As a result of the acquisition, Centennial’s 1.1 million wireless subscribers — many of them in rural areas — will have access to the wireless network with the best global coverage and to the nation’s premier lineup of innovative wireless devices, including iPhone 3G, an AT&T exclusive. Centennial’s customers who choose select smartphones — such as the BlackBerry® BoldTM, another AT&T exclusive — and AT&T LaptopConnect cards will also enjoy free access to the nation’s largest Wi-Fi network.

“Mobility is a vital investment area for AT&T and our company’s biggest growth driver,” said Ralph de la Vega, president and chief executive officer of AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. “This transaction enhances network coverage for our consumer and business customers and is expected to create long-term value for AT&T’s stockholders.”

“This acquisition offers important benefits for wireless customers of both AT&T and Centennial,” de la Vega said. “Our existing customers will enjoy a better on-network calling experience in the current Centennial roaming areas. And Centennial customers will have access to a mobile-to-mobile network of nearly 75 million subscribers, AT&T’s national and international roaming capabilities, our terrific device offerings and our great portfolio of applications and services.”

The Centennial acquisition demonstrates AT&T’s commitment to continuously enhance network quality and coverage for its wireless customers. The addition of Centennial’s high-quality 850 MHz spectrum will improve service quality for AT&T customers in parts of Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Ohio and Texas.

Centennial also provides switched voice and high-capacity data and Internet Protocol solutions for business customers in Puerto Rico. The transaction gives AT&T a network presence in Puerto Rico and will allow the company to better serve its multinational business customers with a presence in this U.S. territory.

“Centennial has a 20-year history of doing what is best for our customers, and this transaction is a natural next step for us,“ said Michael J. Small, CEO of Centennial. “As a result of this merger, our wireless customers will enjoy greatly expanded network coverage and access to AT&T’s wide range of innovative products and services. Our business customers will benefit from AT&T’s expertise in delivering networking services and solutions to businesses of all sizes.

“I thank our associates for their dedication and hard work in always rising to the challenges of our rapidly changing industry, and I take pride that our company will become part of a world-class organization like AT&T.“

Under terms of the agreement, Centennial stockholders will receive $8.50 per share for a total equity price of $944 million. Including net debt, the total enterprise value is approximately $2.8 billion. AT&T expects the proposed transaction to deliver significant value to its stockholders. The acquisition offers opportunities for synergies in areas including corporate overhead, advertising, customer care and network operations. In the first year after the transaction closes, AT&T expects minimal dilution to EPS and cash flow, driven by upfront integration costs.

The acquisition is subject to regulatory approval, the approval of Centennial’s stockholders and other customary closing conditions. Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe, Centennial’s largest stockholder, has agreed to vote in support of this transaction. AT&T is working to obtain approvals by the end of the second quarter of 2009.

Centennial’s 1.1 million wireless customers are in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands as well as in Kalamazoo, Cass City, Newaygo, Battle Creek, Benton Harbor, Jackson, Roscommon, Allegan, Grand Rapids, Lansing, Muskegon and Saginaw-Bay City, Mich.; Miami, Kosciusko, Huntington, Kokomo, Muncie, Anderson and Lafayette, Ind.; Lima and Findlay-Tiffin and Williams County, Ohio; Lafayette, Alexandria, Iberville, Bastrop and Lake Charles and Caldwell, West Feliciana, Beauregard and DeSoto parishes, La.; Beaumont-Port Arthur, Texas; and Claiborne and Copiah counties, Miss.

Dailymotion has created a specific group for program-suitable educational content, which can be accessed by children using the XO laptop at http://olpc.dailymotion.com as well as by users of any PC at http://www.dailymotion.com/group/olpc. Videos from OLPC will be also programmed into applicable Dailymotion channels such as Animals, Music, Sciences, Sports and Latino.

