Hanwha Video Surveillance Solutions Help San Diego Nonprofit
Teaneck, NJ – Father Joe’s Villages, a non-profit organization with a mission to prevent and end homelessness in San Diego, has chosen to install security cameras from Hanwha Techwin America to ensure the safety of its clients, staff, and volunteers.
Established in 1950 in a small chapel in downtown San Diego to serve San Diegans experiencing homelessness and poverty, Father Joe’s Villages has since grown to include a comprehensive campus and scattered-site programs that provide comprehensive housing and services to people struggling with homelessness in San Diego. The organization provides housing to over 2,000 people every night and serves more than one million warm, nutritious meals annually.
In addition to offering hope to those experiencing homelessness in San Diego, President and CEO, Deacon Jim Vargas, and the organization’s senior leadership team made a commitment to provide a safe and secure environment for program participants, volunteers, and employees.
“The safety of our staff, volunteers and clients is one of our top priorities, so we initiated a new surveillance project as soon as we had someone on the team who had the experience to help with this type of project,” said Deacon Jim Vargas.
In 2016, shortly after Frank Paredes joined Father Joe’s Villages as Director of Information Technology, the organization evaluated their physical security solution to determine how they could upgrade their existing collection of mix-and-match analog cameras to achieve an overall improved video surveillance system. After an RFP process and with input from security integrators JMG Security Systems and American Security Group, Paredes and his team chose to replace their existing solution with Hanwha video surveillance cameras managed by Hanwha’s Wisenet WAVE Video Management System (VMS).
“Our cameras were the best in class when they were purchased years ago, but we had an aging, disparate analog system and it was time to step up to a platform that was innovative and would bring us the latest in technology,” said Paredes. “We did our research and looked at several manufacturers. Ultimately, we selected Hanwha due to the innovation of their cameras which provide crystal clear images, but more importantly, Hanwha’s overall solution is very cost-effective.”
For the Father Joe’s Villages deployment, they installed cameras from the Hanwha Wisenet Q series – including the QNO-7080R 4MP Network IR Bullet Camera, QNV-7010R 4MP Network IR vandal-resistant camera, PND-9080R 4K IR dome camera– as well as IP PTZ cameras including the SNP-6320RH.
Father Joe’s Villages currently operates more than 400 video surveillance cameras across their facilities including housing, program, administrative, retail and warehouse space.
Paredes said they are very pleased with the WAVE VMS because it is so easy to use. Additionally, it has given them the capability to consolidate operations and easily manage video surveillance across the different locations. Even though blocks of cameras at each different facility might have a separate NVR, they unified the system via WAVE, enabling them to call up cameras from any of the locations throughout their campus and scattered site locations.
“Wisenet WAVE has an outstanding user interface which makes it extremely easy to operate for all our users. We are all very happy with it,” said Paredes. “Whether they’re beginners, intermediate, or advanced users, it’s just as easy to manage because it’s all drag and drop. The ability to customize WAVE to your liking with all of the different building layouts is also impressive. It’s just a well-thought-out video management system.”
Paredes said in addition to ease of use, cost was a determining factor in choosing WAVE to manage their video surveillance cameras. “We like that with our Hanwha camera solution we only pay a one-time license fee per camera for the WAVE VMS,” he said. “I’ve had experiences with other VMS providers that require users to pay an annual licensing fee every year or have astronomical recurring costs—that made those types of solutions unaffordable for us.”
Paredes and his team installed and maintain the system, while security personnel view the cameras from an upgraded 24/7 control center outfitted with several large monitors. If the surveillance team sees something of concern in a certain location, they dispatch security personnel to investigate. Father Joe’s Villages developed a CCTV policy for governance, which allows their security department – along with the legal department – to manage requests from throughout the organization to review footage in the event of an incident.
Because they have been so impressed with the Hanwha solution, Paredes and his IT team completed the Hanwha training and earned certification. As a result, they can design, implement and support Hanwha cameras internally which means they do not have to rely on the cost and time associated with depending on a third party.
“Earning Hanwha certification was a great move that we made to be more efficient in the operations of our security solution and to show our commitment to Hanwha and to the product we’ve invested in,” he said.
