State of the Art Podcast

Elevator OEMs—Otis, TK Elevator, Schindler, KONE, Mitsubishi Electric, and Motion Control Engineering (MCE)—build the dispatch engines and car controllers that move people efficiently. Their “destination control/dispatch” platforms (e.g., Compass® 360, AGILE, PORT, KONE Destination, ΣAI2200C/DOAS, MCE DBD) sit closest to the machinery and speak native controller protocols. That’s their half of the equation: motion control and throughput optimization

BluB0X delivers direct, computer‑to‑computer integrations with all major Destination Dispatch Elevator (DDE) systems—no access control panels in the middle—so calls, authorizations, and car assignments happen in real time with fewer failure points and lower install/support complexity. BluB0X documents annual re‑certification with each elevator manufacturer and states it supports every feature each manufacturer provides.

Within BluSKY, operators get unified real‑time control, monitoring, and diagnostics; employees and tenants can make mobile elevator calls and receive on‑device car assignments; visitors and vendors receive temporary digital credentials that govern a secure, guided ride—all on one cloud platform. In measured deployments, mobile + DDE flows reduce total time‑to‑destination by ~10–15%.

In modern high-rise buildings, elevator lockdown is a critical component of lobby threat containment and active shooter response. This white paper provides property managers, security directors, consultants, and building stakeholders with a comprehensive guide to minimizing vertical threat movement through automated and integrated elevator control. Emphasizing the importance of locking down elevators within seconds, it covers both conventional and destination-dispatch systems, coordination with law enforcement, use of gunshot detection and AI-based triggers, and the integration of access control, fire safety, and mass notification systems. With best practices, planning strategies, and detailed implementation guidance, the document aims to help stakeholders build safer, faster-responding buildings through coordinated emergency protocols.

In a market overdue for innovation, BluBØX introduces the Blue box AI Controller — a transformative leap in access control and video surveillance. Traditional controllers simply grant access; the Blue box AI Controller does that and far more by integrating AI-driven analytics, real-time video, intercom, and access into a single, secure edge device. It eliminates reliance on Windows servers, reduces hardware sprawl, lowers maintenance costs, and enhances cybersecurity — all while being backward-compatible with existing infrastructure. Designed for flexibility, scalability, and intelligence, it’s a unified solution built for modern buildings and future threats.

BluSKY by BluBØX is the first physical-security platform to fully ascend the DIKIRW ladder—transforming raw data into real-time operational wisdom. By integrating AI, voice interfaces, predictive analytics, and policy-aware automation, BluSKY turns millions of daily events into intelligent decisions and proactive building management. It’s already delivering measurable ROI across top-tier properties, from smarter fire drills to energy savings and predictive maintenance. In a world drowning in security data, BluSKY stands out as the platform that doesn’t just report—it thinks, learns, and acts.

AI is rapidly reshaping the security landscape. At major airports, autonomous drones are now conducting perimeter patrols, improving efficiency and reducing security costs, according to Forbes. Meanwhile, large language models like GPT are being used to analyze security logs in real-time, with a top consultancy reporting a 50% reduction in incident triage time (Gartner). Regulatory progress is also underway, as new NIST guidelines have approved voice biometrics for authentication, enabling broader adoption in access control systems. On a practical level, security teams can enhance their operations by configuring BluSKY’s Summer EYES module to detect anomalies—such as unusual door-open durations or irregular motion activity—and reviewing these flagged events weekly to address potential threats before they escalate.

The June edition of BluBØX’s State-of-the-Art Newsletter spotlights the rapid rise of AI in physical security, marking a shift from long-promised potential to real-world impact. Fueled by breakthroughs in natural language processing and visual models, AI is now transforming everything from access control to risk analysis. A featured Q&A with George von Klan of GVK Elevator Consulting explores how BluBØX’s Person Reader is revolutionizing elevator destination dispatch. By authenticating users at turnstiles, the system pre-assigns elevator destinations, cutting wait times and improving efficiency. Voice commands allow hands-free floor selection, biometrics enhance ADA compliance, and mobile-based pre-calls turn walk time into productive travel. With advanced analytics optimizing elevator flow based on real-time and historical patterns, Person Reader technology delivers a 20–30% reduction in total travel time—an innovation reshaping high-rise building access.

