The new baby panda at Washington’s National Zoo has caused a flurry of excitement and the “panda-monium” caused web cams to be overwhelmed. Popular zoo exhibits such as the pandas as well as lions and elephants help maintain visitor attendance at the parks while sharks, octopus and the ever-popular seals are some of the top attractions at aquariums. Continue reading →

In Japan, it is customary to remove one’s shoes when entering a home, temple or shrine. Italians usually only drink cappuccino in the mornings. Don’t expect to go shopping on Sundays in Vienna because all the stores are closed. In Costa Rica, one is not expected to tip the wait staff as a service charge is already included in the bill. Continue reading →

The technology found in today’s physical security systems is notably more advanced than systems that were deployed even just five years ago. IP cameras were on the scene then but megapixel and panoramic capabilities were just beginning to appear. Access control systems offered integration capabilities but nothing compared to today’s “smart” access cards and systems. And who had even heard of or envisioned cloud technology, SaaS (Software as a Service) or data mining as an integral part of a physical security system. Continue reading →

It used to be said that mechanical keys tell no tales. This was because there was no way to determine or prove who may have last used a key, when it was used, if and when it was returned or even where it might be now. Manual log systems were inefficient at best as a record-keeping/monitoring tool and the honor system relied on the integrity (and memory) of the individual. Continue reading →

Physical security for semi-public buildings such as airports, hospitals, university campuses, museums and others tend to have unique challenges. The main reason for this is that semi-public facilities must accommodate a mix of personnel and outside people who have legitimate reason to be on site; patients and family at hospitals; students and visiting faculty on campus; temporary contractors at an airport, etc. Continue reading →

Whether the organizations are large or small, operate as a private enterprise or are municipal in nature, the challenges of fleet management are many and often apply across the board. Regardless of the application, management is always responsible for ensuring that all assets are fully utilized; problems are addressed and resolved quickly in order to maintain a smooth operation; and unauthorized use of company assets are controlled. Finding information quickly and scaling to meet growth demands are additional challenges along with managing all the data that a fleet operation can generate. Continue reading →

As IP surveillance and security systems become the standard across a wide range of applications, integration capability has become an essential element of product offerings. Those that are proprietary or function only as a stand-alone solution don’t fit the design/build mold now preferred by system integrators, A&Es and the end user. Continue reading →

In recent years, the number of film and television studios has increased significantly. The traditional base of studios in California has been supplemented with new facilities throughout the United States and Canada to accommodate the ever increasing demand for productions of screen-based and new media projects. Continue reading →

Productivity is currently a hot topic for many organizations. With increasing competition and a savvier customer, management needs every advantage it can find to help ensure business success – and the right tools and the right technology are key elements in helping to achieve that success. Continue reading →

The reality of doing business today presents many challenges to the SMB owner/manager. A globalized economy affects competition and can impact profitability and growth; high speed digital connectivity has affected all segments of the operation from inventory to marketing to customer service; additionally, there is an increased focus on optimizing employee productivity and morale. More complex environments have also created a greater need for comprehensive security to safeguard and protect the company, its people and information. All these are just a few of the key issues that a small and medium business owner must face. Continue reading →