VIVOTEK Powers Smart Security Solutions at a UNESCO World Heritage Resort in Japan

TAIPEI, Dec. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- VIVOTEK has successfully deployed a unified smart security solution across Kitakobushi Resort's properties in Shiretoko, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site in Japan, enhancing safety, streamlining monitoring operations, and significantly improving overall operational efficiency while preserving the resort's pristine natural environment.

The project highlights how integrated smart security solutions can be effectively deployed in complex, environmentally sensitive resort environments.

Background

Evolving Resort Operations in Harmony with Nature

Kitakobushi Resort operates multiple distinctive properties in Shiretoko, Hokkaido – a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site since 2005. Their portfolio includes a large resort hotel overlooking the Sea of Okhotsk, a forest retreat, private cottages, and a historic hotel with over 60 years of operation – all showcasing the region's stunning landscapes and local charm.

As Shiretoko grew in popularity, maintaining a consistently safe and comfortable environment across multiple dispersed properties became increasingly important. This demand prompted a comprehensive review of the resort's aging surveillance infrastructure.

Challenges

Towards Smarter, Unified, and More Efficient Video Management

As visitor numbers continued to rise, expectations for safety and operational efficiency increased across Kitakobushi Resort's dispersed properties. The limitations of the resort's aging, siloed surveillance system became particularly evident at its two flagship properties: Kitakobushi Shiretoko Hotel & Resort and KIKI Shiretoko Natural Resort – where modernization became a strategic priority.

The resort faced three critical challenges:

• Upgrading aging infrastructure: The resort's existing cameras and NVR had served reliably for many years, but an upgrade became essential to maintain smooth operations.
• Unifying scattered monitoring operations: With several properties to oversee, each facility's video was previously monitored separately, limiting operational efficiency and making management more complex. The resort wanted to enable remote monitoring, allowing staff to view live footage from anywhere without needing to be on-site.
• Maximizing coverage while controlling costs: Comprehensive coverage across facilities required numerous cameras spanning public spaces, parking areas, and back-of-house operations, yet keeping the system cost-effective remained an important consideration.

The resort sought a solution that could modernize infrastructure, unify operations, and maximize value while achieving smart upgrading within budget constraints.

Solutions

Smart Video Integration for a Safer, More Connected Resort

As a global leading security solution provider, VIVOTEK was selected for its proven reliability, performance, and strong local support in Japan. The solution deployed 58 VIVOTEK network cameras across key areas at Kitakobushi Shiretoko Hotel & Resort and KIKI Shiretoko Natural Resort, with centralized management through two NVR-Pro units powered by System K's SK VMS.

Strategic camera deployment included:

• SD9161-H (17 units): This PTZ camera, installed throughout hotel interiors and parking areas, offers 10x optical zoom and flexible pan-tilt-zoom capabilities. Staff can effortlessly monitor wide areas and zoom in on points of interest in real time — all without leaving the office.
• FD9369 (41 units): Compact and discreet, this dome camera was installed mainly indoors, preserving the resort's natural ambiance while delivering reliable, cost-effective performance.

By unifying all 58 cameras into a single management platform, the resort gained complete visibility across both properties. The centralized system streamlines daily monitoring, reduces patrol labor, and enables faster response to on-site needs. Staff can now monitor multiple facilities from a single interface, significantly improving overall operational efficiency.

Result and Customer Feedback

Making Resort Operations Smarter and Guest Experiences Safer

The VIVOTEK solution has transformed resort operations, enabling centralized monitoring, real-time flexibility, and enhanced safety.

Key Improvements:

• Streamlined multi-facility management: Staff can now monitor multiple properties from a single interface. This unified system eliminates the need to check each facility separately, simplifying operations and boosting overall efficiency.
• Flexible monitoring with PTZ cameras: The SD9161-H PTZ cameras allow staff to pan, tilt, and zoom in real time from any location, reducing the effort required for routine monitoring.
• Seamless aesthetic integration: The compact FD9369 dome cameras blend discreetly into the resort's interior, preserving the natural ambiance while delivering reliable performance at a cost-effective price.
• Enhanced safety and guest experience: By combining advanced video technology with centralized management, the resort ensures a safe, seamless, and welcoming experience for both staff and guests.

