The Trend of Change

Education will play large role for integrators needing to keep pace with convergence

  • By Bob Sawyer
  • May 31, 2007

CHANGE will continue to be the biggest the biggest trend in the security industry well into 2008. Enterprise security management systems are becoming larger and more integrated. Multi-level convergence is occurring in logical security, IT, data, access control and integrated components. Video management and access control are forming an integrated security management system. The future is leading the industry toward an integration platform that involves access control, video, audio, building control, intrusion and fire protection.

Traditional access control manufacturers are on the forefront in producing new platforms which will be in great demand because of usability. These deeply integrated platforms allow the user to operate previously disparate systems from one common user interface without having to jump from system to system. For instance, multiple video systems from disparate manufacturers can be integrated and operated on one user interface with a common look and feel. Add to this video the overlay of alarms and events in one user-friendly interface. Functionality will be greatly enhanced, and training will be simplified to learning the basic operation of one integrated system.

Today, a security director can easily access and control pertinent information and commands, including alarms and video from remote locations such as from a home. These technological advances will not only be available in large, complex enterprise-level systems, but also in the small-business system where the user will choose desired system functionalities. Systems will become more open in architecture.

Living on the Edge
The industry is moving away from DVRs to IP cameras and encoders. Edge devices now exist which provide a flexible video management hardware platform for organizations moving toward digital video. Professional video server options enable customers to integrate existing analog CCTV systems into an IP-based solution, so a company can acquire all the benefits that digital technology offers without reinvesting in a new system. These IP-based solutions work with old and new technology including DVRs, IP and analog cameras on the same system. Video and access control integration allows recording based upon alarms and defined events. Video can be stored at the edge and only forwarded across the network upon an alarm or predefined event, or during non-peak network hours, helping to optimize a network.

Now, video can be tagged both before and after an alarm is triggered, when the system is recording or buffering. A truly integrated system also can tag alarms from other systems such as intrusion detection, building management and visitor management.

The fledgling, but rapidly growing, video analytics field will be a disruptor in the security space in coming years. There was a taste of it at ISC West in March, as more companies entered the analytics arena with native solutions. Operators are unlikely to spot incidents when there are many camera views. Intelligent video analytics turns video into a proactive tool, creating an extra layer of security for the organization. The demand for advanced analytics will increase as users understand the benefits of the technology, the costs of ownership diminish and internal applications become apparent.

A Critical Puzzle Piece
Integrators are being pushed by new requirements demanding IT or IP expertise for installation and service. These new requirements are quickly becoming the norm as security decisions are being significantly impacted by IT departments. Integrators are facing an expensive quandary, struggling to acquire the skill and proficiency demanded by the new technologies and network infrastructure. Change is becoming standard business in the industry, and successful integrators will either bring the necessary IT talent on board or will partner with companies with the expertise already on-hand.

Some IT companies are looking at the security space as a market to enter and grow business. This may prove to be a threat to the security integrator who is lacking IT expertise.
Education is a critical piece of the puzzle. Becoming educated in order to successfully install and support a system is commonplace, but the way to accomplish such training is by change. Options such as Internet-based learning tools and Web-based alternatives, are becoming available and attractive. Online training provides an alternative means to traditional training. Technicians can choose the appropriate timeframe to take online training classes so there is minimal downtime in the field. Integrators can educate more staff without sending their technicians to an offsite facility, thereby eliminating many travel-related expenses. The technician has the ability to review the course work prior to an installation, thereby refreshing his or her memory with up-to-date, pertinent course material.

The ever-changing security industry will not disappoint in 2007. Manufacturers, integrators, IT professionals and users will need to adjust accordingly to the continuing trend in the use of IP technology and the consolidation within the industry.

Education remains a key ingredient to success, and companies are providing convenient, cost-effective education solutions. Multi-level convergence with deeper integration across an open platform provides the solution today’s savvy end users demand.

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