AES provides integrated, turnkey security solutions for clients throughout Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar. Among the companies it represents are Gallagher, Senstar, Cognyte (formerly Verint), Morse Watchmans and others.
As
AES Group, a leading provider of integrated security solutions, celebrates its 30th anniversary, Mr. Henny Beeber, the company's CEO, shares his insights on the Thai security market following the impact of COVID-19 and his expectations for the year 2023.
AES provides integrated, turnkey security solutions for clients throughout Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar. It provides IP-based access control and IP video surveillance as well as biometrics, intruder detection and perimeter control. Among the companies it represents are Gallagher, Senstar, Cognyte (formerly Verint), Morse Watchmans and others.
In this exclusive interview with asmag.com, Mr. Beeber discusses the company's history, major growth drivers in the Thai security market and an optimistic outlook due to the increasing need for advanced security technologies in Thailand.
Spring Tower Bangkok, where
AES did projects. Photo credit:
officebangkok.com
asmag: Tell me a little about your company’s history: when did you start working in the commercial security field, what kind of projects to you usually do?
Beeber: In 1995 we were appointed as the first dealer in Asia for Cardax Access Control, a system from NZ which was subsequently acquired by Gallagher in 1999. We implemented security solutions based on Gallagher across most vertical sectors including transport, health, education, finance and many others. We then added IP video surveillance Smartsight, and then Aimetis Symphony (now Senstar) to our product line. We then offered perimeter protection, car and pedestrian barriers and then turnkey integrated security solutions. We were one of the first companies globally to provide IP video for metro rail,
Suvarnabhumi Airport Rail Link which began operation in August 2010.
asmag: Comparing 2022 to 2023, how did the Thai security market perform? What are some of the major growth drivers you see?
Beeber: Overall sales went down a bit since most projects that began just before covid were completed. There was a lower backlog of projects in 2021 leading into 2022. Some projects expected to be awarded in 2022 were delayed until 2023. We expect 2023 to be a very good year due to a quick recovery and the 2022 delayed projects finally to be awarded in 2023. We anticipate a growth of close to 50 percent year-on-year.
asmag: Which vertical markets are now growing in Thailand? Can you identify any specific reason?
Beeber: We expect large real estate development growth including hotels, multi-use buildings, offices, data centers, and industrial estates in the Eastern Economic Corridor which will push up the sales of security systems. There is a clear indication of this growth from the design consultants such as Meinhardt, Aurecon, etc. which are extremely busy as compared during the covid period.
A large influx of data centers moving into Thailand is especially worth mentioning. There are 3 AWS data centers under construction, as well as GSA (a joint venture of Gulf/Singtel/AIS), Zeus, possibly Microsoft and many others. These kinds of projects require high end security technology to ensure the security of the facility and their customer’s data.
Another potential vertical that might grow in Thailand is gambling. Thai lawmakers are debating
legalizing casinos to encourage the tourism sector.
asmag: Do you feel there is any special demand in the market for a specific technology solution?
Beeber: We are seeing a growth in the demand of all security solutions especially AI due to the increasing interest in technology, higher guarding costs, and the falling prices of these types of technologies. Clients are looking for facial recognition over fingerprint since they are touchless and easy to use. LPR, parking management and parking allocation are also increasing. IP video surveillance is also popular as IP cameras have decreased drastically in price over the years and so has video storage. The availability of technology in our private lives is also impacting the available technologies in security. People can now use their phones for access control, pay for goods, use the metro, etc. This is a high tech world growing exponentially.
The biggest potential lies in the integration of video surveillance and access control. If you are doing access control alone, you are limited by the number of doors, but once you add video surveillance, you are limited only by your imagination.
asmag: What would you describe as the biggest challenge for market growth? Manpower? Infrastructure? Supply chain?
Beeber: We do not see supply chain a major issue at this time. Manpower is an issue for skilled labor such as project managers, experience sales engineering, project engineers and service engineers.