A&S Adria, The Professional Magazine Providing Total Security Solutions

Avigilon is the global leading manufacturer of high-definition megapixel video systems. Cooperating closely with leading security experts and joining their own expertise in domain of security video technologies, digital recording and video software, they have developed high-definition video systems with highest performances, multiple utility, durability in the usage and applicability to almost all demanding security video applications. Solutions provided by this reputable company are present also in the Adriatic region market and implemented at the „hot-spot“ locations such as Maksimir stadium in Zagreb - Croatia. Avigilon video systems offers amazing image quality required for protection of public areas and spaces such as airports, seaports, railway stations and military facilities, nuclear plants as well as other critical infrastructure facilities. For this occasion, instead of presenting some interesting Avigilon video product we have prepared the interview with Mr. Dave Tynan, Vicepresident of Global Sales and Marketing, Avigilon. 

Author: Nebojša Bogunović
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A&S ADRIA: Through its product distribution network the equipment with Avigilon brand label is present throughout the world and also in the countries of Adriatic region, as well. Planned and ongoing major infrastructure projects such as building highways, sports arenas, etc. in Adriatic region countries are certainly interesting to the company such is Avigilon, especially to its distributors in the region. Does the Avigilon have a strategy of market performance related to the SEE and especially for Adriatic region? Are we, as a relatively small market, however the area of interest for company such is Avigilon?

Dave Tynan: Avigilon’s fastest growing market segment is comprised of end-users around the world who are dissatisfied with the quality of their installed surveillance systems and who want network video management software that offers a cost-effective migration to HD surveillance to improve investigative success and increase overall security.  

A&S ADRIA: Megapixel and multi-megapixel surveillance systems are in the most cases evaluated as higher price class equipment, especially if compared to the prices of analog video systems. Having in the mind apparently infirmity of analog based video systems when handling with advanced video applications that includes video analytics or evidence range video capturing, etc., and all of the improvements that are normally coming by implementation of megapixel IP video systems, is this transformation from analog to IP megapixel video systems really economically justified? Is there a step between that you could recommend to our users?

Dave Tynan: There is a misconception in the marketplace that megapixel and multi-megapixel surveillance systems are more expensive. However, a single megapixel camera can replace many lower resolution units, resulting in reduced installation labor and materials costs. Avigilon HD Stream Management generates immediate savings in bandwidth for transmission and reduces costs by requiring less processing power at the workstation. Due to a modular, open architecture, designers can engineer Avigilon systems to take advantage of existing security investments and implement a phased transition to full HD. In addition, Avigilon’s ControlCenter Network Video Management platform supports data from any resolution or camera technology. Due to a modular, open architecture, designers can engineer Avigilon systems to take advantage of existing security investments and implement a phased transition to full HD.

A&S ADRIA: The Avigilon’s ENC-4PORT analog video encoder has been named to Security Sales & Integration Magazine’s „Top 30 Technology Innovations” for 2009 as it allows security professionals to integrate existing NTSC or PAL analog cameras into an Avigilon High Definition Surveillance System. Could this device be a bridge that we have mentioned in our precedent question? What the benefits to analog video system users are coming with usage of Avigilon’s ENC-4PORT analog video encoder?

Dave Tynan: The Avigilon ENC-4PORT analog video encoder is the device used to bridge the transition from analog-based surveillance to HD surveillance. The Avigilon 4-port analog video encoder is designed to integrate legacy analog cameras into a High Definition IP surveillance system. It supports NTSC and PAL video standards and includes an RS-485 interface for PTZ support and an external I/O interface for connecting alarms and relays. The encoder seamlessly integrates with Avigilon Control Center Network Video Management Software (NVMS) and High Definition NVRs using standard network equipment creating a network based surveillance solution with unmatched performance, ease of use, and ease of installation.

A&S ADRIA: Having in mind above mentioned major infrastructure projects such as building of highways in Adriatic region, maybe it could be of significant interest to mention that Avigilon offers also a high-definition LPR systems that could be the right solution for highway security surveillance as well as for stolen car tracking system and a number of other applications. Comparing to the competition products present on the market, which technical improvements are offered to the users if they chose the Avigilon LPR system?

Dave Tynan: Avigilon High Definition (HD) License Plate Recognition (LPR) is a fully integrated optical character recognition module for the industry-leading Avigilon Control Center HD surveillance software, delivering superior image quality and single and multi-lane license plate recognition from a single camera with HD accuracy over all conditions, 24 hours a day.

A&S ADRIA: Starting from May 2009 Avigilon becomes a member of Open Network Video Interface Forum (ONVIF) and announced its first ONVIF supported product, High Definition surveillance software Avigilon Control Center. Are there some other Avigilon products, which are in compliance with ONVIF specification? Does the membership in ONVIF and production of ONVIF supported products create any positive affect on Avigilon global sale performance?

Dave Tynan: Developing IP camera standards is important to the continued expansion of the IP video surveillance market and is also an important part of ensuring our customer’s ability to implement comprehensive security solutions.  We are committed to ensuring that our HD and megapixel video surveillance system continues to lead the industry with support for a broad list of leading IP surveillance cameras.

A&S ADRIA: Production of standardized high-performances video equipment and final market success are particularly based on strong commitment to research and development, and these are well known as very expensive processes. The most of world leading security equipment manufacturers, which have recognized the benefits that are coming with the standardization, chooses between PSIA and ONVIF and, according to its choice, they are investing in different standards. Is it, by your opinion, possible that we can expect joining standardization forces and appearance of a unique standard that will be wide accepted for open network video interface in the future?

