IP surveillance bridges the gap between the analogue and digital worlds
Market analysts Frost and Sullivan predict that the network camera and video server markets will continue to grow at around 90 per cent a year through 2005. From my vantage point, remote monitoring by IP surveillance represents one of the most exciting and important global market prospects for this year and beyond.

In this article, I'll discuss the revolution occurring in the CCTV market, list the many advantages of implementing remote CCTV monitoring, and make the case that the flexibility and scalability of systems like IP surveillance make it economically possible for users to upgrade from an existing analogue system to a new digital system.

For the past 20 years, remote monitoring and surveillance applications have been served by analogue technology. This technology, however, has been unable to satisfy the needs of many applications because analogue CCTV systems are generally maintenance-intense, don't offer remote accessibility, and are notoriously difficult to integrate with other systems.

In 2002, many firms find themselves between two worlds: comfortable with their analogue technology, but attracted to the myriad advantages of digital technology. So how to break the impasse? IP surveillance enables users to take the strategic step toward developing a more open digital surveillance system by providing solutions for converting analogue images into an easily distributed digital format – at a manageable level of investment.

Ultimately, the choice between high-resolution digital images that can be viewed and stored anywhere in the world over a computer network vs. low-resolution images with restricted viewing access, and volatile storage media that deteriorates with age, is no choice at all.

There are a number of compelling drivers fuelling the adoption of IP surveillance technology

Remote monitoring and integration are the future
The potential for remote monitoring applications is enormous. Uses range from traditional security surveillance for offices, retail stores, transportation hubs, and financial and banking institutions, but also for the process and manufacturing industries as well as for monitoring traffic for both logistical and security reasons and making traffic information available on the Internet. In addition to the increased demand for "security," there are a number of other compelling drivers fuelling the adoption of IP surveillance technology:

  • Network convergence: CCTV, computers, and other functions such as fire alarms and access control, and the increasingly important biometric functions, are clearly converging toward a common IP network that can offer integrated services. Telephone networks are already utilising IP networks. Combine the technical state of the security and industrial markets with the growing need for improvement in communication and competitiveness, and there is little doubt that IP surveillance technology provides persuasive performance, while it also provides a strong foundation for future use and improvements.
  • Internet and IP networking: Virtually all businesses, schools and industries now have a high-speed, IP-based computer network connected to the Internet. More and more stores and homes are being connected via DSL (Digital Subscriber Line). Banks also use the Internet for money transactions, providing an important endorsement to IP surveillance as a safe and reliable technology.
  • Efficiency: Non-security, or "beyond security" applications can benefit tremendously from the power of remote monitoring because it saves time and money and improves processes. Digital information and pictures stored on hard disks make searching and retrieval much faster and easier, and associated maintenance costs are minimised.

Performance and the bottom line advantages
If these market and technology drivers are not enough during 2002 and beyond, IP surveillance's many performance advantages combined with substantial cost savers make for an even stronger case.

Lower installation costs and step-by-step implementation
: While IP systems can function independently, they can also work with any existing analogue system. The system can be configured to receive the same video and alarm signalling as the resident analogue system. IP surveillance technology offers a manageable path towards a digital system without huge installation costs. Equipment obsolescence is minimised by using resident computers and existing network infrastructure and the move from an analogue to digital system can be made step by step.

  • Remote accessibility cuts costs: Improved access over an intranet (e.g. LAN) or internet provides quicker and more immediate access to images while substantially reducing travel costs for any system enhancement in the future.
  • Capacity for integration: IP surveillance technology has the capacity to be integrated with other functions and services, making it a continually developing system. Digital video feeds are easily distributed into other networked systems such as industrial control systems, access control systems, company intranets and more.

In describing the above applications, benefits and cost savings, it's clear this innovative technology can offer the performance, functionality and full use of existing monitoring equipment and network infrastructure all at an affordable price. Let's take a look at how remote monitoring and surveillance is changing and improving the way we do business and conduct our lives.

2002 and beyond
Axis Communications developed the first network camera in 1996 and as a global market leader in network video products, we find ourselves at the centre of the CCTV security revolution.

The time to make the switch to digital is now

Anders Laurin

The growing convergence of communications and security technology offers more and better choices to upgrade security management effectiveness. But, as we also saw, the perceived complexity and cost considerations can prevent some users from making the move to a digital network system. An IP surveillance system bridges the gap between the analogue and digital worlds by offering users remote accessibility, image quality, scalability, flexibility and future proof technology all at a reasonable level of investment and with step by step implementation.

The year 2002 marks just the beginning of the growing importance of widespread implementation of digital, networked remote surveillance. The scaleable, flexible nature of the technology makes it appropriate for the largest airport, a medium sized town centre and your security environment as well.

The time to make the switch to digital is now. The time to upgrade capabilities and functionality just got easier.

Security can never again be taken for granted and Axis' IP surveillance will take a leading role in providing the technology to assure safer environments where we live work and play.