Integrated security: The future of CCTV and Access Control?

The vast majority of functionalities across security systems are common. So, why are you still working with multiple independent systems?

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.

CCTV control room – upgrading, extending or integrating security systems?

Controlware’s extensive experience, knowledge of IP based systems and background in CCTV enables us to assist with CCTV control room upgrades, systems integration and refurbishments.

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.

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Find out more about Genetec’s Security Center

Genetec’s powerful Security Center is now available from Controlware UK. Find out the main benefits Security Center can provide below.

Flexible and Scalable

The Security Center’s open and distributed architecture makes it all possible. Choose your own hardware. Optimize the use of your existing infrastructure. Grow your system one camera or door at time to hundreds and thousands of cameras or doors. Or, take your unified security platform to new heights by merging your LPR, video surveillance, and access control systems from around the world into a single large virtual system.

Simple and Easy-to-Use

Experience a unique unified security solution unlike any other. Real-time monitoring, alarm management, and event reporting from all your security systems have never been easier. Benefit from advanced entity search functions, hierarchical views, a multitude of display tile patterns and context-sensitive widgets for door, camera, alarm, and PTZ camera controls.

Reliable and Secure

Get more than features. With the Security Center you get peace of mind. Encrypted client-server communication and integration with Microsoft’s Active Directory protect against unauthorized access to your system.You can also assign rights and privileges to different sites for secure multi-tenant and multi-site functionality. And advanced failover functionality ensures you systems is always up and running.

Highly Cost-Efficient

More than a solution with cutting-edge features, the Security Center is designed to save you money. Leverage your existing hardware and infrastructure investments. Get system upgrades without the compatibility issues typically found with multi-vendor solutions. Reduce your training costs through consistent approaches and workflows across multiple security applications. Deploy fewer client workstations as multiple security applications can now be monitored from a single interface.

Security Center is now available from Controlware UK. To find out more about Security Center click here or call Controlware UK on 0844 225 9 225 for expert advice and great product deals.

Find out more about Synergis Enterprise IP Access Control system

Genetec’s powerful  Synergis Enterprise Access Control system is now available from Controlware UK. Find out the main benefits  Synergis Enterprise can provide below.

Flexible

Synergis was designed with an open and distributed architecture. Build your system with IP readers or use what you already have and phase out older technology when you can. Integrate your access control system with other third-party systems like intrusion or building management. And distribute Synergis’ server components on many different network machines to optimize bandwidth.

Highly Scalable

Synergis Enterprise supports an unrestricted number of doors, controllers and client workstations. You can grow your system one door at a time. Or opt to scale your system across multiple buildings using a unique feature called Federation. Synergis Enterprise will meet all your growth objective head on.

Reliable and Secure

Reliability is an understatement. In case of server failure, Synergis’ offline mode ensures door controllers will continue to control access and record events. And benefit from security features like encryption and user-access privileges to enhance overall system security. You get an added layer of security in multi-tenant applications with a Partitioning feature.

Intuitive and Easy-to-Use

Synergis is the access control system of the Security Center unified security platform. This means you get the most ultra-modern and user-friendly interface on the market. Single-click widgets dynamically appear for you to unlock or lock doors or acknowledge alarms. Drag-and-drop features make it easy to review events, as well as cardholder pictures against live or recorded video. Look forward to reduced training costs and notice efficiency gains.

Synergis Enterprise is now available from Controlware UK. To find out more about Synergis Enterprise click here or call Controlware UK on 0844 225 9 225 for expert advice and great product deals.

Find out more about Synergis Pro IP Access Control system

Genetec’s powerful  Synergis Pro IP Access Control system is now available from Controlware UK. Find out the main benefits  Synergis Pro can provide below.

Flexible and Open Architecture

Synergis won’t lock you into a proprietary hardware solution. You can use what you already have or convert your older serial-based system with new IP-enabled controllers or readers; one at a time or all at once. You can set up your network the way you want. Distribute all of Synergis’ server components over many networked machines if that works best.

Customizable

Synergis allows you to customize your access control system with Genetec’s software development kit (SDK). You can easily integrate your business processes or third-party systems. System customization can also be extended to product features such as reporting templates. Users can define report content, organization, and more in advance without the need for external reporting tools.

Future-Proof

Choosing Synergis Pro means your access control system is future proof. You will benefit from new features as they are released with seamless version upgrades. It’s the same for the latest hardware technology; you will not be left behind. And if you want to extend your system beyond one building or across the country, moving to a Synergis Enterprise package is quick and easy.

