RADAR for the Masses. Making your video surveillance more intelligent.

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By Neal Bellamy, IT Director at Kenton Brothers

Today, I want to show you some new products from Axis Communications.

Axis Q6125-LE

The first is an Axis Q6125-LE. It’s a new PTZ (Point-Tilt-Zoom) that has built-in IR. This is a first for Axis. IP Cameras have had IR illuminators for a while, but the challenge with a PTZ is using enough IR illumination to reach the target when it’s far away and not blasting the target with IR illumination when it’s very close.  You can see in this video how the man’s face is overexposed when he gets close to the camera. (Note that this is an example of overexposure, not how the Axis camera performs.)

Axis overcomes this challenge, by using multiple IR illuminators inside the Q6125-LE. Each IR illuminator is faded in or out based on the zoom level of the lens. This feature is in addition to the other standard features in Axis Q series PTZ cameras like auto tracking and speed dome technology and Axis is including analytics like Fence Guard and Loitering guard.

We’ll see some of those technologies in upcoming blogs. This PTZ camera fits nicely into Axis’s line up.

Axis D2050-VE

The next product we’re excited about is Axis’s new D2050-VE. This is a totally new technology for Axis.

Axis Radar CamerasIt’s a radar paired with a PTZ. The radar can detect people and vehicles in a 120-degree arc for a little over 160 feet. It can still be connected to your video management software, but the image shows all the things that the radar is tracking, instead of an image of the tracked item. The radar does not need light and can “see” through fog and other conditions that would normally prevent camera footage.

With a PTZ the radar becomes even more useful. It will tell the PTZ the location of the object or objects, so the PTZ can keep them in view. Although many Axis PTZs have auto-tracking, they will not see other items that appear when auto-tracking is engaged. The radar always has a 120-degree field of view and will tell the PTZ about the other objects in the area.

Axis is rapidly expanding on the firmware of the D2050-VE, recently they have added an accuracy rating, which tells you how sure the object is a car or person, and speed filters to alert when a car is moving too fast. The application for the Axis D2050-VE is in private areas where advanced detection is required. Coupling the radar with a PTZ adds identification to the detection that the radar already gives.

We’re excited about the possibilities that the Axis Q6125-LE and D2050-VE bring to our customers!

Creating Security Peace of Mind for Samuel U. Rodgers Health Center

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By Gina Stuelke, CEO of Kenton Brothers

Samuel U. Rodgers Health CenterIn 1967, Dr. Samuel U. Rodgers opened the first federally-recognized community health center in Missouri — just the fourth such center in the country at that time.

Dr. Rodgers believed families deserve access to everything they need to thrive. That’s why he chose to open his health center at the Wayne Miner Housing Project, so families got the care they needed right in their neighborhood. In 1988, the Wayne Miner Health Center was renamed in honor of its founder and Executive Director: the Samuel U. Rodgers Health Center.

Dr. Rodgers dedicated his life to providing quality, compassionate and affordable health care to Kansas City.

Like Dr. Rodgers, Kenton Brothers Systems for Security has a long lived passion… ours is for creating security peace of mind. KB partnered with the Health Center as their security integrator of choice to upgrade and expand their access control and video surveillance systems. KB has been securing people, property and possessions for over a hundred years.

S2 access control and Milestone video management systems were utilized to increase peace of mind through effective administrative control and reporting. Kenton Brothers worked with the IT and Security teams to redesign and improve the capabilities and effectiveness of their systems. The end result was meeting the current needs at their main campus.

Kenton Brother commends the associates at Samuel U. Rodgers Health Center as they build healthier families, enrich neighborhoods and strengthen the community via their five locations in the KC metro, serving more than 25,000 patients.

#KBWay

Kenton Brothers and AXIS Communications team up to Root on the Royals and check out new technology!

