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Pelco acquired by Schneider Electric

Schneider Electric has acquired the California-based Pelco video security solutions provider.

This brings to Schneider Electric 20 years of world-class and industry-leading video security expertise together with an incredible growth record and an excellent reputation for customer service. The product, system and service offering ranges from simple camera mounts and enclosures, to the latest in IP camera digital network-based digital video surveillance and management systems.

The acquisition of Pelco reinforces the Schneider Electric service and solution offering in its comprehensive BMS business offering that encompasses energy efficiency and management systems, power management, HVAC control, electronic access control and video security thereby increasing its ability to provide small to extremely large fully integrated solutions and services.

Helping lead the way in South Africa in this arena are Herman Walsh, the strategic marketing director of Schneider Electric South Africa and Wolfgang Engling, the area manager for Pelco South Africa. Hi-Tech Security Solutions chatted with them to discuss what bringing Pelco under the umbrella of Schneider Electric means to the video security, access control and BMS industries and what customers can expect going forward.

Wolfgang Engling and Herman Walsh

(HSS) What were the forces behind Schneider Electric's acquisition of Pelco?

Herman Walsh - Schneider Electric has always desired to expand its solutions and services footprint and portfolio in the BMS business, which is underpinned by TAC in Sweden. BMS has traditionally been focused on power and energy management, HVAC and lighting control, security and fire. Prior to the Pelco acquisition, TAC's offering within the video security business perimeter was somewhat limited in breadth. There is no doubt in my mind and that of the industry that Pelco is one of the leading suppliers of video security products, systems and solutions. It is a natural and strategic fit for going into the future.

(HSS) How does Pelco fit into the overall Schneider Electric organisation and what role will Pelco play?

HW - Pelco is an autonomous entity within Schneider Electric and TAC. Pelco will lead Schneider Electric's and TAC's efforts in fire and security worldwide. Pelco will have a global focus on selling integrated security solutions inclusive of video, access control, and fire.

Locally, Pelco will remain an independent division of Schneider Electric for the foreseeable future. We are already working very closely together as a team to ensure we offer the same high quality of service and products to our customers that they have come to expect from us. Consequently, the big advantage that customers can expect is that the offering from both entities is now greatly combined, expanded and strengthened. Each entity can now draw on the expertise and business foundation that has already been established by each company in its respective field.

(HSS) The acquisition has been official for only a couple of months now. What are your primary concerns and considerations?

Wolfgang Engling - I believe it is critical to make sure that we get the correct message across to the security industry; the message being that Pelco has now truly reached a global status and can be seen as an offering that will span from traditional CCTV into the bigger picture of total building management. Pelco has now become part of a total 'one-stop-shop' solution provider with its total product range being integrated and tested into the Schneider portfolio.

(HSS) What opportunities will be available with the integration of Schneider Electric and Pelco?

HW - Presently in South Africa, there are very few companies that can boast a completely integrated building management solution spanning energy and power management, HVAC control, electronic access control and video security all under one umbrella. This has obvious advantages, such as seamless integration, dealing with one company for all your BMS requirements and most of all cost optimisation, ie, both operating and capital expenditure are minimised.

Access control and video security are seamlessly intertwined. In the past, Pelco was not seamlessly integrated with any access control solution and additional software had to be written to integrate any other third party access control system. With this acquisition, Schneider Electric can offer a completely integrated electronic security solution that can form part of a fully integrated building management solution and service.

(HSS) How will this integration benefit us in with regard to the current energy crisis we are experiencing?

HW - The integrated electronic security system will form part of our total building management solution, which will assist in minimising the building's energy consumption.

Imagine your building management system being intelligent enough to react according to your personal preferences. This will depend on the overall energy efficiency policies of the building. For example, say you return to the office after hours. The BMS system has already automatically switched off your airconditioning supply and lights in your office to minimise energy consumption. Once you enter the building, the security system immediately enforces the ideal environmental and lighting conditions in your office, according to your preferences, via the building management software. Once you leave, it again returns to the standby condition. This is just one example of how the BMS system can ensure you experience ideal conditions in your building while still reducing energy consumption.

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