Furthermore the burning of so many buildings has destroyed the CCTV systems – this could have been avoided had the CCTV systems considered resilience in their design. If resilience had been considered when these systems were designed the video images would have been recorded off site and would have been valuable evidence for the identification and prosecution of the arsonists.

CCTV as ever is all about the image quality and we take a closer look at the benefits that IP based CCTV can bring along with Megapixel cameras that improve image quality in the article “CCTV image Quality is everything”.

The Security Center blends Genetec’s IP ANPR (Automatic License Plate Recognition), CCTV video surveillance, and access control systems, AutoVu, Omnicast and Synergis, within a single innovative solution.

Break free from running multiple client applications, or working with cluttered desktops. You no longer have to deal with inefficiencies that result from inconsistent workflows and limited integrated functionality.

Instead, you can experience the simple and compelling performance of an ultra-modern solution. The Security Center offers you a single unified interface designed around simplicity of operation.

The unified security platform will streamline every facet of managing your business, physical security and public safety applications. It’s simply that powerful.

Key Features

Unified Security Interface: The Security Desk is the unified user interface of the Security Center. Its compelling design and innovative task-based approach allow you to efficiently control and monitor multiple security and public safety applications.

Distributed Client-Server Architecture: Benefit from high configuration flexibility with the Security Center. Distribute services and client applications across several servers or off-the-shelf workstations.

Scalable Multi-Site Monitoring: Unify multiple independent video and access control systems under a single virtual system with the Federation feature. Federate hundreds or thousands of remote systems for city-wide surveillance and managed central monitoring services.

Active Directory Integration: Centralize management and synchronization of Windows user accounts with the Security Center’s user and cardholder accounts. Provide single sign-on capabilities and ensure newly created Windows users automatically inherit the proper physical building access rights

Centralized Alarm Management: Avoid the traditional approach of separate alarm monitoring applications with unsynchronized data for your different security systems. Configure, monitor and respond to alarms for your entire security environment.

Multi-Tenant Functionality: Segment operations per tenant or managed services account, and assign privileges per site with the Partioning feature. Give individual site managers or tenants their own sites to manage in parallel to any centralized monitoring.

Visual Tracking: Switch from one camera to an adjacent camera within a viewing tile when tracking a suspect, either in real-time or playback mode.

Genetec Software Development Kit (SDK): Integrate building management systems, enterprise resource planning systems, intrusion detection systems or develop custom business applications with the Security Center’s open SDK.

Advanced Reporting Capabilities: Generate a variety of integrated LPR, video and access control reports without the use of external third-party reporting tools.

For more information about the Security Center download the Security Center brochure.

If you have any questions or would like systems requirement info, supported hardware etc. or need help specifying the right management system to meet your needs call us on 0844 225 9 225 or email Controlware for expert advice.

Controlware can work with you to develop a phased approach for

• Upgrade of analogue CCTV to IP via encoders
• Camera upgrades and recommendations
• Integration of existing systems
• Consolidation of systems
• Development of C4i (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence) management
• Management of alarms
• Resilient RAID video recording options
• Refurbishment of furniture
• Upgrade to LCD video wall screens

The principal behind a CCTV control room upgrade is to improve security management and the operating environment for staff. This can be achieved in many ways including implementation of an IP based Intelligent IVMS system as a stepping stone to developing a full C4i (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence) solution for the growing needs of managing multiple security systems through a single platform.

The use of an open protocol and non‐proprietary system enables users to not be tied to individual vendors or support structures and can grow the system as both operational and budgetary requirements are identified.

If you are looking at getting more from your control room, improving operations and integration of security systems why not give Controlware a call to discuss the options available on +44 (0)844 225 9 225 or email video@controlware.co.uk.

With this latest release, the Security Center now supports an embedded video recording and streaming engine. Additional features include, among others, an enhanced architecture that facilitates the installation and maintenance of the platform, third-party intrusion integration of alarm panels and perimeter detection devices, a new plug-in architecture for adding third-party integrations, standby and redundant archiving capabilities.

