PSIM for the Rest of Us!

I spent some time with Next Level Security Systems to learn more about their solutions.  Next Level Security Systems is a physical security company focused on developing a new breed of unified networked security products. Next Level’s products combine the performance, sophistication and functionality of enterprise-class security systems into a compact, unified and affordable package, enabling customers of all sizes to take advantage of these innovative networked solutions.

There Unified Security Platform or NLSS Gateway is a completely unique IP security solution. It combines video management, access control, video analytics, intrusion alerts and more onto a single networked platform that can be accessed from anywhere and at any time through a Web browser. Data from these subsystems is automatically correlated, providing users with a comprehensive view of security operations.

NLSS is headed by Peter Jankowski, there CEO & Chairman.  Prior to starting Next Level Security Systems, Peter Jankowski was the CTO of the Physical Security Business Unit at Cisco, focusing on digital video surveillance. Before joining Cisco, he was the CEO and CTO for SyPixx Networks where he was responsible for product design and direction of a suite of IP-based digital video products and solutions delivering broadcast quality digital video, audio and data to users over standard Ethernet/IP and fiber optic networks to the security, infrastructure and transportation markets. Cisco Systems acquired SyPixx in April of 2006.  Why Peter is important is this that he makes solutions that work.  To me that was why I looked further.

I see the power of systems integration as our future.  Next Level is still in their early stages, but in my opinion they are headed in the right direction.  PSIM software solutions are great for those with big budgets however you may want to take a look at NLSS for most of everyone else. Next Level Security Systems: http://www.nlss.com

·         Unified Solutions:  http://www.nlss.com/solutions.html

·         Video Management (VMS): http://www.nlss.com/productsgateway-video.html

·         Access Control:  http://www.nlss.com/productsgateway-access.html

·         Video Analytics: http://www.nlss.com/productsgateway-analytics.html

·         Intrusion: http://www.nlss.com/productsgateway-intrusion.html

·         HD Media Decoder: http://www.nlss.com/productsdecoder.html

NLSS has applications in Retail, Government, Commercial, Industrial, Education, Healthcare, Financial, Entertainment, Gamming and Residential. 

Since ADT purchased Proximex in April 2011, I believe that we may see pricing fall in the PSIM market and be more competitive for man verticals. However for many small and mid level clients and well as clients with multiple locations NLSS may be a good solution. For a demonstration, give me a call.

Eliminate False Alarms and Improve Response Immediately

Videofied security systems, available on the FAC64 Massachusetts State Contract, it delivers police when you need them - through video verified alarms.  RSI Video Technologies develops innovative wireless self-powered solutions to resolve security problems for commercial, residential and government applications.  With public increasing pressured by budget cuts, video verified alarms help optimize security costs, while assisting police in capturing more intruders and providing better protection.

A very sophisticated motion sensor combined with a night vision camera and illuminators send a 10 second video clip thru the GPRS wireless network to our central station for verification.  When the intrusion is confirmed, appropriate dispatched response protocols are followed to respond to the intrusion as a crime in progress.  The system is totally wireless and battery operated with a battery life of 4-5 years.  The system protects commercial, government, utility and construction facilities and provides key protection for critical infrastructures as well as simple alarm verification to minimize false alarm calls.

Links:

Video of Actual Incidents:  http://www.videofied.com/index.php?option=com_phocagallery&view=category&id=3&Itemid=1731&lang=en_old

Brochures and Specification Sheets:

http://www.videofied.com/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=27&Itemid=130&lang=en_old

Call me at 508-453-2731 to learn more about Videofied.

Blast-Resistant Camera Receives Safety Act Designation

A BRAVE camera
undergoes a test
to determine its
 ability to withstand
high temperatures.

Last week, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate awarded a SAFETY Act designation to Visual Defence USA, Inc. for its blast-resistant video system designed for use in mass transit vehicles. This marks the first time a product has received both a SAFETY Act designation and a SECURE certification.

The Support Anti-terrorism by Fostering Effective Technologies (SAFETY) Act is designed to ensure that legal liability does not deter potential manufacturers or sellers of anti-terrorism technologies from developing, deploying, and commercializing potentially life-saving technologies, while also guaranteeing that a technology works as advertised and effectively supports a homeland security mission. Virtual Defence’s Blast Resistant Autonomous Video Equipment (BRAVE) camera achieved this designation because of the support it provides to investigators in the event of a mass-transit incident. Similar to the well-known “black box” recording devices found in airplanes, BRAVE cameras could be installed in trains, buses and subways.

