24 March 2015

Developers, Weston Homes, have chosen Urmet’s 2-Voice, 2-Wire system for Preston Hall, a prestigious Victorian restoration project in Aylesford, Kent. Preston Hall is a Grade II-listed Victorian mansion built in the Jacobean style, consisting of 36 luxurious and unique one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments, houses and villas. To restore and refurbish this magnificent property, the developers needed a system that utilised the existing cabling throughout the building, while providing the residents with a modern-day system using the latest door entry technology. Urmet supplied its market-leading 2-Voice system providing connectivity to the 22 apartments within the main core of the building. The apartments are accessed via 2 entrances, each with an Elekta Glass video entry panel mounted within an H-design post. The impressive main entrance to the building required a bespoke solution to mount these panels, so Urmet set about fabricating a super-slim stainless steel H-design pedestrian post to complement the finish the client wanted. A sensor built into Elekta glass panel detects the presence of a visitor, triggering the soft-start LED illumination of the icons on the black glass keypad and the 3.5” LCD colour display, providing users with instructions on how to make a call. Aiko hands-free 4.3” soft-touch technology DDA-compliant colour video monitors were supplied for the fit-out in each apartment. Residents at the newly refurbished building will now benefit from all the advanced features that Urmet’s 2-wire system has to offer, including being able to integrate video surveillance. Up to five analogue CCTV cameras can be integrated into a single system and can be monitored from the internal video door phone within each apartment. 2-Voice connects with a twisted pair of a Cat5 cable with no additional twin cable for power, meaning it relies on very little control equipment. Simply using two wires from the entry panel up to the apartment station makes it fast and easy to install and perfect for renovation projects. The Elekta Glass digital video entry panel, previously only available as an IP PoE panel, is now available for the 2-Voice system, which is suitable for installations ranging from small and medium blocks of flats to large-scale residential developments. Mark Hagger, Urmet’s Sales and Marketing Director, commented, “We are very pleased to have worked on such an historic building that was perfect for Urmet’s 2-wire system. Previously, the range of compatible panels we could offer on our 2-wire system was limited, but now we’re pleased to have added both Elekta Glass and Elekta Steel digital panels to this system, which is already proving very popular among our clients.” Links www.urmet.co.uk

Y3K Europe recently launched SmartBell, the next generation in Wireless Doorbell technology. Installers and end-users alike will appreciate the fact that setup is both very simple and reassuringly secure. Position the weatherproof Wireless Camera unit next to your entrance so that the camera can view anyone who calls at your premises. Power up with the power supply in the box, connect to your WiFi or Wired Network and you’re ready for action. Users can download the Smart-I Bell App to a Smartphone or Tablet that will alert them to the presence of a visitor. Once installed you can remotely see and speak to callers, from anywhere in the world, or open your door if an electronic lock is fitted. The iOS/Android compatible App also allows various camera and security settings to be adjusted and gives you the ability to take snapshot views or manually start recording of video images, both of which can be retrieved using the date/search function. If the unit is tampered with it will sound an alarm to alert you. With built-in LEDs the camera will activate automatically when used in low light. SmartBell is fitted with on-board PIRs that detect motion and trigger recording when an object is within its’ range. The app allows you to toggle the video recording time between 10, 30 and 60 seconds. Additionally, Y3K offer an internal Wireless Ringer that acts as a sounder, so you can be alerted to visitors if you are away from your App device. The winning combination of Smart Wireless Doorbell and feature-rich Smart-I Bell App offers the user a fully customisable doorbell system, ideal for use in almost any domestic or commercial application. SmartBell is part of the rapidly expanding range of SmartHome products available Nationwide through Y3K distributors including more than 90 branches of WF Senate. Contact Y3K Europe if you require any further information, or go to www.y3k.com.

