School Application Goes Wild

• By Ralph C. Jensen
• Oct 20, 2010

I trust you will agree with me that there was plenty to see during ASIS. Another successful tradeshow in the books as exhibitors put their best foot forward.

I’m always asked, “What’s the coolest thing you have seen here today?”

After all is said and done, the most intriguing security application comes from Panasonic. This is, of course, my opinion after three days of watching the show floor. You’ll be able to read more about this security solution in our January issue and supplement on education security.

The A+ Audio System is a pendant worn by the classroom instructor and is a one-button access to immediate assistance. The infrared wireless microphone allows the instructor to be heard clearly in the classroom, and in the event of a security incident, the touch of a button initiates a silent alarm and triggers video surveillance of the incident.

“The new security response capabilities of our A+ Audio System provide a real advantage, giving teachers, administrators and students added peace of mind at a time when school violence is on the rise and concerns about classroom safety are more urgent than ever,” said Bill Taylor, president of Panasonic System Networks in America.

If the instructor presses the alert button, responders are given a variety of options, including viewing and listening to what is happening in the classroom via network camera and microphone. Off-site officials can view captured video on a Web browser.

Here is other technology I thought was interesting:

1. Avigilon offers a high definition H.264 IP dome camera. The installation requires only mounting and aiming. The included lens provides remote focus and zoom.

2. Pivot3 combines storage and server applications into a single platform based on open-system infrastructure for high-availability environments. Hosted video surveillance is increasing as more end customers look to outsource infrastructure acquisition and management to the cloud.

3. Sony has now completed the full range of technologies to its high-definition video surveillance solutions. Their E-series adds five full-HD cameras in bullet, dome and vandal-resistant form factors. All have full 1080D video capabilities. Miguel Lazatin, senior marketing manager at Sony said “HD is transforming the security industry but few users are taking full advantage of the technology’s capabilities or breadth of features.”

4. Allied Telesis announced its enhanced IP surveillance solution. This solution delivers mission-critical network connectivity to make the analog-to-digital migration cost effective, seamless and easy to deploy. The AT-8100 series access-edge switches are designed to enable SD storage and analytics of video content at the edge while cost effectively connecting local copper devices over fiber at distances of up to 1.2 miles.