The partnership will enable OLPC to benefit from Dailymotion’s infrastructure, content management systems and user account systems to let children create and distribute videos using the video camera in the XO laptop. Dailymotion’s active role in the program may include assisting in developing additional programs for use on the XO, helping to improve and debug video applications for the laptop and creating activities that will be accessible to children who receive the machine. The Dailymotion platform is also positioned to become a communication distribution system that can be used by organizations around the world to reach remote populations.

“We at Dailymotion truly believe in OLPC’s mission to empower the populations of developing nations with access to educational and technological tools that many of us take for granted,” stated Mark Zaleski, chairman and CEO of Dailymotion. “We are proud to lend our support to this noble and worthwhile project, and look forward to contributing to the brighter future of millions of children around the world.”

“We are delighted to have Dailymotion join the OLPC project,” stated Samuel Klein, director of community content at OLPC. “We are confident that the additional video capabilities that Dailymotion will bring to the XO laptop will serve to further the educational opportunities we can offer to enhance the lives of children around the world.”

Under the terms of the new agreement, the customizable Verizon-Yahoo! portal will be offered as the first portal choice option for all new subscribers to Verizon’s FiOS Internet and High Speed Internet services. Customers who choose the Verizon-Yahoo! portal will get Yahoo! Search, and co-branded e-mail, Instant Messenger and Toolbar applications. Yahoo! also will provide search and display advertising on the co-branded portal and e-mail application, and both companies will share the search, advertising and e-commerce revenues generated by users of the co-branded portal.

“In addition to providing consumers the fastest upload and download broadband connection speeds available, Verizon offers features and services that enhance our customers’ Internet experience,” said Eric J. Bruno, senior vice president, Verizon Corporate Marketing. “Allowing customers to select a portal and personalize their content is a key part of the Verizon broadband experience.”

Beyond news and information, the co-branded Verizon-Yahoo! portal offers access to content and tools from Yahoo!, including e-mail previews, to-do lists, sports updates, weather, finance portfolios and TV listings, as well as photos and videos from Flickr, one of the world’s leading online photo and video-sharing communities. It also offers direct, one-click access to Verizon.net and other select Verizon and third-party sites. Key features include:

* Customizable Personal Assistant, where users can quickly check in for key information during their daily Internet routine, and get easy access to their own priority features, such as e-mail previews, daily horoscopes and local weather.
* Top Picks from Your Page module that highlights key stories, chosen based on articles that a user has read on My Yahoo!.
* Flexible customization tools and controls, such as on-page personalization options, easy drag-and-drop modules, and a variety of layout choices.

“Yahoo! is thrilled to further enhance our partnership with Verizon to deliver our industry-leading consumer experiences to Verizon’s new broadband customers,” said Jim Schinella, senior vice president, Corporate Partnerships, Yahoo!. “Our new multiyear agreement offers greater choices for consumers while enabling both companies to unlock greater monetization opportunities.”

Verizon’s 50 Mbps (megabits per second) downstream and 20 Mbps upstream FiOS Internet connection, provided via the company’s all-fiber-optic network, is the fastest available to U.S. consumers, and the company’s 20/20 symmetrical service is the first of its kind commercially available to U.S. consumers on a mass scale. Pioneering a new category of broadband for the American consumer, Verizon’s symmetrical FiOS provides the ultra-fast, two-way speeds crucial for such burgeoning online activities as video conferencing, social networking and super-fast uploading of electronic photo albums or home videos, as well as multi-player gaming and online work collaboration.

Verizon High Speed Internet service, based on DSL technology, provides the best value in broadband with up to 7 Mbps delivered on a dedicated line from Verizon’s central switching office to the customer’s home or business. Verizon High Speed Internet is backed by live, 24 x 7 customer service and technical support.

