2013 — Never a dull moment

Editor / Provider: Submitted by Johnson Controls | Updated: 11/26/2012 | Article type: Hot Topics

Security has become a rapidly evolving and highly complex industry. The cables connecting card readers have been cut in favor of wireless networks. Surveillance video no longer exists on film or tape, but is stored as a string of digital data. And marketers and human resource specialists have found uses for equipment once intended to solely secure people and property. As we complete another year, it is a good time to review some of the industry's changes, challenges and successes. Also, it is a time to reflect on what the new year may bring to the industry's manufacturers, solution providers, integrators and end users.

First, a quick caveat is in order. Any predictions are based on today's economic, social and political conditions. In our volatile, interconnected world, changes in one region of the globe can significantly impact others. That aside, here is Johnson Controls' look at the security industry as we enter 2013.

Despite an uncertain global economy, the industry held its ground over the last year. With slow construction growth forecast in Europe, North America and most of Asia, global industry sales are likely to remain fairly flat throughout 2013. While there certainly will be some major new projects, much of the business in these regions will focus on upgrades and retrofits of existing security systems.

Fortunately, there are some brighter spots. Demand for security products and services will grow in Latin America, particularly in Brazil, where a construction boom is underway in advance of the 2014 World Cup tournament and the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. That growth will mean more sales of surveillance cameras, card readers and turnstiles (to accommodate many new stadiums and arenas being built).

Also in Latin America, security directors now expect physical security information management (PSIM) software to be a part of each new project. They value the software solution's ability to collect and combine information from existing disparate security — and even building automation — systems into one integrated, intelligent system offering a single point of control.

The Middle East is another bright spot, as development is continuing at a strong pace with not only some of the world's tallest buildings, but in effect entirely new cities.

Growth Verticals
Growth in many vertical markets was slow throughout 2012. More of the same will likely take place in 2013, as most budgets are expected to remain tight. But, there are still exciting markets to follow.

Around the world, more children and young adults need to be kept secure on school and college campuses. As a result, the education market will continue its growth in 2013. Health care should be another growth area, particularly in the U.S., where government programs are pushing hospitals to provide better care for more people within the same facilities. The need to increase throughput while maintaining patient satisfaction will help drive increased sales of security products and services.

Securing utility sites can be vital to a region's or even a nation's economic health. As a result, they will require more cameras and card readers and also visitor management systems. The latter will allow security personnel to run Internet-based criminal and terrorist watch background checks on visitors before allowing them to enter a facility.

Retail is another interesting vertical. Probably more than any other market, retailers have found innovative ways to use security data, particularly video. For example, retailers review video to help determine staffing needs, product placement and customers' traffic patterns and shopping habits.

Hot Products
In video surveillance, DVRs will continue to give way to intuitively controlled video management systems and mass storage devices. Rather than review hours of video, a security team can now use software to provide a synopsis of user-defined important or critical events. Using retail as an example, the end user may want to review only the shopping habits of families of three or more people entering a store. Synopsis software can find and present only that video.

Access control will continue to grow closer to the door with smart, edge-based devices. Many will be wireless and operate from an existing or newly built Wi-Fi networks. There will be less hardware but the same or greater capacities. Wireless units will expand access control to remote sites that might have previously been impossible to protect.

Mass notification is primed for growth. It provides real-time information to all building occupants and those in the immediate vicinity during an emergency. Using a combination of interior and exterior speakers and strobe lights, many top mass notification systems will integrate with a building's fire alarm system.

And expect a continued proliferation of mobile phones and tablets apps, allowing security personnel to review live or recorded video, obtain access audit trails and receive alarms while in the field.

What's Trending
Don't anticipate many revolutionary breakthroughs in 2013, but instead expect small, incremental upgrades to existing products and solutions. There are still many inventive people working on the next great development, but until the global economy improves, manufacturers are not likely looking to add them along with the required sales and marketing efforts needed to grow a new product.

