eQTEL Group News

BICSI and Cisco: Partnered to Advance Technology Education

2011-07-12T02:32:00.000-07:00

BICSI has teamed up with Cisco, the worldwide leader in networking, to work together to provide world-class technology training and education to the ITS industry.

BICSI and Cisco share a common mission in advancing the information technology industry and the systems that support today’s evolving business infrastructure. Under the terms of the agreement, BICSI and Cisco will provide educational and training opportunities in addition to credentials and certifications for each other’s current customers and credential holders. The synergy provides a great avenue for additional educational opportunities for both organizations’ customers.

Benefits

Cisco provides training and certifications for the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model’s network layer, whereas BICSI offers training courses and credentials for those who work in the OSI physical and data link layers.
Active Cisco CCENT, CCNA, CCNA Voice, CCNA Wireless, CCNA Security, CCDA, CCNP CCSP, CCNP Voice, CCNP Wireless, CCNP Security, and CCDP certification holders will benefit from discounts on BICSI products such as data center, installation, network and security courses and manuals, as well as BICSI standards.
BICSI members will be able to receive additional continuing education credits (CECs) by taking approved Cisco courses. Nearly two dozen Cisco courses have currently been approved for BICSI CECs. Click here for details.
The widely-respected IT certification programs available through Cisco Certifications bring valuable, measurable rewards to networking professionals, their managers, and the organizations that employ them. To find out which certification is the best for you, visit Cisco Learning Network to find out more.

eQTEL Group are a BICSI Corporate member with an active BICSI RCDD.

Could Cloud be the Next Generation in Video Surveillance Storage?

2011-07-12T02:27:00.000-07:00

The world of enterprise video-surveillance storage has changed much over the past fifteen years: first from VHS to the DVR; later to IP solutions, with customers choosing NVRs, IP SANs or even server storage devices

Could cloud be the next generation in video-surveillance storage? A cloud based solution is very appealing to enterprise customers because it offers flexibility to customers who pay only for what they use. Cloud also offers efficiency to companies who can save on the power, cooling, and management costs of their own datacentres. Customers have two options for going to the cloud: public or private.

William Rhodes, Market Analyst, comments: "It is early days for enterprise customers to use public cloud-based video-surveillance solutions; one recent trend is to using off-site backup of ‘critical’ or ‘sensitive’ cameras. For many enterprise customers, local storage with off-site backup is the only cloud- based option available, because bandwidth restricts the number of cameras on a single internet connection"

Most enterprise customers store video-surveillance data at full frame rate for 30, 60 or 90 days, depending on requirements. However, many customers and certain enterprise sectors, such as pharmaceuticals, are often required to store the video data for up to five years, albeit at a lower frame rate. Storing video for longer has often required users to use tape or vast quantities of HDDs to cover against failure. A public cloud solution could be the answer, because backup of lower frame rate video is achievable with the available bandwidth. Despite this, customers may have concerns over privacy of the video data and the absence of major brand service providers in the market.

Rhodes continues: "The other option for enterprise customers to take advantage of cloud-based video-surveillance storage is to use a private cloud. Although users may need to take on the cost of managing a private cloud, they will have greater control over security policies and system flexibility. The ability to control the video data internally is an important consideration for some users"

Will enterprises need enough storage to justify using a private cloud?
If only video-surveillance data is stored, a private cloud may only be used on some of the largest enterprise projects. However, with an increasing number of governments and multi-national companies installing private clouds for internal data storage, storing data from the video-surveillance system in the same cloud could be a logical choice.

For more information please call Eoin Leonard, Director, eQTEL Group on +353 21 4383344

For more information visit www.imsresearch.com

Samsung Extend their PTZ Range

2011-07-12T01:52:00.000-07:00

Samsung has added to its SCP range of PTZ dome cameras with models that capitalise on the innovative advanced technology incorporated into Samsung Techwin’s W-V and SV-V DSP chipsets

The ten new day/night operation dome models collectively offer the choice of 27x, 33x or 37x optical zoom capability and provide options for both internal and external use, making them an ideal solution for car parks, shopping centres, trading estates, airports, ports and other high security applications.