One of the most significant enhancements is the addition of Genetec’s next generation video and streaming engine within the unified platform, continuing to benefit from the power of Genetec’s industry-leading video surveillance system, Omnicast. With Security Center 5.0, customers will now be able to configure and manage IP cameras and encoders, recording schedules, camera settings, and much more. More importantly, the same configuration application can be used to configure the Security Center’s Synergis access control and AutoVu license plate recognition systems. Benefits that naturally flow out of the Security Center’s architecture include the use of common features across all platforms, consistent workflows for configuration and reporting activities, reduced training costs, and most importantly, a single interface for monitoring all your security and safety applications.

“Security Center 5.0 brings to the market Genetec’s latest video management engine based on our Omnicast 4 platform but with significant enhancements with respect to video streaming, rendering, and recording,” says Jimmy Palatsoukas, Senior Product Manager at Genetec. “We have also worked diligently to expand, as well as to enhance the deployment and maintenance capabilities of the system. The end result is not just a platform that provides the highest level of security, but also one that is easy to deploy, configure, and use on a daily basis.”

With the aim of expanding the unification capabilities of the platform, this latest release of the Security Center now supports the integration of third-party intrusion panels through an intrusion devices protocol or API. Users can not only arm and disarm panels manually or configure arming on a schedule, but they can also run intrusion reports to view an alarm panel’s events and alarms. What’s more, the addition of an intrusion driver kit will allow Genetec to integrate additional intrusion devices without requiring a new Security Center release. The addition of a plug-in engine will also enable Genetec to add new video analytics, third-party access control, and point-of-sale integrations when needed and with a short turnaround time. Lastly, a web-based software development kit will allow Genetec’s customers to develop platform-independent applications and interfaces for various operating environments.

On the user interface side, the Security Center now supports task sharing for operators to share their monitoring and reporting tasks with other operators in real-time, enhanced video thumbnail support, and advanced video caching that supports full-frame playback to dramatically improve the operator`s experience all around. A new system status monitoring task allows operators and administrators alike to monitor the real-time state of cameras, doors, intrusion panels, client applications and servers thereby having a clear picture of the entire security environment.

Security Center along with Omnicast (CCTV video management), Synergis (Access Control) and AutoVu (ANPR) are available from Controlware. Call +44 (0)1635 884800 for more information or email video(at)controlware.co.uk.

Q1. In what capacity do you work with traditional installers specializing in analogue technology? How do you complement each other?

Controlware: Due to our experience and skill set with IP video built up over the last 15 years we can offer the missing knowledge or support that the traditional analogue installer doesn’t have – This could be system design, commissioning, hardware sourcing (switches, servers etc.) or maintenance.

Q2. What are the usual problem areas (such as technology integration and installation techniques), and how do you solve them? How are compromises made?

Controlware: The usual problems are either around migration and leveraging legacy equipment and correspondingly any proprietary issues that might be faced such as telemetry or integrating hybrid systems.  The compromise is usually to either to have a managed migration plan that may involve additional hardware on a temporary basis or to accept reduced functionality for a period.

Q3. Has there been any case/project where it was simply easier to go all analog or all IP? Did you? Why or why not?

Controlware: We are currently rolling out a project for process control / improvement with a utilities company where, due to their IP VPN, it was easier to implement IP as all the WAN transmission infrastructure was already in place.  Therefore we could save costs and still improve remote site functionality and Health and Safety.

Q4. What can traditional installers do to better learn the IP/IT language?

Controlware: If installers wish to learn more about IP / IT then they should work with a trusted partner who has experience in IP and can help them develop their skills by working closely on projects and can then continue to help them in future opportunities through improved pre / post sales support.  This type of relationship is core to the Controlware partnership ethos.

Q5. What are you doing to better learn the analog/installation language?

Controlware: We understand the challenges that our installer partners face and we have a good knowledge basis on analogue implementation through undertaking industry recognized training but as we see IP as the future we don’t feel the need to invest heavily in this area.

