The journey continues
1 April 2010, CCTV, Surveillance

The surveillance industry can be tough and competitive, with a never-ending array of newer, better toys. A poetic Rob Anderson puts it in perspective.

“If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you... If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster and treat those two imposters just the same....” (Rudyard Kipling)

The words from the poem 'IF', by Rudyard Kipling, possibly written during one of his many stays in Cape Town still rings true within the current CCTV environment.

It was not too long ago that we debated how video tape storage would be replaced with something digital. And then what is the best compression format: embedded technology or PC-based. Big decisions, often involving big money.

And then the differing technologies matured and prices dropped. We had products with differences in the replay results, and a slowing down of the marketing drive. We had a clear upper end and lower end of the market and we forgot about tapes.

Who would have expected that those IT chaps would enter the CCTV industry? They arrived with a whole pack of new terms that the traditional CCTV experts had not met before. Again, there was a massive rate of change as the IP age arrived.

Every magazine and marketing story now refers to IP CCTV as if the analogue age has long gone.

Clients are calling for CCTV (that must be IP). But speak to the manufacturers and you will find that the greatest part of the market is still analogue. Why? Well, mostly due to cost. The IP solution is still, in most cases, more expensive. And we all have to admit that the extra money is not providing anything extra that most clients will need. Unless of course the need to mention in passing, that “we have just installed an IP CCTV system”.

So, once again a difficult environment with fast moving product changes, marketing strategy pushing for IP and a new bunch of people in the industry: the IT companies.

So how do we make the correct decision on a purchase? Who should do the installation, the traditional installer who understands CCTV or the IT man who understands networking? Or maybe you are lucky to have a hybrid service provider that understands the 'new picture'.

Well, the most important fact to understand is that the new IP CCTV age is still in its volatile development phase. Maturity in this market has not yet arrived. When it does, there will be a slowdown in change, lower prices and some understood and respected standards. There will also unfortunately be many people with expensive systems that could have been simpler and cheaper, while still achieving the same desired results.

So rule one in the run up to maturity, do not make rash decisions on product and technology. Decide on the payback period and actual needs, and expect to have outdated technology soon after purchase. Sometimes, using the old technology at cheaper prices to see you through to the point that maturity arrives in the IP market is a more appropriate decision.

We still have very good quality analogue systems, video over CAT5 technology and storage systems that provide solutions that solve most clients’ problems. They can still provide the best solution for rand spent.

And never forget the age-old rule in CCTV – good pictures start with good lenses. All the latest technology and IT expertise will never correct the results of a badly manufactured lens.

Therefore, 'IF' you can offer an honest solution to your client, when all around you are following the latest advert, and still keep your head, and your honour, “you will be a Man my Son!” (With apologies to Rudyard Kipling.)

For more information contact Rob Anderson & Associates, +27 (0)31 267 4150, rob@robanderson.co.za, www.robanderson.co.za

Further reading:

• Cathexis moves forward with the past
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  As the incidence of cash in transit (CIT) heists has decreased, criminals turn their attention to other targets with perceived high rewards. One of these is the retail industry.
  
• Replacing store guards with CCTV
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  Delivering a cost effective system for loss prevention and customer service improvements. Milestone XProtect Enterprise IP video management helps Creaseys reduce losses at cash tills while boosting customer service.
  
• ANPR: Are you getting value?
  May 2013, Protoclea Advanced Image Engineering, CCTV, Surveillance
  Automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) as a technology has been around for a while and a number of suppliers provide products to the industry. However, it has not really taken off in a big way and one wonders about the reasons for this.
  
• Video analysis from the ­user’s point of view
  May 2013, Geutebrück SA, CCTV, Surveillance
  In her fourth column on the technical essentials for effective video surveillance, Katharina Geutebrück notes that many suppliers and users have learned to their cost that marketing claims and presentations which raise expectations are not always met in reality.
  
• Operators and post-traumatic stress disorder
  May 2013, Leaderware, CCTV, Surveillance
  Operators are in positions where they have to view traumatic events at times. A colleague recently gave the example of an operator who viewed a serious accident where the roof of a car was sheared off ...
  
• Security and retail ­operations in one
  May 2013, Frank Street, CCTV, Surveillance, Retail (Industry)
  Retail Operations Management (ROM) is the latest approach in CCTV solutions by using POS interfacing. ROM uses video analytics for shrinkage control and operational management and was developed by Mike ...
  
• Highest resolution for fine jewellery
  May 2013, CCTV, Surveillance, Retail (Industry)
  For well over 100 years, the court jeweller Mühlbacher has been the most prestigious address when it comes to sophisticated timepieces and top-class jewellery. Now the showrooms are also shining in new ...
  
• ROM: Retail Operations Management
  May 2013, Keep Access Control Systems, CCTV, Surveillance, Retail (Industry)
  ROM is a standalone/network-based software package designed for retail operations management. ROM enables the operator to use CCTV cameras for the dual purpose of security, and operational management. ...
  
• Video surveillance for the banks
  May 2013, IAC - Industrial Automation & Control, CCTV, Surveillance
  Banks must meet their customers’ requirements for security in a special way on many levels. Whether it is with their savings, taking advantage of over-the counter services at a branch office, withdrawing ...
  
• New Illustra range
  May 2013, Tyco Security Products, CCTV, Surveillance
  American Dynamics, part of the Security Products business unit of Tyco, today introduced its new Illustra 600 Series of high definition (HD) IP box and bullet cameras. These cameras deliver exceptional ...
  
• Health drinks market under surveillance
  May 2013, Hikvision, CCTV, Surveillance
  The market for healthier bottled beverages is in various different economic stages throughout the world. On one hand, in the US, it is established and still-growing, with new products vying for monthly ...