TOTUS Solutions, Inc., provider of the world’s first outdoor LED-lighting-based security platforms, will be demonstrating its award-winning TOTUS Surveillance Platforms today at the 2013 SIA Government Summit. Government officials will have the opportunity to see how TOTUS Platforms actively provide homeland security with its all-in-one lighting, communication and surveillance capabilities in its outdoor LED lighting platform.

With a recent SIA 2013 “Best Perimeter Protection Product” award win, TOTUS Surveillance Platforms leads the industry with its purpose-built, outdoor lighting-based security platforms incorporating 360-degree megapixel IP video surveillance, multi-day media storage and wireless communication options within its freestanding solution. The platforms’ remote or analytics-triggered lighting control can trigger lights to flash or change brightness when motion is detected for real-time Active Deterrence. And the system’s Voice-Over-IP capability and remote panic buttons enable real-time interaction that enhances protection. It can even notify a central location when an event occurs. Additionally, TOTUS Security Platforms provide “embedded intelligence” and optional FIPS 140-2 encryption for secure communications in accordance with strict Department of Defense standards.

“TOTUS Technology delivers an elite lighting, surveillance and communication solution within one platform that aims to make roadways, military bases, school campuses and remote locations safer. With our platforms, government officials have the latest surveillance technology in the most opportune places,” said Gregory Williams, President and CEO, TOTUS Solutions.

TOTUS Security Platforms deliver uncompromising reliability and durability. They have no moving parts, fans or vents; they are environmentally hardened to work in the most extreme environments and do it all from the power that runs the LED light. In addition to providing homeland security, TOTUS Security Platforms are extremely energy efficient, providing 70 percent energy savings versus conventional lighting.

About TOTUS Solutions:

TOTUS Solutions is the leading provider of outdoor lighting-based security platforms. TOTUS Security Platforms incorporate optimized LED lighting, megapixel IP surveillance, multi-day media storage, and secure wireless communications in a single solution. Our purpose-built security platforms designed to transform passive surveillance into Active Deterrence to help prevent and deter crime instead of just recording it while it occurs.

TOTUS Technology provides up to 70 percent energy savings versus conventional lighting and has a life cycle of up to 100,000 hours with less than five percent loss in brightness, so it’s incredibly cost effective and virtually maintenance free. TOTUS Security Platforms are designed to operate over conventional IP networks and leverage existing IT infrastructure such as servers, storage systems, computers, wiring and software. They can replace legacy systems or be integrated into existing ones, extending the eyes and ears of security personnel while increasing the value of current surveillance investments.

TOTUS Security Platforms is lauded as Best Outdoor Perimeter Protection by SIA’s NPS, Security’s Best by ASIS Accolades and received the Top Innovative Technology Honor from Security Sales and Integration and a Platinum Government Security Award for “Best Outdoor Lighting-Based Security Platform” by Security Products magazine.

For more information, visit http://www.totus-solutions.com or contact info@totus-solutions.com

You don’t produce 170 million barrels of oil in a single year without being an innovator. And that’s exactly what EOG Resources, Inc. is― an innovator and a game changer. The company is one of the largest independent (non-integrated) crude oil and natural gas companies in the US. EOG also has reserves in Canada, Trinidad, the United Kingdom and China. With its estimated net reserves at 1,811 million barrels of oil equivalent (MMBOE), EOG is a leader in the oil and gas industry. The same can be said for the company’s approach to fighting copper theft.

EOG has lost more than $1.5 million from copper theft in the Central Texas region alone over the last year. The company’s security and operations manager Randy Lundrum explains that EOG project sites― many located in rural and remote areas― attract and even embolden thieves after copper and diesel stored on the site.

Several EOG work sites include communication stations where copper wire is used for grounding the sophisticated radio systems. These communication sites are essentially information and telecommunication hubs. They are used to transfer oil and gas production data and they are the link to sharing reports, designs, and status updates about each production site. So not only is theft a significant financial drain on the business, the damage caused by copper theft is also extremely disruptive to normal business operations.

Fed up with the vandalism and blows to productivity, Lundrum and the EOG IT team reached out to their security and technology partner Sology Solutions. Sology has worked with EOG’s internal IT department to set up a Cisco video management platform and multiple standalone IP cameras, in addition to lighting systems around various EOG facilities. After dissecting the problem, Sology Solutions, EOG’s safety and security network integrator, recommended the team check out the TOTUS Surveillance Platform™. The TOTUS platform is an all-in-one outdoor lighting based system that uses LED lighting, IP video surveillance, multi-day media storage, and an option of secure wireless communications perfect for remote outposts in the oil and gas field like EOG’s communication stations.

