The January edition of SECURITY SALES & INTEGRATION includes our annual industry forecast as a cornerstone of our special 2014 Industry Forecast Issue. For the piece, I interviewed 25 of the industry’s most knowledgeable market analysts, business experts, security dealers, systems integrators, supplier representatives and trade association directors. Some of their perspectives can be found in the magazine article, with the balance of their assessments appearing in separate Under Surveillance blog posts.
Featured in this installment: Bill Bozeman CPP, President/CEO, PSA Security Network
What major technology shifts do you see for 2014?
Bill Bozeman: Video analytics finally work in outdoor applications yet security integrators are adapting very slowly. I believe this is because they have been burned with prior video analytics deployment attempts. If sold and installed and monitored by a knowledgeable security integrator who understands the dynamics of the application, a video analytics solutions can provide value that no other solution can. Video analytics technology is ahead of the integrator skill sets necessary to deploy the currently available solution. Biometrics seems like it will never catch on in the physical security niche; however, the consumer PC-based applications are here now and providing reliable value. As the physical security industry is tiny as compared to the consumer electrons industry the physical security industry will slowly follow behind consumer electronics biometrics deployment.
What markets will do the best in 2014?
Bozeman: Health care, retail, industrial and transportation all look good to very good for 2014. Government does not look nearly as robust as the other verticals. Powerful new analytics in the retail space will drive loss prevention budgets. High single-digit growth is achievable for all verticals with the exception of government.
What political, legislative or standards developments await us for 2014?
Bozeman: SIA is doing a good job regarding standards; however, the integrator community will not adapt standards until required to do so. No one group or agency has stepped up to the point of being the game changer. It appears SIA is best positioned but in the meantime the integrators sit on the sideline waiting for some group to rise to the top and create the processes, procedures and certifications that have enough credibility and enforcement mojo to make the certification effort worthwhile.
What type of year are you anticipating overall?
Bozeman: Solid, experienced, well-run physical security integrators should be able to grow organically in the high single digits. Tradeshow attendance appears to be picking up, which is a good sign for the overall economy and a tribute to the strength of our growing industry.
