Security Sales July 2021 - 57

Cloud as soon as their need for remote access
and maintenance of their video increased,
brought on suddenly by the pandemic response.
While it's obviously possible to upgrade
to a new non-Cloud system, Woodhouse notes
that Cloud " can be futureproof and flexible. If
I'm a business owner and I'm going to upgrade,
maybe now is the time to consider using more
Cloud in my architecture. In North America,
that's the dynamic that seems to have gone on. "
These actions are part of an ongoing trend in
an industry shift toward greater Cloud adoption
and, therefore, more recurring revenues.
The preliminary findings of Novaira Insights'
" The World Market for Video Surveillance
Hardware and Software - 2021 edition " estimates
" in the Americas' market, the total video
surveillance hardware and software market declined
2.8% in terms of revenues in 2020 from
2019. " (Novaira's figure excludes thermal body
temperature monitoring solutions.)
However, there is a big split between video
surveillance hardware and software. For several
years, software revenues have been growing at a
faster rate than hardware revenues. Despite the
overall economic decline in all industries, including
security, Woodhouse noted that, " software
and managed services was a standout area
of growth last year and overall grew 8.8% in
terms of revenues from 2019 to 2020. "
The business model for true Cloud is subscription.
Once considered a barrier for resellers
and end users, resistance has dissipated as
subscription has become the norm across most
industries. We pay for our smartphones, broadband
and cable by subscription; and our business
systems like ERPs, CRMs and email are
all Cloud-based subscription services. Subscription
cost is determined by the features included
and we're accustomed to being able to add or
delete features without a technician visiting our
home or office. The convenience and cost effectiveness
of subscription for resellers and end
users was illuminated in 2020.
During the height of the pandemic as business
hours changed, stores started to restrict
the number of people allowed in at one time,
and businesses like fitness centers, which were
generally busy from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., were
suddenly empty. As a result, business owners
wanted to alter their security systems - turn
off some cameras, add retention capacity for
other cameras or add people counting analytics,
for example. An onsite visit is necessary to
securitysales.com
make these kinds of changes to a traditional
on-premises system. Onsite visits are always expensive.
During lockdown they were especially
difficult to schedule. For those with Cloud video
surveillance, making changes is a simple and
inexpensive task.
Remote Access, Simpler
Installs & Service
Problems with remote video access spurred the
wake-up call for end users during the pandemic.
So why is remote access problematic for traditional
systems? Because remote access is not
architected into them. When remote video access
is added as an afterthought, the streaming
is often choppy and the image quality is poor.
Browser incompatibility adds additional headaches.
And since encryption is rare in these systems,
there are additional risks.
With Cloud-based systems, remote access
is built in and video access and streaming are
smooth. Web browsers are supported, and mobile
apps are common. Some providers include
encryption at rest as well as encryption in transit.
Resellers of high-end security systems typically
need extensive training on various systems.
Installations are time consuming and can
be complex. In addition to installing the operating
system software, configuring routers and
With Cloud-based
systems, remote
access is built in
and video access
and streaming are
smooth.
COVID-19 prompted end
users to consider how VSaaS
improvements are continuously
delivered and how analytics
can optimize operations.
They discovered new ways to
customize systems, in retail or
healthcare settings for example,
and Cloud-based sensors.
JULY 2021 Security Sales & Integration 57
SERJ/STOCK.ADOBE.COM
http://www.securitysales.com
Security Sales July 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Security Sales July 2021
