Forging New Frontiers
Information technology trends in security mirror business in general
- By Gadi Piran
- Aug 01, 2008
The biggest trends in the security
industry today reflect those of
business in general, influenced by
the changing paradigm of communications
and information technology across
all sectors of society. The developments
of the last 20 years have fundamentally
and permanently transformed the way
business is done, the way people interact
and our expectations of what information
should be available in what time frame.
At the same time, the security industry
has burgeoned with the recognition of
the need to protect citizens, businesses
and property against natural and manmade
threats. The industry is leveraging
improvements in communication technology,
image quality and intelligent video
analytics. While the number of cameras
providing enhanced security is increased,
profitability has leaped forward and the
operating costs for organizations have
been reduced with implementation of
comprehensive intelligent video surveillance
solutions. All this has combined to
engender rapid change, from engineering
to distribution to deployment of solutions.
On the human side, end users are
looking to solutions that are more intuitive
and less technical. There is a greater
expectation that a user should not have to
be trained or experienced in the use of
any given product, but that its functions
and operation should be clearly revealed
as it is used. The pervasiveness of this
way of thinking is evident in the design
and packaging of universally used products
like cell phones.
New phones do not come with extensive
operation manuals; there is typically a
quick guide and nothing more. However,
virtually everyone has used cell phones
and has a basic understanding of the interface
and how it works. The same is true of
computers and computer-based systems.
Common functions like click-and-drag,
drop-down boxes and hyperlinks are
instantly recognized and immediately
accessible. In the security industry, the
design of a new product or service should
take all this into account. If the product has
a steep learning curve, it is not likely to be
selected for implementation.
Across the Board
Another very important trend across all
sectors is the convergence of networked
systems. Businesses have long understood
the value, and the necessity, of the
ability to move information across multiple
platforms, from fax to computer to
printer, across one building or through an
entire enterprise. In the security industry,
the advent of IP-based solutions has
enabled the networking of diverse systems
including video surveillance, access
control, fire, HVAC, emergency phones
and POS systems. As a result, video data
becomes management information and
impacts all of an organization’s departments.
For example, intelligence gathered
via video monitoring can have a direct
effect on marketing and merchandising
strategy and revenue generation.
New software platforms bring these
systems to a single level of functionality
represented on a user-intuitive dashboard
and are available from any computer with
an Internet connection. These platforms
are not created equal. In fact, there is an
array of differences in levels of capability,
sophistication, convenience and cost.
The best offer return on investment by
streamlining operations across many different
business areas. Key to this process
is the design and engineering of products
with open architecture so they can be
integrated with other best-of-breed solutions
running on the IT backbone.
An offshoot of convergence is the
trend toward incorporation of additional
functionality into products so other physical
products can be eliminated. A consumer-
oriented example of this would be
the evolution of video playback, which
began with videocassette recorders and
cumbersome, easily breakable videotapes.
The invention of DVDs streamlined
both the media and the player, and
the current migration to on-demand
downloadable video has eliminated the
need for external media altogether.
Making the Move
For the security industry, the direct translation
of these technology developments
has been the move from VHS recorders to
DVRs and to NVRs. There is no longer a
need to have any recording capabilities
in-house with the current capabilities of
server-based storage accessible over the
Internet. The user can have instant access
to real-time or archived data with full
search functionality from any computer
with an Internet connection. With an IT
backbone in place, and the right software,
the only physical product needed for
video surveillance is an imaging device.
Finally, no discussion of trends would
be complete without noting the paradigm
shift that has been caused by the development
of Web 2.0 functionality. There is a
presumption of interactivity now across
all platforms, whether it be an online corporate
presentation, a professional message
board or an editable document.
People expect to be able to instantly share
information they are reading or watching,
and the converged network makes this
possible. Any video surveillance system
with video and data that is only locally
available will be seen as extremely limited
in capabilities.
Today, even a small business will have
the expectation to not only access its
information remotely but also to control
cameras and views remotely. With
OnSSI’s flagship solution, Ocularis, all
operator locations, from desktop to command
center video wall, are connected to
a common dynamically updated alerts
database, allowing shared handling of
events and enhancing productivity.
Obviously, most if not all of the current
trends in the security industry are in
some way related to the development
and growth of the Internet as a central
force in operations, functioning and user
interface. Manufacturers with long histories
in the security space are finding it
necessary to make fundamental changes
at every stage, from design and engineering
to distribution and sales.
Flexible and seamless integration of
enterprise security-related and other
applications, and enhanced access and
usability resulting in increased and
faster productivity, will result in more
profitable and revenue-generating security
technology implementations across
the enterprise.
This article originally appeared in the issue of .