Friday, 29 June 2012

Sony ....make.believe

Sony have a superb range of Network HD Cameras with Panomorph Lens, which here at HAE we are excited about championing.

Whilst other brands of cameras such as mobotix are effective, we prefer the sublime lines and aesthetically pleasing Sony products. Not only are they attractive, the cameras provide unparalleled performance, encompassing key aspects such as the easy focus function (a must for a simple installation), the ability to switch between day and night mode smoothly and successfully and Sony's very own View - DR technology. The cameras have no distortion and in the SNC-CH120/SNC-CH140/SNC-CH220/ SNC-CH240 camera range, the ability to view 360 degrees with the enablement of the Panomorph lens is incomparable. The SNC-CH120 and SNC-CH140 have a 1.3 Megapixel maximum resolution and the SNC-CH220 and SNC-CH240 provide the option of the 2.8 Megapixel resolution. The cameras all have different types of visibility enhancers, varying from BLC to Sony's Visibility Enhancer View DR. These four cameras provide varying options for both the clients and the installation teams, however, the key point as always is that the technology is well made by Sony.
The light weight of the cameras makes them easier to install, with the heaviest of the quartet coming in at just under 1 lb 7. All of the cameras can be covered by Prime Support and have a working temperature of -10 degrees Celsius to 50 degrees Celsius.

In the case of all the cameras described above the Sony tag line of make.believe, shines true and creates a perfect summary of a brand which is all encompassing.
  
If you want to have a further look at these cameras in more detail please make sure you check out Sony's website at http://www.pro.sony.eu/biz/lang/en/eu/product/video-security

Thursday, 28 June 2012

Sony FeliCa - will you Make.believe in Sony FeliCa?


HAE have now launched the second generation FeliCa card reader to the market place. The development of this reader has been borne with the close collaboration between both HAE and the Sony FeliCa division.

A Directors View

This continued  development has enabled  this second generation reader to now support, as standard, the 125Khz module with the following card types; Felica European and Japanese encryption,  Mifare CSN, HID ™ 125 KHz 35 bit corporate encoded cards (26 and 36 bit are also supported) , EM Marin and Temic T5567. In this ever changing world of card technology it pays to be ahead of the game.

Thursday, 21 June 2012

Managing Director’s Blog

"Continuous effort - not strength or intelligence - is the key to unlocking our potential. Winston Churchill

Whilst we pride ourselves on being a European company, it is also a year to be British.  It seems only moments ago London and other cities within the UK were ablaze with fire, looting and riots.  Things appeared to be disjointed and out of control.  Whilst a lot of the underlying issues have not disappeared, the recent Queen’s Jubilee was a chance for the country to pull together and enjoy the company of neighbours, friends and new acquaintances at events and parties up and down the country.  With Wimbledon and the Olympics just around the corner we are able to revel in a bit of patriotism, always hopeful of a sporting title or some medals (hopefully the gold type).  The quote above from Winston Churchill is particularly meaningful when looking at our sportsmen and women and the effort they’ve put in over the years to train for what may be the pinnacle of their careers.  It is also a worthwhile mantra for us all, always to strive for improvement in all we do.

Robert De’Antiquis

Friday, 8 June 2012

EMS wireless systems

Our Quality Manager has been enthusing about recent EMS audits that he has carried out on one of our sites in central London. He describe the systems as fuss free, with the wireless systems being perfectly suited for listed buildings. Highlights of these systems include aesthetically pleasing and discreet detectors, which are fully addressable. The great bonus in his eyes is that the detectors can come as a combi, with the ability to disable and re-enable functions at will. The standardisation of the EMS panel now allows the use of it across both wireless and non-wireless systems, allowing a hybrid of systems to be installed.

HAE prefer the FireCell range which is EN54 Part 25/ EN300-220 compliant. The system performance supersedes any other wireless system which HAE have come into contact with and due to the ability to not use fire rated cable, complies with HAE's Green Policy. Each panel can monitor a maximum of 512 devices, and Radio cluster communicators can extend the range to cover sprawling buildings. For more information on EMS products, check out their website at www.emsgroup.co.uk

The Sony SNC RH164 make.believe

HAE have recently installed three SNC RH164 cameras at a prestigious maintenance site in South West London, just in time for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. The cameras were installed on Swan neck brackets, mounted on a pole and required dexterous high level handling from our hardworking installation team.

With the quick release mechanism, this camera was deemed to be the perfect camera for this install. Our client used the cameras to film the Diamond Jubilee, with the visibility enhancer and 16.9 aspect ratio making the footage as good as filming from a professional film maker's camera. The camera has a high image CMOS image sensor and is a PTZ dome with a 210 degree tilt and a 360 degree high speed pan. The camera also features a sunshine ventilation system and a triple codec network operation with a 10 x quality optical zoom. The XD NR noise reduction and impact resistant dome camera makes this one of the most interesting cameras that HAE have installed in recent times, with the tamper alarm trip making it one of the safest.

After the Jubilee, the footage was reviewed and it was of superb quality, to the point where it will now feature in a PR film for the site. A good HAE job well done!

Friday, 1 June 2012

The BPT Perla

The latest addition to the XiP and XI Door Entry systems supplied by BPT is the new 'Perla'. This wall mounted unit is easy to install and attractive to look at with sleek lines and a simplistic design making it an up and coming product to watch.