“We’re continuing to create new, convenient ways for our customers to watch digital movies and TV shows. The ability to watch content instantly without downloading first was among the most requested features of our customers, and now it’s live—customers can instantly watch the ad-free title of their choice on a Mac, PC or compatible Sony BRAVIA TV via Sony’s BRAVIA Internet Video Link device,” said Roy Price, director of Amazon Video On Demand. “Amazon Video On Demand provides customers with the choice of how to watch their favorite movies and TV shows, be it on their PC or Mac, on the TV with TiVo or through Sony’s BRAVIA Internet Video Link device on compatible Sony BRAVIA TVs, or on the go with a portable video player.”

Also starting today, Sony BRAVIA Internet Video Link users can rent or purchase and instantly watch movies and commercial-free TV shows directly on their compatible BRAVIA TV. With the Sony BRAVIA Internet Video Link, customers can explore and purchase or rent from the Amazon Video On Demand library with the push of a button. To get started, customers simply go to www.amazon.com/videoondemand/bravia and link their BRAVIA to their Amazon.com account. After a purchase is made, the title can be immediately watched. A backup version can also be found in Your Video Library, accessible from the Sony BRAVIA Internet Video Link device user interface or on Amazon.com. Customers interested in purchasing a Sony BRAVIA television and/or Sony BRAVIA Internet Video Link device can do so in the Amazon.com Electronics store at www.amazon.com/electronics. Amazon Video On Demand through the BRAVIA Internet Video Link is currently in beta.

Amazon Video On Demand, operated by Amazon Digital Services, Inc., is the only U.S. digital video service that gives customers the choice to stream or download premium movies and TV shows. With over 40,000 licensed movies and TV shows, customers can now watch on their Mac, PC, Sony BRAVIA TV, TiVo box, Windows Media Center extender devices such as Xbox 360, and portable media players. The Amazon Unbox Video Player will remain as the client application for downloaded content, allowing customers to watch purchased content on their computer when they are not connected to the Internet or transfer it to a portable media player. With Fall TV starting in early September, Amazon Video On Demand will have a full selection of the most popular returning and new shows, including pilots, premieres, and full episodes.

To enable TV manufacturers to take advantage of this growing digital TV market, Broadcom announces its BCM3556 single-chip DTV solution at the IFA Show in Berlin that now supports multiple compatibility standards in Europe and Asia. The Broadcom(R) BCM3556 DTV SoC also includes an advanced feature set including multi-format picture decoding in support of high definition AVC, H.264, VC-1, AVS and MPEG-2 streams. By supporting H.264, the latest video compression standard, the BCM3556 enables users to view multimedia and HD content with improved picture quality at lower bandwidth when accessing content from other consumer devices in the home network. The BCM3556’s support of H.264 also provides access to H.264 broadcast content without the need of an additional decoder within the digital television.

The BCM3556 also integrates a host of features that allow TV manufacturers to create differentiated products, and when combined with improved picture quality, will enrich the consumers’ DTV experience. One such feature is a 3D graphics core that provides consumers with a graphical user interface for flipping, rotating, moving or manipulating images, and enables OEMs to create specialized user interfaces that differentiates the TV from traditional flat, two dimension user interfaces.

“With the BCM3556, our DTV design partners can expand the use of Broadcom SoCs to address European and Asian markets,” said Dan Marotta, Senior Vice President & General Manager of Broadcom’s Broadband Communications Group. “By providing additional worldwide standards in our DTV product line, along with differentiated features to TV manufacturers, our design partners, in turn, can offer viewers greater connectivity and enhanced interactivity.”

The advanced home network connectivity of the BCM3556 includes an integrated Ethernet media access controller (MAC) and physical layer (PHY) device that enables the SoC to connect with multiple home networking devices such as media servers, PCs, MP3 and portable media players. As a result, users can share and stream music, photo and movie content to and from connected TVs. A high-powered CPU, featuring a MIPS(R) dual core processor, rounds out the BCM3556’s capabilities by providing consumers with a fast and responsive seamless user interface to content from either traditional broadcast sources as well as from personal or internet content.