That, however, does not rule out some relatively new products and services continuing to gain traction. Remote storage of video and data will head for the clouds. Cloud-based services still face some bandwidth issues, especially for video, as well as skepticism among some security directors that want total control of their data. But that is changing as the cloud environment has proven to be a secure and cost-effective means of storing and accessing data. As the acceptance of the cloud concept grows, there will be greater demand for managed services. Integrators monitor and store an end user's security data and handle alarm situations. This provides monthly recurring revenue for the integrator and allows the end user to realign or eliminate manpower dedicated to security and focus more on an organization's core competencies.

Also expect to see more end users move toward converging the security function with building automation, linking security with environment, lighting and other systems into a single point of control. This adds convenience, reduces manpower needs and enhances the value of an end user's facility.

Industry Issues
Finding ways to do more with less will be a challenge for end users. Security directors, faced with tight budgets, must be more selective in their choices of integrators and product manufacturers. They will look for innovation, features and service, while being very aware of price.

In many organizations, the security department is seen as a loss center. Showing ROI helps pave the way for a larger security budget. That requires security directors, integrators and manufacturers working together to prove security reduces the threat level, increases operational efficiencies and offers broad assistance to nonsecurity areas of a business.

And end users will continue to push for open standards as they seek to protect their legacy systems. As equipment fails, a security director wants the option of replacing it with units offering the feature sets and price they want — knowing it will integrate with existing systems.

Manufacturers face the challenge of making the products that end users want and need badly enough they will buy them. That requires closer communication with customers and integrators to be sure the cameras, card readers and other equipment meet the security needs of today and into the future.

For integrators, the new IT-centric world is changing the profile of a typical technician or even a salesperson. That means integrators will have to cast a broader net — searching telephony, IT, software development and other related industries — to find qualified employees.

And to shore up geographical areas where they lack a presence, larger integrators will continue to buy their smaller competitors. Manufacturers will continue to acquire small niche companies that can bring already marketed offerings at an attractive price.

2013 and Beyond
End users will no longer accept stand-alone technology. Even the standard definition of integration as linking access control, video surveillance and alarm points no longer applies.

Integration today means making security work with existing business applications, different databases and operating systems. This more complex integration means more available data, moving bidirectional between systems to create new opportunities and ways to solve end-user problems and concerns. The challenge for all industry segments will be to stay level or ahead of technology changes. The winners will be those that understand what to build and add value to their products, services and operations.

One thing that the new year will not be is dull.

Health care provides shot in the arm to solution providers

Editor / Provider: a&s International | Updated: 10/16/2012 | Article type: Commercial Markets

For a US$5-million hospital project with 500 beds, Davies estimates that 30 percent would be spent on video surveillance, 30 percent on fire detection systems and alarms, 20 percent on access control (half of which for biometrics), and 20 percent on system integration. The latter might include building and records maintenance and management. Looking at access control, the market is about $200 million per year, and Davies expects this to grow to $300 million by 2016. Extrapolating his figures for total global sales, one arrives at around $1 billion per year.

One major beneficiary has been biometric players. According to Phil Scarfo, VP of Worldwide Sales and Marketing at Lumidigm, hospitals and pharmaceutical prescriptions are creating new opportunities. For example, the Electronic Prescriptions for Controlled Substances rule was issued by the US Drug Enforcement Administration as an amendment to the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970 (commonly known as the Controlled Substances Act). According to the rule, doctors or pharmacists writing prescriptions must authenticate two of the following: something they know (a knowledge factor) with something they have (a hard token stored separately from the computer being accessed), and something they are (biometric information). “For increased security, less complicated management and ease of doctor and pharmacist use, most health care organizations prefer that one of the authentication factors be biometric,” Scarfo said.

While the markets are there, East Asian companies may not be the ones reaping the benefits. Eric Assouline, Export Sales Manager at CDVI, pointed out that, while East Asia has some strong players, especially the Koreans, North American and European companies tend to dominate both low-end and high-end markets.