Welcome to the June edition of BluB0X’s State-of-the-Art Newsletter, dedicated to the AI-driven security revolution. AI has leapt from research labs into production over the past three years, turbocharged by breakthroughs in large language models. Today, intelligent assistants—trained on vast human knowledge—are advancing on digital timescales, reshaping industries across the board. In this issue, we explore how AI in physical security is evolving, what’s driving it, and where it’s headed.

The July 2025 BluSKY update introduces major enhancements across UDC, Occupancy, Logbook, Weather, and Data Lake modules. UDC now shows live person counts by default, offers customizable dashboard layouts, and auto-applies filters and real-time events. The Occupancy module adds lease cost and square footage fields, while Logbooks now include permission controls, smart autofill, AI-generated summaries, and attachment support. Weather data is now localized per building and integrated into BluREMOTE and Logbooks. Data Lake improvements include a resizable sidebar, added metadata, and bulk download functionality for better file management.

Welcome to the June edition of BluB0X’s State-of-the-Art Newsletter, dedicated to the AI-driven security revolution. AI has leapt from research labs into production over the past three years, turbocharged by breakthroughs in large language models. Today, intelligent assistants—trained on vast human knowledge—are advancing on digital timescales, reshaping industries across the board. In this issue, we explore how AI in physical security is evolving, what’s driving it, and where it’s headed.

In today’s hybrid work environment, workplace efficiency isn’t just about having the right people in the right place—it’s about understanding exactly how space is used, enforcing reservations reliably, and empowering employees to book on the go. Yet most standalone space management tools fall short: they rely solely on reservation calendars, lack real-time occupancy data, and offer little more than static floor-plan views. BluB0X’s BluSKY Space Management changes the game by embedding access control at its core, delivering a unified database, AI-driven analytics, integrated reporting, and a natural-language mobile interface. This article explores the common pitfalls of conventional space management, walks through realistic scenarios where those tools fail, and shows how BluSKY’s fully integrated approach eliminates friction, maximizes utilization, and drives real business value.

The June 2025 BluSKY release delivers significant enhancements across multiple modules to improve system usability, flexibility, and performance. In Space Management, users can now assign and visualize equipment and services within spaces via an upgraded dashboard. The Camera Configuration section introduces Snapshot-24 with advanced playback, filtering, high-resolution zoom, and layout options, along with improved navigation and metadata tagging. The UDC interface has been streamlined with new visibility settings and icon updates. Event history now supports expanded date ranges and smoother camera playback. Data Lake gets a revamped uploader and a new default List View for improved file handling. The AIC Access Control Module adds event enrichment, refined database synchronization, and improved traceability. Additional updates include Jetson-based AI video analytics processing with local and cloud CSV storage, and a Person Reader update that integrates Datalake training data and standardized logging. Collectively, these updates advance BluSKY’s mission of delivering a unified, intelligent, and highly responsive security platform.

Managing security for a multi-school district is a complex endeavor. Different campuses, varying infrastructure, and disparate security systems often translate into fragmented operations, higher costs, and increased risk. When each school operates its own access control, video surveillance, visitor management, and emergency notification systems, district administrators and security teams face a constant challenge: how to implement consistent safety policies, maintain real-time visibility, and scale effectively as the district grows. With separate systems, IT and security personnel frequently juggle multiple software interfaces, hardware vendors, and service contracts—an approach that is neither efficient nor sustainable.

