asmag.com interviewed Tim Biddulph, IP Product Manager, Samsung Techwin Europe about “Smart Security,” promoted at IFSEC 2012 and their road shows around the UK.
asmag.com: The purpose of “smart security” is to ease the difficulty of making the migration from analogue to IP. Could you provide some examples to demonstrate this idea?
Biddulph: Smart Security is a phrase which Samsung has given t...
asmag.com interviewed Tim Biddulph, IP Product Manager, Samsung Techwin Europe about “Smart Security,” promoted at IFSEC 2012 and their road shows around the UK.
asmag.com: The purpose of “smart security” is to ease the difficulty of making the migration from analogue to IP. Could you provide some examples to demonstrate this idea?
Biddulph: Smart Security is a phrase which Samsung has given to a ‘philosophy' which recognises that until quite recently, Video over IP was only perceived as a solution for large projects but that we are now also increasingly seeing the technology utilised in small to medium sized installations. Despite this, for every installer or system integrator who is knowledgeable about network based security systems, there are probably still many more who do not yet know what questions to ask when they have a requirement to specify an IP network based solution. As a major stakeholder in the security industry, we feel it is essential that we share our knowledge and expertise in respect of IP network solutions and technologies with our existing and potential customers. Our Smart Security philosophy is therefore all about how customers, with our help, can upgrade from an analogue system to an IP and network based solution in the smartest way for their business.
asmag.com: For system integrators, what is the advantage of adopting Samsung IP products over other brands?
Biddulph: We now have a comprehensive range of IP devices from cameras to recorders and switches and can therefore offer a one-stop-shop for most projects, but it is not good enough just to have what we believe are ‘Best in Class' products. Customers also expect us to provide excellence pre and post sales support which, with the co-operation from our network of distributors, we are determined to provide.
For installers and system integrators, the advantage of working with Samsung is that we are solution ‘agnostic'. Perhaps this is not totally accurate, as we do firmly believe that a very high percentage of video surveillance systems in the future will be IP network based, but we are in a strong position to be objective when offering advice on the best technology to be used for a specific project. Our product catalogue now provides customers with a choice that includes a comprehensive and competitively priced range of analogue cameras, DVRs and monitors, a complete end-to-end IP solutions range, license-free viewing and recording software and an impressive line-up of high definition megapixel cameras. ‘Hybrid' options include encoders, which provide a cost effective and easy to implement method of adding analogue cameras to an IP/network based video surveillance system, and HD-SDI cameras which allow the transmission of uncompressed and non-packetized Full HD (1080P) video over analogue cabling.
asmag.com: I have noticed that the slogan of “smart security” is only promoted in Europe, especially the UK. Is this true?
Biddulph: The Smart Security philosophy is being promoted throughout Europe. The UK however has been among one of the slowest countries in Europe to embrace the opportunities offered by IP network based video surveillance systems. This is to some degree understandable because the UK has such a large number of existing analogue systems but it is for this reason that the Samsung's UK sales team are currently conducting a series Smart Security Days with the objective of taking the mystery out of installing an IP and network solution. By doing so, we can demonstrate to customers that with the correct advice and guidance, they need not have any fear of embracing what is a truly exciting technology which offers so many benefits, not the least of which is the opportunity to gain maximum advantage from the latest HD megapixel cameras.
asmag.com: Samsung have been the market leader of analogue security equipments. How does Samsung strengthen its capability in IP technology especially in Europe, where many leading IP video solution providers are located?
Biddulph: Samsung has been acknowledged by independent research companies as one of the top three European security brands and although until recently our strength has predominantly been with analogue technology, we now also have a comprehensive range of IP and network products.
One of the things we have done recently to help our customers in Europe and build on the trust they have in the Samsung brand is to accelerate our programme to integrate our cameras, DVRs and NVRs with video management software offered by leading independent software vendors (ISVs). Axxon, Aimetis, Digifort, Griffid, Ipronet, Exacq, Genetec, ISS, Milestone, Mirasys, ONssi and Seetec are now among the list of manufacturers that Samsung has been working with because of their ability to offer ‘open' software specifically designed to facilitate the integration of equipment and systems from different manufacturers. This is to provide customers with the flexibility to choose the perfect combination of security products to match their specific requirements. We recognise that in a tough economic climate, we must ensure that customers achieve the full benefit from their investment in a security system. This means providing customers with the option for Samsung products to be controlled and monitored alongside equipment produced by other manufacturers. Working closely with ISVs is very much a part of our Smart Security philosophy which is primarily about making it easy for customers who are looking for a gradual transition from an existing analogue system to a full IP network based surveillance solution.