Independent Locksmiths and Security have been awarded the Security Equipment Installation & Maintenance contract for Parramatta City Council. We are excited about the prospect of looking after the Alarms, CCTV and Access Control for the City of Parramatta. Independent Locksmiths & Security have been based in Parramatta for 40 years and are proud to be able to contribute to the local community.

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Independent Locksmiths & Security are now able to supply and program automotive keyless entry remotes, garage door remotes and home alarm remotes. We have invested in the latest and most up to date software and programming devices in this field which will be updated regularly to keep up with this forever advancing technology.

 For further information please call us on 1300 500 600.

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For the past 15 years Independent Locksmiths & Security has been supporting the St Gabriel's Charity Golf Day during September at Riverside Oaks in Sydneys West. The purpose of the day is to raise money to support the fabulous work the staff at St Gabriel's School for Students with Hearing Impairment and other Special Needs do.

See the full gallery on Posterous

St Gabriel's is an Independent Catholic Primary Special School catering for children with hearing impairment and other special needs such as intellectual disability and autism in the mild to moderate range. The school has been running for 80 years and caters for children from kindergarten to grade 6. The aim of the school is to develop the hearing of children to the point where the child can go to a school for children with normal hearing.

The school relies on sponsors to enable it to continue to this great work.

The charity golf day is really well organised and is played in spring when the weather is warming up. We take a Gold Sponsorship Package which includes the sponsorship of a hole (you can put advertising signs up at the Tee or Green) golf for 4 players with carts, lunch and dinner. There is a charity auction at the dinner. This costs $2,500.

The major sponsor of the event is Coleman Greig Lawyers in Parramatta who organise everything with the help of the staff from The Hills Shire Council.

CG_Charity_Golf_Day_Spon_PkgsJune_JULY2011lowres.pdf Download this file

It is a great day out and I would encourage any business with an interest in playing golf and help disadvantaged kids to become a sponsor of the day.

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Seeing is believing! Last night at the Axis annual partner conference a live demonstration of the new Axis Q1602 Ultra Low light camera was performed alongside the Q1921 thermal camera. The footage that was taken outdoors in the almost pitch black darkness was incredible.

Low light conditions have always been an issue with network cameras (IPCCTV), some installers use a quality analogue camera with a CCD chipset that traditionally performs better in low light, then use an encoder to get the image onto a network video server. Well those days are over, with the introduction of the Q1602. Take a look at the video below to see what I mean.

Locations where this camera would be useful include railway corridors, ports and councils to name a few. Call us on 1300 500 600 if you would like more information or a demonstration.

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CyberLock is an access control system that does not require wiring to each door. There are 4 elements that make up the CyberLock high security access control system:

1. The cylinder that can be retrofitted into any lock
2. The key that is either battery operated or re-chargable. The key powers the lock.
3. An updater to get the audit trail from the key and assign new access rights.
4. Software that allows you to control the access people have and view audit trails.

Below is a video overview taken at the recent Security in Government conference in Canberra, Australia.

The Cyber Lock access control system is endorsed by the Australian government for secure area applications. This is the highest security rating available. We have found the vast range of security lock cylinders available from Cyberlock means that we can fit the product to most locking systems including padlocks, door locks, server racks, outdoor locks such as communication pits, parking metres and vending machines.

When comparing the cost of traditional wired access control to Cyberlock you will find the Cyberlock solution offers great value for money. If you need access control on assets you can not run cables to then Cyberlock may be the product for you.

Independent Locksmiths and Security offer a software as a service (SaaS) option for the Cyberlock system. This saves you money as you do not have to purchase the software upfront, you only pay for what you use over the internet.

Call us on 1300 500 600 to discuss your requirements.

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Independent Locksmiths & Security are rolling out a project that includes 100 doors of a shopping centre on the Salto Systems XS4 access control system. We are really impressed by the technology that has been developed by Salto. The locks are a battery powered escuteon that fits over a standard mortice lock or tubular latch. With the locks being powered by batteries there is no need to run cables to each door on the system. This cuts down the labour cost on the job considerably. 

Below is a demonstration of how the Salto locks operate in the field.