The BCM3556 is available in package configurations that support WXGA (wide screen) display resolutions and a full 1080p high definition resolution. The new DTV SoC also incorporates a unique 3D color management system, as well as digital, analog and mosquito noise reduction. Also integrated is an advanced picture enhancement processor (PEP) to improve picture sharpness and perform picture post-processing functions. The PEP engine is fully programmable and can be optimized by each TV manufacturer to meet their respective quality requirements. As a result, the BCM3556 SoC enables TV manufacturers with better video quality, sharper images and more accurate color reproduction.

Technical Information

The BCM3556 is Broadcom’s next generation DTV SoC that features an advanced video decoder, 3D graphics core, Ethernet MAC and PHY, and support for either WXGA or 1080p HD resolutions. These features, combined with a high level of integration and picture quality, will greatly enhance the DTV experience and enable TV manufacturers to reduce overall system cost and improve picture quality, all with a single SoC. Additional features are as follows:

— Advanced multi-format decoder supports the following:
- H.264/AVC Main and High Profile to Level 4.1 (HD), Level 3.1 (SD) -
HD/SD AVS Jizhun Profile Levels 2.0, 4.0, and 6.0
- VC-1 Advanced Profile @ Level 3, Simple and Main Profiles
- HD/SD MPEG-2 Main Profile at Main and High levels
- MPEG still image decode
- HD DivX(R) 3.11/4.11/5.x/6x/Home Theater
— 3D/2D OpenGL(R) ES 1.0-compliant graphics core
— Ethernet MAC and PHY
— Integrated video processing:
- 3D color management
- Digital, analog and mosquito noise reduction
- 1080i motion adaptive de-interlacing with 3:2/2:2 pull-down
- True 10-bit video
— Extensive audio support:
- AAC LC, AAC LC+SBR Level 2, AAC+ Level 2, AAC-HE
- Dolby Digital(R), Dolby Digital Plus, TruSurround XT(R)
- MPEG 1 Layers 1, 2, and 3 (MP3)
- Windows Media(R) and Windows Media Pro audio
- Audio DACs, input switch and equalizer
- Dolby Digital, TruSurround XT, MPEG Audio Decoder
— Integrated DVB-T COFDM terrestrial demodulator:
- Standards compliance: ETSI EN 300 744, Nordig Unified v1.0.3, DTG
D-Book 5 compliant
- Excellent Doppler performance
- Active impulse noise suppression
— PAL/SECAM demodulator
— PAL decoder with a 3D/2D comb
— 400-MHz Dual Core CMT MIPS32(R)/MIPS16e(TM) class processor
— NICAM audio decoder
— Single/dual-link LVDS transmitters
— Dual HDMI 1.3a receivers
— Dual USB 2.0

Availability and Pricing

The BCM3556 digital TV SoC solution is now sampling to early access customers. Pricing is available upon request.

SAP AG (NYSE:SAP) today announced the opening of a second SAP Co-Innovation Lab in Ohtemachi, Tokyo, Japan. Joining the first co-innovation lab, located in Palo Alto, California, the addition further broadens efforts by SAP to work with software solution partners, technology partners, service partners and customers to accelerate the innovation and delivery of solutions designed to address industry-specific business issues for companies around the world.

Taking advantage of Japan’s rich history of custom development, members of the Tokyo co-innovation lab will focus on identifying opportunities to address pressing business needs, including enterprise service-oriented architecture (enterprise SOA) adoption, green IT and virtualization techniques to assist with enterprise software implementation. The SAP Co-Innovation Lab Tokyo is endorsed by the following partners: ABeam Consulting Ltd., Dell Japan Inc., FUJITSU LIMITED, F5 Networks Japan K.K., HITACHI, Ltd., IBM Business Consulting Services K.K., IBM Japan, Ltd., Intel Corporation, Microsoft Co., Ltd., Mitsubishi Electric Information Systems Corporation, NEC Corporation, NetApp K.K., REALTECH JAPAN Co., Ltd., Sun Microsystems K.K., Tecnos Japan Inc., Toyo Business Engineering Corporation and VMware K.K.

