Transform 3rd-party Events and Alarms into Milestone XProtect Events and Alarms
BTX (Bridge to Milestone XProtect) is a middleware application. It monitors real-time event and alarm data streams from third-party systems such as Video Analytics, Access Control, Security and Building Automation.
BTX analyzes incoming data, then based on user-defined rules and schedules, transforms that data into XProtect to ...
Associate third-party devices with XProtect cameras / devices.
Generate Alarms with Video Bookmarks.
Generate Events with Video Bookmarks.
Trigger XProtect User-defined Events. (for Text and Email Notifications, Relays and Digital Outputs, and other functions)
Trigger Smart Client Matrix Views.
Trigger PTZ Commands. (for any camera, even for those from which a given event did not originate)
BTX receives incoming alarms from any number of third-party devices. It integrates with multiple third-party systems simultaneously. Quickly and easily map third-party devices with XProtect cameras and other devices.
The BTX system requirements are conventional and lightweight:
Windows 10. *Windows 7 version available for older versions of XProtect.
BTX is lightweight software - low disk usage / low RAM consumption / minimal CPU usage.
350MB disk space.
50MB RAM.
Typically install on the same server as the Milestone XProtect Management Service.
Run as desktop application during configuration phase, then switch to Windows service version for production.
Supplemental Upgrade Protection (SUP) available to keep current with latest versions of XProtect.
BTX Advanced Features
BTX stores and tags the originating event and alarm data into the XProtect database. As such, Smart Client users can search and filter reports by Event and Alarm Keywords, external / third-party Device Name, originating Date and Time, and even the raw Incoming Message String.
Counters - to debounce high event and alarm rates, and reduce false-positives.
Timers - to throttle over-frequent event alarm rates, and reduce false-positives.
Schedules - to define specific time periods within which incoming events and alarms should be processed.
BTX "double-knock" configuration options include:
Groups - combine events and alarms for any combination of devices, to produce a single event or alarm.
(Instead of generating many single events.)
(This function is important, because it facilitates validation of any single alarm, and eliminates false alarms.)
Double-knock Timers - to specify time periods within which all devices in a given group must generate an alarm in order to produce a single master alarm.
Types of systems include: Perimeter and asset protection; Building safety and security; Access control.
Alarms are also accepted from Video and audio analytics systems.
BTX bridges OPTEX, Inovonics and XProtect
BTX is fully integrated with Optex Redwall scanners and their "Redwall Event Codes".
BTX is also integrated with the Inovonics gateways which provide the monitoring functions for a variety of Optex sensors,
as well as for all of the Inovonics sensors.
Smart Client Presents BTX Alarms from Multiple Perspectives
The results of BTX processing can be shown on a single Smart Client view.
These results include: Alarm and Event records; PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom) camera movement; triggered Matrix cells;
icons blinking (in alarm state) on a map; red text as an alert to an operator; and audible tone as an alert to an operator.
BTX consolidates alarms into double-knock and n-knock groups
BTX consolidates alarms into double-knock and n-knock groups.
That is, any number of devices may be grouped and monitored in tandem, so that an alarm
is not presented to XProtect until all members of the group are in an alarm state.
This is known as double-knock (for two members in a group) or n-knock (for any number of members in a group).
BTX Pricing - Software Pricing, Installation and Support
App-Techs will work with you to deliver the right amount of BTX installation service and ongoing software support. Choose to receive BTX training for a self-directed integration, or enlist App-Techs' Milestone-certified technicians to deliver a fully completed integration. App-Techs will work with you to develop an integration plan that fits your project goals, budget, and the technical capabilities of your security/IT staff.
Software Pricing
Price
Type
Description
1,500
BTX Base Server License
One-time purchase per XProtect Management Server (by MAC address). There is no device limit.
$300
Annual SUP (Software Upgrade Protection)
Renewed each year, per server license. Entitles licensee to BTX software updates, for compatibility with the latest versions of Milestone and access to new features, bug fixes, etc. Multi-year SUP purchase discounts available.