Based on ability to execute and completeness of vision, Gartner has named BeOne InfoSecure – as part of the BeOne Development Group – a Leader for computer-based security awareness training*. The Gartner Magic Quadrant is a graphical portrayal of vendor performance in the computer-based training (CBT) market and includes categories for leaders, challengers, visionaries and niche players. According to the report, “The security education CBT Leaders quadrant is composed of vendors that: (1) Provide solutions that are a good match to market requirements; (2) have been the most successful in building a customer base and revenue stream within the CBT market; and (3) have a relatively high viability rating (due to CBT revenue). In addition to providing CBT that is a good match to customer requirements, Leaders also show evidence of superior vision and execution for anticipated requirements. They typically have relatively high market share and/or strong revenue growth, and provide a range of CBT capabilities that targets education and behaviour management. They also have demonstrated positive customer feedback for effective CBT and related services.” As the report outlines, “market changes create a greater enterprise dependence on the security acumen of employees. In order to support security objectives, employees require skills, knowledge and motivation.” And “continual changes in the devices workers use and the locations where work is conducted are forcing organisations to influence employees’ security behaviour and improve their security knowledge in workplaces.” “We consider our positioning in the Leader Quadrant by Gartner a confirmation of our mission to help organisations create awareness and bring enduring positive behavioural change towards information security,” says Wilbert Pijnenburg, General Manager of BeOne InfoSecure. “We keep developing innovative new training solutions while improving existing products. With the recently launched Security Awareness App, we meet a need for short training material that is always close at hand. Besides, the new approach of our introduction e-learning programme is very well received. Instead of a one size fits all approach, we now follow employees from various departments throughout their working day. By showing specific work situations employees can relate to, good practices are better remembered. I am confident our innovative digital learning solutions will help us to further enhance our position as a leading provider of awareness training.” To order a copy of the complete report, visit https://www.gartner.com/doc/2871817/magic-quadrant-security-awareness-computerbased *Gartner, Inc., “Magic Quadrant for Security Awareness Computer-Based Training Vendors,” by Andrew Walls, October 13, 2014. Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner’s research organisation and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. Links www.gartner.com

G4S, a leading UK security provider, and VPS, vacant property specialists, have embarked on a strategic partnership that will launch an unparalleled new solution into the vacant property services market. The agreement will strengthen collaboration between two of the market’s biggest players and provide customers across the UK and Ireland with a single solution that incorporates a wide range of products and services designed to protect vulnerable unoccupied premises. As G4S’ preferred supplier for vacant property services, VPS will provide wireless SmartAlarm® monitoring systems, industry leading stand-alone SmartTower® CCTV, perimeter protection products and other property services. At the same time, G4S will be VPS’ preferred supplier for a range of manned security and monitoring services including mobile patrol, alarm response and key holding, providing unrivalled nationwide coverage. Doug Hewitson, Regional Managing Director of G4S Secure Solutions (UK&I), said: “As we continue to look for new and innovative ways to develop the security solutions we can offer to customers, our partnership with VPS will enable us to enhance the protection we can provide to clients with vacant property. VPS’ award-winning products and cutting edge technology, combined with G4S’ security expertise, puts us in a strong position to deliver an unmatched offering to the market which we can continue to build upon.” Anthony Owen, VPS Managing Director, said: “The collaboration with G4S is a demonstration of our commitment to continually improve the services we offer to our customers and becomes more important as the number of vacant properties rises.  Our services cover the complete vacant property lifecycle and with security at the heart, G4S’ unmatched resources and 80 years of experience will certainly boost our offering. Around one in 10 commercial offices and properties are currently vacant in the UK and there are at least three-quarters of a million empty residential units so the benefits of a combined effort in this field are significant.” Links www.g4s.uk.com

Global security technology experts, Gallagher, have relocated offices in South Africa due to their significant growth in the integrated access control, perimeter and business management solutions market. Their new premises are 43 Saturn Crescent, Linbro Business Park, Sandton, Johannesburg. Gallagher’s business has more than doubled over the last few years, says Mike Foley, Regional Manager — South Africa. “As our business has grown so has the demand for more office and parking space as well as training venues for our Certified Channel Partner training programme and a larger warehouse for distribution.” High demand for Gallagher and their central management platform Gallagher Command Centre, has been seen in all areas including finance, infrastructure, resources, and residential and business park developments. A recent success is one of the fastest-developing commercial and residential centres occupying roughly 1000 acres of woodland. Currently still under development, the project has an estimate time of 10-15 years and a total projected value upon completion of R30bn (US$3billion), it represents one of the latest wins for Gallagher in a large subsequent list. About Gallagher A technology leader in integrated access control, intruder alarms management and perimeter protection, Gallagher’s security solutions are in use with national and local government, military, commercial, industrial, healthcare, transportation and academic organizations in more than 100 countries. A truly global operation, Gallagher provides proven protection to customers in Europe, North and South America, Africa, Australasia and South East Asia. Gallagher’s comprehensive security and business risk management solutions provide protection for large and small organizations throughout the world, addressing the key issues of security and risk management, personnel workflow and business continuity. Links http://security.gallagher.co

