Fluidmesh and Avrio RMS: A Winning Ticket at 2012 DNC

During the 2012 Democratic National Convention (DNC), Charlotte, N.C. was in charge of ensuring the safety of its residents and visitors.

  • Jan 08, 2013

The City of Charlotte was charged with ensuring the safety of its residents and visitors when it played host to the 2012 Democratic National Convention (DNC) in September. The North Carolina city was allotted federal funding from the DNC to harden security in preparation for the roughly 30,000 people who came through during the convention.

They put out an RFP and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) selected Avrio RMS Group, an industry leader in IP-surveillance solutions for the public safety market.

"We were chosen because of our experience with large events," stated Avrio RMS CEO, Mark Jules. "We were the integrator on the last DNC, the RNC, the G20 in Pittsburgh, the inauguration in D.C. and the Super Bowl in Phoenix."

There were several challenges inherent to this install, Jules points out. Primarily, lead time was very limited, and interference was a huge concern, given all the different agencies that would be there operating within a confined space.

"We overcame the interference issues through good design and partnering with Fluidmesh," he added. "Their radios are very robust and can operate on different channels and frequencies. They consistently deliver an extremely reliable wireless solution for video surveillance. For this installation, we went with 4.9Ghz Fluidmesh 1100, 3100 and 2200 radios."

Over 95 cameras were deployed throughout the city via wireless. Fluidmesh radios were used for mesh radios and also as backup backhaul radios. The network architecture involved using high rise buildings as a collecting point for all the wireless devices to bring camera feeds. A majority of the cameras and radios were deployed to cover the entrances, exits and gathering areas for DNC events and venues. Skywatch Manned Mobile Units were also deployed throughout the city and then connected to the camera network using Fluidmesh radios.

Captain Steve Willis of the Charlotte Police Department is satisfied with the system. "We are very, very pleased with the results," he says. "We've relied on the system since the convention to enhance day to day public safety and assist in our investigations."

Featured

  • The Business Case for Video Analytics: Understanding the Real ROI

    For security professionals who may be hesitant to invest in video analytics, now's the time to reconsider. In a newly released Omdia report commissioned by BriefCam (now Milestone Systems), the research firm uncovered a compelling story: more than 85% of North American and European organizations that use video analytics achieve a return on investment within just one year. The study, which surveyed 140 end users across multiple industries, demonstrates that security technology is no longer just for security — it's a cross-organizational tool that delivers measurable business value far beyond traditional safety applications. Read Now

  • Survey: 54% of Organizations Cite Technical Debt as Top Hurdle to Identity System Modernization

    Modernizing identity systems is proving difficult for organizations due to two key challenges: decades of accumulated Identity and Access Management (IAM) technical debt and the complexity of managing access across multiple identity providers (IDPs). These findings come from the new Strata Identity-commissioned report, State of Multi-Cloud Identity: Insights and Trends for 2025. The report, based on survey data from the Cloud Security Alliance (CSA), highlights trends and challenges in securing cloud environments. The CSA is the world’s leading organization dedicated to defining standards, certifications, and best practices to help ensure a secure cloud computing environment. Read Now

  • Study: Only 35 Percent of Companies Include Cybersecurity Teams When Implementing AI

    Only 35 percent of cybersecurity professionals or teams are involved in the development of policy governing the use of AI technology in their enterprise, and nearly half (45 percent) report no involvement in the development, onboarding, or implementation of AI solutions, according to the recently released 2024 State of Cybersecurity survey report from ISACA, a global professional association advancing trust in technology. Read Now

  • New Report Series Highlights E-Commerce Threats, Fraud Against Retailers

    Trustwave, a cybersecurity and managed security services provider, recently released a series of reports detailing the threats facing the retail sector, marking the second year of its ongoing research into these critical security issues. Read Now

Most   Popular

Featured Cybersecurity

Webinars

New Products

  • HD2055 Modular Barricade

    Delta Scientific’s electric HD2055 modular shallow foundation barricade is tested to ASTM M50/P1 with negative penetration from the vehicle upon impact. With a shallow foundation of only 24 inches, the HD2055 can be installed without worrying about buried power lines and other below grade obstructions. The modular make-up of the barrier also allows you to cover wider roadways by adding additional modules to the system. The HD2055 boasts an Emergency Fast Operation of 1.5 seconds giving the guard ample time to deploy under a high threat situation. 3

  • Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems, an industry-leading manufacturer of pedestrian and vehicle secure entrance control access systems, is pleased to announce the release of its groundbreaking V07 software. The V07 software update is designed specifically to address cybersecurity concerns and will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Automatic Systems applications. With the new V07 software, updates will be delivered by means of an encrypted file. 3

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions. 3