All companies were focused on innovations and customizations in 2023 to respond to the specific needs of the regional market. This created a dynamic environment that encourages progress in the local security sector.
When it comes to the most sought-after technologies in the Adriatic region, this year's research pointed to the variety of technological trends that shape the landscape of the security market in this part of the world. Based on the answers we received, it is easy to conclude that all the companies were focused on innovations and customizations in 2023 to respond to the specific needs of the regional market. This created a dynamic environment that encourages progress in the local security sector.
Artificial intelligence is on everyone's mind
At Axis Communications, the focus is on offering open platforms and personalized solutions for different customer profiles. The integration platform EDGE, which enables the customization of projects according to the specific needs of clients, was particularly in demand. For regional buyers, the choice is facilitated by development partners tasked with directing these solutions to various areas, such as incident management systems, license plate recognition, classification of vehicle brands and types, speed detection, and various other functions related to artificial intelligence.
Đorđe Baćić, Business Development
Manager, VIVOTEK
Functional AI was also in demand in the cameras offered by VIVOTEK. "They are mainly looking for cameras that have advanced AI technology Smart VCA, i.e. analytics for detecting people and vehicles, and Deep Search saving attributes with the video," says Đorđe Baćić, Business Development Manager at VIVOTEK. He adds that buyers do not neglect the price either, because 5 MP models with fixed and motorized lenses were the most sold. At the same time, cameras in the business segment, which include bullet and dome PTZ models of 5 MP and 8 MP, generated much revenue.
Representatives of Avigilon also state that regional customers have shown a more pronounced interest in solutions guided by artificial intelligence. This particularly applies to the demand for intelligent systems that support security operations—specifically, those capable of sending alerts to security personnel when they must take appropriate measures in the field. Here, the role of artificial intelligence is to direct the user's attention to key aspects of security.
For regional buyers, the choice is facilitated by development partners tasked with directing these solutions to various areas, such as incident management systems, license plate recognition, classification of vehicle brands and types, speed detection, and various other functions related to artificial intelligence.
Customers are looking for cameras that are more than just that
When it comes to cameras, customers have shown interest in devices that offer more than just keeping a record of events on the ground in a surveilled area. Like the rest of the world, the region is experiencing a growing awareness that the camera, as a visual sensor, can provide significantly more information and knowledge compared to the traditional application of video surveillance systems. Users purchase these devices to access data that is transferred to cloud services, while cities use them to improve various urban processes, including municipal services, security, traffic, urban planning, air quality and water flow monitoring, flood protection, and the like.
"Highly requested solutions in the segment of traffic and smart cities, industry and critical infrastructure were ex-certified cameras. The same applies to advanced perimeter protection with thermal cameras and video analytics that can detect critical events, with the gradual establishment of fully or partially autonomous systems," says Stjepan Šurmanović, South East Europe Key Account Manager at Axis Communications.
Thermal cameras, especially the EN54 series, brought significant revenue to MOBOTIX. Its representatives believe that this is an important indicator of the growing willingness of users to invest more in thermal imaging solutions. Solutions for night surveillance were equally in demand, for which the company Uniview Technologies emphasizes its Easy Star series which was designed for this purpose. With a competitive price, this series was the best-selling model of this company in the Adriatic region. Starlight network cameras, which offer high-quality color images and precise information about suspicious activity during nighttime intervals, have also been popular.
"Most crimes, over 70 percent, happen at night. Based on this situation, we launched the Easy Star series which are good at obtaining colorful images and providing colorful information of criminals at night and which not only meets the needs of project-oriented customers, but also suits the SMB and distribution market,” says Tsing Tang, Director of Eastern Europe at Uniview Technologies.
Video analytics and VMS also made the list of the most requested technologies. At Konica Minolta, they state that there is a particularly high demand for functions such as license plate recognition (LPR), parking space identification, and object detection. At the same time, the most important thing for customers is the stability of the products, as well as their accuracy rate. They also noticed a growing interest in the implementation of video surveillance management systems, especially since those from the domain of business-class solutions have finally become available for small users as in the case of Luxriot VMS, for instance.
Cities use the cameras to improve various urban processes, including municipal services, security, traffic, urban planning, air quality and water flow monitoring, flood protection, and the like.
It's not all about the price
Danijel Jerković, CEO,
South East Adria –
Safety Solutions,
Bosch Building Technologies
– Security Systems
Fire protection solutions continued to climb high on the list of best-selling products in 2023. In Bosch Building Technologies, they state that innovative solutions were most sought after, particularly the cameras designed for early video detection of fires, such as Aviotec NG. In addition, Danijel Jerković, CEO for South East Adria – Safety Solutions at Bosch Building Technologies – Security Systems, says that the new members of the AVENAR family of detectors attracted the interest of users in the form of the new model FAP-425-DOTCO-R. It brings combined optical and thermal sensors and an additional specialized sensor for quick detection of carbon monoxide. Hospitals, clinics, homes for the elderly and infirm, as well as users of garages and parking lots are among the clients who have demonstrated an interest in this system.
Artem Arifov, Business Development
Manager, Suprema Europe
Ajax Systems is proud of the success of its series of fire alarm detectors, which have followed this manufacturer's wireless alarm systems in popularity. Access control was the most profitable segment for ZKTeco Europe, followed by other most popular products from the company's portfolio, such as pedestrian barriers and parking ramps. Artem Arifov, Business Development Manager at Suprema Europe, highlights the success of the X-Station 2 system as Suprema’s best-selling product in the regional market. This device is intended for time & attendance and offers the possibility of displaying customized TnA and codes according to specific occupations, which facilitates the monitoring of work in different branches.
Ultimately, it was not only commercial security products that were popular in the Adriatic region. Bosch's free software tool Safety System Designer, which is intended for designers for quick configuration of EN 54 fire alarm systems, has also attracted great interest from users, particularly for its support for the integration with AutoCAD software.
Innovative solutions were most sought after, particularly the cameras designed for early video detection of fires.