Bosch introduces integration partner program

Editor / Provider: Bosch Security Systems | Updated: 5/17/2013 | Article type: Security 50

With the presentation of its Integration Partner Program (IPP) at the security trade fair, Bosch Security Systems moves to a whole new level in terms of providing interoperable solutions that fit any application's specific needs. The web-based platform assists customers in effortlessly identifying compatible video surveillance hardware or software solutions that will seamlessly interoperate with the existing Bosch installation. Furthermore, the program helps developers and other experts to design compatible solutions by ease of use integration tools and samples. All third party solutions already listed in the portal have successfully undergone stringent quality checks by Bosch.

The need for compatible partner products and systems
“The security market has become extremely diverse and complex, especially since the switch to IP solutions,” says David Lenot, Business Development Manager EMEA at Bosch Security Systems. “Different applications can have very heterogeneous surveillance requirements and customers are increasingly asking for unique solutions. In addition to this, comprehensive systems also have to be expandable at any point in time, which is why their composition needs to be a flexible one. With the help of IPP, owners can at once identify compatible partner products and systems that are a perfect match for installed Bosch equipment while adding unlimited features and services.”

Easy access to technical resources
IPP benefits partners and customers alike by providing just the right information in one place. It gives all development partners wishing to build integration tools, samples and solutions transparent and easy access to relevant resources, from documents to training. The program provides assistance across the portfolio, covering all features for integration purposes.

Customers can use the web-based “Solution Advisor” search engine to scan through existing applications, geographies or specific features to identify the right solution for the respective system. IPP helps multiply the solutions and guides the client to the matching result. Users can combine products from Bosch with leading video management devices from Genetec, Milestone, Nice and many other companies. Similarly, data storage solutions are available from a range of providers, such as NetApp, EMC and Iomega. Intergrativity is simplified by application and task-related code samples, as well as preconfigured integration packages. Additionally, the program provides a variety of technical support contacts for members and premium partners to optimize combining Bosch features or products with third-party devices and vice versa.

Beneficial partnerships for future development
Allowing a simple integration of third-party solutions has always been part of Bosch's principles. Solutions by the company are designed to be integration friendly. For example, all IP cameras and encoders run one firmware. Partners therefore can support dozens of products at the same time. With IPP, the company continues to open up its business and presents its video products in the most transparent way possible. “It is essential that innovative and technically competent suppliers of development services and series products are involved early and systematically in devising new solutions,” says Rudolf Spielberger, Head of IPP at Bosch Security Systems. In line with this philosophy, Bosch Security Systems, together with Axis Communications and Sony, also founded the international product standard ONVIF in 2008. The aim of ONVIF is to enable the integration of network video devices from different manufacturers. “IPP is thus a continuation of this way of thinking into the second decade of the 21st century.”

EverFocus partners with Digiever for better networked solutions

Editor / Provider: EverFocus Electronics | Updated: 5/17/2013 | Article type: Security 50

EverFocus is pleased to announce their new partnership with Digiever. For almost 20 years, EverFocus has been a leading integrated security solution manufacturer of CCTV cameras, DVRs, HDcctv, IP surveillance solutions, access control systems, as well as surveillance and access control peripherals. With Digiever DIGISTOR NVR series' support, EverFocus' network cameras can now satisfy various surveillance scenarios requests, and users can easily adapt the operation under more circumstances.

Established in 1995, EverFocus has been working diligently in the security business for almost 20 years now, with branches in the US, Germany, UK, Japan, India and China, EverFocus provides rapid response with optimal solutions to meet customers' satisfaction. The skilled R&D team works diligently to bring safety to our life through innovative ideas and advanced technology.

"We are pleased to gain an innovative partner in Digiever. This corroboration helps us to provide robust and powerful solutions for a wide range of applications. Digiever's platform is able to maximize benefits of the full lineup of EverFocus cameras, and allows us to bring value to an even wider customer base." said Joe Jen, Manager at EverFocus. The integration of EverFocus and Digiever is exciting, as it is the first cooperation for both parties. It will bring better service and more satisfied solution for more customers.

"We are excited by the integration between Digiever and EverFocus, as the integration has been smooth and successful. The integration with EverFocus provides users of both parties with solid surveillance bundle solution” said Allen Tseng, Product Manager of Digiever. "As the most reliable and ideal provider of Linux-based standalone NVR solution, Digiever keeps working on expanding the compatibility of IP cameras from reputed global brands and continues to support IP camera partners. Digiever devotes to giving users experience of more efficient network surveillance solutions. "

EverFocus works closely with third party technology partners to satisfy customers' needs in vertical markets such as mobile, city surveillance and banking solutions.

