• Pitching in, pitching out: We’re keen on green and do what we can to promote the paperless office. To that end, we had our first site-wide “shred day” early in the month. Employees were encouraged to collect unnecessary paperwork and other outdated materials (account executive Jeff Taylor displays dated labeling, above), which we then helped feed into the document destruction machinery aboard two Cintas haulage trucks. We had fun pitching in on this all hands effort, as is clear from the pictures!
• Trying to help in trying times: We reached out to targeted industry segments with specials aimed at stretching their dollar. Collision avoidance users were presented with a wish list from which they could pick the three cost-saving items that would most benefit their budgets. And schools considering the SV-4CSD onboard surveillance video system were offered a complimentary camera, after the purchase of the first. (Interested? Offers end 12.31.09!)
• Gathering of the clans: Our annual get-together gets us all on the same page. December is traditionally the month when all sales staff and installation technicians convene to discuss progress during the previous year and plans for the coming year. It makes for a full-house here at HQ, but it’s always good to put our heads together and share lessons learned.
• Giving back to the community: Here’s where the elf part kicks in! Safety Vision again participated in the Elves & More corporate bike-build, a charitable cause that benefits at-risk children. Safe transportation and children’s well-being are two of our drivers, so this is a fitting cause for us to embrace.
• Sharing our vision: We speak out as mobile video surveillance subject matter experts. As in years past, Mass Transit magazine approached us for our take on where the industry is headed. In the December 2009/January 2010 issue (pg 55), CTO Chris Fritz chimes in with his look-ahead on trends and technologies to come.
• Celebrating the season and the standouts: Safety Vision hosts a meal and toasts a winner. Every year since 2002, the company has recognized one employee as Visionary of the Year, selected from a pool of nominees proposed by their coworkers as going above and beyond. At yesterday’s holiday luncheon, Bruce announced Technical Support Manager Aaron Alvarado as VOY 2009. Aaron will be treated to a 3-day trip to beautiful Telluride, CO!  We all appreciate your hard work, Aaron: You make Safety Vision look good! Congrats…
• Saying adieu (but not goodbye): Vicki Hammett, our first human resources director, has retired and is being feted at a surprise farewell lunch, today. Vicki lent many years of service to the company and tendered much care to its employees, and she will be sorely missed. Wishing you all the best, Vicki. It’s hard to imagine a Safety Vision without you; but you set a gold standard for future comers … and we know you’ll be back to visit. Right?!

Whew, and that’s a wrap: I told you it was a busy December! Maybe now we can sit back, relax, and enjoy the holidays with family and friends. We hope you’re able to do the same, and we wish you a safe, happy, and prosperous 2010.

Fast forward to the digital era. These days, seems everybody and his brother (and his other brother!) has got a list. So we’ve decided to get in on the act. We’ll call it SafetyVision’s Top 10 Random Smattering List. The compilations range from season-appropriate listings to a few mobile video surveillance topics to lists capturing the online zeitgeist to clumps of pure random fun. Enjoy!

1. The Nine Grossest Kinds of Candy No Adult Should Give Out on Halloween
2. Five Last-Minute Halloween Costumes for Geeks and Nerds
3. 20 Scariest Movies of All Time
4. Top 40 Under Forty from Mass Transit (If it were Top 50 Under Fifty, Safety Vision founder Bruce Smith would be there!)
5. Top 15 Stupidest Products of All Time
6. Five Ways Google Wave Could Change the World
7. 15 Must-Follow Comedic Actors on Twitter
8. 8 Things I Learned from Delivering Pizza in High School
9. Top 10 Everything of 2008 from Time
10. And the final Top 10 list: What else but (are you with me here?) 10 Ways You Can Use Twitter  Lists!

Did we “make the list”? You betcha! On the heels of the much ballyhooed Twitter Lists debut last week, we found ourselves on our first list: @1virtualprof/onlinesafety.  If you’re not already, we encourage you to get on Twitter and follow us @SafetyVision. Just one more way for us to commune!

And recently, we were listed as one of only two “Tier 1″ providers in an independent Frost & Sullivan research report on the global mobile video surveillance market. In all humility and with sincere appreciation of our industry clients and colleagues, we think we’ve put in the time, effort, and know-how to deserve the ranking. It’s good to be at the head of the list!

Well, I think I’ve proved my point: Lists abound. Top 10? This blogpost easily could have turned into a smattering of 50! But we’ve got safety to purvey and you’ve got people to protect, so let’s be about our business.

Metro magazine delves into various aspects to consider before purchasing a mobile video system. As discussed, transit agencies all have individual onboard surveillance functionality requirements, and no two are necessarily the same.

The article suggests that transit agencies consider the following before purchasing mobile surveillance:

• Get a test drive of the system
• Check the system’s video quality
• Assess user friendliness of the mobile digital video recorder (MDVR)
• Compare system data storage to find the most suitable MDVR
• Delve into the MDVR manufacturer’s history to gauge reliability
• Calculate cameras needed against fleet budget and size
• Choose the most appropriate locations for cameras on each bus
• Compare available channels on MDVR to number of cameras needed
• Find out if the MDVR is easily upgradeable for the future
• Research manufacturer installation and technical support options

Other aspects touched on include researching warranties, expenses that go along with feature-rich systems, and available grant funding.

Click here to read the full online version of this article from Metro magazine.

• Reduce the frequency and detrimental impact of fraudulent claims
• Reduce or eliminate vandalism and graffiti
• Protect civilians by deterring crime
• Effectively prosecute perpetrators, when crimes are committed
• Effectively handle customer concerns and/or complaints, and more.

The hi-tech innovations built into the current model of our flagship mobile digital video recorder (MDVR), the RoadRecorder 6000 PRO, make it easy for Mass Transit properties to record, retrieve, review, and archive high quality video, audio, and sensor information from the vehicle. Because the video is recorded at high frame rates (up to 300 fps) with the most sophisticated compression technology available, properties get the best of both worlds: high quality, full motion video in a reduced file size that can be easily saved, stored, and transferred. In addition, all files are encrypted using our patented technology, which ensures the data’s forensic integrity: a critical component when used in a court of law.

Retrieving data from the vehicles (or railcars) is simplified through the use of an advanced wireless network solution. The network can be configured to automatically download video and system status information from all vehicles, daily, and report the data’s availability to an administrator. This, along with the system’s reliability and durability, ensures a virtual “hands free” video management program for the agency. In addition, the recording system is designed to work with other Intelligent Bus type systems (GPS, AVL, APC), so a seamless integration of technologies is possible.

The Mass Transit industry requires a quality product that is easy to use and supported by a knowledgeable and responsive staff. Safety Vision has been fulfilling these requirements for over 10 years. Visit the Safety Vision web site for more information on public transit surveillance.

- Mike Schwerman, Account Executive