One thing that jumped out during the first day of the annual ISC West event in Las Vegas was the aggressive evolution of mobile devices – especially video, where app development and systems integration efforts are looking to not only benefit the end user, but the integrators hoping for new recurring monthly revenue streams.
It doesn’t seem to matter whether customers are grabbing existing off-the-shelf technology or developing enterprise level apps from the ground up, the future seems to point to tablets and smartphones being the migration path for data interfaces. In fact, most research says that the number of users accessing the web for some sort of security application could reach close to 50 percent heading into 2014.
“When we first launched our video solutions close to a decade ago, the marketplace was not ready to embrace any type of out-sourced or hosted video solutions. And there was nothing out there that really addressed mobile applications,” said David Ly, President and CEO of Iveda Solutions, a cloud video hosting service provider and VSaaS company based in Mesa, Ariz. exhibiting at ISC West. “We were trying to penetrate a world that had a physical security mindset when it came to video.”
But like several technology vendors such as Panasonic and Mobotix, Iveda hopes to ride the migration wave of cloud-based solutions that empower the growth of mobile video applications.
Iveda’s Solutions’ cloud-hosting platform allows multiple instances of live video to be simultaneously recorded and broadcasted in real-time, and allows for client sharing using a web-based online viewer. Live video can also be shared with other authorized users by downloading the IvedaMobile Viewer app on their iPhone, iPad and supported Android devices.
“We designed IvedaMobile to be a very flexible mobile app that can be scaled to fit any customer’s specific needs,” said Ly. “Whether they have two mobile devices, or 200 or more, our solutions can put the power of the cloud in the palm of the hand of any user. Today’s business models have to be as innovative as the needs of our customers.”
To that end the IvedaMobile solutions also provides RMR opportunities to systems integrators as they can partner with the vendor to offer service subscription to the user instead of full system deployment that would require continuous maintenance. Ly said that his solution simply leverages the growing power of the smartphone market.
For Panasonic, which is showcasing a new solution at ISC West that enables remote viewing and control of Panasonic IP-based i-PRO surveillance cameras and recorders using Panasonic Toughpad tablets, the evolving mobile video market plays into their revamped security and evidence capture business unit.
The Mobile Security Control Room solutions combine the rugged mobility of Toughpad tablets with Panasonic’s line of surveillance technology, providing a robust mobile platform for comprehensive monitoring of businesses, schools, hospitals and other facilities.
The new solutions provide wireless remote access to both live and recorded surveillance feeds, and the ability to reposition and control pan-tilt-zoom cameras, via fully-rugged Toughpad tablets. The tablets’ durable design allows users to wirelessly access their video surveillance network no matter where their work takes them – including outdoors or in warehouses, commercial kitchens, machine rooms or other harsh environments. Each Toughpad features 802.11 a/b/g/n Wi-Fi and optional embedded 4G LTE or 3G mobile broadband, providing for near-limitless mobility.
“This new solution is a great example of Panasonic’s longstanding commitment to helping our customers become more productive, more connected and more innovative,” said Greg Peratt, Panasonic video solutions integration team senior director. “By providing remote access to surveillance monitoring and control via our new rugged, enterprise-grade Toughpad tablets, we’ve put the security operations center in the palm of our customers’ hands, providing the mobility that today’s business environments demand while maximizing the flexibility and efficiency that keep facilities protected and secure.”
Panasonic got its start in the mobile video market with the introduction of the Arbitrator In-Car mobile video solution. It was purpose built for the law enforcement industry to install into police vehicles in order to capture video events based on predefined events.
"Police Departments can customize the event triggers that initiate the video to start the recording. The video is recorded and stored in the VPU 'Video Processing Unit' and can be used as evidence in the court of law to assist in the prosecution of a violator or exonerate an officer of a citizen complaint," said Parett. "In addition to recording an event, departments demanded the ability to stream video from their vehicle to a command center in order to increase their situational awareness. Mobile streaming video enabled police departments to gain situational awareness anywhere they can drive. This is an advantage they could not achieve with fixed surveillance cameras."
"Although, vehicle mounted mobile video was more flexible than fixed surveillance cameras they still had a need to have the video capture wherever the individual officer went. Thus, Panasonic worked with individual departments to create the body worn mobile video," Parett added. "This allowed departments to capture video wherever the officer could go. Some of the unique features required by law enforcement and delivered by Panasonic include a gyro in the camera that stabilizes a recorded image even when the officer is engaged in an all out foot pursuit."
Mobile video capture and streaming video increases the situational awareness and conviction rate for law enforcement. Mobile video helps keep the public safer.
Mobotix is also showing its mobile video solutions with its new Mobotix T24 App, which allows users to employ their iPhone or iPad to manage and control operations from the IP door station. The app provides notifications when someone rings the doorbell, enables two-way communication with visitors and can remotely open the door. It is also possible to retrieve voice mailbox messages, live images and recordings from all integrated door stations and cameras.
“With new technologies such as the M15 and the MOBOTIX App, we have significantly improved functionality that can help our partners deliver advanced and secure security solutions to their customers,” said Steve Gorski, general manager, Americas, for Mobotix. “We continue to redefine the industry with a decentralized approach to surveillance, delivering a cost-effective and reliable high-resolution surveillance solution.”
Another player in the mobile surveillance market at ISC West is Sentry View Systems which launched SiteCOMMANDER - a fully mobile command and control solution. Whether it is deployed on a tablet, laptop, desktop or server, SiteCOMMANDER provides on-the-go management of complex remote surveillance data. Capable of connecting to 150 separate NVR servers simultaneously, SiteCOMMANDER provides flexible distributed data management and eliminates single points of failure across server networks. Security personnel are not bound to a desktop environment. This frees them to perform other high priority security duties while maintaining command and control access through an easy to use mobile interface.
