ONE of the most positive aspects of Security 2011 was the fact it put us face to face with a range of new product – not just from one or two manufacturers and distributors, but across the board. It’s always very heartening as a visitor to see development of new gear.
Security 2011 was a good show for exhibitors as well. The feel was great, there was plenty of interest and in the aftermath, many exhibitors I’ve spoken with have expressed satisfaction with the number and quality of visitors.
Some things I liked at Security 2011 included a range of sensors from Optex and Visonic, companies that quietly goes about the business of making high quality devices with excellent performance. Sensors like their new PowerMax wireless range are worth their weight in gold in large commercial and industrial applications.
The range includes the HX-80NRAM, a wireless solution with a 24 metre narrow range is designed for external applications, while the AX-100TFR is a battery operated photoelectric sensor. I also liked the idea of the BX-80NR outdoor detector for building perimeters. Too often, wireless sensors are seen as for internal use only when, the flexibility of wireless makes them ideal for external applications. An alliance between one of the industry’s foremost sensor makers and the pioneer of wireless alarm technology? It sounds a brilliant idea to me.
I touched on Honeywell’s Galaxy Dimension last month and the specs of this product really speak for themselves. With 32 areas, 520 zones, 64 doors, 1000 cardholders, 32 keypads and medium-sized event logs, these panels will be of real interest in smaller and medium applications. There’s also remote management and user management software. Galaxy is a nice package – keep an eye out for it.
On the big Bosch stand there was plenty to see as there always is, including the company’s 1080p HD camera range, the Dinion 2x and the company’s capable DVR and NVR ranges. Bosch was also showing its slick new BlueLine sensors, as well as a range of products for small and medium business applications – the Small Business Solutions portfolio.
This portfolio includes analogue cameras including indoor and outdoor mini domes, integrated infrared domes and bullet cameras, and also includes 4 to 16-channel DVRs. Key to all this is a cost-to-performance ratio tailored to small-to medium-sized applications such as retail shops and schools.
Bosch’s analogue cameras included indoor and outdoor mini domes, integrated infrared domes and bullet cameras, and also includes 4 to 16 channel DVRs (Digital Video Recorders). Bosch’s impressive product range as well as a prize draw saw plenty of activity.
On the FSH stand we got another look at the MEM2400EXT Series high security delayed egress locking devices. As well as door status sensors and lock status sensors, the MEM2400EXT has a 2-stage early warning alarm function, a highly visible light panel, a local internal sounder and optional CCTV camera. This neat lock incorporates both magnetic and mechanical design principles to achieve an exceptional holding force of up to 1000kg although it’s 75 per cent smaller than a conventional 600kg device.
On the beaut, new QVS stand were the Total Security Manager management solution, a big range of those Samsung cameras we know are kicking goals all over the place in 2011 and new gear from American Dynamics. QVS picked up exclusive distribution of AD earlier in the year and this was a big win for the company. Also on show at QVS were Samsung’s hot new digital locking devices. These are beautiful products and they deserve to get special attention. Samsung’s a company that’s really coming of age as an electronic security manufacturer. Good stuff from QVS.
New from OPS was the Genetec Security Center Mobile app. This new feature of Genetec’s unified security platform, the Security Center, enables operators to connect back to their platform over any IP wireless network with BlackBerry, Apple and Android devices. Key features include viewing and acknowledging alarms, controlling PTZ cameras, locking and unlocking doors, enhancing security with password protection and saving snapshots from a camera in your device’s photo library. Simple sure – but a useful piece of functionality.
At Alarmcorp there was Aritech’s VE735 series sensor range which uses Aritech’s new patented 4-element Vector technology. Vector provides twice the number of verification points previously possible with the company’s mirror optic gliding curtain focus technology. You score 20m coverage through 86 degrees and a 60m centre beam. Powerful stuff.
I liked Avigilon Control Center Mobile which enables connection to the Avigilon Control Center Network Video Management Software platform over any IP wireless network with Apple iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch devices for remote viewing of live and recorded surveillance video.
This solution supports high megapixel images and detail up to 16MP over low bandwidth mobile connections. Yeah, you read that right, 16MP, low band, mobile. I hear a lot of people talking about the inability of hi-res cameras like these to operate in challenging network environments but someone keeps forgetting to tell Avigilon. Their stuff works.
Another product that keeps on trucking is Latitude NVMS V6.1. This powerful solution with its network-based system architecture enables simultaneous monitoring of video and audio, live and recorded, from multiple stations. Features include web publishing, background export, SNMP traps, web-based access for quick access. There’s also control centre, advanced alarm management features and new map builder features and improvements, more flexible and granular administrative and user improvements.
Importantly, there are now additional third party integration models available including Forcefield and there are integrated mobile and iPad apps allowing for real-time video monitoring and recording on-the-go. Nice. The product is backed by Pacific Communications and as we know, that means boots on the ground in this country.
Meanwhile, Permaconn showed off its dual SIM GPRS with IP – the PM1025 GPRS/IP outstation, used for all secure, wireless, back-to-base monitoring applications. The solution is capable of communicating over 4 independent paths and there are 11 data plans are on offer, utilising a combination of the communication paths (Telstra GPRS, Optus GPRS, IP & PSTN).
Something else I liked was the new 8-door AH30 Aperio hub, which includes the new Aperio wireless hub (AH30) provides an extended wireless range and is capable of communicating with up to 8 Aperio enabled locks. The hub is designed to interface into almost any access control system through a standard RS485 interface. The hub then communicates wirelessly with up to 8 locks to provide full online access control functionality. Nice work from ASSA.
I was very impressed with HID’s iCLASS SIO-Enabled (iCLASS SE) platform. It’s based on Secure Identity Object – this technology enables configurable credentials and mobile contactless solutions to be securely provisioned and deployed on a wide range of identity devices including both fixed devices and mobile phones with Near Field Communications (NFC) capabilities.
If competitors are not paying attention to this stuff they should be. It’s end users who will drive this SIO push and the driver will be cost. Smart phones aren’t quite ubiquitous but they will be and they are ideal canisters for secure credentials. HID has been relentlessly chipping away at the Holy Grail of real world wireless tech for many years and I think the company is on a winner with this technology. I rated HID’s SIO-enabled iCLASS SE in the top three at Security 2011.
