North American Video, Inc. - Experts & Thought Leaders

North American Video (NAV), the security systems integrator with more casino installations and gaming partners across the U.S. than any other systems integration firm, retains its exclusive Surveillance Technical Integration Sponsorship for the 2025 World Game Protection Conference (WGPC), taking place March 11-13 at the Rio Las Vegas. This marks NAV’s fifth consecutive year as the exclusive sponsor, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to deliver superior system solutions for the gaming industry. Intelligent proactive security  NAV will feature partner BriefCam® in booth R2, offering attendees a firsthand look “NAV’s long-standing partnership with WGPC reflects our unwavering focus on the gaming industry and the professionals who dedicate themselves to ensuring secure and fair gaming operations,” said Laurie Smock, Vice President, NAV. “We are excited to engage with this year’s show attendees to discuss their challenges and how NAV continues to drive the evolution from reactive to intelligent proactive security and surveillance system solutions.” Latest integration solutions Attendees are encouraged to stop by and connect with NAV’s team of gaming security experts in booth R2 to explore the latest integration solutions designed to proactively combat emerging threats in casino entertainment complexes. As part of its showcase at WGPC 2025, NAV will feature partner BriefCam® in booth R2, offering attendees a firsthand look at innovative video analytics designed to enhance casino surveillance. Video management and security systems BriefCam’s powerful technology accelerates investigations, increases situational awareness BriefCam’s powerful technology accelerates investigations, increases situational awareness, and provides operational intelligence—key components of a modern gaming security strategy. For over 29 years, NAV has specialised in designing, installing, and servicing enterprise-class video management and security systems built specifically for casino surveillance applications. Corporate and Tribal gaming operators Holding gaming licences across multiple jurisdictions, NAV remains the go-to security partner for corporate and Tribal gaming operators.  Its expertise spans IP video management, AI, access control, facial recognition, licence plate recognition, intrusion detection, intercom systems, and more, all backed by a reputation for exceptional customer service.

North American Video (NAV), the security integrator with more casino security system installations and gaming partners across the U.S. than any other systems integration firm, is thrilled to announce its continued support of the World Game Protection Conference (WGPC) 2024 as the exclusive Surveillance Technical Integration Sponsor.  The WGPC 2024, taking place February 28-29 at the Tropicana Las Vegas, marks NAV's fourth consecutive year holding the prestigious title. Sponsorship of WGPC 2024 "We view our longstanding sponsorship of the WGPC as an investment in the industry itself and all the people that work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure a fair and safe gaming environment,” said Laurie Smock, Vice President, NAV. Laurie Smock adds, “We look forward to engaging with these industry professionals firsthand to learn more about their most pressing security needs and how we can tailor our cutting-edge solutions to address these evolving challenges.” Innovative integration solutions BriefCam is a recognised pioneer in video analytics with software solutions that provide valuable insights Having served the gaming market for twenty-nine years, NAV continues to drive the migration from reactive to proactive integrated systems solutions with partners like BriefCam®, who will be featured in NAV’s WGPC booth T2.  BriefCam is a recognised pioneer in video analytics with software solutions that provide valuable insights for accelerating investigations, increasing situational awareness, and enhancing operational intelligence. Show attendees will have the opportunity to meet NAV’s team of professionals to discuss new and innovative integration solutions that proactively address emerging threats to gaming facilities. Surveillance and security technology NAV’s primary focus is designing, selling, installing, and servicing enterprise-class video management and security systems that are tailored specifically for casino surveillance applications. NAV holds gaming licences in multiple geographical and tribal jurisdictions in order to support their long-term tribal and corporate gaming customers who rely on NAV to meet their surveillance and security technology needs. NAV’s technology expertise spans IP video management, AI, access control, networking, point-of-sale, facial recognition, licence plate recognition, intrusion detection, emergency call, intercom, and visitor management solutions, all coupled with a premier reputation for outstanding customer service.

