Ever-increasing advances in technology and continuous process optimization techniques have helped ensure that the global supply chain runs efficiently, turning raw materials into products that make their way to physical stores and e-commerce warehouses.

However, we’ve witnessed how an outside disturbance like a pandemic or flood can fracture the supply chain, throwing businesses and consumers into temporary chaos.

These disruptions are not necessarily due to a lack of product but more so to a lack of data.

• Where are the products within the supply chain at any given moment?

• How can they get to their destination when needed?

• When are there spikes in consumer demand, and how much more of a product will be needed to meet that demand?

Quality is another important aspect of manufacturing.

Whether you’re talking about components on a high-speed production line or levels in filling machines, every facet of the manufacturing industry focuses on quality detection and quality assurance.

Maintaining high quality is difficult, even for experienced operators.

Manufacturers need to run their businesses out of the windshield, not the rearview mirror. A computer vision platform provides the ability to “see” and interpret in near-real time by gathering data at the edge and analyzing it at the right speed and velocity to make time-critical determinations and agile business decisions.

This forward-looking capability provided by computer vision is enabling manufacturing organizations to better address these top five business needs:

1. How can we improve manufacturing personnel and facility safety?

• For personnel, cameras look for personal protective equipment (PPE) use, such as hard hats and safety glasses, and then the system either sends alerts to a manager if PPE is not being worn or keeps track of metrics that a safety officer uses to determine whether training is needed.

• Geofencing creates a virtual boundary around equipment that’s hot to the touch or an area within reach of a robot; a loud alarm or flashing light is triggered when a person or object gets too close.

• Repetitive movements are another safety issue that has long been a bane of manufacturing processes. Multiple repetitions of the same movement, such as when assembling a circuit board, can cause injuries in workers.

• Using cameras to study and optimize workflows often reduces the occurrence of employee injuries, promoting an overall safer workplace.

• The use of thermal cameras in manufacturing is also on the rise to monitor objects for which sensors are not practical or to examine objects that are challenging for people to access in situ.

• For example, you can train a camera on conveyer system bearings to watch the change in temperature, ultimately producing a temperature histogram that shows the heat signature over time that may indicate a future failure.

• Thermography is also beneficial if visibility is needed in low light, such as for perimeter security in poorly lit areas.

(How does a thermal camera see heat? Why can’t I see heat with a regular camera? A thermal camera is a non-contact device that detects infrared energy (heat) and converts it into a visual image. Let’s dive into the science of thermal camera sensors, and the invisible world of heat they allow us to see. Courtesy of 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Award Winner Teledyne FLIR and YouTube.)

2. How can we increase manufacturing operational efficiencies today, and what can we expect in the future?

• Operational efficiency typically comes down to overall equipment effectiveness. If you’re not producing a quality product, you either have to throw it away or perform rework.

• An increase in production is required to make up for off-spec products to meet the product demand plan.

• Consider a production line that uses automation technology, such as programmable logic controllers (PLCs).

• Cameras may be used to capture real-time streaming video images and thermal imagery of the production line and equipment.

• A highly scalable computer vision platform would enable you to combine and aggregate the data, and then analyze the resulting data set to determine the cause of the off-spec product.

• Taking that a step further—with a computer vision platform leveraging a federated approach—the analysis happens in near real-time as there would be no need to push large amounts of data back to a central storage location.

• This approach uses models at the edge to analyze data, sending only the results back to the central location for training and further refinement of the model (see Figure 1).

• Then, only the updated model is sent back to the edge. It’s a much more efficient method of precisely and rapidly determining whether some piece of equipment or a part is running a little slower or a little hotter versus performing physical inspections.

• Other uses for computer vision include the ability to discern colors in the quality control process (is the potato chip a perfect light gold color or brown and overcooked?) and to find defects in parts that are difficult to view within larger assemblies.

• Thermography can gauge the levels of product in a tank, whether the product is crude oil in the field or soup in a factory, as well as the temperature of those tanks.

• Looking to the future, predictive maintenance will be enhanced by computer vision technology, especially for equipment that needs to be in constant motion, shortening the time frame for replacements because scheduling can be done ahead of time and reducing overall costs for maintenance.

• Computer vision will be able to capture even more attributes from images and video, possibly replacing many sensors and transmitters used today.

• Also, expect to see entire factories designed virtually, creating a digital twin with running processes that can be optimized before implementation.

3. How can we positively impact the employee or “people” experience?

• In the future, expect significant improvements to workday processes that currently require manual involvement and analysis. As an employee enters a factory, computer vision may recognize that person, recording the time they begin a shift (no need to punch a timecard) and automatically unlock doors to restricted areas.