Labor Pricing - Three typical installation scenarios
Price
Type
Description
$600
"Train-the-trainer"
Four hours of BTX installation and training, to promote self-directed integration. Sufficient for most projects; additional support hours may be added as needed.
$150 per hour
"T&M" (Time & Materials)
Purchase installation and support in blocks of hours. Billed against actual time booked to the job.
$Fixed-price
"Turn-key"
App-Techs delivers completed integration project, along with follow-up training and some post-integration support.
Based on four hours of base system installation and training, along with complete integration of all third-party devices.
Hours beyond the initial / standard four are calculated based on an estimate 15-minutes (0.25 hr) per device.
Fixed price takes into consideration:
Setup of all PTZ presets;
Setup of all Milestone user-defined rules;
Configuration of Smart-Client Views;
Testing of third-party events / alarms;
Typical connectivity issues / delays;
Typical changes to implementation plan / scope-creep;
In the interest of aligning expections, we often encounter situations where BTX integrations necessitate the troubleshooting of issues beyond the scope of BTX.
Such issues can include: network connectivity, authorization, Windows/domain privileges, firewall & other security-related issues; XProtect setup & configuration optimization; the configuration & debugging of third-party systems.
App-Techs is familiar with these systems, and we are happy to provide support to make sure the entirety of your system is running smoothly and efficiently. Support hours may be purchased as Time & Materials (T&M) or bundled in blocks as part of a quote.
Quotes for Installation
BTX installation labor is provisioned for installation, configuration and training of BTX, to ensure it performs integration tasks as intended.
The labor provisioned in your quote assumes XProtect and your third-party system(s) are properly networked and capable of connecting with BTX.
Beyond incidental adjustments, this time does not include diagnostics and debugging of XProtect and third-party systems being bridged by BTX. Installation labor does not cover network connectivity, authentication, Windows/domain privileges, or hardware performance issues.
We are familiar with XProtect and given third-party systems, and we are glad to assist with diagnostics and debugging of those systems. However, such work may become more than incidental and so it may become necessary for a change-order (for additional labor) to be issued. We will work together with you to make this determination.
Likewise, although we welcome requests for adjustments to the implementation plan, significant changes to the scope might also trigger a change-order. We will work together with you to make this determination.
Note - This section is simply a by-product of some system deployments in which we became support personnel for problems with networks, Windows, XProtect and/or third-party systems. We are glad to provide these services, but we must also cover our costs. We are merely trying to maintain aligned expectations among all parties.
System Integrations to XProtect that are Facilitated by BTX
Bridge to XProtect ("BTX") is a middleware application that receives events and alarms from third-party systems, software, and devices and integrates them into Milestone XProtect, creating Alarms and Events according to user-defined settings. App-Techs has worked with a variety of industry partners to provide seamless integrations with Milestone XProtect. BTX integration partners include:
Application
Integration Partner
BTX Alarms to Milestone
Access Control
Blue Access - Cobalt X1
Access Control Software
Admit, Reject, Lock / Unlock, Open / Close, Door Ajar, etc.
ISONAS - Pure Access Management Access Control Software
Admit, Reject, Lock / Unlock, Open / Close, Door Ajar, etc.
Analytics
Ironyun - AINVR Video Analytics with Artificial Intelligence
Object & Attribute Detection, Person Detection, Face Recognition, Intrusion Detection, LPR, Person / Vehicle Counting, Abnormal Event Detection etc.
Intellivision Video Analytics
Loitering, Intrusion, Crowd Detection, Queue Detection, and more
Mango DSP Video Content Analytics
Line crossing, object class, loitering, scene change, lighting, object passing, object removed, object added, intrusion, wrong direction, etc.
Alarm, Tamper, Low Battery, Device Inactive, Power Loss, Jam, CRC Fail, Shutdown, etc.
Alarm, Tamper, Low Battery, Device Inactive, Power Loss, Jam, CRC Fail, Shutdown, etc.
App-Tech's specializes in third-party integrations with Milestone. If you are a security company looking to integrate your products with Milestone, contact us to see how BTX can serve as your "bridge" to the Milestone XProtect platform