Father Joe’s Villages will soon break ground on an exciting addition – a high rise building that will double their affordable housing inventory by adding 407 units and additional program and administrative offices. This expansion will call for the addition of 250-plus cameras to their existing video surveillance system. Paredes said they plan to add Hanwha cameras that feature analytics as they expand the system to the new facility.
“Being a nonprofit organization, cost is very important, but we can’t sacrifice quality when it comes to security,” said Paredes. “The Hanwha camera and WAVE VMS solution we have installed have provided us both outstanding quality and affordability. The pictures we get from the cameras – the vividness and the colors – are just phenomenal. We are grateful to have a solution that provides our community with a top-notch security solution.”
IDN-Canada Releases 2019-2020 Product Catalog
IDN-Canada, a leading distributor of door hardware and security related products, is please to announces the December release of the 2019-2020 Edition Product Catalogue.
This year's catalogue is our largest ever and features many new products in electronics, accessibility, automotive, key systems as well as residential and commercial door hardware to name a few.
The catalogues are now available at each of our locations – please contact your local IDN Canada branch to arrange for a copy. The most current information can also be found online at www.idn-inc.ca.
ISONAS™ Takes Access Control To The Clouds
Boulder, CO –ISONAS Inc., a leading IP access control and hardware solution and part of the Allegion family of brands, today announced its access control solution was selected by Oakwood University Church in Huntsville, AL. The Oakwood University Church provides spiritual nurture to over 2,000 members and 1,600 students on the campus of Oakwood University, a Historical African American University founded in 1896.
In the Spring of 2016, Oakwood University Church security personnel conducted a comprehensive security assessment of the campus and submitted its recommendations to the church’s Senior Pastor, Dr. Carlton Byrd. It was uncovered that the church needed to improve security at their facilities and make major changes in the way access was controlled. Instead of having hundreds of keys assigned to staff members; the church needed to control access electronically and wire all entrances and doors for an automated entry system. To meet this new requirement, the church needed to find an access control solution that was easy to manage from one unified platform, while also integrating seamlessly with its existing video surveillance system; making ISONAS the perfect choice.
With no access control system in place, it was difficult for Oakwood University Church to track who was going in and out of their facilities daily. In many cases, personnel would leave without notification and not turn in their keys; making it cumbersome for the management team to control future access. They wanted to ensure that a person’s access could be controlled with a set of constraints that allowed an individual to access a certain area at a specific time. A phased approach was used which allowed the church to slowly build a cost-effective powerful integrated access control system on one unified platform.
Both ISONAS and a local integration firm, Digital Support Systems customized the solution based on the church’s needs. "Over the past year, Digital Support Systems has become enamored with ISONAS’s Pure IP cloud-based access control solutions and has helped push the IP revolution forward by steering customers away from traditional panel-based access control systems,” states Jim Wilson, System Analyst at Digital Support Systems.
The project consisted of a phased approach which allowed the church to slowly build a cost-effective powerful integrated access control system on one unified platform. Phase 1 consisted of 14 doors in the administrative complex being outfitted with the ISONAS RC-04 reader-controllers. RC-04 reader-controllers from ISONAS, deliver advanced technical functionality with an easy installation process. Phase 2 consisted of outfitting 27 doors in the church’s new Family Life Center. Phase 3 included adding ISONAS readers to 14 more doors in the administrative wing of the church. With 55 readers installed in 2019, Phase 4 will add on 14 double doors surrounding the sanctuary on both upper and lower levels and Phase 5 would complete the remaining 22 doors; bringing the total number of ISONAS readers in a five-year time span to 91.
“The ISONAS Pure IP solution that we selected has been the perfect fit for us. The ability to lock-down the entire facility with a single keystroke is a ‘tour de force’ in the industry and we believe that it is an investment well spent,” states Dr. Carlton P. Byrd, Senior Pastor at Oakwood University Church.
