Expoprotection in Paris attracted more than 26 000 visitors

The Paris-Nord Villepinte Exhibition Grounds once again played host as venue for the 2002 Expoprotection Feu show in France.    
   From 5th–8th November 2002, over 900 exhibitors from 29 different countries presented their products to an audience of more than 26,300 visitors. This result is considered to be a success by the organisers since it representing an increase of 7.5% on the previous show in the year 2000.
   SecurityWorldHotel.com was there in order to make this short report. 


All the exhibitors that commented the show were pleased with the attendance, both in terms of numbers and quality.  The Villepinte Exhibition venue consists of huge purpose built halls capable of hosting various shows simultaneously.  Access is superb by whatever means - car, bus, underground or plane, as Charles De Gaulle airport is only five minutes away by metro.   
   This well established show combines Expoprotection, the International Safety and Security show celebrating its 19th anniversary this year, and Feu, the Fire Fighting and Rescue show currently completing its 5th year. 
   The biennial Expoprotection Feu show, alternates year on year with the Alarmes Protection Securite (APS) show in its 11th year in 2003, but taking place at the Paris Expo, Porte de Versailles Exhibition Centre in September next year.  Both events are organised by Reed Expositions France, a subsidiary of the Reed Exhibitions (Reed) Group, World leaders in event organisation, and responsible for over 60 different trade shows in France alone.

Safety at work - the largest section
The show was located in one vast Hall with the main entrance situated on a landing overlooking the whole exhibition, making for one of the most grand and impressive looking entrances to any show in the industry. Although every product-type was situated in the same hall, the catalogue and stands were colour coded to make navigation simple between areas. The show was divided into three sections, Safety at Work, by far the largest area taking up about half of the total space, Fire Fighting and Rescue, accounting for some 15/20% of the show, and Protection of Premises and Property accounting for the remaining 30/35% of the stand area. Within this final section there was an area for the Gimalarme village, a French association for manufacturers of electronic security equipment.

New Products Showcase
This year for the first time at Expoprotection Feu, Reed presented a New Products Showcase area at the main entrance, together with the introduction of the new Concours de l’innovation, Innovation competition.  The New Product showcase was used as a focal point at the entrance to the exhibition, and featured a selection of new products and solutions considered to be representative of the latest trends in the industry, and which had been short-listed for one of the Innovation prizes.  This area was designed to be the starting point for visitors, helping them to make optimum use of their time, and from where they could target specific products and companies to visit at the show.  A schedule of organised presentations took place at intervals allowing the relevant manufacturers to present products on view in the Showcase area.

The innovation Awards
The Innovation Awards were presented at a ceremony on the evening of the 6th November in the New Products Showcase area of the exhibition.  The prizes were split into the three product areas covered by the show, and then there were five categories within each area, as follows:
- Technical Content Award.
- Design/Ergonomics Award.
- Marketing/Communication Award for the best advertising campaign.
- European Journalistic Award.

Each of these then qualified to be finalists for the Grand Prize Winners Award in each category. 3M, France scooped the main prize for their Flip Down Visor 125 in the Safety at Work Section, Urbaco Systems, France won the over all prize in the Protection of Premises category for their Proxybank cash and valuables transfer system, and SICLI, France took the prize for their new vehicular onboard automatic extinguishing system in the Fire category.

Interesting new products
Autumn is traditionally the European Exhibitions season for the safety and security industries, particularly in the years when the Italian, French and German shows all fall within a few weeks of each other.  This ensures a busy a time for both manufacturers and for exhibition visitors as it helps to guarantee a whole range of new product launches.  Expoprotection Feu was no exception to the rule.  SecurityWorldHotel.com visited the show and paid particular attention to the security related exhibitors from which we have selected a few of the most interesting new products to present to you below.

CCTV Products
CCTV Products were of course in abundance with offerings from both internationally known companies and locally based enterprises.
· Avidacom from Luxembourg, unveiled their Third Eye TCP/IP addressable network video server. It is capable of direct video transmission from 4 cameras simultaneously and one audio input over a local area network or over the Internet via its own built-in web server. Other features include, MPEG 4 compression, Web embedding, Record and Search supported, Alarm connection and Linux.  This type of device paves the way for enterprise-wide network based security systems, giving the user economic access to any standard CCTV cameras from anywhere in the World.

· Detection Systems, now part of the Bosch Security Systems group from Germany exhibited the Save.Sens V8101P video motion detector, which was recently presented with the Detektor International 2002 runner-up CCTV Award at the Sectech Expo in Denmark.  The detector is for both internal and external use and can be used as a stand-alone device or can be integrated into an existing CCTV system.  According to the manufacturer the self-adaptive sensing algorithms and the multi-level digital image processing assure optimal detection with minimum false alarm potential.  The V8101P is a versatile motion detector with integrated alarm image storage and standard interfaces for connection to display, operator and recording devices.

· Groupe Uniprotect of France, presented the new VASS 2.0 remote video surveillance software – a security IT product, said to be effective, powerful, versatile and easy to operate.  The various range of operations include, control and management of multiple security installations, integration with any type of camera, multiplexed screens, carousel touring, flexible recording and viewing sequences, remote control of detection parameters and image retrieval, independent management and filing of each alarm, creation of multiple secured access levels and user profiles, and it is easily integrated in any existing system with a user friendly interface.

