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Avigilon announces record results in Q3 2014
Editor / Provider: Avigilon | Updated: 11/7/2014 | Article type: Security 50
Avigilon Corporation ("Avigilon" or the "Company"), a leading global provider of end-to-end security solutions, today reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2014. All figures are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise stated.
Third Quarter 2014 Financial Highlights * Record quarterly revenue, gross margin, net income, Adjusted EBITDA*, Adjusted Earnings* and Fully Diluted Adjusted Earnings Per Share* * Revenue was $71.0 million, an increase of 39% over Q3 2013 revenue of $51.2 million. * Gross margin percentage was 57%, up from 53% a year earlier. * Adjusted EBITDA was $15.7 million, a 27% increase over Q3 2013 Adjusted EBITDA of $12.4 million. * Net income was $11.6 million, a 35% increase over Q3 2013 net income of $8.6 million. * Adjusted Earnings were $11.2 million, a 20% increase over Q3 2013 Adjusted Earnings of $9.3 million. * Fully Diluted Adjusted Earnings Per Share of $0.24, compared with $0.22 in Q3 2013.
"Avigilon delivered another record sales quarter in Q3, underpinned by particularly strong growth in the U.S. and EMEA, as well as robust sales of new products," said Alexander Fernandes, founder, president, CEO and chairman of the Board of Avigilon. "Ongoing innovation remains a key pillar of our strategy to increase market share. In the third quarter we had several important new product introductions, including the low cost HD Video Appliance series, Avigilon Control Center 5.4, and the HD dome and bullet cameras with adaptive video analytics. Avigilon continues to make substantial investments in the business, with an eye on continued profitability, as we grow toward our goal of $500 million in run-rate revenue by the end of 2016."
Financial Review Avigilon reported record Q3 2014 revenue of $71.0 million, an increase of 39%, or $19.8 million, compared to revenue of $51.2 million in Q3 2013. Revenue growth continues to reflect increased product sales worldwide, driven by greater customer adoption in existing markets, further penetration of new target regions and sales of new products. Revenue for Q3 2014 also benefited from foreign exchange gains.
Gross margin was $40.1 million in Q3 2014 (57% of revenue), compared with $27.2 million (53% of revenue) in Q3 2013. The year-over-year increase in gross margin percentage largely reflects the favourable impact of foreign exchange gains as well as the ongoing effects of greater purchasing power, economies of scale, product mix, and improved manufacturing efficiencies. The Company has historically experienced variability in quarter-to-quarter gross margin percentages.
Sales and marketing expenses in Q3 2014 were $14.7 million, an increase of 48% compared to $9.9 million in Q3 2013. The increase reflects planned growth spending to expand the Company's global sales and marketing team, which management believes will drive continued revenue growth. In Q3 2014, sales and marketing expenses represented 21% of revenue, compared with 19% in Q3 2013. As a percentage of revenue, sales and marketing historically fluctuates intra-year.
Research and development ("R&D") expenses, net of related income tax credits and capitalized development costs, were $3.0 million in Q3 2014, compared to $2.3 million in Q3 2013. Gross R&D spend was $6.5 million in Q3 2014, a $3.3 million increase compared with $3.2 million in Q3 2013. The growth in spending is consistent with the Company's ongoing plan to increase and support its R&D team to further enhance and expand upon its product offerings.
General and administrative ("G&A") expenses in Q3 2014 were $9.0 million, compared with $3.8 million in Q3 2013. The increase is primarily due to additional personnel and their related expenses, including new headcount in customer support, human resources, finance and legal. G&A expenses in Q3 2014 also include $1.1 million in business acquisition-related and non-recurring legal costs. The Company expects its G&A expenses to increase in the near term as it continues to expand infrastructure to support planned growth, but believes these expenses will increase at a slower rate than revenue in the long term.
Amortization and depreciation in Q3 2014 were $1.8 million, compared with $0.3 million in Q3 2013. The increase is almost entirely due to amortization of technology acquired from RedCloud Security, Inc. and from VideoIQ.
Adjusted EBITDA increased 27% year-over-year to $15.7 million in Q3 2014, compared with $12.4 million in Q3 2013. The year-over-year improvement largely reflects Avigilon's increase in revenue and improved gross margin, as well as the positive impact of foreign exchange gains.
Net income for Q3 2014 increased 35% year-over-year to $11.6 million, compared with $8.6 million in Q3 2013. Net income for Q3 2014 was positively impacted by a foreign exchange gain of $4.1 million and negatively impacted by $1.8 million in acquisition-related and non-recurring legal expenses, including amortization of acquired intangible assets. Earnings Per Share were $0.25 (basic and diluted) for Q3 2014, compared to $0.22 (basic) and $0.21 (diluted) a year earlier.
Adjusted Earnings for Q3 2014 increased 20% year-over-year to $11.2 million, compared with $9.3 million in Q3 2013. Fully Diluted Adjusted Earnings Per Share were $0.24 in Q3 2014, compared with $0.22 in Q3 2013.
Avigilon plans to continue to invest significantly to broaden sales reach, expand its product offerings, accelerate innovation, and strengthen brand awareness, which management believes will contribute to further revenue growth. In the short term, as the necessary investments are incurred in advance of associated revenue, these initiatives are expected to put continued pressure on the Company's Adjusted EBITDA and net income.
As at September 30, 2014, Avigilon had working capital of $219.0 million, including cash and cash equivalents of $167.0 million. The weighted average number of common shares issued and outstanding for the quarter was 46.5 million basic and 47.3 million diluted.
This news release is qualified in its entirety by the Company's condensed consolidated interim financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 and the associated Management's Discussion & Analysis respecting the same period, which can be downloaded from the Avigilon website at http://ir.avigilon.com or from the Company's profile on SEDAR at http://www.sedar.com/.
*Non-IFRS Measures Management uses certain non- International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") measures that it believes are useful to investors in evaluating the performance and results of the Company. The term "Adjusted EBITDA" refers to earnings before deducting interest expense, taxes, depreciation, amortization, foreign exchange gain or loss, and share-based payments. Management believes that Adjusted EBITDA is a useful measure as it provides an indication of the operational results of the business prior to taking into consideration how those activities are financed and taxed and also prior to taking into consideration asset amortization.
Management also believes that analyzing operating results exclusive of significant non-cash items provides a useful measure of the Company's performance. The term "Adjusted Earnings" and "Adjusted Earnings Per Share" refers to net earnings and earnings per share, respectively, before share-based payments, foreign exchange gain or loss, business acquisition-related costs, non-recurring legal costs and related tax effects. Please refer to the reconciliation table that accompanies the financial statements discussed in this press release and which is included in the Company's Management's Discussion & Analysis for Q3 2014. Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Earnings and Adjusted Earnings Per Share do not have standardized meanings prescribed by IFRS and are not necessarily comparable to similar measures provided by other companies.
Avigilon appoints Margaret Herndon to VP of global marketing and communications
Editor / Provider: Avigilon | Updated: 10/21/2014 | Article type: Security 50
Avigilon has announced the appointment of Margaret Herndon to vice president of global marketing and communications, effective immediately. Ms. Herndon is responsible for leading Avigilon's communications, marketing strategy, and building awareness for its industry-leading security and business intelligence solutions that keep both personnel and assets safe and enable customers to make better business decisions. Based in Dallas, Texas, Ms. Herndon will report directly to Bryan Schmode, Avigilon's chief operating officer. With over 20 years of experience, Ms. Herndon brings experience in technology marketing, building awareness and demand generation campaigns for IT software and services. Throughout her career, she has worked with global sales and marketing teams to drive brand awareness and support business objectives through creative campaigns, focusing on specific vertical industries. "Compelling, creative marketing is key to our future growth and success," said Bryan Schmode, chief operating officer, Avigilon. "I am very pleased to welcome Margaret Herndon to lead our marketing organization. Her entrepreneurial approach is a great fit for Avigilon, and I am confident that her extensive marketing experience – from both start-up and Fortune 50 companies - and proven track record leading global teams will help take our business to the next level." Prior to Avigilon, Ms. Herndon spent 10 years at Hewlett Packard (HP), holding senior leadership positions in software, enterprise services and the corporate marketing divisions of the company. In these roles, she led marketing and product marketing teams tasked with creating strategy, messaging and global launch campaigns targeting a C-level audience. Most recently, Ms. Herndon was vice president of global industry marketing at HP, where her team was responsible for creating campaigns and sales enablement programs for CIOs in the public sector, health and life sciences, banking, manufacturing, and transportation industries. Prior to HP, Ms. Herndon was vice president of marketing at TruLogica, a Dallas-based identity management software start-up organization. She is credited with helping create and launch TruLogica's brand, moving it from a small identity management company to being acquired by HP.
Avigilon launches adaptive video analytics to its HD cameras
Editor / Provider: Avigilon | Updated: 9/24/2014 | Article type: Security 50
Avigilon has introduced its new series of HD Dome and HD Bullet cameras with embedded adaptive video analytics to its innovative product portfolio. Avigilon's adaptive video analytics technology combined with its industry-leading high-definition imaging creates a powerful security and business intelligence solution to keep both personnel and assets safe and enables customers to make better business decisions.