The SAP Co-Innovation Lab will focus on utilizing a global talent pool and fostering collaboration on projects based around a simulated heterogeneous data center integrating hardware and infrastructure software from the participating vendors. To best meet the needs of companies in today’s global environment, the lab’s work will re-create real-world situations on Web- enabled and Internet- or intranet-accessible business applications.

As part of the SAP Co-Innovation Lab Tokyo launch, two engagements have already delivered results, exemplifying the rapid benefits that co-innovation can deliver.

Intel Corporation and SAP have been cooperating closely worldwide, and, in Japan, their collaboration focuses on so-called “green IT” projects. Green IT is a key topic in Japan, a country that has initiated many environmental campaigns. In the facility that today becomes the SAP Co-Innovation Lab Tokyo, Intel and SAP have completed a green IT-related validation effort focused on identifying opportunities to reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions with enterprise solutions.

Using servers powered by Quad Core Intel(R) Xeon(R) processors that replace older, single-core processors, total energy consumption related to the use of SAP(R) ERP was reduced by more than 50 percent. These energy consumption measurements used SAP ERP load cycles simulating 24 hours of server usage, including daily dialog processing and night batch job processing running under absolutely comparable conditions. These results are being made available to the public for the first time, which will help customers make more intelligent investment decisions.

Together with VMware Japan, SAP used the lab setting to identify the advantages of employing virtualization in SAP ERP upgrade projects using servers equipped with multi-core Intel processors. The one-month project proved that unifying existing servers into a virtual environment is possible through upgrade, and that system-proving activities can be done more easily utilizing VMware solutions. The result of this project was a white paper that partners and customers can use as a guide to achieving advantages throughout the upgrade process. As adoption of SAP ERP continues to build, SAP and partners are providing relevant tools and solutions that enable companies to take advantage of opportunities to improve business processes within the implementation process, enabling them to more rapidly deliver benefits to the business.

Opened in June 2007, SAP’s inaugural co-innovation lab in Palo Alto, California has demonstrated continuous success in innovation. With projects covering topics such as enterprise collaboration, SOA management, disaster recovery for SAP environments and business performance management, SAP and its lab partners have identified numerous solutions to address specific customer needs (see June 18, 2008 press release, titled “Ground-Breaking Projects Emerging from SAP Co-Innovation Lab Address Today’s Pressing Business Challenges”).

Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI) (NYSE:TXN) today announced its lowest-cost digital media processor, the TMS320DM335 device, for applications driven by advanced image capture and display requirements. Consumers will now be able to have enhanced interaction with their electronic devices such as Internet radio, e-books, video surveillance products and digital telescopes through feature-rich graphical user interfaces (GUIs). Powered by an ARM926EJ-S(TM) core up to 270 MHz, the DM335 digital media processor integrates a video processing subsystem (VPSS) so developers can easily add high-definition video display at 720p on their new class of portable applications.

Helping developers reduce overall system design overhead, the DM335 processor provides the benefits of greater than 25 percent cost reduction than its highly successful predecessor, the TMS320DM355 processor. The new digital media processor is completely scalable with the DM355 processor and Digital Video Evaluation Board (DVEVM), allowing customers to re-use both hardware and software designs for their new DM335 processor focused projects. The DM335 processor also offers a compelling solution for customers creating advanced user interface display applications that do not require video compression and decompression for a fraction of the cost.

The new DM335 device delivers a sophisticated suite of capabilities allowing for flexible image capture and display. Through its user interface technology, such as a four-level on-screen display, developers are able to create picture-within-picture and video-within-video as well as innovative GUIs. This is especially important for portable products that require the use of button or touch screen, such as portable karaoke, universal remote controls, video doorbells and electronic gaming applications.