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By David Strickland, Vice President of Kenton Brothers

Kenton Brothers and AXIS Communications at Royals!We love our boys in blue in Kansas City! The Kansas City Royals have reached new heights in recent years and won the World Series in 2015. They inspire greatness and have served as an example for Kenton Brothers and other champions like Axis Communications to set the bar high and work hard to accomplish great things. Kenton Brothers was honored to attend the Axis Communications event at the K this summer to see them show off their newest technology and see some great baseball. Kenton Brothers is a Gold Partner with Axis and loves to take any opportunity it can to develop that relationship.

The New AXIS Q1659 Network Camera

Axis sets new standards for image quality in video surveillance, combining Canon professional photographic imaging technologies with proven performance and integration benefits. Axis raises the bar on image quality for a security camera with the introduction of AXIS Q1659 Network Camera. It combines a high-performance image sensor and Canon EF/EF-S lenses with the full range of Axis flexibility, ease-of-use and efficiency features to provide exceptional image quality in extreme detail for a range of surveillance needs. It is an ideal offering for detailed surveillance over long distances for cities, airports, transportation, stadiums and other open areas.

Kenton Brothers and AXIS Communications at Royals! Kenton Brothers and AXIS Communications at Royals!

“This camera is truly a best of both worlds approach: The world-class image quality Canon is known for with its professional-level photography technology and Axis’ market-leading security systems that deliver everything required for a complete, flexible and easy-to-manage installation. In addition to the extreme level of quality and detail, AXIS Q1659 (thanks to its broad VMS support) can be quickly integrated with existing security environments,” says Olof Leidecker, Global Product Manager at Axis.

The level of detail…

AXIS Q1659 delivers 20MP resolution at 8 frames per second (fps), achieving unprecedented levels of detail for observing open spaces and across long distances. It features digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) imaging technology and offers a choice of 7 different EF/EF-S lenses depending on individual user needs. Equipped with an EF lens mount, the camera enables easy lens changes.

The new camera also offers the latest enhancement of Axis’ Zipstream technology, which offers even more storage and bandwidth savings in video surveillance applications without compromising on important image details. In addition, an SFP slot for optional fiber connectivity gives the ability to connect to the network over long distances.

Kenton Brothers and AXIS Communications at Royals!

Kenton Brothers and AXIS Communications at Royals! Kenton Brothers and AXIS Communications at Royals!

As seen at beautiful Kauffman Stadium “The K”, the Axis Q1659 equipped with the Cannon 70-200mm telephoto lens can capture exceptional detail at well over 400 feet away. In the video clip you can read three-inch letters on a restaurant sign at 425 feet away, through a guard rail. Even the name of the restaurant, despite the sign being covered by poor lighting, is legible. When the Axis Q1659 is equipped with a number of available lenses, it is able to support Axis Lightfinder technology, for enhanced low light performance.

Kenton Brothers can help you explore the Axis Communications camera line and design the right plan to meet your needs. Give us a call today!

Kenton Brothers and AXIS Communications at Royals!

Boxwood Bandits Busted

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Video Surveillance Cameras Catch Thieves with Green Thumbs Red-Handed

Kenton Brothers is in the final stages of renovating our new facility in the Truman Corridor. One of the reasons we chose this particular building is that it’s ten times larger than our old facility and better to showcase our cutting-edge security technologies. Ironically, our surveillance camera installation team had not yet gotten around to installing cameras on our building’s exterior. We were the cobbler whose children have no shoes.

Instead, we were focusing on the landscape, which takes a lot of hard work. The grounds were cleaned up and leveled. There was weed mat rolled out. Big holes were dug in which to plant various bushes, shrubs and trees. Finally, we were ready for the finishing touch – decorative rock, which was scheduled for delivery the next day.

Overnight, the boxwood bandits struck.

Kenton Brothers: Boxwood BanditsOne of our new boxwood shrubs had been yanked right out of its lovingly and painstakingly-dug hole!

There’s an old saying that goes something along the lines of, “There are two types of people in this world. Those who own security cameras and systems and those who’ve never been burglarized.” The Boxwood Bandits shook us out of our renovation mindset and got our surveillance team in gear. What if these green-thumbed thieves returned to help themselves to more of our shrubs?