HD Dome and HD Bullet Cameras with Adaptive Video Analytics Avigilon's new HD Dome and HD Bullet cameras bring the benefits of Avigilon's adaptive video analytics directly to the device. Powered by Avigilon's pattern-based, self-learning video analytics technology, these intelligent cameras automatically adjust to changing scene conditions and continue to adapt to scene changes without the need for any manual calibration, delivering a new level of performance and ease of installation. The HD Dome and HD Bullet cameras also support Avigilon's breakthrough Teach-By-Example technology that not only enables the analytics to learn continuously by watching the scene, but also learns from operators actively using the system. This innovation symbolizes the vision behind Avigilon's acquisition of VideoIQ earlier this year.
"Following our acquisition of VideoIQ Inc. in January 2014, this launch marks another important milestone in the successful integration of our combined technologies, demonstrating our relentless focus on inventing new and better solutions to serve the needs our customers and establishing a higher standard in video surveillance," said Alexander Fernandes, Avigilon's founder, president, CEO and chairman of the board.
UK Security Market(2-2): Hot and crowded
Editor / Provider: Jill Lai, a&s International | Updated: 8/27/2014 | Article type: Hot Topics
The UK security market carries some special features; the most notorious is its large number of legacy analog systems. In addition, bearing the consideration over extra cost of re-cabling and labor, complexity of different projects, and requirement toward high quality, UK customers naturally take extra caution in making purchases and adopting new technologies, such as IP. Over the years, the IP adoption speed has picked up dramatically for a country with high resistance to IP; however, it is still comparatively slower than the US, Middle Eastern, and Scandinavian regions. According to different vendors' comments, the ratio of analog to IP installation in the U.K. is around 50-to-50 or 40-to-60. Steve Carney, Director of Video Product Line Management at Tyco Security Products, dissected the IP growth momentum and said, "The price of IP security products has become more challenging over the past 12 months. It pushes the higher-end IP market to generate more values, such as embracing more intelligent video and mobility in security systems. It also helps stimulate the traditional, cost-driven, analog market (such as the U.K.) to adopt more IP."
Fully Supports Different Technologies In a country with widespread legacy systems, companies in the U.K. pay extra attention to developing different technologies, such as encoders/ switchers or hybrid systems to fulfill the requirements for fusing analog and IP systems together. Gerard Otterspeer, Regional Marketing Manager of Video Systems for EMEA at Bosch Security Systems, suggested, "The U.K. has a large base of legacy systems. So, there is always a need to make sure if your systems are able to integrate with legacy systems. We feel that the UK market is going IP quite fast; roughly, 60 percent of our projects here use IP. When providing the IP products here, we also have to ensure they connect with other analog systems too." In addition, "It is very important to have full product portfolios to support the large legacy market. We do have a wide range of products, such as encoders, and also HD hybrid cameras supporting IP and analog," he highlighted.
This was also echoed by Axis. Andres Vigren, Product Manager for Axis Communications said, "The U.K. has a history of analog. We are coming from IT. It is very important to have a complete portfolio also including encoders and media converters, to make sure that customers can easily upgrade from analog to IP. Media converters are easy to deploy which you can still keep your coaxial cables."
Looking to another group of companies, they bring a different statement in appropriate solutions to this market by highlighting the major benefits of using hybrid systems. Carney said, "We have heavily invested in the migration solutions, particularly hybrid solutions that employ a mix of analog and IP technology. I think the encoder market has disappointed some people in some aspects since it costs more for hardware and software for further upgrade. Some people expect encoders could be the transition point, but I would say the transition actually begins with hybrid NVRs and DVRs." He further explained, "Tyco's American Dynamics and Exacq hybrid NVRs have IP and analog inputs. So, just because in the future the customer fully upgrades to IP, the processing power remains the same whether the device is handling analog or IP video."
March Networks also focused on hybrid NVRs, Stefano Torri, European Sales Director at March Networks said, "Inside the hybrid NVR is a box of encoders, so you can connect it with IP cameras and of course support analog. It is one well set-up alliance, embedded with video management software and added in video analytics. We develop our own video analytics, which we called 'business intelligence.' We provide a very strong video analytics and value-added software for transaction integration with POS and ATM systems, particularly for big commercial, retail, and banking sector."
End-to-End Solutions to cater to SIs Due to the aforementioned considerations of UK customers and extra cost over installation, companies usually have to cater to what systems integrators really need and also bring more added values. Therefore, the total cost of ownership (TCO), return on investment (ROI), and ease of installation are most often evaluated when selecting products and designing systems.
The number of companies who provide end-to-end solutions rise in the market to further ensure systems have seamless compatibility and interoperability. Andrew Myung, Director of Strategy & Planning Team for Global Business Division at IDIS emphasized, "To optimize the values of total video surveillance solutions, education to customers is very important. The obvious example is especially when the retail customers have chain stores around the country; it carries extra time and cost to upgrade their systems within all their branches. Therefore, what we propose is the simplicity of IP systems with the idea of 'plug-and-play,' which is very similar to the old, analog systems. Since what we provide is a very wide, end-to-end product line, the hefty increase of installation and maintenance time, labor and difficulties can largely be alleviated." In the U.K., brand awareness and quality are important. What is worth noticing is IDIS, well-known in the OEM business for a long while, spent a very short timeframe preparation to complete its full IP video product lines and market its own brands in the U.K. and other European regions. This year, it has already launched 4K cameras, NVRs, and also monitors.
Full Video & Access Control Integration to Simplify Work for SIs Solution providers are also working on developing integrated systems. Avigilon, another end-to-end solutions provider, this year, further demonstrated its integrated access control platform, which is able to manage an alarm from access control and video in one single platform. "Our most recent version of access control software includes the introduction of an appliance, which is an ideal solution for up to 32 readers, to address the physical security needs of small to mediumsized sites. It simplifies security with a cost-effective, all-in-one appliance," said Ian Povey, Director of Product Marketing and Product Management for Avigilon, in a press release.
Carney continued, "Tyco also invested very heavily in integration of our video and access control systems. Both of our video and access control now are able to be integrated into one single platform, which we see as being a requirement for the middle to high-end market. These integrated solutions can better manage the work flow and cost, and provide better service."
Since the UK market is quite crowded, companies are looking for more added values to differentiate their security systems. Meanwhile, end users no longer want standalone products but integrated solutions from a single company. Andrew Dicken, GM of System Solutions Group of Panasonic System Communications Company Europe said, "The market trend we have seen over the past five years across the EU, not just the UK, is a move toward integrated systems. Panasonic's System Solutions Group has engineering teams working globally on projects that integrate numerous products with proprietary or third party software and total security technologies."
On the manufacturers' side, forming partnerships over technologies or strategic alliances is a common approach to develop integrated solutions. Panasonic's entrance into the European access control market is a very obvious example. To become a total solution provider, Panasonic Europe expanded its access control product line by forming a strategic alliance with Bravida Fire & Security, a leading access control and intruder alarm company based in Scandinavia. Dicken commented, "Through this strategic alliance, Bravida is able to use Panasonic's video surveillance and fire platform, and Panasonic uses Bravida's access control and intruder platform. Two companies are forming an alliance, a synergy of two major brands in Europe. We are designing products together and also are integration partners. Besides, we are able to share the market intelligence as well as engineering and sales resources."
Third-party Partnership Calls for Open Platform To cater to what systems integrators and end users need, some companies work on third-party integration and partnerships. Peter Ainsworth, Head of Product & Marketing at Samsung Techwin Europe said, "What we are highlighting this year is the processing power of our latest DSP chipset that is incorporated into our latest generation of video surveillance cameras is such that we can offer customers complete freedom and flexibility to choose the edge based video analytics App, which best matches their individual requirements. The DSP chipset has the ability to run multiple applications simultaneously and so, in addition to utilizing video analytics for security or business intelligence purposes, customers have the option to run a wide range of other types of Apps such as, for example, cloud storage."
Another example is PSIM, which benefits most large enterprises, is able to integrate more non-traditional security sensors into the solution to get more operational benefits and save money to increase ROI, according to Jamie Wilson, Marketing Manager of Security of EMEA at NICE Systems. One case is PSIM collocates with VMS in building management systems to control lights, ventilation systems, and lift management. The integration enables the data from other systems to come in PSIM.
Constructing Security ecosystemsTelling from the latest development in the UK security market, it won't work if companies just follow the traditional way to do security business. Even manufacturers need to leverage the strength from other manufacturers to create new business and markets, not to mention other channel players. We can expect in the future for many security ecosystems to be built up. Again, companies working hard in the U.K. provide valuable examples for other markets, too.