The swipe cards used in the system have read and write capabilities that allows the audit trail to be stored in the card. When the person carrying the card goes through an online lock reader point known as a 'Hotspot', the audit trail information is taken off the card and stored in the database for the system. The software used by the Salto System runs on Microsoft SQL and is robust. Salto locks are engineered and manufactured in Spain. The system is used widely in Europe with more than 400,000 doors fitted with Salto locks. We can see why the locksets are so popular and they will become a threat to traditional wired access control systems in Australia due to the fact of the cost per door for access control is cheaper.

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Managing a shopping centre is busy work that runs around the clock, 24 hours a day. Keeping track of who has the security keys for various parts of the centre is normally the responsibility of a security team who sign out keys to contractors and trades people. It is important to keep track of who is responsible for the keys because if a significant key in the masterkeyed system is misplaced then the centre is at risk from illegal entry.

It is an expensive exercise to re-key a shopping centre that takes up the time of operations staff within the centre to get the system re-keyed and redistribute keys. In an effort to reduce the risk of keys being lost the Castle Towers shopping centre in Sydney, Australia has implemented a Keywatcher in conjunction with the installation of the high security keying system known as Galaxy and a wireless Access Control system by Salto Systems. The Keywatcher is a 6 module cabinet that holds 96 assests, from the image below you can see these assets can include keys and access control cards.

The keywatcher is an electronic key management cabinet that is connected to a database on the local area network (LAN). Users are given a 4 digit user number and a 4 digit PIN number to use on the keypad on the front of the cabinet. Keys can be retrieved individually or as part of a group. Grouping keys is useful where you have many identical key bunches in the cabinet such as operations, security or cleaners bunches for example. When keys are retrieved from the cabinet a transaction is recorded in the database recording the user ID, the key number and the time it was taken. Reports can be generated that show an audit trail of the transactions.

Security guards can easily release keys from the cabinet for a contractor without leaving the security office. When a contractor arrives at security to sign in and they require keys then the guard can release a key by entering the name and phone number of the contractor in the key record in the database and clicking a button in the software to open the cabinet and release the key.

Independent Locksmiths & Security specialise in security key management and can assist you with the implementation of a key watcher cabinet in your business. Feel free to call us on 1300 500 600 to discuss your requirements.

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Impressive 6.2 Megapixels

Equipped with 90° wide angle and tele lenses, the camera can for example, monitor a scene entirely and, at the same time, the tele lens can record portrait photos in front of the entrance area. The two 90° lenses even allow a 180° recording, for example when monitoring an entire parking lot by one camera installed on the wall. And with the digital sensor switching function, the D14 can also be used as a day/night camera since it can be equipped with one color and one black/white module ensuring the most brilliant color during the day and high sensitivity at night.

Recording For Weeks Integrated

The D14 includes motion detection that can trigger both the recording as well as the alarm notification via email or VoIP call as a two-way communication. The integrated DVR can hold up to 64 GB memory and record for weeks without a PC. If needed, the memory can be extended to terabytes with an external NAS drive.

Low Installation Costs

Heating and cooling are not necessary. As a result, the very low power consumption of about 4 watts via network cable (PoE) reduces investment and operating costs and provides an inexpensive backup. A stainless steel vandalism-proof design with 3 mm polycarbonate dome and elegant wall and pole mounts is also available.

Higher Frame Rate And Echo Elimination

Compared to the previous model, the D14 now offers USB and MxBus interfaces for extension modules such as I/O, GPS or RS232. The new, more powerful processor in the camera allows higher frame rates of up to 6 megapixel image format. Microphone and speaker are supported by new audio functions that include echo elimination.

 

D14D DualDome original image: Tele lens (left) and wide angle lens (right) – at the same time in one image

 

Control Center Software Delivered Free Of Charge

The entire recording and playback software is already included in the MOBOTIX D14 camera and is accessible via a Web browser. In addition, either the MxCC Control Center software, which is used for larger projects of up to 1,000 cameras, or the easily-manageable MxEasy software for smaller applications with analyzing, administration and display features are available free of charge.

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The brand new University Hospital Sant Joan de Reus, Barcelona’s most up-to-date health care facility, has chosen SALTO Systems XS4 smart access control system to provide advanced security management.