Click image for the Samsung Techwin website

The W-V chipset provides cameras with the ability to capture superb quality colour images at up to 600 TV lines colour resolution. They also incorporate Super Dynamic Range (SSDR) which automatically lightens the dark areas within a scene, allowing an operator to view objects in the shadows. Other technically advanced features include Highlight Compensation which neutralises excessively bright areas of an image enabling an operator to view previously hidden details and Digital Image Stabilisation (DIS) that can negate the effects of a dome shaking due to high winds or building vibration.

The SV-V chipset shares all the advanced features of the W-V chipset including Samsung Super Noise Reduction (SSNRIII) technology, but it also provides cameras with Wide Dynamic Range and Progressive scan to allow them to deliver outstanding picture quality even in the most demanding of applications. Progressive Scan technology is able to achieve very high quality video capture of moving objects, making it possible, for example, to read car number plates on moving vehicles without a motion blur effect. Another feature of the SV-V chipset is the addition of Intelligent Video Analytics (IVA) capability, which is able to perform functions such as appear/disappear detection.

eQTEL Security have installed Samsung CCTV equipment at a number of their customer sites around Ireland. eQTEL's Technical Director, Dave Deasy has been researching this new range, "We have always had a great deal of admiration for the Samsung and Samsung Techwin product ranges and we look forward to working with this new range of PTZ Cameras on our upcoming projects.

eQTEL Group seeking Specialist Contractors in Security, Fire and Data

2011-02-08T06:03:00.000-08:00

eQTEL Group are looking for highly-qualified specialist contractors to join our Specialist Contractor Network, due to a recent sharp increase in business. eQTEL Group are market leaders in Security, Fire, Data and Voice systems integration and as part of our expansion we are looking to work with highly-skilled CCTV, Intruder Alarm, Access Control, Fire Detection and structured cabling experts on some of our upcoming projects. While eQTEL generally train all contractors to work within our own best practise guidelines, we would hope to deal only with industry-trained and licensed contractors, who must be fully insured and tax-compliant. A copy of the application form can be obtained from www.eqtel.ie/downloads

eQTEL Director Eoin Leonard on UCC MBA Programme with help of South Cork Enterprise Board

2011-02-08T05:18:00.000-08:00

eQTEL Director, Eoin Leonard is currently sitting the UCC Executive MBA Programme for 2011-2013 having received financial support from the South Cork Enterprise Board. "We are delighted to have received this support from the Enterprise Board, which should equip us with the skills and frameworks needed to strategise effectively in what are difficults ecomonic times." said Leonard, who is already six weeks into the first semester and enjoying the experience immensely. "The UCC Executive MBA Programme was attractive to us because it concentrates on developing it's participants in key areas such as strategic decision-making, problem-solving, market analysis and personal effectiveness. eQTEL Group want to shift our strategies to be more 'future-focussed' and in doing so, gain the ability to see around corners, pre-empting industry changes and remaining competitive."

This is the first time that the Enterprise Board has provided funding for an MBA course, which demonstrates the confidence that they have in eQTEL Group to expand and create jobs in the Irish market. eQTEL Group have a base of full time staff in Ireland and are now looking to expand into the UK in 2011 with the help of Enterprise Ireland. They also create employment indirectly through their eQTEL Specialist Contractor
Network, which is a group of almost 40 specialist contractors, many of whom once worked for eQTEL, who have demostrated excellence in their field and carry industry-specific accreditations. "We only work with highly qualified and highly-skilled individuals, who we use to carry out specific functions across various projects. Each individual is interviewed by our company directors and vetted for quality before being added to our database, eQTEL have developed a quality management system which is then adhered to by all members of our network under the guidance of our Technical Director, Dave Deasy." said Leonard.

If this pilot scheme proves successful for the Enterprise Board and eQTEL Group, the Board hopes to expand on the idea and offer the assistance to a handful of high-potential SME's every two years.

eQTEL Ltd are Going Global!

2010-11-30T06:08:00.000-08:00

eQTEL Ltd have received more good news this week with the announcement that we have been selected by Enterprise Ireland to receive support under the Going Global Programme. This programme will allow eQTEL Ltd to carry out feasability studies which will help us to hit the ground running in the UK market in 2011. We have been looking at expanding our operations in 2011 and this support will enable us to make more informed decisions and identify our customer base with the help of Enterprise Ireland.