Related Article:UK Security Market(2-1): Hot and crowded
Milestone amps up with new sales director and managers
Editor / Provider: Milestone | Updated: 8/22/2014 | Article type: Security 50
Milestone Systems aims to continue its position as the market leader for open platform IP video management software (VMS): the company has recently hired more strong players for managing sales in North America, Austria, Germany and Switzerland and the UK. A new Finance Manager has also come on board in the US and the fast-growing Bulgarian office has a new HR Manager. The Danish headquarters has hired a Product Manager and Marketing Manager, too.
Mike Taylor is now the Director of Sales, North America, for Milestone Systems. Since July, he has been responsible for driving new business, tasked with expanding the local, regional and national integrator base and building out the consulting and Architects & Engineers (A&E) Program. Mike Taylor has been in the security industry for over 18 years in key roles that include Brivo Systems Senior Director of Sales and AMAG Technology Vice President of Sales, having started his career with ADT Security Systems.
Peter Grubauer is Milestone Country Manager DACH (Germany, Austria and Switzerland) since May. He has extensive experience in selling and managing sales teams, from previous positions with Novell, Polycom, Tandberg, Cisco Systems, and Vidyo. He works with a motivational management style from a proven history of building, guiding and retaining high-performance teams to develop and implement strategies for accelerated growth.
Ava Parissay joined Milestone Systems at the Danish headquarters in June as Senior Products Manager in the Professional Business Unit. With a B.A.Sc. Computer Engineering and M.B.A. from Simon Fraser University, she has worked more than ten years in the high-tech industry, most recently as Product Manager at Avigilon in Canada where she was responsible for the device portfolio and integration program. Prior to this, she was a Product Manager and Head of User Interface Design at Macdonald Dettwiler and Associates.
"Ava will support our team in a number of activities across R&D, Sales and Marketing. She will take ownership of the strategic three-year roadmap for the Professional Business Unit," says Janne Jacobsen, VP Professional Products, Milestone Systems.
Historical city Yerevan makes its first step to safe city with Avigilon
Editor / Provider: Avigilon | Updated: 8/19/2014 | Article type: Government & Public Services
The Capital of Armenia deploys Avigilon High-Definition Surveillance System as critical first step in safe city InitiativeOne of the oldest cities in the world dating back to 782 BC, Yerevan, the capital of the Republic of Armenia, is the country's political and economic hub. With more than a million residents and attracting tourists from around the world, Yerevan is compact and crowded, with an intense cultural life that draws a lot of traffic. Like all municipalities, Yerevan is vulnerable to threats driven by overcrowding, criminal activity, and natural disasters. To improve the safety of its citizens and visitors, the city has launched a "Safe City" initiative to reduce and prevent crime, and enhance the quality of life in the city. At the heart of its Safe City initiative is the Avigilon high-definition surveillance system, currently deployed in the city's roads and parking lots with plans to cover the entire city to better protect its people, property, and assets.
ChallengeManage municipal paid parking system and roll out a Safe City initiative to better protect people, property, infrastructure, and assets.
SolutionParking City Service has deployed 1,600 Avigilon HD 5 MP Bullet cameras with adaptive IR technology in parking areas within the city center, and plans to install another 5,400 Avigilon HD cameras for complete coverage across the entire city. Six operators manage the surveillance system using Avigilon Control Center (ACC) with High Definition Stream Management (HDSM)™, storing up to two weeks of 24x7 continuous surveillance footage on 40 Avigilon Network Video Recorders located in the new air-conditioned data center.
Benefits- Effective management of paid parking system- Secure parked vehicles and prevent crime- Generate revenue for city- Assist in traffic flow management - Faster footage search and export times- High-quality image detail for identification - Scalable to meet future Safe City goals
The First StepAs a first step in Yeravan's Safe City Project, the municipality engaged Parking City Service, a local provider of surveillance system design, installation, and support, to manage the surveillance system deployment at the city's parking lots and to monitor traffic in the crowded downtown core. "We believe that customers of the new paid parking system should receive good value for their money – ensuring the safety of vehicles is absolutely critical," said Vazgen Harutyunyan, director at Parking City Service. "We looked at solutions from all the major players and selected the Avigilon high-definition surveillance system for its exceptional image quality that captures the smallest details, advanced search and playback functionality, and ease-of-use."
Avigilon in the City Parking City Service has installed 1,600 Avigilon HD 5 MP Bullet cameras with adaptive IR technology in designated parking areas to date and plans to install another 5,400 Avigilon HD cameras for complete coverage across the entire city. Six operators manage the surveillance system using Avigilon Control Center (ACC) software with High Definition Stream Management (HDSM)™, storing up to two weeks of continuous surveillance footage on 20 Avigilon Network Video Recorders (NVRs), located in the company's new air-conditioned data center. Parking City Service installed the Avigilon high-definition surveillance system in no time, with excellent support from the Avigilon team. "We had no issues with installation and set-up, and Avigilon answers any questions we had promptly and accurately," confirmed Harutyunyan.
Parking System Management The Avigilon high-definition surveillance system is used primarily to manage the city's new paid parking system and regulate what has been a disorderly situation for years. "We leverage the image quality of the Avigilon HD cameras to capture the license plates of vehicles parked in our lots and if payment is not made, a ticket is issued," explained Harutyunyan. Operators review archived footage to identify vehicles that have not paid, creating a five-minute video clip that is attached to the ticket. "We create between 500 to 600 video clips each day, which we are able to do efficiently using the advanced search and playback features of the Avigilon Control Center software," noted Harutyunyan. The Avigilon high-definition surveillance system ensures patron safety and parking availability, and also helps generate revenue for the city that can be used to further improve traffic flow in the downtown core.
Intuitive Searching Saves Time Searching through large amounts of footage can be time consuming work, but operators can dramatically reduce the time required using the advanced functionality of the ACC software. Operators can digitally zoom in on image details from single or multiple cameras to capture necessary data and have full control over forward and reverse playback with drag and zoom capabilities for faster search times. "Avigilon Control Center is extremely user-friendly and intuitive, so we can quickly search through multiple cameras for fast results – in fact, we can complete all our reports in just a half an hour, even when multiple cameras are involved," stated Harutyunyan.
Exporting Video Boosts SafetyThe city also leverages the Avigilon high-definition surveillance system for public safety purposes, reviewing footage of theft, vandalism, crime, and accidents in surrounding areas for investigative purposes. Feedback from local law enforcement and municipal agencies has been positive. "We can quickly and easily export video to help police in their forensic work," explained Harutyunyan. "In one case, in which a man entered a building with a rifle, we were able to immediately provide footage which led to his arrest within hours." Surveillance video is also shared with the city to assess traffic flow or analyze other urban planning concerns. "By collaborating with the city, we can help improve traffic flow, reduce crime and congestion, and enhance the overall quality of life in Yerevan."
Clear Image Detail Another key selling feature of the Avigilon high-definition surveillance system is its exceptional image quality – both day and night. The Avigilon HD Bullet cameras are equipped with built-in adaptive infrared (IR) illumination to increase in-the-dark visibility without using a visible light source, important for operators to effectively capture minute details, such as license plate numbers, at any time of the day or night. "I also really like the fact that the Avigilon HD cameras come with an integrated lens for remote focus and zoom control," said Harutyunyan. "I can easily change a camera's focus from 3 mm to 9 mm or 22 mm for even greater clarity."
Future ScalabilityScalability was another important requirement, especially given the city's plans to expand the surveillance system right across the municipality. "With the Avigilon surveillance system, we will have no blind zones in the city center, with cameras installed on posts every 30 to 40 meters," described Harutyunyan. "The Avigilon system will easily grow with us as we work towards 100 percent coverage of the entire city within the next few years."
A Safer City EnvironmentThe parking lot surveillance solution is just the first step in Yerevan's Safe City Initiative to enhance public safety and protect critical infrastructure, property, and assets. With broader access to surveillance footage, city officials can respond to events faster and more accurately than before to reduce crime and manage crisis situations in real-time – on every street corner. "Our final goal is to create a safer city for residents and visitors alike," concluded Harutyunyan. "With easier and more timely access to high-quality surveillance footage through the Avigilon high-definition surveillance system, we can easily achieve greater situational awareness for better overall protection."
Avigilon supplies HD solution to multi-municipal water supply system in Portugal
Editor / Provider: Avigilon | Updated: 7/4/2014 | Article type: Security 50
Challenge Implement an advanced HD video surveillance system that is both cost effective and easy to operate to effectively oversee a massive, multi-municipal water supply and sanitation system in Portugal.
Solution águas do Mondego SA, the concessionary company operating the multi-municipal water supply and sanitation system in the Baixo Mondego-Bairrada region of Portugal, installed 55 Avigilon HD cameras to monitor 27 different facilities across 13 municipalities. Security officials at águas do Mondego SA manage the high-definition system from their desktops inside the company's main control room using the Avigilon Control Center (ACC) network video management software with High Definition Stream Management (HDSM) technology. The security team also uses the ACC Mobile application to view live and recorded images wirelessly and Avigilon Network Video Recorders (NVRs) to store up to 30 days of continuous surveillance footage.