Synectics to showcase thermal cam stations

Editor / Provider: Synectics | Updated: 9/28/2012 | Article type: Security 50

Global surveillance technology expert, Synectics, is to showcase its new range of thermal imaging camera stations at a trade show in Abu Dhabi.

Designed to be lightweight and durable, the compact COEX C2000-FT and C2000-VT camera stations unite the very latest thermal imaging technology with high grade, corrosion resistant, 316L stainless steel construction.

The cameras, which have already been ordered for use on Phase 2 of the Abu Dhabi Inter Refineries Pipeline (IRP), are specifically designed to offer constant visual monitoring in no or low light scenarios, on land or at sea. They can be used for anything from monitoring flare status, confirming leaks of specific gases, and checking tank fill levels, through to standard surveillance applications.

The COEX C2000-VT camera stations, with continuous rotation pan and tilt capabilities and continuous zoom, feature a virtually indestructible gearbox with backlash eliminating technology to ensure smooth speed controls, while the super lightweight (5kg) C2000-FT camera stations offer the benefit of high definition fixed thermal imaging.

Graham Ashley, Middle East business development manager for Synectics, said: “ADIPEC is an important show for Synectics - our Middle Eastern order book stands at approximately 50% of the division's global turnover and we are the leading supplier of security solutions in the region. That's why it's so important that we continue to use the exhibition as a chance to highlight new innovations - in this case the COEX C2000-FT and C2000-VT thermal imaging camera stations.

Both COEX C2000-FT and C2000-VT camera stations benefit from low voltage operation, and their thermal imaging capabilities can be set to colourisation mode to identify different temperatures, and can operate under extreme conditions from ice and smoke to total darkness.

They are designed to function at temperatures ranging from -45°C to +60°C, and are fully compatible with a range of control systems and transmission methods, including IP and Fibre Optics.

Ingram Micro Expands in High-Growth MENA

Editor / Provider: Submitted by Ingram Micro | Updated: 8/16/2012 | Article type: Hot Topics

Ingram Micro, the technology distributor and supply-chain services provider, announced it is broadening its geographic reach into the Middle East and North Africa with the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire certain IT businesses of Dubai-based Aptec Holdings Ltd. Aptec is a leading value-added distributor in the Middle East, Turkey and North Africa, with products and solutions covering data center, storage, security, networking, and software categories, including technical services.

The acquisition is expected to contribute more than $250 million in revenue to Ingram Micro on an annual basis and is expected to close before the end of the third quarter of 2012, subject to the satisfaction of certain closing conditions. Dr. Ali Baghdadi, founder and chief executive officer of Aptec, will lead the acquired operations reporting to Shailendra Gupta, senior executive VP and president, Ingram Micro Asia-Pacific. Further details of the transaction were not disclosed.

"The acquisition of Aptec fits well with our strategic objectives to continue to build our higher margin specialty businesses while broadening our geographic reach to capitalize on higher growth markets," said Alain Monie, president and CEO of Ingram Micro. "The Middle East and Africa are robust and growing markets with total IT spending projected to reach $80 billion by 20151. Aptec has been highly effective in growing their business and enhancing profitability in these emerging markets and we believe this combination will further accelerate these ongoing objectives. Aptec has a long-tenured, accomplished leadership team and we look forward to joining forces with them."

Founded in 1980, Aptec currently operates in 6 countries and provides products and services to key Middle East and North Africa countries including the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman, Egypt, Lebanon, Pakistan and Turkey. The company's regional geographical coverage and extensive customer base are staffed by approximately 350 associates serving over 3,800 active resellers. Aptec's marketing programs, advanced logistics services, technical support, consultancy, high-level technical consulting and outsourcing services, financial services and product delivery and distribution capabilities have made the company one of the most prominent value-added distributors in the region.

