As we approach 2013, it’s a good time to take note of some of the trends in Video Surveillance that will likely gain traction in the New Year. Fortunately for organisations, many of these trends eliminate expensive rip and replace costs that in the past have prohibited the adoption of new technologies. Instead, the market in 2013 is shifting towards solutions for cost-effective migration that leverage and boost the capabilities of existing infrastructure. Here’s what’s in store:
Transition from Analog to IP– This one has been trending for a few years now, but it is still relevant. All indications point to 2013 being the tipping point for transitioning from analog to IP. While the majority of legacy cameras in the market are still analog, most newly deployed cameras are expected to be IP. What’s even more important is that IP functionality can be added to analog cameras through encoders and/or hybrid smart video recorders. This allows organisations to migrate to a full-IP solution at their own speed, as they maximise analog assets while enjoying IP benefits.
Increased Use of Megapixel and High-Definition Cameras– Again, this is not a new trend, but it’s one that is here to stay. Megapixel (MP) and HD cameras are not necessarily replacing existing cameras, but are typically being deployed alongside standard definition cameras; specifically in areas where higher levels of detail is required, or a broader field of view is necessary. With the availability of more powerful hardware and tuned software, new network video recorders can now accommodate a larger number of MP and HD cameras, helping to reduce the total cost of ownership.
Video Analytics– Advancements in the field of video analytics (VA) have certainly changed its perceived value. Realistic expectations are also driving renewed demand. The value of VA applications is clear – they generate insights, allow you to see more of what is relevant, and escalate the detection of issues. And of course, they help enable quicker and more accurate decision-making. Beyond that, organisations are increasingly using VA for more than just security. For instance, crowd management applications are being used to increase customer satisfaction and identify trends that can then lead to more efficient operations. All of this in turn, is increasing the value of video management systems (VMS) in general.
On-board Camera Storage – There are several benefits of on-board camera storage. First, it provides an additional layer of redundancy in the event of temporary network disconnections or other unforeseen outages. Additionally, for those organizations that don’t require the retention of high-quality video for an extended period of time, on-board camera storage can be used instead of recording on an NVR. Still, with limited storage space, on-board camera storage generally wouldn’t be considered as a replacement for an enterprise storage solution, only as an additional layer of data redundancy.
VMS On the Cloud –For smaller-sized organisations, an emerging trend is cloud-based or SaaS VMS. This eliminates many up-front expenses associated with implementing VMS. However, it isn’t a practical solution for large enterprises or even mid-size environments mainly due to lack of bandwidth and the associated annual costs.
Video Beyond Security – Increasingly, video is being used beyond the realm of security. Organisations are realising that many operational benefits can be leveraged. As mentioned above, crowd management VA applications are being used to improve customer satisfaction. Whether it’s in mass transit, airports or retail environments, these same applications can be used to track foot traffic in commercial areas for marketing and operational purposes, while legal departments have used video footage to refute false claims, saving them from substantial payouts.
PSIM (Physical Security Information Management) –PSIM solutions integrate organisations’ various and disparate security systems, sensors and alarms to create a centralised and unified security platform. The benefits are substantial and include improving overall security efficacy along with reducing, or in some cases eliminating, rip and replace costs. Video surveillance is an integral element of any PSIM, and these solutions are generally the first to be integrated. As interest in PSIM solutions grows, more and more organisations are inquiring about them in general and about how they integrate with VMS