IPfocus
On-the-Record; Craig Evans, Managing Director, SureView
Q. What is the history of SureView Systems over the past years and what has been the main drivers that have influenced the direction and ethos of the company?
A. Established in 2003, Sureview was amongst the first to recognise the need for a consolidated video based platform at monitoring stations. Although our Immix software has been through several iterations over the years, we have always specifically targeted stations that require an audited, scalable and efficient means of handling IP video or text based alerts on sites with the freedom of choice of the hardware deployed.
Sureview have focussed on having the widest integration library in the industry, with support for over 250 different devices and systems across a range of security equipment such as Video, Analytics, Audio, Access Control, Fire and Intruder Alarms and GPS tracking.
We have a diverse customer base across the UK, Europe, North America and Africa and listen to our customers to add features or device support that will enhance our overall system. We also work in very close partnership with the hardware manufacturers to ensure that the latest devices and systems are incorporated into the Immix software platform
Q. In what way has the acceptance of IP networked security technology enabled SureView to develop as a business?
A. The availability and low cost of broadband IP networks has been critical in the development and expansion of our business. In 2003 when we started, we were a little ahead of our time and often found it difficult to persuade stations of the benefits of moving away from ISDN and closed systems. However, with the high quality of the IP circuits available now, we find ourselves in a very strong position of having a mature and proven product in an emerging market. We also have many years of experience that we use to help our customers develop and grow their business as new IP products and services become available.
Q. Do you find that there is still a reluctance to embracing IP within the Security sector and is this mirrored by our IT colleagues?
A. In recent years, we have found this reluctance fading away, replaced by enthusiasm of the potential that an IP system can provide both in terms of cost savings and added value to the customer. The main concern from the IT department is often around bandwidth requirements. However, since Immix is an event driven system and does not stream video 24/7, we see many stations work on a low cost 2Mbps link. This certainly addresses many of the infrastructure and cost concerns of our IT colleagues.
On-the-Record
Systems International Ltd The latest in the series of interviews with those influencing the future of security and surveillance technology. IPfocus quizzes those in the know and gains an insight into opinions that will be shaping the industry in the future.
Q. What have been the major milestones in the development of the IMMIX product?
A. One of our major milestones was opening our US office in 2005. This has also brought us exposure to a wider range of systems and customers that would not have been possible from the UK alone. We now have 50 customers across the whole of North America, including many of the largest stations, and have developed real traction there with more customers being installed every month. In 2008, we were the first (and so far only) video based system to be awarded the coveted UL classification for our Immix central station platform. This classification certifies the system as being resilient and reliable enough to handle life critical events and is an important accreditation to have for the US and International market.
Q. How do you see the Monitoring and Command and Control arena developing over the coming months and years?
A. There is now a greater demand from the site owner to view, review and control their site from home or via a mobile device. This becomes all the more important as the rapid growth in the range and variety of services being offered by the monitoring service accelerates.
We also see the move from a server architecture to a cloud based system as a very important factor in the near future. IT departments are shrinking and data centres are moving from the control room as the entire business model moves to a virtualised environment.
Q. With things moving to a cloud or virtualised platform over time, what impact do you believe this will have on the traditional Alarm receiving centres?
A. Most large alarm monitoring centres are moving now to cloud and virtualised models as a means of lowing costs, increasing availability and to enable them to provide more flexible services. As such, we are delighted to announce our ‘Immix Cloud’ product. The ‘Immix Cloud’ system enables monitoring stations and command centres to deliver the next generation of monitoring services with a fully browser based operator front end and dedicated mobile apps for customers.
Q. How do you see Monitoring centres developing a customer base, is this something that integrators and installers should look to as a value added service?
A. I believe that the progressive integrators and installers are already doing this. The potential to up-sell services over and above regular out of hours
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