A Conversation with Danny Petkevich

  • Sep 27, 2010

We  recently sat down with Danny Petkevich, recently-named vice president of engineering at Next Level Security Systems, to ask him why he made the move from Texas Instruments and where he sees IP video surveillance heading in the future.

Q: Why the move to Next Level from Texas Instruments?

A: There are two reasons. The first is from a professional perspective. I love to grow things. TI’s video surveillance business is booming, the roadmap is solid and I put a great management team in place. Now, it’s all about the execution and I know the TI team will deliver.

The security industry is migrating to IP. Next Level is interesting because it takes disparate security subsystems and combines these systems into one unified platform. After discussing this approach with a number of industry colleagues, I realized no other company had this vision or capability. I know Pete Jankowski, the CEO and Chairman of Next Level, from our joint work with the Physical Security Interoperability Alliance and wanted to assist him in taking this new company to the ‘next level’.

On a personal level, Next Level is based in San Diego. San Diego offers fantastic weather, great outdoor sports (surfing, camping, mountain biking and more) and my children are at an age where they will truly enjoy all this area offers.

Q: How do you see the role of IP video surveillance affecting the security industry in the next five years?

A: Standards will have a significant impact on the market. We are on the cusp of seeing a new wave of IP-based products for VMS, cameras, decoders, encoders, gateways, NVRs, access control, readers and intrusion devices offered by a new set of industry leaders. Customers will demand a system-based approach to interoperability that enables plug-and-play with best-of-breed components.

IP cameras are approaching CCTV pricing with order magnitude and offer more functionality. Megapixel cameras are ideal for all types of users. Excellent low-light performance and WDR will be standard features on these devices.

Video analytics are maturing from ‘science fair’ project to actionable intelligence that drives retail/business metrics, and speeds forensic search.

Video or event data will be available wherever you are and on demand when you need it. Users will watch remote video via their iPhone of UPS dropping off a package at a business, a card access attempt in an area that an employee shouldn’t be or PTZ video validation of a potential intrusion in a residence.

Q: How is the role of standards helping to define the move to network-based surveillance in the industry?

A: Today, the iPhone and the Android are becoming defacto standards for mobile applications and these standards create an environment for more developers to ‘play’ and best-of-breed products to flourish. The numbers of players enable the cost of similar products to come down and speed the proliferation of new technology and products. There is a similar movement happening in security today and we can expect to see more technological innovation out of the widespread adoption of standards.

 

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