Many companies have found it important to provide value-added systems for different niche markets. One example is Hi Sharp, which has moved beyond traditional security to offer high-quality, high-value solutions for various niche markets and applications.
Over the years, competition in the security industry has become fiercer than ever, especially after the introduction of Chinese products which attract with their low prices. This has produced a profound impact on traditional Taiwan security manufacturers, who are faced with a decline in revenue and profit.
As a result, many companies have found it important to provide value-added systems for different niche markets. One example is Hi Sharp, which has already found success in video surveillance. Yet, as the cut-throat price competition becomes even more intense, Hi Sharp realized that offering video surveillance systems alone was not enough. That’s why it decided to move beyond traditional security and offer high-quality, high-value solution for various niche markets and applications.
A Winning Strategy
According to Jerry Chiang, President of Hi Sharp, security can be roughly divided into two segments: high-end and competitively priced, and Hi Sharp has the capability to deliver all kinds of equipment to both segments.
For the high-end segment that demands a lot of customization, I’ve got the core capability. Products that are high-quality and highly customized, that’s Taiwan’s strength in the first place, and I focus on that,” he said. “For the competitively priced, we have the manufacturing capability. We engage in some collaboration with China, for example taking their print circuit board and key components, and build on them since we have stronger manufacturing skills and better quality control.”
The end result of this approach, according to Chiang, is the company’s growth and success in spite of the strong competitive threat brought by China.
“I do not accept defeat and will fight on. After the the next few years, we'll be one of the few security players who survive the competition and do well,” he said.
Car Safety System
One area that Hi Sharp has moved into and found success in was car safety solutions, supported with products such as onboard cameras and mobile DVRs. As a matter of fact, Hi Sharp has focused on mobile DVRs for quite some time. “We already knew that mobile DVRs would be the trend of the future,” Chiang said. “Simply said, we have accumulated strong video surveillance expertise, and we apply it to car safety, except the technology threshold for the latter is much, much higher.”
Car safety systems are quite complex and present a special challenge for manufacturers. Devices like onboard cameras and mobile DVRs must withstand tough conditions on the road. They also have to communicate seamlessly with the backend command center. Hi Sharp equipment meets these requirements: the onboard cameras not only offer high-resolution images but also 180-degree panoramic views, and they are IP68-rated to protect against various environments. The mobile DVRs are shock- and vibration-proof, allow transmission via 3/4G or WiFi, and come with GPS information record and timing functions. Together, they give operators complete oversight and situational awareness.
Other Product Lines
Besides car safety, Hi Sharp’s portfolio also includes other product lines targeting different markets. They are summarized as below:
Industrial: A product line that Hi Sharp just started, yet is seen as full of potential, is the company’s industrial solutions, consisted of industrial cameras specifically for monitoring and inspection purposes at industrial settings. Being the “eyes” of plants and factories, they have the ability to focus on details and check for defects on products. These features make them ideal for print circuit board plants, semiconductor wafer plants, as well as food factories.
Display: The company has its roots in security monitors, which still form a significant part of Hi Sharp’s portfolio. As opposed to TV or consumer electronic monitors that can’t be left on continuously, security monitors must be on round the clock for constant monitoring of what’s going on. Hi Sharp monitors support different video resolutions and have meantime before failure of 30,000 hours. “Quality and reliability are of utmost importance,” Chiang said.
Camcorder: The company also manufactures handheld camcorders carried by security guards. Each unit features changeable high-capacity lithium polymer battery, high-quality recording of up to 1080 pixels, and a ranking of IP66 to withstand critical environments.
With the security market becoming more competitive, Hi Sharp has stretched its portfolio beyond traditional video surveillance products and applications, now focusing on high-value solutions such as car safety. This, along with the company’s manufacturing and R&D capability, has helped Hi Sharp maintain as a competitive and viable force in the business. The firm indeed serves as an exemplary model for competitors to learn from.