The 13th Secutech Expo was bigger and better than ever, with more exhibitors, visitors and conferences. A strong turnout proved Secutech to be the most high-caliber, dynamic and comprehensive security and safety platform in Asia.
The 13th Secutech Expo was bigger and better than ever, with more exhibitors, visitors and conferences. A strong turnout proved Secutech to be the most high-caliber, dynamic and comprehensive security and safety platform in Asia.
Secutech Expo 2010 gathered major security manufacturers in Taipei, Taiwan, from April 21 to 23. In its 13th year, it was also a new beginning for organizer A&S Group, which was acquired by German exhibition expert Messe Frankfurt in 2009. Now hosted by Messe Frankfurt New Era Business Media, Secutech successfully combined the ultimate security experience with savvy event planning.
The show welcomed visitors from all corners of the globe. Despite the economic downturn and travel delays, 22,690 visitors packed the floors. Attendance increased by 2 percent compared to 2009, with 2,416 international channel partners and OEM/ODM seekers making their way to Taipei. The show was a cost-effective, one-stop shop for distributors, resellers, importers, integrators and product developers to connect with manufacturing partners. The specially designed business-matching sessions also helped buyer groups from Japan, Singapore, Turkey and Vietnammeet with reputable suppliers.
Secutech Expo 2010 gathered close to 800 brands over an area of 34,020 square meters, showcasing a total security and safety lineup. From key components to finished products and vertical-specific solutions, Secutech was the best platform for satisfying buyers who had a wide range of application needs and price/performance requirements. International manufacturers and suppliers turned out for Secutech, making it a truly representative exhibition.
Notable video solution providers included, among hundreds, Pelco, Videotec and Hikvision. Access control and intrusion alarm makers we re on the ground as well , including Rosslare, HID Global and Sagem Sécurité.
Three new pavilions were created to cater to increasingly diverse needs. The IP Solutions Pavilion combined all aspects of security, such as intelligent video, video management software and central management software. The Intelligent Buildings and Smart Homes Pavilion featured intercoms, touch screens, control panels and BA/HA solutions. The Homeland Security Pavilion showcased safety equipment, detection technologies and perimeter solutions.
Other product pavilions included CCTV/Digital Surveillance, Access Control/Biometrics and Alarms. Country pavilions showcased quality solutions, from Korea and China.
Secutech Expo 2010 included two other shows for complete security solutions. Fire & Safety Taipei showcased intelligent fire and safety equipment and detection systems. For logical and network security, Info Security Taipei displayed IT management solutions, cloud computing and identity safety measures.
Not only did Secutech Expo 2010 feature comprehensive manufacturing and sourcing options, it also featured real-life security education at interactive sessions. Two conferences were held concurrently: the Global Digital Surveillance Forum (GDSF) and CompoSec.
GDSF
GDSF is a conference dedicated to digital video solutions. In its 9th year, the conference's theme was "Driving IP Convergence." It was divided into two tracks: HD Video Surveillance and Management in Security.
Microsoft 's keynote speech addressed cohesive security measures. "Over the past five years, Microsoft has consolidated more than 60 security, building and management subsystems worldwide into one platform with total situational awareness, utilizing applications like SharePoint and InfoPath that already exist in the enterprise version of Microsoft Office," said Mohan Shanmugasundaram , Technical Program Manager and Senior Security Consultant for Asia, Microsoft Global Security. "Now, the security and safety of more than 700 sites/buildings, 30 million square feet of properties and 90,000 employees are managed by three global security operation centers with less than 30 people."
The results of a video analytics test were discussed by Michael Brown, MD of Australian system integrator VideoControlRoom."With enough time programming and testing, you can achieve near 100-percent accuracy with analytics, but in real life, no one has the available resources to do this," he said. "There's still a very steep learning curve, with today's technologies, for users."
Network video standards were discussed and debated at GDSF, as a special session on interoperability gathered representatives from the HDcctv Alliance, ONVIF and PSIA.
"Standardization removes risk," said Todd Rockoff, Executive Director of HDcctv Alliance. "A standard means there is only one way to do things. Proprietary 
systems were attractive in the beginning, but customers know the risk now and are demanding better alternatives."
Bob Cutting, VP of Product Management for ObjectVideo, represented the PSIA, a global consortium for physical security. "It's very rewarding to sit down with competitors, partners and system integrators," he said. "Integrators are the perfect source of requirements, since they're out there and know the pulse of the market."
Tony Yang, International Marketing Director at Hikvision Digital Technology, spoke for ONVIF. "Today, we have 180 members and more than 100 conforming products, along with a testing tool," he said. "A major goal in the IP world is to make it as easy as the analog world, not just for manufacturers but for end users as well."
