With heightened level of threats (crime and terrorism), the government’s effort to induct more technology into the security arena is a welcome sign. The government should, however, also initiate a programme to alleviate the security personnel in the areas of threat perceptions and dignity, feels Shivaji Rao N, vice president (operations), Barnas International Pvt Ltd.
According to Rao, the security industry in India — in terms of both personnel and technology — has grown by default due to the IT boom. The awareness was in fact prompted by the compliance requirement of the overseas client. Such was the need, that there was a spurt of vendors, who addressed the volume demand by frittering away the need for understanding technology and the associated quality. Therefore, over 80 per cent suppliers now cater to the price-sensitive market.
The serious player simply loses out to the vendors who treat this as an FMCG commodity and deprive the mission criticality of the equipment. One can only hope to rectify this situation by grass root training of security managers and personnel thus making them aware of the force multiplier effect of using associated technology, said Rao.
For example, a security guard equipped with a walkie-talkie is alerted about an event monitored by CCTV from a remote location will efficiently handle the situation making the best of man and machine. Such is the scenario that we should envisage to take the security to the next level, opined Rao.
Indian security industry – As big as an ocean
Rao felt the size of India’s security industry as big as an ocean. Industry pundits have concocted astronomical figures for the future. The mushrooming growth of CCTV vendors does not belie it. This is an industry, which is here to stay, pointed Rao. He added that the publication of trade specific magazines for the industry shows its deep rootedness. The traders have seized the opportunity.
Briefing about Barnas International, Rao said Barnas endeavoured to bring out the best in its class technology in video surveillance and allied solutions. Presently their manufacturing unit designs and manufactures both passive and active accessories. Their total solutions / quality approach is to provide the optimum in security.
Barnas is the distributor for the TeleEye range of products in the south of India. Its SMAC-M compression is famous the world over and is well suited for the Indian market. Barnas is also actively working on the all the new technologies such as megapixel cameras, video over IP solutions, control room equipment and display devices. Barnas is also setting up a manufacturing unit for making cameras designed in-house, added Rao.
Rao said that the philosophy of Barnas since its inception has been to provide the optimum solution in terms of cost and technology. Almost all its installations have been using UTP cables and passing on the benefits to the customers. Barnas has successfully developed manufactured and tested baluns for this application and have saved a lot in import substitution.
Someone had said “CCTV application is limited to imagination” and he had stated a fact. Barnas installations have been done for hotels, restaurants, educational institutions, hospitals, residences and more. Barnas, which has a range of clients, does not intend to limit to any particular vertical presently and is scouting for manufacturers who would not be averse to a joint development venture in India, Rao added.