Analog cameras remain resilient

Editor / Provider: Memoori Business Intelligence | Updated: 5/16/2013 | Article type: Hot Topics

According to a Memoori Business Intelligence article, just about every angle on the battle between analog and network cameras must now have been covered. Strange then that every time someone proclaims the death of analog, up pops another reason to protect and extend its life. It just doesn't want to lie down and die.

In a recent IPVM investigation the number one cited problem in going to IP cameras (gained from interviews with over 100 integrators in the US), was an emphatic “Price Price Price”. It seems that as fast as IP prices fall, analog prices falls faster. Whilst it is important to continue the drive to reduce manufacturing costs this will not win the battle. The strong growing penetration by IP into the analog market will continue to erode its traditional market.

Analog may have enjoyed a respite, as many heritage estates have held back going to IP because of the poor economic trading conditions in the west and analog systems have seen significant growth in the consumer market. But if you want to see where the profit is being made look to the IP manufacturers. Those realizing poor growth and profitability are the analog manufacturers in the developed markets of the world.

We no longer see any arguments extolling the virtues of analog over IP cameras, unlike a few years ago, there is now no doubt that it is ‘better' than analog because it provides the full solution needed by a surveillance system. Higher pixel counts, panoramic imaging, edge recording, far improved low light performance, the wealth of form factors and manufacturers to choose from all make IP cameras the clear choice for high end surveillance and now the medium sector.

However the benefits of IP have to be sold right throughout the distribution chain down to the end-user. If that chain breaks at any point then the message that IP offers additional benefits will not be heard. The dealers and distributors that are essentially “box shifters” will see the first time cost as critical and will promote such products.

IP systems need to be sold on solution capability and not price. The reasons for this are clearly laid out in the article "Security Systems in the Channel: What will Tomorrow's Distribution Model Look Like.”

The new reality here is that it is time to start focusing on ‘services' and ‘data', not on hardware costs. It's no longer about how clear the picture is, that's taken for granted, but about the data and information in that picture, and how to share this information with the right people.

Bosch adds micro camera and dome to budget line

Editor / Provider: Bosch Security Systems | Updated: 5/16/2013 | Article type: Security 50

With the introduction of the micro 2000 and FLEXIDOME micro 2000 IP cameras, Bosch is once again expanding its successful network video systems portfolio. Wherever there is a need for a good product, at an affordable price, for a broad range of applications, micro 2000 IP cameras and FLEXIDOME micro 2000 IP cameras are the ideal solution. Providing more detailed images with less interference, the cameras are specifically designed for indoor areas with stable lighting, and their state of the art look sets them apart. They come in two different versions, a micro box, and a micro dome design. Beside their outstanding design, these cameras are also fully featured. The latest sensors and image processing technology from the professional security industry have been optimized for small business surveillance.

Both cameras are designed as complete networked video systems. They include a Dropbox application for remote storage of recorded activity, while also benefiting from 50 percent less storage needs in static scenes due to iDNR, saving on memory requirements, bandwidth, and costs. Furthermore, the Video Client PC software and the live viewer app from Bosch are available free of charge for reviewing live and recorded video material on a PC or mobile device from any location with Internet access.

In addition, the micro 2000 IP cameras and FLEXIDOME micro 2000 IP cameras are ONVIF conformant and compatible with software and storage solutions of third-party integrators. This is supported by the Integration Partner Program, which gives partners immediate access to online tools for easy integration of management and recording software, video analytics, monitor wall systems and cloud monitoring.

Milestone Arcus has signed ISD as first edge-based solution partner

Editor / Provider: Milestone Systems | Updated: 5/14/2013 | Article type: Security 50

Milestone Systems has signed Innovative Security Designs (ISD) as the first camera partner who will offer the robust and streamlined Milestone Arcus VMS embedded in their edge devices.

With this collaboration, Milestone and ISD mark a new era of edge storage solutions. By redefining the role of a camera, Milestone Arcus VMS embedded on ISD cameras can be a hosted edge server solution model for all IP cameras supported by Milestone.

Innovation in the security industry and technology leveraged from the consumer electronic industry are fueling the adoption of edge storage – when recorded video data is stored in a de-centralized way at the edge (on devices such as cameras connected to a network). The ability to record and manage up to a month of 1080P video on a single ISD camera meets customer expectations and requirements for distributed video storage.