"We are excited to join with Ingram Micro," said Baghdadi. "For more than 30 years Aptec has focused on building the company through innovation, value-added service and an unwavering commitment to our customers and vendor partners. The combined strength of Aptec in the Middle East and North Africa and the global leadership and strategic vendor and customer relationships of Ingram Micro provide an excellent opportunity for expanded reach into new services, products and geographies and we expect the union to offer even more value to our combined community."

HID Global Expands Worldwide Identity Assurance Partner Program

Editor / Provider: HID Global | Updated: 8/15/2012 | Article type: Security 50

HID Global announced it is expanding its successful Identity Assurance partner program to North America. The updated channel partner program, formerly the ActivIdentity Partner Program, creates unprecedented opportunities for distributors and channel partners of all sizes to further boost their identity assurance product and service offerings, recognize investment in skilled sales and technical resources, and generate new revenue streams. This increased commitment to the partner program in the United States, with a focus on the enterprise, healthcare, financial and government markets, will help mirror the success of the Identity Assurance Partner Program in the Europe Middle East Africa (EMEA) region.

The revamped Identity Assurance channel partner program is simultaneously simplified and expanded. HID Global's Identity Assurance business segment solicited feedback from current channel partners via a survey - the program enhancements are a direct result. Enhancements include simplified processes and documents, a revamped and easy-to-use partner portal and channel enablement tools. Additionally, channel partners now have increased access to services offering by the Identity Assurance business, knowledge and expertise ensuring the necessary support to build market presence and create new revenue opportunities. This updated program reflects a true, lasting and value-based commitment to the channel from HID Global. This program enables partner success with a series of tools created expressly for them.

“We're always looking to enhance the services that we supply to our channel partners,” said Bassam Al-Khalidi, AxiaD IDS, CEO. “HID Global's streamlined partner program makes it simple and direct for us to provide a broad portfolio of secure identity solutions and creates new sales opportunities that increase our business synergy with those partners.”

“Arrow ECS has worked with HID Global Identity Assurance business for the past eight years,” said Steve Pearce, managing director for the United Kingdom offices of Arrow Enterprise Computing Solutions, a business segment of Arrow Electronics Inc. Arrow ECS does not represent ActivIdentity in North America. “The level of support and guidance HID Global Identity Assurance business has provided to Arrow ECS throughout this period has been second to none. The updated partner tools should streamline and strengthen our working relationship with HID Global, thereby best serving our solution providers.”

Through the Identity Assurance Channel Partner program, channel partners worldwide can offer their customers the combined technological expertise of HID Global and its Identity Assurance solutions, including best-of-breed security solutions for all access points, physical and logical. For channel partners, the program includes a simplified program and a series of important support tools including channel enablement tools and product certifications.

“We want to make it as easy as possible for all our channel partners to have access to the same level of identity assurance expertise that our partners in Europe have been enjoying,” said Jerome Becquart, VP and general manager, Identity Assurance with HID Global. “By bringing our Identity Assurance partner program to North America, channel customers now have a simple set of services to create new revenue opportunities by providing our secure identity solutions and know-how to their customers. This program furthers our efforts to make it easier for our partners to do business with us and easier for those partners to do business with their customers.”

“This revamped Identity Assurance Partner Program is the first step in aligning the channel program strategy with the rest of the HID Global family,” said Anthony Ball, senior VP, Identity and Access Management (IAM) with HID Global. “This furthers our commitment to the channel and provides new revenue opportunities for those partners.”

UAE Auto Dealer Test Drives Arecont Vision Panoramic Solution

Editor / Provider: Arecont Vision | Updated: 8/8/2012 | Article type: Commercial Markets

Arecont Vision's SurroundVideo 8 megapixel day/night panoramic view cameras contribute high-resolution images that help to secure luxury automobiles and are a valuable business tool at Al Nabooda Automobiles in the United Arab Emirates. An authorized dealer and exclusive distributor of Porsche, Audi and Volkswagen, Al Nabooda Automobiles has five showrooms and service centers across Dubai, United Arab Emirates and the northern emirates of Sharjah and Fujairah. The cameras are positioned to view the dealerships' sales floors and showrooms, workshops, parts and service entrances and other locations.

