November 20, 2007 -- IP-based video surveillance software provider Milestone Systems announced recent collaborations and deployments in the country of Denmark and in the state of California.
To continue developing its sales channel, the UK-based Milestone has entered into a distribution agreement with Group 4 Securicor (G4S) in Denmark. G4S Denmark is part of one of the world's largest security companies, Group 4 Securicor, with 500,000 employees in more than 100 countries; Milestone's XProtect IP video management software is now a part of that company's product offerings.
According to a press release, the agreement in Denmark follows similar agreements between Milestone Systems and G4S in Belgium, France and Luxembourg. The Nordic collaboration, effective as of November 2007, gives more than 80,000 Danish G4S customers the opportunity to replace traditional analog systems with Milestone's digital surveillance platform.
"We consider the collaboration with Milestone as an investment in the future that will enable us to gain market share in a growing industry. From a technical point of view, it keeps us at the forefront of IP-based solutions. Our sales team has been trained and certified in Milestone XProtect, and we are ready to put every ounce of energy into it," comments Kim Egelund Hansen, procurement manager at G4S Denmark.
Milestone notes that its IP-network based platform affords the use megapixel cameras, for improved image quality over analog cameras. In addition, the company notes that its XProtect IP video management software is an open platform that can integrate with other business systems such as access control, point-of-sale (POS), and automatic teller machines (ATM), for greater security and lower operating costs.
"We are strengthening our sales channel in Denmark and will reach more customers," remarks Mads Bo Frederiksen, territory sales manager at Milestone Systems. "G4S Denmark is now a certified partner and can use this expertise to develop advanced digital security solutions with XProtect."
Seperately, Milestone announced that California's Shasta Union High School District has reduced theft and vandalism and improved school security for students and staff by using the Milestone IP video surveillance platform as provided by Ojo Technology, a certified Milestone partner.
According to Milestone, the district includes four high schools in different locations with more than 6,000 students and 540 faculty members. A previous security system had failed to meet the complex needs of buildings that are geographically widespread. The new IP system installed by Ojo Technology employs Sony and Axis network cameras optimized for specific environments and managed by the Milestone XProtect Enterprise IP video management software.
"We have experienced a 98% reduction in school vandalism and theft, combined with an efficient way to accurately identify responsible parties associated with student conflicts," says Mike Vincelli, director of information technology at Shasta Union School District.
The Milestone software provides monitoring of activity in the district's main gathering areas with central and remote access to all installed locations for live viewing or fast search-and-find of recorded video. Up to 20 cameras per location are installed in such different areas as football fields, hallways, cafeterias and parking lots.
"We found the staff at Ojo Technology to be knowledgeable and easy to work with," adds Vincelli. "They efficiently assessed where improvements could be made to our initial plan while still keeping within our designated timeframe and budget. The solution fulfilled our expectations, and we are very satisfied."