North American Video (NAV), the security integrator with more casino security system installations and gaming partners across the U.S. than any other systems integration firm, is proud to be named as the exclusive Surveillance Technical Integration Sponsor at the 2023 World Game Protection Conference (WGPC), taking place from March 7 to March 9, 2023, at the Tropicana Las Vegas, in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. This is the third consecutive year that North American Video (NAV) has retained this prominent position at the World Game Protection Conference (WGPC). World Game Protection Conference (WGPC) WGPC is a great forum for industry professionals to engage one another with specific focus on casino security" “We once again look forward to doing what we do best at the 2023 World Game Protection Conference – helping industry professionals apply the best technology solutions available to best protect their gaming operations,” said Laurie Smock, Vice President, North American Video (NAV). Laurie Smock adds, “WGPC is a great forum for industry professionals to engage one another with specific focus on casino security and safety, and we thank Willy and Jo Allison for creating this event and continuing to evolving it over the years.” NAV - exclusive Surveillance Technical Integration Sponsor As a major provider of intelligent security and surveillance technologies, North American Video (NAV) continues to drive the migration from reactive to proactive integrated systems solutions with partners like BriefCam®, who will be featured in NAV’s WGPC booth T2. BriefCam is a recognised company in video analytics with software solutions that provide valuable insights for accelerating investigations, increasing situational awareness, and enhancing operational intelligence. Discuss new and innovative integration solutions The 2023 World Game Protection Conference (WGPC) show attendees will have the opportunity to meet North American Video’s team of professionals, in order to discuss new and innovative integration solutions that proactively address new and emerging threats to casino entertainment complexes.

The COVID-19 pandemic has provided a double challenge to physical security systems integrators. For one thing, they have had to adapt their own businesses to survive and thrive during the pandemic. On the other hand, they have also been faced with new challenges to serve their customer’s changing needs. Global pandemic effects One integrator company, North American Video (NAV) took the now-familiar steps most companies confronted to adapt their business model to operations in a global pandemic – they suspended all non-essential travel and face-to-face meetings. At one point, NAV had a single employee in the New Jersey headquarters and another one in the Las Vegas office. The rest worked from home, with other offices opening as needed over the following weeks. Another integrator, Convergint Technologies, was able to adapt its approach to the pandemic, location by location, across the United States. The integrator benefitted from its leadership structure, with local managers in various regions who are autonomous and could react to what was happening in each region. Virtual workforce “We saw a dip in April and May, but since then, we have seen business pick back up,” said Mike Mathes, Executive Vice President, Convergint Technologies. The Business of Integration virtual conference sponsored by the Security Industry Association (SIA) “We already had tools and infrastructure deployed to support a virtual workforce. We had the software and the right equipment, and that has allowed us some flexibility to approach the repopulation of our offices in a gradual way.” The impact of COVID-19 on integrators and their customers was the main topic of discussion at a session on The Business of Integration at the Securing New Ground virtual conference sponsored by the Security Industry Association (SIA). Remote monitoring North American Video also benefitted from having technical personnel spread across the United States. By assigning work duties on the basis of geography, they could travel by car with less risk than air travel. They also increased their use of remote monitoring and support to avoid extra visits to customer sites. With 80% of the business in the gaming industry, North American Video saw a profound impact on their customers with the almost complete shutdown of casinos during the early days of the pandemic. Even though gaming was impacted particularly badly by the virus, NAV stayed engaged working on four or five large casino construction projects that continued throughout the shutdown. Revenue shortfalls State legislatures will approve more casinos to help plug the holes in their budgets Other casinos took advantage of empty facilities to make needed upgrades without worrying about disrupting casino operations. “A lot of our strong, long-term clients have sought to perform upgrades during the downtime, including needed service and maintenance,” said Jason Oakley, President and CEO, North American Video (NAV). “When gaming was closed, you were allowed in the facilities to work.” Oakley also sees long-term optimism for the casino business, which will offer a means for state and local governments to make up revenue shortfalls. “State legislatures will approve more casinos to help plug the holes in their budgets,” Oakley predicted. Demands for technology Oakley and NAV have seen an evolution in customer demands for technology in light of the pandemic. The trick is to differentiate between demand that is an immediate reaction versus technology trends that have more staying power.  