First seen by our engineers on the BPT website, it has made it to the top of their dream installation list. The handset is wall mounted with a 3.5 inch LCD colour screen and comes in 'Fusion Black', 'Ice White' or audio only.

With the ability to release doors, mute calls and disable ring tones, it has brought a new sense of sophistication to a saturated market place.

The handset has multiple other features, such as a panic button, low power consumption and an adjustable mounting bracket, making it ideal for installation teams and clients alike.

Why Video Door Entry?



As our world changes, our needs for security systems change too.   Gone are the days of permanent porters in residential blocks and receptionists in all office buildings.

Whilst back in the day, the majority of buildings had manned front desks and offices had a meet and greet receptionist ready to cater to your every need, as the economy has crumbled so has the job market. Roles which were permanently filled have now gone over to conceptualised positions, as the world rotates into the technological era. The new receptionist is an intercom system. Now, don’t roll your eyes and tut at the computer screen (with CCTV everywhere we can see you!) this is a cold hard fact. As businesses are making cuts, roles in the workplace have become amalgamated, as the girl who makes the coffee and answers the door is now also in charge of organising multiple projects and juggling tasks. Extra help for the multi-tasker comes in the form of an intercom system- safety conscious, secure and allows you to screen visitors… - you can now become your very own ‘big brother’!

These systems can be linked back to security guards and monitored on computers. The benefits far outweigh the cons as you are now able to contact security at the push of a button which will link you directly to their phone. You no longer have to battle issues like ‘telephone signal’ or walking to find a security member of staff, it is all there, right at your fingertips.  Other benefits include being able to release a door downstairs from the comfort of your flat/house/ office and being able to screen your calls.

Now which products to install you may ask?! Well, here at HAE we would suggest the very reputable BPT system, which in our eyes is one of the best in the business.

Wednesday, 23 May 2012

The technological era


"I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world." -Albert Einstein"   

Many of us don’t realise how much technology we use every day, and how it makes our lives easier and in the case of IPCCTV usually safer.  It has been said that the internet is - and should be viewed as - the fourth utility, as important as light and heat.  With the recent coverage of the new robot “beaming” technology, where you can be embodied as an avatar or robot, interacting with real people, along with motion capture technology, we are moving from science fiction to science fact.  Eveyone was in awe, when Clare Lomas, paralysed from the chest down, recently completed the marathon with her “Bionic Legs”.  Whether the technology is used for medicine, environment, communication, gaming or security, it fills all our lives and is only limited by our imagination.  It is allowing integrated security systems to become smarter and quicker and keeping up with them is exciting.  I’m looking forward to see what new innovations come out of this year’s IFSEC.

Robert De’Antiquis

Tuesday, 22 May 2012

Ifsec according to an apprentice....

The day at IFSEC started off with a long train journey from London Euston to Birmingham. Throughout the commute there was a build up of intensity and anxiety as we were just waiting to get stuck in at the competition. As we arrived at IFSEC we were overwhelmed by the amount of people were there, handing out business cards. This year at IFSEC we were taking part in an annual competition called Engineers of Tomorrow to win £1,000. The basic idea of the competition was to test the knowledge learnt throughout our apprenticeship. With only a hour and a half we had to do a full takeover of an intruder panel, which included fault finding and installing a new bell and vibration detector. We started off slowly, which in hindsight was probably a bad idea, as it eventually led us to losing the competition. After our initial slow start, we picked up the pace by completing various tasks such as; mounting a vibration detector, wiring a sounder and linking a P.A key switch to a door contact. With minutes left in the competition we were advised to wire the dual com to the panel as fast as possible. The competition ended with the adjudicator saying time, just as the final cable went in….. After the competition ended we had roughly 3 ½ hours to wait until we found out the results. Whilst patiently waiting to find out the results we felt the full impact of IFSEC and the technology. 4 o’clock came around and it was time to figure out if we had won or NOT. Unfortunately we didn’t bring home the win, but we still managed to enjoy ourselves, taking in a vast amount of knowledge throughout the day. Overall, it was a good chance to see what future technology has to offer and I look forward to next year.

Saturday, 19 May 2012

Securing your world



In the uncertain times in which we live, securing your world has become paramount. Whether you choose to go down the route of closed-circuit television, access control systems, intruder alarms, fire systems or all of the aforementioned options, it has become necessary in this day and age to invest in at least one.
Security systems fall under varying categories, with life safety systems (Fire systems for those not in the know), taking immediate priority. These systems are designed to have a life saving impact- as who wants the first knowledge you have of your home going up in flames to be the scent of smoke and the crackling flames rending through the air? These systems have to be installed to BS5839 in order to follow the legal guidelines.
Here at HAE, we would much rather be woken up by the high-pitched squeal of a smoke detector activation than risk the numerous impacts of being entrapped in a fire. The lasting effects of a fire can be anything from smoke inhalation to burns as well as the destruction of property. These systems are integral in alerting neighbours, the fire department and those inside to the imminent danger.
As we are sure you are all aware, when a fire system starts to bleep (with no sign of fire) the immediate reaction would be to remove the battery from the detector (or in extreme cases pull it off the wall- and yes this does happen) in order to cease the incessant noise, however, whilst this might grant you a temporary reprieve, what you might not be aware of is that this will damage the integrity of the fire system and therefore leave you open to danger. What we would recommend, is taking out a contract with a reliable maintenance company, who can check your system is working and rectify the problems before stooping to such methods! Most security companies have a 24hr response time, but here at HAE, we like to get there within 4 hours.