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New analytics player in town

Viasys is now directly represented in South Africa.

Viasys Intelligent Video Analytics was established in 1999 as a software provider for the security industry. The company focuses on offering fully embedded, plug-in video analytics.

To date the company has installed over 10 000 licences across Europe and the United States, claiming its software bridges “the gap between simple motion detection and advanced enterprise-class analytics”. Viasys recently won the Frost & Sullivan 2010 European Video Analytics Competitive Strategy Innovation Award.

It has now established a direct presence in South Africa, headed by Theo Biehler. Hi-Tech Security Solutions spoke to Biehler to see what he plans to get up to in Africa.

Hi-Tech Security Solutions: Is this the first time Viasys is represented in South Africa? Will you be taking the company into Africa as well?

Biehler: Yes. Viasys has only recently been actively represented in South Africa and our strategy is to take the benefits of Viasys into Africa. It has been quite encouraging that we have already received strong interest and several companies have downloaded the trial version of the software. Based on their successful tests, in which the number of false alarms was significantly reduced, a few local companies have already submitted large tenders and quotes which incorporate Viasys video analytics.

Hi-Tech Security Solutions: What can you tell us about Viasys? What does the company do? When did it start? Who are your partners?

Biehler: Viasys specialises in video analytics and has developed an advanced algorithm which is the core around which the company has been built. In developing video analytics, Viasys has done co-development with various companies to ensure compatibility with both VMS (server-based) and cameras (edge-based) technologies. Probably the strongest relationship internationally has been developed with Axis Communications, with the result that the video analytics is compatible with nearly all of the Axis camera and encoder ranges.

Viasys is well established in the perimeter security market in Europe. While it provides perimeter protection in various industries, it has established itself as the market leader in perimeter protection of more than 180 PV Solar power generation plants, which collectively generate more than 410 MW of power.

The video analytics works in a 3D spatial dimension and can detect the difference between people, animals and vehicles by size. It is also possible to send triggers for motion detected in a particular direction only.

I am representing Viasys in southern Africa, and am working closely with the German head office in developing and rolling out the strategy in this region.

Hi-Tech Security Solutions: What is the unique selling point of Viasys?

Biehler: Delivering the smallest and fastest video content analytics algorithm, Viasys is able to run on limited CPU and RAM platforms, eg, Quad core with 100+ channels. It is simple, reliable and robust for experienced integrators and installers to implement.

Viasys has three options:

a. Edge analytics (on the camera/encoder).

b. Server-based analytics.

c. Cloud-based analytics.

When sending images to a visual monitoring centre, Viasys does not need massive bandwidth. It can function effectively on a 256 KB Internet connection by sending only images of relevance.

While the primary market targets IP camera installations, the Viasys server module can receive images from analogue cameras. This can work well for sites which already have analogue cameras installed, as this allows the client to get the full benefit of the analytics within a managed budget.

The Viasys analytics are compatible with many well-known brands of VMS. In spite of this, Viasys analytics can stand alone and do not require a VMS.

Hi-Tech Security Solutions: Do customers buy the software direct from you or do they need to buy specific hardware?

Biehler: Customers can download the free 30-day trial software from Viasys’s international website, www.viasys-iv.com to test the options. They can buy the software electronically and be sent vouchers and activation codes by e-mail.

Hi-Tech Security Solutions: Why should customers look at Viasys for analytics when there are other options, some free, available?

Biehler: Usual motion detection delivered free of charge will not perform in outdoor environments and will transmit too many images, consume too much bandwidth and occupy too much of the resources in the monitoring centre. 3D motion detection from Viasys reduces the false alarm rate by up to 95% compared with 2D motion detection and therewith enables economical service calculation.

The control room solution is capable to receive alarm images from remote locations. Combining remote 3D motion detection and video driven control room software paves the way for new service and alarm scenarios.

While some video analytics solutions have numerous features, Viasys focuses on perimeter protection, intruder detection and alarms. The core advantage of Viasys is in the combination of options (edge, server and cloud), the pricing and the low bandwidth requirement.

If a company works with a particular brand of cameras only, and requires a video analytics solution, there is an option to develop the Viasys video analytics in co-operation with their camera manufacturers, depending on their business volumes.

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