,” says Bill Sullivan, Chief of Police for the town of Marshfield.” It also saved us the time and expense of continually monitoring cameras all day long.”

In another installation in Brookline, MA part of one of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) regions. In order to ensure the safety and security of citizens, the federal government funded a camera a system intended to monitor major thoroughfares and evacuation routes throughout the town of Brookline. Not only does Brookline have increased security concerns because it borders a major city, but the Boston area is also regarded as having the strictest privacy standards in the United Shortly after installation, the town became concerned that the safety benefits of these cameras did not outweigh their perceived intrusion on personal freedom and privacy, and voted to take the system down. Faced with this, Brookline struggled to retain the safety and security benefits of the cameras, which had aided police in nearly 80 investigations since their installation, while providing the comfortable environment their community desired. Brookline officials quickly realized that making video available only at specific times was the answer to providing both safety and privacy. SituCon Systems was called upon to deploy its Emergency Awareness Solution.

SITUCON's solution electronically and physically masks camera images at all times other than when camera use is needed due to safety concerns. To guarantee privacy, SITUCAM Privacy Protecting Cameras which are installed at important intersections throughout the town, were deployed.

Now, instead of 24/7 surveillance, Brookline's cameras are only active during high risk periods, such as at night. Brookline now offers its citizens the security and privacy they desire. In the event of an emergency, the Brookline Police Department can remotely activate the cameras using SITUCON's software, which simultaneously sends text messages and email to notify privacy advocates and town officials that cameras are in use.

As Scott Wilder, Technology Director of the Brookline Police Department points out, “SITUCON is the only technology that provides law enforcement with complete real-time video of an incident while protecting community privacy at all other times."

We have discovered applications in Schools, Police Stations, Libraries, Court Houses, Public Works Facilities, IT Rooms, Daycare Centers, Healthcare Centers and Long Term Care Facilities. Every day we discover many other public sector and private sector solutions where privacy is critical as well as liability, safety and security awareness. With SITUCON you can start with a focused program which addresses your immediate needs and build out to include additional areas as needs increase and budgets will allow.

To learn more about the SITUCON solution, designed to go where video surveillance can’t, call James E. McDonald, Government Contracts and Systems Integration Consultant at (508) 453-2731 or drop him an Email at jmcdonald@americanalarm.com.

WHITEPAPER: Best Practices For Integrated Physical Security Capabilities Supporting Massachusetts Document Reference: ITD-SEC-10.1 “Enterprise Physical & Environmental Security Policy”

After careful review of the Commonwealth of “Massachusetts Enterprise Physical & Environmental Security Policy”, the following Whitepaper was prepared as a response utilizing concepts, best practices and the countermeasures & tools available under contract FAC64 “Security Surveillance and Access Control Systems.”  

Physical Security Technology today is all about the network, if you’re not on the network you are probably not working.  The physical protection of facilities including the perception of detection of negative human behaviors is the key to effective physical, network security and risk management. 

In response to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Enterprise Physical & Environmental Security Policy (Reference # ITD-SEC-10.1 Issued Dated 10-29-2010) issued by the Information Technology Division, this document articulates available physical security and monitoring solutions to meet the requirements that Secretariats and their respective Agency or Contractors facilities must address in defining a policy to implement adequate physical and environmental security controls and to secure and protect information, assets, infrastructure and Information Technology (IT) resources by using solutions provided to these departments under procurement contract Operational Services Division (OSD)  contract FAC64.

Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of American Alarm & Communications, Inc., (AACI).  Additionally, neither AACI nor any of its employees makes any warrantee, expressed or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, product, or process included in this publication. Users of information from this publication assume all liability arising from such use.

According to this policy the Secretariats and their respective Agencies must implement the appropriate combination of controls (administrative, technical, physical) to provide reasonable assurance that security objectives are met. Agencies must achieve compliance with the overall information security goals of the Commonwealth including compliance with laws, regulations, legal agreements, policies and standards to which their technology resources and data, including but not limited to personal information (PI), are subject.  This policy encompasses existing technologies existing within each department and the physical security solution technologies themselves since these integrated solutions are also network appliances.

Download the above document to learn more or call 508-453-2731 to discuss you security requirements.

IFSEC 2011 - The Complete Security Event - What's HOT!

Here is What's HOT!

Assa Abloy's latest innovation - Aperio

On display will be Assa Abloy’s latest innovative locking technology, Aperio, which enables the wireless integration of mechanical locks into existing access control systems, offering a cost effective and simple security upgrade.

If you are a facilities manager or have responsibility for security and have key control problems that are costly and time consuming, then this is the product for you, Assa claims.

Suitable for public and commercial building extensions, Aperio has been designed to upgrade mechanically locked doors and wirelessly connect them to existing online access control systems, with minimal modification to doors and premises.
 