In addition to the ISONAS hardware, the ISONAS Pure Access Software was implemented to give the church remote access capabilities. Pure Access, ISONAS’s industry-leading software, is a cloud-based access control application that provides users the ability to manage their access control from anywhere at any time, on any device. “With ISONAS, the church was able to streamline access control and have peace of mind at all times knowing that all entrance ways were secure,” states Jonathan Mooney, ISONAS Sales Leader.
Now that there was a secure and scalable access control system in place, the church could expand and add to the system seamlessly. With a total of approximately 55 readers installed and 44 more to be installed within the next year, plus over 75 video surveillance cameras on the premises; the church has reached a higher power by having a significant threat management capability behind them thanks to the teamwork of ISONAS and Digital Support Systems.
More Info: www.isonas.com
Kwikset Debuts Fingerprint-Enabled Smart Lock
LAS VEGAS –Using the latest technology to create a convenient and secure smart home experience, Halo Touch Smart Lock provides homeowners access to their home via fingerprint. Kwikset unveiled its Halo Touch for the very first time, alongside its previously launched Halo Smart Locks, in its booth during CES, January 7-10.
Halo Touch Smart Lock comes with the ability to program and store up to 100 fingerprints (50 users), ensuring all family and household members can access the home with one-touch fingerprint locking and unlocking. In addition, through the Kwikset app, homeowners can remotely monitor and control their Halo Touch Smart Locks from anywhere in the world while connected to the Internet. Like its predecessor, Halo, the brand’s first foray into Wi-Fi enabled smart locks, Halo Touch will connect directly to homeowners’ existing Wi-Fi network and smartphone to create a simple, secure smart home, without the need for a third-party hub, panel or subscription service.
Halo Touch provides homeowners one-touch access to their home. With the intuitive Kwikset app, they are given more control over their front door security, allowing them to operate, manage and monitor their locks through their smartphones using the app from anywhere there's an Internet connection. With the ability to lock and unlock, manage user codes, view lock activity, receive lock notifications and much more, Halo Touch brings the ultimate in security and convenience to one’s fingertips.
Homeowners can have peace of mind knowing that fingerprints are stored locally at each lock, not in the cloud. All Halo Touch Smart Locks feature the latest patented SmartKey Security™, protecting against common and forced entry break-in methods like lock picking, lock bumping and torque attacks. SmartKey Security also allows homeowners to re-key their locks quickly and easily; rendering lost, loaned or unreturned keys useless.
Halo Touch features voice assistant integration as it works with Google Home Assistant and Amazon Alexa through voice commands.
Halo is BHMA Certified to Grade AAA, meaning it meets the highest certified residential grade performance standards for builder's hardware as certified by the Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association (BHMA), the only organization accredited by the America National Standards Institute (ANSI). These standards ensure the quality and durability of locksets through a series of operational and security tests.
“Building upon the technological advances with the original Halo Wi-Fi-enabled Smart Locks, Kwikset once again is at the forefront of security technology with Halo Touch,” says Ali Atash, Senior Product Marketing Manager, Kwikset, Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc. – Hardware & Home Improvement Division. “With the introduction of Halo Touch, Kwikset continues to reinforce our commitment to creating residential security solutions for our customers.”
The new Smart Locks will launch in traditional and contemporary styling with three finish options, Satin Nickel, Venetian Bronze (traditional only) and Iron Black (contemporary only).
More Info: www.kwikset.com/halo-touch
NEWBURY PARK, Calif., - Platinum Tools® (www.platinumtools.com), a leader in solutions for the preparation, installation, hand termination and testing of wire and cable, has named Scott Lipsett as Marketing Manager. Lipsett takes over for Jason Chesla, who recently moved into Platinum Tools’ sales department in the role of National Accounts Manager.
“As we continue to grow, we needed someone with the diverse experience the marketing manager role demands,” explained Lee Sachs, president, Platinum Tools. “Scott has more than 25 years in this field, and so he has all the tools necessary to take the lead in our marketing department. We are proud to have Scott on the team.”
“It’s exciting to join an organization that is the clear leader in their field,” Lipsett said, “especially at such a pivotal time following the acquisition by NSi. The growth potential of these combined companies is impressive, and I look forward to playing a role in it.”
More Info: www.platinumtools.com