• This also ties into safety. In case of an emergency, plant managers and first responders could get instant counts of the number of people in various locations.

• And augmented reality (AR) will enable much more flexibility in the types of skill sets required for certain jobs by pairing remote experts with lower skilled workers wearing cameras and interacting via AR.

4. How can we affect sustainability in manufacturing?

• One desired outcome of process optimization is a reduction in manufacturing consumption in relation to energy, chemical usage, air quality, and raw materials.

• Does a motor need to run 24/7?

• Maybe not, and a computer vision platform can look for patterns to determine when that motor should run and when it can be idle, which affects maintenance efforts and energy usage.

• The same principle applies to chemical usage, where optimized usage also means less over- and under-dosing. And using computer vision production quality reduces scrap that cannot be reworked and ends up in landfills.

• Cameras are also an efficient way to monitor stack emissions as part of an effort to reduce sulphur oxide (SOx) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, and to check the color of water, such as in a reservoir, to determine the presence of pollutants or algae.

5. How can we impact manufacturing revenue? 

• Business owners look at ROI, NPV, and other metrics to justify the financials for doing a project or introducing a new product line.

• Computer vision in manufacturing is used to increase revenue, reduce costs and increase worker safety.

• For example, maximizing first-pass quality increases yield or reduces scrap, saving money on raw materials.

• Furthering the sustainability discussion, a reduction in energy or chemical usage also lower costs.

Although some aspects of computer vision have been in use in manufacturing for years, real-time data analytics is having the biggest impact.

With more plants embracing computer vision for quality assurance, plant visibility, equipment monitoring and worker safety, it’s possible to envision a global supply chain in the future that can better react to outside disturbance variables and continue to operate smoothly under almost any circumstances.

For an overview of computer vision and its impact on manufacturing, see Delivering game-changing Production Quality with Computer Vision.

Learn more about how computer vision is positively impacting other industries: 

• The Future Is Computer Vision – Real-Time Situational Awareness, Better Quality and Faster Insights

• Computer Vision Is Transforming the Transportation Industry, Making It Safer, More Efficient and Improving the Bottom Line

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Modern data analytics spans a range of technologies, from dedicated analytics platforms and databases to deep learning and artificial intelligence (AI).

Just starting out with analytics? Ready to evolve your analytics strategy or improve your data quality?

There’s always room to grow, and Intel is ready to help. With a deep ecosystem of analytics technologies and partners, Intel accelerates the efforts of data scientists, analysts, and developers in every industry.

Find out more about Intel advanced analytics.

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The company provides customers with the industry’s broadest and most innovative technology and services portfolio for the data era.

Originally posted on CIO here. 

Teledyne FLIR Returns to Compete in 7th ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program

American Security Today’s Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards is the preeminent U.S. Homeland Security Awards Program, and now in its Seventh Year, continues to recognize industry leaders of Physical and Border Security, Cybersecurity, Emergency Preparedness – Management and Response, Law Enforcement, First Responders, as well as federal, state and municipal government agencies in the acknowledgment of their outstanding efforts to Keep our Nation Secure.

Teledyne FLIR

Best CBRNE Detection Solution

• identiFINDER R700

• The Teledyne FLIR identiFINDER R700, introduced in June 2021, is a Backpack Radiation Detector (BRD) that fills a need in the operational deployment of radiation detectors.

• The R700 builds upon years of tried and true spectroscopic algorithms applied to a man-portable backpack detection system for accurate and reliable results.

• The R700’s lightweight, flexible and portable design allows users to configure the system as either an unmarked backpack or a stationary device, enabling mission sets from wide-area searches to temporary checkpoints.

• With its nondescript backpack form-factor and phone-based user interface, operators detect radiological threats covertly, even in a crowd.

• The identiFINDER R700 which is a recent recipient of a U.S. government award, provides the capabilities required to successfully perform wide-area searches quickly and efficiently while offering exceptional sensitivity, communication, and trusted spectroscopic algorithms in a lightweight, ergonomic form-factor.

(The FLIR identiFINDER R700 Backpack Radiation Detector (BRD) offers new spectroscopic broad-search capabilities. Once dismounted, the identiFINDER R700 provides the capabilities required to successfully perform wide-area searches quickly and efficiently while offering exceptional sensitivity, communication, and trusted spectroscopic algorithms in a lightweight, ergonomic form-factor. Courtesy of Teledyne FLIR and YouTube.)

• *FLIR Systems has now been recognized in all Six Consecutive Years of the Annual ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards.

The United States was forever changed 20 years ago on September 11th, and we were fortunate to have many of those who responded to those horrific tragedies join us at the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Luncheon.