Bosch Security Systems

Bosch Security Systems has launched a new portfolio of high definition surveillance technologies for applications where HD is preferred as part of an overall CCTV solution.

Bosch is to promote its new products in a series of HD Roadshows at IFSEC on stand five/D90.

Dallmeier presents Panomera

At this year’s IFSEC Dallmeier presents Panomera, which it describes as “a completely new HD camera technology that eclipses all previously known approaches”. Panomera is a novel camera technology which was specifically developed for the comprehensive surveillance of spacious areas, Dallmeier says.

It offers a panoramic overview with simultaneous real-time recording (up to 30 images/s). Panomera delivers highly detailed images even at large distances, which significantly reduces infrastructure requirements, according to the company.
 

New Gallagher Reader Range

Gallagher, manufacturers of the Cardax FT access and intruder alarms security system, will introduce their new reader range at this year’s IFSEC.

The Gallagher T10, T11 and T12 Readers are attractive card readers which provide fast, secure access by simply passing a card across the face of the unit. Not only are these readers highly functional and durable, they are also designed to work across the spectrum of enterprise installations.

Their overall aesthetic treatment will complement contemporary architectural spaces, materials, hardware and finishes while subtly projecting an identity of security to distinguish it from other products that share wall space, Gallagher claims.

LightSYS new flexible hybrid systems

LightSYS is a new Flexible Hybrid System with advanced IP and GSM/GPRS communication as well as a choice of wired, wireless, and Risco Bus detectors. LightSYS will be featured alongside the ProSYS Integrated Security System and Agility Flexible Wireless Solution.

A new video verification solution will also be launched, which includes a battery powered PIR detector with an integrated camera that provides video verification of events, and remote viewing upon demand.

Mayflex - IFSEC's 'trusted IP advisor'

Mayflex is coming to IFSEC as “a trusted IP advisor”, aiming to help both those new to IP obtain a greater understanding and also to support those already established IP players through their expertise and experience.  In Hall 4, Stand C20, Mayflex will be helping anyone who is new to IP by offering basic introductory advice and answering any initial queries.

They will also be showcasing their products and design solutions for those who are already experienced within the market, which includes a range of complementary infrastructure and networking solutions.

IP, hybrid, or analogue? CCTV, access control, or intruder?

However complex or straight forward your requirement maybe, the answer we’re told can be found on Norbain’s stand in hall 5.

Whether you work on the ground or the cloud, or anywhere in between, norbAin’s knowledgeable staff will be on hand to guide you towards the solution best suited to your specification, and of course budget.

Panasonic's new 16 channel NDR

Panasonic will introduce its new 16 channel NDR, the WJNV200, to security professionals at IFSEC 2011. Showcasing a collection of intelligent features, the WJ-NV200 delivers leading edge technology within an adaptive PC-less setup incorporating simple mouse operation.

The ‘analogue-like’ 4-stage set up and intuitive operation makes the WJ-NV200 versatile for a range of public locations and ensures ease of use. The built-in decoder eliminates the need for a PC; reducing the total cost of ownership and removing time and complication from operation.
 

Samsung City

Samsung's largest ever booth at IFSEC will allow it to demonstrate its Samsung City concept.

Samsung’s new stand in Hall 5, which is over 40% larger than last year’s, will provide an ideal platform to effectively demonstrate the full range of security solutions made up from the company’s latest line-up of IP & network products and other technologies from its CCTV, access control, door entry and intruder detection portfolio.
 

Education, Education, and yet more Education

The theme for this year’s SANYO stand at IFSEC is ‘Education, Education and yet more Education’.

SANYO want to ensure the pace at which Full HD camera technology is utilised by end-users is not affected by the lack of training by all who are involved in the sales channel. It has therefore introduced, and will be demonstrating at IFSEC, stand C70, Hall 5, an interactive Full HD technology training programme.

This comprises a number of modules tailored to cater for the specific requirements of end-users, consultants, installers/system integrators and distributors. Each module comprehensively covers how to design, install and commission a surveillance system based around Full HD camera technology.
 

Sony Professional's new high definition CCTV camera

Sony Professional is set to unveil new high definition CCTV cameras at this year’s IFSEC. The company will showcase four new HD / Full HD pan-tilt-zoom cameras. Visitors to Sony’s stand, in Hall 4, will also have the opportunity to see the latest additions to its analogue and Networked Security Recorder (NSR) ranges.

The company is also to launch a range of standard definition cameras aimed at entry-level and mid-range Network Video Recorder markets. The NVR products should bring the option of hybrid and full-IP security solutions to smaller budgets and are ideal for small-scale monitoring applications, Sony says.
 

TDSi new facial recognition reader

Access control company tdsi is to demonstrate its new facial recognition reader.