Looking Sharp
High-resolution video was a hot topic across the showground and at GDSF. Megapixel surveillance was explored by Arecont Vision and Hikvision. Hikvision discussed a large-scale success story in Shanghai ahead of the World Expo, with more than 12,000 surveillance spots boasting 2-megapixel network cameras.
IP-based video has increased but faces installation challenges. Jim Voss, Director of the Imaging Business Unit for Pelco, scrutinized the fundamental design of IP imaging systems, addressing industry-wide challenges.
Panasonic shared its "SmartHD" concept on leveraging existing investments, delivered by Masashige Tsuneno, Systems Architect for Panasonic System Networks. He outlined the technology breakthroughs and crucial benefits of hybrid and IP surveillance.
Seagate explored how the adoption of HD and megapixel cameras changes 
storage requirements. Danny Lim, Marketing Manager for Asia Pacific, provided tips for meeting changing needs and overcoming pain points.
Smart Video
Genetec emphasized simple management platforms. Eliminating "feature creep" in software development makes the user experience smoother, since most operators are retirees or near retirement, said Charles Cousins, MD for Asia Pacific, Genetec.
Maximizing the value of analytics for successful deployments was discussed by Andy Low, VP of WPG System, representing ObjectVideo. He covered platform flexibility, architecture and ease of use.
CompoSec
CompoSec kicked off in 2009 as the world's only conference dedicated to key components in security, as components drive product innovation. CompoSec 2010 themes, targeting R&D decision makers, included HD Surveillance Technology, Video Compression and Processing Technology, and Intelligent Security Management.
Bob Ferrar, GM of the Low-Power Embedded Division for Intel, discussed the importance of processing for high-resolution video. "In 2013, more than 50 percent of cameras will have resolution of more than 1 megapixel," he said, forecasting that megapixel cameras will be mainstream in the security world by then.
Processing power was further explored by Jeremiah Golston, Da Vinci Chief Architect and Video CTO, Texas Instruments. "We give a lot of room for differentiation to our customers for this market to grow and provide value," he said. "Video analytics is really where the value's going to be and where customers want to differentiate."
Sufficient processing power is required to run more sophisticated software. "Two years ago, we talked about having a touch screen for DVR users," said Tom Wang, Marketing Manager of ARM. "Our customers said they were nice to have but 
expensive. But human nature pushes the user interface going forward, so we're going to hear about 3-D coming."
HD
Image sensors are indispensable for capturing clear images. OmniVision and UFINE discussed breakthroughs in megapixel CMOS sensors, with sensitivity and low-light performance catching up to CCDs.
As higher-resolution images are harder to adjust for focus, they have special optical needs. The Seiko lens stepping motor allows for lens adjustments from a remote location, so users enjoy image clarity, said Hisashi Kawamoto, Senior Assistant Manager, Development Department, Opto Division, Seiko Precision.
HD video puts constraints on bandwidth, as images are significantly larger than standard definition footage. Gareth Heywood, Market Manager of Analog and Mixed-Signal Products for Gennum, discussed an HDcctv receiver for transmission, which offers the same installer experience with no networking needed.
Brainy Chips
Larger images place higher demands on processors. Tony Zhao, Technical 
Marketing Manager for Asia Pacific, Altera Semiconductor Technology Service, discussed FPGA performance for handling HD and wide-dynamic capability.
HD is now required for network cameras and video surveillance, said Bob Beachler, VP of Marketing, Operations and Systems Design, Stretch.
Video intelligence is being embedded in more processors; Sor Shen, CTO and President of Vatics, focused on SoCs with video content and audio analysis, which he expected to have higher uptake in the future.
Processors not only need to be smart, but they need to improve dynamic range performance, said Rogers Lee, Video Codec Architecture Officer for Grain Media. The company's SoC solutions are more efficient to save hard disk space.
Storage, Software and Biometrics
HD images take up more storage, with real-life challenges outlined by Ed Strong, Director of Marketing for AV Storage, Western Digital. Today's storage requirements include reliability, compact form factors and effective heat dissipation.
On the home front, Michael Feng, Senior Account Manager for the Taiwan OEM Embedded Group, Microsoft Corporation, discussed intelligent platforms in building and home automation. Microsoft is making Windows Embedded available for video analytics, biometrics and natural user interfaces.
Identifying someone can be done accurately with finger vein recognition, said Steven Chen, Assistant Manager of ID Management Global Sales, Global Business Planning and Operations Division, Hitachi. In Japan, 81 percent of ATMs use vein recognition with smart cards, reducing fraudulent transactions.
Tony Tan, Director of the Identification and Security Technology Center in Taiwan, discussed embedded video analytics for edge video devices, such as network cameras, video servers and storage media.
Secutech Expo 2010 featured total security solutions and informative conferences. Despite a volcanic eruption disrupting European flights, visitor turnout grew, proving Secutech's significance for security and safety.