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Milestone Systems, the open platform company in IP video management software (VMS),  won the coveted Professional Security Installer Software-Based Product of the Year Award 2011 at PSI’s annual  awards ceremony at Moor Park Golf Course in Hertfordshire, UK, on June 7th.

Milestone XProtect Essential, which was launched less than a year ago, has already garnered widespread praise from the professional security industry for its combination of broad functionality, ease of use and highly competitive pricing aimed at  the small business sector.  XProtect Essential is designed for single server installations, offering up to five concurrent users the user-friendly management of up to 26 surveillance cameras.

The product’s interface, Milestone XProtect Smart Client, enables easy camera control, viewing live and recorded video simultaneously, and exporting evidential data. XProtect Essential also provides systems configuration and automated device discovery tools.  Such wizards make the process of adding cameras, configuring video, scheduling recordings, adjusting motion detection settings and managing system users all very easy. 

Glenn Fletcher, country manager UK & Ireland, Milestone Systems, commented on the award win: “We are very proud to have XProtect Essential recognized by the installer community in this way.  The product is geared to meet the needs of a specific segment of the market which they serve.  It puts advanced IP video management capability into the hands of small businesses for the first time and it has clearly hit a sweet spot in the SMB market.”

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The Milestone XProtect Screen Recorder is a new product that captures screen recordings from any PC or point-of-sale system. It can help improve operational efficiency through auditing staff activities or assisting with training initiatives. It is easily installed, and the view recordings are managed by the XProtect software and fully synchronized with other video data. "The XProtect Screen Recorder can be used in a wide range industries. Users can easily create evidence - captured screen recordings of transactions provide accounts of fraudulent activities. They can increase productivity through monitoring critical activities to ensure operations are running efficiently. The Milestone XProtect Screen Recorder also helps manage staff by supervising multiple computer screens, and training can be improved by using the recordings to educate staff," explains Lars Gudbrandsson, Head of Product Management at Milestone Systems.

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Independent Locksmiths & Security is pleased to introduce the iParadox app to it's new and existing customers.  It enables you to access your Paradox security system remotely.

With arm/disarm control, PGM control, and live system status, iParadox turns your Wi-Fi or 3G iPhone, iPod touch, iPad or iPad 3G into a remote keypad. Now you can control your Paradox security system from your favourite Apple device!

iParadox is compatible with all MG/SP control panels (requires IP100 V5.03 or higher).

Contact Ben Sampson on 0400 376 840 for further information or to request a quotation.

Apple store download links for iParadox;

- LITE version 
- FULL version

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Independent Locksmiths & Security Technicians have enabled access control on a remote gate with the help of Firetide FWB-102 wireless bridges and Concept LAN Over Ethernet devices.  The site, located in Erskine Park required access control on a gate at the back of the premises to be connected to the existing Concept 4000 System.  Traditional trenching and cabling proved to be too cost-prohibitive so Independent Locksmiths & security decided to deploy Firetide to create a reliable link between the main building and the light pole next to the gate. 

The solution, running on it's own independent security network consisted of 2 x Inner Range CLOE devices, 1 x Concept Cached 2 Door Access module 2 x FWB-100 nodes.  Although the Firetide bridges are extremely reliable, a level of redundancy was required in the unlikely event that the bridges failed. The Concept Cached 2 Door Access module provided this redundancy with the following features:

• Automatically storing the last 110 users through the gate.
• Storage of 35 additional fixed system wide users.
• Maintain own individual record of users per door, independent of other modules on the system.

Firetide wireless bridges are optimized to provide high capacity and low latency connectivity for demanding data, voice and video applications.  Please do not hesitate to contact us to discuss your requirements.

Visit Firetide's Mesh Without Wires Blog

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There is a trend developing in the access control market to have wireless access control doors working on an access control system. The motivation behind this trend is to decrease the price per door as cabling expenses are reduced.

Assa Abloy have released an escutcheon into the Aperio range that retro fits over the Lockwood 3572 Mortice lock making installation simple. This allows you to add new doors to an access control system without running cable all the way to the door. 

