Market convergence benefits

The discussion – hosted by Dominic Bruning, UK managing director of Axis Communications, a leader in the fast-growing network video surveillance market – focused on the dynamics that exist in the traditional CCTV market and how this status quo is already being disrupted by the emerging IP-based surveillance market.

Other attendees taking part were:

• Steve Johnson, Norbain
  
• Andrew Minton, Infoscape (independent market analyst)
  
• Mark Bouldin, Telindus (IT network integration specialist)
  
• Keith Bloodworth, Computer Network Ltd
  
• Richard Lewis, Video Imaging Supplies
  
• Bernie Dodwell, Allasso (specialist security distributor)
  
• Mike Holt, Sirrus, (IP surveillance integrator)
  
• Phil Cox, Newport City Council.

Key findings from the discussion included:

• Traditional CCTV vendors need to think more carefully about what IP surveillance products and software they offer
  
• Traditional CCTV vendors and installers generally work in a less proactive and dynamic way compared to their IT security equivalents and as CCTV is offered over IP they will need to ensure they do not miss the opportunity to extend their offering
  
• If these traditional CCTV players can gain the appropriate knowledge through partnership or collaboration with information or network security specialists, they stand to gain access to higher margin work and a larger market of SME companies which are looking to maximise existing investment in network infrastructure
  
• There is some resistance from customers for routing CCTV over the network. Some of this stems from the fact that the use and maintenance of CCTV installations today is generally handled by a security or facilities manager, totally unconnected with the IT department. There may also be some resistance from IT departments to be responsible for yet another data intensive application on the network.

Dominic Bruning commented:
"Traditional CCTV installers need to act now or risk their information security reseller counterparts taking full advantage of this growing market for CCTV over IP. It is also clear that many in the traditional CCTV market are choosing to resist or ignore the signs at their peril."

The three-hour roundtable discussion was conducted at the offices of Citigate Technology in London. For a management summary of the discussion and a CD-Rom audio recording please contact Jonathan SollittDavis on 020 7282 2955 or email jonathan.sollittdavis@citigatetechnology.com