Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) is a well-known concept across many sectors in the video security industry: a way for customers to gain the most value by taking account of the total costs of any system across its entire lifecycle. IDIS is thought to be one of the first video tech vendors to shed light on the importance of TCO with the introduction of its ebook on the subject in 2019 – now the company has released its latest information on the subject in the form of an free to download educational ebook entitled, “Why Total Cost of Ownership Matters More Than Ever.”

The proliferation of AI-powered analytics has further increased the value of video solutions by increasing operational efficiency and business intelligence. The market has also become more crowded with vendors referring to TCO in varying ways, often leaving end-users and systems integrators confused by different definitions and discouraging them from asking the right questions to help them accurately assess the value of the video surveillance and analytics solutions.

IDIS is accurately communicating to its partners and customers why a clear understanding of TCO and ROI (return on investment) is more important than ever. They are both crucial metrics for systems integrators, heads of security, facilities teams, and loss prevention managers looking to invest in IP video technology.

James Min, Managing Director, IDIS Europe commented, “Our latest eBook signals Idis’s continuing commitment to the industry’s lowest TCO. It provides an essential updated guide to support systems integrators in demonstrating the value that video solutions can now deliver. With advances in surveillance capabilities, combined with the power of highly accurate deep learning analytics video solutions can deter and prevent crime and losses, while gaining operational efficiencies and actionable business intelligence”.

Topics covered in this free ebook include planning and system design; hardware; installation; monitoring and management; license fees and maintenance; and scalability.

AI Auto Zoning is designed to simplify the process for creating comprehensive intruder detection policies into a single click. With a simple button, the Sightsensor camera:

• Automatically draws active detection zones tailored to the camera’s detection range
• Defines multi-layered human detection policies and activates Thermal AI nuisance alarm filtering
• Displays the true detection range and AI classification distance as lines against the camera’s field of view
• Intelligently disregards distant areas not relevant to security, such as the sky or traffic

The result offers a powerful combination of simplicity and reliable performance.

Enabling mobile and remote video applications

Anyone tasked with monitoring outdoor sites will appreciate the significant value of reducing the time and costs to deploy an outdoor detection system. With AI Auto Zoning, even complex detection policies can be defined in seconds.

As an added bonus, mobile security towers can be easily relocated from site to site, hassle-free: A single click resets the zones and the camera automatically adjusts its detection areas based on the new location.

Sightsensor firmware upgrade

The Auto Zoning feature is now available to all Sightsensor cameras purchased after 2018 via a simple firmware update. This update also includes the latest Thermal AI classification model to enhance target classification accuracy.

AI Auto Zoning is a further Sightlogix innovation that leverages its longstanding heritage of making outdoor video security highly reliable and easy to use. This includes:

• Thermal AI that reduces alarms during the day, at night, and in all weather
• One-click geo-calibration, leveraging internal sensors that automatically determine target size, speed, direction, and distance from the camera
• Massive coverage areas that protect outdoor sites with fewer devices
• A web-based perimeter design tool – SightSurvey – that lets you design a virtual smart camera layout right in the browser, even before visiting the site

The latest information on the next generation emergency response system market researched by Marketsandmarkets, shows that the market size in this sector is projected to grow from USD 2.4 billion in 2023 to USD 3.3 billion by 2028, at a CAGR of 7.0% during the forecast period.

The global population is ageing, and older adults are more likely to experience medical emergencies. This is driving the demand for emergency response systems that are specifically designed for the needs of the elderly, such as personal emergency response systems and remote patient monitoring systems.

Call management software holds strong market position

In the next generation of emergency response systems, call management software is pivotal in optimising the entire response process. By automating initial call handling stages, this software swiftly collects crucial information such as caller location and the nature of the emergency, minimizing response time and mitigating potential human errors. Its integration with location services enables precise identification of the caller’s whereabouts, ensuring prompt dispatch of emergency services. The software’s capability to analyse and prioritise incoming calls based on severity aids in efficient resource allocation. Multi-channel communication support allows the public to convey information through diverse mediums, facilitating comprehensive data exchange. Real-time collaboration features enable seamless communication among response teams, promoting effective coordination. Integration with other systems, such as GIS and surveillance cameras, enhances situational awareness.