The installation uses Arecont Vision's 8 megapixel SurroundVideo AV8365DN, a 360-degree panoramic view day/night camera, and AV8185DN, a similar camera that provides a 180-degree panoramic view. The megapixel cameras enable a highly cost-effective solution by eliminating the need for mechanical pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) devices and by reducing the overall number of cameras needed to provide detailed coverage of large areas. Now Al Nabooda Automobiles is able to provide a safer, more secure environment for employees and customers, prevent theft and establish deterrents to minimize damage to vehicles in the showrooms, workshops and parking areas. As a business tool, the cameras help the luxury dealership analyze customer traffic and evaluate customer support

Several Al Nabooda Automobiles dealerships also use Arecont Vision AV1125IR 1.3 megapixel H.264 MegaView IP cameras. The all-in-one day/night bullet-style cameras have 4.5 – 10mm varifocal lenses, weatherproof enclosures and infrared (IR) illuminators.

ITworks, LLC, a Dubai network systems consultancy, design and build services company for physical security systems, installed the systems. “Megapixel video provides a cost-effective solution covering multiple sites,” said Amir A. Kolahzadeh of ITworks. “High-resolution images enable maximum coverage with fewer cameras, and low-light performance enables after-hours surveillance.”

“The camera enclosures feature an IP66 environmental rating and can withstand Dubai's extreme temperatures,” said Ethan Maxon, Middle East and Africa Regional Sales Manager, Arecont Vision. “Executive management was looking for a comprehensive physical security solution that would allow remote monitoring of their facilities and megapixel panoramic images from Arecont Vision cameras provide the detailed video coverage they need.”

Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Turns to Animetrics 3-D Facial Recognition for Surveillance Investigations

Editor / Provider: Submitted by Animetrics | Updated: 8/10/2012 | Article type: Tech Corner

Animetrics, a developer of advanced 3D facial recognition and identity management solutions, announced its selection with partner DataWorks Plus by the Pennsylvania Justice Network (JNET) for an innovative facial biometric program with Pennsylvania police and sheriff departments. Animetrics' ForensicaGPS investigative face identity application is part of JNET's new Facial Recognition System (JFRS), helping law enforcement more accurately and quickly ID suspects and witnesses from video or photo surveillance.

JNET's selection of Animetrics and DataWorks Plus marks the first deployment of ForensicaGPS in the U.S. law enforcement market. In Europe, the facial identification and forensic analysis application is being used by Zurich Forensic Police Department in Switzerland. In the Middle East, police departments in Qatar, UAE and Saudi Arabia are also deploying ForensicaGPS.

“JNET's Facial Recognition System has already proven to be a powerful and highly effective investigative tool for Pennsylvania law enforcement since its deployment earlier this year,” said David Naisby, Executive Director of Pennsylvania's JNET. “Animetrics' facial biometric technology provides critical capabilities within JFRS to identify suspects from surveillance video, enabling police to analyze, compare and ultimately resolve the identity of an individual from a facial image caught on camera. Before ForensicaGPS, most of the poor quality imagery from video of crime scenes was unusable. Now the JFRS is able to go back and reopen cold cases, gathering new evidence.”

In Pennsylvania, nearly 40,000 local, state and federal law enforcement and criminal justice professionals utilize JNET's secure web site to access public safety and criminal justice information from local, state and federal data sources during investigations. Since the deployment of the JFRS system within JNET, more than 800 law enforcement professionals from more than 500 agencies have been or will be trained to use the web-based facial biometric JFRS system.