In April 2011, BRAVE became the first technology to receive SECURE certification. This program promotes cooperative relationships between DHS and the private sector in developing products or services that meet homeland security needs in the context of a dynamic marketplace. Such a joint designation is just one example of successful public-private partnerships that are supporting the homeland security mission.

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Axis Lightfinder: Improving Low-Light IP Camera Performance

Axis has recently introduced a new IP camera technology called Lightfinder, aimed at improving low-light performance in its range of security and surveillance products. But what exactly is it and how does it work?

Here’s how Axis describes its new Lightfinder range of cameras:‘Axis Communications’ research and development have led to the introduction of the new and revolutionary Lightfinder technology. The Lightfinder technology is the result of a meticulous choice of the right sensor and the right lens, together with the elaboration of the image data coming from the combination of sensor and lens. The fusion of these factors – sensor, lens, in-house chip development and knowledge in image processing – provides network cameras incorporating this technology with outstanding performance.’Axis claims the main advantage over conventional day/night cameras is that Lightfinder cameras can continue to deliver full colour video instead of the black and white and/or infrared-dependent video produced by current models on the market. This has been achieved through focussing on combining a number of existing components to create an overall enhanced low-low light image.Axis Lightfinder cameras are equipped with a specialised CMOS sensor that is extremely light-sensitive. 

This has been paired with a specific lens to create an optimised setup, maintaining image sharpness and reducing noise levels to an acceptable level. The hardware setup is combined with advanced image processing techniques in the camera’s software, automatically adjusting filtering and sharpening of the image to achieve the best possible result even in fluctuating lighting conditions.

These improvements are primarily aimed at indoor and outdoor applications that require detailed colour video in poor lighting conditions to aid in identification of individuals and objects. It looks like the company is aiming this technology at a wide segment of the market, stating that Lightfinder cameras will be beneficial in, among others, ‘parking lots, city surveillance, schools and campuses, and construction sites… power plants, water treatment plants and prisons, as well as railway surveillance’.It’s clear that Axis is aiming to improve current IP camera technology by utilising a holistic approach where incremental improvements in every aspect of the camera should (hopefully) add up to a noticeable improvement in the final result. 

The above video is certainly a convincing argument in favour of this approach, but until we can run some real-world tests on a Lightfinder camera, we’re going to reserve judgement. If it does turn out to be as good as Axis claims it is, this methodology might be the way forward for future developments in the IP security and surveillance market.

Scallop Imaging Integrating D7-180 Camera with Milestone Systems' IP Video Management Platform

D7-180 with 3 Detail Windows from Scallop Imaging on Vimeo.

BOSTON, June 22, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Scallop Imaging, the leader in high resolution, digital video camera technology, and Milestone Systems today announced the full integration of Scallop Imaging's D7-180 IP surveillance camera with Milestone's release of Device Pack 5.5 on June 23, 2011. The integration will enable end users to more easily manage IP network-based video surveillance systems using D7-180 cameras, which use a staring array of five powerful sensors to provide a fully stitched, 180 degree view with seven megapixel resolution.

Fireworks over Boston Common from Scallop Imaging on Vimeo.

"Milestone Systems' popular and widely-deployed open platform IP video management software, when integrated with the D7-180 camera, will help end users reduce costs, optimize processes, and protect people and assets," said Peter Jones, president of Scallop Imaging. "We look forward to working with the Milestone team to make the deployment of the Milestone/Scallop Imaging combination convenient and seamless for our many customers that were anticipating this announcement."

"Scallop Imaging's D7-180 camera features high resolution, in a small form factor, at a reasonable cost and with low bandwidth requirements from the H.264 technology," said Martin Friis-Mikkelsen, Head of Strategic Alliances at Milestone. "This is an ideal camera to support, and we're pleased to make it possible for Milestone customers to deploy D7-180 cameras on our platform."

About Scallop Imaging, Inc.
Scallop Imaging is a Division of Tenebraex Corporation, which was founded in 1992 and is located in Boston. Tenebraex develops and manufactures innovative optical products that solve real world problems. Scallop Imaging was formed to research, develop and manufacture video cameras based on the company's innovative Distributed Imaging technology, where the outputs of multiple, small, but powerful sensors are stitched together in real-time within the camera. This allows incredible resolution in a small form factor, at reasonable cost and low bandwidth requirements. Scallop Imaging video surveillance cameras provide a seamless 180 field of view, with seven megapixels of resolution. For more information go to www.scallopimaging.com.

SOURCE Scallop Imaging, Inc.