Artificial intelligence is a key trend that marked yet another year in the row and, given the accelerated development of security technologies and solutions, it is likely to continue in the future.
Artificial intelligence is a key trend that marked yet another year in the row and, given the accelerated development of security technologies and solutions, it is likely to continue in the future.
This article is an excerpt from the 2021 Adriatic security market report by a&s Adria. To find out the key topics covered and download the full report, click here.
AI in Focus
Artificial intelligence is a key trend that marked yet another year in the row and, given the accelerated development of security technologies and solutions, it is likely to continue in the future. “We can say that AI (analytics) is one of the trends that has definitely been on the rise in the last few years. This technology is increasingly advancing and it makes us feel safer and our daily work and business easier, ” said Ognjen Ristić, Dahua's Business Development Manager for Bosnia and Herzegovina. He explains that this technology used to be available only for high-budget projects, while it has become commonplace with most of Dahua’s camera models now, whether it is HDCVI or IP technology. "Today, we also offer solutions that can turn the so-called stupid cameras into smart ones with the help of intelligent recorders which take over the task of analytics. Now they can perform almost everything that very expensive models of AI cameras could do," he said.
Uniview Technologies' director for Eastern Europe, Tsing Tang, is of similar opinion: “Artificial intelligence is taking the video surveillance industry by storm. The first trend of AI function we promoted a lot in 2021 is Smart Intrusion Prevention (SIP). We used to rely on basic motion detection alarms which would be triggered anytime a security camera detects a significant change in the pixels of its image. He notes that CCTV has long been used as a standard video surveillance technology i.e. only for viewing the footage or events when something happens and that these technologies provide features such as face recognition and detection, historic object search in the recording, aggressive behavior detection, car color and type search and much more.“ But now as AI technology develops, our security cameras are getting much smarter. With SIP technology, the accuracy is tremendously improved and alarms will only be triggered by people/ vehicles/ non-motor vehicles while filtering out false alarms from animals, bright lights, leaves, and some environmental factors automatically,” said Tang. For smart intrusion prevention (SIP) camera, except for a standalone solution, Uniview also optimized the corresponding functions, such as storage, retrieval, management, alarm, with NVR, Ezstation, and mobile app at the same time.
Avigilon is also focused on the importance of AI technologies in the security industry. “As in previous years, in 2021 the market was developing and moving in the direction of improving and developing artificial intelligence, which should allow us to make a new step in terms of perceiving security products as tools necessary for the prevention, analysis, and security in general. With the improvement of algorithms and a significant increase in the databases necessary for calculations, artificial intelligence is becoming faster and simpler each year, and, as such, it sets itself as a standard of today and a priority in the future ", said Andrej Čuraković, Sales Manager for Video Surveillance and Access Control, Balkans and Middle Europe, Avigilon.
Use of security systems for other purposes
“We saw a return to the workplace gaining momentum during 2021. While many customers are operating or moving towards a hybrid work model, they nonetheless looked to their building systems to create a healthier building environment. This is essential for reassuring staff who were looking to return that it was safer for them to do so,” said Rainer Lichtenecker, Honeywell's Regional Sales Manager. According to him, facility managers have started implementing technology-based processes to bring together employees who work at different locations. Systems in buildings have also been used to improve overall security while providing access to multiple locations at the same time. They were also used to integrate lighting and heating with motion sensors to match the level of occupancy on the premises with environmental controls. “This can not only help provide the best possible working conditions but also help reduce energy costs as part of an overall commitment to sustainability goals,” said Lichtenecker.
According to Borislava Kenarova, Sales Manager at Milestone Systems, technological development has enabled security systems to be used to improve the business itself. Extended functionality will make it easier to persuade end-users to opt for more advanced security systems. “Technology developments in artificial intelligence, image processing, cloud computing, and sensors are rapidly expanding organizations’ application of video and sensor technology and the business outcomes they deliver. In the next few years, Europe will see a surge in deployment of advanced video technologies, and the solutions will move from a pure ‘insurance’ and security purpose to a real business differentiator, e.g., in citizen service, product quality, patient care, and customer experience,” says Kenarova and concludes that this is confirmed by a recent IDC study sponsored by Milestone.