By migrating to edge storage, customers can realize the benefit of being able to save money and simplify installations by eliminating expensive servers. The combination of ISD and Milestone Arcus gives consumers even more choice by not requiring them to sacrifice legacy cameras that are not capable of edge storage. It is an open platform solution that supports multiple camera types and brands, all tied together and managed with the streamlined Milestone Arcus VMS.

According to its principal video surveillance analyst, Jon Cropley, “as this market grows and as network surveillance products penetrate smaller installations, there will be an increasing need to simplify the installation of video management software and to operate that software more easily. The combination of Milestone Arcus with ISD cameras seems to be an initiative designed to meet this need”.

Milestone Arcus VMS gives a simple to use, clean and efficient interface. The collaboration between ISD and Milestone makes configuring and recording camera output easy and user friendly. ISD's large onboard storage capacity as well as the ability to tie into other Milestone Arcus storage partners makes this a very powerful and elegant solution for redundant storage.

This partnership also means that existing Milestone XProtect customers can easily add an ISD/Milestone Arcus-enabled camera to their installations.

“It has been an absolute pleasure working together with the Incubation and Ventures team at Milestone,” says Ian Johnston, CEO of ISD. “We share a common vision of having an open and powerful solution that makes video at the edge simple and easy to deploy and operate. Our combined ability to extend the edge and be the host for other Milestone-supported camera vendors is groundbreaking.”

The collaboration and innovation extends beyond storage and video management. ISD's netSeries product line uses the same processor engines used in modern smartphones. The road map for the ISD-Milestone Arcus offerings will also include advanced third-party analytics in the cameras. Edge-based analytics solve the problem of scalability for analytic partners: adding more cameras automatically adds computing power without adding more complexity.

Like storage and video management, everything is tied together using the Milestone Arcus streamlined user interface. Other vendors who wish to partner with Milestone Arcus can tie into this ecosystem, again bringing simplicity, ease of use, and the ability for customers to choose the solutions that make sense for them.

Arecont Vision appoints VP for Europe

Editor / Provider: Arecont Vision | Updated: 5/14/2013 | Article type: Security 50

Arecont Vision has appointed surveillance industry veteran Ivo Drent as VP for Europe. Drent joins the company after more than two decades in the video security industry in positions responsible for sales management, marketing, customer support and business development.

Drent will manage Europe for Arecont Vision and will also take personal responsibility for strategic accounts, building on the company's top level relationships at key distributors, systems integrators and technology partners. Arecont Vision's European headquarters is located in Frankfurt, Germany.

Ivo Drent has spent more than 20 years in the video surveillance industry working for manufacturers such as Dedicated Micros, Pelco and IndigoVision. Drent led Pelco's EMEA operations from their office in Eindhoven, The Netherlands, managing a team of nearly 100 people who were located in various offices across Europe and the Middle East. For IndigoVision, he managed their EMEA sales, marketing and support operations. More recently, Drent has been Worldwide VP for DataDirect Networks, a manufacturer of high end storage solutions, where he was responsible for their Government and Digital Security division.

“Arecont Vision is very excited to have Ivo Drent join our management team. Ivo is a proven leader in the Europe security market and we are looking forward to even faster growth under his leadership,” said Scott Schafer, Executive VP of Arecont Vision. “Key European distributors, systems integrators and technology partners are embracing megapixel IP cameras for their ability to improve image quality, boost system functionality, lower system costs and improve the return on investment for their customers. Ivo will strengthen our relationships with these important selling partners and drive business growth throughout Europe.”

A mission with a vision

Editor / Provider: Sponsored by VIVOTEK | Updated: 5/13/2013 | Article type: Government & Public Services

The Hajj Organization in Tehran, Iran has been organizing the Hajj Mission since 1991, providing services to Hujjaj, who are Muslim pilgrims from Iran, with the aim of promoting Hajj and serving Hujjaj by facilitating and organizing all aspects of Hajj. With its pivotal role and sizable scale in Iran, the organization requires high-security surveillance to ensure the overall safety of the Hujjaj and the daily operation of the Hajj Mission. The manager of the organization decided to install several IP cameras, and VIVOTEK cameras, with excellent quality at a reasonable cost, became the organization's first choice.

