Intelligent Video Has a Bright Future
Business intelligence will be the driving force behind the adoption of video analytics in the retail sector, according to a recent statement issued by IMS, the British research firm. As the retail sector becomes increasingly competitive in a tough economic climate, retailers are turning to video analytics to gain valuable insights into customer shopping behavior that can potentially increase sales and improve operational efficiency, says IMS.
The prediction becomes even more significant when you factor in that, according to some sources, the retail industry is the largest spender on video surveillance equipment in the U.S. But retail is only one of several applications seeing growth in video analytics – the U.S. Department of Homeland Security uses it in defense of our borders; the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) uses it in airports and New York’s MTA (Metro Transit Authority) uses it to help secure the City’s public transit systems. Analysts say that these and other similar projects have kept intelligent video sales growing at a rate of about 25 percent per year.
The surge in interest and implementation of network-based video surveillance systems over the past few years has enabled video analytics to become positioned as a key element in a video surveillance system and, in many cases, it has become indispensable for effectively and efficiently analyzing the surveillance data. In short, the situational awareness provided by video analytics adds more power, versatility and reliability to a network-based video surveillance system.
For example, software suite solutions offer advanced analytics for automated detection and policy-driven analysis of events and/or the motion pattern of people, vehicles and objects. In effect, IP control solutions deliver the large scale functionality of traditional matrix switching systems with all the inherent benefits of software driven management and control.
With all of these extraordinary capabilities already embedded in today’s IP control solutions, the future of this subset of network-based video surveillance then belongs to video analytics. Some of the areas in which we can expect to see growth include:
• Algorithms – Stronger and more reliable analytic algorithms will be developed for improved motion detection. Algorithms for audio analysis (i.e. gunshots, breaking glass, etc.) and behavioral analysis are also in development as well as algorithms for predictive activity.
• Integration – As applications come together under a single platform, control will become more sophisticated and capable. For example, smart buildings will feature fiber backbones to which all devices will be connected and controlled. Building environmental controls will be integrated with video surveillance and access control as well as with external databases (i.e. HR).
• Interoperability – Open architecture and industry standards will become the norm, allowing for increased interoperability with video analytics on edge devices. As well, operational capabilities will expand will permit additional features such as the use of multiple detectors, an unlimited number of rules per camera and multi-sensory input analysis (i.e. odors, audio, etc.).
The strides made to date in video analytics technology are astounding and have ultimately changed the parameters of IP-based video surveillance. As the initiatives outlined above reach maturity, they will deliver an unprecedented ability for organizations to better ensure the safety of individuals and security of property.
About the Author
Gadi Piran is president and CTO, On-Net Surveillance Systems, Inc. (OnSSI). Piran was honored as one of the five Influential Leaders from the Vendor Community in Security Magazine’s Top 25 People in the Security Industry, Dec. 2007. Find out more at www.onssi.com or www.securitymagazine.com
Milestone Partner Program Expands for New Levels of Distinction that Help Build the Future
COPENHAGEN – 7 January 2009. Milestone Systems, the open platform company within IP video management software, strategically builds new facets into its global business model that support and strengthen partners for ultimate customer satisfaction.
The shift to IP camera software from analog technology is in full gear, creating innovation and new opportunities in the market. A 2008 report from ABI Research predicts digital technologies in video surveillance will be a rising tide that will lift all boats. IMS Research forecasts a compound annual growth rate for IP video surveillance products of more than 36% from 2007 to 2012 compared to just 3.4% for analog.
Taking center stage is open platform IP camera software – and IMS Research has found Milestone to be the leader in this category for several years. Milestone introduced to the industry the XProtect™ video management software based on open platform architecture, with defined Application Program Interfaces (API) in a Software Development Kit. This allows customers to integrate “best in class” applications that move beyond standard video surveillance to video-enabled solutions. For example, not only can a customer have video monitoring of their business, they can also integrate with building management, video analytics and access control systems – all with a common interface for connecting, sharing and managing these. As customers stop thinking solely in terms of cameras, and begin planning security systems as total solutions that integrate applications, unlimited IP video-based innovations abound.
Milestone is leveraging their leadership to build partner collaborations that drive even greater success for everyone involved. The growing fleet of partners includes a distribution and integrator network of more than 1,000 companies in over 90 countries. This ensures a broad range of products and applications being built for customers.
Milestone Partner Programs are focused on cultivating the IP camera software ecosystem that develops and delivers video-enabled solutions:
- The Manufacturer Alliance Partner (MAP) program supports over 500 models of network hardware from more than 50 vendors;
- The Milestone Solutions Partner (MSP) program promotes integrated video-enabled solutions for different vertical market segments;
- The Milestone Channel Partner (MCP) program is focused on developing trained and certified resellers and integrators who install these innovative solutions.
The emphasis is on strong relationships designed to empower and differentiate Milestone partners for delivering the best IP video solutions in the industry.
“We have a very exciting ecosystem of partners worldwide and together we are generating new waves of IP video-enabled solutions, both integrations with other software and hardware. The swell of IP technology is growing and Milestone is forging ahead with our open platform acting as the foundation for present and future expansions. Our partners enjoy working with the building blocks for tomorrow that bring success today – and Milestone strives to support this in every way,” states Lars Thinggaard, President and CEO of Milestone Systems.
The Milestone Channel Partner Program for resellers began in 2004 with training to distinguish authorized from certified status, also determining which partners could sell the top-of-the-line products. As the product offerings have expanded in sophistication with new innovations over the years, so have the training and technical support. Customer projects have also become more comprehensive and demanding with interesting integrations proliferating.
As of 2009, Milestone is extending the Channel Partner Program to four levels of expertise, performance, and support: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum. These achievements are reached and rewarded through the certification training, lead management, earning incentives, implementation successes, and participation at the bi-annual Milestone Integration Platform Symposium (MIPS) events.
In addition to the extended Partner Programs, Milestone is also instating procedures in the indirect sales model that will provide greater transparency between the company and end users. Customer information will be required for every software license and the license agreements will contain new clauses about proper ethical and legal use of the software, to help ensure better management and corporate governance of the Milestone technology.
For more information contact
Courtney Dillon Pedersen, PR & Communications Manager at +45 88 300 330.
About Milestone
Founded in 1998, Milestone Systems is the leading global developer of open platform IP camera software. Milestone XProtect™ gives users a powerful surveillance solution that is easy to manage, reliable and proven in more than 45,000 customer installations. With support for the industry’s widest choice in network hardware and integration with other systems, XProtect provides best-of-breed solutions to “video enable” organizations – reducing costs, optimizing processes, protecting people and assets. With headquarters in Denmark and eight international offices, Milestone software is sold through authorized partners in 90 countries.