Q6. What training programs are offered by manufacturers? What training programs are offered by IP/IT specialists like you?

Controlware: One of the challenges with manufacturer led training is that they are very product specific to that manufacturer whereas what the industry needs is wider IP / IT training on system design and networking such as switching technology, server specification or operating systems.  Within the Controlware group of companies we have a dedicated training organization called ExperTeach to provide exactly this missing link to our partners.

Q7. Is there any other support available, from manufacturers and from you?

Controlware: Most manufacturers can help with system design but again this tends to be limited to their own products and misses components like servers or switching or integration with legacy equipment.  Controlware are able to supply a complete consultancy, design and implementation service to what level the integrator requires.

Q8. How is effectiveness measured — number of new customers?

Controlware: This is difficult to measure – What I think you are seeing is different types of engineers coming through which allows traditional installers to bid on more and more IP based projects.  This in turn is opening up more business to them in different areas / verticals.

Q9. What is the working dynamics like between your company and the manufacturer partners when it comes to after-sales customer service/maintenance/troubleshooting of integrated, IP-based systems?

Controlware: We are able to provide 1^st, 2^nd and even 3^rd line technical support as we understand IP completely and test / train all our pre / post sales engineers on all the products we supply and additional training on software and networking qualifications and undertake a lot of testing and systems approvals before signing over a project.  This is backed up by a full test and evaluation lab where we can fault find in the event of issues being highlighted by our integrators.

Q10. What issues can your company handle on itself, and what issues get referred back to the manufacturer partners?

Controlware: Due to the high level of training, test equipment and experience we can handle most problems ourselves and only refer back issues with things like firmware / software faults or clearly faulty hardware.  Most times we are able to give these manufacturer partners detailed feedback on the issues such as how and when the fault occurs and can be replicated, additional logging information or isolation testing to be able to eliminate other factors.

Q11. For customers who have come to adopt IP-based security products, what were the top three driving forces?

Controlware: I would say the drive is improved functionality and reliability, IP being seen as the technology of the future (increased deployment of structured cabling, remote communications etc.) and not having to rely on proprietary equipment.

Q12. How was the higher cost justified? How was ROI proved or improved?

Controlware: While the item to item cost maybe higher IP based systems have been shown to have a lower TCO than analogue and also RoI is shown through higher uptimes, greater resilience / redundancy and improved functionality and flexibility in deployment.

Q13. Among your customers, what verticals lean more toward using IP-based security equipment?

Controlware: Education is a key adopter of IP as they tend to be more forward looking but we are seeing more and more utility suppliers and infrastructure partners looking at IP as they upgrade networks and also Healthcare are looking more and more at IP.

Q14. Any specific vertical(s) that your company wishes to break into with networked security products? Why?

Controlware: Retail is always of interest due to the size of the estate and deploy base.  I also think that, with proper planning and implementation, that IP has a lot to offer in both legal compliance, health and safety and marketing as well as traditional security.

Q15. What are some issues that need to be addressed in order for networked security products to gain further traction and adoption?

Controlware: The knowledge base is a key point both in the installer base and system specifiers as is the entry price point of IP in certain areas.  Recording platforms / hardware also needs to be reviewed to make IP easier to adopt for both end users and the installers.

Q16. Any other anecdotal success stories? For the geographical markets/regions that you are active in (please identify which), what kind of growth in IP-based security systems are you expecting for 2011?

Controlware: We expect to see good growth in IP through 2011 but it is difficult to put an exact number on it due to the challenging global conditions in different regions.  What we are seeing, however, is not only a migration of traditional security to IP but also projects around process control and health and safety compliance – IP fits these types of installations due to their flexibility and reduced TCO costs as they are easier to install, integrate with existing infrastructure and provide far better redundancy options and these arguments can be carried back into the traditional installation base.

If you are interested in becoming a Controlware channel partner sign up here.