It's Official! eQTEL Ltd are one of the Fastest Growing Technology Companies in Ireland

2010-11-03T05:31:00.000-07:00

eQTEL Ltd have been informed that we will be in the mix at the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 again in 2010. The awards ceremony will be taking place in the Europa Hotel in Belfast on Friday the 12th of November. This news is hugely positive for eQTEL Ltd in what are testing times for all SMEs and the fact that this will be our second win in as many years has solidified our position as one of the fastest growing technology companies in Ireland.

This nomination is due in large part to the continued success of our Data & Security Divisions which have flourished over the past two years, winning a large number of public and private projects. eQTEL's Managing Director Gerard Buckley believes that the recent success has been down to eQTEL's commitment to embracing new technologies, he stated "We are 100% dedicated to expanding our range of products and services to include the very best in cutting-edge technologies and this has won us favour with industry experts, consultants and end-users."

Director Eoin Leonard who manages the sales and project management teams in eQTEL has paid tribute to their key staff members, "We have an outstanding team of highly trained individuals who believe it what we are doing and they have always been very quick to re-educate themselves in new global best practises. We try to focus on the end-user and everything we do is aimed at handing over a highly-functional, user friendly solution which is tailored to the customers needs. We aren't interested is "one-off" sales, at the end of the day our customers are our life-blood and we hope to treat them as such."

eQTEL have been involved in a number of high-profile projects over the past 12 months including works for the NRA, HSE, Cork Institute of Technology and the Department of Education, as well as a number of projects for clients in the private sector. They are currently in the process of establishing a UK Office, which will be up and running by January 2011.

eQTEL Commence works on NRA Amenity Projects

2010-06-21T06:08:00.000-07:00

eQTEL Group have commenced works on the NRA Amenity Buildings in Lusk, Enfield and Castlebellingham. These building will be servicing the M1 and M4 Motorways and eQTEL's Data and Security Divisions have been awarded the contract for design and installation of the Structured Cabling systems, IP CCTV, PoE Access Control solution, Intruder Alarm and Intercom solutions on all six buildings.

IP CCTV

The IP CCTV element of the project will be deployed using cutting edge VSII IP Cameras and the much vaunted VSoIP Video Surveillance system, which will also incorporate some Ganz Analogue CCTV equipment, making this a true hybrid solution, offering the best of both worlds. The surrounding carpark and areas will also be covered using the VSII External IP Cameras and Ganz C-View PTZ IP Cameras. We will be setting up remote viewing clients at each site, enabling the IT managers to drop in and view the VSoIP Live Feed at any time.

Access Control-Green is Good

We will also be deploying a cutting-edge Power over Ethernet Access Control solution, which has been developed using "clean-design", allowing it to comsume up to 85% less energy than a traditional Access Control solution. This will of course make this solution the "Greenest" and most cost-effective Access Control solution available in Ireland. If this wasn't good enough, the solution also boasts a feature-rich back-end software package allowing it to integrate with other Building Management Systems, IP CCTV and Fire/Intruder Alarm systems. It can also double as a Human Resources Tool, provided Time & Attendance information and other valuable reports, helping the client to work smarter.

Intruder Alarm/Intercom

When it came to the Intruder Alarm and Intercom systems we chose to stick with the market-leaders, HKC and Comelit respectively. HKC, in conjunction with eQTEL and Macardle Macsweeney have redeveloped their system software to integrate with the BMS systems. Meanwhile, Comelit have also re-jigged the intercom system to accommodate some of the more unique demands of this particular project, allowing the staff to toggle certains areas open for extended periods of the day.

Structured Cabling

Naturally, all of these cutting edge systems will require a high-speed reliable network to run on and eQTEL Data won't dissappoint. We are installing a Belden Category 6 UTP network internally and a Belden Category 7 FTP Fuel-Rated cabling network to the canopy and fuel areas. As always, we will be terminating and commissioning these sites using BICSI global best practises.

So all in all, this is an exciting project and one we are delighted to be involved in.