Call us on 1300 500 600 to discuss how Aperio could be used to extend your access control system

Aperio_Technology.pdf Download this file

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Arthur Phillip High School is a comprehensive Government high school that is located in the CBD of Parramatta, a city in the greater Sydney metropolitan area in Australia.  The school staffs around 150 teachers and administrators and supports 1600 students.  They also support two school sites which are intersected by a reasonably busy road and are close to a major transport interchange.

The school is proud to be an Apple Distinguished School and strive to constantly use technology to improve student engagement, which is one of the reasons that C3 was a logical addition for their security solution. They currently have approximately 400 MacBooks that the students can borrow for a lesson (much like textbooks) and 200 iMacs in labs or teacher staffrooms. The school has an extensive computer network and wireless network, including a laser link to connect each campus. They also boast a second wireless network across both campuses, linked by fibre bored under the road and 850 Lenovo laptops. The school and its staff are clearly pioneers in using technology in education.

The school believed it was time to apply that technology to their security infrastructure.  About three and a half years ago, Arthur Phillip High School was invited to apply for some Government funding specifically for improving our security. This was in the wake of concern over security threats to infrastructure and other community facilities, racial tensions in the community and a gang invasion of another nearby metropolitan school.  The school was awarded the funds an they did improve their perimeter security (7ft fencing, upgraded door and entry point, and access control gates), internal site security (access control system for internal and external building entries).  The previous CCTV installation was antiquated and unreliable, therefore the school also used the funds to upgrade their system.

Solution

Through the assistance of their integrator, Independent Locksmiths & Security, the school was able to integrate the existing analog (which gives better pictures than ever before), utilizing the schools existing network with IP cameras (as a new network was being installed to support the BER which ultimately will serve 1000 students and teaching staff), install a large server with Milestone as the VMS and plan for expansion in phases 2 and 3 (which have since been implemented) for more cameras and monitoring screens.

From a security viewpoint, the school staff felt confident that they we were getting a robust and comprehensive solution. The worst security incidents reported thus far have been “visits” by students from other schools, ranging from visiting friends to intimidating students. Some staff remain concerned about potential invasions but the system has made them more at ease.

The deputy principal, Brad Main, deals with some of the more major issues in the school, particularly student misbehavior. The new camera system with C3  has assisted in the investigation of stolen property, and has resolved some fights.  And C3 even assisted remotely when adult education supervisor was having trouble closing the gates, by viewing him with C3 on the iPad, the deputy principal was able to solve the problem.

The school is currently using four installs of C3. It is installed on iPhone and iPad allowing access to video of school entry points, administration, corridors, play areas and gymnasium from about 60 cameras.

Result

The overall cost for C3 was less than 2% of Arthur Phillip High School’s overall security infrastructure budget.  And deputy principal, Brad Main, said, “it took less than 10 minutes to install C3.”  The use of mobile video surveillance allows administrators to have a 24/7 view of the school and the students to keep them safe.  “Our budget would not allow this type of live security, but with C3 we are able to provide the right level of security for our students and staff,” said Main.

Arthur_Phillip_HS_Case_Study.pdf Download this file

Article written by Shannon Bradley - Lextech Labs

Integrator:  Indepedent Locksmiths and Security,

Video Management System:  Milestone, 

 iPhone & iPad application: iRaC3 by Lextech Labs

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The majority of access control systems use cards and fobs that can be duplicated very easily. There are devices available on the internet that can duplicate and RFID access control card using the 125Khz frequency in seconds. 

What is the risk? Identify Theft

If your building is using standard access control cards and fobs then an exact copy your card can be made with exactly the same access to the building. 

So what? If there is an incident in your facility and security is asked to produce the access control logs for a time period, the logs that have been produced can not be relied upon for accuracy. Without visual verification using CCTV they can not prove it was you in the facility at the time. It could be a duplicated card.

What is the solution? You need to move to a restricted card format that can not be duplicated. Independent Locksmiths & Security have a product called ILS Secure Access that will overcome these issues.

Watch the attached video for a demonstration. Then give us a call to discuss how we can help your reduce your risk.

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Biomanager 9.0 Key Cabinet Edition combines with the Morse Keywatcher to provide a contractor key management solution. This video demonstrates how to add a user to the software.

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Biomanager 9.0 Key Cabinet Edition combines with the Morse Keywatcher to provide a contractor key management solution. This video demonstrates how to add a user group to the software.

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