Latin America. Currently, security cameras represent a large global market, driven primarily by the high level of adoption of video surveillance systems focused on business intelligence, as well as the growing threats associated with public safety. As such, surveillance cameras are now common in government buildings, businesses, banks, transportation, casinos, shopping malls, sports facilities, and schools among others.
Surveillance is no longer just about security, but in many cases it is about extracting value and intelligence from the video obtained. This could include buyer behaviors, or in the management of a parking facility, or when producing manufactured goods. Seeing cameras capturing images and videos in an establishment is no longer unusual.
As such, the video surveillance market is experiencing accelerated growth and, as of 2016, was valued at more than USD $30 billion, with expectations of reaching a value of USD $75 billion by 2022, at a compound annual growth rate of 15.4% from 2017 to 2022[1]. What has changed within this scenario is not how data is captured, but how it can be used to drive actions, not only as part of a fast data application that analyzes data as it is captured, but also as part of a big data application that analyzes data when needed. It's no longer just about storing data, but what can be done once it's captured, which is fueling a new generation of intelligent video applications.
Smart Video
Intelligent video is about the shift from images to data, from simply gathering information for forensic investigation, to analyzing and understanding the context of the captured data. Using artificial intelligence and algorithms derived from big data can provide immediate insights and forward-looking predictions.
The need to provide intelligent capabilities to video, along with the development of cloud-based surveillance systems, has led to the evolution of networked smart cameras. These cameras possess powerful analytics software and a storage device capable of implementing local capture and analysis (where data is generated and processed), providing valuable live insights, without the effects of network availability or latency.
High-value competitive advantages
If users are considering installing a new IP surveillance system or upgrading their old system, it is important to know the advantages that a video surveillance system can bring to businesses. From safety to productivity, the benefits are diverse:
Reduction of losses, theft and vandalism: Not only do surveillance cameras capture and store more videos than analog systems, but the quality of video transmission is also far superior. IP devices offer high-definition images and wider viewing angles. This quality provides companies with the ability to clearly see what is happening, in and around their facilities.
Better images allow companies to bring charges against people who were caught stealing or vandalizing property because they can now provide law enforcement with quality images to be used in the suspect investigation process. As a result, they possess a more effective deterrent than an analog system that simply records an individual with poor definition images.
Simple installation, efficient implementation: Digital systems can be installed more easily than analog systems, require less equipment, and can help the security team of business owners more effectively operate the surveillance system. Additionally, users can more effectively monitor their surveillance systems as multiple digital feeds can be viewed from any location. Security teams will also be able to store more surveillance videos, as digital videos can be compressed in an optimized way.
Remote monitoring: this could be one of the most valued advantages of an IP surveillance system. With a highly integrated video system, business owners can monitor activity on their surveillance streams from anywhere in the world, as long as they have an internet connection. Mobile devices, laptops, and tablets are tools that magnify this advantage. They can log into their security systems from any of these devices and view live streams, access archived images or consult the data generated by the systems in dashboards or graphs, for example, the statistics of visitors to the different branches of a business.
Cost-effectiveness and scalability: Digital video surveillance is more cost-effective than its analog counterpart. A digital system requires less physical infrastructure to operate (less wiring) than an analog system. Since digital cameras produce higher quality images with wider viewing angles, you'll also need fewer cameras to cover the same space. Digital streams can be compressed and stored using less space than analog video.
On the other hand, scalability is presented. As the coverage area for the user grows, a digital system can be easily expanded with your company step by step. Digital cameras can be added according to each person's needs and are easily integrated into the network. Analog systems cannot be integrated as easily, and it can be more expensive to place analog cameras in remote locations due to wiring and mode conversion requirements.
Distributed intelligence: With a new surveillance system monitoring business activities and countless hours of captured video, who will have time to watch every hour of recording? Analog systems have gaps in security coverage that digital systems fill with distributed intelligence. It is impossible to sit back and watch every minute of security footage captured by a digital surveillance system, but distributed intelligence can fulfill this activity. Available software programs can control video streams to detect specific events, activities, and behaviors by recognizing motion patterns. Alerts are generated and sent to security teams.
Improved productivity: Employees are more likely to stay focused on their tasks, rest efficiently, and feel safer in the workplace knowing that an advanced digital surveillance system exists that monitors activity in their workplace on a daily basis.
By Manuel Zamudio, Industry Associations Manager, Axis Communications