Benefits The versatile Avigilon HD solution has enabled águas do Mondego SA to effectively manage multiple facilities, ensuring operational efficiency and water supply quality. Leveraging ACC Mobile, security staff can monitor all sites remotely and make logical decisions while offsite because of the clear image detail that the Avigilon solution provides. Avigilon's HDSM technology is also instrumental in keeping the company's bandwidth low, a crucial factor for the company as the majority of its network is required for other operational needs. The intuitive interface makes navigation simple for the 30-plus users of the system. As águas do Mondego SA gradually transitions from their existing analogue system to an HD surveillance solution, they use Avigilon Video Encoders to ensure all cameras effectively run on the same platform. - Remote access to all sites - Easy to operate interface - Reduced installation and maintenance costs - Superior image quality - Minimal impact on the network
Multi-Municipal Water Supply Company in Portugal Deploys Avigilon High-Definition System to Protect its Assets and Water Supply
The management team searched for a system that was easy to install, operate and upgrade and had a detailed but practical graphical user interface. With the assistance of Domosinal Systems, their Portugal-based partner, águas do Mondego SA conducted a thorough market analysis of different HD video surveillance system providers before ultimately choosing Avigilon because of its image quality, ease of use and versatility. "We concluded that Avigilon's end-to-end HD surveillance system was the most compatible with our operational needs," stated Mr. Capucho. "In the years since installing Avigilon, we are pleased to report that the system has far surpassed our initial expectations." As of December 2013, the company uses over 55 Avigilon cameras to oversee 27 facilities across Portugal with plans of expanding to 20 more facilities in the next year.
Integration with SCADA Software águas do Mondego SA uses supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems to gather and analyze real-time date of their water supply at each site. The management team at águas do Mondego SA have been able to leverage the Avigilon ACC software as a complementary tool for their SCADA systems, enabling remote and reliable video verification with HD images without any dedicated maintenance. "The Avigilon solution is directly integrated into the SCADA management systems," said Mr. Capucho. "If SCADA detects an event, the Avigilon supporting footage can be sent to the operators, giving them enough real-time information to make an educated decision. The integration between the Avigilon system and SCADA means operators have fewer platforms to monitor."
Remote Access Avigilon's ACC Mobile application has made it convenient for the security team at águas do Mondego SA to monitor each of the 27 sites. With their previous system, the company did not have remote access, forcing them to make long trips whenever a situation arose. "In the past, when we received alarms, we had to go back and forth between sites that were more than 80 kilometers apart," Mr. Capucho said. "With the Avigilon system, we can use the high-resolution footage to track our system's various stages of treatment online, without having to actually be on location."
User-Friendly System According to Mr. Capucho, "The Avigilon HD video surveillance system installed at Aguas do Mondego SA is easy to use with almost no maintenance required." Mr. Capucho added, "The ACC software is an effective tool that helps us save on both cost and time when we need to go back and search for footage. The company has saved money on repairs and maintenance and it is easy to train all of our security staff on."
How big data and IoT revolutionize the security industry (Part 2)
Editor / Provider: Jill Lai, a&s International | Updated: 6/25/2014 | Article type: Hot Topics
"Big data" and the "Internet of Things"(IoT) now are not only discussed in the IT and communications idustries, but they are also ready to influence and even upturn the securiy industry. While we anticipate a connected society, the world is also vulnerable to malicious physical and cyber security attacks. Fortunately, security technologies have evolved and developed to prevent any disasters from happening.
When the world starts to look into "big data" and how IoT can benefit everyone, the trend forces the security industry to gradually switch their attention to data and content beyond product specifications to better fit the needs of a connected world.
Open Platforms Drive Total Integration Integration has been an unstoppable trend in all industries, especially when it comes to IoT. Eventually, in a connected world, every system will be connected in a single network. The security industry will also continue to evolve. To build up a future-proof solution, integrating different systems through proprietary SDKs and APIs no longer seems like enough. Companies now concentrate on how to construct a more open platform in order to seamlessly manage and utilize different resources in different security equipment. According to Genetec's white paper, it suggests that a truly unified platform in video surveillance can optimize resources by sharing common servers and databases for authentication and permission, licensing, configuration settings, alarms and evens, audit and activity log, video recording, and access logs.
"Because of the open and standardized features, IP-based video surveillance has become more accessible and affordable. End users in small-scaled market sectors, such as SMBs, now are willing to consider IP-based products. We do see an increased demand for these types of products from the education sector in K-12 schools, retail and even residential sectors are picking up," said Kostas Mellos, product marketing, video, Interlogix and Lenel.
Looking at the access control market only, it has been actively developing with the introduction of different new technologies. The market's high growth still mainly comes from the migration from mechanical locks to electronic locks. However, what is really driving the growth of the market is the need for open platforms. Access control systems, in the past, were very closed, simply for restricting entrance to a building, room, and property. Until recently, users have started to realize the benefits whenever it links with other systems. "What really differentiates us from other companies is, in our hardware and firmware. We develop to an open platform and protocol, which is very critical for the credentials and access control systems for future expansion or integration of other future technologies. That is why we are chosen for replacement projects and also big projects, like One World Trade Center," said April Daltron-Noblitt, Director of Vertical Marketing at Allegion. Both the access control and video surveillance markets are developing their solutions very fast in open platforms, which also is closely tying both sides together. Companies, like Axis, Avigilon, and Genetec have developed their own integrated systems. The partnership of video and access control companies has become basic to form an integrated system. "Genetec offers its end users a unified security platform, which seamlessly integrates video, access control, and license plate recognition. The open platform supports a vast ecosystem of cameras, access control edge devices and third party software tools, including analytics, biometrics and perimeter detection hardware.
Genetec's IP access control system is also increasing its compatibility with other access control hardware products. The most recent ones are our partnerships with ASSA ABLOY and Salto, who produce quality WiFi, PoE wireless locks," said Andrew Elvish, VP of Marketing and Communication at Genetec.
On the other hand, PSIM is not only able to supervise multiple distinct systems and further manage information coming from these systems, but also presents all the information in a single user interface, which plays a vital role in big data and IoT. "Verint recently launched a new situation management platform that allows users to integrate a variety of systems providing real-time intelligence to respond to events," said Courtney Mamuscia, Global Communications Director of Verint Video & Situation Intelligence Solutions at Verint Systems. "This new solution expands our current PSIM application that has experienced significant growth in the critical infrastructure sectors and city-wide surveillance."
However, some experts also warn that some PSIM products might have problems in lacking a built-in video, access control, and event integrated solution, which should be the key for selecting a "real" PSIM.
Social and Business Identity Takes Shape While IoT gradually takes shape in the access control industry, end users have become more comfortable with making online payment via cards, PCs, tablets, mobile phones, and other wearable devices. Paym, a UK-based company, announced in April that consumers can use their mobile to make bank payments in the country. This trend is also going toward granting physical access control remotely via mobile devices, making access control as a service (ACaaS) gain more adoption. Furthermore, Brivo Labs claimed itself an IoT company, which launched its and also the industry's first social access management solution this year. Its main objective is to use social identities to "develop innovative applications that connect virtual communities with physical spaces," said on Brivo Labs' website. According to Lee Odess, VP of Marketing at Brivo Systems and GM of Brivo Labs, by using Brivo Labs' API platform, physical access authorization now can be granted by using your profile on social networks, like Facebook and LinkedIn, on mobile devices and wearable computing devices, such as Google Glass. It is truly a revolution in the physical access control field. Next, Brivo will develop their solution to adopt Bluetooth devices to provide end users more convenience to remotely access and manage doors.
Identity Management Spurs Growth of Biometrics When we, as end users, start to enjoy the freedom of multiple ways of payment and easy access to a space, worries about the security mechanism in these solutions arise. What makes things worse is when we lose our credit cards, with tap-andpay- on-the-go feature, or mobile phones or devices, it also means we lose our credentials and even precious money. On the other hand, for enterprise users, especially multinational companies, how to well secure their physical and intellectual property, help workers make mobile offices work more efficiently, and get easy access in these spaces without spending extra time and paper work becomes their top priority in access control. A robust identity management solution becomes prerequisite for users ranging from public to enterprise users. For enterprise users, multi-factor identities for both physical and logical security could be the best choice; biometrics is an important factor binding all these together.
"HID acquired IdenTrust to expand our identity management and secure authentication solutions offering, and enable us to provide banking customers with a trust network for issuing, authenticating, and using digital identities based on open standards," said Jeremy Hyatt, Director of Global Public Relations of HID Global. "Our Lumidigm acquisition extends our multi-factor authentication portfolio with biometrics for high-security environments, while positioning us to deliver a variety of new secure identity solutions." Besides, biometrics also becomes a unique selling point for different fields because of its unique identification feature, according to Bill Spence, VP of Sales of North America, Europe and Australia at Lumidigm. In amusement parks, biometrics has attracted many return customers. Lumidigm's solution was adopted by amusement parks, where parents' fingerprints had to match their child's RFID wristband when collecting them from the park grounds. On top of that, the system can also ensure that only one person uses each ticket. To prevent ticket fraud, parks today can link each ticket to a specific customer with the touch of a finger.