“When we heard from EOG that copper theft was going on and their IT department was looking for an all-in-one solution they could manage on their own network, we introduced the concept of intelligent lighting and IP video surveillance,” said Ed Christmas, Sology Solutions.

“The sophistication and, at the same time, simplicity of the TOTUS platform were major selling points.”

Christmas believes that TOTUS’s platforms are an example of an emerging technology that is re-defining the core of security solutions, taking them from reactive to proactive― particularly because of the platform’s embedded intelligence.

Instead of observing and recording a crime in motion, the lighting based TOTUS Surveillance Platform™ has a built in component called Active Deterrence™. This event-trigged technology component is so effective because it discourages crime from happening in the first place. The technology monitors the pre-defined ‘virtual trip wires’ and if activated immediate action is taken. The TOTUS platform has a continuous 360-degree field of view and recording capabilities to also capture video and still clips of on-site events.

If and when an event is detected at an EOG location, the TOTUS system flashes lights and plays an audio message such as, ‘You are under video surveillance.’ If motion is detected and the individual proceeds, the event is escalated. The system continues, ‘Security has been called; video clips are being emailed to security and the police.’

“TOTUS has two big things going for it: it’s simple but still configurable, and it’s extremely energy efficient with a desirable LED component,” said Christmas.

“At the end of the day, there’s no doubt the TOTUS platform is a deterrent to copper theft and there have been no incidents since it was installed, so that’s an instant return on investment for EOG.”

Lundrum is pleased with the results of the TOTUS system and likes the fact that even with a small security staff, EOG can now effectively engage individuals with visual and audio warnings that give would-be thieves reason to pause and move out.

Each of the TOTUS lighting, camera and event-triggered options are managed through a secure web interface by the EOG IT team. Users can select everything from lighting levels during operation, as well as visual and custom audio alarm notification preferences. EOG teams like the fact that they can customize pre-recorded voice messages that can be played during triggered events and that the TOTUS system is directed to send security personnel a text message or an email with video clips of any disturbance.

Looking ahead, EOG has purchased four more TOTUS systems and has plans to implement 25 more platforms in the coming year. Lundrum is convinced that the TOTUS platform is so effective because it extends the eyes, ears, and overall presence of security in EOG operations. He believes TOTUS is central to EOG’s future success because it lets the field focus on doing what they do best, driving effective oil and gas production.

Securing Cedar Park Veterans Memorial with Active Deterrence™ from the TOTUS Security Platforms™

Lisa Morris of Cedar Park, TX is the first to admit that she is far from a security expert. There’s no doubt however that she is a loving mother and an extremely involved citizen. Her son, U.S. Army Spc. Matthew Morris was among those Central Texas veterans who gave their life while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom. In 2011, Morris along with several other volunteers joined forces with the Cedar Park Veterans Memorial Citizens Advisory Group to honor military veterans who have sacrificed their lives serving our country.

The group raised money to build the Cedar Park memorial that includes a seven-foot bronze-cased statue of a soldier inspired by Specialist Morris. The black granite column for the monument weighs approximately 15,000 pounds and has a grey granite base that is 12 feet in diameter with six-foot tall panels. The statue is located in a somewhat secluded and natural wooded area of the memorial park. This makes the area quiet, but also vulnerable to vandalism and even theft.

“We’ve heard of people vandalising construction sites for copper tubing, or vandals disturbing gravestones, and we didn’t want any of that happening at our monument…”

On a mission, Morris and her team began making calls to local security companies to explain the location of the memorial and the unique environmental factors. What Morris found was initially disappointing.

“The options we saw were basically CCTV surveillance systems, which were OK but we really wanted something to keep damage from happening in the first place―instead of after the fact,” said Morris. “With their cameras, the images captured were fuzzy and it seemed impossible to have the entire area covered without looking obtrusive. Yes, I could tell a deer was in the park, instead of a person, but identifying and tracking a guilty party, if needed, seemed like it would be nearly impossible.”

After receiving a few similar proposals, the group found Austin-based TOTUS Solutions. Morris and the team of volunteers were then introduced to the TOTUS Surveillance Platforms™. The platform is an all-in-one outdoor lighting based system that uses LED lighting, IP video surveillance, multi-day media storage, and an option of secure wireless communications. The platform’s IP-based cameras deliver complete situational awareness of any site it’s placed on, from memorial parks to public transit stations to construction sites. The TOTUS technology means Morris and Veterans Park staff can successfully secure the memorial and circumvent traditional security systems’ flaws, where the cameras are ineffective because they are not pointed in the right direction during the time of a crime. Or, like with traditional systems, breaches in security are captured after the fact.

