Trends in Video Surveillance

Trends in Video Surveillance

Two senior analysts from IMS Research’s Video Surveillance and Security Services group share their thoughts on trends impacting the video surveillance industry

Gary Wong comments on the trends to network video surveillance equipment, PSIM and VSaaS.

The transition from analog CCTV equipment to network video surveillance equipment continues to be the major overarching trend within the video surveillance industry. In a recent press release, IMS Research forecasted that by 2014, network video surveillance sales would overtake analog sales in terms of revenue. Despite current global economic uncertainty, largely due to the Eurozone crisis, IMS Research believes that the industry will still ‘tip’ in 2014.

Other notable technology trends in 2011 have been Physical Security Information Management (PSIM) and Video Surveillance as a Service (VSaaS). That is not to say that neither of these technologies were not present in 2010—or even 2009—but both have gained significant market attention and mindshare over the last 12 months.

Looking at PSIM first, the last 12 months have seen significant shakeup in the PSIM market with acquisitions, partnerships, and new and repositioned products. Examples include Honeywell partnering with Boeing, Verint acquiring Rontal Applications and ADT acquiring Proximex. Because developing a PSIM software solution is highly capital and labor intensive, IMS Research expects that acquisitions and joint ventures will continue through 2012.

According to the in-depth PSIM software study, which IMS Research conducted at the start of the year, the PSIM market will exceed $1 billion in revenue by 2014.

As the transition from analog to network video surveillance accelerates, VSaaS is becoming increasingly topical. In essence, VSaaS moves video surveillance storage from local locations to the cloud— either as a mirror or as the sole storage location—and enables users to access their video surveillance content on demand. While we have seen increasing numbers of vendors begin to announce and release VSaaS services, we have yet to see any significant traction.

Let me clarify the term “significant;” IMS Research estimates that in 2011 VSaaS services in the Americas generated less that $7 million recurring monthly revenue (RMR). However, the outlook for VSaaS services remains bright; by 2020, IMS Research forecasts that the market for VSaaS in the Americas will exceed $1.5 billion.

Jon Cropley comments on trends in the market for video content analysis (VCA ) software.

VCA software is still used mainly for security applications. However, a major trend is the increasing use of VCA software for business intelligence. A number of different applications are being deployed and developed including people counting, dwell time, customer-not-present and queue-line analysis.

These applications are being used to improve the effectiveness of business operations and generate an increase in revenues.

One important aspect of business intelligence analytics—or video business intelligence, as it is often called—is that systems that are not 100 percent accurate still provide value.

In security applications, end users cannot afford to miss a potential security breach. However, business intelligence algorithms can provide reliable trend information despite not always counting every person who enters a retail or commercial location. Many established suppliers of VCA software for security are now offering business intelligence algorithms. At the same time, suppliers focused primarily on VCA for business intelligence have emerged, such as BVI Networks, Scopix, and VideoMining.

IMS Research has recently published a report on the VCA market. It forecasts that the market for VCA in business intelligence applications will grow at an average annual rate of more than 30 percent over the next 5 years.

Another major trend in the market for VCA software is that of video surveillance manufacturers embedding applications and offering them as standard features for no additional charge. For some time, many of these manufacturers have been embedding in their devices low-end applications such as video motion detection and camera tamper as standard features. More recently, some of them have started to embed other applications such as virtual trip wire and offer them as standard features.

IMS Research forecasts that the number of video surveillance devices including basic VCA applications as a standard feature will increase. However, it also forecasts that there will remain a market for chargeable VCA. A charge needs to be applied to recover the high cost of developing many of the higher-end VCA algorithms.

It is unlikely that suppliers will amortize this cost in an increased price of every device they sell. This is because only a small proportion of cameras are actually monitored. Most record the video and only view an event after it has occurred. Furthermore, many VCA applications are quite niche. The majority of customers would, therefore, be paying for a feature that they would not use.

This article originally appeared in the December 2011 issue of Security Today.

Featured

  • The Key to Wellbeing in the Office

    A few years ago, all we saw in the news was the ‘great resignation.’ Now we have another ‘great’ to deal with. According to CBRE, 2023 was the start of the ‘great return’ as office workers returned to their normal offices after working from home. The data shows that two-thirds of all U.S office buildings were more than 90% leased as of Q2 2023. Read Now

  • Failed Cybersecurity Controls Costing U.S. Businesses $30 Billion Yearly

    Panaseer recently released ControlWatch and the Continuous Controls Battle: Panaseer 2025 Security Leaders Report examining the cost of cybersecurity control failures and the impact of growing personal liability for security failings on security leaders. The report analyzes the findings of a survey of 400 security decision makers (SDMs) across the US and UK. It shows that security leaders feel under increasing pressure to provide assurances around cybersecurity, exposing them to greater personal risk – yet many lack the data and resources to accurately report and close cybersecurity gaps. Read Now

  • The Business Case for Video Analytics: Understanding the Real ROI

    For security professionals who may be hesitant to invest in video analytics, now's the time to reconsider. In a newly released Omdia report commissioned by BriefCam (now Milestone Systems), the research firm uncovered a compelling story: more than 85% of North American and European organizations that use video analytics achieve a return on investment within just one year. The study, which surveyed 140 end users across multiple industries, demonstrates that security technology is no longer just for security — it's a cross-organizational tool that delivers measurable business value far beyond traditional safety applications. Read Now

  • Survey: 54% of Organizations Cite Technical Debt as Top Hurdle to Identity System Modernization

    Modernizing identity systems is proving difficult for organizations due to two key challenges: decades of accumulated Identity and Access Management (IAM) technical debt and the complexity of managing access across multiple identity providers (IDPs). These findings come from the new Strata Identity-commissioned report, State of Multi-Cloud Identity: Insights and Trends for 2025. The report, based on survey data from the Cloud Security Alliance (CSA), highlights trends and challenges in securing cloud environments. The CSA is the world’s leading organization dedicated to defining standards, certifications, and best practices to help ensure a secure cloud computing environment. Read Now

Featured Cybersecurity

Webinars

New Products

  • HD2055 Modular Barricade

    Delta Scientific’s electric HD2055 modular shallow foundation barricade is tested to ASTM M50/P1 with negative penetration from the vehicle upon impact. With a shallow foundation of only 24 inches, the HD2055 can be installed without worrying about buried power lines and other below grade obstructions. The modular make-up of the barrier also allows you to cover wider roadways by adding additional modules to the system. The HD2055 boasts an Emergency Fast Operation of 1.5 seconds giving the guard ample time to deploy under a high threat situation. 3

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions. 3

  • ResponderLink

    ResponderLink

    Shooter Detection Systems (SDS), an Alarm.com company and a global leader in gunshot detection solutions, has introduced ResponderLink, a groundbreaking new 911 notification service for gunshot events. ResponderLink completes the circle from detection to 911 notification to first responder awareness, giving law enforcement enhanced situational intelligence they urgently need to save lives. Integrating SDS’s proven gunshot detection system with Noonlight’s SendPolice platform, ResponderLink is the first solution to automatically deliver real-time gunshot detection data to 911 call centers and first responders. When shots are detected, the 911 dispatching center, also known as the Public Safety Answering Point or PSAP, is contacted based on the gunfire location, enabling faster initiation of life-saving emergency protocols. 3