Issue link: https://securitytechnologyexecutive.epubxp.com/i/229956
cooperation involved in the Taino Tower project. "The success of this project in a highly challenging environment is highly commended, as is the ongoing involvement of the systems integrator. Two technology elements in particular caught my attention. Actually getting a large scale video project to work over a mesh wireless system offered by IT vendor Cisco is very encouraging. Further, the successful deployment and results achieved with the SAFERISE motion identification software stands out. Also significant is the involvement of local law enforcement in the ultimate solution," says one judge. The Silver Innovation Awards winner comes from Houston's Memorial Hermann network of healthcare facilities (featured on page 24). This was a daunting project that required a level of complexity seldom seen in an access control upgrade and retrofit. Covering over 20 million square feet, with 1,762 doors, 1,600 cameras, 30,000 cardholders and five million visitors annually, this project is among the largest on the Software House C•Cure 9000 platform. Tech Systems, a systems integrator based in Duluth, Ga., worked with security director Joseph Bellino to migrate disparate access control platforms to a central command center, as well as incorporate an infant-protection solution and video surveillance. "Because this conversion was a long-term plan it required a long-term partnership. It is never good to create an adversarial relationship with vendors. They need to perform, they need to be motivated and they need to value Memorial Hermann as a customer. It's not all about price, it's about value. Tech Systems offered me the most cost-effective and results-oriented proposal. Leveraging their expertise, experience and ongoing professional services we could save money over time and have a security program that is fluid and effective today, tomorrow and a year from now," remarks Bellino. Says one of the awards judges: "The security team at Memorial Hermann had to deal with one of the most common problems faced by organizations across all vertical markets in the industry: upgrading outdated technology and getting buyin from stakeholders throughout the organization on a limited budget. Not only were they able to migrate all of their sites to the newest access control software platform, they were also able to rebadge all of their staff members while at the same time implementing a new infant protection system. This was truly a Herculean effort on the part of both the end user and systems integrator." This year's Bronze Innovation Awards winner certainly features the most famous end-user customer – Lady Liberty (featured on page 28). Standing more than 300 feet tall from ground to www.SecurityInfoWatch.com torch, the Statue of Liberty symbolizes America and its values of democracy, freedom and promise. The task of protecting a majestic, international symbol falls to a number of agencies, including the U.S. Park Police, National Park Service (NPS) and the Department of the Interior. The Statue's interior closed to the public for renovations in 2011 and again in 2012 as a result of the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy. As part of the refurbishment, Total Recall, a New-York based technology provider specializing in turnkey integrated video solutions, provided a state-of-the-art surveillance system with nine other security technology vendor partS E C U R I T Y I N N O VAT I O N AWA R D ners. The new solution went online shortly before the Statue symbolically reopened on the Fourth of July in 2013. Jordan Heilweil admits that the project was not without challenges. But he is extremely proud of how his team from Total Recall met them all. "Making a donation of a security system is not "These four without its challenges! Going through the approval process of making this donation was a complicated winners typify task. Our team of attorneys had many meetings the diversity of with the National Park Service attorneys. Most people don't realize when you are talking about a technologies project involving the Statue of Liberty the required approvals come from the top levels within the fedand eral government," says Heilweil applications We had a very unique opportunity at the Statue. Usually even if we are designing a solution there that truly are restrictions. In this case there weren't. We had full control of what solution to build and what define technology to incorporate," Heilweil adds. partnerships The judges found this project intriguing because of its scope and wide array of security problems and that needed solving. One judge comments: "This project showed a truly impressive mix of dispacollaboration." rate yet interrelated technologies. The project employed a rich mix of video capture, communications, and display and storage elements. I was impressed by the incorporation of new technology capabilities, including video synopsis, mobile apps and advanced communication, into a mix of traditional technologies to provide a complete security solution." Rounding out the winning submissions is the fourth-place honorable mention from Raytheon. This is an extremely unique application that combines cybersecurity with a unified communications strategy enabling combat troops in the field to better communicate, as well as establishing a private internet platform for several federal agencies. These four winners typify the diversity of technologies and applications that truly define partnerships and collaboration. ❚ SECURITY TECHNOLOGY EXECUTIVE • November/December 2013 13