Not only do TOTUS technology has the ability to capture high quality video of what’s happening at a location (360 degree fisheye three megapixel hemispheric IP camera), but the system can also discourage unscrupulous behaviour with audio broadcasts and flashing lights. TOTUS Solutions calls this event-triggered piece of the security puzzle Active Deterrence™. Morris calls the technology “Peace of Mind”.

“Once Morris and the group saw the system in action, there was no comparison,” said Kreger, ASG Security. “Having a clear visual of the monument and to be able to send clips and video remotely in real time via email or text messaging to just about anywhere was a ‘wow’ factor.”

Active Deterrence technology uses analytics-triggered lighting and audio to draw attention to the incident. It has continuous 360 degree field of view and recording to capture video and still clips of on-site events. After park hours, the system is triggered by unwanted events happening inside a specified parameter or geo-fence. When events are detected, the TOTUS system flashes lights and plays a pre-recorded audio message such as, ‘The park is closed; you are under video surveillance.’ If motion is detected and the individual proceeds, the event is escalated. The system continues, ‘Security has been called; video clips are being emailed to the police and city employees.’

A veteran himself, Bill Kreger, a senior consultant with systems integrator ASG Security, was honored to be involved in this project. He believes that the active deterrence capabilities of the system as well as the 360-degree, IP cameras made TOTUS a clear choice.

Working with the Cedar Park Authority, Kreger determined the optimal viewing angles for the cameras. He wanted to clearly capture video of the stairway, the pedestal and the monument. The ‘open book’ design of the TOTUS technology allowed Kreger to precisely illuminate the areas that are most vulnerable with only two light-based systems. Along with Morris, Kreger was happy not to interfere with the carefully crafted aesthetics of the memorial. The IP cameras are powered by the embedded Power over Ethernet (PoE) network hub.

Kreger placed two TOTUS Surveillance Platforms about 22 feet above the two main walkways to the memorial. He also positioned the system to keep a clear line of sight with the park’s pool house; Wi-Fi radios were used for wireless network connection to the city’s wide-area network. Kreger also installed an omni-directional wireless transceiver for sharing electronic data. Once the city was able to open the appropriate ports, images and video could be recorded and stored on the internal SD card as well as sent over the secure network.

“With ASG and TOTUS, we have greater confidence knowing that our monument won’t suffer that level of disrespect or sense of personal vandalism that I know many of us would feel if something happened,” said Morris. “And if it does, with the high quality video and images recorded, there’s a good chance that person would be caught and made to understand the ramifications.”

Another feature of the TOTUS Security Platforms is that the lighting can be programmed to dim at night. And because they use LED technology, the lighting system saves up to 70 percent of energy vs. legacy streetlights. By setting the light-based system to 25 to 50 percent brightness at night, even remote areas have greater security and higher levels of protection.

“The 360° surveillance capability of TOTUS technology itself is like having 16 cameras in one, so we only needed two systems total,” said Kreger. “The software is designed to evaluate the picture and show it to be vertical and horizontal, depending on what section you want it to look at. You can tilt the image to whatever size you want, which just isn’t possible with other systems I’ve seen.”

Kreger and Morris are happy with the results of the TOTUS Security Platforms to date. Although they realize warmer summer months ahead will translate to more activity at the park, with the TOTUS technology in place they are hopeful and confident vandalism will be discouraged. Six months after the system has been up, no damage has been recorded at the monument site and the bronze soldier statue remains as it should―luminous and left in peace.

TOTUS Solutions announced today that Current Technologies, a leading provider of IT and surveillance solutions, is now a reseller partner of the World’s first LED lighting-based security platforms from TOTUS.

Chicago-based Current Technologies provides government and small- to medium-sized businesses located in the Midwest with customized digital surveillance solutions. For its buyers in law enforcement, education and construction, Current Technologies found TOTUS to be a great fit as an all-in-one security solution as well as an easily integrated system with other emergency and mass notification technology vendors.

“Current Technologies evaluates hundreds of products each year, but very few meet our stringent product criteria. When we measured TOTUS against numerous standards, we were blown away by how valuable and reliable the platforms are. From the moment we saw this product, it was a go,” said Steve Daugherty, Current Technologies president and co-founder.

The TOTUS lighting platform offers a built-in 360-degree fisheye surveillance camera lens that uses a low bandwidth to digitally capture video. Using its Active Deterrence capabilities, this platform has the ability to dynamically deter crime from occurring. TOTUS platforms give users the ability to set up a customized set of actions to happen if movements are detected on “geofenced” areas of video surveillance. Users can arrange for lights to strobe, an automated warning to call out, an email or SMS to be sent to the correct personnel along with other creative solutions that are part of the Totus Solutions product.

“TOTUS aims to provide a fully integrated security solution that works across all industries. We’re especially pleased to partner with Current Technologies as they focus on end users that have a high impact on keeping communities safe,” said John B. Hanby, TOTUS Solutions’ Senior Vice President of Worldwide Sales.