Customer Insights:

• "Based on System K's recommendation, we explored and selected VIVOTEK due to its stability, intuitive interface, and excellent value. VIVOTEK offers strong warranty support, reliable performance, and an easy-to-manage system. Integrating all cameras with the NVR-Pro platform allows us to manage multiple properties in one place, greatly improving daily operations." – Chief Digital Officer (CDO), Kitakobushi Resort
• "VIVOTEK offers an impressive balance of high functionality and affordability. With strong local support and ongoing firmware updates, the system continues to deliver reliability and satisfaction." – Sales Representative, System K (VIVOTEK Distributor)

Learn More: https://www.vivotek.com/news_center/successful_cases/665

** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **

VIVOTEK Powers Smart Security Solutions at a UNESCO World Heritage Resort in Japan

ANAHEIM, Calif., Dec. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- OMTech, industry leaders in machine technology, has announced the Kickstarter launch of the Aurora, a true 14-inch direct-to-film (DTF) printer designed to help makers and small businesses produce vibrant, durable transfers faster without the oversized footprint, need for constant monitoring, and inefficient workflows that hold many DTF setups back. Built around dual Epson I1600 industrial print heads, the Aurora pairs high throughput with ease of use, turning what's often a multi-machine process into a streamlined do-it-all production system for makers and custom apparel shops. The OMTech Aurora is available now, with deals and discounts for early adopters. Learn more here.

For apparel creators that aim to speed up the process of taking designs from concept to completion, traditional machines have serious limitations, such as wasted usable film area, slow batch turnaround, inconsistent color, and maintenance routines that disrupt production. Aurora tackles these bottlenecks starting with a true 14-inch effective print width so users can fit more per run and reduce wasted margins—while comfortably handling designs sized for T-shirts up to 5XL.

"DTF is one of the fastest ways to grow an apparel business—but too many creators get stuck managing equipment instead of concentrating on creativity. With the Aurora, we focused on true usable width, production-speed output, and the maintenance and workflow automation that keeps production effortless," said Samson Yang, OMTech CEO.

With dual I1600 print heads, Aurora is built for fast fulfillment—reaching up to 50 ft²/hour (4.64 m²/h)—while maintaining 720 × 1800 DPI detail for crisp type, sharp edges, and intricate artwork that looks premium on finished garments. Operators hit repeatable results across orders thanks to the Aurora's G7 Targeted certification, supporting more accurate, consistent color from print to print.

DTF reliability often comes down to what happens between jobs, not just during them. The Aurora integrates automatic print head maintenance with timed auto-cleaning and auto moisturizing injection, along with white ink circulation and stirring to reduce clogs and keep output stable. Real-time ink alerts help prevent mid-run surprises, and a touchscreen workflow supports one-touch ink priming without manual cartridge setup—so production stays moving from order to order.

Aurora also addresses the "DTF sprawl" problem—where printers, powder units, and curing equipment take up an entire room. Its vertical build is designed to take as little as 3.44 ft² and free up significant workspace compared to traditional printer-and-shaker layouts. It further supports a more continuous workflow with roll-to-roll automated powdering, shaking, and curing, reducing handoffs and helping shops run longer batches with less intervention.

Aurora represents a new standard for small shop DTF production: affordable innovation that seamlessly producing quality prints with smart automations and user-friendly design. Aurora is available now for pre-order on Kickstarter, where backers can access launch day deals and incentives. To learn more, click here.

About OMTech

OMTech is a California-based manufacturer of professional creative equipment designed to make advanced production tools accessible to creators, educators, and small businesses. Expanding beyond laser technology, OMTech now offers a growing ecosystem of solutions for modern makers—including the Aurora DTF printer—built to support apparel decoration, product customization, and scalable production. With a focus on reliable engineering, intuitive workflows, and customer-driven support, OMTech continues to empower users to turn creative ideas into finished products with confidence.

** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **

OMTech Launches Aurora: A True 14-Inch DTF Printer That Brings Industrial-Speed Apparel Printing to Any Workspace