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Iranian Ministry of Transport HQ goes down distributed surveillance route
The new headquarters of the Iranian Ministry of Road and Transportation in Tehran has chosen IndigoVision’s complete IP video system for its building-wide surveillance. This imposing building is home to the minister and staff who are responsible for Iran’s transport infrastructure including roads, railways, shipping and aviation. The HQ consists of over 20 floors of office space with underground parking.
IndigoVision’s IP-CCTV solution is a distributed system so that cameras, video management workstations and video recorders can be located at any point on the network. This allows the building security team to monitor the system from locations other than the central control room. Following an incident the operators can export evidential quality video for the police, who can view it on a standalone player remotely from the ministry.
The use of space and aesthetics were important considerations and IndigoVision’s equipment footprint is said to be very small which allowed the system to be easily installed in the limited space available. The discreet appearance of the hardware also met the ministry’s requirement that the CCTV system would not be obtrusive to its many high-profile visitors and dignitaries.
PC workstations running IndigoVision’s Control Center Security Management Software are used by operators to monitor live camera feeds and analyse recorded video. A total of eight workstations will be used in the main control room, with a further three located remotely in different managers’ offices. Five rugged standalone IndigoVision network video recorders with 2TB of storage will record video continuously from all of the cameras, providing a one month archive.
Ninety-six analogue cameras are connected to IndigoVision 8000 transmitter/receiver modules that use advanced MPEG-4 compression to convert the feeds to DVD-quality digital video for transmission over the network. Each 8000 unit transmits a dual video stream – one stream for live viewing and one for recording. IndigoVision’s Activity Controlled Framerate (ACF) feature, which is built-in to each 8000 module, is applied to the recording stream for each camera. ACF reduces the framerate of the transmitted video to a minimum when there is no activity in the scene. As soon as motion is detected the framerate is automatically increased to maximum. This significantly reduces the amount of NVR storage required, particularly during the night. The project was undertaken in collaboration with Viewnet Enterprise AB. 
UAE's largest department store is sold on IP solution
Leading French department store, Galeries Lafayette, has chosen a networked video security solution from Axis Communications for its first department store in the Middle East at the Dubai Mall.
The system will be installed by Secutronic in Dubai. Farid Kawi, procurement unit manager for the store said, “The solution implemented delivers exceptional image quality and has proved to be consistent, with the promises made by both Secutronic Dubai and Axis Communications. We feel that this implementation offers enormous flexibility in retail environments and it is definitely something that we will continue to implement in our future projects”
“Axis has seen an increased demand for network video systems in retail environments,” said Baraa Al Akkad, regional manager Axis Communications, ME “The technology integrates easily with many other systems found in retail stores, such as point-of-sale and access control systems, so retailers are able to better manage inventories, loss and fraud.”
National airline adds Christie display walls to its Abu Dhabi control room
Etihad Airways, the National Airline of the United Arab Emirates, has commissioned two Christie video display walls for its Abu Dhabi control room.
ADSECC Consulting & Security Centre LLC successfully tendered for the project, and were tasked with supplying, installing, testing and commissioning two overview and management display areas consisting of a matrix of two 3 x 2 50" singlechip DLP Christie XGA cubes, with RPMX-D132U rear projection modules and TotalVIEW TVC 1100 wall controllers. ADSECC will also provide ongoing maintenance support.
Said ADSECC technical administrator Steve Newton: “The process underwent several revisions before Christie’s CX50 display walls were specified. Initially a plasma solution was considered. But during demonstrations at both Emirates, and a second location in Dubai, it became apparent that the plasma system would not perform to Etihad’s 24/7 long-term requirements due to the inherent onscreen issues that would be faced when using plasma to include burn in, image retention and exact colour reproduction – all key attributes for the final system that Etihad in mind,” he said.
