The stand designs just keep getting better and better, and I’m consistently impressed by the enthusiasm of the companies who exhibit at the NEC. More of them anon…
What have been the themes for this week? Well, HD (High Definition) and Mega-pixel are the two buzz phrases among the CCTV community. Last year, of course, it was analytics.
The major news (which we reported on info4security before the presentation had finished) was the announcement by Sony that it has joined forces with Bosch and Axis to set up an open forum which will develop a standard for the interface of network video products.
This is the first co-operative effort of its kind in the security sector. The new standard is expected to comprise interfaces for specifications such as video streaming, device discovery, intelligence metadata and more. The framework of the standard, incorporating key elements of network video interoperability, will be released in October 2008. This really is major (and very welcome) news.
I have had lengthy chats with companies including Panasonic, Axis, BPT, ICTS and Honeywell, and the enthusiasm for this industry among the systems solution providers is evident in droves. What we need to do now is make sure the good work done by all in the security sector is fairly and accurately reported in the national media.
Anyone who reads my regular SMT Editor’s View will know that this is one of the many issues about which I have been very vocal.
My sincere thanks to Norbain, Pelco and Panasonic for three tremendous evening functions this year. These companies spare no expense on entertaining their guests, and it is greatly appreciated by all of us!
I also had a fabulous time chairing the conference sessions with which I was involved. Yesterday’s debates on diversity in the industry and the need to combat The Threat Within were particularly good, and I’d like to thank all of the speakers and participants. Without them, as they say, the conference programme wouldn’t be possible.
Time to address my last few appointments now… Remember to log on to the IFSEC Channel on info4security.com so that you can follow my progress at the show until the doors close at 4.00 pm. Then it’ll be time for the train home and some well earned sleep!