TKH Security has launched a new application for security management called Fore!
The new software system can integrate video surveillance, intercoms, access control and intruder alarms.
The software is strikingly simple in its layout, with smartphone-style graphics and a user-friendly layout.
TKH Security have clearly designed the software with cross-device usability in mind, as users can access Fore! via their smartphones, tablets or desktops wherever they are.
With an easily customisable drag-and-drop dashboard, users are able to build a layout that shows them the most important parts of their network first.
Users are not just able to add cameras and intercoms to their dashboard, but to scale certain images to take up more or less space in the dashboard. This gives users a pinterest-style block display, where all of the cameras and other devices are arranged in a neat block pattern.
The software has an auto-detect feature meaning that cameras, intercoms, and access control card readers that have been built using open standards (ONVIF, SIP and Wiegand, respectively) can be connected to Fore! in a matter of seconds.
Cameras and other equipment that isn’t standards-compliant won’t work on the system, but with open platforms becoming the norm in security, this shouldn’t be a problem.
You can see a video of TKH Security adding a new camera to the Fore! dashboard here, and there’s no bluster, it really is that simple.
Features such as this are likely to attract the attention of security managers who find the appeal of Apple software (it just works) a significant selling point.
SMS and email alerts when there is an incident, such as an alarm being tripped, is one noticeable omission in the feature-set, but this will come in a software update. TKH Security staff were keen to stress that this is version 1, and there will be frequent updates adding functionality.
Fore! security management community?
Another interesting element of Fore! was the website itself, which provides a full list of supported cameras, access control card readers, and intruder alarms that are compatible. Many of them also come with the datasheets, so installers are able to see at a glance what security products will collaborate with the software.
The site also has a community element where users will be able to discuss issues, problems, or indeed compliments they have for Fore!
Manufacturers are being invited to be a part of the community as well, with Mobotix among the video surveillance companies who have committed to answering any issues that users may have with their cameras and Fore!
How successful this community will be, only time can tell, but TKH Security appear keen to stay in close contact with their users so that they can build the platform into the system that end users want and need.
The software is priced at an extremely reasonable euro 1750 (about GB pound 1400) and can be downloaded on a free trial from the Fore! website.