User-Friendly

With Synergis Pro, you are equipped with an extremely intuitive user interface. Since Synergis is the access control system of the Security Center unified security platform, you get single-click widgets and task-oriented tools for quick decision-making. A simple setup for visitor management and badge design will benefit operators of all skill levels.

Synergis Pro is now available from Controlware UK. To find out more about Synergis Pro click here or call Controlware UK on 0844 225 9 225 for expert advice and great product deals.

Find out more about Synergis Standard – IP Access Control from Genetec

Genetec’s powerful  Synergis Standard IP Access Control system is now available from Controlware UK. Find out the main benefits Synergis Standard can provide below.

Flexible

You get a fully customizable system with the Synergis Standard package. The open and distributed architecture allows you to make all the decisions. Maximize the use of your network. Re-use existing equipment and wiring. Grow your system at your own pace. Flexibility means you can even merge multiple Synergis Standard systems into one large virtual system using a feature called Federation.

IP-Ready

With Synergis Standard, you benefit from innate IP capabilities. Set up and manage your door controllers and readers from any IP network. Log on remotely to handle up to thousands of events per second. Forget serial communication and invest in IP-ready security equipment.

Easy-to-Use

Synergis is the IP access control system within Genetec’s unified security platform, the Security Center. This means that you benefit from an ultra-modern interface with single-click widgets and intuitive access control features. And a simplistic visitor and cardholder management tool will make your job easier.

Powerful

Synergis Standard may be Genetec’s basic access control system, but it is loaded with avant-garde features. Use the automatic discovery tool for quick controller and door set up. Add new card formats with an embedded custom card format utility. And login remotely using a web client. A Synergis Standard system will give you everything you need, and more.

Synergis Standard is now available from Controlware UK. To find out more about Synergis Standard click here or call Controlware UK on 0844 225 9 225 for expert advice and great product deals.

Genetec unified security platform Security Center selected by New Jersey schools

The New Jersey Paramus Public Schools have installed Genetec’s unified security platform, the Security Center, at all eight of its school campuses. It was important to Paramus to select an all-in-one system like Genetec’s Security Center, which provides one interface for both video surveillance and access control. Using an IP system was ideal as it has allowed security data to be shared between campuses over the network, and has saved Paramus considerable cabling costs.

Paramus preserved a few previously existing analogue cameras using IP encoders, and purchased over 100 new Panasonic IP cameras to complete the system. A Dell server was provided to each school, allowing video and security data to be stored locally to maximize network efficiency. Currently, Omnicast video surveillance and Synergis access control data can be viewed by authorised personnel located at each of the eight campuses.Additionally, Paramus recently rebuilt the entrance to the high school, incorporating a new security control room for the entire district. Staffed security guards will manage the unified security platform spanning all eight campuses from this central location. The Security Center will also allow direct access to police and emergency services to allow for a quick response should the need ever arise.For now, Paramus uses the video surveillance system of the Security Center, Omnicast, mainly as an investigative tool. They can pull archived video to discover who committed an act of vandalism or theft, definitively prove “who started what” to parents, and more. Paramus also uses Omnicast to enhance emergency procedures and crowd control, evaluating the possibility of a fire code violation by monitoring the number of people at an event. 

The access control system of the Security Center, Synergis, allows the schools to programme doors to remain unlocked on schedule while students are arriving, and to be locked down once classes have begun. Paramus was also able to use Synergis to configure cardholder groups including everything from full access cards for emergency responders, to cards provided to PTA members which only work during meeting times. Paramus is even able to provide non-access cards to community members who use the campus track recreationally. This helps Paramus monitor access to each campus, keeping cardholder information and pictures on file.

The Security Center is a highly flexible platform, and Paramus chose it in part because it is a solution that can evolve with their needs. They are currently in the process of implementing a backup system on a ninth server, and are also actively working on providing the police department with full access to their network so that officers can aide in remote monitoring. Further down the road, providing access cards to students will enable eventual integration with the library card system and cafeteria POS system for lunch purchases.

Robert Autorino, Director of Buildings and Grounds, said, “It was important to use a company that was established and reliable. Genetec’s Security Center has been fantastic. Where my previous system had upgrade glitches that caused downtime, Genetec’s system has had seamless upgrades and no downtime. Now I have people from other districts coming to look at the system because they’re interested in switching over as well.”

Richard Adams, Consultant at Let’s Think Wireless, the Genetec certified integrator for this project, said “I have the opportunity to do business with almost any company, but I choose Genetec. They are constantly working to improve their products, they have a great support staff, and in general, we rarely have service issues with Genetec products – the systems work, they perform.”

