The trend to IP-based video is, says a market research company, firmly established. The question is no longer “will IP-based equipment sales overtake analogue equipment sales?” IMS Research forecasts that 2013 will be the tipping point when world network video equipment sales overtake analogue sales. The arrival of IP has bought its own questions, and changed the market place. IT distributors and installers are now competing with traditional security firms. The researchers add that many IT installers are not looking to their distributors for the security knowledge they lack but are instead going to the camera manufacturers.
A finding from the recently released IP Trends in Security – A Survey of Systems Integrators and Installers, is the influence IT managers have in the decision of what IP-based video surveillance products are chosen. IT managers were ranked ahead of other key influencers such as physical security managers, chief security officers and consultants in their ability to influence which IP-based video surveillance products are chosen.
One reason for this influence may be the fact that IT budgets are typically larger than the associated security budgets. Instead of security managers buying an IP-camera and speaking with the IT department about how to incorporate it into the network, increasingly the IT department will buy the security equipment from their budget and incorporate the device into their network.
IMS Research’s report, IP Trends in Security – A Survey of Systems Integrators and Installers in Europe and North America – 2012 Edition, is published in two regional volumes, Europe and North America.
About the report
As the market for IP-based security products continues to grow, customers are demanding more from their suppliers of security equipment (eg PSIM, VSaaS). Integration between access control and video, greater interoperability, and intelligent video analysis are examples of technologies registering interest from customers today. The trend to IP is also influencing the way security products are purchased, with IT managers working more closely with security managers in many buying decisions.
This is a third edition report to provide manufacturers of security products with feedback from installers and systems integrators on their requirements for IP-based security products.