BluB0X’s cloud-based platform, BluSKY, was designed precisely to address these challenges. By consolidating every school’s security infrastructure into a single, unified system, BluSKY enables districts to “control every school like it’s one building.” This blog will explore the pain points associated with operating multiple systems, outline how BluSKY’s unified architecture overcomes these challenges, and detail the tangible benefits for K–12 administrators, security teams, and IT staff. Whether you’re responsible for a handful of elementary schools or an entire countywide district, understanding how BluSKY streamlines operations can save significant time, reduce costs, and ultimately enhance the safety of students and staff.

The latest BluSKY release delivers major enhancements across Space Management, Camera Configuration, Device Association, and the Person Reader platform. Users can now create and manage recurring space reservations with greater control and visibility, while new tabs for Equipment and Services improve resource planning. Camera tools gain floor-based filtering, real-time logging, and streamlined mapping with default recording. Device association and cleanup are now automated, ensuring data integrity. The new Person Reader Face Scrub improves biometric accuracy, while the BluSKY Android app adds full support for Android 15, boosting performance and compatibility across devices.

When evaluating video recording solutions, it’s critical to consider more than just upfront specifications. Longevity, reliability, integration capabilities, total cost of ownership, and support structure all matter—especially in modern security systems increasingly powered by AI and analytics.

The BluBØX IoT Recorder is engineered from the ground up as a purpose-built, GPU-based recording applianceoptimized for edge computing, AI analytics, and high-reliability operation. It contrasts sharply with traditional server-based solutions, which are built on legacy Windows platforms, rely on power-hungry components, and require additional hardware for modern analytics workloads.

Default-floor elevator dispatching—where a person is automatically sent to a preassigned floor after tapping at the turnstile—causes inefficiencies due to changing work patterns. Many people now go to different floors daily, leading to “ghost calls” (unnecessary elevator trips), which slow down service and overload the system. BluBØX solves this by using AI-driven Person Readers at the turnstile to either: 

The BluSKY Data Lake Document Checklist is a comprehensive reference outlining the critical documents needed for a fully integrated building management system. It covers all aspects of facility design, infrastructure, and operations to ensure seamless integration, security, compliance, and performance monitoring. The checklist is divided into 17 categories, including architectural plans, MEP systems, fire and life safety, security, video surveillance, elevator systems, building automation, IT and telecom, sustainability data, and operational records. It also includes documentation related to tenants, vendor contracts, regulatory compliance, emergency procedures, insurance, audits, and staff training. Collectively, these documents support system interoperability, optimize facility operations, and enhance situational awareness within the BluSKY platform.

The 20 worst mistakes in visitor management include skipping pre-registration, ID checks, or host notifications—leading to long lines, unauthorized access, and unattended guests. Inconsistent check-in procedures, poor badge management, lack of access control integration, and ignoring watchlists create audit gaps and security risks. Failing to use self-service kiosks or mobile check-ins causes bottlenecks and higher staffing costs, while overreliance on manual logs results in errors. Without integration with surveillance or analytics, there's limited visibility into visitor behavior. Other pitfalls include neglecting tenant rules, group imports, invitation expiries, health checks, multilingual support, signage, data privacy, and trend reporting—all of which reduce safety, compliance, and efficiency.

This guide outlines the most critical practices for implementing effective visitor management using BluSKY. It emphasizes a centralized, secure, and scalable approach through:

• Workflow Standardization: Streamlining requests, approvals, and check-ins via pre-registration, QR codes, and kiosk integration.

• Security & Control: Leveraging role-based permissions, watchlists, and COI enforcement for contractors acting as visitors.

• Automation & Integration: Enabling automated badge printing, notifications, access control links, and API connectivity to external systems.

• Scalability: Supporting bulk imports, recurring visits, group scheduling, and architectural station design specs.

• Compliance & Insight: Maintaining audit trails, data retention policies, and reporting analytics for real-time occupancy, trends, and incident reviews.

• Customization & Training: Offering branded badge templates, Quick-Start guides, and ongoing system updates to drive adoption and security effectiveness.