Animetrics' ForensicaGPS translates low-resolution 2D facial images from photo or video surveillance evidence into a 3D image using Animetrics' patented face recognition technology. ForensicaGPS's unique facial creation and image quality enhancement tools convert photos and video frames of a person's face into “ID ready” images including facial pose correction. This output makes it more feasible for the face matching system to process the uncontrolled face image utilizing the current JNET database of 3 million Pennsylvania Adult Arrest Mugshot Photos captures through Central Booking Stations located in each of the counties since 1998.

“JNET's Facial Recognition System delivers new efficiencies to the criminal investigation process,” said Paul Schuepp, Animetrics president and CEO. “We are pleased by the initial success of the project and look forward to working with the Pennsylvania law enforcement community to integrate facial biometric technology further into their crime fighting efforts.”

ForensicaGPS analyzes and compares up to five images of a suspect, allowing for more accurate identity matching. It provides metric analysis of face similarity scoring, as well as 2D or 3D visualizations of facial structure, geometry and texture. The software's precise comparisons include identifying features such as scars, moles and tattoos, along with distance measurements between facial features. Animetrics' FACEngine technology is the algorithm engine powering all of the company's products. This integrated technology renders accurate and useful 3D avatars from 2D images and video, even if the original facial image is distorted, obscured or not “straight on.”

Vicon Releases March to June Financial Report

Editor / Provider: Vicon Industries | Updated: 8/6/2012 | Article type: Security 50

Vicon Industries, a designer and producer of video security and surveillance systems, reported operating results for the third fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2012. The announcement was made by Chairman and CEO Ken Darby, who said continuing revenue weakness in Europe overshadowed much improved North America sales.

“Throughout the year, North America business has shown steady improvement, while our EMEA business continues to experience weak results. We have undertaken measures to improve the situation at our EMEA unit. However, there is no quick fix to the challenges they face”

Net sales for the third fiscal quarter were $11.7 million, an increase of 7% compared with $11.0 million in the third quarter of the prior fiscal year. A net loss was incurred of $497,000 ($.11 per share), compared with a net loss of $9.5 million ($2.12 per share) in the prior year quarter. The prior year period included $5.1 million of patent litigation costs and the establishment of a $2.6 million deferred tax asset reserve.

For the nine months, net sales were $36.5 million, an increase of 5% compared with $34.8 million in the first nine months of the prior fiscal year. A net loss was incurred of $1.1 million ($.24 per share), compared with a net loss of $10.7 million ($2.38 per share) in the prior year nine-month period. The prior year period included $5.4 million of patent litigation costs and the establishment of a $2.6 million deferred tax asset reserve.

Commenting on the third quarter results, Mr. Darby said North America sales grew 27% to $9.4 million from $7.4 million in the prior year period, while Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) sales were off 35% at $2.3 million versus $3.5 million in the year ago period. For the nine months, North America sales increased $3.8 million or 16% to $28.2 million while EMEA sales declined $2.0 million or 19% to $8.4 million. New sales orders for the comparable nine month periods were $36.9 million versus $36.5 million in the prior year.

“Throughout the year, North America business has shown steady improvement, while our EMEA business continues to experience weak results. We have undertaken measures to improve the situation at our EMEA unit. However, there is no quick fix to the challenges they face”, said Mr. Darby. Highlighting the difficulties in Europe, Mr. Darby said EMEA revenues, including the effects of exchange rate movements, are off $15 million or 50+% on an annualized basis, from Vicon's 2008 fiscal year when the financial crisis began.

Gross margins in the third quarter were 40%, compared with 35.4% in the prior year quarter. The prior year quarter gross margin was adversely impacted by an unusually large warranty charge of approximately $180,000. Operating costs, excluding patent litigation expense, declined to $5.1 million compared with $5.7 million in the prior year period, principally as a result of cost reduction programs.

