Panasonic has developed a new integrated solution that combines video surveillance and Point of Sale (POS) systems onto a single platform. The result is Virtual Site Manager (VSM), a software-drive solution for organizations running retail sales operations. The software couples recorded video with POS workstation data for a complete record of financial transactions and interactions between customers and cashiers.

The Summer Olympics will be here again, in just four months. The 2008 Summer Olympics - three weeks of sweat, torn muscles, and teary-eyed athletes singing along to foreign national anthems - will be happening on Chinese soil for the first time ever this year, and security is a key concern for both organizers and athletes alike.

Schlage and Panasonic have formed a partnership that will expand the capabilities of the new Schlage LiNK door locks to include remote video monitoring. By offering integration with Panasonic IP cameras, Schlage's wireless-controlled door locks will provide homeowners with 24/7 remote control and monitoring capabilities via computer or web-enabled cell phone. Users will be able to control the locks and view real-time video using the Schlage LiNK online portal.

For those who have a hard time remembering names, please take note: Panasonic has changed the name of its security division. The new title is Panasonic System Solutions Company, which replaces the old moniker Panasonic Security Systems. The name change reflects the company's increased focus on delivering a broad range of customer-driven end-to-end technology solutions.

A new 250-bed jail in Midland County, Michigan is going the digital surveillance route with IP-based video surveillance technology from Panasonic System Solutions to secure its facilities. The 103,000-square foot facility will be monitored by a cutting-edge surveillance solution that includes 87 Panasonic IP dome cameras along with high-capacity NVRs.

Another fabled football franchise has jumped on the IP surveillance wagon. Last week we told you about the new IP camera installation at Dolphins Stadium. Now comes word that Lambeau Field, home of the legendary Green Bay Packers, is also upgrading its video surveillance system. The new IP-based solution includes Panasonic PTZ network cameras and existing analog cameras operating as part of an integrated video security system. The cameras are managed with NUUO IP video software.

Panasonic revealed two new i-Pro megapixel cameras this week at ISC West. The Panasonic i-Pro WV-NW5025 and the i-Pro WV-NP502 both offer Super Dynamic imaging technology which enables them to capture properly exposed high-resolution images in difficult lighting conditions such as high-contrast scenes, in direct sunlight, or in dim nighttime situations.

Panasonic has added four new IP cameras to its selection of low-cost video surveillance solutions for homes and small businesses. The Panasonic BB-HCM735, BB-HCM701, BB-HCM705, and Panasonic BB-HCM715 use advanced video processing to deliver crisp natural video images, and offer efficient streaming with leading-edge H.264 video compression. Each camera supports remote viewing via PC or cell phone so homeowners and small business owners can keep tabs on their property while away or on the move.

Panasonic has announced a pair of user-friendly network cameras geared towards home and small-business surveillance. The Panasonic BL-C210 is a sleek plug-and-play camera that offers easy installation and real-time remote monitoring. The Panasonic BL-C230 is a wireless network camera that allows for flexible installation in almost any indoor location.

If you watched last Sunday's episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, you'll likely remember seeing IP cameras from Panasonic in action. Panasonic provided four splash-resistant outdoor network cameras to the program. The cameras were deployed as part of a home surveillance installation that aims to deter theft and vandalism, while allowing the homeowners to monitor their property remotely form any computer or web-enabled cell phone.

The 2010 Winter Olympic Games are underway in Vancouver, and like any big event that draws large crowds, security is a key concern. Of course when you're talking about the Olympic Games, it's not just one big crowd on one day, it's an entire world of fans invading Vancouver and the surrounding region for weeks on end. To better protect the various Olympic venues, Panasonic has provided a range of IP security products, including network cameras from the company's popular i-Pro series.

At this week's ISC West conference in Las Vegas, Panasonic is unveiling two economical IP camera/NVR bundled systems. Each system includes four network cameras. You can choose a package with high-resolution megapixel cameras with H.264 compression, or one with standard digital IP network cameras. Both are geared towards small business video surveillance applications such as convenience stores and fast-food restaurants.

Panasonic Systems has announced a new 4-channel video encoder that offers easy integration between analog security cameras and IP networked system applications. The Panasonic WJ-GXE500 encoder is a hybrid solution designed for those transitioning from analog to IP-based surveillance. Analog footage is converted to digital, and streamed using H.264 compression to optimize network bandwidth and storage space.

Panasonic is the latest in a long list of IP camera manufacturers releasing new models that promise HD picture quality. The new Panasonic lineup includes megapixel fixed network cameras, and mini-dome H.264 cameras, each boasting i-Pro Smart HD high-performance features.

Taking surveillance image quality into the high-definition frontier, Panasonic is releasing the i-PRO SmartHD series of network cameras. The new line of i-PRO cameras is capable of automatic real-time face detection and can even enhance the image to make it more prominent in differently lit settings. This feature makes the new cameras ideal for retailers, convenience stores, business settings and other applications where face recognition and accurate identification is crucial.

There are some exciting new products coming out of the Panasonic exhibit at ASIS International 2011 this week. Early on in the security show, the manufacturer introduced a new line of i-PRO SmartHD weather-resistant cameras.