This list outlines the top 20 pitfalls in vendor management that can lead to serious operational, financial, and security consequences. Key issues include neglecting Certificate of Insurance (COI) checks, bypassing access controls, failing to pre-qualify vendors, and lacking integration with security systems. Mistakes like treating vendors as visitors, not tracking equipment or activity, and failing to enforce credential expirations compromise site safety and liability protection. Operational inefficiencies such as redundant onboarding, poor scheduling, and lack of SLA alignment can disrupt tenant satisfaction and delay services. Ultimately, the absence of automation, oversight, and coordination creates gaps that increase risk, costs, and compliance failures.

Vendor Management: Top 20 Priorities – Summary
This guide outlines the 20 most critical considerations for effective vendor management using BluSKY. Key areas include standardized registration, COI tracking, role-based access, check-in/out workflows, service mapping, and integration with third-party systems. It emphasizes automation, compliance, real-time reporting, and secure access—ensuring vendors are authorized, monitored, and aligned with facility protocols.

Modern multifamily high-rise developments demand more than beautiful façades and efficient floor plates — they require security systems that are thoughtfully woven into the building’s DNA from day one. As an architect, your designs set the stage for a property’s long-term safety, operational efficiency, and user experience. By planning for integrated, cloud-based security up front, you minimize costly retrofits, preserve design aesthetics, and future-proof your buildings for emerging technologies.

In this guide, we’ll explore key considerations, best practices, and actionable steps for architects to embed integrated security systems — like BluBØX’s BluSKY platform and sleek hardware (Person Readers, ARC controllers, AI cameras) — into high-rise designs. You’ll discover how early collaboration with security specialists, thoughtful infrastructure planning, and open-platform selection unlock a truly smart building that stands the test of time.

This list captures both the standard capabilities of our elevator-traffic simulators and the cutting-edge extensionsneeded to model modern security workflows, smart-building integrations, and next-generation passenger experiences.

BluSKY May 2025 Release: Smarter Spaces, Sharper Surveillance, and Streamlined Control

Smartphones have become our constant companions – we use them to order food, hail rides, and manage our daily schedules. It’s no surprise that today’s residents expect to use their phones as keys to their kingdom. In multifamily housing, “mobile-first living” is more than a buzzword; it’s a shift driven by resident demand for convenience and connectivity. This article explores why residents (especially younger renters) now expect smartphone access to everything in their apartment communities, from entry doors to thermostats. We’ll dive into data on tech adoption, highlight what residents want, and show how embracing mobile access can set your property apart. And yes, we’ll look at how solutions like BluBØX’s BluSKY empower this mobile-first lifestyle.

The Top 5 Security Mistakes Multifamily Properties Make (and How to Fix Them)

Managing security at multifamily properties is a high-stakes challenge. Apartment communities face constant traffic from residents, guests, staff, and deliveries. One small oversight can lead to big consequences—from break-ins and property loss to unhappy residents and damaged reputations. Below we explore the top five security mistakes multifamily properties commonly make, and how to fix them to create safer 

BluBØX at ISC West 2025 The Future of Smart Security

Step into the next generation of AI-driven security, automation, and intelligence. Check out the top 24 innovations from BluBØX - the all-in one solution.

BluBØX is proud to debut its latest AIRC hardware—the smartest controller ever built—at this year’s ISC West. Engineered to revolutionize the access control market, every AIRC controller integrates multiple functions into one robust, compact board.

The BluSKY Release Notes for March 2025 detail the latest updates to the Blue Sky platform, a product of the State of the Art Podcast's Blue Box division, which emphasizes rapid software releases. Key enhancements include Prompt, an AI-powered prompt management system for text and voice interaction, and significant improvements to the UDC (likely a user interface or data center component) with better search, display, and filtering capabilities. The release also features advancements in Camera Configuration, focusing on automated device association and improved data caching. Finally, the introduction of the Log Book module provides security officers with a centralized system for incident data management, incorporating multimedia, AI assistance, and voice input.

Crafted with precision and simplicity, BluBØX AI transforms complex tasks into an effortless dialogue. This revolutionary mobile app harnesses natural language, enabling you to command tasks through voice or text with remarkable ease and accuracy.

