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In this episode of Security Tech Talk, host Steve Kenny welcomes back Axis Communications colleague Tertius Wolfaardt to explore the fast-moving world of security design software. Moving past the days of manual circular lens calculators and basic Visio templates, Steve and Tertius take a deep dive into how large-scale enterprise developments, mega-projects, and stringent regional compliance standards have transformed security system design.
Together, they unpack the shift from static 2D CAD layouts to immersive 3D Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Revit environments. Tertius explains why design tools account for complex video analytics, multi-layered perimeter sensors, lighting levels, and structural blind spots before construction must now even begins. They also tackle the hidden infrastructure costs of generic calculations, addressing how manufacturer-backed data drastically reduces network, server, and cooling footprints to safeguard total cost of ownership (TCO) and environmental sustainability.
About Our Guest:
- Tertius Wolfaardt: Manager, Engineering & Training - South Asia Pacific , Axis Communications. Over the past 12 years, Tertius has been instrumental in shaping design tool strategies, training programs, and BIM/Revit integrations across the Middle East and globally, helping consultants and system designers build accurate, compliant, and future-proof architectures.
Key Discussion Points:
- The Evolution of System Design: Reflecting on the transition from physical rulers, rotary lens calculators, and early 2D Visio diagrams to sophisticated 3D architectural software.
- The Demand for 3D Coverage & Regulatory Proof: Why modern giga-projects, transport hubs, and stadiums demand precise virtual sightline modelling to prove regulatory compliance (such as FIFA seating standards) prior to breaking ground.
- Breaking Multi-Discipline Silos in BIM: How cameras have evolved into multifunctional IoT sensors that interface with building management systems, HVAC, and power networks—and why inter-departmental design coordination is vital to catch architectural clashes like moving columns or signage.
- Design File Security & Offline Environments: Managing cyber security risks and data confidentiality when handling sensitive project drawings for critical national infrastructure, alongside the role of SOC 2 Type II compliance and offline tool capabilities.
- Designing for Analytics, Not Just Pixels: Why modern projects must calculate performance boundaries for thermal radar, PTZ automated tracking, and edge analytics rather than simply relying on traditional DORI (Detection, Observation, Recognition, Identification) metrics.
- Storage, Bandwidth, and the Hardware Ripple Effect: The costly reality of generic calculation tools. Tertius explains how failing to account for modern compression formats (such as Zipstream and AV1) or system-on-chip improvements can lead to clients over-budgeting for servers, storage petabytes, and room cooling by two to three times.
- The Future: AI, VR, and Digital Twins: Looking ahead at virtual reality walkthroughs, automated camera placement algorithms, and digital twins that test real-time environmental variables and system failover behavior long before deployment.
Resources:
- Plan, design, and configure security solutions using Axis Site Designer.
- Integrate realistic camera models and 3D views into architectural plans via the Axis Revit Plugins.
- Learn more about calculating optical requirements, resolution, and pixel density with Axis Camera Station & Design Tools.
Meet your host Steve Kenny:
Steve has spent 15 years in the security sector undertaking various roles that have seen him take responsibility for key elements of mission critical, high profile projects across a number of different vertical markets. For the last several years, Steve has focused his attention on how technologies can best compliment day to day operations and specifically address operational issues by supporting the A&E consultant community across EMEA. Steve is a committee member for ASIS International focusing on Education for the security sector and the UK technology advisor for TINYg (Terrorist Information New York group).
Connect with Steve on LinkedIn
More about Axis Communications: Axis enables a smarter and safer world by improving security, safety, operational efficiency, and business intelligence. As a network technology company and industry leader, Axis offers video surveillance, access control, intercoms, and audio solutions. These are enhanced by intelligent analytics applications and supported by high-quality training.
Axis has around 5,000 dedicated employees in over 50 countries and collaborates with technology and system integration partners worldwide to deliver customer solutions. Axis was founded in 1984, and the headquarters are in Lund, Sweden.
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