Although customers were keen on purchasing thermal cameras, for example, NAV did the research and recommended against the use of the technology to some of their customers. Artificial Intelligence for social distancing The use of artificial intelligence (AI) for a variety of applications seems to have more staying power. “One area of interest at a high level is modification and repurposing of AI for face mask detection, social distancing and people tracing, including integration into existing cameras,” said Oakley. “If the hospitality industry comes to terms with the new normal with smaller restaurant capacities, there may be an opportunity to use AI for social distancing.” Contact tracing and visitor management technology Mathes of Convergint sees a massive change as customers move toward managed services, accelerating the change with new use cases. We have an entire group that focuses on new solutions and what customers are looking for" As offices seek to repopulate when the pandemic subsides, customers are looking for new uses of existing technologies, added Mathes. “We have an entire group that focuses on new solutions and what customers are looking for,” he said. “They need to understand who is in the building and where they go in the building. If we know someone was only in the cafeteria from 10 to 11 a.m., we can know who was in the cafeteria at that time.” Opportunity for vertical markets to move forward He predicts technologies for contact tracing and visitor management tracking who’s in the building and where will be around for a long time to come. "Various customers and vertical markets are looking at the slowdown differently," said Mathes. "For example, while airlines have slowed down, the view from the airport market is more long-term." “They have 15-year plans, and [the slowdown] is an opportunity to move forward. In the technology space, data centres are expanding. “We try to focus our resources on areas where the money is being spent,” said Mathes. “Our K-12 group has seen an 80% growth over 2019. The money is tied to bonds, so there hasn’t been a slowdown relative to revenue.” He said Convergint is cautiously optimist about 2021.”

Security teams at casinos and gaming facilities are challenged daily to balance a welcoming and guest-focused attitude with a firm and capable presence to prevent and handle security issues, manage surveillance and security systems, and protect employees, guests, and assets. And all of this needs to be accomplished while complying with strict gaming regulations. An experienced security systems integrator can assist you with many of those challenges, including the very important job of ensuring that the correct security technologies are integrated and installed correctly to avoid downtime and maintain regulatory compliance. On the flip side, partnering with the wrong security integrator can be an expensive lesson with disastrous financial consequences due to system interruptions that can shut down gaming operations. However, selecting the right security systems integrator is not always an easy task. To get the answers you need, you need to ask the right questions. Here’s a list of criteria to help get the search process started. It’s vital to hire a systems integrator who has significant experience in the gaming and casino industry 1. Relevant and proven industry experience This may be one of the most important factors for you to research. It’s vital to hire a systems integrator who has significant experience in the gaming and casino industry. You wouldn’t hire a plumber to fix your roof or a chef to repair your car, so why consider hiring an integrator without relevant work experience in your specific industry? Does the integrator have experience working with security solutions for casinos and gaming facilities similar to your facility? Have they worked with gaming commissions in your state? Do they have the gaming certifications necessary to ensure your new system is in compliance? And what specific projects have they done – with references you can contact? Even more, look for a systems integrator who has strong relationships with contractors, suppliers, unions and equipment suppliers, as they may need to call on them for assistance during the course of your installation. 