Next to “integration,” the term “convergence” has to be one of the most overused, loosely defined words used in the security industry over the last five years. When first introduced as the new buzzword, its definition was fragmentary, leaving some degree of self-determination. Over time the definitions have consolidated into what we now understand the term to mean: the fusion of IT with physical security.
IP-based solutions use every angle to their advantage
Reflecting upon our formative years elicits nostalgic memories of school. These memories represent a time of youthfulness, learning, exploration and fun. However, in the aftermath of tragedies at educational institutions in recent years, school also can conjure images of fear and violence.
Multiple buildings, one IP solution in the Bay Area
As a non-profit corporation in Bayview-Hunters Point in San Francisco, Northridge Cooperative Homes serves as a provider of affordable community housing to low-income families. The community campus is located next to a decommissioned naval shipyard, Hunters Point, and near San Francisco’s downtown area situated in one of the city’s prime hilltop locations. However, the area surrounding the community contains some of San Francisco’s rougher neighborhoods.
The IP audio and control company, which recently announced technical alliances with Milestone Systems, Sureview International and ipConfigure, will showcase its new and existing Barix IP devices.
Security Products magazine, the only integrated product magazine reaching the entire security market, announced the winners of its 2010 New Product of the Year Award at the publication’s premiere Virtual Event today.
Florida college tackles environmental challenges to create successful emergency network
Although there has only been one true emergency call over the 12-year life of its Code Blue system, Seminole State College of Florida takes security seriously. Seminole State is the fastest-growing college in the state, with campuses in Altamonte Springs, Heathrow, Oviedo and Sanford/Lake Mary. With Code Blue systems installed in parking lots and on campus buildings, students and campus staff have ready access to emergency phones.
Having the right solution means institutions can offer warnings quicker, easier
It’s never been easier to communicate to the masses than it is right now. A bounty of solutions are available not only to schools and campuses, but also for the corporate campus setting to provide safety and security.
First public mass notification program rolled out in New York City
Life moves fast in New York, and New Yorkers wouldn't want it any other way. We demand fast service, fast talking and fast transportation, and now the city has a public notification program that keeps everyone informed with important up-to-date alerts wherever they go.
Failure to plan does not constitute an emergency today
A failure to plan oftentimes translates into a plan to fail. Thankfully, there are people who professionally train for failure and are able to transition a failure to plan into a mass notification system that alerts the masses when disaster is on the brink. Disaster recovery comes in many forms, with equally interesting fashions.
Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, stretches across more than 5,000 acres and includes over 2.9 million square feet of facilities. More than 11,000 students are in residence at the university. Not surprisingly, communications presents challenges for campus leaders.
AtHoc's IWSAlerts software will enable Texas A&M University to send out emergency alerts to its campus population through multiple devices, including campus computers, via pop up alerts, Emergency Alert System radio broadcasts, cable TV, telephones, mass e-mails and SMS text messages, from a single Web-based console.
College campuses are spearheading a widespread shift to the use of mass notification systems for emergency response. As a result, both security and IT professionals are learning more about how mass notification systems can best be applied in emergency situations, and how public communications infrastructure, especially wireless networks, needs to be reengineered to handle a surge in outbound traffic.
From an earthquake to a terrorist attack, getting the word out quickly to people in harm’s way is critical to protecting property and, more importantly, saving lives. Alerting methods have evolved over time, and the newest technology available in an emergency operator’s toolkit is network-centric emergency alerting.
Xirrus Inc. recently announced that the county of San Bernardino in California chose the company’s 802.11n Wi-Fi Arrays as part of the county’s Disaster Response Mobile Connectivity Solution.
Inova Solutions, a provider of emergency message displays, recently released an upgrade to its visual mass notification system, Inova OnAlert. The enhanced system offers e-mail-based message delivery, audible tones to complement visual messages, and a synchronized timekeeping function.