For crisp and vibrant display images, the DM335 processor support CCD/CMOS image sensors, resize capability and video analytics. The 1280-by-960-pixel digital LCD connection runs on a 75-MHz pixel clock and supports TV composite output for increased expandability.

Rapid development with complete scalability

The DM335 processor provides a simple migration path for the many TI customers who are currently using the DM355 device and would like to expand their product line to include applications that do not require video encode and decode. This lower cost alternative offers full code and hardware compatibility without requiring additional investment in software engineering. The DM335 utilizes the same suite of peripherals as the DM355, such as high speed USB 2.0 on-the-go, external memory interface (EMIF), mobile DDR/DDR2, two SDIO ports, three UART Ports, three SPI Ports and SLC/MCL NAND Flash memory support. In addition, customers can leverage TI’s HPA portable audio solutions including low-power codecs like the TLV320AIC3104 and amplifiers, such as the TPA2016D2.

In addition to being pin-to-pin compatible with the DM355, the new DM335 device is also software compatible with all of TI’s digital media processor devices. This allows developers to have easy access to the application programming interfaces (APIs) common across TI’s digital media processor portfolio, enabling developers familiar with ARM(R) to rapidly start development with virtually no learning curve and concentrate on further differentiating their products. Developers can re-use intellectual property or utilize IP from the open-source resources for ARM-based processing to speed them throughout the development process.

For developers already creating applications based on the DM355 device, they can jump start their DM335 processor-based design by utilizing the same development kit and even use the same code for applications that do not require MPEG-4 or JPEG codec. The DM355 Digital DVEVM integrates an optimized MontaVista(R) Linux(R) board support package (BSP), drivers and display capture support for the VPSS to help developers easily build low-cost portable products. The DVEVM also support Windows(R) Embedded CE 6.0.

For an additional boost in support, developers can also rely on the industry’s largest Developer Network for algorithms and additional tools to produce sleeker applications cheaper and faster.

The TMS320DM335 digital media processor is now available for $10.48 in 100 units from TI. The highly integrated device is packaged in a 13 x 13 mm, 329 pin, 0.65 mm pitch BGA package. The TMDSEVM355 Digital Video Evaluation Module is now available for $495.

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Intel’s new hafnium-based 45nm Hi-k silicon process technology enables even more processor performance by doubling transistor density and increasing cache size by up to 50 percent. The Intel Core2 Duo processor T9400, validated with the Mobile Intel GM45 Express chipset, provides excellent processor and graphics performance, storage speed, system memory and reliability, making it ideal for a broad range of embedded applications.

Over the past year, Intel has utilized Phoenix’s BIOS software on its reference boards. Phoenix’s firmware solutions provide complete support for current industry standards and initiatives.

Phoenix SecureCore and AwardCore for embedded applications are available now for the Intel Core2 Duo Processor T9400 with both the Mobile Intel GM45 Express chipset and the Intel 5100 Memory Controller Hub (MCH) chipset.

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“We feel that it is a strong validation of our technology and the benefits we bring to this market to be selected by a major Japanese OEM. Our digital pen and touch screen product is designed to deliver a high-quality user experience consistent with our customer’s stringent requirements for durability,” said Ramesh Ramchandani, president and COO, InPlay.

Once final requirements are met, production is expected to begin in fourth quarter 2008. InPlay estimates that the project will generate approximately $1 million in revenue annually.

InPlay offers the only digital communication pen technology on the market, bringing significant advantages over traditional analog products. With InPlay’s integrated digital pen and touch solutions, the system automatically recognizes pen or finger input, allowing the user to choose the most natural and effective input method. The system also incorporates palm rejection to avoid unintentional input, thereby creating a comfortable user experience. The active digital pen optimizes handwriting recognition and allows for added digital features, while the touch screen offers a quick intuitive interface for cursor selection and navigation.

