Violent crime against farmers has reached epidemic proportions. Responding to this challenge with a technological solution, leading South African electronics developer Analysis, Management & Systems (AMS) has perfected a device that can communicate between farms automatically, providing the essential security the farming community has been lacking.
Part of the JSE-listed Spescom Group, AMS is an ISO 9001-certified, high-technology company with advanced skills in the design, development, production and support of state-of-the-art systems in many different arenas, including security. Its new product, called "Farmsafe", is linked directly to Fleetcall, which, as the biggest tracking network supplier in South Africa, provides 24-hour monitoring throughout the country.
"What has been missing until now is an early-warning device which lets farmers know if there is somebody in the house," says AMS Security Business Unit manager Brian Scriven. "In the event of an emergency, a user merely presses the HELP button on the Farmsafe unit or keyring panic button, and neighbours who are linked to the system will be alerted immediately even when mains power is cut."
Modelled on AMS`s highly successful Homesafe system, Farmsafe allows the user to install up to 80 remote units panic buttons, passive infrared (PIR) beams and trapmats, each with its own unique code as necessary in vehicles, outbuildings etc., and this can be done easily and quickly.
"The PIRs, for instance, are totally portable, you use Prestik or Velcro to attach the passive units to any surface. When activated they send different codes to your system so you know where tampering has occurred," says Scriven.
"If an intrusion takes place when premises are unattended, the base unit will be activated by PIRs or trap mats and will, in turn, notify all linked parties."
Originally, a system based on satellite technology was mooted, but feasibility studies showed that the cost would be exorbitant and would take time to put in place.
The Farmsafe unit not only makes use of available technology and an existing network, it retails for less than R5 000. Included in this price is a Homesafe unit with two panic buttons, two passive infra-red devices, a trapmat and a transmitter linked into the national network. As each Homesafe system can take 80 units, it grows as necessity demands. Each unit has battery backup.
Airtime is R116 per month, regardless of how often the user sends a help message. The system is highly flexible and, depending on the situation, could be monitored by the police or a commando unit.
Scriven says the system ties in well with the security arrangements already made by many farmers. "If a farmer gets attacked, neighbours will set up roadblocks on surrounding roads. That is working well, but up to now, communications have been inadequate. "On the GSM network, for instance, you can send data, but you do not know if the third party receives it. By contrast, Farmsafe sends a tone back to indicate that the message has been received. Over and above that, if a Farmsafe unit receives a help signal and pushes the acknowledge button the farmer requesting help can see who is responding. Each farm in the cell has a unique code."
The system of checks and controls is comprehensive, with Fleetcall being able to check on any individual unit on any farm anywhere in the country. The network automatically polls each unit every 15 minutes.
"If a farmer`s unit is faulty we will know," says Scriven. "Every event is recorded, so in the case of any query, we can track back and find out what happened."
All these products are available right now and will be on show at the Securex exhibition at the Gallagher Estate, Midrand, from 3 to 5 March 1999.
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