Security Center is now available from Controlware UK. To find out more about Security Center click here or call Controlware UK on 0844 225 9 225 for expert advice and great product deals.



St Pancras International CCTV system improves security and safety

Prestigious larndmark benefits from integrated IP CCTV that improves flexibility and reduces costs

Mission
The £800m refurbishment and extension of St Pancras International is part of HS1, Britain’s first major rail project for over a century and the UK’s biggest ever construction project. Opened by the Queen this prestigious landmark required an advanced CCTV solution to help protect staff, customers, and visitors to the station. Controlware won the contract on the basis of the advanced technical solution, integration expertise, and the proven ability to deliver large projects successfully.

Solution
Working closely with the Costain, O’Rourke, Bachy and Emcor Rail (CORBER) consortium and Rail Link Engineering (RLE) the 450-camera solution includes a mixture of cameras, codec’s, networked storage and an advanced management platform that provides access to live, DVD quality video. The comprehensive IP surveillance solution provides control of security operations and enables resources to be easily coordinated to meet specific incidents as they happen. Accessing recorded video is made easier through time and date-based searches and since digital recording is used no videotapes are required, saving both time and costs. The surveillance network is also highly scalable to support growth of cameras and storage requirements in the future as the recent integration of the NCP CCTV network has demonstrated.

Result
The new CCTV solution not only helps maintain security and safety but also delivers improved flexibility, reliability and operational benefits as well. By using a unified network for video, data and voice cabling costs are reduced. User access to multiple systems such as Access Control, CCTV, Fire, and Building Control is simplified through a single common interface that provides fast access to detailed information. Training costs are also significantly reduced since each user only needs to be trained on a single system. Easy to use management tools provide users with fast access to live and recorded video from multiple locations either inside or outside of the station. This improves resilience and helps innovate the way that individual departments work. Station announcers for example now have access to live video from platform cameras allowing more accurate announcements to be made and resources to be guided to incidents as they happen, directly improving delivery of information and services and increasing safety for passengers.

For more information, latest news and case studies visit the Controlware website

To receive the True cost of IP CCTV and a system cost breakdown click here.

Growth spurs new Tech Support Manager

Controlware announce the appointment of Mark Ashbolt as Technical Support Manager

Leading IP CCTV specialists and Value Added Distributors Controlware have appointed Mark Ashbolt as Technical Support Manager. Mark brings over 15 years technical experience to the role and will be responsible for managing UK support operations.

Prior to joining Controlware, Mark was most recently IT Manager at the Halcrow Group where he was responsible for managing a team that supported over 600 users. At Controlware, Mark is responsible for the management of all Customer Support operations including the Help Desk and onsite Technical Field Engineers. He is currently managing the transition of the company’s traditional Help Desk to an integrated Service Support model based around the introduction of procedures that will streamline operations to assist all areas of the business.

Customer focused support services

Mark and his team provide expert Technical Support for Controlware’s existing customers and new surveillance projects that can range from a few cameras to thousands across multiple sites. Having provided support services for more than 20 years Controlware engineers have a reputation for providing exceptional technical assistance enabling service contracts to be tailored to exact requirements for individual products or complete solutions. In this way the Controlware support team can help make CCTV more effective than before through regular firmware updates, configuration management and maintenance checks.

As the primary UK Technical support team for Controlware’s Cware open management platform the team also has expert strength in depth to deal with the most technical of enquires. The Cware open management platform enables users to benefit from integrated surveillance and recording solutions. Based on open standards Cware supports integration with leading vendor codec’s and cameras, external systems such as access control, video analytics and intruder alarms as well as technologies such as H.264. Systems based on the Cware management platform are future-proofed and provide a real-world return on investment for users, reseller and integration partners.

“We are pleased to welcome Mark Ashbolt to Controlware and are already seeing the benefit of having someone with his extensive experience on board,” said Mark Harraway, Country Manager, Controlware UK. “Mark has joined us during a period of extremely strong growth both in staff and customer numbers and we look forward to his input as we continue to evolve and expand our support services. “

Rapid growth of IP based CCTV

Mark Ashbolt’s career began with the RAF providing support for flight simulators before leaving to join the private sector. Having spent the majority of his career in management roles for the likes of IBM where he managed a multi-lingual Pan European team Mark Ashbolt is looking forward to this new role assisting Controlware’s integrator and reseller customer base especially at this time of exciting growth for the company.

“I am looking forward to helping Controlware meet the growing demand for IP based security systems in the industry at this exciting time and aim to ensure that the support team continues to provide the highest levels of support for our customers.”

For more information about Controlware click here.