BluBØX will present its new BluSKY system at ISC West 2025, showcasing an advancement in security data management. This innovative system merges Data Lake and Lakehouse technologies to centralize and structure diverse security data like video, images, and text. Featuring an intuitive, file-based interface and AI-powered capabilities, BluSKY aims to simplify data management, enhance search and analytics, and provide real-time intelligence. Ultimately, BluBØX intends to demonstrate how its technology can transform security data into a valuable strategic asset.

At BluBØX, we’re transforming facility management with BluSKY Log Books—an AI-powered digital logbook that aggregates and distills hours of data into actionable insights. Every hour, eight hours, and over daily, weekend, and weekly periods, our AI surfaces the most important trends, anomalies, and incidents, so facility managers and security professionals can focus on what truly matters. Catch the debut of BluSKY Log Books at ISC West 2025 and experience effortless, data-driven decision-making.

BluBØX has revolutionized elevator safety and performance with BluSKY ERM—a next-generation elevator ride monitoring solution powered by the advanced AIRC-2 hardware. BluSKY ERM provides real-time ride quality data and AI-driven analytics, ensuring every elevator ride is smooth, safe, and reliable. With cloud connectivity and automatic updates, it offers actionable insights that help facility managers minimize downtime and optimize maintenance—all at a fraction of the cost of traditional systems. Discover the future of elevator management with BluSKY ERM.

BluBØX’s BluSKY AutoAssociate revolutionizes your security ecosystem by seamlessly linking all your devices through intelligent automation. Our AI-driven solution analyzes device names, locations, and camera fields of view to create a dynamic, real-time association matrix—eliminating manual setup and ensuring your system adapts effortlessly to changes. Coupled with insights from BluINFO, BluSKY AutoAssociate delivers a 360-degree view of your environment, empowering your team to monitor, control, and respond with unmatched speed and precision. Experience a smarter, more efficient security solution that keeps you one step ahead.

SNAP24 by BluBØX is a new security solution designed for rapid video retrieval and insight. Instead of continuous recording, it automatically captures snapshots triggered by security events or at set intervals. This system utilizes AI analytics to quickly search, segment, and provide actionable intelligence from these images, offering a 360-degree view by integrating data from various devices. As a core component of BluSKY, SNAP24 streamlines security monitoring and investigation by focusing on key moments and enabling seamless transitions with other modules.

BluSKY PROMPT is introduced as an AI-driven platform from blue box intended to revolutionize prompt management and automation within organizations. It utilizes GPT-4 and supports various input types like text, images, and video, offering features such as intelligent prompt creation, scheduling, and security enhancements. The platform provides an intuitive interface for users to manage and execute prompts, aiming to streamline workflows and improve operational efficiency, as will be showcased through demonstrations and marketing efforts.

This year at ISC West, BluBØX is unveiling the next generation of DDE Person Readers, setting a new standard for elevator automation and security integration.

The latest Version 4 of BluBØX’s Destination Dispatch Elevator (DDE) Person Readers introduces five models: PR2XL, XL, PRL, PRM, and PRS. The only difference among them is screen size—ranging from extra-small to extra-large—while all offer the same robust functionality.

Product Lineup & Models

BluBØX is excited to unveil an all-new version of our person readers at ISC West. This year, we’re expanding our portfolio with a brand-new member—the PRS, our smallest person reader yet—adding to our family of five models: the PR2XL, XL, L, M, and S.

