This
week we highlight the SENTINEL AE4A Kit from Natech Universal Security, our
partner in South Africa. The SENTINEL AE4K Kit is a complete stand-alone unit
that provides robust edge-based video analytics in a rugged form-factor at an
attractive price-point.
Natech understood the need for a solution with integrated
analytics for any integrator to easily sell and deploy. Powered by Arteco Logic
NEXT Enterprise video content analysis software, edge based industrial micro
NVR, analogue cameras and IR illuminators giving a total of 200m perimeter
protection which could be extended to any distance by merely adding additional
kits.
Our
Executive Vice President of Sales, Steve Birkmeier, sat down with the Technical
Director of Natech and the designer of the solution, Dean Sichelschmidt, to
discuss the impact of this product on the South African Security Market.
SB:The Sentinel
AE4A Kit is an innovative application for video analytics deployed in the
field, what was the thought-process that triggered the development?
DS: Well,
being in the industry for almost 16 years one always tries to look at solutions
for customers that would offer great value for money and that would sell
without much fuss. By "fuss" I mean certain perimeter solutions seem
to require a large amount of time and effort into the site preparation such as
power, fiber, etc so by the time the client receives a final quote they are
"surprised" at the cost just for the labour and data charges.
So before we got involved with Arteco we had the challenge
of offering high quality/well priced perimeter solutions. After being
introduced to Arteco it became clear that from a software/analytics perspective
we have finally met the right partner. The addition of the Arteco Micro NVR was
the piece of the puzzle that allowed an edge based, rapidly deployable solution
to become a reality.
Sure, we used the Micro NVR's as anyone else would, but
later saw that if we were to build this device into an enclosure and then add
low cost cameras, encoders & illuminators we were able to provide a cost
effective perimeter solution that was easy to install and configure. Therefore the
days of having a heavy investment in perimeter surveillance was over!
The integrator merely states how many meters of perimeter
requires coverage and with this information we can advise them on how many kits
are required, understanding that the coverage on a single kit is 200m.
SB:What type of vertical markets are you targeting and where
have you already seen success with the product?
DS: Well
the markets that would benefit from this are absolutely endless. Wherever
perimeter surveillance is required would be a target for this product. Although
this are early days for the "kit," the components used have been
doing well for us for some years now. Success as a "final product"
has been very good with many Blue Chip companies showing immense interest in
the offering. As we speak we have an integrator that has been awarded 7km of
perimeter surveillance and won this due to the fact that The Sentinel is just
so easy to deploy and that it is not limited to what type of camera is
connected to it.
SB:From a competitive standpoint, what do you feel are the
clear advantages of the Sentinel AE4A Kit has over the competition? Who
do you see as the competition for this product?
DS: Simplicity, that is the number one advantage of the
Sentinel! It is also easy for any integrator to understand and deploy and can
even use their clients existing cameras which reduces the cost even more. Yet
on the other side the Sentinel can also include microwave beams, thermal
imaging cameras, fence detection solutions, audio (as a verbal warning) and can
even include LED perimeter lighting solutions. Competition wise....well there
are MANY solutions out there, but what makes the Sentinel standout is the
integration with Arteco, and also the way in which the Sentinel is packaged.
The biggest competitor we feel we have are those that have analytics and video
storage on the camera or encoder itself, but a negative for technologies like
this is they are totally focused on perimeter surveillance.
The
Sentinel is a clear winner as it not only serves as a perimeter solution but
can be part of a much larger solution. By this I mean:
- What if a client has a perimeter problem, but
also need ANPR, people counting, object left object counting, etc?
- What if a client has an existing investment in
cameras?
- What if a client wishes to have intelligent
fence detection as another means of protection?
- What if a client just has some simple CCTV
requirements such as VMD?
- What if a client wishes to integrate his
access control, intruder alarm, fire/smoke detection
With
Arteco this is totally possible! There is no need for specific hardware for a
specific function. With Arteco Logic-NEXT all the client's needs can be met from
a single solution! And besides the cost per channel for Arteco has proved to be
lower than any other solution.
SB:What is the future for the self-contained, easily deployed
video-analytics based solutions like the AE4A Kit in South Africa? Do you see
its appeal spreading to other markets? Why?
DS: The future
is extremely bright. Perimeter surveillance is by no means a new concept to the
South African market, however certain solution providers do hold the market
share, but this is rapidly changing. The Sentinel is here to stay and has been
seen as one of the very few solutions that are affordable, yet offers high end results.
The Sentinel is something that can be used for small sites all the way up to
huge perimeters, but we also see a its fit a nice market - farms. Farm murders
are a huge problem in South Africa and with the use of something like Sentinel
it provide the farmer with a warning which will give them a few vital seconds
if not minutes that crucial as to take action against the intruders.
SB: Dean thanks again for your time today and answering our questions. We hope the Sentinel brings a lot of joint success.
DS: No problem, as do I.