The demand for identity management provides new startups with pretty big business opportunities too. Bionym developed the first wearable authentication device that utilizes a user's electrocardiogram (ECG) to validate a person's identity, according to their company website. Zwipe, a new, next-generation biometric card, a contactless smart card credential with on-card fingerprint reading, eliminates the problems of solely deploying PINs and standard cards. The contactless Zwipe biometric card lets users authenticate themselves directly on the card through something they are, a fingerprint, using their already installed card reader. Only then will the card system activate the lock. This is much more secure than simply using a standard card, which verifies only something they carry, the card. Also many companies, which develop NFC rings and bracelets, intend to provide more flexible and innovative solutions to secure our access to either the virtual or non-virtual world.
A Connected World Makes a Safer Environment? Thanks to IoT, we can expect a connected world in the future. Although new technologies bring us more convenience in terms of mass information and life comfort, do these also help us construct a safer environment? Without making security the priority, I am afraid that all these new and innovative technologies would be in vain. If the aforementioned developments in the security industry can cause everyone to be more aware of security, I would say the future of this connected world will be bright
* Take look into How big data and IoT revolutionize the security industry (Part 1)
UK First Direct Area relies on Avigilon Control Center Software
Editor / Provider: Avigilon | Updated: 6/23/2014 | Article type: Commercial Markets
Challenge To provide a newly built, world class arena with the latest generation security technology that could efficiently manage and monitor all areas of the venue to ensure the safety of staff and patrons.
Solution From a 24-hour control room inside First Direct Arena, the security team manages their high-definition surveillance system using Avigilon Control Center (ACC) Enterprise Network Video Management Software (NVMS) with High Definition Stream Management (HDSM) technology. With the Avigilon solution in place, the security team at the arena is able to manage dozens of IP cameras that oversee the piazza, stands, parking lot, concession areas and entry points. Operators of the Avigilon system use ACC Mobile to view live and recorded footage remotely from their smartphones and tablets. With Avigilon Network Video Recorders (NVRs), the team is able to store up to 30 days of continuous surveillance footage.
Benefits With the user-friendly and intuitive ACC software, the security team at First Direct Arena is able to monitor and manage crowd activity - both in the stands and throughout the exterior of the venue. The advanced search functions of ACC help the security team locate and accurately assess recorded footage in minutes. With the Avigilon ACC platform, the security team is able to monitor a large number of IP cameras and record footage without freezing or slowing down the system. - Improve crowd management - Reduce investigation time - Accurately assess incidents in the stands - Protect against false liability claims>
A State-of-the-Art Arena Deploys Avigilon High-Definition System to Protect Patrons and Improve Crowd ManagementFor decades, Leeds was the largest city in the United Kingdom (UK) without a major venue to host concerts and sporting events. After much demand for a modern and functional venue, city officials planned to build a multi-purpose concert hall with a spectacular fan-shaped design. In the fall of 2013, with Sir Elton John playing to a capacity audience of 13,500 people, First Direct Arena officially opened its doors for business. The arena will play host to over 140 events per year ranging from professional sports matches to top-billed music concerts to Disney on Ice. In order to protect the £50 million, approx $85 million, venue and all patrons in attendance, management needed to deploy a sophisticated HD video surveillance system. First Direct Arena engaged leading UK-based security specialists, Reflex Systems Ltd., to deliver an integrated solution incorporating video surveillance, access control, and perimeter and intruder detection. Under the recommendation of Reflex Systems, First Direct Arena chose the ACC software because of its multiple features and capability to efficiently manage a full-scale IP surveillance system. It also helped that a wide range of high-profile arenas and stadiums like the Slovnaft Arena (Slovakia) and Rogers Centre (Canada) relied on the Avigilon solution. Lee Sinnott, facilities manager at First Direct Arena agreed, "I saw that Avigilon products were deployed in numerous stadiums throughout North America and Europe," Mr. Sinnott said. "It was comforting to learn that the system could be used for exactly what I needed it for.' What the Arena needed was a system that would be easy to use, provide efficient storage management and immediate and accurate searching capabilities. All features, Mr. Sinnott says, the Avigilon system delivers. "I would say our Avigilon system is significantly better than any kind I've seen previously," he said. >
Efficient Crowd Management According to Mr. Sinnott, First Direct Arena predominately uses HD video surveillance to effectively and efficiently monitor crowd flow. With the ACC software, security personnel are able to monitor a variety of situations, such as altercations in the stands and theft, in an organized and timely manner. "The Avigilon system enables us to mitigate out some of the problems," Mr. Sinnott said. "We've encountered less problems with crime because we can predetermine if there is going to be an issue somewhere." The software has also been helpful in identifying possible interferences in traffic flow in and around the arena. "ACC has allowed us to manage our multiple cameras better than we have previously in other venues," said Mr. Sinnott. "Say we see on the monitors that there is congestion at the front of the bar. We can now quickly adjust our staff and make dynamic changes so that we can provide better service at our concession stands." Mr. Sinnott also points out that HD video surveillance helps accurately assess incidents where liability of the arena is a factor. >
User-Friendly Software Managing a large scale video surveillance system, required by most major arenas, can be a daunting task for security personnel. But the intuitive ACC software has simplified the process for First Direct Arena's security employees. "To be honest, we find the overall feel of the software to be user-friendly and easy to train employees on," said Mr. Sinnott. ACC's advanced search features have also been a time-saving tool for Mr. Sinnott's staff. "With our older software suites, downloading the large amounts of data could take hours," he said. "Avigilon's solution is so much simpler and this is a true benefit of the system. Rather than tying one of our security officers up for hours on end looking for a needle in a haystack, I can just download the segment of footage I need." The value of the system is proven when the venue's security personnel can quickly submit footage to local law enforcement officials to assist with investigations. "Providing evidence to our local police force is easy and the footage has been of excellent quality," Mr. Sinnott said. "The efficiency of the Avigilon system and clear images provided cuts down significantly on resources and time spent."
Top-level Functionality In addition to the main control room on the ground level that monitors the entire premise 24 hours a day, First Direct Arena uses a second control room during events to monitor its grounds. With the ACC software in use in both rooms, Mr. Sinnott states that the synchronization of communication between operators is seamless. "The ability for collaborative investigations was another key factor in our choice of Avigilon because of the flexibility and functionality the feature gave us in both control rooms," said Mr. Sinnott. "Typically, our older system just provided mirror images of the other screen. If an operator was watching one image in our main control room, an operator in our opposite control room would be watching the same image. With Avigilon we have complete control of functionality from both locations." If one of the control rooms is disconnected, the security team can easily move to the system in the room without missing a beat. "This kind of flexibility gives us greater control and added functionality," said Mr. Sinnott.
Avigilon secures health care department in Tampere, Finland
Editor / Provider: Avigilon | Updated: 6/6/2014 | Article type: Commercial Markets
Tampere Department of Social Services and Health Care, located in Tampere, Finland, is at the cutting-edge of health care, offering preventative services and solutions that reduce the social costs of poor health. As one of the country's most rapidly developing regions, Tampere City Department of Social Services and Health Care delivers primary care to its 215,000 residents through more than 200 social and health care units, and three hospitals.
With the help of the Avigilon solution, the department was able to lower criminal activity, monitor patients, enhance the services provided and improve onsite safety. In addition, management was able to save significantly on costs related to theft and damage and significantly reduced the number of false liability claims.
Preventing Crime According to Raimo Rae, Hospital Engineer at the Tampere Department of Social Services and Health Care, the region has experienced a rise in vandalism, theft, and even violent crime since 2000. "We have also seen an increase in the occurrence of diagnosed mental disorders and drug use amongst employees and patients, further compelling us to improve security," said Mr. Rae. "We are constantly enhancing our services to keep pace with society's escalating security risks."
The department held a competitive bid and selected the Avigilon high-definition surveillance system based on the recommendation of Divacont Ltd., a local provider of surveillance system design and long-term partner. "Divacont is a very reliable, skilled, and professional partner," explained Mr. Rae. "We chose the Avigilon solution because nothing else on the market compares in terms of quality and functionality." Mr. Rae also wanted an all-in-one surveillance solution to minimize complications during installation and to facilitate system management and maintenance.
The Avigilon Solution Previously, the Tampere Department of Social Services and Health Care had an analog-based surveillance system that only monitored the exterior of its buildings because budget did not allow for an indoor system. "We have learned through experience that it is also very important to cover the corridors and lobbies to effectively track client movement," noted Mr. Rae. "Our nurses rely on the Avigilon system at night to monitor activity throughout the health centers to ensure their protection." And with more cameras monitoring a larger area, users have more opportunity to capture a clear image of an individual or incident for positive identification.