Multimedia support software predicted for healthy growth

In the evolving landscape of emergency response systems, the integration of multimedia support software stands as a pivotal advancement. This advanced technology plays a vital role in enhancing the agility and efficacy of emergency responses. Real-time video and audio streaming, coupled with surveillance integration, empower responders with critical insights into the unfolding emergency. Geospatial information and mapping tools, facilitated by multimedia support, allow for comprehensive visualisation of the emergency’s scope, aiding in resource optimisation and evacuation planning. Multichannel communication, including text, voice, and video, ensures seamless coordination among responders and affected communities. The ability to monitor social media platforms for crowdsourced information enriches the understanding of dynamic situations. Multimedia tools further enable training through virtual reality simulations and augmented reality guidance, enhancing the preparedness of emergency responders.

North America strongest region

The next generation emergency response system market in North America has been experiencing significant growth and development. The burgeoning North American market for next-generation emergency response systems (NGERS) is fuelled by technological advancements, rising demands for faster response times, and an aging population.

Advancements in AI, big data, and connected devices are enabling sophisticated, integrated systems for real-time data analysis and improved situational awareness. Governments and private entities are investing in NG911, mass notification, public safety software, PERS, and connected sensors to enhance emergency preparedness, response, and citizen safety. The incorporation of drones for aerial reconnaissance, cybersecurity measures, and community alerting systems further contribute to the evolution of a robust and efficient next generation emergency response system landscape in North America.

Major next generation emergency response system vendors, such as Motorola Solutions, AT&T, Everbridge, Intrado, and Hexagon have a strong presence in this region. These players innovate their offerings in this market.

Besides those, the other leading players are Esri, Sinch, Atos, Comtech, Zetron, Avaya, Cisco, Rapid SOS, NGA, Convey 911, Boost Pro Systems, Simoco Wireless Solutions, SEON Group, Carbyne and Rapid Deploy.

Motorola Solutions has appointed Nicole Anasenes to its board of directors. Anasenes brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in software and services, market development, acquisitions and business transformation.

“I am pleased to have Nicole join our board, a seasoned leader with deep financial and operational expertise,” said Greg Brown, chairman and CEO, Motorola Solutions. “Her business and industry experience will be instrumental as we continue our purposeful transformation centered on safety and security.”

“I’m honoured to join the Motorola Solutions board at such a significant time in the company’s history,” said Anasenes. “I look forward to working alongside the leadership team and building on the company’s strong momentum as they continue their vital work helping to make communities, schools and businesses safer.”

Anasenes currently serves as chief financial officer and senior vice president, Finance for Ansys Inc, a developer and provider of engineering simulation software and services. Anasenes has also previously served as chief financial officer and chief operating officer for Squarespace, chief financial officer for Infor and held various leadership positions at IBM. She served on the boards of directors of Ansys from July 2018 until Dec. 2020 and Vmware, Inc. from April 2022 to Nov. 2023.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in Economics and International Business from New York University, as well as an M.B.A. from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Convergint, a global leader in service-based systems integration, has appointed Ann Fandozzi as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. After a distinguished, decade-long tenure, Ken Lochiatto will move from his role as Chief Executive Officer to continuing to serve Convergint in an advisory role on its Board of Managers. He will support the company and its colleagues during this period of transition.

Ken Lochiatto has played a pivotal role in Convergint’s growth and success during his tenure as CEO. Under his leadership, the company expanded its global footprint to more than 10,000 colleagues across more than 220 Convergint Technology Center locations, diversified its service offerings, completed 55 acquisitions, and strengthened its position as an industry leader. Lochiatto’s dedication to Convergint’s culture and strategic vision have been instrumental in shaping the company into the $2.5B powerhouse it is today.

Fandozzi joins the company at a pivotal moment and will lead its next phase of transformational growth as Convergint drives innovation in the electronic security, cyber security, fire and life safety, building automation, and audio-visual systems markets.

This is Ann Fandozzi’s fourth CEO role, having previously led RB Global, Abra Auto Body & Glass, and Vride through unprecedented transformation and growth. Prior to these CEO roles, she held senior leadership positions at Whirlpool, Daimlerchrysler, Ford Motor Company, and Lockheed Martin.

“Ann’s experience in leading company culture, combined with her passion for innovation and commitment to customer success, are a natural fit for Convergint. We are excited to welcome her as CEO,” said Lochiatto. “We’re incredibly proud of Convergint’s ongoing success and look forward to accelerating our global growth.”

