For 20 years Timespace Technology has been continually developing its CTTV products and software, offering the latest and innovative solutions to coach and bus operators
The benefits of CCTV on-board coaches and buses are indisputable and the technology is improving year on year – something Timespace Technology is at the forefront of.
Founded by Managing Director Robert Heylen in 1997, the Huntington-based CCTV manufacturer celebrates its 20-year anniversary this month, with new products being launched and many more in the pipeline.
One of its latest products is the Timespace V500, a hybrid digital video recorder (DVR), which offers eight IP camera inputs along with 16 channels of analogue video.
“The V500 is a one-box solution, enabling users to introduce IP cameras into vehicle CCTV,” says Robert.
The main benefit is that IP cameras produce far higher-quality images and they also cover wider areas than analogue cameras.
The V500 is powered straight from the vehicle’s battery and ignition, and built-in Power over Ethernet (PoE) connectors power all of the cameras, making the V500 easy to install and manage.
Making it easy
Another product is the Reviewer. Operators can use this device to review recordings, as it has a built-in screen, and it is also used to configure all the DVR settings.
Acknowledging the fact that the installation of cameras can sometimes be tricky, Timespace has developed a feature on the Reviewer called Live View.
With Timespace DVRs, a live view can be accessed on the Reviewer, which, along with an option of a longer cable, makes the setting up of cameras in the correct position much easier for installers.
Quality products
Timespace’s range of products offer “the complete picture” for CCTV users. From the company’s very first product – the Omnibase – through to the recently launched V500, the manufacturer is committed to continually developing and improving all its products.
That’s not to say that older products are left behind. “We support all of our products into the future and continue to issue software upgrades,” says Robert.
Customer service is important to Timespace and it values product feedback in order to develop them and make any necessary improvements.
Taking on board customers’ specifications as much as possible, updates are made gradually.
“We don’t change everything all at once. It’s evolution rather than revolution,” says Robert.
Equally important is Timespace’s reputation for reliability.
“Everything is down to reliability in this market,” says Robert. “There’s nowhere to hide if your unit isn’t working.
“Our users are often technically trained and have engineering skills, so our reliability is based on field data” he adds.
The complete picture
Recently released, Timespace’s CANLink unit records and transmits vehicle CAN engineering data. Operators can use the software to monitor their vehicles’ health, such as oil temperature.
For the first time, CAN data can be reviewed in sequence with video footage, which means operators gain a complete picture of why instances have occurred, allowing them to deal with problems sooner.
Timespace also manufactures a variety of software that complements its hardware.
PCLink allows operators to view live and recorded images – allowing retrieval of footage – and all cameras can be played back on one page.
LANLink provides a wide range of features that reassure operators that their CCTV cameras and DVRs are in top working condition.
For instance, LANLink features a simple traffic light system providing an overview of a number of buses in one place, with the lights changing colour if there are any issues with the cameras.
With the addition of vehicle CAN data from Timespace’s new CANLink unit, the suite of software from Timespace provides essential fleet management and vehicle health information for operators.
In the pipeline
Committed to developing new and helpful products, Timespace is also developing MEDIALink.
This software allows messages to be displayed on passenger monitors, such as road closures. Important messages from the police or council could also be displayed, as well as adverts promoting nearby establishments.
An app version of the Reviewer is also in the process of being developed.
“We have tried to copy the look of the Reviewer on the app, so users familiar with the Reviewer can do everything they want to on their phones or tablets,” says Robert.
The app will give staff the flexibility of setting up the cameras off vehicles; instead they will be able to do everything the Reviewer does, but elsewhere in the depot.
Turning 20
To celebrate Timespace’s 20-year anniversary this year, a trip to London has been arranged for all of Timespace’s staff and their families in April.
“As we are a family-run company, we have opened up this trip to employees’ partners and children as well,” says Robert.
Timespace now has 26 staff, and relocated to bigger premises just over a year ago, as more production space was needed to keep on top of the orders coming in.
Says Robert: “Working closely with our long-standing installation partners, Timespace continues to grow and we have employed additional production and customer-support staff over recent years.”
Under one roof
Timespace designs and manufacturers its own equipment under one roof, so any changes to products can be made quickly.
“Timely changes and continuous improvements are critical,” says Robert.
In-depth product testing also takes place onsite, but products get tested in real life situations as well.
“We are fortunate in having very good relationships with a number of users who are happy for us to carry out trials at their depots in order to get the fine-tuning done,” says Robert.
In-house testing as well as testing out in the field provides a realistic set-up, so operators can rest assured that the products they are investing in will stand the test of time.
