Market research by Agility PR on behalf of IP-surveillance product firm Axis Communications 1 at International IP Security Exhibition & Conference (IIPSEC 2007) last month, showed that three-quarters, 76pc, of respondents were seeing Intelligent Video applications and solutions that are valuable to their customers.
According to the network camera manufacturer, this is demonstrating a growing acceptance of network video and the possibilities of new applications.
The survey also claims that the industry is also recognising that network video products are now delivering high quality of output and can no longer be excluded from a security installation on these grounds:
A third (33pc) believe improvements in quality of output and functionality of network cameras is the most significant technical development driving the adoption of IP-surveillance this year
Other findings:
Nearly a third of respondents (32pc) think that security managers used to be more involved in the buying decision than they are today
Nearly a third of IIPSEC visitors (32pc) saw remote monitoring via the internet as the key benefit of moving to IP-surveillance, with 22pc stating improved quality of output
Lack of knowledge and skills amongst the security installer community was seen as the key obstacle to adoption of IP-surveillance by 27pc of IIPSEC visitors, 31pc of whom were traditional CCTV distributors and installers
Education and transport sectors were considered equal in importance in leading the take-up of IP-surveillance, each gaining 23pc of responses
Respondents had a clearer understanding of Intelligent Video (IV) applications and 76pc of respondents thought applications such as ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition), people counting and ‘trip-wire’ zoning were valuable to their customers, with 58pc of respondents planning to install IV applications for their customers during 2007.
Educating the market is still seen as key. Respondents were keenest for IP vendors to continue to devote resources to educating the market about the benefits of IP-Surveillance (82pc put this as the first or second most important element of support ).
In response to the interest in IV applications, 40pc of respondents ranked highest the importance of IP-surveillance vendors managing a strong application development program, with end-user training ranked highest by 22pc of respondents.
Security managers are still the lead decision maker according to 30pc of respondents, with IT Directors, Financial Directors and Facilities Managers each responsible for making the decision on security purchasing in three in five purchases. Some 32pc of respondents stated that security managers were less involved in the buying decision than previously.
What they say
Steve Gorski, managing director of Axis Communications (UK) Limited, said:
“This year’s Axis IP-surveillance trends survey shows that IP-surveillance is becoming more mainstream and is now regarded as the choice for output quality. Respondents can see new IP-surveillance products accelerating image quality and with enhanced functionality coming through. There is excitement about new IV applications and customers are demanding them.”
Axis Communications UK meanwhile are relocating to larger premises during March in the same office park near Hitchin, Herts. The new premises will have dedicated training facilities including a seminar room and demonstration area.
The findings are based on written questionnaires completed by 100 randomly selected IIPSEC 2007 visitors on January 247.