Dave Tynan: Building codes dictate standards in fire protection, but there are no similar standards for video surveillance. With a growing demand for protection in all public places, businesses around the world are becoming liable if surveillance systems fail to protect. In the world of home entertainment, analog-based televisions are becoming obsolete, and HD has quickly become the new standard in home entertainment.  Yet analog video, which generates poor quality evidence that ends up inadmissible in court, still reigns in the surveillance industry. If HD is the new benchmark in home entertainment and liability concerns are rising for businesses, shouldn’t HD also be the standard for video surveillance, where image quality directly impacts public safety? We believe that HD video, which delivers superior image quality and better evidence, should be the new standard in surveillance technology.

A&S ADRIA: Dating back to 2008, Avigilon has been named to numerous achievement lists and received awards for their solutions. Starting in 2008, Avigilon’s Control Center was awarded the prestigious Urban Security/Critical Infrastructure Product Achievement Award at the Security Industry Association’s (SIA) New Product Showcase at ISC West. Additionally in 2008, Avigilon was named one of Security Sales & Integration Magazine’s Top 30 Technology Innovations for the company’s 16 megapixel HD Professional IP camera and high definition (HD) and megapixel video surveillance system, where Avigilon solution was named for delivering superior performance and value and a simplified migration strategy for analog customers. In 2009, Avigilon was named to Rocket Builders’ 2009 „Ready to Rocket” list. Also in 2009, Avigilon was awarded the 2009 North American Frost & Sullivan Company of the Year. In addition to awards previously stated, Avigilon was also given high remarks by JP Freeman Labs for its High Definition Surveillance System and they were selected as the Best Terrestrial Surveillance Technology at the Global Border Security Conference and Expo. We hope that we did not miss to mention some important award, beside the mentioned above. What can security industry expect from Avigilon in 2010?

Dave Tynan: Avigilon embraces continuous product development and improvement to deliver the most effective and innovative HD surveillance solutions that can lead to reduced investigation times, increased investigation accuracy, and more rapid resolution. Avigilon continues to expand Avigilon Control Center NVMS with additional features that capture new vertical markets and new opportunities, such as the HD Point-of-Sale transaction module, expanded alarm management, and a new interface for managing the layout of large sites.  With the addition of each new feature, Avigilon keeps a critical eye on maintaining the system’s ease of use and powerful interface while also ensuring that each feature is designed with the unique needs of HD and megapixel surveillance in mind.

A&S ADRIA: Even a glance at any Avigilon camera creates the impression of robust and professional, but at the same time, sophisticated equipment. The quality of the recorded video and its multiple utility, durability in the usage and applicability to almost all demanding security video applications speaks in favor of quality of electronic components, image sensors, lenses and other materials used in Avigilon production. Do the product design and its outlook play significant role in the product’s global market success?

Dave Tynan: Avigilon is always focused on the latest analyst and market research and adjusting its product planning and strategies accordingly.  Conventional analog systems have set certain expectations regarding how a surveillance system is architected, priced, and functions that influence Avigilon’s product decisions to ensure that its cutting edge products line up with the market’s expectations.

A&S ADRIA: And what about the brand name? Do you think that sometimes the brand name wins the market race in means that user chose some specific brand knowing that it traditionally offers required quality and usage durability, as well as low maintenance costs?

Dave Tynan: Until recently, many of the surveillance products available on the market have been identical conventional analog solutions, so brand played a large role in the purchasing decision. End-users would often rely on familiar brands that span other consumer industries.  The evolution of IP and HD surveillance systems has changed the market landscape, causing customers to focus more on what features and functionality are required to improve their security and lesson just the product brand.

A&S ADRIA: Avigilon products are available to the customers in the Adriatic region through distributors. In order to avoid any market traps and to be able to address the clients to the right door where they will receive professional advice and get the high level of services and technical support for Avigilon products, could you point out the companies which are recognized Avigilon partners in the Adriatic region?

Dave Tynan: Our partners in the Adriatic region are companies ProAlarm d.o.o. from Zagreb - Croatia and TSE d.o.o. from Slovenia. For more information about our partners in your region your readers can find on the following web pages: http://www.proalarm.hr/ and http://www.tse.si/slo/

A&S ADRIA: Having in the mind in general the economy downturn driven by world economy crisis and its reflection on the Adriatic region security market, are you satisfied with the market performance of Avigilon partners and distributing companies in our region?

Dave Tynan: We have been very excited by the success today and look forward to continued growth in the region.

A&S ADRIA: Almost every day we are witnessing the appearance of new security products and increasing global security threats are obviously driving security industry in rapid race with technology development? What do you think about where could be the end of the race? Are the known security technologies wide enough to be able to provide adequate answer at increasing security demands?

Dave Tynan: Leading the industry’s shift away from analog technology towards the improved performance of high definition video, Avigilon has developed a complete surveillance solution that combines networking technologies with the most advanced megapixel camera technology and a network video management software (NVMS) platform designed specifically to handle the demands of high definition surveillance to dramatically improve video quality.  With an open, modular design, Avigilon Control Center 4.0 offers support for third party IP cameras and analog encoders, becoming a truly open enterprise class network video management software platform for the purpose of cost-effectively building hybrid systems and preserving existing assets. By capturing video that provides rapid, actionable evidence in place of the blurry, low quality images to which the industry has become accustomed, Avigilon can dramatically enhance an organization’s security and seriously reduce investigation times. Customers use Avigilon Control Center to proactively identify and prevent security incidents, and to monitor operations to validate safety and ensure procedural compliance with industry regulation or corporate best practice.