Panasonic President Sees Industry Getting a Facial Recognition Lift
Bill Taylor
January's SSI feature “Video Continues to Enhance Its Security Image” has a dozen top technology providers identifying the latest and greatest video surveillance technologies. Among the participants was Panasonic System Networks Co. of America President Bill Taylor, who addressed the topic of recording technology and how it is being implemented in DVRs, NVRs and other devices.
In the following extention of that piece, Taylor discusses challenges and opportunities in the marketplace as they pertain to digital and networked recording advances. In particular, he hones in on video analytics, and how facial recognition is making a comeback thanks to superior reliability and sensible applications.
As we begin 2011, what is the latest and greatest video surveillance technology in recording devices and systems?
Bill Taylor: As video analytics continue to gain traction for conventional video surveillance applications in markets such as retailing and gaming, there’s been an increased demand for cost-efficient means of implementing face recognition. New NVRs on the market today have embedded face matching capability that eliminates the use and added expense of external software. The new recorders provide real-time face matching functionality to match registered face images with a face displayed on a live camera feed. When a match occurs, alarm notification can be sent via multiple platforms. In addition to providing more functionality that’s easy to implement and operate, these new recorders create system solutions that deliver lower total cost of ownership [TCO] without compromise.
What are the greatest challenges or hurdles this technology faces and what is being done to make it even stronger and more viable?
Like any new technology solution for professional applications, the biggest hurdle will be acceptance and validation of performance. Up until now, face recognition was primarily viewed as expensive with limited performance. By embedding face matching into recorders, the implementation and application for this very useful security tool has a much broader appeal. Additionally, as more cameras come to market with onboard face detection capabilities, the market appeal for this solution will increase at an even faster rate.
Why should installing security integrators care about this technology and what are some of the specific opportunities it affords them from both services and market niche standpoints?
Systems integrators and installing dealers have a new powerful solution to offer their customers that delivers advanced functionality with a very convincing value proposition. It provides them with a viable reason for customers with existing working systems to consider an upgrade. In addition to providing higher performance recording capabilities, the addition of features like face matching improves overall functionality. These new recorders are also drop-in replacements, so they are also easy to replace with little to no effect on existing infrastructure.
Relative to vertical markets, there are many niche applications that will add further revenue generation possibilities for systems integrators and installing dealers. Examples include the banking and financial markets for identity verification, retail and supermarkets to alert of suspected/known shoplifters, corporate facilities for visitor management applications and notification of restricted personnel, and so many more. The bottom line is that new recording solutions with advanced onboard features like face matching can help increase the bottom line for installing integrators and dealers.
Scott Goldfine
Other Security Blog Posts
Under Surveillance | June 14, 2013
The June issue of SECURITY SALES & INTEGRATION includes my rountable of several of the industry's leading wholesale products distributors ("The Wholesale Truth"). One of those featured was Tony Sorrentino Flink, president of ScanSource Security. The conversation with him is continued below as he discusses what's hot right now in the marketplace, and myriad services his company offers to help dealers and integrators take advantage of existing opportunities.
Under Surveillance | June 13, 2013
Jeremy Bates, owner and general manager of Bates Security, dishes out his top marketing tips.
Under Surveillance | June 13, 2013
Michael Flink, president of ADI Americas, addresses market opportunities and business tools the distributor is bringing to the security dealer/integrator channel.
Under Surveillance | June 12, 2013
Jim Annes, vice president and general manager for AVAD, discusses helpful services and technologies the distributor is bringing to the security dealer/integrator channel.
Central Station Corner | June 7, 2013
Monitoring Matters columnist Peter Giacalone discusses an area of security and revenue that is often overlooked — network monitoring and security.
Author Bios
Scott joined SECURITY SALES & INTEGRATION in October 1998 and has distinguished himself by producing award-winning, exemplary work. A Western Publisher Association's Maggie Award winner, his editorial achievements have included blockbuster articles featuring major industry executives. Since graduating in 1986 with honors from California State University, Northridge with a degree in Radio-Television- Film, his professional endeavors have encompassed magazines, radio, TV, film and more.
Although Bosch’s name is quite familiar to those in the security industry, his previous experience has been in daily newspaper journalism. Prior to joining SECURITY SALES & INTEGRATION in 2006, he spent 15 years with the Los Angeles Times, where he performed a wide assortment of editorial responsibilities, including feature and metro department assignments as well as content producing for latimes.com.