At numerous industry events, including PSA-TEC pictured, the emphasis is on training about IP-based security systems.
It is also a perfect avenue to successful convergence of security and information technology. PSA-TEC, held earlier this year, had a special IP program that was well received by systems integrators and end-users. Educational opportunities at PSA-TEC featured a number of vendor certification courses, including classes from Integral Technologies, AMAG and Stentofon. Courses were offered by Bosch, Pelco, International Fiber Systems, Magal Senstar and several others. As part of PSA’s continued commitment to provide IP technology education, numerous IT certifications from CompTIA to Microsoft were offered. The IPUserGroup USA presented IP-in-Action LIVE, a one-day event providing timely information on IP-centric physical security solutions. Just today, security industry research firm Frost & Sullivan issued a report that showed the strength of IP. The firm’s summary: The advantages of digital technology in analyzing and providing real-time feedback will likely fuel the IP video surveillance storage systems market. In addition to growing security concerns, the possibility of integration with the IT infrastructure provides the necessary business case for security managers to shift from analog to IP surveillance. This new analysis from Frost & Sullivan, North American IP Video Surveillance Storage Markets, reveals that the market earned revenues of $1.26 billion in 2006 and estimates this to reach $2.95 billion in 2013. “The falling prices of hard disk drives (HDDs) as well as increasing demand from government and gaming sectors as they replace analog systems with IP surveillance drives this market,” says Research Analyst George Paul. “Further, the advent of Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) used for transferring data between hard disk and computer makes IP video surveillance storage systems relatively less complex.” However, the cost of replacing an existing analog system with an IP surveillance system includes the replacement of cameras, network, servers, recorders and monitoring stations, which represents a major cost for end users. Additionally, applications such as casino gaming tables, can only operate with continuous video monitoring. Therefore, in order to prevent revenue loss, casinos require “hot swapping” wherein the analog surveillance system is replaced in stages by the IP system. Both systems run in parallel until the IP surveillance is ready to take over. “The challenge for the IP video surveillance storage market is to develop solutions targeting particular applications, with the right balance of flexibility, security and cost,” notes Paul. “For instance, intermediate technologies such as encoders can be used to convert analog to digital before setting up IP storage systems so that when the transition from analog to digital takes place, the cost does not seem prohibitive.” Nonetheless, active public and private security concerns in recent times propel heavy investments in the IP video surveillance storage market. Continuing demand from casinos, airports, banks and hospitals also bodes well for the IP video surveillance storage market.