2. Security systems knowledge Security technologies are evolving at an unprecedented pace which presents obvious advantages and some hidden dangers. It’s important that you select a systems integrator who not only installs products well – but also works very closely with equipment and software manufacturers to develop new and innovative solutions for the most challenging installations.It’s also important to ask about their procedures and processes for after-hours emergency situations Look for systems integrators that utilise integration and testing facilities to evaluate which system configuration and specific components meet your functionality needs, lighting challenges, resolution and frame rate requirements, and recording accuracy demands to ensure your system provides you with the highest levels of identification while maintaining regulatory compliance. Since no two systems are ever alike, it’s also important to look for custom integration capabilities employing solutions from different manufacturers to ensure you are getting the best possible solution on an application by application basis. 3. Brand loyalty versus conflicts of interest There’s no doubt that security professionals have their preferred brands. This can be based on prior experience, proven reliability, superior customer support, or even personal relationships. But it’s also no secret that price and sometimes spiffs can play a deciding role on which products a reseller recommends. Be specific to ask questions about the systems integrator’s line card – which manufacturers’ products do they actually represent and why? And how do they select specific products for specific applications? If the answers to these simple questions seem vague, there may be more at play than meets the eye. The more choices a system integrator has at their disposal, the higher the probability they are providing the best system products and configurations for your specific installation. 4. Accelerating resolutions How is the integrator’s firm structured? How long have they been in business? Who will be your daily contact? How long have members of the integrator’s team been with the firm? What experience do they have? It’s also important to ask about their procedures and processes for after-hours emergency situations, as you will likely need service after normal business hours. Find out if they offer on-demand remote system support to address problems immediately, and to accelerate resolutions if and when there is a failure. The more choices a system integrator has at their disposal, the higher the probability they are providing the best system products and configurations for your specific installation Most importantly, verify that they have technicians who can get to your physical location quickly in the event problems need to be addressed physically in order to keep your property in compliance. Even though it can be overlooked, it’s important to assure the system integrator’s organisational structure meshes well with your general requirements before starting a relationship. 5. Pricing structure Of course, price is important, but while an integrator’s pricing should be competitive, it should be viewed as one of many selection criteria.An experienced systems integrator with casinos and gaming facilities will understand local, state, federal, and tribal regulations A security systems integrator with a proven track record of successfully configuring, installing, and servicing projects like yours, on time and on budget, is worth more than the small amount of money you might save by going with a low-cost integrator. 6. Knowledge of gaming regulations A systems integrator who has experience working with casinos and gaming facilities will understand local, state, federal, and tribal regulations, and will provide you with a gaming surveillance and security solution that minimises disruptions to your operations during its installation and after your new system has been implemented. Along with the requirement standards of performance, quality and reliability, compliance is critical to ensure fluid gaming operations. 7. Adding value with industry references Industry references are invaluable in determining your ideal choice. First, ask them to provide client contacts from their reference list, and contact those individuals. Questions to ask include: Did the integrator clearly understand the reference’s requirements? How did they contribute to the solution? What challenges did they need to overcome? Did the company deliver on time and on budget? How has the system(s) been operating since implemented? How has their support been? Why would you recommend them? A good security systems integrator will take extra steps to ensure your security solution is always working 8. Asking the right questions There are very few security systems integrators who can address all of a casino’s or gaming facility’s needs, but they do exist, and you’ll find them if you do your homework. Look for an integrator that can add value and not just take direction. A good security systems integrator will volunteer ideas to reduce maintenance costs, take extra steps to ensure your security solution is always working, and help save your casino money. Their success will be determined by their initial ability to understand your challenges and deliver the best possible solution to resolve them. And it all starts with choosing the right partner by asking the right questions.