Bosch Security Systems has upgraded the fire protection system of the Telehouse data center in Frankfurt and installed a modular and networked solution based on its Universal Security System UGM 2040. Using its Building Integration System (BIS), Bosch has also integrated the new fire panel into existing Bosch solutions for access control and intrusion detection. With a total area of 25,000 square meters, the data center run by Telehouse Deutschland GmbH is one of the largest in the country. Many international corporations, financial service providers as well as providers of cloud services use the data center as their primary or backup site to ensure uninterrupted operation of their critical IT systems. Next to redundant IT infrastructures, Telehouse also offers an emergency power supply supporting full load operations for three days as well as sophisticated and comprehensive solutions for physical safety and security for its servers. The new fire protection solution comprises the highly scalable Universal Security System UGM 2040 and eleven concentrators supporting the different zones of the building. All systems are networked via optical fiber in a ring topology. Existing fire extinguishing and sprinkler systems were also connected to the UGM 2040. More than 3,800 fire detectors and a large number of smoke aspiration systems were installed throughout the data center. Critical detector data such as temperature, operation hours and degree of pollution are constantly collected and stored in a database (condition monitoring). Based on these data, Telehouse can very exactly plan both maintenance and replacement of individual detectors. Continuous analysis of disturbance variables also allows very timely reaction to critical developments. The customers of Telehouse demand the highest security levels for their critical IT systems. To guarantee this security, Telehouse has developed a very good partnership with Bosch over the years. With security solutions from Bosch, Telehouse can very flexibly respond to customer’s requirements and also ensure fully certified operation. The new fire protection system meets all requirements as set forth in the EN54 norm. Due to its modular architecture, it can easily be adapted to changing needs whenever these come up. Links www.boschsecurity.com

SightLogix, a leader in smart thermal camera solutions for outdoor security applications, announced a further expansion to their sales organization with the hire of Chandler Hunt as District Sales Manager for the Southwestern US Region. Mr. Hunt is based in Southern California and will have responsibility for SightLogix’ continued expansion and growth in Arizona, Southern California, New Mexico and Southern Nevada. “Chandler is a talented addition to our sales team,” said Victor Biberston, Director of Sales, Western Region North America/Latin America, SightLogix, Inc. “His experience combining technology, business strategy, government/security requirements and how they relate will serve our customers well in this important geography.” Chandler comes to SightLogix from Hikvision where he served as Sales Engineer and provided system design and sales support for the company’s sales channel as well as contractors and consultants. His industry expertise was also gained while employed with Quintron Systems Inc., Graybar Electric and as a security consultant specializing in expert witness testimony. In his role as District Sales Manager, Chandler will promote the growth of the company’s key verticals including utilities, petro-chemical facilities, airports, transportation and other critical infrastructure protection applications. His experience in the military and commercial market will be leveraged to provide extraordinary support and service to the sales channel and end users in the region. Links www.sightlogix.com

Pivot3, a pioneer and innovator in the development of hyper-converged infrastructure (HCI) solutions, has announced a $45 million equity and bank financing closing today. Argonaut Private Equity, a new investor in Pivot3, joins S3 Ventures, InterWest Partners, Mesirow Financial Private Equity and the Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati investment fund in providing additional equity in this closing. As a part of this round, Steve Mitchell, managing director of Argonaut Private Equity, will join Pivot3’s Board of Directors. “We invest in premier companies that can transform large and important industries,” said Steve Mitchell, managing director of Argonaut Private Equity. “Pivot3 is on the leading edge of a once-in-several-decades transformation of the underlying technology that operates IT data centers globally.” Industry analysts predict dramatic market growth in hyper-converged systems. According to the Technology Business Research (TBR) quarterly webinar series in October 2014, “Converged systems are the go-to alternative to complicated piece-part infrastructure, sparking a $17.8B global market opportunity.” “The pervasive need to address unmanageable IT complexity while providing lower cost and improved service on a global scale has created an environment for explosive growth in the HCI market,” said Ron Nash, chairman and CEO of Pivot3. “Pivot3 now has the opportunity to go from being an original innovator of hyper-converged infrastructure to becoming a global leader in providing transformative IT infrastructure technology to our customers, who are leaders in IT and security organizations.” The new funding is aimed at accelerating Pivot3’s growth and extends the company’s technological competitive advantage. To accelerate its growth, the company will add resources to accomplish the following: Extending its leadership position in very dense virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) implementations on blade appliances where storage space is at a premium; Increasing its presence in data backup and disaster recovery, by leveraging its exceptional storage efficiency and the high fault tolerance of its patented Global Hyper-Convergence technology; Increasing market share for solutions that enable 24x7x365 operations for critical video surveillance applications; Continuing to transform its security operations center (SOC) with innovative virtualization and high-performance storage solutions like the Virtual Security Server; and Providing Pivot3’s customers with the latest hyper-converged infrastructure to support additional IT workloads as they broaden the applications operating on the Pivot3 platform. Pivot3 will use the new financing to invest in sales and marketing, recruit top talent across multiple job functions in various geographies globally and expand on its channel partner strategy. In addition, Pivot3 will focus on taking a leadership role in enabling the use of advanced analytics designed to extract new insights from massive unstructured video data sets for business intelligence and enhanced security. To learn more about Pivot3’s hyper-converged technology leadership, based on its unique and patented Scalar Erasure Coding, or to apply for one of the job openings, visit http://go.pivot3.com/lp_pr_funding_announcement. Links www.pivot3.com