 The CX50’s provide vivid video imagery and finely detailed data with 500 cd/m 2 brightness and XGA resolution. They have been designed in relation to dimensions and viewing requirements. Christie turned around the custom designed system bases and sliding rail system within five weeks to meet the exact requirements of the rooms. The sliding rail system is said to be invaluable in the control room as it allows the video wall to be flush-mounted at cube-depth, creating maximum operator room in small spaces. When service is necessary the screen is moved forward for simple rear-access – so screen up-time and operator productivity isn’t lost. _ for continuous operation so the single-chip configuration requires no convergence and has a typical lamp life of 8000 hours. The RPMX rear projection module has a flexible mounting base, with a 6-axis adjustment system; it is configurable for both straight throw, or 90° for mirror applications. The TVC-1100 wall manager boasts advanced server architecture and Christie’s proprietary MASTERSuite wall management software.
The system design element had been straightforward since the location had already been allocated in relation to dimensions and viewing requirements.
Christie turned around the custom designed system bases and sliding rail system within five weeks to meet the exact requirements of the rooms. The sliding rail system is said to be invaluable in the control room as it allows the video wall to be flush-mounted at cube-depth, creating maximum operator room in small spaces.
When service is necessary the screen is moved forward for simple rear-access – so screen up-time and operator productivity isn’t lost.
New global extranet to boost border security information sharing
SAFEBORDER.Net is a newly launched Borderpol initiative that enables countries and agencies involved in border security to share information easily.
Borderpol executive director Thomas Tass said of the launch. “In any given country, management of border security can involve a number of agencies. Each agency is responsible for its own particular aspect of border security and operating its own independently developed computer network. This makes effective information sharing, even within the same country, difficult if not sometimes impossible.”
He added that there is no formal mechanism in place for sharing information between nation states and their border agencies and as such this represents a major weakness in international border security. Development of SAFEBORDER.Net will be rolled out in three phases.
Phase one of development is already well advanced and will see the launch of a global password protected extranet available to any law enforcement practitioners or agencies involved in border security. Here they will be able to share information on education, training, doctrine, best practice and more specific information about criminal gangs, terrorist organisations, their structure and modus operandi. It will also include other useful features like a forum, equipment database and events calendar.
Phase two will include an elearning programme, the purpose being to set and raise standards across the global border enforcement community and create an internationally recognised qualification.
Phase three will see each member country and agency using the SAFEBORDER.Net interface to share profile information on known criminals and terrorists.
SAFEBORDER.Net is an entirely self-funded Borderpol initiative and in the absence of funding from governments, Borderpol is actively seeking corporate sponsorship to continue development of the network.
Mr Tass said, once live SAFEBORDER.Net will represent a major step forward in border security and will be a key tool in making global borders safer for our citizens.
IP-based switch solution for Dubai FALCON Intelligent Traffic System (ITS)
IP solutions provider Optelecom-NKF has announced it will be working with Dubai-based engineering company Scientechnic on FALCON, a massive state-of-the-art ITS (Intelligent Traffic System) project in the Emirate.
Optelecom-NKF will be incorporating its Siqura IP switches into the FALCON ITS architecture to connect all IP-based data streams within the network.
Scientechnic’s Brijesh Moothat says: “The Siqura switches fit seamlessly into our entire project and the local support from Optelecom-NKF provided a key resource in designing this architecture. The XSNet 2800 SW switch was chosen due to its capability of performing in a high operating temperature. The Gulf countries, being one of the hottest places during summer, require all field equipment to endure an extended temperature range. XSNet switches have an operating temperature of up to 75°C, which make them suitable for operation in the Middle East.”
Siqura offers a broad range of products and solutions for the ITS market, all based on IP technology. Optelecom-NKF says that the choice of IP in this type of project allows the system to manage and control multiple field devices (eg DMS, lane/speed controls, detectors, traffic signals, etc). The system also must communicate in real-time with the existing arterial signal system and other management systems such as the police, drawbridges and tunnels.
INTERSEC 2010 UPDATE
The Intersec 2010 Exhibition and Conference, the second largest security, fire & rescue, policing and safety gathering in the world will be held at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre from 17 to 19 January 2010. In its 12 year history, this consistently fast-growing event continues to break all records for attendance, commercial support and business activity
I n January 2009, the 11th edition of Intersec combined a huge international profile with a strong regional impact. It recorded an attendance of 17,206 visitors from 96 countries and over 700 exhibitors from 50 countries – an increase of 20%.
Intersec 2010 will again be a truly international meeting platform and will play a major role in reflecting current issues and topics in the fields of security, fire & rescue, safety and protection.