The Tampere Department of Social Services and Health Care installed more than 335 Avigilon HD cameras ranging from 1MP to 5 MP across its properties, all of which are monitored 24/7 and managed using the Avigilon Control Center (ACC) software with High Definition Stream Management (HDSM) technology. The department relies on 67 Avigilon analog video encoders to improve the performance of its existing 600 analog cameras. With 13 Avigilon Network Video Recorders (NVRs) and plans to upgrade its remaining 25 servers to Avigilon, the department stores up to two weeks of continuous surveillance footage.
Resolving Crime; Improving Quality of Care Tampere installed the Avigilon solution with several key goals in mind. Firstly, the department wanted a reliable way to clearly capture and record data about its facilities, patients, and employees to successfully resolve issues and ultimately reduce criminal activity. Secondly, employees needed a system that would assist with patient control, particularly during the evening and night shifts when only a few nurses are on duty. Finally, the department needed to easily review footage to assess and improve customer service levels. "We are committed to providing the highest quality care possible and are always looking for ways to enhance our services," said Mr. Rae.
Complete Search Control The Avigilon Control Center software, designed with an intuitive, easy-to-use interface, gives users complete control over video playback – a key selling feature for Mr. Rae and his team. "Avigilon delivers the best search and playback functionality I have ever seen and the software could not be any easier to use," commented Mr. Rae, who also leverages the advanced mapping interface to plot cameras and servers on an imported map for easy navigation. The department utilizes the map feature to track suspects in real time. "The mapping interface simplifies system management – especially important for us because the Avigilon system spans many locations of different design and size."
Quick Searches for Positive ID The innovative, user-friendly ACC software allows Rae to quickly and effectively search through footage for near-instant positive identification to speed up investigations. "With exceptional image clarity, we can now find the right evidence in a fraction of the time," claimed Mr. Rae, who added that Avigilon's pixel search has been invaluable in his work. "In fact, our searches take less than 20% of the time than with our previous system." He also regularly shares footage with the local police, who have been very impressed with the quality of evidence provided. "Our footage has led to warnings, dismissals, and even conviction in several cases, and we have also noticed a marked increase in confessions because the image quality is truly indisputable."
Benefits Not only does the Avigilon system allow the department to focus on improving security, but it has also helped save some of the costs that stem from property damage and theft. "We have succeeded in reducing the number of serious cases of crime, which consequently reduces the time and cost of dealing with these issues," said Mr. Rae. Since deploying the Avigilon system, the department has only had three medical room break-ins, all of which were quickly resolved.
The department now has a reliable way to clearly capture data in its facilities to lower criminal activity, monitor patients, enhance the health care service provided, and improve onsite safety. With the user-friendly Avigilon Control Center software, officials can now easily find the right information for quick incident resolution, leading to improved processes and procedures, and convictions, when necessary. The department has also saved tens of thousands of Euros in theft and damage, and has significantly reduced the number of false liability claims.
Synectics adds Axis Door Controller to Synergy 3 Integrations
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Qsan Announces New AegisSAN Q500 SAN 12 Bay Model with Copy-to-Flash Data Protection and SSD Caching for SAN
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It's been a fashionable couple of weeks what with New York Fashion Week and now London Fashion Week, as well as some film premieres and awards shows in between. So who's the designer that a lot of the celebs seem to be turning to in their fashion moment of need? None other than the fabulous Stella McCartney!
For her DJing gig at Stella McCartney's New York store on Fashion's Night Out, Alexa Chung chose this sweet structured bow dress from Stella's Resort 2012 collection. We just can't get over how adorable this dress is!
Livia Firth opted for Stella's "Lucia" sheer polkadot sleeve dress from the Autumn/Winter 2011 collection. Kate Winslet also chose to wear the same dress in March for the New York premiere of Mildred Pierce but both girls looks equally stunning in this figure-flattering dress.
The Autumn/Winter 2011 collection seems to have gone down a treat with the celeb circuit as model Doutzen Kroes plumped for another polkadotted dress from the same collection. Doutzen's dress is quite similar to the "Lucia" dress, although a little more risque with its sheer panels but she manages to work it like models so effortlessly do!
Who could forget what Kate wore to the Venice Film Festival premiere of Mildred Pierce? Choosing another dress from the same Autumn/Winter 2011 collection, the body con dress flatters every curve of her body which ensured all eyes were on her on the red carpet.
A few days after Kate wore that dress in Venice we also spotted the blue version on Louise Redknapp at the GQ Men of the Year Awards in London. We love the deep shade of blue against her tanned skin! Fun fashion fact: this same dress was also spotted on Penelope Cruz in May at the Cannes Film Festival. Gosh, that dress sure has its fans!
Since Stella McCartney's Autumn/Winter 2011 collection was such a hit we just cannot wait to see what gorgeous things will be part of her Spring/Summer 2011 show! And don't forget, you could be one of the first people to see it being presented during Paris Fashion Week with our competition! Front row A-listers, gorgeous clothes and getting to meet Stella herself in person backstage after the show are all just a few things to look forward to if you win, but you won't win unless you enter! For full details of all the lovely things you could win, head to our competition page. To enter yourself to win, all you need to do is fill in and submit the form on www.stellamccartney.co.uk.

subset: commoncrawl


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The 2014 Annual report
for the Foundation is available for downloading: click
here for the PDF report to read/print.
Foundation Grants at work! Sturgis historic depot building will get a facelift and new home in
downtown Sturgis! Grants from the Newell A. and Grace A. Franks Fund, a fund with the Sturgis Area
Community Foundation, will assist in the moving and repair of the depot building, as well as for the
purchase of downtown property for the depots new home and a new home for the Sturgis Area
Chamber of Commerce. Check back for updates on the progress of the project!
The Youth Advisory Council of the Sturgis Area Community Foundation was recently selected by the Council of MI Foundations (1 of 5 YACs in MI to be chosen) to participate in a professionally developed video for their efforts in support of the Sturgis SUCCESS local college access network and its work to develop a college positive community in Sturgis. The Sturgis YAC received a challenge grant from the Kresge Foundation for their college positive project iGoToCollege. YAC members developed and implemented the iGoToCollege mobile website for SHS student iPads-to view the video click HERE
Foundation Competitive Grant Awards Foundation Competitive Grant Awards: over $40,000 returned to the community by way of the most recent Competitive Grant program. For details on these grants please see the Scholarships & Grants/Past Grants page.
Scholarships & Grants/Past Grants page.
Youth Advisory Council Grants:
Over $10,700 granted in support of youth related programs and projects. For a listing of grants please see the Scholarships & Grants/Past Grants page.
Scholarships & Grants/Past Grants page.
The 2014 Foundation Scholarship Program returned over $108,000in educational and camp awards to area students this spring. Since 1999 the SACF has returned to Sturgis area students over $620,000 in educational and camp scholarship; assisting in the process some 750 students! A complete listing of the 2014 scholarship awards appears on our Scholarships & Grants page.
Constantine Area Community Foundation (CACF) grants, Constantine
Youth Advisory Council grants, and Constantine School
Endowment Fund awards are complete. Please see the Scholarships & Grants page for details on recent grants.
For a listing of White Pigeon Area Community Foundation
(WPACF) grants please see the Scholarships & Grants
The Sturgis Area Community Foundation has been improving the
quality of life and advancing philanthropy in the Sturgis Area
since 1962. The Foundation provides every person, regardless
of their means, the opportunity to support their community.
Higher Standards-The Sturgis Area Community Foundation meets
national Standards for operational quality, donor service and
accountability in the community foundation sector.
Do you shop at Amazon? If you do then Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the Sturgis Area Community Foundation!
What is Amazon Smile?
The National Standards Seal by our name indicates official confirmation
from the Community Foundations National Standards Board that we have met the most rigorous standards in philanthropy. It affirms our commitment to financial security, transparency and accountability. It says our grantmaking includes an open, competitive process designed to address the changing needs of our community. The National Standards Seal also confirms our history of honoring donors' wishes—to support the arts, cultivate gardens, save endangered species, cure illness, expand literacy, feed children—and support countless other important causes.


text: Grandma's 100th!! View full-size image < previous next > Is this photo a winner? "These are the shirts we had made to celebrate my Grandma Valera's (pictured center) 100th Birthday! The family reunion ages ranged from 2 years to 100 years old. Our tshirts from custom ink were absolutely perfect and fit everyone perfectly and were of high quality. They featured a cartoon image of grandma Valera on the back! Custom ink allowed us to work with a real person and they even combined our orders without us asking to make the shirts even more affordable. All and all a WONDERFUL experience 100 years in the making :)" - 100 (Jul 16, 2013) Share this photo on: Twitter Facebook Pinterest Similar Photos: 100th birthday | event celebratory | birthday | event reunion | family reunion | large group | grandma | happy | 100th Feeling inspired? Visit the CustomInk Design Lab to start your own group order. Design Your Own


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Wedding Reception Venue in Bristol
Racks Bar and Kitchen is the perfect place to host your Wedding Reception in Bristol; we are able to cater for a range of needs to make your day extra special. Our many years of experience will ensure that your wedding party goes smoothly and exceeds expectations: from the Wedding Reception to the Wedding Breakfast, we have it covered. Offering free venue hire and the option of a Private Function Room, this wedding venue in Bristol is not to be missed.
