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icetana Limited (ASX:ICE) CEO and Managing Director Matt Macfarlane discusses the company’s $2.7m share placement, as well as recent deals with NEC and Panasonic.

Lauren Evans: Hi. This is Lauren Evans for the Finance News Network. Today, I’m speaking with Matt Macfarlane, Managing Director and CEO of icetana (ASX:ICE). Matt, I think we last spoke in July. It’s nice to see you again.

Matt Macfarlane: Great to see you too, Lauren.

Lauren Evans: Welcome back to the network. So, first up, for new investors, could you provide an introduction to icetana?

Matt Macfarlane: Sure. So, icetana is a video analytics software company. We build software that plugs into surveillance systems, preferably large surveillance systems with lots of surveillance cameras. And we help the people who are running those systems to start to see in real time what’s happening in front of those cameras. So, we take surveillance operations from being, principally, just recordings, into something where you can start to respond in real time. And we use AI software technology to do that.

Lauren Evans: And could you mention a few of your clients, and comment on the market opportunity for your products?

Matt Macfarlane: Sure. So, this year there’s actually a billion cameras globally in the surveillance space. It’s a booming industry. Lots and lots going on. People have started using cameras to know whether face masks are being worn during COVID, that sort of thing. So, it’s a really interesting space where more and more customers have started to realise what you can use cameras for. Some of our customers include very large shopping mall chains. So, for example, Majid Al Futtaim is a huge shopping mall group in the Middle East with about 16 shopping malls on icetana. Prosegur is a security company based out of Spain, but we operate with the company in Singapore and look after a number of their guarding services clients. And, also, in Japan, we’re working with a company called Sankei, which is the third-largest guarding services company in Japan, looking after large building facilities. So, you know, a wide range of different clients, including Melbourne’s iconic Crown Casino is one of our clients.

Lauren Evans: So, on to recent news, you’ve just announced a placement of $2.7 million. What are your plans for the new funding?

Matt Macfarlane: We had some challenging times during COVID. We see a reopening after COVID as a huge opportunity for us. So, the money is principally going to be directed towards increasing our sales and marketing capability. But also, we’ve got a really exciting new product on the horizon, which we’re planning to launch very early in the new year. And this product takes our system to the next level. So, we have historically been reporting on anomalous and unusual activity. We’ve now built in a whole bunch of new capabilities, and we’re really excited to get that into the market. Also, we’ve put in place a lot of structures to make our onboarding and our sales process much faster. So, if we can accelerate how quickly we turn leads into revenue, that’ll make a big difference for icetana. So, it’s a pretty exciting year ahead, and that’s why we got the capital raise away.

Lauren Evans: So, you’ve just announced a deal with NEC in Argentina. And, two months ago, there was a similar deal with Panasonic in Japan. What do these deals mean for the company?

Matt Macfarlane: These are great because they’re endorsements from very large companies who have extremely large bases of camera systems and clients saying that our technology is basically sufficiently different from all the other players in the market that they want to get into a development collaboration with us. The opportunity with Panasonic is principally Japan-focused. With NEC, we’re starting in Argentina, but we are hopeful, if we do a good job, that that will expand to a really much larger footprint. And it’s great to be working with companies of that kind of scale when you’re such a tiny business really, based out of Perth, attracting that sort of attention. So, part of the fund raise will be making sure that we execute brilliantly on those relationships through the course of 2022.

Lauren Evans: And, last question from me, what can investors expect from icetana in 2022?

Matt Macfarlane: Oh, look, we’re really excited about launching the new product early in the new year and also getting these collaborations with companies like NEC and Panasonic and others who we are talking to now active and generating revenues. So, it’s really going to be a year focused on growing our revenues, increasing our sales force, and taking full advantage of the post-COVID situation where many of our clients are opening up not only their own facilities, but people are returning to these facilities and they need to be surveilled. So, yeah, it’s a pretty exciting year ahead. We’re looking forward to it.

Lauren Evans: Well, Matt Macfarlane, thanks for the update. I hope you have a great festive season and I look forward to speaking to you in the new year.

Matt Macfarlane: You too. Have a great festive season. See you later.

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Patrol Security: How to Stay Safe on the Job

1. Engage Your Senses

It’s a good idea to habitually stop and take a deep breath and fully take stock of your environment. If you’re on the move, it’s sometimes harder to spot any unusual noises, sights or smells. It’s also a good idea during a long shift to pause and re-presence yourself to your environment to stay focused and alert.