Pooya Fara Negar, VIVOTEK's distributor in Iran, provided the professional consultation and design. A total of 178 cameras were installed indoors and outdoors. Outdoor areas are covered by 11 SD8323E, 12 IP7361 and 53 IP8362 cameras, while 73 FD8161 and 27 FD8162 cameras were installed indoors. Two IP8162P cameras were installed in the official area.

The SD8323E, a network speed dome with several superior features — such as the ability to capture clear video even in environments with high-contrast lighting conditions, a weather-proof IP66-rated housing, and 360° continuous pan and 90° tilt — is an ideal camera for monitoring open indoor/outdoor spaces. Equipped with a powerful 36x zoom lens and WDR technology, the camera is also able to capture sharp images at a great distance even under challenging lighting conditions. The SD8362E was thus installed outside of the organization for monitoring the grand square in front of the building.

Bullet cameras IP7361 and IP8362, with 2-megapixel resolution, weather-proof IP67-rated housings, removable IR-cut filters and IR illuminators for superior image quality around the clock, were chosen for a wide range of outdoor applications. The IP7361 was installed in the outdoor corridor, while the IP8362 was chosen to monitor the parking lot, taking advantage of its WDR enhancements, which allow users to identify image details in extremely bright as well as dark environments.

For monitoring the building halls, the FD8161 and FD8162 were used. Featuring a 2-megapixel sensor and ePTZ functionality, these cameras are able to provide extremely wide coverage with the finest details and enable users to focus on close-up shots of different areas. Moreover, the FD8162, which also incorporates WDR capability, is able to capture clear footage even when both bright and dark areas are present in the same field of view.

As for the official area, the IP8162P — a 2-megapixel camera with several advanced features like a P-iris lens, built-in Focus Assist button for precise focus adjustment, WDR Enhanced technology for an unparalleled ability to capture detail in extremely bright and dark environments — is able to monitor a much more comprehensive area than can a standard VGA camera, allowing users to fully enjoy the HD video.

Sacred, Secured
Access to all of these cameras is via a private Intranet. VIVOTEK's stand-alone NVR enables the Hajj Organization to record, monitor and manage video data simultaneously through the Internet. Both live video feeds and recorded video footage are centrally managed.

William Ku, VP of International Business at VIVOTEK, stated: “We are so glad to have the chance to enhance the security of the Hajj Organization. I believe that VIVOTEK cameras with their superior quality are able to meet the client's needs by providing clear footage and accurate event tracking around the place. Also, the Hajj Organization can monitor the status of all cameras and storage in real time and manage videos in a centralized way. We are expecting to provide more security support to the Hajj Organization in the future.”

Sponsored by

New focus, new momentum

Editor / Provider: Jill Lai, a&s International | Updated: 5/9/2013 | Article type: Security 50

Thermal imaging was once perceived to be suitable for high-end projects or demanded by military forces only. Today, things have certainly changed. Thermal imaging is now successfully deployed in a wide range of market segments. In 2013, market leader Flir Systems has adopted a vertical-driven approach to further expand and penetrate into the Asian market, as well as mid-end or commercial applications. Paolo Gianni Saranga, Business Development Manager for Security and Surveillance, Border Security Program and Maritime Products in APAC, shares with a&s on how the company makes it all happen.

Thermal imaging technology is reliable and has been proven to be increasingly cost-effective; under extreme lighting conditions, its capability and performance significantly surpass traditional CCTV cameras. Global market leader Flir Systems predicts that thermal imaging technology will start to take up more market share across different applications (particularly the commercial market), projects and emerging countries.

Flir now offers both affordable COTS products and high-end, long-range systems. “We offer products at all price points for a variety of different applications,” Saranga said. “Price, for Flir, is a very important factor. Through our volume production of this niche technology, the cost is getting lower and lower. Another key to our offering is a wide and diverse product portfolio. These two factors have allowed us to penetrate the Americas and EMEA markets, and now Asia, especially with a focus on Indian and Chinese markets that have a vast and varied assortment of security and protection requirements.”

**Don't forget to check out video interviews!**

Asian Fever
After its long history of success in the Americas and EMEA regions, Flir is replicating the same vertical management approach in Asia to bring greater expertise and focus to the APAC security market this year. “In general, our thermal imaging is well-positioned in key projects and in key consultants' minds — that it is a superior technology for specific applications, such as perimeter security. However, there are still many market sectors and regions where we still need to make more efforts in increasing our brand awareness. That is why we will be present in 18 different exhibitions in Asia this year,” Saranga stressed. “We will also actively educate the market via distributor seminars and a dedicated Flir road show throughout APAC to provide knowledge on the integration capabilities of our products. We offer free-of-charge SDKs for integrating the cameras into other systems, and our complete line of IP cameras are ONVIF-compliant. Ease of integration is a key factor since many large projects composed of different applications require best-of-breed solutions. The philosophy of openness will significantly improve our success and penetration strategy.”