New Senior Show Manager for Intersec 2010 Dubai
 On 1st April of this year, the Show Organisers – Epoc Messe Frankfurt GmbH – appointed Victoria Lee to the position of Senior Show Manager for Intersec Dubai. Victoria Lee’s career in the exhibition sector began nine years ago at IIR Middle East, where she was responsible for managing the largest healthcare fair in the region. Before moving to Epoc Messe Frankfurt, she worked for a major property developer, organising its global event portfolio. Victoria Lee reports directly to Epoc Messe Frankfurt Managing Director Elisabeth Brehl. For eleven years, Intersec Dubai has showcased new specialised technologies, equipment and services relating to personal protection, building security and fire safety and prevention and is now the leading annual trade fair and conference in the region.
New Hall Allocations in 2010 for the Intersec Trade Fair and Conference
The Intersec 2010 trade fair and conference will occupy new halls from the 2009 edition. The floor plan will consist of 7 halls from Hall 2 to Hall 8 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, showcasing the latest products and trends in the fields of Commercial Security & IT Security, Homeland Security & Policing, Fire & Rescue, and Safety & Health. Alongside the exhibition halls, the international Intersec Conference will also be organised to support the event, hosting leading regional and world class industry and uniformed speakers from around the globe.
 www.messefrankfurtme.com/intersec (opens a new window)
QATAR CIVIL DEFENCE 2ND EXHIBITION & CONFERENCE
DOHA, 3rd to 5th NOVEMBER 2009
Q atar is generally considered to be one of the fastest growing and the most powerful of world economies. It has dedicated the last few years to modernizing its structures and establishments, increasing the built area, either by expanding cities or building new ones. Expenditure on high-rise buildings and their budgets have been in excess of billions of dollars, and to guarantee the preservation of these major projects it is necessary to increase the investment in safety precautions. Qatar’s unparalleled economic growth in oil and gas, industrial and construction sectors has fuelled the demand for safety and security solutions.
Likewise, Qatar has strived to improve safety levels by attracting new technology and proficiency in this field to preserve these enormous projects, and at the same time to upgrade the level of investment in this area by prompting local safety companies to import the most modern equipment and expertise. Due to this reason, the Qatar Ministry of Interior’s Civil Defence and Dar Al Sharq came in 2007 to organise the First Civil Defence Exhibition and Conference in Doha. This first exhibition received praise and the positive results in terms of sales and attraction of expertise. More than 100,000,000 USD deals were made as well as trade opportunity reaching a level of 80% during the first exhibition. Because further development is still required, it has been decided to hold a 2nd Conference from the 3 to 5 of November 2009 at the Doha Exhibition Center.
Qatar Civil Defence Exhibition and Conference 2009 is the second event of its kind in Qatar after the great success of the 1st Civil Defence Exhibition held in September 2007, with an area of 15,000 sqm size which considers this show as the biggest & specialized Civil Defence Exhibition in the Middle East and Asia Region.
This year’s theme, Making our World Safe and Secure, will highlight the importance of safety management through workshops, interactive sessions and talks by speakers from top safety and engineering professionals from around the world. The exhibition will showcase modern technologies and innovation in crisis and emergency management, emergency preparedness, contingency planning and civil protection.
“More than 100 companies representing more than 250 international agencies are participating in the Exhibition. Not only that but we are adding to this spectacular event workshops and live shows which demonstrate the capabilities, expertise and potential roles that the Civil Defence could play in our modern societies”
  Dar Al Sharq, Qatar’s premier media gateway, is the event’s main organizer. “More than 100 companies representing more than 250 international agencies are participating in the Exhibition” said Eiz Eldin Abdrahman, Head of the Exhibition and Dar Al Sharq’s Marketing and Publication Manager. “Not only that but we are adding to this spectacular event workshops and live shows which demonstrate the capabilities, expertise and potential roles that the Civil Defence could play in our modern societies. Therefore we are encouraging companies from all over the world to be part of the Exhibition for an opportunity that can’t be missed” Abdrahman said. Interested parties can check the Second Qatar Civil Defence Exhibition and Conference website at www.civil-defence-exhibition.com (opens a new window) .
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