Our security installation team worked well into the night to install commercial surveillance cameras on our building to watch over the plants (and the rest of the grounds).

Early the next morning, (2:24 a.m.) a couple walked up to our building with a construction cart and began digging up and carting away our new shrubs. How do we know? We watched the video footage. The shrubs couldn’t be far away, so a few of our employees canvassed the neighborhood and located our missing boxwoods.

Kansas City Police Department officers also watched the video on one of employee’s phones, and we showed them the house where our kidnapped shrubs were being held. Police questioned a woman who came out of the house wearing the exact same shirt she was wearing in the surveillance video. She said, “That’s not me.” Police asked, “Would you like to press charges?” We said, “Yes. Yes we would.”

Thanks to commercial-grade surveillance, these Boxwood Bandits were busted. With the Kansas City Police Department’s help, we were able to retrieve our shrubs and re-plant them.

Kenton Brothers: Boxwood Bandits Kenton Brothers: Boxwood Bandits

Why do I need IP Video Surveillance?

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By David Strickland, Vice President of Kenton Brothers, talking about why IP video surveillance systems are a good investment.

The use of security cameras for both commercial and residential sites continues to rise each year. In 2018, the market size of that industry is projected to be somewhere around $32.6 Billion. This represents a compound annual growth rate of over 19.5% since 2011.

As a business owner or decision maker, you may be facing the dilemma of “Why do I need IP Video Surveillance?” Kenton Brothers Systems for Security can help you answer that question. And we can help you design the proper system for your needs.

Here are some of the top reasons why you need IP Video Surveillance.

(Note: IP video surveillance is a camera system that communicates over an IP network and records the footage digitally.)

Kenton Brothers Systems for Security: IP Video SurveillanceCrime Prevention

On its basic level, having cameras covering your business can be a deterrent to crime. If businesses are located next to each other, and one has cameras while the other does not, the likelihood is high that an opportunistic thief will choose a “softer” target.

*Quick Tip – Be sure to add signage to your system to alert the general public as well as a potential thief that you have an active IP Video Surveillance System. Having this system in place will also help reduce internal theft of goods from your business.

Risk Reduction

One of the many benefits to an IP Video surveillance system is the reduction of risk due to false claims for falls or accidents. Many of our clients use their video footage to investigate accident claims. When necessary, they make key changes to help reduce claims. The system also acts as a deterrent for false or fraudulent claims.

Increased Production

Another great benefit of this type of system is identifying efficiencies in your production processes and procedures. By adding analytics, you can see heat mapping as well as identify areas for improvement. From traffic flow to resource locations in warehouses, you may find unknown savings in time and increased production.

Kenton Brothers Systems for Security: IP Video SurveillanceForensic Value

IP Video surveillance Systems help solve crimes. When a crime of some sort occurs, the first question law enforcement usually ask is, “Do you have a surveillance system?”

The number one way to identify suspects of a physical crime is to have a high quality image of the assailant. With social media and sites such as StolenKC, many crimes can be solved by the local community even before the police start an investigation.  The higher quality of the video, the better the chance of capturing identifiable aspects of the assailant.

Improving Experiences

IP Video Surveillance isn’t always about crime. We have a lot of clients that use the video and audio recording aspects of their IP video system for training and development of employees and procedures. Companies can create a process or procedure that may have unintended consequences. Being able to review this footage helps vet the changes and insure a great experience for employees and customers.

Peace of Mind

In my opinion, this is one of the biggest benefits to having an IP Video surveillance system. Being able to quickly “look in” on your business, no matter where you are, brings a peace of mind many people wish they had. “Did we open on time?” “How is the snow effecting my office?”  “How busy is my restaurant?” “Is my business locked up and secure for the night?”

These are the things that keep me up at night, and I’m happy I can do a quick check to verify that all is okay.

Cost Reduction

An IP Video System should be looked at as an investment, and you should expect a return. By reducing wasted time, increasing production, reducing threats and risk, lowering internal and external theft and increasing the satisfaction of customer and employee experience, you can realize savings that will affect the bottom line.

Please let us help you design the right system for you!