Here at Racks, we are dedicated to providing you with a truly unique Wedding Reception. Your guests will be spoilt for choice as every last detail from dining in style to the after party. As an independent business we are flexible, attentive and genuinely devoted to making your Wedding Reception unforgettable. With three different packages to accommodate varying party sizes and budgets our wedding venue in Bristol has something for everyone.
From day one you will meet with Julia, our Events Manager, who will show you around our wedding venue in Bristol. This is the perfect opportunity to discuss ideas for your Wedding Reception. From this point onward, Julia will be right beside you in planning your dream day from beginning to end.
Our Venue
If you like your wedding venue in Bristol al fresco we have a large, versatile outdoor terrace; perfect for Wedding Reception BBQs in the summer or hog-roasts in the winter months. During the Christmas period we transform this wedding venue in Bristol into a covered, fully heated retreat creating extra space and a cosy atmosphere. We also have a fantastic Winter Wedding Offer to accompany this magical time of year.
The Playroom is our Private Function area which can host up to 150 people and is a self-contained area with its own bar. Racks knows how to throw a party and whatever ambiance you wish to create, from DJ's to live bands, we can offer you a Wedding Reception party to remember!


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Holiday Closure
Closure Dates
The Watsonville and Freedom Branch Library will be closed Saturday, December 21st through Saturday, January 4th.
The Main Library will reopen Monday January 5th and The Freedom Branch will reopen on Tuesday, January 6th.
All library materials can be returned in the book drops during the closure.
Essential services such as Police, Fire, Building Inspections, Airport, Water turn-on and Garbage collection will not be affected by this closure.
Most employees have forgone ten percent of pay in exchange for working fewer hours per week and having additional closure days during the holiday season. This was necessary to balance the budget as the City is experiencing declining revenues in this down economy. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
If you need assistance during this period of time, please call:
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This entry was posted on Thursday, December 5th, 2013 at 11:34 am and is filed under City of Watsonville, Library . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.


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The First Interview
Australia, 2011 (MIFF 2011, Shorts showing before features)
Director: Dennis Tupicoff
The world's first media interview, shot in Paris in 1886, finally comes to life. Narrated by Agnès Varda.
D/S Dennis Tupicoff P Fiona Cochrane, Dennis Tupicoff L English, French w/English subtitles TD digibeta/2011
Screens with Sodankylä Forever - The Century of Cinema.


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Photo of the Month: Life on Vegan Street
While we don't encourage anyone to try to replicate this elsewhere, it looks like someone has figured out a way to make an entire street vegan:
Egan Street in Sydney, Australia, already boasted a vegan pizza place, but if the city decides to stick with the name, could more animal-friendly businesses be far behind?
Written by Michelle Sherrow
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I've also seen this on stop signs. Below the word 'stop' somebody slapped a 'eating animals' sticker. That's always my favorite. I've seen more of them popping up too.
I want to live on Vegan Street.
I love this!! Great photo


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|List A - Z | Top 1000 | Random | Origins
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Natalie meaning and name origin
Natalie \n(a)-ta-lie\ as a girl's name is pronounced NAT-a-lee. It is of Latin origin, and the meaning of Natalie is "birthday". Refers to the birthday of Christ, or Christmas. French form of Natalya. There was a fourth-century Saint Natalia. The "h" is silent in the French form Nathalie; some American variants (like Nathalee) are phonetically spelled to retain the "h" sound. Actresses Natalie Wood, Natalie Portman; singer Natalie Cole.
Natalie has 46 variant forms: Nastassja, Nat, Nata, Natala, Natale, Natalea, Nataleah, Natalee, Nataleen, Nataleigh, Natalene, Natali, Natalia, Natalina, Natalja, Natalina, Nataline, Nataliya, Natalka, Natalle, Natallia, Natallie, Nataly, Nataliya, Natalya, Natasha, Natelie, Nately, Nathalee, Nathalia, Nathalie, Nathaliely, Nathalija, Nathaly, Natilee, Natilie, Natividad, Natka, Nattilie, Nattie, Natty, Nettie, Talia, Talya, Tasha and Tashie.
For more information, see also the related name Christmas.
View a list of the 3 names that reference Natalie.
Popularity of Natalie
Natalie is a very popular first name for females (#216 out of 4276) and a slightly less popular surname or last name for all people (#69730 out of 88799) (2000 U.S. Census).
Displayed below is the baby names popularity of Natalie name for girls (2012 statistics). Compare Natalie with its variant forms and related girl baby names.
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Additional Information
Beats launches global World Cup campaign with Cesc Fabregas
Beats, the headphone company recently bought by Apple, has launched a global brand campaign starring footballers including Cesc Fabregas and Luis Suarez ahead of the World Cup.
The roll call of football stars in the five-minute, full-length version of the ad includes Neymar Jr, Robin van Persie, Rio Ferdinand and Thierry Henry as well as cameos from stars from other genres such as Serena Williams.
The film, "the game before the game", was produced in collaboration with the London and Los Angeles offices of Interpublic's R/GA, which provided the strategic development and creative concepts for the work.
The story in the ad, which is directed by Nabil Elderkin through The Swordfight, is about the pre-game rituals of footballers, celebrities and fans as they prepare for the match to come.
The concept is that the game begins before kick-off in the dressing rooms where players conquer their doubts and fears through various methods.
Neymar Jr is seen calling his father for words of strength and wisdom, while Fabregas kisses a ring his girlfriend gave him four times.
The ad also features the original track 'Jungle' by Jamie N Commons and X Ambassadors.
Beats will roll out several short-form versions of the campaign in nine countries and five different languages, with each version highlighting the athletes and rituals that are authentic to that country.
This article was first published on campaignlive.co.uk
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Latest jobs Jobs web feed
- Brand Manager Ball & Hoolahan £40,000 + Car/ Car Allowance, South East England
- Creative Director, PR Agency, London Office + Great Benefits Fleishman-Hillard Up to £100,000, dep on experience, London (Central), London (Greater)
- Head of Digital & Social - Dublin / London The Great & The Good In the region of £60,000 - £65,000 per annum, Dublin
- ACCOUNT DIRECTORS - Integrated/ATL/TTL/BTL/SP/Shopper/Retail - London - up to £50k Judi Patton £40k-£50k plus excellent benefits, London (Central), London (Greater)
- Group Account Director - Experiential Agency The Great & The Good £70,000 - £75,000 per annum, London
- SENIOR ACCOUNT DIRECTOR/GROUP ACCOUNT DIRECTOR - shopper marketing agency - London Judi Patton £50-65k dependent on experience plus benefits, London (Central), London (Greater)


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All of the cakes and cupcakes at …Cakes are prepped with fresh, quality ingredients, hand-selected by talented pastry chefs working under the tasty eye of owner Deana Martin. Deana—a self-declared purveyor of sweet, but not too sweet creations—teams up with her fellow chefs to craft delicious recipes, playful decorations, and accessible edibles for any confection fanatic. Choose from the everyday cupcakes available in-store, or call ahead at least a week in advance to create your own custom everyday dozen, which allows you to mix and match any flavor combination of classic cupcakes. Flavors include red-velvet cake with vanilla frosting, chocolate cake with mocha filling and buttercream frosting, or coconut cake with lemon frosting.
Butter, sugar, and flour. These three simple ingredients form the basis of each treat cooked up at Oakleaf Cakes. While the ingredients are straightforward, the cakes are anything but, as proven by head baker Amanda Oakleaf and the 4-foot-tall Dora the Explorer cake she constructed on the Food Network?s Cake Challenge. At her shop, Amanda and her team of artists, sculptors, and bakers create treats that run the gamut in flavor and function, from elegant tiers of red velvet to sugary cartoon figurines placed atop marshmallow fondant. Guests can dream up flavor combinations such as gingerbread cake slathered in white-chocolate buttercream or chocolate samoa layered in honey icing, or offer up a 3-D object for Amanda and her team to re-create in meticulous, edible detail. Regularly scheduled cake-decorating classes impart visitors with some of the team?s creative tricks of the trade, such as leveling cakes and keeping schoolchildren from swarming in through the doggy door at the sight of snickerdoodle cupcakes.
The bakery's from-scratch approach extends to the attached caf?, as well. Rather than keeping coffee warm throughout the day, staffers ground and brew each cup to order, using custom-roasted Barrington Coffee beans and an Aeropress. This cutting-edge brewing method is designed to extract exactly enough flavor from the beans to create the best brew possible, and achieves it in less than two minutes. Each sultry cup of joe perfectly complements the bakery's wide assortment of baked goods, which range from classic cupcakes, cookies, and muffins to wholly unique goodies including made-from-scratch pop tarts, artisanal marshmallows, and miniature cheesecakes.