Based at stand E30, in Hall 4, TDSi will also be showcasing its EXgarde access and integrated security systems management software, VUgarde IP digital video surveillance solution, MICROgarde networkable controller product and SOLOgarde stand-alone access control system.

The company will also show how the biometric system can be integrated onto existing or planned security and surveillance systems.
 

Risco's comprehensive security solutions

Risco Group will be exhibiting its comprehensive line of security solutions at stand D10, Hall 4, including several solutions new for the show.

Also on display will be the GT600 Series of control panels, prominent in the UK market. GT600 panels are designed for commercial and institutional installations up to 136 zones.
 

Winsted launch Ascend console

Technical furniture specialists WinstEd, has claimed to have taken control room console design to new heights with the launch of the new Ascend console, being shown for the first time in the UK at IFSEC.

The Ascend, the latest addition to Winsted’s Prestige Series of consoles, features electric leg lifts offering three programmable height settings enabling operators to adjust the work surface height with the touch of a button for versatility and comfort.

Also on display will be Winsted’s M-View monitor wall, never shown before on UK soil. The M-View is a completely modular viewing solution, which we’re told is suited for any control room environment.
 

Y3K's latest camera's line up

Y3K will demonstrate its latest camera line up including HD IP Cameras and DVRs from Xvision along with DIY security products and vehicle CCTV solutions from Smart Witness.

Exclusive to this year’s show will be the launch of “the world’s smallest portable WiFi Camera”, the Smart-i. Measuring just 30mm in diameter and offering high quality video and audio, the camera can stream continuously for remote viewing on any wireless enabled device including PCs and Smartphones.

Bomb Dog used by the American Military in Afghanistan

This video tells a story of a bomb dog used by the American military in Afghanistan.  Bomb dogs have been an invaluable asset to US military operations as they are capable of detecting explosives, finding enemy combatants, and chasing down anyone who tries to escape.  General David Petraeus, the commander of US forces in Afghanistan, has said of the dogs "The capability they bring to the fight cannot be replicated by man or machine.  By all measures of performance, their yield outperforms any asset we have in our industry. Our Army would be remiss if we failed to invest more in this incredibly valuable resource."

Satellite's Facial Rec Spotted Bin Laden in September 2010

U.S. officials revealed yesterday that facial recognition software honed in on Osama bin Laden from satellite as early as September 2010. The al-Qaeda founder was identified while he was exercising in his Abbottabad, Pakistan, compound, a win that led to Sunday's successful operation.

We now know that the compound had been under surveillance for months prior to that first sighting. 

This type of facial recognition wouldn't have been possible only a few years ago. The extreme high-definition image resolution of the satellite's camera, combined with today's advanced facial rec capabilities, enabled officials to ID bin Laden from space--an amazing concept, even in 2011. 

ONVIF UP-DATE

ONVIF, the organization looking to standardize IP-based physical security products showed the standard is growing quickly among vendors at a demonstration in Las Vegas.


ONVIF held a public demonstration of IP-based device interoperability with more than two dozen network video terminal (NVTs) and network video clients (NVC) gathered together in a ballroom at the Sands Convention Center during the ISC West 2011 trade show. According to Jonas Andersson, chairman of ONVIF’s steering committee and director of business development and global sales at Axis Communications, “We wanted to show that it’s working,” he said in an interview during the event. ONVIF is the leading global standardization initiative for IP-based physical security products. Anderson said there are currently more than 700 products available in the market that conform to the ONVIF specification. “As of the end of March, there are more than 700 and we’ve been adding almost 100 per month” in the last few months, said Andersson.


ONVIF membership has grown to more than 280 companies, according to the organization. The recently-expanded specification now includes video storage, analytics and a pending addition of physical access control, with the release of the ONVIF Core Specification 2.0 to encompass video storage, display devices, video analytics and other areas, ONVIF said it is getting closer to its goal of providing a global open network interface standard for physical security equipment. The expansion of the scope to include physical access control systems is slated for release in 2011, it said.


The event was ONVIF’s fourth interoperability showcase and continues the group’s tradition of providing an open forum during major security industry events to foster communication with companies actively involved in the development and implementation of the ONVIF specification and provide education about standards, it said.  Companies taking part in the demonstration include network video firms such as CNB Technology, Hikvision, Bosch Security Systems, GVI Security, LG Electronics, Siemens, Axis Communications, Sony and several others. “The rapid adoption rate of the ONVIF specification in the security industry has proved that ONVIF is becoming the de facto standard in the market,” said Andersson. “End users, integrators and consultants are beginning to embrace the ONVIF specification as a critical tool in the design of today’s network video surveillance systems.”


One of the demonstration participants, thermal imaging systems maker FLIR, demonstrated it could connect its systems with a number of NVCs in the demonstration room. A FLIR spokesman said the process of conforming to the ONVIF standards allows the company to validate the interoperability of its products more quickly, resulting in faster incorporation by systems integrators.