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From the editor's desk: First cloud, then edge, but all AI

Andrew Seldon, Editor.

Welcome to the SMART Surveillance Handbook 2023. This is the first edition of the handbook under this branding, but regular readers will remember many issues of our ‘old’ CCTV Handbook. As it turns out, there is a remarkable focus on edge technologies this year and the excitement about cloud seems to have levelled off.

That’s not to say cloud is history; in the next few pages readers will be able to see companies that are making cloud solutions work and producing some incredible solutions. However, there are those who have a ‘thing’ about cloud and still prefer to keep their surveillance tech onsite. This has opened the door to edge solutions, of which there is no shortage.

In the past we focused on edge solutions as being in the camera where AI ‘apps’ can be run, and this is still a valid option for edge fans. However, this year’s handbook will show a move to edge devices that are onsite at remote locations, to keep the system running no matter what Eskom breaks, in the form of servers, NVRs and even a locally developed appliance you can play with if you install Telegram on your smartphone.

And it seems body-worn devices are making a comeback. Although ‘comeback’ might be the wrong word to use since while these devices have been around and used in various scenarios for years, the local uptake is only now showing good traction. There could be many reasons for this, one being the ‘smartphone effect’ where these little devices now include almost everything you need for surveillance, communications and management (people and technology) – and integration.

Then there’s the drama of false alarms and all the additional work they cause. This dilemma seems to transcend any particular field within the surveillance technology sector, with solutions (AI-enhanced, of course) included in cameras, on the edge and on the onsite or cloud server. This is another area where local innovation is making its mark. The big caveat in all this is that while we want to use technology to get rid of all false alarms, one can’t risk missing even one real alarm. I personally think this is where the biggest challenge in the false alarm saga will separate the winners and losers.

As always, there are a few articles we wanted to include in the handbook but couldn’t because of space restrictions. These will be found on the website and in the SMART Surveillance Handbook news briefs (our email newsletters. If you’re not on the list, drop me a mail at [email protected]).

The SMART Surveillance Handbook is designed to offer a quick look at some of the main themes in the surveillance market and reader feedback is always a valuable assessment of what we missed or only mentioned in passing. Please feel free to let me have your comments and criticisms, they always help when looking ahead at future publications, whether an annual handbook or the monthly issues.

In addition, head on over to https://ssai.africa to learn about the SMART Surveillance Conference 2023. It’s all about edge, server and cloud, and AI features in every presentation, even the one on control rooms.

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