There are few media available in the video surveillance industry that improve image quality while at the same time reducing costs. Yet fiber optic networks do just that. They also maintain the integrity of signals over longer distances and offer more bandwidth than twisted-pair or coax cables. Not to mention that fiber cabling is impervious to electromagnetic interference, such as that caused by high-voltage power lines and lightning.

Due to the ubiquitous nature and the advantages of fiber optic networks, as well as the current migration from analog to IP streaming, Optelecom-NKF is now offering its Siqura IP PTZ dome cameras with a fiber optic connector option. With a flexible SFP interface built into the PTZ body, a wide range of single mode, multimode, and CDWM modules can be used and an impressive range of mounting options are available.

“Network equipment being developed today needs to be able to handle IP traffic, regardless of the medium connecting it to the network,” said Roger Decker, Director of Solutions and Marketing at Optelecom-NKF. “That is why Optelecom-NKF recently developed five new IP PTZ dome cameras that can connect directly to a fixed network or wireless bridge via either twisted-pair or fiber optic cabling. We want customers to be able to select hardware based on its ability to withstand variances on the network and to provide high-quality streams.”

A solution for every situation

This new camera line consists of five cameras, each optimized for its application, with indoor, outdoor, compact (MSD), and high-speed (HSD) dome camera options. Each camera is capable of quad-streaming, supporting dual H.264 streams in addition to highly configurable MPEG-2, MPEG-4, and MJPEG. This flexibility in compression standards makes it easy for these Siqura cameras to offer the best quality video while at the same time streamlining network performance.

All the Siqura cameras are designed to comply with worldwide adopted standards and are tested with leading VMS vendors. This makes it possible to query or set PTZ coordinate positions or to integrate Siqura cameras into third-party systems. Furthermore, the new Siqura IP PTZ camera line comes with an easy-to-use, access-controlled, Web-based user interface, allowing users to configure or view video streams from a PC or even via handheld devices, such as PDAs.

Since surveillance conditions can vary widely even for just one camera, this Siqura IP PTZ camera series also includes a day/night (IR-cut filter) and backlight compensation as standard features that can be applied manually or automatically when lighting conditions require it. The wide dynamic range functionality ensures excellent video quality, even in the most difficult of circumstances.

Additionally, the Siqura HSD and MSD cameras are part of the Siqura product line, an extensive collection of video surveillance equipment offering complete solutions and reputed for quality and reliability.

For more information and to see the new cameras live contact Controlware on 0844 225 9 225.

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Controlware Group.

Controlware UK – Unit 2B, Votec Centre, Hambridge Lane,
Newbury, RG14 5TN. Ph 0844 2259225

The CCTV/video surveillance market has been witnessing exponential growth for the past few years on the back of rising concerns for security and safety across the globe. The UK is one of the world’s topmost destinations in terms of development and maturity of CCTV market. As far as the number of cameras installed is concerned, the UK represents the most mature market in the world. With the government endorsement of public-area video surveillance, and emergence of other growth areas like, home security and wireless transmission of CCTV, the research report “Global CCTV Market Analysis (2008-2012, anticipates that the country’s CCTV sales will grow at a CAGR of around 14.5% during 2010 – 2013.

As per the RNCOS study, the UK market is predicted to witness sustainable growth (in terms of both value and volume) for the design, supply, installation, and maintenance of CCTV systems. The need to update legacy systems, new construction, and public security will drive this growth. Therefore, it is anticipated that digital systems and Internet Protocol (IP) cameras will dominate the market by 2013. A plethora of opportunities has emerged with the advancement of technology. We have analyzed the UK CCTV market in our research report along with the information on key players and other details about the country’s CCTV market.

The research also reveals that currently, the analogue CCTV market dominates the global CCTV market, but the scenario will change by the end of 2013. In future, network IP technology will emerge as the leading CCTV technology. Various factors that will drive the IP technology market in coming times have also been covered in the report. It also details the potential growth areas for the CCTV market along with the major roadblocks.