Property Location
With a stay at Taj Boston, you'll be centrally located in Boston, steps from George Washington Statue and minutes from Boston Public Garden. This 4.5-star hotel is close to Boston Common and Copley Place.
Make yourself at home in one of the 273 air-conditioned rooms featuring minibars and CD players. Premium TV channels and video-game consoles are provided for your entertainment, with wired and wireless Internet access available for a surcharge. Bathrooms have makeup/shaving mirrors and designer toiletries. Conveniences include safes and desks, and housekeeping is provided daily.
Rec, Spa, Premium Amenities
Take advantage of recreation opportunities such as a fitness facility, or other amenities including wireless Internet access (surcharge) and babysitting/childcare. Additional amenities include gift shops/newsstands, shopping on site, and a pool table.
Enjoy a meal at a restaurant or in a coffee shop/café. Or stay in and take advantage of the hotel's 24-hour room service. Quench your thirst with your favorite drink at a bar/lounge.
Business, Other Amenities
Featured amenities include a business center, limo/town car service, and audiovisual equipment. Event facilities at this hotel consist of conference/meeting rooms, small meeting rooms, and a ballroom. A roundtrip airport shuttle is provided for a surcharge, and parking (subject to charges) is available onsite.
It was 1978. A college dropout and a failed medical-school applicant had just brought together their combined life savings to rent an old gas station. Their plan was to resurrect the empty station and open their own restaurant. Their specialty: ice cream. So begins the story of legendary entrepreneurs Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, who are better known across the globe as Ben & Jerry. Their small, old-fashioned ice-cream parlor eventually became a Burlington, Vermont favorite, and before long, shops popped up all over the U.S. and in 25 other countries. Their brand easily attracted customers––homemade ice cream churned from wholesome, natural ingredients and blended into creative flavors. Some of their popular scoops include Cherry Garcia, Chunky Monkey, and Coffee Caramel Buzz.
Since infusing their first rich and creamy batches of ice cream with natural chunks of fruit, nuts, candies, and cookies, Ben and Jerry have also operated with a commitment to improve the quality of life locally, nationally, and internationally. They practice sustainable food production and business practices that respect the earth and environment. Ben & Jerry's cartons are made from FSC-certified paper, which comes from forests that are managed for the protection of wildlife, and waste from Ben & Jerry's plants generates energy to power farms. The company works tirelessly to reduce its carbon emissions; it strongly encourages customers to eat their ice cream in the darkest dark.
"I love chocolate, I admit I am addicted," confesses Paula Barth in her online bio. She doesn't sugarcoat her habit—in fact, she makes a career out of it. As the owner of Beacon Hill Chocolates, she's spent the last 15 years curating a unique assortment of artisan truffles and other chocolates, and has traveled all over the world to track down the best handcrafted sweets. Her whimsical truffles won Paula the title of best chocolatier from Boston Magazine in 2012 (the third time she's received the honor). From a ganache-filled kitty cat, complete with heart-shaped nose and white whiskers, to candied bacon caramels that look as though they're speckled with stars, the truffle case contains sweets almost too charming to eat. Adorable treats like caramel sushi—a dark-chocolate dipped swirl of caramel and marshmallow––or milk-chocolate covered oreos taste even sweeter when plucked from a keepsake box adorned with an old photo or classic artwork. And Beacon Hill Chocolates can also create wedding favors or business-appropriate keepsakes emblazoned with a company logo or the CEO's baby footprints.
The Dancing Deer Baking Co. story begins nearly two decades ago, when three Bostonians opened up a small bakery on a busy corner. The trio christened their company after an antique shop run by one of their grandmothers supplied them with a recipe for a dark-gingerbread cake. One afternoon, a food writer from Hollywood stumbled into the shop, hoping to find directions. After tasting one of their cakes, the captivated writer brought the bakery to the attention of the media, and soon their cookies, brownies, and cakes were being lauded by magazines, newspapers, and television programs throughout the country.
Today, Dancing Deer's boldly colorful packages ship to households across the US and line the shelves of numerous gourmet and specialty retailers. Back at the bakery, chefs continue to whip all-natural, kosher ingredients into decadent cookies, brownies, and cakes. Committed to giving back to their local communities, Dancing Deer owns and operates The Sweet Home Project, which funds direct-action programs to help underprivileged families and the occasional one-legged gingerbread man.


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Phocuswright Research
Sage Advice for Hotels: Another Point of View on a Popular Industry Report
In January 2012, the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) published Distribution Channel Analysis: A Guide for Hotels (DCA). The report presented comprehensive data and analysis on the U.S. hotel distribution landscape. The purpose of this Spotlight is to discuss the report's recommendations and provide additional perspective, including examining the role and impact of other media players (e.g., Google, Facebook and Apple) entering the hotel distribution space.
[ view more details ]
Reading Between The Links: Why Travelers Use General Search Engines
General search engines like Google have become so ubiquitous that many users would be lost without them. In the travel category, top brands compete fiercely for general search traffic, despite their well-established names and websites. This report examines the role of general search engines in the travel planning process, and includes an overview of travelers' search engine usage by brand, motives for using search, travel products searched for and more.
[ view more details ]
Online Travel Agencies 1Q12: Domestic Gets Its Groove Back (But the Big Story is Still Overseas)
Despite rising oil prices and airfares, aggregate gross bookings of the three public U.S. OTAs – Expedia, Orbitz and Priceline – made notable increases in 1Q12. However, near-term headwinds lie in wait.
[ view more details ]
The Role of the GDSs in How Today's Travel Agents Look and Book
Global distribution systems (GDSs) represent a major piece of airline transactions and a vast majority of travel agency flight, hotel and car rental transactions. But the travel agency landscape has evolved significantly, and the GDS no longer always takes center stage when agents book. This analysis examines how travel agents research and book travel products, the role of the GDS and how this varies by agency type.
[ view more details ]
China Online Travel Overview Fifth Edition: The Giant Has Awoken
China has become a major global market for travel and tourism, and the country's online travel market - while still relatively young - is growing at a torrid pace. PhoCusWright's China Online Travel Overview Fifth Edition: The Giant Has Awoken provides comprehensive sizing and analysis of the country's online and total travel markets by segment and channel.
[ view more details ]
Presentation: Fright or Flight? Key U.S. Consumer Travel Trends
On June 13, PhoCusWright presented a special live event that explores the subtle shifts that are impacting the U.S. leisure travel marketplace. Fright or Flight? Key U.S. Consumer Travel Trends examines U.S. traveler behavior and attitudes, and their impact on the leisure travel market.
[ view more details ]
Industry Update Summary April 2012
Online travel's "Goldilocks" recovery continues. Hotel occupancy is rising, hotel rates and RevPAR are around pre-recession peaks and still climbing, and load factors on airplanes are up from last year even as the price of jet fuel slips. Screwing this up would take more than a village. It would take a Congress.
[ view more details ]
Australia and New Zealand Online Travel Overview Fifth Edition: Surges and Slowdowns
Not all is quiet on the Pacific front. Global recession and recovery, dramatic currency fluctuations, rising oil prices and surging regional travel demand have created a volatile environment for the Australia-New Zealand (ANZ) travel industry. Yet the market in 2011 grew for a second consecutive year, shielded by a resilient economy and strong local currency. Similar to North America and Europe, more than a third of all travel in the region is booked online. Yet despite its relative maturity, ANZ's online travel market will enjoy double-digit growth – almost twice the pace of the overall travel market – through 2013.
[ view more details ]
Presentation: Upward and Onward: PhoCusWright's Indian Consumer Travel
On May 30, 2012, PhoCusWright analysts turned their attention to the dynamic Indian travel marketplace and the country's new breed of sophisticated, tech-savvy travelers.
[ view more details ]
India Consumer Travel Report
PhoCusWright's India Consumer Travel Report provides a complete picture of the new Indian traveler: who are they, how they travel, how they shop, and what they want.
[ view more details ]


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byspooren, September 6, 2011
byspooren, May 3, 2010
One of the amazing things is that MageBridge makes several Magento-issues (like layout stuff) more easy! Using another Yireo-solution (VM2Mage) VirtueMart-orders and customer-information (including their login-details) are migrated to Magento.
A good website requires a sitemap, so a plugin for the Xmap-sitemap component to display all Magento-products in the Joomla sitemap is available too.
Okay, to be honest: VirtueMart is easier to install and configure, but Magento has MANY more options, it's REALLY powerfull. This makes MageBridge is a very imposing Bridge. Yireo's documentation is more than complete. And: they gave me excellent support!!
If interested: see www.condoom-anoniem.nl for the results.


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BOSTON - Superman saves a family from going into foreclosure.
A family that would like to remain anonymous said they were about to lose their home when they found a classic comic book in their basement. Action Comics #1,introduced Superman, the man of steel, to the world in 1938. This is supposedly the most valuable comic ever printed.
The comic book could be worth up to $350,000.
The family was able to keep their home and should be putting the comic book up for sale next month.