In the days that followed 9/11, the critical needs of protecting our country catapulted us into new and innovative ways to secure our homeland – which is how many of the agencies and enterprise organizations that are today ‘ASTORS’ Awards Champions, came into being.

Our 2021 keynote speaker featured a moving and informative address from TSA Administrator and Vice-Admiral of the United States Coast Guard (Ret), David Pekoske; to our attendees who traveled from across the United States and abroad, on the strategic priorities of the 64,000 member TSA workforce in securing the transportation system, enabling safe, and in many cases, contactless travel.

Legendary Police Commissioner William Bratton of the New York Police Department, the Boston Police Department, and former Chief of the Los Angeles Police Department was also live at the event, meeting with attendees and signing copies of his latest work ‘The Profession: A Memoir of Community, Race, and the Arc of Policing in America,’ courtesy of the generosity of our 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Premier Sponsors.

The 2022 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program is Proudly Sponsored by New PLATINUM SPONSOR: NEC National Security Systems (NSS), New Premier Sponsors Rajant Corporation, and guardDog AI, and returning Sponsors to date, ATI Systems, Automatic Systems, RX Global, and SIMS Software!

The continually evolving ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program will emphasize the trail of Accomplished Women in Leadership in 2022, as well as the Significance and Positive Impact of Advancing Diversity and Inclusion in our Next Generation of Government and Industry Leaders. #MentorshipMatters

So be on the lookout for exciting upcoming announcements of Speakers, Presenters, Book Signing Opportunities, and Attendees at the 2022 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Presentation Luncheon in November of 2022 in New York City!

Nominations are currently being accepted for the 2022 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards at https://americansecuritytoday.com/ast-awards/.

Comprehensive List of Categories Include:

Access Control/ Identification	Personal/Protective Equipment	Law Enforcement Counter Terrorism
Perimeter Barrier/ Deterrent System	Interagency Interdiction Operation	Cloud Computing/Storage Solution
Facial/IRIS Recognition	Body Worn Video Product	Cyber Security
Video Surveillance/VMS	Mobile Technology	Anti-Malware
Audio Analytics	Disaster Preparedness	ID Management
Thermal/Infrared Camera	Mass Notification System	Fire & Safety
Metal/Weapon Detection	Rescue Operations	Critical Infrastructure
License Plate Recognition	Detection Products	COVID Innovations
Workforce Management	Government Security Programs	And Many Others to Choose From!

Don’t see a Direct Hit for your Product, Agency or Organization?

Submit your category recommendation for consideration to Michael Madsen, AST Publisher at: mmadsen@americansecuritytoday.com.

In 2021 over 200 distinguished guests representing Federal, State and Local Governments, and Industry Leading Corporate Firms gathered from across North America, Europe, and the Middle East to be honored among their peers in their respective fields which included:

• The Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

• ICE Homeland Security Investigations (ICE HSI)

• Customs & Border Protection (CBP)

• The Federal Protective Service (FPS)

• Argonne National Laboratory (ANL)

• DHS Science & Technology (S&T)

• The National Center for Disaster Medicine & Public Health (NCDMPH)

• The American Red Cross

• The InfraGard National Alliance

• The Metropolitan Police (MPD)

• The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA)

• Naval Postgraduate School Center for Homeland Defense and Security (CHDS)

• The Federal Air Marshals Service

• The San Diego Harbor Police Foundation, and Many More!

Corporate firms, the majority of which return year to year to build upon their record of accomplishment include:

AlertMedia, Allied Universal, AMAROK, ATI Systems, Attivo Networks, Axis Communications, Automatic Systems of America, BriefCam, Canon U.S.A., Fortior Solutions, guardDog.ai, Hanwha Techwin of America, HID Global, Mark43, IPVideo Corporation, Konica Minolta Business Solutions, Lumina Analytics, NEC National Security Systems, NICE Public Safety, OnSolve, PureTech Systems, Quantum Corporation, Rave Mobile Safety, Regroup Mass Notification, Robotic Assistance Devices, Rajant Corporation, SafeLogic, Senstar Corporation, ShotSpotter, Singlewire Software, SolarWinds Worldwide, Teledyne FLIR, Valor Systems, and Wiresecure, just to name a few!

Register for the 2022 ‘ASTORS’ Luncheon Today

American Security Today is delighted to announce, that Deputy Executive Assistant Commissioner (DEAC) Diane J. Sabatino of the Office of Field Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), will be the opening keynote speaker at the much-anticipated 2022 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Presentation Luncheon, on Wednesday, November 16th, 2022.

