With the progress of technology, the ability to communicate messages is becoming increasingly sophisticated and far reaching.

OCS Security likes to keep up to date with new developments in technology and is continually trialling new systems to ensure the best network for their teams.

Steve Greenaway, the Operations director for OCS Resolution Security, insists that ensuring the best communication system is in place in each of its centres is vital. After last year's London bombings, when the emergency services took down the telephone networks and everyone's mobile phone went down in many areas, Greenaway says they are always keen to trial new systems. These include PDAs - handheld computers that work like a Blackberry, containing all procedures and call outs. These have enjoyed a varied degree of success according to Greenaway.

"We're trialling digital as well," he adds. "The digital stuff is great and I suppose we'll get to a stage where we'll all have that. The thing about the shopping centre industry is that it's very open to discussing good practice and innovation, unlike other areas we work in."

One company that knows all about the evolution of digital radio, and the impact it's set to have on radio communications, is Icom UK.

Icom has recently launched a new range of commercial digital products that offer organisations the benefit of clear digital sound, access to less congested digital PMR channels, and privacy. One of these products is the IC-F4029SDR 6.25kHz. Its narrow digital channel spacing means that it uses half the channel space of the analogue PMR 446 system and that eavesdropping is virtually impossible. The radio also allows for status messages to be sent and received, providing discreet and effective communications.

The IC-F3022 series has been designed for those users who require more system capability than a basic two-way radio can offer. Models feature optional digital capability, wide frequency range, rugged construction and a compact, lightweight body.

Ian Lockyer, marketing manager at Icom, says: "With so many advanced options available, including the migratory path to digital, I believe that our digital range will become an important part of many professional organisations' integrated communication policy."

There has also been much hype around VoWiFi. Ascom has developed a new VoWiFi handset that has just taken top place in the Best VoWLAN telephone award at the ICT Show in Sweden. The new Ascom i75 handset offers IP wireless telephony, interactive messaging and a personal alarm in a robust unit.

Peter Needham, national sales manager for Ascom, says: "It's flexible and adaptable and can be configured to suit different environments, including retail.

"The virtual SIM card means all settings are set on a central server, which makes the device ideal for sharing. Each person can also have their own personal settings or handbooks sent direct to the handset."

Digital Public Address and Voice Alarm technology from Bosch Security Systems has been selected by Advance Integrated Systems for Plymouth's Drake Circus.

Central to the installation is the Praesido technology - the world's first fully digital public address and emergency sound system, characterised by the flexibility in the system configuration, simplicity of installation and high-quality audio reproduction. Its high output power and ability to be configured for many different zones makes it ideal for a shopping centre environment.

Arqiva works with a number of large shopping centres, including Bluewater, to provide multi-operator mobile coverage at schemes across the UK with its InBuilding system, which enables the use of various wireless security applications.

Once the system is installed, at a cost to Arqiva, network coverage is possible across the shopping centre. Mobile operators will then pay for good quality coverage, allowing shoppers to use their mobile phones in the complex, while the system can also be used by the management team, tenants and security to ensure better communications in-house.

At the moment Arqiva is upgrading some of its current infrastructures from 2G to 3G coverage, but according to Nick Hyam, product manager of Arqiva Wireless Solutions, things are moving on and there is now a lot of information about wireless WiFi and how it can be used by the owners themselves as well as their tenants and the general public.

He says: "A shopping centre can now deliver a whole host of VoIP enabled applications. At the moment, the security staff will typically use PMR walkie-talkie radios. These are bulky and not available to everyone, but with wireless VoIP, anyone can use it. It's relatively early days yet, but this is definitely the way things are going to go. In two or three years' time, there'll be a lot of phones coming out that are 3G or 2G and WiFi as well. The user will be able to decide which is the most effective for them. If one network is not available then the phone will automatically default to another network."

Hyam explains that with this system, communications between the control room and the retailers could become two-way, while through the use of IP it would also be possible for the control room to know exactly where all the staff are positioned, allowing for a faster response to incidents around the shopping centre.

"I think that a lot of shopping centres are looking at replacing existing infrastructures and putting in IP systems so that they can benefit from these new systems and exciting applications."

Arqiva is currently working with Canary Wharf to develop communications to and from its Estates Control Centre by providing 2G and 3G coverage into the secure, underground control centre, linking up security communications for the entire estate.

Shop Alert Plus is used by a large number of shopping centres across the UK, providing the ability to communicate quickly and discreetly with retailers in response to everyday situations and emergencies.

Ian Davies, sales director of Shop Alert Plus, says: "The interactive major incident management facility enables all communication with retailers during bomb searches - and, if necessary, evacuations - to be managed centrally by one person, freeing up other security staff to concentrate on public areas."

Shop Alert Plus continues to evolve, with the addition of options such as integrated intruder alarm/BMS and guard tour. This year has also seen a new direction for the system with the introduction of a simple way to gather and collate sales performance information from retailers, using the Retailer Sales Performance software option, which requires no additional hardware.

Improving communications

IBM has developed a mobile system designed to improve communications for hearing- impaired people when they enter buildings, such as shopping centres, to comply with UK disability discrimination legislation.

The system, code-named LAMA (Location Aware Messaging for Accessibility), can send a wide range of location-specific information to system users' mobile phones. As a user enters a location running LAMA, their mobile phone actively recognises the system and provides a list of the messaging services on offer. Following service registration, users can be automatically alerted to public address announcements, which are immediately converted into their preferred format.

The system is particularly of benefit to the hearing-impaired, as it enables them to receive critical information such as emergency alerts, fire alarms, security and safety instructions as text messages with accompanying alerts.

Claire Leckey, IBM software developer and LAMA project business analyst, says: "LAMA addresses a number of issues for everyone in terms of getting the right information when needed. The smart thing about LAMA is that information can be delivered in a number of different ways, so people with various levels of hearing and visual impairment can use it to receive the same information as everyone else."

System installation simply requires the location to integrate LAMA hardware and software into its existing IT and communications infrastructure. This enables LAMA-enabled mobile phones to interact with the LAMA system to access information and notifications that are specific to that location.

LAMA makes use of Bluetooth and GPRS technologies, and can be adapted to work with WiFi and BSM networks.

Zenitel protects car parks with intercom systems

Zenitel provides shopping centres with intercom systems that can provide remote surveillance and assistance for car park customers.

The intercom integrates with CCTV systems and access control to ensure the car park is safe and secure in the absence of any attendants or security guards.

Customers can use the intercom to ask for assistance in locating their car, for instance, but also to alert a central control room to a possible intruder or suspicious person. When the button is pressed the camera pans, zooms and tilts to that area so the control room can see who is talking and decide whether there is an emergency.

If there is a suspicious person lurking in the car park, whether alerted by sound detection by the system, which detects anything over and above the ambient noise, or by a customer report, the security officer can use the intercom to direct questions at the intruder, to alert them to the fact they are being watched.

Kerry Orr, from Ascom in the US, says: "CCTV is really only used for forensics, it's not proactive. If you have an intercom and it's interfaced with the CCTV and you see someone suspicious, you can say 'excuse me sir, are you having a problem finding your vehicle?' so it can be proactive."

Contacts

OCS Security: 08702 200914

Icom: 01227 741741

Bosch: 01895 878088

Ascom: 01732 742014

Arqiva: 01962 823434

Shop Alert: 01344 885759

IBM: 0870 5426426

Zenitel: http://www.zenitel.biz

Printer friendly version

Email this article to a friend