Paxton net10 Q&A
After 30 years specializing in access control and door entry, Paxton recently released its building automation system, net10, to the security market. Steven Woodbridge, Paxton Training Manager, recently answered some questions about the company’s new system and its development plans.
What is net10 in a nutshell?
net10 is a building intelligence system that provides access control, video management and building automation functionality, all within a single system.
What are the system’s key features?
One of the key features of net10 is that as well as being able to identify users with conventional RFID tokens, the system also utilizes Bluetooth SMART technology. This means individuals can gain access to a building and interact with appliances simply by using their mobile phone.
The system works in conjunction with all types of IP cameras to facilitate live viewing and the recording of video footage. It also provides building automation, interfacing with existing infrastructure for a high level of control over lighting, heating, air conditioning, alarms, ensuring maximum efficiency and bolstering cost and time savings.
The system is managed using a highly intuitive web-interface meaning there’s no software to install or upgrade.
Who is the system appropriate for?
net10 allows mid-market customers (e.g. education, healthcare, retail, leisure, public sector and commercial premises) to benefit from functionality currently only practical for enterprise level projects. There is only one system to purchase and install, meaning significant cost benefits for both equipment and installation. Also, because all functionality is provided by a single system, there's no complicated integration to do.
We offer one day installer training to provide the essential knowledge needed to install net10. Installers from many different backgrounds, including security, networking, and electrical, who are looking for ways to develop their business and offer more services to their customers, have taken advantage of training. Over 1000 attendees from 600 companies have taken part in training to date.
What’s next for net10?
As part of net10’s development we have recently updated the software to include video export and remote access functionality.
Video export is an integrated feature that allows the user to identify a segment of video and export it out of net10. Footage can be exported, and this can be played, filed and shared as needed, providing a more comprehensive service for users.
Remote access allows the administrator to control a net10 system remotely, from any other supported connected device. Full functionality is available enabling system users to monitor and control their building wherever they are.
As with all Paxton software updates, there are no complicated set up procedures or subscription charges with this new functionality.
For more information, visit net10system.com.
White Paper: Patents: The Seal of Approval in the Security Industry
"While Grandma would simply lock her door to keep unwanted visitors out (if even that), our security needs today are just not in the same ballgame, and the door lock industry is evolving as the demand for stronger and more advanced security grows. The trouble is that counterfeit products make their way to the shelves all the time, and most people don’t know the difference between those and the real deal. In fact, you might not even know why it matters. After all, if it looks the same, imitate the same system why not save a few bucks on the price tag?"
That is the introduction from Mul-T-Lock’s newest white paper.
Find out why you need to invest in the right kind of locking products and locking solutions at www.mul-t-lock.com.
Unique Challenges to Securing Outdoor Space
Boston — The Massachusetts Convention Center Authority (MCCA) turned to its longtime systems integration partner, BCM Controls, to evaluate options to design and deploy a cutting-edge security system to meet their needs for The Lawn on D (now the Lawn on D Powered by Citizens Bank) – a first-of-its-kind experimental outdoor space adjacent to the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center (BCEC). Together, the MCCA and BCM Controls chose Fluidmesh Networks to provide the reliable wireless infrastructure needed to meet the needs of this complex security system.
The MCCA owns and operates the BCEC and the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center. In 2014, the MCCA launched The Lawn on D as an event space with a constant rotation of innovative programming and art installations for BCEC’s guests and the public to enjoy. The Lawn on D reflects the vitality of Boston and the South Boston Waterfront neighborhood and features unique public seating and lounge chairs, renowned rotating exhibitions of public art, Ping-Pong tables and assorted lawn games, free Wi-Fi and full restaurant services.
From Boston residents to convention attendees, the Lawn is visited by professionals relaxing after work, families taking in the latest art exhibit, and event goers catching a five-minute break from sessions. The Lawn on D is a signature space and is already a landmark of the rapidly growing South Boston Waterfront neighborhood.
But such experimental flexibility demands an original way of securing, managing, and supporting the space. With the opening of The Lawn on D, the MCCA’s public safety team needed to acquire new technology that would provide the highest level of security for The Lawn. This, while also keeping with its modern aesthetics and design, contributed to its overall success without being disruptive.
The space has limited network and power infrastructure and required a quickly deployed, reliable solution to allow the MCCA to secure and manage The Lawn in all its changing configurations. All of the support systems required to put on events, including utilities, network, lighting, and people, needed to be unobtrusive yet powerful. As such, the technology needed a small footprint, clean lines, and professional installation to provide cutting-edge security without interfering with the landscape of the area.
BCM Controls designed and integrated the security system expansion on The Lawn on D into the overall security infrastructure of the MCCA, allowing centralized command and control, video surveillance, guest location and flow counting, and credentialed access control across the entire site.
The MCCA and BCM Controls then turned to Fluidmesh Networks to provide the robust, flexible wireless infrastructure to enable the vision of the adaptable, cutting edge Lawn on D.
“We were looking for a reliable solution that could be installed quickly without extensive construction or disruption to The Lawn,” says Robert Noonan, Director of Public Safety of the MCCA. “We required a system that could adapt to the numerous unique events hosted annually on The Lawn. The flexibility of the system allowed for our security teams to utilize our existing safety and security technology in a way that enhances our visitors’ safety for each event.”
“The full solution required several safety and security technologies to be carefully integrated, and required a reliable network. We could not be more pleased with the Fluidmesh solution and the overall performance of the system. The system has proven to be more reliable and adaptable to adequately fit our needs and even exceed our expectations,” Noonan adds.
"To allow the MCCA to realize its vision, we needed to build a strong, absolutely reliable, easily reconfigurable, wireless infrastructure," notes Steve Feinberg, President of BCM Controls. All the applications the MCCA wanted on The Lawn require a backbone network they can trust in all conditions. BCM has been a partner of Fluidmesh for the last ten years, and has deployed its technology across some of the most high-profile wireless video surveillance networks in New England and considered this solution as the perfect fit for the project. "
“Fluidmesh Networks' reliable and secure infrastructure allows us to expand our security footprint whenever the need arises to ensure a safe and secure visit to our properties," reports Michael Palmer, Public Safety Manager, Communications & Technology of MCCA. "We can add cameras, call boxes, motion detection and access control to our operation at a moment’s notice. The system was the ideal solution for our new outdoor event space. We are already planning the expansion of our mesh network, which includes a new parking lot, now open on Danby Street.”
For the MCCA, Fluidmesh provided both fixed and mobile technologies enabling super-fast, redundant, and easily deployed wireless infrastructure to connect permanent, temporary, and mobile assets on The Lawn on D. This infrastructure brings the network to whatever point on The Lawn or surrounding area is required for whatever configuration the space is in.
Says Alex Clark, North America Sales Director at Fluidmesh, “We are honored to have played a part in the team effort helping the MCCA realize its dream of a flexible, safe, and usable Lawn on D. By providing a redundant wireless mesh solution which delivers amazing function but stays hidden in the background, we have done our small part helping to fuel experimentation on The Lawn and innovation in South Boston. We look forward to helping deliver the next vision the MCCA dreams up.”
For more information, visit www.fluidmesh.com.
