Electronic access control systems in South Africa have been gaining prominence in the last decade. Their success has been derived from the sophistication and rugged security they offer. Furthermore, flexibility in their deployment offers customers infinite reconfiguring options for various scenarios.
Electronic access control systems in South Africa have been gaining prominence in the last decade. Their success has been derived from the sophistication and rugged security they offer. Furthermore, flexibility in their deployment offers customers infinite reconfiguring options for various scenarios.
New analysis from Frost & Sullivan entitled South African Market for Access Control: Analysis by Technology Market, finds that the market earned revenues of US$29.9 million in 2008 at an annual growth rate of 6.3 percent. The market revenue is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.3 percent from 2008 to 2015, to reach $49.0 million. The end user sectors covered in this research are mining, financial services, manufacturing, retail and public.
"The readiness to adopt technology to maintain security, both by the public sector as well as private corporations, is a positive trend," said Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Sostina Shiri. "This has established the credibility of technologies such as smart cards and biometrics in providing the most foolproof authenticating mechanisms available in the global security space."
There is a high level of integration of access control, not only with other security systems, but also with systems such as HVAC, building management systems and lighting equipment. Stand-alone systems are gradually becoming outdated, as most customers are slowly migrating to integrated systems.
However, just as in any other technology market, the South African access control systems market is threatened by the influx of low-cost Chinese products. These are rarely reliable and have ROI. Such products affect the credibility of the respective technologies among the users who adopt them.
"Existing investments in legacy systems are deterring organizations from upgrading their systems before the end of the lifetime of such systems," Shiri said. "However, with the advent of newer technologies, backward compatibility with legacy systems becomes a necessity."
"Technological innovation results in better functions, operational improvements, and the availability of innovative features, making the products more attractive for end users," Shiri said. "End users are becoming aware of the various benefits and cost efficiencies associated with the use of new technologies."