TECHNOLOGY TRENDS

Archive for the ‘DVD’ Category

“Security” is a word with a very elastic definition, especially when applied to businesses. For an e-commerce-only firm doing all of its sales and transactions over the Internet, this term means safeguarding data, protecting customer and company credit information, stopping hackers and backing up all its computer records. A retail store of the brick-and-mortar type not only has these things to consider, but the rest of the “security” definition, as well – physical security, that is, for the buildings and the people in them.

Companies today need more than just an ethical workforce to prevent theft and good locks on the doors to provide after-hours break-ins. They also need a good way to document “security events,” for a variety of insurance, business and legal reasons. There is one thing, and one thing alone, that can handle an assignment this broad, and it’s a CCTV (Closed Circuit TeleVision) system. Since it comprises various subsets of “high tech” – computers, cameras, optics and sensors for light, sound, motion, temperature, etc. – it is a field where there is constant progress. It is also, thankfully, a field where prices drop as technology matures, something that warms the heart of every bottom-line-focused businessperson.

First things first Do not get ahead of yourself if you are getting a CCTV system for the first time. Ease into it by doing some reading and getting accustomed to the terminology. You need to learn at least a bit about cameras, wireless technology, DVRs and NVRs (Digital Video Recorders and Network Video Recorders), do-it-yourself packages, the role of the PC in computer-based systems and various other system components. Each of these areas uses terms – gigabytes and terabytes, frame rates and fps, flash memory and USB, and so on – that you or your designated security manager must understand. You won’t be designing circuitry or building a PC, so there is nothing here that requires anything but average intelligence and a little studying.

Multiple kinds of protection Just the presence of a few pan/tilt/zoom cameras around your perimeter serves notice that your building is serious about security. The deterrent effect of visible cameras is so powerful that there is still a booming business in fake cameras, the best of which have multicolored blinking lights, can make panning movements and even emit an occasional “whirr” or “click” to simulate a lens zooming in or a shutter opening and closing. However, the fake cameras are a gamble, and are not recommended for business use except as “extras” after installation of real ones. Since, in this particular installation example, you are also installing inside cameras, adding a few dummies in non-critical areas can serve as a reminder to both shoplifters and employees that you are serious about stopping theft.

If you were born before 1980 you may recall the importance of hard copy newspaper advertising to multiply your business sales message. Highly paid marketing managers and advertising gurus were busy working their relationships with the editors of the papers and magazines so they could get placement in the publications.

What was the intent?

To touch as many consumers as possible in any single marketing strategy – mainly for traditional products.

The high flying world of electronic media in those days meant radio or television advertising. Even though they were hugely effective (for the time) they were expensive. They cast a very broad net and traditionally appealed to specific market sectors.

Real Estate in ‘the good old days’ drew upon the effectiveness of colour photos in shop front windows and newspaper advertisements to attract the wary consumer.

Buyers would walk the streets looking in windows, or see signboards and phone the agent to talk about a property. They would walk into the agents’ office to ask for what they wanted – 3 bed, 4 bed, garage, land – then sit in the agent’s car as they drove them around town showing what was currently listed with only that office – even though it often bore no resemblance to what the buyer actually wanted.

It was tedious and hard work.

So what happened? Technology caught up with the real estate industry, that’s what.

These days, in a world of new marketing, buyers are educated and have access to far greater information than ever. And it’s not slowing down.

Through mobile connectivity, internet presence, 3G telecommunications, microchips and satellites, electronic media far surpasses all other forms of advertising to attract home buyers.

A recent survey (NAR) indicated that around 87% of buyers in USA used the internet for information in their buying process. From my experience I’d suggest that is a conservative number.

Web sites present properties and the buyer can drill down to find the location they want, price range, car parking, bedrooms and more. They can check out the local transport, shopping centres, sports fields, schools, even demographics of the area.

Almost every house could use a little something to make it yours, and most businesses would benefit from adding a little decoration to their offices. Standoff systems are a simple step in the right direction. Many applications are possible, and standoffs come in many varieties and functions. Standoffs can be used to mount pictures and displays between two or more pieces of glass or acrylic, create floating counter-tops, protect your artwork, or your television. The variations of colors add to displays. And if your application requires a standoff that is unobtrusive, low profile parts exist.

Mounting Displays Has Never Been Easier or More Attractive

The simplest and most common application of standoff systems is mounting displays. Standoff systems can be used for almost any size display, and though the most common standoff systems have a maximum length of 6 inches, custom standoff systems are relatively simple to manufacture. Simple standoff systems are designed to hold one or two panels flat against each other. Sheets of paper, canvas, or other display materials may be displayed in this manner. Other standoff systems may hold multiple panels, for more three-dimensional artwork. Panels are secured by the standoff cap mounting into the base. While standoffs are sometimes used as edge-grips so that drill glass is not necessary, this is not a safe method of mounting glass. For any application that prohibits the drilling of display panels, specialized hardware exists, but standoff systems should not be used.

Different materials are used for standoff systems, based on application. Plastic standoff system exists, and many multi-panel standoff systems are made of plastic. Plastic is a lightweight material, however, and most plastic standoffs are limited to under 30 lbs loads. Every successive panel in a multi-panel standoff system must be lighter, with load limits decreasing rapidly. Aluminum standoff systems are far more sturdy, and can bear loads of up to 60 or 70 lbs or more. Brass and stainless steel standoff systems are used for the heaviest panels and largest displays. Proper anchoring of standoff systems is always advise, and it is recommended that any standoff system is mounted into wall studs wherever possible.