· SYAC used Expoprotection to showcase their new Wizeye TM, family of camera network servers, which can be connected to any traditional CCTV devices using virtually any communication line or network and can be accessed through a PC running a dedicated application, a web browser page or the the Syac DigiEye Center.  Syac claims that Wizeye TM, is the most advanced and complete network camera server available today, as it provides built-in real-time motion detection, over 30 ptz and dome protocols and scheduled local and network video/audio recording and remote alarm control.  The potential applications for Wizeye TM are numerous, including airports, customs and immigration offices, corporate and financial institutions and many others.  It can be operated as an independent security tool or integrated with an existing analogue CCTV system.

Intruder Alarm Products
Traditional intruder products such as PIR sensors, control panels and sirens were present, but as is the case at most security shows these days, they are less prominent than they were in past years, making way for more software, internet and biometric orientated products.  Many of the larger players in this field are diversifying into these and other new areas through development and integration of their existing product ranges.

· GE Interlogix-Aritech, for example, launched their new programmable Seismic detector, which is designed for protection of vaults, safes and ATMs etc, using a microprocessor giving 100% microprocessor analysis.  The detector is able to react to the characteristic vibration patterns of all kinds of mechanical and thermal breaking and entering tools.  The Windows based software programme allows the installer access to numerous tools and features such as background signal levels, verification of the settings and on-site performance software analysis.  The on-site programming information can be produced on a printed report to confirm the details before a system is finally commissioned.
   By the way, this seismic detector was the winner of the Detektor International Award 2002 for "Best Intruder Alarm Product".

· RSI, France, presented their new complete wireless alarm system with what they claim to be innovative new video capabilities.  The control panel has an integrated communicator able to transmit not only voice alarms and messages, but also e.mails with attached files giving up to 10 seconds of video footage taken at the moment of detection.  An embedded web server allows fully secured remote connection to the control panel and indicates the current state of the installation.  Remote video functions are also available.  The system is entirely battery powered, and are said to have a high level of performance and security due to bi-directional radio communication.  The manufacturers claim that wireless video transmission, Internet connectivity and embedded features makes this control panel a unique new innovation for the security industry.
· Urbaco, France, introduced their new Proxybank System, designed to enable the transfer of bank funds or valuables by coupling armoured vehicles to a remote transfer terminal situated outside of the building.  The aim is to be fully secure in the transfer of the goods with no risk whatsoever to security escort personnel or pedestrian, as there is no human contact during the transfer of the valuables from the bank to the security personnel. 
   The system consists of a transfer system to be installed on the edge of the pavement - this houses an inner casing for the deposit and collection of the cash deposit bags.  The terminal is then linked to an underground pneumatic network system allowing the valuables to be transferred from the bank to the security escorts. 
   This inventive new product deservedly won the top innovation prize for Urbaco at the show in their category. 

· Securifrance/Seris launched the LGS System on their stand at Expoprotection Feu this year.  The system, exclusive to Europe, is a fixed or mobile surveillance system for sensitive areas of high security.  LGS uses a sophisticated laser technology to detect intrusion into the protected area.  It can be used as a stand alone means to protect a particular localised area, or as a complete perimeter system. 
   The system is made up of two telemetric lasers with a radial distance of 125 metres, giving a full diametric coverage distance of up to 250 metres.  LGS can be integrated with traditional security systems, such as video surveillance cameras allowing identification and monitoring of detection events.

Access Control
Various new access control products were launched at Expoprotection this year, we looked at a selection of them.

· DOM, France launched the new DOM LES+669 double security access control system, made up of an electronic access control reader and combined with an electromechanical cylinder 660 (European profile, double or simple entry). 
   The reader is driven by the passive transponder (electronic key), and can be programmed for individual requirements such as passage authorisations and time limitations. 
   The user is able to define their specific hierarchy chart, with authority to amend or alter any parameter at any time.  Authorisation is allowed for access only when a correct electronic code is entered followed by the use of the correct mechanical key. 
   The system can be operated via a network system through Ethernet, intranet and/or modem either off-line or on-line.  

· Euronetics France, manufacturers and developers of electronic keys and barrels, presented their new WebMastersoft network software, which completes the range of programming tools for their Alibi system.  The application allows companies having facilities on various sites to centralise their access data on a server on a single site, and to define the personnel in charge of security at each site in order that they can access all or part of the programming and information.  Due to the advantages and combination of the network structure and the flexibility of the Alibi system, Euronetics claim that this new addition gives extra flexibility and mobility to expanding companies with offices and facilities on various sites.

· The HID, France office exhibited the recent winner of the access control category of Detektor International Award, namely  iCLASS 13.56MHz read/write contactless smart card technology. It is designed to be optimised for physical access control, biometric applications, and data storage. 
    iCLASS smart cards and readers are capable of making access control more powerful and offer enhanced security through encryption and mutual authentication. 
   The new iCLASS readers have been designed to incorporate numerous international standards, as HID believe that they enable many equipment and application developers to work with the technology and to create a broader range of uses.  Several unique features, such as, encrypted data storage, mutual authentication, secure reading and writing of data and user definable keys,  help to place the new iCLASS cards and readers ahead of traditional radio frequency identification (RFID) technology.

· IDESCO from Finland, demonstrated the Access 7 Cpin on their stand at Expoprotection Feu.  They are designed for reliable and secure access control in various environments where additional security features are required.  These products read the unique ID-numbers of most popular and existing ISO approved tags.  The innovative and robust design, means that it can be used for harsh environments and that there are no moving parts ensuring absolute minimum maintenance.  The readers are suitable for most access control applications offering clock and data, Wiegand and RS232 port interfaces, and can be installed on to any metal surface with the need for insulation.  
   Access 7 Cpin was recently getting global recognition since it was presented with the Detektor International 2002 runner-up CCTV Award at the Sectech Expo in Denmark.