Axxonsoft and JVC Partner on IP HD

Editor / Provider: Submitted by Axxonsoft | Updated: 8/3/2012 | Article type: Hot Topics

AxxonSoft has broadened its software support to include integration with the new Super LoLux HD line of IP cameras from JVC, a technology leader in the development and manufacturing of hardware for video management systems.

The Super LoLux HD line of IP cameras uses state-of-the-art JVC Super LoLux CMOS sensors that support 1080p resolution. Super LoLux technology allows capturing color images at light levels as low as 0.15 lux, while Clear Logic Video Intelligence (CLVI) uses smart algorithms to increase image sharpness. CLVI applies digital signal processing to remove fog, haze, rain, and smoke that impair image quality.

Worthy of particular mention is the use of H.264 High Profile, which allows substantially reducing network traffic in comparison with H.264 Main Profile and Baseline. Other important functions include auto back focus, write support for SD cards, VMD, image masking of confidential areas, intelligent audio detection, including camera tampering alarms/detection.

The mean time between failures (MBTF) for Super LoLux HD IP cameras is 90,000 hours – equivalent to over 10 years of uninterrupted operation.

AxxonSoft develops VMS and PSIMS software that serves as the core for security systems for a diverse range of clients. AxxonSoft-based solutions are used in retail, banks, railroads, and transportation, while its video surveillance systems are used worldwide, from Europe and the Middle East to Latin America and the USA. By combining AxxonSoft products with JVC's new line of IP cameras, operators can create even more effective security systems for all usage profiles and industries that require stable, superb image quality in unpredictable external conditions.

According to Mr. Fedja Vehabovic, a CCTV Manager at JVC Professional Europe LTD, JVC expects strong sales growth in Europe in 2012/2013 targeting AxxonSoft as one of it's strategic partners in EMEA.

Promising Verticals Fuel Bullish Growth in Turkey

Editor / Provider: a&s Turkiye | Updated: 7/19/2012 | Article type: Hot Topics

Vibrant Verticals
The pick-up in the construction sector accelerated growth in the private sector with new residential, retail and health care projects. There were also many security projects in finance and education.

However, the largest budgets this year came from the public sector. Projects at the fore were city surveillance, transportation projects (airports, undergrounds, tunnels, et cetera.) and public buildings.

Major Projects
The most attractive projects of 2011 were for Turk Telekom, Zorlu Center, Sabiha Goksen Airport, and the National Archives.

In addition to the large projects, there were also many medium scale projects, which were mostly integrated projects that include fire detection and extinguishing systems, video surveillance, access control and intrusion detection.

In 2011, an increased number of projects required IP-based HD video surveillance systems and card access systems, and demanded integration between the systems, said Bilgecanan Bilgis, Marketing Manager at Ateksis. “Antalya Airport, Medipol Hospital, Bursa Hilton and Hampton by Hilton, and Fenerbah?e Ulker Arena are projects in Turkey which we would like to be part of and concentrate on, and Malabo Congress Center Haydar Aliyev Center abroad.”

Levent Yildir?m, Director of Siemens Substructure and Cities Sector Building Technologies, said that Siemens surpassed their goals in 2011, citing numerous projects that are worth more than $100,000 in value: Buyaka Complex (shopping center, residence, office), Hilton Hotels, Erdemir, Sandoz, Magnesia Shopping Center, Tarsu Shopping Center, Habom (Aviation Maintenance Center), Marmara Park, Zorlu, Safir, Aliaga Prison, Bodrum Airport, Izmir Special Provincial Directorate of Administration KGM. He also stresses the contributed part of the accomplishment to foreign projects, most of which are located in neighboring countries like Iraq, Russia, Algeria, et cetera.