Additionally TOTUS platforms can deliver a ROI of less than five years, supplying a cost-effective solution for government buyers depending on local electrical power rates.

“Based on the TOTUS platform and the partners they have included to build their product, our clients feel very confident in putting their safety in the hands of TOTUS. TOTUS is at the top of our list for new products this year,” said Daugherty.

About Current Technologies

Current Technologies provide IT Solutions, Wireless Solutions and Surveillance. They collaborate with clients to deliver customized solutions that result in superior integration of a client’s IT system, including information, security, surveillance and safety. Formed in 1997 from the strategic merger of two independent companies with combined experience of over fifty years in the information systems and technologies industry, CTC has worked closely with clients to provide strategic guidance and deliver quality solutions tailored to each client’s needs.

For more information, visit: http://www.currenttech.net

About TOTUS Solutions

TOTUS Solutions is the leading provider of Outdoor Lighting Based Security Platforms. TOTUS Security Platforms incorporate optimized LED lighting, megapixel IP surveillance, multi-day media storage, and secure wireless communications in a single solution. Our purpose-built security platforms designed to transform passive surveillance into Active Deterrence to help prevent and deter crime instead of just recording it while it occurs.

TOTUS Technology provides up to 70% energy savings versus conventional lighting and has a life cycle up to 100,000 hours with less than 5% loss in brightness, so it’s incredibly cost-effective and virtually maintenance-free. TOTUS Security Platforms are designed to operate over conventional IP networks and leverage existing IT infrastructure such as servers, storage systems, computers, wiring and software. They can replace legacy systems or be integrated into existing ones, extending the eyes and ears of security personnel while increasing the value of current surveillance investments.

TOTUS Security Platforms is lauded as Best Outdoor Perimeter Protection by SIA’s NPS, Security’s Best by ASIS Accolades and received the Top Innovative Technology Honor from Security Sales and Integration.

For more information, visit http://www.totus-solutions.com or contact info@totus-solutions.com

TOTUS Solutions, award-winning leader in providing integrated security platforms, won a Government Security Award (Govies) from Security Products magazine in the “Outdoor Lighting-Based Security Platform” category.

TOTUS won for its total surveillance and communications solution, which includes optimized LED lighting, megapixel IP surveillance, multi-day media storage, and secure wireless communications. These purpose-built platforms transform passive surveillance into Active Deterrence, dynamically dissuading crime instead of just observing or recording it while it occurs. TOTUS Security Platforms are designed to provide up to 70% energy savings versus conventional lighting and have a lifecycle up to 100,000 hours with less than 5% loss in brightness, providing an incredibly cost-effective and virtually maintenance-free security system. In addition to the integrated light and camera, the TOTUS Surveillance Platforms also feature “embedded intelligence” and optional FIPS 140-2 encryption for secure communications in accordance with strict Department of Defense standards.

“It’s a privilege for TOTUS to be recognized with a Govies Award. As the leader in our category we have designed the TOTUS Technology to comply with the Department of Defense and Energy stringent regulations and even exceed the requirements,” said Gregory Williams, President and CEO, TOTUS Solutions. “We look forward to demonstrating these capabilities at the upcoming GovSec Conference to government officials and law enforcement professionals.”

TOTUS received a top honor out of 64 entries and will be displaying the TOTUS Surveillance Platforms, one of the award winning group of products from TOTUS at booth #2908 at the annual GovSec Conference and Expo on May 14-15 in Washington DC alongside other winning entries.

About TOTUS Solutions
TOTUS Solutions is the leading provider of Outdoor Lighting Based Security Platforms. TOTUS Security Platforms incorporate optimized LED lighting, megapixel IP surveillance, multi-day media storage, and secure wireless communications in a single solution. Our purpose-built security platforms designed to transform passive surveillance into Active Deterrence to help prevent and deter crime instead of just recording it while it occurs.

TOTUS Technology provides up to 70% energy savings versus conventional lighting and has a life cycle up to 100,000 hours with less than 5% loss in brightness, so it’s incredibly cost-effective and virtually maintenance-free. TOTUS Security Platforms are designed to operate over conventional IP networks and leverage existing IT infrastructure such as servers, storage systems, computers, wiring and software. They can replace legacy systems or be integrated into existing ones, extending the eyes and ears of security personnel while increasing the value of current surveillance investments.

TOTUS Security Platforms is lauded as Best Outdoor Perimeter Protection by SIA’s NPS, Security’s Best by ASIS Accolades and received the Top Innovative Technology Honor from Security Sales and Integration.

For more information, visit http://www.totus-solutions.com or contact info(at)totus-solutions(dot)com