When it comes to advanced security systems based on the use of CCTV, the 'new kid on the block' is indubitably CMT Trading (CMT) which started operations under that name during May 2000.
The Managing Director of CMT, Anthony Rosenbaum, brings credibility to the new business, having been Chairman of the Electronic Security Distributors Association (ESDA) for three terms, namely 96/97, 97/98 and 2000/2001. Rosenbaum has been in the security business for many years and was responsible for the management and development of the Teltron Security Division. In March 1999 he established Corban Management Technologies and although business was good (it grew too quickly), the partners did not have the financial backing to sustain the growth.
It was at this time that Rosenbaum realised that there was untapped synergy between the security and insurance industries and after some investigation he found a willing listener in Steve Murphy, the MD of the Hannover Reinsurance Group. Murphy's own vision was diversification of the insurance business and he recognised the opportunities in the ideas proposed by Rosenbaum. It was soon decided to form a new company, to be called CMT Trading, with Hannover as the major shareholder, and thus the new entity opened its doors for business in May last year. An amicable agreement with the now defunct Corban Management Technologies saw CMT acquire that company's complete stock of product and the existing customer base with which all existing service and other agreements stayed in place.
Rather than trying to offer a complete range of security products where the size of the company would prevent in-depth expertise and superior support and advice, CMT has restricted itself to representation of three complementary suppliers. The first of these is Merit Li-Lin, which is the largest manufacturer of CCTV cameras and accessories in Taiwan. Although an excellent product, local support was always lacking and CMT will now correct this failing following their appointment as the exclusive representative for southern Africa. During his period at Teltron, Rosenbaum had persuaded Vision Systems of Australia to provide that company with exclusive representation. After Teltron left the security business the Vision Systems agency was transferred to a third party by default, but with Corban and then CMT representing a rapidly growing share of their South African business, CMT was appointed as Principal Agent in October 2000. Its third principal is Japan's Tokina, which offers one of the best ranges of lenses for all types of CCTV camera.
Management tool
Rosenbaum makes it distinctly clear that CMT, despite its representation and product stock holding, does not want to become a mere box mover. His intention is that CMT will provide a total service both to end users and systems integrators. While many companies initially go to the expense of installing CCTV systems they often fail to realise that there is real added value in such systems through also using them as a management tool.
CCTV can be used, for example, to ensure that staff are performing according to laid-down rules of behaviour. Individuals are never aware when they may actually be checked on, thus leading to consistency in their behaviour, rather than just putting on a show for a personal visit by a manager. It may sound like 'Big Brother', but CCTV does get results, and frames showing negligent behaviour can be stored and retrieved as evidence. Not much difference between this and the cameras used by our nonexistent traffic police. We do not like it, but when we are caught it is fair game and we pay up.
CCTV linked with alarm monitoring is a greatly underutilised tool in South Africa where rapid response units react immediately to all other forms of alarm, often finding that a domestic animal, a lightning strike, or the owners of the premises have actually triggered the alarm. With an RF-linked CCTV alarm system (based for example on motion detection) the central control room has immediate access to visuals of the protected site and can rapidly establish whether the need exists for armed or other reaction. The rest of the premises can also be checked by remotely switching on other CCTV units and lights.
The link to the Hannover Reinsurance Group
The Hannover Group is the fifth largest reinsurance organisation in the world and the largest in Africa with global assets in excess of $10 bn. Steve Murphy is the Group Managing Director for the African operations, which reflected a turnover of R1,5 bn during 1999. Steve indicates that there is a close correlation between insurance (which is effectively risk acceptance) and risk management, which includes systems linked to monitoring risk.
Hannover specialises in identifying niche products and markets to feed its organic growth and has been highly successful in areas where others fear to tread. This is possibly best reflected by their decision some nine years ago to extend insurance cover to the black taxi business, an area which has yet to reflect an underwriting loss. Closer to home in terms of the investment in CMT is their focus on insurance against theft by employees, where CCTV surveillance is a powerful risk management tool.
The decision to expand into the CCTV business through CMT was first and foremost based on expectations that the business itself will be profitable and will pay its own way. The real synergy comes from the fact that Hannover need to have a good understanding of the businesses they insure and inter alia they require specialist knowledge of security systems and technologies. This sort of knowledge could be outsourced through consultants but Murphy believes that there is much more value to be gained through having this knowledge in-house through Rosenbaum and CMT. Proven confidence in the systems provided by CMT and their recommendations could result in more competitive underwriting of the risk, or in fact deciding to not accept the risk if the customer is unwilling to follow the recommendations in terms of systems.
The principals of CMT
Merit Li-Lin
This company was established in the Republic of China during 1980 at the start of the growth of the CCTV industry. Initially manufacturing accessories for Japanese camera manufacturers, the innovation of its founder and President C.C. Hsu, has seen it develop over the last 20 years to become a leading manufacturer of complete CCTV systems, including cameras, lenses, monitors, multiplexers and a total range of accessories. Today the company employs more than 300 people and its production facility is certified to ISO 9002. Its range of products is recognised worldwide for the high level of quality and reliability reinforced through highly competitive pricing.
Vision systems
With its headquarters in Victoria, Australia, Vision Systems has been active in the development and manufacture of high technology products since 1984, and today has a turnover well in excess of R1 bn. It formed a division called ADPRO in 1985 and this group has focused on the development of state-of-the-art digital CCTV security and surveillance products. These include intrusion detection systems and complex video multiplexing architecture, which allows total control of CCTV systems at remote sites from a single control room that has access to a WAN. Their Video Central PC software allows the operator to call up and monitor what is happening at any of a company's facilities. Amongst its list of clients are such well-known companies as Coca-Cola, British Telecom, the Kennedy Space Centre, Glaxo Chemicals and McDonalds restaurants.
Tokina
The Japanese company Tokina is a household name when it comes to high quality lenses for CCTV cameras. A complete range of optimally designed lenses is available in a wide range of formats including fixed and varifocal and fully motorised zoom systems offering zoom ranges of up to 50 times. Lenses are offered for both the C and CS mount standards.
For details contact CMT Trading (011) 708 3073.
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