2. Vary Your Route

3. Wear Protective and Comfortable Clothing

4. Use Security Equipment and Software for Patrol Security.

5. Be Prepared and Understand Your Limits

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In recent years, the expansion of large-scale commercial facilities and the increase in size of facilities such as redevelopment projects for ageing facilities have progressed, and its safety measures are important not only for buildings and premises but also for the living environment of local residents. Due to the challenges, the demand for security services of companies that operate and manage facilities is steadily increasing. In addition, although accurate statistics have not been released, it is estimated that more than 5 million surveillance cameras have been installed, and a safe and secure environment can be maintained by preventing incidents and accidents from the images.

It is expected that a safe and secure environment will be maintained by preventing accidents. On the other hand, the labor shortage in the security industry is in a serious situation. The effective ratio of job offers to applicants in the security industry (security occupation) in December of the first year of REIWA was 8.32 times, which is extremely high compared to the average of 1.53 times for all occupations * 2, and optimal security by securing human resources and utilizing ICT. Efforts such as staffing are urgent issues. In such a situation, the security guard system cannot keep up with the ever-increasing utilization of surveillance cameras, and even if you notice something unusual from the surveillance camera images, from the time when the security guards near the site rush to you after grasping the place of occurrence. There are cases where it is not possible to prevent the situation from worsening because it takes time for the primary response and it becomes “post-response” instead of “prevention”.

Therefore, as a next-generation monitoring system, Panasonic NETS “ArgosView”, which is the most widely used VMS service in Japan, and AI image analysis handled by Macnica, which has strengths in cutting-edge technologies such as AI and deep learning. By linking the system with the anomaly detection software “icetana” that utilizes technology, “Efficient recognition of signs and discomfort before an event occurs with a small number of people” and “Immediate response to an event that has occurred” We realize a solution that can be monitored in real time. In the conventional system, it was necessary for the guards to manually carry out from the confirmation of the abnormality on the surveillance camera image to the primary response by rushing, but this solution makes it possible to speed up the initial response and also by the guards. By narrowing down the situations that require rushing, we will prevent incidents and accidents and optimize the resources required for security. This will solve corporate security issues related to building management and contribute to the realization of a safe and secure community. In addition, by integrating the strengths of both companies and the knowledge of their specialized fields, we will be able to provide optimal turnkey services to our customers.

Real-time monitoring solution by linking “Argos View” and “icetana” By using this solution, we will streamline the security work of (1) discovery, (2) grasping, and (3) response that had to rely on human resources until now.

1. Discovery:  A sign or discomfort is detected by analyzing the surveillance camera image received from ArgosView with the icetana anomaly detection system. Furthermore, by displaying the target video in thumbnail format, it supports the situational awareness and abnormality detection of security guards.
2. Grasp:  In addition to thumbnail video display by icetana, abnormality detection information that requires immediate response is automatically aggregated in ArgosView through sensor information and an external system, and is immediately managed together with the location information of the abnormality occurrence by the map function. Will be notified.
3. Correspondence:  By remotely controlling the voice / lighting output device linked with ArgosView, it is possible to perform the initial response in a short time without relying on the primary response (rush) by hand.

What is “Argos View”?

It is a video surveillance software that realizes safety and security by integrating information from IoT devices as well as video from network cameras. By combining various software and network configurations, a video surveillance environment with a high degree of freedom and expandability is realized.

Main features

• “One-station centralized” remote monitoring – Up to 40,000 cameras scattered all over the country can be centrally monitored in one place, and it is also compatible with multi-vendor cameras.
• Can be mapped by linking with facilities in the facility – It is possible to link not only with surveillance camera images but also with peripheral sensors and fire alarms, and notify the administrator with a map display and video pop-up.
• Pure domestic specifications – Reliable and reliable domestic software. Not only can it be linked with domestic devices, but it can also be quickly handled in the unlikely event of maintenance.

What is “icetana”?

It is an anomaly detection system that can be used by connecting to an existing security camera system. Instead of “detecting a specific event” on a rule basis, it is possible to detect an “unusual state”.

Main features

• One system can handle all kinds of eventsSince the object to be detected can be detected not by a person or an object but by a set of pixels, it is possible to respond to all situations such as fire, intrusion, reverse run, fall, and group.
• No rule setting required. Since the normal state can be learned and an abnormality can be detected from the difference, there is no need to collect a huge amount of data or define detailed rules at the time of initial setting.·
• Resistant to environmental changes during operation, it learns based on the video of the latest fixed period (example: 2 weeks) and updates the update in the normal state, so it can respond to changes in the environment of the season and background video. Therefore, it is not necessary to adjust the angle of view of the camera each time the object is changed or to relearn according to changes in the environment.