Converged cloud security solution
For years, the users have been asking for the integration of multiple systems through a single interface to help them manage security and other systems in the building. However, some manufacturers have decided to go one step further - to offer almost all types of security systems in their own portfolio and integrate them as part of their own software. One of these companies is Hikvision which has kept the first place in the world of security for years on the back of such an approach. "We have just celebrated the 20
th anniversary of our business. During that time, we have grown from a digital video surveillance manufacturer to a global supplier of AIoT solutions. Speaking of regional activities in 2021, Hikvision has introduced Hik-ProConnect to the market as a converged cloud-based security solution with an array of security features and benefits. We have also significantly expanded our portfolio in access control and video intercoms, all of which are now fully integrated with our intelligent CCTV cameras. It is a total package of security solutions adapted to all types of users and all verticals in the market ", said John Chen, Hikvision's General Manager for the Adriatic region.
Recording in low light conditions
According to the Security Report, most crimes i.e. as many as 70% of them take place at night. Therefore, solutions that reduce or prevent crime at this time of day are a permanent trend. This prompted Uniview to introduce the EasyStar and ColorHunter series which provide detailed information about nighttime criminals by recording their activities in color. “Compared with traditional video surveillance cameras, the Starlight network camera has a special design in the hardware, Uniview Starlight network camera has strong premium ability and much control punctuation, which can not only meet the needs of project-oriented customers but also suits the SMB and distribution market,” said Tang. But their R&D department didn’t stop there. “We have launched the new Tri-Guard series which is specially designed to prevent crimes at night with active deterrence. The active deterrence camera can interrupt illegal behaviors immediately to minimize serious consequences. Once an intruder is detected, the camera can trigger strobe lights and audio alerts to warn before the intruder enters the border. Considering more and more customers want their security camera to do more than passively record activity, we have promoted the active deterrence mini PTZ and launched the new active deterrence camera in the SMB market.”
Contactless technologies
When it comes to access control, contactless technologies are being adopted at high speed, claims Suprema's business development manager. “Suprema was among the first manufacturers who understood the trend. As a result, we are leading in this field. For example, our Facial Recognition solutions have grown 70% CAGR from 2018 to 2021 when the industry average is 27% CAGR in the same period (source: OMDIA),” says Artem Arifov, Business Manager, Suprema Europe, adding that their portfolio includes face recognition, QR codes, RFID cards, and mobile credentials. Face recognition and mobile access control are the growth drivers around the world. At Intersec in Dubai, they presented a new product for face recognition, BioStation 3, which is intended for the mid-range market i.e. for the customers who are looking for quality technology at an affordable price. Partners in our region are interested in these modern solutions, but the market, he says, is very conservative and it is necessary to take the time to educate them. “That’s why I’m doing webinars, the last one was in January on Adria TV Platform about Membership management. We also have many technical and sales training ongoing. Suprema Europe is trying to change the market by helping partners with discovering new opportunities in their market, using our Suprema solutions. Adria platform and tools is a flagship medium that allows us to explain to Integrators and End-User the benefit they can gain from using our solutions,” said Arifov.
Advanced fire alarm systems
On the other hand, Bosch highlights its new outdoor fire alarm video solutions. “One of the main innovations at Bosch is the extension of coverage of video-based fire alarm systems to areas outside buildings and in all open areas. This type of a fire alarm system that works outside of the interior areas is a novelty in the industry ", said Danijel Jerković, Bosch’s manager for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and Slovenia. Another novelty in the fire alarm segment is the Avenar all-in-one 4000 panel, which he expects to become more popular later this year. “Its modularity and flexibility provide a significant advantage, especially in public buildings and hotels. This product will be of great benefit since it gives us the ability to connect up to a hundred devices in a single ring in addition to excellent optical and audio alarm compatibility. Bosch’s new Avenar fire protection systems have been developed with IoT connectivity and optimized usability provided from the outset. The new eMatrix feature gives clear feedback, shows the status of each evacuation zone as well as of fire protection equipment ", said Jerković. He also singles out the Promatrix 9000 from Dynacord as a new, efficient, and secure IP public address and voice alarm system which will enable shorter installation times and lower implementation costs. There’s also the Inteox video surveillance platform through which users can use AI to develop or install applications from the Security & Safety Things Application Store.