BluBØX is proud to debut its latest ARC hardware—the smartest controller ever built—at this year’s ISC West. Engineered to revolutionize the access control market, every ARC controller integrates multiple functions into one robust, compact board. Here are the highlights:

Introducing our new BluSKY Space Management application, debuting at ISC West this year. BluSKY Space Management is a comprehensive solution that seamlessly integrates space management with physical access control, advanced analytics, and AI-powered insights. Built on the BluSKY platform, it leverages an integrated ecosystem of data to empower facility managers with the following capabilities:

In this episode, BluEYES transforms every camera into a tireless security officer. When integrated with BluSKY, each camera can receive natural language instructions—much like assigning post orders to a human security officer. Here’s what makes BluEYES stand out:

FloorEyes is an advanced facility intelligence system debuting at ISC West 2025. It transforms traditional floor plans into a dynamic, comprehensive digital model by:

• Automatic Analysis: It automatically identifies and labels every aspect of a facility—from elevators, stairwells, and doors to security devices, mechanical floors, and major landmarks.
• Region Creation: Users can define regions of interest by drawing custom polygon shapes and naming them, ensuring that key areas are highlighted.
• Interconnected Insights: FloorEyes understands not just individual floors, but the intricate interconnections between them. It maps out how elevators travel between floors, where stairwells begin and end, and how various spaces are linked.
• Integrated Building Data: Beyond static floor plans, it incorporates real-time details such as tenant locations, company operations, personnel movements, and other facility operations.
• Conversational Interface: Through BluBØX AI or the BluBØX Oracles, you can engage in natural language conversations with the building. Ask questions about specific locations, operational details, or navigational queries, and receive intelligent, context-aware responses.

In essence, FloorEyes serves as the central brain for your facility—tying together all aspects of the building into a cohesive, interactive model that not only understands your space but communicates with you about it.

Experience the future of AI-driven security, automation, and intelligence with BluBØX at ISC WEST. We're unveiling groundbreaking advancements that will revolutionize security technology. Don't miss the next evolution in AI and automation.

Introducing BluBØX AI, the next evolution in intelligent interaction, meticulously engineered to redefine the BluSKY experience. Crafted with precision and simplicity, BluBØX AI transforms complex tasks into an effortless dialogue. This revolutionary mobile and web platform harnesses natural language, enabling you to command tasks through voice, text, or visual cues with remarkable ease and accuracy.

Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) is a sophisticated method used to enhance the performance and capabilities of AI models, particularly in natural language processing (NLP) tasks. It integrates the retrieval of relevant documents or data from a large corpus (like a data lake) into the generative process of AI models. This approach helps AI models to produce more accurate, informative, and contextually relevant answers by leveraging external knowledge. RAG can be especially beneficial in scenarios where AI models need to utilize real-time or near-real-time information to generate responses.

Welcome to the BluB0X State-of-the-Art podcast, where we explore game-changing security innovations. Our focus today: the Person Reader—an advanced solution redefining access control. Trusted by top properties like San Francisco’s Transamerica Pyramid, it empowers property managers, security teams, and real estate groups with seamless, intelligent security. Tune in to discover how the Person Reader is shaping the future of secure access.

In the realm of data management and security, Data Lakes have emerged as a pivotal technology, particularly in enhancing physical security systems. This article delves into the essence of Data Lakes, their distinction from traditional data storage methods, and their integral role in bolstering physical security measures.

We're excited to announce the latest enhancements to Blue Sky, designed to improve your user experience and system efficiency:

• Occupants Section: 

• Camera Configuration Improvements:

• Recorder Updates:

• Analytics & Statistics - Race Track:

Building Oracle is an AI-driven system designed to provide comprehensive intelligence and control over building operations. It uses natural language processing, allowing users to interact with the system via voice or text commands. The system offers real-time insights into various aspects of the building, including floor plans, security infrastructure, tenant management, and navigation. Building Oracle enables instant access to analytics, report generation, and the execution of commands such as locking doors or adjusting access settings. With a focus on speed and efficiency, the system delivers answers in seconds and seamlessly integrates into existing building platforms.

At BluBØX, we understand the evolving needs of commercial real estate and the importance of innovative security solutions. BluBØX and its flagship platform, BluSKY, have set a new standard for security and management, perfectly aligning with the expectations of tenants returning to office spaces. Here’s a closer look at how BluBØX and BluSKY are transforming commercial real estate security.