With the power of new technology and analytics, security systems could be used in other ways as well Security and surveillance systems are valuable beyond strictly providing compliance in the casino market. Even beyond ensuring physical security on premises outside the casino floor, systems are providing additional benefits including customer service, marketing and profitability, says Maureen Bruen, vertical market specialist – gaming, Honeywell Security Products Americas. Traditionally, access control, employee badging and visitor management have been a lower priority in casinos; however, they are essential to providing a total security solution, she adds. Combining departments for better business outcomes While surveillance of the casino floor is generally a separate department from physical security, with appropriate equipment selection and software partitioning, requirements of both departments can be met without compromise, says Bruen. Beyond simple loss prevention, combining people counting and point-of-sale provides invaluable information to marketing and finance, adds Bruen. By understanding the number of customers within any specific area of a casino combined with slot and point-of-sale data, these departments can better understand customer-to-cash conversion ratios. The level of success of any promotional activity can be easily measured. "While surveillance of the casino floor is generally a separate department from physical security, with appropriate equipment selection and software partitioning, requirements of both departments can be met without compromise" Bruen says point-of-sale (POS) is often overlooked in casino surveillance. Statistics show that internal theft is on the rise. According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 75 percent of employees have stolen from their employers. Of those, nearly half will steal again from the same employer. An estimated 50 billion dollars is lost annually from U.S. businesses due to employee theft. Honeywell’s IDM (integrated data manager) for loss prevention Honeywell’s IDM (integrated data manager) can cut losses with the help of surveillance, loss prevention and food and beverage departments. IDM is a cost-effective solution that increases bottom-line profits through proactive loss prevention. IDM mines large amounts of data quickly and provides powerful customised reports with graphical results and instant video. Integrating video surveillance with data from point-of-sale, slot machines, cash counters, and ATM machines protects the casino’s bars, restaurants and retail interests against employee misconduct and internal loss. Physical security systems are often used to thwart the “bad guy” in the form of a breach, theft, or unwanted act. But with the power of new technology and analytics, these systems could be used in other ways as well, agrees Larry Wanvig, senior national account manager – gaming, Tyco Security Products. "Integrating video surveillance with data from point-of-sale, slot machines, cash counters, and ATM machines protects the casino’s bars, restaurants and retail interests against employee misconduct and internal loss" An example might be a system’s ability to notify management and hospitality teams when a VIP arrives so that they can ensure the VIP is taken care of appropriately. The notification could be based on an analytic rule or might also be accomplished by the unification of multiple systems, such as the surveillance and the loyalty/rewards program systems together, or the integration of surveillance and license plate recognition to notify staff as the guest arrives in the parking garage. Video and access control merger carries outstanding benefits The technology choices made by casino surveillance and security departments are typically made with compatibility in mind, as each department needs the capacity to share video and other information when needed, says Laurie Smock, vice president of sales, North American Video. For example, business operations often benefit from integrating a property’s point of sale system with the surveillance system to assist with reducing shrinkage. Access control is another vital security system element that is often integrated with surveillance, Smock says. When done properly, it provides a wealth of data that can be shared among multiple departments within the casino. NAV works with clients’ surveillance management to identify the video security technologies that will provide them with the functionality, scalability, and sustainability they meet. Once the technology has been identified, NAV’s design services configure the system layout for each individual property to ensure proper implementation and coverage. “We bring the same level of focus and individualisation to each casino we work with,” says Smock. “When the system design is complete, the NAV operations team installs and commissions the system. Once the system is up and running, NAV provides the customer with regular maintenance visits as well as any emergency on-site technical support that is needed.” "One consideration that is often overlooked is how the system performs and behaves, and how user-friendly it is on a day-to-day basis. It’s important that a solution can be flexibly and freely used for both monitoring and investigations, with easy-to-use playback operations, rewind, pause and so on of 24/7 recordings" Struggling with separation Based on DVTEL’s experience, the separation between the casino surveillance and security departments leads to separate decision-making, driven by different budgets and requirements. As a result, these can be seen as two separate sites/projects, says Ron Grinfeld, director, global vertical marketing, DVTEL. One consideration that is often overlooked is how the system performs and behaves, and how user-friendly it is on a day-to-day basis, says Grinfeld. It’s important that a solution can be flexibly and freely used for both monitoring and investigations, with easy-to-use playback operations, rewind, pause and so on of 24/7 recordings. For visibility into the entire casino, it’s also important that the system can easily display multiple tiles simultaneously. Furthermore, a customer should consider whether the solution has a single point of failure, how fast it recovers from breakdown and what would be the damage or loss of recorded video. DVTEL’s Latitude NVMS DVTEL’s enterprise-grade Latitude NVMS is a common choice for casino customers as it allows them to manage and monitor hundreds of cameras across the casino floor. Features such as failover and redundancy enable optimised viewing and help casinos avoid system downtime under any circumstances. Advanced add-on tools for the DVTEL system, such as camera stitching technology, maps, and POS, access control and other third-party integrations, are a common choice for the daily operations of casino customers.