Surveillance Steps up to Support Infrastructure Boom
Source: Synectics
Date: 2016/01/16
With Middle East infrastructure spend predicted to exceed $1.3 trillion over the next 10 years, demand for technology that protects assets and maximizes investment – in terms of both operational and financial efficiency – is high.
According to Paul Webb, Chief Executive of Synectics, the pressure is firmly on the global surveillance industry to step up and deliver multi-functional solutions that offer benefits way beyond a traditional security remit.
Speaking ahead of Synectics’ attendance at Intersec 2016, Webb said: “Investment in the region spans many sectors, from critical utilities assets and tourism facilities, to transportation network improvement and expansion. In fact more than $120bn is committed to projects such as roads and bridges. Rail, air and sea-port hubs are also witnessing unprecedented levels of investment.
“These are incredibly diverse areas, all with distinctive needs, but a common thread throughout is the requirement for complete situational awareness; the ability to detect and respond to anything from terrorist threat or faulty equipment to public usage trends. It’s a scenario that can only truly be fulfilled by systems integration – often incorporating a complex mix of technologies and providers.
“Investors and asset owners are aware that database agnostic surveillance command and control solutions offer one of the best routes to this level of integration, and are subsequently challenging providers to offer systems that, quite simply, ‘do more’.”
Synectics – with a dedicated UAE office for local support – has responded to these demands with a series of new solutions and product enhancements spanning its COEX camera range (including HD IP COEX models with native IP, on-board compression technology and extreme high temperature capabilities) and its evolved Synergy 3 command and control platform.
The global surveillance specialist has recently secured a number of significant projects across Middle East and North African regions including the surveillance contract for Phase III of the North East Bab (NEB) Field Development (an expansion of the Rumaitha and Shanayel oil fields), and a high profile education centre in Bahrain.
For Amedeo Simonetto, Business Development Director at Synectics, the Rumaitha project demonstrates exactly why a ‘do more’ approach is important. He said: “Providers who can demonstrate multi-level support and innovation with their solutions and deliver increased cost and operational efficiencies will be in demand. The ability to cater to future scalability and new technology needs is also a key consideration for customers.
“With Rumaitha, for example, we delivered a highly sophisticated whole-site solution to give operators the ability to access, control and record any camera using bespoke site maps, and detect threats such as machinery tampering, loitering and items left/removed through Synergy 3, while also providing new innovations such as our C3000 HD IP PTZ hazardous area camera stations with integral IR lamp capabilities. In summary, we provided a system which answered a number of challenging questions and can meet potential expansion requirements.”
At Intersec (stand S1-F54), Synectics will be demonstrating hardware and software innovations currently being deployed in the region. The surveillance specialist will also be joined by video analytics expert Ipsotek, whose solutions were recently integrated into an end-to-end solution for Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport via Synectics’ Synergy 3.
Paul Webb concluded: “Intersec is a hugely important show enabling us to keep the industry －d on our latest innovations. It is also an invaluable opportunity for us to discuss trends, changing demands, and gain understanding about evolving practical requirements from a customer perspective. Ultimately that insight goes directly into product development to ensure we continue to offer solutions that make a difference and keep pace with such dramatic infrastructure expansion.”