Security Sales & Integration

September2013

SSI serves security installing contractors providing systems and services; surveillance, access control, biometrics, fire alarm and home control/automation. Coverage in commercial and residential product applications, designs, techniques, operations.

Issue link: https://securitysales.epubxp.com/i/166764

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 151 of 175

SMART THERMAL IMAGING PAVES WAY FOR OUTDOOR SECURITY SERVICES by John Romanowich Building Your Business John Romanowich is President/CEO and founder of SightLogix, a provider of intelligent video surveillance systems. jromanowich@sightlogix.com T he developing trend toward the use of security as a service (SaaS) to secure outdoor assets has brought value to both end users and integrators. For the end user the advantages are seen in access to improved technology, fxed costs and higher levels of physical security. For the integrator, it's an opportunity to develop long-term relationships with the customer that can enhance proftability and growth and heighten their value as a security expert. NEW TECHNOLOGY SUPPORTS OUTDOOR APPLICATIONS Within the industry, intrusion detection managed by a third party and provided as an ongoing service is well established for indoor environments. Tis has created a foundation for applying a similar model for protecting outdoor assets — a model in which the integrator installs, maintains and manages a physical security solution that provides intrusion detection, alarm verifcation and response. For integrators, the key to providing efective managed security services leading to market growth has been the development of accurate detection sensors that provide trustworthy alarms that can be quickly verifed. Until recently, the performance of automated security systems used for protecting outdoor assets has been disappointing, due to of impact of the uncontrolled outdoors that has, in the past, reduced efectiveness. For instance, cameras shake from wind gusts and vibrations from trucks, trains, and other sources, causing alerts; moving leaves, clouds, rain, snow, and water refections also generate unwanted alarms. At one time, such environmental issues reduced the feasibility of building a stable managed services business for securing outdoor areas. SMART SOLUTIONS FOR MANAGED SERVICES Tere are two critical needs to make managed services viable for outdoor applications. Te frst is a sensing system 148 / SECURITYSALES.COM / SEPTEMBER 2013 PHOTO: ©ISTOCKPHOTO.COM Hosted or managed services are moving beyond the realm of the facility. Learn how advanced thermal cameras with onboard image processing provide recurring revenue opportunities by protecting the perimeter. that is accurate, 24 hours per day, particularly in detecting and distinguishing between what is relevant and what is not. Te second is a system that frst responders can use to see what caused the alarm, providing credibility. Of all the sensing systems used to detect intrusions outdoors, smart thermal cameras — which deliver thermal imaging combined with advanced video analytics residing within the camera — represent the best approach for generating the accurate, verifable alerts needed for successful managed services. Because smart thermal cameras "see" heat rather than light, they are a perfect "human detector," and will ignore headlights, refections of water or other activity that may cause false alerts for visible cameras. Today's thermal cameras now operate very accurately in both complete darkness and bright sun, making them a stable 24/7 solution. Tey can be used in all environments around the world, from the arctic to the desert, and are impervious to harsh weather conditions. Smart thermal cameras can employ very accurate size f lters to eliminate small animals and other nonrelevant activity, reducing nuisance alerts and raising their detection accuracy. Tese smart thermal cameras are designed to f lter the efects of environmental elements and provide detection over large areas, regardless of wind, weather or the movement of small animals, trees or blowing trash. In short, these cameras extend the functionality of an indoor intrusion alarm to the outdoors — with virtually none of the nuisance alerts or false detects that have plagued other solutions in the past.

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of Security Sales & Integration - September2013