Mr. Yoshio Shono, President and CEO of Panasonic LS Networks Co., Ltd., stated as follows. “Panasonic LS Networks Co., Ltd. has introduced the ArgosView system to customers in various industries. However, many conventional surveillance camera systems are limited to discovering and grasping events, and there have been no products that can prevent or respond after an event occurs. We are confident that this “linkage between Argos View and icetana” will support the safety and security of our customers more than ever, and will greatly promote DX in the security industry. We are a manufacturer of switching hubs, but also a system integrator. We will contribute to the safety, security and convenience of our customers with a total solution that integrates network and security. ” 

Matt Macfarlane, CEO of icetana, said: “I am very pleased that Panasonic, the industry leader, and Macnica, the technology trading company, are working on this system integration. We believe this is an extremely important step for us to grow through our strong partners in Japan. We are also confident that the use of cameras will complement security activities and improve operational efficiency in all industries. ” ·  

Company names and product names mentioned in this press release are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. The information contained in this press release (including product prices, specifications, etc.) is as of the date of the announcement. Please note that it is subject to change without notice. 

*Media Release was sourced from https://www.macnica.co.jp/company/news/2021/137032/ 

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icetana is pleased to announce that it has received a purchase order to supply icetana Motion Intelligence™ analytics solution to a Middle Eastern shopping mall through technology reseller Network Information Technology (“NIT”).

This new end-user contract builds on the substantial presence that icetana has in shopping malls in the Middle East. icetana’s largest site globally remains Dubai’s Mall of the Emirates which operates over 2,000 surveillance cameras.

With the receipt of this new contract, icetana will be present in seven different Middle Eastern countries, further solidifying the company’s position in this important geography. Implementation will be undertaken by icetana technicians based in our Dubai office working closely with the end-user.

Chief Executive Officer Matt Macfarlane commented: “Some of icetana’s most impressive reference sites are in the Middle East market. icetana Motion Intelligence™ software consistently presents a strong return on investment for active security operations rooms. We are seeing increased activity in as organisations become more confident about the global response to the challenges of COVID.”

Sales Contacts

• CEO Matthew Macfarlane – matt@icetana.com.au
• Regional Manager UAE Mudassar Khan – mudassar.khan@icetana.com
• National Sales Director Courtney Donowho – courtney@icetana.com

Click here for Investor information >>

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icetana secures order for Canadian power provider through reseller Delco Highlights:

• Canadian power utility places order for icetana Motion Intelligence™ software through reseller Delco valued at CAD$90,000 covering software licences and 5 year support and maintenance.
• The order represents icetana’s first power utility customer and expands the relationship with reseller Delco following strong results in Canada, including at Calgary-based Mount Royal University.
• The utilities vertical provides a new use case opportunity for icetana Motion Intelligence™
• platform with a focus on asset protection and occupational health and safety issues. The new relationship also highlights the capabilities of both Delco and icetana for similar deployments in North America

icetana Limited (ASX:ICE) is pleased to announce its first purchase order for the power utilities market after a new 5 year client order was confirmed with value added reseller (“VAR”) Delco Security (“Delco”) to supply icetana’s video analytics solution to a Canadian power utility. The order has a total value of CAD$90,000 (circa AUD$95,000), inclusive of software licences and 5 years of pre-paid support and maintenance. This deployment represents a small subset of the total camera footprint of the power utility, with the potential to extend coverage over time. Implementation will be undertaken remotely by icetana technicians leveraging Delco’s technical services and hardware supplied and installed on site by Delco.

CEO and Managing Director Matt Macfarlane said: “The use case for icetana Motion Intelligence™ system for high value infrastructure assets and operating facilities was a key aspect in this purchase decision and we are pleased to have secured another end customer through our VAR Delco in Canada. This provides yet another opportunity for icetana to demonstrate the full capabilities of our icetana Motion Intelligence™ platform to a new market vertical where asset protection and occupational health and safety are critical risks we help to manage.”

For more information contact icetana on info@icetana.com.au

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“I think there’s a real opportunity for investors in icetana. It’s probably a little-known stock and had a pretty quiet float last year, but the code’s ICE, It’s about a 16 million market cap trading around $0.15 a share and they have a video analytics software that plugs into existing CCTV and security camera networks and utilise AI and machine learning, which I heard your previous guest talk on as a key theme.