American Security Today’s Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards is the preeminent U.S. Homeland Security Awards Program, and now in its Seventh Year, continues to recognize industry leaders of Physical and Border Security, Cybersecurity, Emergency Preparedness – Management and Response, Law Enforcement, First Responders, as well as federal, state and municipal government agencies in the acknowledgment of their outstanding efforts to Keep our Nation Secure.

To take advantage of this exclusive luncheon opportunity to invite your team, guests, clients, and show visitors to a gourmet, affordable, plated meal event in the heart of New York City, for a fabulous networking opportunity!

Go to https://americansecuritytoday.com/product/awards-luncheon/ to secure your seat or reserve a table. ***Limited space available so Register Today. There will be no on-site registrations.

Your ‘ASTORS’ Awards Luncheon registration includes complimentary attendee access to ISC East where you can meet the world’s most innovative suppliers and cyber experts, immerse yourself in hands-on tech and learn from world-renowned speakers and thought-leaders.

Why American Security Today?

The traditional security marketplace has long been covered by a host of publications putting forward the old school basics to what is Today – a fast-changing security landscape.

American Security Today is uniquely focused on the broader Homeland Security & Public Safety marketplace with over 75,000 readers at the Federal, State, and local levels of government as well as firms allied to the government.

American Security Today brings forward a fresh compelling look and read with our customized digital publications that hold readers’ eyes throughout the story with cutting-edge editorial that provides solutions to their challenges.

Harness the Power of the Web – with our 100% Mobile Friendly Publications

AST Digital Publications are distributed to over 75,000 qualified government and homeland security professionals, in federal, state, local, and private security sectors.

‘PROTECTING OUR NATION, ONE CITY AT A TIME’

AST Reaches both Private & Public Experts, essential to meeting these new challenges.

Today’s new generation of public safety and security experts need real-time knowledge to deal with domestic and international terrorism, lone wolf attacks, unprecedented urban violence, shifts in society, culture, and media bias – making it increasingly difficult for Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Military and Private Security Professionals to implement coordinated security measures to ensure national security and improve public safety.

These experts are from Government at the federal, state, and local level as well as from private firms allied to the government.

AST provides a full plate of topics in our AST Monthly Magazine Editions, AST Website, and AST Daily News Alerts, covering 23 Vital Sectors such as Access Control, Perimeter Protection, Video Surveillance/Analytics, Airport Security, Border Security, CBRNE Detection, Border Security, Ports, Cybersecurity, Networking Security, Encryption, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Campus Security, Security Services, Corporate Facilities, and Emergency Response among others.

AST has Expanded readership into integral Critical Infrastructure audiences such as Protection of Nuclear Facilities, Water Plants & Dams, Bridges & Tunnels, and other potential targets of terrorism.

Other areas of concern include Transportation Hubs, Public Assemblies, Government Facilities, Sporting & Concert Stadiums, our Nation’s Schools & Universities, and Commercial Business Destinations – all enticing targets due to the large number of persons and resources clustered together.

(See just a few highlights of American Security Today’s 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Presentation Luncheon at ISC East. Courtesy of My Pristine Images and Vimeo.)

To learn more about ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Award Winners solutions, please see the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ CHAMPIONS Edition Fully Interactive Magazine – the Best Products of 2021 ‘A Year in Review’.

The Annual CHAMPIONS edition includes a review of Annual ‘ASTORS’ Award Winning products and programs, highlighting key details on many of the winning firm’s products and services, including video interviews and more.

It serves as your Go-To Source throughout the year for ‘The Best of 2021 Products and Services‘ endorsed by American Security Today, and can satisfy your agency’s and/or organization’s most pressing Homeland Security and Public Safety needs.

From Physical Security (Access Control, Critical Infrastructure, Perimeter Protection, and Video Surveillance Cameras and Video Management Systems), to IT Security (Cybersecurity, Encryption, Data Storage, Anti-Malware and Networking Security – Just to name a few), the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ CHAMPIONS EDITION has what you need to Detect, Delay, Respond to, and Mitigate today’s real-time threats in our constantly evolving security landscape.

It also includes featured guest editorial pieces from some of the security industry’s most respected leaders, and recognized firms in the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program.

• For a complete list of 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Award Winners, begin HERE.

For more information on All Things American Security Today, as well as the 2021 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program, please contact Michael Madsen, AST Publisher at mmadsen@americansecuritytoday.com.

AST strives to meet a 3 STAR trustworthiness rating, based on the following criteria:

• Provides named sources
• Reported by more than one notable outlet
• Includes supporting video, direct statements, or photos

Subscribe to the AST Daily News Alert Here.

Learn More…

Teledyne FLIR LVSS ADA C-UAS to Compete in 2022 ‘ASTORS’ Awards