OnVIF Member Perspectives: Exploring Opportunities in Commercial Real Estate for Security, After a Pandemic.
by ONVIF
For many of us, the idea of returning to an office space or reopening certain businesses seems to be in the distant future; for others, it is a reality. As vaccination levels rise in some regions, many commercial spaces are back in use, from offices and other workplaces to retail stores and restaurants. In other areas, these establishments are open, but with strong restrictions.
Regardless of the state, the discussion about returning to the office or entertainment venues is happening and for most, they face the same challenges. Many of us returning to office spaces will find that construction operations have been modified to focus more on health and hygiene. Building occupants could be encouraged to socially distance or find that new contactless technologies are being implemented at entry/exit points.
While the challenges of keeping employees and visitors safe at work continue to unfold, many decision makers are using this time to invest in longer-term technologies. This is increasingly evident as smart building technologies increase in popularity, offering greater ease of use and pandemic-related benefits. In addition, technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and video analytics are becoming more common and have opened up new use cases in these vertical markets beyond security. It is this new technology migration that drives market demand for connected smart devices and buildings that can support them.
With that in mind, we asked some of our members what they think are some opportunities in commercial real estate for security, after a pandemic:
Dan Rothrock, President of Zenitel Americas
The Covid-19 pandemic has created a new perimeter for commercial real estate, and it is one that requires access and entry control without physical intervention. Building owners can leverage audio as technology to protect their facilities, especially when employees return to physical offices.
As a communication device, audio provides a critical piece of a security solution. Humans respond instinctively to voice and audio in real time. Access control allows a team to protect a facility and allow entry, and video surveillance allows security teams to see and detect, but audio brings those two elements together: it adds interactivity and allows people to listen, be heard and understood in any situation.
Chris Garner, Senior Director of Software Products, Salient Systems
Before the events of 2020 permanently changed the way we conduct our personal and professional lives, many commercial buildings were still slow to exit more traditional security offerings. After the pandemic, it focuses more on technologies to move a remote workforce to a hybrid or full-time on-site workspace.
Commercial facilities will look for solutions that offer not only traditional security measures, but also enhanced video analytics that can track occupancy management. Customers can also easily integrate new access control technologies that are frictionless and contactless into their security management platforms to provide a more hygienic working environment for building occupants. The opportunity right now for the security industry is to be able to offer customized solutions that are tailored to the needs of individual customers.
Jonny Wu, Senior Director, Ability Enterprise Co.
Ability has been developing and implementing smart camera systems with artificial intelligence long before the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak. By adopting the latest machine learning AI algorithm, these innovative AI edge cameras are much smarter than the conventional CCTV system, such that accurate detection and recognition of people and objects is now possible.
For example, AI-enabled smart cameras can be used to monitor the number of people entering or leaving a commercial building or a designated area within a retail store. They can also be used to monitor and detect whether proper social distancing is maintained in a shopping queue, or whether a construction worker or health personnel in a hospital properly wear appropriate PPE (personal protective equipment). We've seen a growing need for these AI-centric video apps as they go a long way in keeping people safe from the risk of a pandemic.
Caue Castellani, Marketing Director, Mirasys Video Management System
Customized technologies for commercial real estate corporations are what the post-pandemic scenario requires of the industry to ensure safe and healthy spaces, followed by new ways to save costs and improve efficiency. Increased turnover of people and an increase in warehouse operations are seen as realities.
Managing crowds and flows, reducing incidents and accidents, facilitating intelligent access, strengthening data privacy and innovative use of data remain key management assets. The adoption of "security by design," which involves open and independent solutions for integration with enterprise security architecture, is a key factor in addressing these challenges. Our Mirasys VMS is ready to help commercial real estate operations take advantage of a safe growth path.
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