Strong Network
This year, with more hands on deck and more eyes on Asia, Flir will work more closely with its dedicated distributors. “Our strategy is to create a group of specific and concentrated partners for each vertical market,” Saranga said. “The key to becoming one of our partners is, again, focus. In addition to having a distributing mindset and a complete package of products, our partners need to have a clear position in a certain market. We care about how they represent themselves in the market and how our products can be positioned into that and best represented.”

Danish visual arts museum turns to discreet IP-based surveillance

Editor / Provider: Axis Communications | Updated: 5/8/2013 | Article type: Government & Public Services

The Danish government's main museum for visual arts, the National Gallery of Denmark in Copenhagen, upgraded its CCTV system in 2012 consisting of 60 analog cameras to a discreet IP-based surveillance comprised of Axis Communications one-megapixel HD cameras and Mirasys NVRs to prevent priceless artworks from theft and damage. The solution was developed jointly between Axis and partner G4S in Denmark, while the product supplier and distributor of the project was EET Europarts.

The gallery has approximately 115 employees and 60 students who occupy the building. Extremely valuable and priceless artworks are on public display in the galleries. Art pieces must be protected from theft and damage, and the safety of the employees and the thousands of people visiting the gallery daily must also be secured. In 2012 the entire CCTV system was extensively upgraded. An important consideration was that the cameras should be discreet and not distract attention from the paintings, and that they should also be easy to move, as the building is reorganized up to two to three times annually.

The museum still has a large number of analog cameras in the system, but the plan is to replace even more of these with IP cameras. The remaining analog cameras are currently connected and integrated into the system using Axis video encoders. “All you need to do is install the camera, program the IP address and run the cable. And then it takes a couple of minutes to adjust the camera angle and the lens,” said Claus Bjerg, G4S. Moreover, one cable per camera is sufficient, as the cameras are powered via the network cable. (This is important as SMK is a listed building in which running cabling, drilling and structural alterations are strictly limited).

Visitors do not even notice the cameras, and for designers the cameras are easier to locate, due to its HD images. “I've not heard any of the designers complain about the cameras,” said the museum's Security Manager Mike Coffman.“On the contrary, several have actually praised the decision to make the conversion.”

As the entire system is based on an open platform, it can be simply upgraded in line with technological development. There are also plans to exploit the opportunities of using intelligent applications, for example, to calculate the number of visitors and analyze how they move around the building. “Apart from using them to calculate how many people are in the building, it's possible to see how visitors move around and between the galleries,” said Coffman.“This is very useful information when planning exhibitions. It would also be good to be able to use intelligence in case of an evacuation, to know whether there are people left in the building and in that case, their location.”

What's trending in 2013?

Editor / Provider: Judy Lin, asmag.com | Updated: 5/8/2013 | Article type: Hot Topics

Secutech International 2013, one of the largest trade shows in the security world, successfully concluded on April 26. Here are some of the key findings from the show floor interviews.

1. IP Rocks
IP-based video surveillance products accounted for the majority of items displayed at the exhibition, while HD-SDI products remained a minority. Of the 23 video surveillance manufacturers sampled, 16 companies featured IP products at the show, including Dynacolor, Dahua Technology, Itx, Mobotix and others. Hikvision Digital Technology and four other companies were promoting analog cameras, while Hi Sharp and Win4net were the only companies highlighting HD-SDI products. Most manufacturers are still promoting IP cameras, due to a smaller demand for HD-SDI cameras, and few related products and accessories, said Ray Chan, Director of Sales for APAC, Infinova. HD-SDI also requires larger storage, and the required frame rate is still playing catch-up, Chan continued. A technician from Fuho Technology echoed the sentiment, stating while HD-SDI products offer better image quality than analog cameras, market demand has remained low because of the lack of supporting appliances and hardware compared to analog or IP systems. Some manufacturers are trying to compensate this by promoting new HD-SDI cabling products, such as Win4net's Clebo HD-SDI PoC solution that can extend HD-SDI data transmission for more than 2 kilometers.