They utilise that sort of knowledge to be able to analyse those images and pick up a range of problems that occur in security cameras that may be missed by regular monitoring, or as the cases with most of the security network which is just recording and unmonitored, icetana can alert security to those particular events. They have also actually picked up some contracts in the US in the prison system.

We think that’s a huge growth driver for them over the next two, three, four years. The US prison system’s a highly competitive and huge market, addressable market for them.

But it’s important to remember you know this has got applications for shopping centres. They’ve got clients like Crown in the casino sector. They’re utilising this technology at universities. Obviously with some of the safety issues, particularly on campus in the US that have occurred over the last couple of years. So you know they’ve got a range of applications and 12,000 cameras currently using the technology around the world, and we think that’s only going to grow with the market for video analytics growing at plus 20% per annum.”

Click here for Investor Information

Or reach out to us to find out how we can guide your organisation to a new level of security

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icetana Limited is pleased to announce new purchase orders for US correctional services locations secured through hardware vendor Rasilient Systems, Inc. (“Rasilient”) to supply icetana’s video analytics solution to four prisons (additional to the two prisons announced on 22 September 2020).

This deployment represents a subset of the total camera footprint of each prison being licensed with the potential to expand the licensed camera count over time. Furthermore, these sites represent less than 20% of the state prisons operated by this end-customer, offering additional scope for expansion subject to sales efforts. Both icetana and Rasilient are actively pursuing other correctional facility clients in the United States following on from this success. Implementation will be undertaken remotely by icetana technicians leveraging Rasilient hardware supplied and installed on site by Rasilient.

CEO and Managing Director Matt Macfarlane said: “The prisons market has always offered a particularly strong use-case for icetana’s motion intelligence system. This expanded licensing relationship will attract our organisation’s devoted attention given the enormous scope that the sector presents both in the US and beyond.”

REACH OUT AND LET US GUIDE YOU TO A NEW LEVEL OF SECURITY.

icetana Regional Contacts

Matt Macfarlane CEO and Managing Director 
Courtney Donowho – US National Sales Manager
Mudassar Khan – Regional Manager MENA & India

CLICK HERE FOR INVESTOR RELATIONS

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The orders are significant as they represent icetana’s first US prison customers and a geographic expansion of the correctional services vertical market sector beyond existing Australian based prison management clients.

The US prisons market is one of the largest in the world and the state authority is known as a leading operator in the US providing an excellent reference opportunity for both Rasilient and icetana.

This deployment represents a small subset of the total camera footprint of the state prisons operated by this end-customer, with the potential to extend coverage over time to additional sites with this customer and to other correctional services clients in the US.

CEO and Managing Director Matt Macfarlane said: “I am very pleased with the progress of this opportunity despite the challenging market conditions being experienced globally. This is a significant opportunity for icetana to demonstrate its full capabilities of our motion intelligence platform to a new geographic market and potentially expand into a larger subset of the customer prisons.”

The orders have a combined value of US$100,000 (AUD$137,000), inclusive of 5 years of support and maintenance. 

Find out more about icetana’s motion intelligence offering here and becoming an icetana investor here.

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The rollout of icetana has enabled Ivanhoe Grammar School to take a preventive and real-time approach to safeguarding students and staff as well as the campus grounds from potential vandalism and unauthorised access.

“icetana has picked up a lot of things the school wanted to see and has provided us with more awareness around contractors and where people are”, said Winston Mattson, Director of Systems and Infrastructure at Ivanhoe Grammar School. “icetana provides us with security by awareness. We are considering installing icetana in additional areas of the campus, to provide parents with increased comfort that we have security covered.”

In conjunction with the deployment of icetana, Axis Communications provides the campus with comprehensive coverage with its solution integrated with Milestone’s XProtect video management software. Both Axis Communications and Milestone Systems utilise Ivanhoe Grammar as a key reference site.

“With the deployment of icetana at Ivanhoe Grammar School, we continue to demonstrate our expertise in assisting educational institutions achieve their duty of care obligations and help them provide a safe place to study and work”, said Matt Macfarlane, CEO of icetana. “In addition, icetana is excited to be delivering a solution that will enable Ivanhoe Grammar School to drive value from their video surveillance installation and ensure that campus security can quickly address early indicators of potential vandalism, theft or other risks in real-time”.

To find out how icetana can transform your Security Operations, request a consultation with one of our team here or send us an email on info@icetana.com

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