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 .