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Securex - exhibitors have their say

Following the events of 9/11, security concerns hold a more mainstream importance, touching all areas of society, and this was clear at South Africa's largest security exhibition, Securex 2002.

Once again, digital technology especially in surveillance was a highlight of the show, with access control, in particular products that utilise biometrics, also garnering much interest. Hi-Tech Security Solutions invited exhibitors to comment and identify their company's highlights of the show. This is what a few had to say:

Eugene Smit, Avalanche Technologies:

The show: All the officials at the show were very friendly and helpful.

The company: We were visited by people from companies in New Zealand and Botswana that we have been corresponding with over the last few months. It was nice to finally meet them in person.

Sharon Naude, Siemens:

The show: Very average.

The company: "The highlight of the show was the launch of our new 'look' to the industry and the pre-launch of the new upgraded CCTV Matrix. Our new CCTV Matrix is due for launch in the latter part of 2002, and is a complete redesign of the current Siemens ESS matrix. The physical box is a tenth of the existing Matrix's size and the capacity has been doubled and, in addition the new generation matrix comes at a highly competitive cost to the client."

Niall Beazley, Vision Catcher:

The show: Although we achieved our aims and met with a good portion of our target market, there are certain matters which are cause for concern:

1. The timing of the show having been scheduled at the end of the month, and worse still, end of February - year-end to many companies. As a result many of the key decision makers were unable to attend the show, and those who did, were very limited in time due to pressing matters of financial year-ends back at the office.

2. Access to Hall 2 was given to a select few on the Saturday and Sunday, giving those medium and small-sized stand builders enormous headaches to be ready on time for the opening, when they could only start on Monday morning. A degree of communication and correct identification of those clients investing effort, money and complexity should reduce this problem in future.

Peter Goodship on behalf of AV Electronics:

The show: The event was well organised and conducted. However, Telkom might have been better organised in terms of installing landlines.

The company: One of the highlights was the opportunity to meet executives from large corporates who were interested in discussing security. A 'must see' at Securex was Intelli-Site, a complete line of scaleable PC-based systems designed to integrate, control and manage diverse electronic security components and subsystems into a single network.

Dave Boyack and Renato Tarantino, Mami:

Whilst some good products were shown, the fact that the show was smaller, this year (in keeping with last years trend) shows a lack of confidence in the show and that some smaller exhibitors possibly find it too expensive. However, if you are not at Securex, you are then noted for your absence.

Whilst it would prove difficult, the standard of visitor needs to be upgraded - far too many 'pamphlet collectors' and more advertising needs to be done in Africa (possibly through embassies/trade commissions) to attract both these and other foreign buyers.

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