Gurani Kilic, Country Sales Director for Bosch Security Systems, mentions projects that were conducted in collaboration with their partners and are worth more than $500,000 in value: Sorgun, Soke, Didim Surveillance Cameras Projects, Highway Tunnels Projects, Turkiye, Kirazli – Olimpiyatkoy Subway Line Project, Istanbul, Antalya Airport Domestic and International Lines Terminal 2.Section, Antalya, Republic of Turkiye Central Bank, Bursa, BSH Factory, Istanbul, Bagc?lar Medipol Hospital, Istanbul, Hilton Hotel, Bursa, Cumhuriyet University, Sivas, Archaeology Museum, Hatay, Ma?ka Residence, Istanbul, European Residences, Istanbul, Terrcity Shopping Center, Antalya.

Bulent Cobanoglu, GM of Senkron Guvenlik, mentioned two important bank projects by Honeywell: Standardizing systems for the merged Fortis and Turkiye Ekonomi Bank, as well as a card access system for Garanti Bank that covered 50 management buildings.

2012 and Crystal Ball
Although 2012 will be a difficult year, the consensus is that growth in the security industry will continue despite the economic slowdown, said Tarkan Tuncel, GM of Kekova.

The recession prospect in the world economy in 2012 weakens the prospect for growth in Turkey, Kilic said. “In 2012, there is a 4-5 percent growth prospect in the general economy and 6-7 percent in the construction sector. We can say that the security systems sector will indirectly be affected by this conjuncture in 2012."

“In addition, the pick-up in Libya and the neighboring countries in the last quarter of the year is good news for our sector,” Kilic continued, saying that the continuation of public investments and the mega projects into 2012 suggests that the security industry will continue to grow, albeit at a slower pace.

Yusuf Ziya Oncel, Sales Manager at Pelco Turkey, predicts that 2012 will be a year when no one will be able to conduct aggressive enterprises, but that “we will keep a wary eye so that we can maintain our stability.” According to Oncel, the next 10 percent of growth will be achieved via digesting the growth that occurred in 2010 and 2011, while also stabilizing the total sales at the same levels.

Hidayet Yilmaz of NFS Guvenlik also agrees that the security market will continue growing in 2012, although at a slower pace. According to Yilmaz, the city transformation that will be carried out in 2012, especially in big cities, will have a positive impact on the market.

Cobanoglu shares the consensus. “If there is a crisis, we have to conduct business is different ways. We have to hold fairs and seminars to continue to educate the market. Otherwise, it is hard to hold on.”

In terms of products, industry experts agree that sales for IP-based systems and megapixel cameras will continue to grow. Yildiz has high hopes for network cameras and regularly expands their IP-based product groups. IR cameras and mobile DVR's also show similar potential.

Green buildings will play a key role for the security industry in 2012. Green buildings make extensive use of automation technologies to make them easily manageable, traceable and intelligent, and are great investments in terms of ROI. Especially big cities, green buildings will begin to flourish and; companies that operate and develop products in this field will be able to perform well even in bad economies, according to Kilic."

Additionally, Profilo Security Systems Sales Manager, Ertan Gedik predicts that the alarm system projects will increase for gas leak, fire and flood detection.

Lingering Problems
Although 2011 evaluations and 2012 predictions point to growth and development for the security industry, there are a few problems that need to be solved.

Products and companies must form and adhere to standards. “Although Turkey is among the few countries that will grow, compared to other nations in Europe and the Middle East, regulations and standards are still not what they should be,” Ozan Demirel, Region Manager, Controls and Security Systems, UTC Climatel said.

Cobanoglu believes that the lack of certification for security companies is a problem, saying that there is no selection process or evaluation even though there are more and more companies entering the market.

Cobanoglu continues to talk about another issue: there is no specialty customs for the security sector in Turkey. “Unfortunately, we still pay Special Consumption Tax (SCT). Video surveillance cameras are taxed as luxury items, following the footsteps of the digital camera found in everyone's pocket. However, these systems are not luxury — they are a necessity. Cancelling the SCT and lowering VAT would directly affect the end user and increase our sale, while also preventing illegal activities regarding security equipment, such as counterfeiting and bootlegging."