“The response to this program has been positive from day one as citizens have seen an immediate impact from it,” said Mayor Brown. “We plan to expand the system with 40 additional cameras by the end of the year.”

The city has received more than 50 calls from Buffalo citizens requesting cameras on their street corners. Other municipalities that have publicly announced installations of Firetide wireless surveillance networks include Chicago, Dallas, Phoenix, West Palm Beach, Fla., and Los Angeles County.

“Any police department in the country considering video surveillance should ask themselves why not go wireless,” said Police Capt. Mark Makowski, Buffalo Police Department. “I’m convinced it is the way of the future. With a wireless network, we can put cameras where they are most needed, and it’s a capability that most cities and police departments can afford.”

Buffalo’s new system allows the police department to be more proactive instead of responding reactively to 9-1-1 calls. Additionally, police officers are better prepared when approaching a situation because an officer operating the network camera provides details about exactly what is occurring at that particular scene.

Tough Requirements

In its initial request for bids, Buffalo requested:

* The ability to read license plates from 200 yards away.
* Evidence-grade, real-time video (high-resolution streaming video at 30 frames per second).
* Wind- and weather-proofing, and good performance in low lighting.
* Flexibility to add and move cameras in the future.

The current system consists of 56 Avrio Rapid Deployment Surveillance Solution PoleCams – portable units that integrate Axis network cameras and Firetide wireless mesh nodes in a weatherized enclosure – plus 37 additional Firetide nodes for infrastructure connectivity. All PoleCams have been installed in overt locations with blue lights and police branding. Some of the cameras are pan-tilt-zoom network cameras that operators can control remotely. The video is monitored by members of the police force who are temporarily unable to patrol the streets, such as injured or pregnant officers. Funding for the current deployment came from the state of New York’s Efficiency Grants.

“We knew Firetide’s network would have to be the core of this system since we need a lot of bandwidth to run evidence-grade video,” said Mark Jules, president, business development and strategic planning, Avrio Group. “Together with Axis, Firetide and OnSSI, we are able to serve a growing number of American cities, both large and small, that are discovering how wireless video surveillance can be an effective weapon to fight crime.”

Future Plans

In the near future, two hospitals will gain access to footage from cameras that monitor the entrances and exits to their parking lots. Avrio’s Rapid Deployment Surveillance Solution uses a video surveillance control and management solution from OnSSI allowing the hospitals to view video from their cameras only, while providing the Buffalo Police Department with access. Future plans include adding video analytics and gunshot detection technologies to the system.

Like many cities, Buffalo contends with drug dealing, shootings, assaults and other felonies within its 42-square-mile boundaries. But the wireless video surveillance system isn’t limited to high-crime areas. The city has also deployed cameras in its business district to stimulate economic development, as well as at critical infrastructure sites for Homeland Security purposes.

“Our wireless video surveillance system multiplies the eyes of the police officers,” said Makowski. “You can only do so much undercover work before drug dealers figure out who you are. With the cameras, we can keep our eyes on them constantly.”

RFP Process

Once Mayor Brown was elected, he asked the police commissioner to investigate video surveillance systems in other cities. The Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications’ intelligent security system provided a blueprint for a request for proposal (RFP). The RFP outlined requirements for the wireless video surveillance system without detailing technical specifications, allowing integrators to offer their best technologies. Out of the seven proposals received, the Buffalo Police Department selected the solution offered by Avrio, Johnson Controls and Ferguson Electric.

“We are excited to partner yet again with a leading public safety solutions provider such as Avrio Group,” said Bo Larsson, chief executive officer of Firetide. “Avrio has proven that it can implement a cutting-edge wireless surveillance project of Buffalo’s scale and complexity, while providing broadcast-quality, evidence-grade video that law enforcement agencies need for successful investigations. The combination of Avrio’s expertise, Axis’ network camera capabilities, Firetide’s wireless technology, and OnSSI’s video management system provides a compelling solution to municipalities seeking to improve security and public safety in response to public demand.”

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