2. Light Sensitivity
The majority of low-light network cameras displayed at the show came with 1.3-megapixel resolution; only a few were 3-megapixel models. Shany's SNC-WD2131MSA and Yoko Technology's RYK-IPBX010 featured 1.3-megapixel low-light cameras, while Zavio's D7320 was a 3-megapixel camera. The limitations of network bandwidth and market demand are driving the sales of 1.3-megapixel low-light cameras, said Steven Mao, PM for Digital Surveillance Product Planning, Yoko Technology. Two trends in WDR network cameras were also observed, with some manufacturers such as Brickcom using software to enhance images and others, including Zavio, developing their own WDR sensors.

3. High and Low
Of the analog cameras displayed, a large number were of 700 TVLs and above. For instance, Hikvision's Picadis Exir Camera and Pishion's BRX-99P84WR were 720-TVL cameras, while Fuho's Vacron-P was a 1,000-TVL camera. The cameras target cost-conscious consumers that want better image quality close to IP cameras, but at a much lower price point, said Ian Ma, Overseas Technical Support Engineer, Hikvision. The cameras offer better images than traditional analog, and ideal for clients who are reluctant to say goodbye to their coaxial cables.

4. Easy to Install
Four- to 8-channel NVRs for SMB and home applications are mostly designed with easy setup procedures that are user-friendly. Whether its Nuuo's 8-channel NVR, that enables setup to be completed in six minutes with a click of a mouse, or Dynacolor's 4-channel NVR that automatically detects the company's cameras, the idea is to make installation hassle-free. Manufacturers are trying to make their products appealing and adoptable to the average home owner or shop keeper, who may not be tech-savvy or have the resources to hire IT specialists. Another interesting find was iCatch's latest NVR that enables consumers to use QR scanners to connect their IP cameras to the NVR.

5. Scalability Reincarnated
Installer-friendly products were not easy to miss. For example, Etherwan's ED3638 PoE switch can transmit data and electricity up to 1.8 kilometers, said Alvin Hsu, PM; Planet's BSP-300 solar-power switch is particularly suited for integrators struggling with outdoor cabling. Brickcom's FocusEasy makes life easier for installers, by beeping loudly when the camera is correctly focused; it is aimed at the hotel industry or large-scale projects that require many installations, said Anchi Chen, Marketing Administrator. All these products are designed with convenience in mind, by saving installers or system integrators valuable resources. These products are also ideal for large-scale projects and applications.

6. Value Adds
More camera and NVR manufacturers are teaming up with VCA companies to increase the added value of their products. To target the retail sector, Nuuo teamed up with Vit to add on people-counting features onto its NVR, while VIVOTEK has been cooperating with Cognimatics to add on similar people-counting features onto its IP cameras. Other common VCA features include people counting, item removal detection, and virtual fences that are targeted for retail market applications.

7. Mobility
From remotely monitoring video surveillance cameras to opening doors via NFC technology, mobile applications are increasingly prevalent. The popularity of smartphones and tablets is pushing this trend in the security sector. The majority of NVR manufacturers, such as iCatch and Nuuo, have matching mobile apps to enable remote monitoring, while newer access control systems from WFE Technology allow smartphones to open doors using NFC. Nearly all NFC access control systems are RFID-based at the show, with the exception of Hundure Technology that has promoted a Bluetooth NFC reader.

8. Hot Access
Access control manufacturers such as Pongee and WFE were promoting multicredential readers with four to five credentials targeting the banking or hotel sector. End users can choose which credentials they want to use. According to Johnson Wu, PM of Waferlock at WFE, markets that require high security, such as the banking sector, are more likely to use a combination of credentials or utilize all credentials offered.

9. Gaze Downward
Manufacturers are aiming for the mid- to low-end market with hopes of tapping into retail, home, hotel and banking applications. This was reflected with the promotion of affordable retail solutions with fewer functions, but easy installation, such as VIVOTEK's Counter Cam, a small 180-degree panoramic camera with very basic functions. Even Flir, which had traditionally manufactured high-end thermal imaging cameras, was promoting its first commercial camera, the VT602, at the show (which still costs US$190,000).

10. Emerging Opportunities
Most video surveillance manufacturers agreed that sales are particularly well in emerging markets. Dali Technology and Merit  LILIN both responded sales were particularly well in Middle East, while NVR manufacturer Qnap noted sales were particularly well in Central and South America.