In a relatively short space of time, and despite stiff competition, Samsung’s professional security division has achieved significant market share in countries right across Europe.
What’s the plan, though, for 2012 and, indeed, beyond this Olympic year? To find out, Info4Security posed a few salient questions to Simon Shawley, general manager for the UK and Ireland regions at Samsung Techwin Europe.
Info4Security (I4S): We have seen Samsung increasingly use the phrase ‘Smarter Security’. What exactly is meant by it?
Simon Shawley (SS): Smarter Security is really all about how customers can upgrade from an analogue system to an IP and network-based solution in the smartest way possible for their business with the help of ourselves. We are determined to prove to installers, systems integrators, specifiers and end users how they can choose Samsung IP equipment and be confident that it will meet – if not exceed – their expectations.
We want to take the mystery out of installing an IP and network solution and, by doing so, demonstrate to customers that with the correct advice and guidance they need not have any fear of embracing what is truly an exciting technology which offers so many benefits, not least of which is the opportunity to gain maximum advantage from the latest HD megapixel cameras.
Training is therefore at the heart of our range of support services which also includes free system design, free technical support and a full three-year warranty on all products.
Samsung offers IP network solutions training courses for installers and system integrators and, during 2012, we will be conducting a number of Smarter Security Days at various venues to help our customers gain a better understanding of the continuing transition from analogue to IP technology and the influence it is having on the industry.
On our stands at exhibitions, such as IFSEC International 2012 and Essen, we will include hands-on workshop areas to give sales professionals and technicians the confidence to recommend, design and install an integrated IP network-based access control and video surveillance system which could include a mix of analogue, HD-SDI and IP on a common platform.
We will also be able to demonstrate how easy it is to take advantage of the benefits which the latest generation of HD cameras and network video recorders can offer.
Smarter Security reflects the fact that producing ‘Best of Class’ products and solutions is not in itself a guarantee of success. We also need to add to the exceptional value which our products offer by delivering the highest levels of pre- and post-sales support.
I4S: Do you see this Smarter Security philosophy as being key to Samsung’s future success?
SS: Samsung has been acknowledged by independent research companies as one of the top three European security brands. That said, until recently our strength has predominantly been in the analogue marketplace where we are clear leaders across Europe.
While we have been enjoying this leading position, our R&D teams have been developing an IP range over the past two or three years in line with the industry trend towards IP-based systems. We now have a very comprehensive range of IP devices from cameras to recorders, and switches can therefore offer a one-stop-shop for most projects.
I4S: Do you expect to achieve the same market share for your IP and network solutions as you have with your analogue products?
SS: I’m confident that we can achieve a large share of the growing IP market. We have developed our IP and network range to the extent that it now rivals the breadth of our analogue product range. This is very good news for us as the demand for IP and network-based solutions is clearly growing.
Until recently, video over IP was perhaps only perceived as a solution for large-scale projects, but we’re increasingly seeing the technology used in small to medium-sized installations as well.
In a tough economic environment, customers are looking for maximum benefit from their investment in security. Samsung believes that IP network-based systems can provide installers and system integrators with an excellent opportunity to generate new business while at the same time offering clients substantial cost and operational benefits compared to traditional analogue-based solutions.
Most importantly, our ability to integrate products from various technologies, and the upgrade path we offer customers from analogue to IP, are key strengths that we know customers really value.
The key to our success is, however, allowing customers to choose the best solution for their specific application or environment. Our product catalogue now provides customers with a choice that includes a comprehensive and competitively priced range of analogue cameras, DVRs and monitors, a complete end-to-end IP solutions range, license-free viewing and recording software and an impressive line-up of HD megapixel cameras.
‘Hybrid’ options include encoders, which provide a cost-effective and easy-to-implement method of adding analogue cameras to an IP/network-based video surveillance system, and HD-SDI cameras which allow the transmission of uncompressed and non-packetised Full HD (1080P) video over analogue cabling.
We also have an ongoing programme to integrate with leading ISVs (Independent Software Vendors) that offer ‘open’ software specifically designed to facilitate the integration of equipment and systems from different manufacturers. This is to further provide customers with the flexibility to choose the perfect combination of security products to match their specific requirements.
I4S: What products have you launched of late that you firmly believe are likely to most attract the attention of embattled security personnel looking to combat the activities of criminals and terrorists?
SS: Our product portfolio has changed dramatically over the last three years with over 200 new products being launched, including HD megapixel cameras, domes and Network Video Recorders (NVRs). Collectively, they provide end users with the flexibility to specify the best combination of products for the job in hand.
Our NVRs will, I believe, play a major role in our success over the coming months. Using H.264 compression, they give customers the choice to record images in real-time at a variety of resolutions and can therefore be configured to minimise storage requirements and bandwidth consumption.
Our recently launched four channel SRN-470D and 16-channel SRN-1670D NVRs are likely to prove to be extremely popular among installers and users as they have been designed to have the look and familiarity of a DVR while delivering all the benefits of an NVR.
For larger solutions, we have recently updated our Net-i Ware network recording software to be able to manage the video streams from a large number of HD megapixel cameras.
I4S: How successful has your access control solutions range been to date?
SS: Our access control range is proving to be a valuable and successful addition to our product portfolio. It allows us to compete for projects which have up to 128,000 doors with a choice of reader technologies which encompass fingerprint recognition, proximity and smart card & PIN, as well as time and attendance options.
Equally important, it equips us with the ability to offer a fully integrated solution. For example, a Samsung access control solution can be fully integrated with Samsung’s SRD series of DVRs and selected SRN series NVRs, allowing users to achieve maximum advantage from their investment in a security system by ensuring that access control events and alarms can be reliably synchronised with relevant video.
This type of integration is very easy for installers and system integrators to achieve and is fully future proof and scalable.
Info4Security would like to thank Simon Shawley for his invaluable assistance with the preparation of this article
