Security Vendor Foursome Cover All Bases to Secure Little League World Series
Axis, Extreme Networks, Lenel and Milestone provided an integrated solution to protect the Little League complex and the many thousands of players and fans in attendance.
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — To invoke a bit of baseball parlance, you can rightly say the four manufacturers that teamed up to protect the 71st Annual Little League Baseball World Series have “crushed it.”
For the first time, Milestone Systems is joining Axis Communications, Extreme Networks and Lenel to provide video surveillance systems, access control and network connectivity for the 10-day tournament
A fully integrated security system is in place as 16 Little League Baseball teams and hundreds of thousands of fans from around the globe come together Aug. 17-27 in South Williamsport. A priority of Little League Baseball officials is promoting a fun, exciting experience, while also providing the highest level of security.
“Our town of 6,500 people booms to almost half a million over the course of this annual event. Making sure it is both fun for families, and safe for all who take part, is of utmost importance. We have every confidence in Axis Communications, Extreme Networks, Lenel and Milestone to help us achieve these goals,” says Jim Ferguson, assistant director of risk management for LLBWS.
Solution Grows in Sophistication
With more than 120 permanent network cameras in place at Volunteer Stadium and Howard J. Lamade Stadium, Little League Baseball works to add new technologies each year to keep the installation as secure as possible. This year’s system advancements include Axis 20-megapixel cameras, thermal imagers, radar perimeter protection, and people-counting video analytics, as well as Milestone’s XProtect video management software (VMS) platform.
Axis Communications is supporting the tournament for its eighth consecutive year and continues to build on the security program it helped establish during previous events.
New technologies deployed this year include the Axis Q1659 network camera, which is the first to combine professional-caliber photographic imaging technologies from Canon to deliver ultra-high image quality for fixed, wide-area surveillance and detail, even in the most challenging lighting conditions. The company’s new D2050-VE network radar detector model is deployed as an outdoor motion detector for accurate and reliable perimeter protection, day and night, to minimize potential false alarms. Also, the new Axis People Counter video analytics solution helps the Little League gain operational insights.
“Each year we look forward to advancing the security system by leveraging the newest technology innovations available within the industry,” says Robert Muehlbauer, senior manager, Business Development Partner Ecosystem, Axis. “The total solution provides an advanced, comprehensive system to help keep players and fans safe so they simply enjoy themselves and stay focused on the amazing young athletes. We are proud to continue our work with Little League Baseball.”
Networking Backbone
Extreme Networks is providing its ExtremeWireless and ExtremeSwitching technology to form the backbone of the venue’s state-of-the-art security solution. Wired and wireless solutions from Extreme Networks complement the stadium’s OnGuard access control platform from Lenel and connect the Axis IP-based digital video surveillance cameras with the Milestone XProtect VMS.
“This is our third year in working with the Little League Baseball World Series, and we’re proud to be a part of this event and a member of this leading security team,” says Norman Rice, chief marketing, development and product operations officer, Extreme Networks. “This iconic event calls for age-old traditions but when it comes to security, age-old methods won’t suffice. Extreme’s technology is specifically engineered to provide the high-performance, high-bandwidth, ultra-reliable connectivity needed to help keep everyone safe and secure throughout the duration of the event.”
Lenel is celebrating its 19th year supporting the LLBWS. This long-term association has enabled event organizers to depend on the access control technology supplied by Lenel.
Personalized Badging
Upon arrival, each player, staff member, volunteer and vendor is enrolled in Lenel’s OnGuard system and receives a photo identification badge for use during the series. The personalized badges allow entry to selected areas of the facility. Only players and authorized staff are allowed access to the dormitory areas where players sleep, eat and rest.
“As badge holders move around the facility they must present their credentials at key checkpoints,” says Jeff Stanek, general manager, Lenel. “The access control system taps into the video system, presenting a live video feed, together with the cardholder’s database photo, for easy identity verification by security guards. Our OnGuard WATCH tool offers an intuitive graphical interface that makes it even easier for security personnel to gather data and quickly respond to any needs.”
Video Analytics Support
Added to the LLBWS 2017 technology team is Milestone Systems, providing XProtect IP video management software. In addition to central management of all cameras and users, the XProtect Smart Wall gives operators total situational awareness of activities. The software supports failover recording servers, for just such mission-critical installations that require continued access to uninterrupted video coverage.
Also introduced in the video management solution for this year’s event is an advanced Milestone Husky NVR, for additional network and video analytics support. Custom installed with the XProtect Corporate VMS, the Milestone Husky 500A is said to excel in recording rates, low power consumption and system flexibility, including support for unlimited storage.
“As Milestone is the ‘rookie of the team’ this year, we’re honored to work with our open platform community partners Axis, Extreme Networks and Lenel to provide this state-of-the-art security solution for this great public event,” says Matt Fishback, business development manager, Americas, Milestone Systems. “The Milestone open platform enables flexible, scalable, integrated solutions for meeting just such critical video surveillance needs, to meet the ultimate goal of safety and well-being for all.”
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