Fandozzi commented, “I am honoured to join Convergint. The company’s Values and Beliefs and long-standing reputation for delivering cutting-edge technology solutions and top-tier service are impressive. I look forward to working closely with the talented team to continue its trajectory of growth—centring on Convergint’s strong culture.”

“We are extremely grateful to Ken Lochiatto for his leadership in shaping Convergint’s strategy and vision over the last decade. His unwavering commitment to the success of our customers and colleagues resulted in a strong foundation for continuous momentum and achievement,” said Dan Moceri, Executive Chairman of Convergint’s Board of Managers. “We welcome Ann Fandozzi to lead us into the next phase of the company’s evolution. The future is bright for Convergint.”

Horizon3.ai, a pioneer in autonomous security solutions, has launched its first-to-market Phishing Impact test capability within Nodezero. This new capability marks a significant advancement in penetration testing, addressing what the company believes to be a critical gap in understanding the real-world implications of phished credentials.

Horizon3.ai Co-Founder and CEO Snehal Antani said: “Phishing is the most common type of cyber attack. Today there are over 1.35 million unique phishing sites detected worldwide. Every day, IT and security teams leverage sophisticated, state-of-the-art security training and in-house phishing tests to raise security awareness and identify susceptible human targets, yet every day, new attacks succeed because humans are naturally responsive, and attacks are increasingly sophisticated. Our Phishing Impact test is first-to-market and gives you the ammunition required to drive meaningful improvements to reduce the credential attack surface of your organisation.”

Business leaders often dismiss the threat of entry-level employees who click on malicious links, leading to frustration by IT and security organisations. The Phishing Impact test delivered by Nodezero can help those IT and security teams accurately convey the “blast radius” of those phished credentials, proving that sensitive data was indeed at risk.

“The Nodezero Phishing Impact test is the natural complement to supplement phishing tools such as Knowbe4, Proofpoint, Infosec IQ, Mimecast, and in-house initiatives, and it represents the next step in responsible cybersecurity diligence,” said Stephen Gates, Principal Security SME at Horizon3.ai. “Organisations can now prove the end-to-end impact when an intern’s credentials were phished during a training exercise.”

By adding a few lines of Javascript code provided by Nodezero to phishing pages created using popular testing tools, organisations can automatically channel captured credentials into an active Nodezero penetration test. This test then utilises those phished credentials in conjunction with exploitable security weaknesses discovered by Nodezero as part of its attack against the network.

The outcome is a comprehensive report detailing the impact of each phished credential, offering organisations unprecedented insights into their security posture. This not only enhances their understanding of potential threats but also drives effective improvements to safeguard their systems against real-world attacks.

Horizon3.ai’s Phishing Impact test with Nodezero is thought to be a first-of-its-kind tool, equipping organisations with the knowledge and resources to proactively address vulnerabilities in their cyber security defences.

In 2023, over 12,000 drivers from the company’s client base, joined the Addsecure Eco-Driving Challenge, a pan-European competition. It involved 75 companies, 140 teams, and around 8,200 heavy commercial trucks. Ahola Transport (FIN) earned the best eco-driving score in Q4, while Götene Kyltransporter (SE) achieved the greatest CO2 reduction.

The results of the Eco-Driving 2023 competition revealed that the voluntary challenge, based on an Eco-Driving Index, improved driving behaviour and proved to deliver major fuel savings.

When comparing the 2023 results with 2017 (when the challenge started), the calculations show that the competing companies reduced their total consumption by approximately 9.2 million litres of fuel on a yearly basis. This results in reduced CO2 emissions of approximately 24,400 tons and savings of about 13.9 million Euros.

To make the competition extra exciting, the 75 competing companies are divided into 6 different groups based on country (SE, NO, FI, DK, DE, FR) and in one group for bus operators in Europe. During the competition Addsecure has continuously updated a performance chart to keep all stakeholders informed about the competition’s developments. On the performance chart, the leaders in three categories are presented

• Largest CO2-savings in absolute terms (“AddSecure Eco-Momentum”)
• Best eco-driving average (based on 6 driving parameters)
• Best improvement of eco-driving index

“Addsecure’s Eco-Driving Challenge exemplifies the power of collective commitment to sustainability. The impressive results of reduced fuel consumption, lower CO2 emissions, and substantial cost savings showcase not just efficiency but a shared responsibility towards a greener future supported by our powerful solutions. Together, we steer towards a more eco-conscious tomorrow,” said Claes Ödman, President of Smart Transport at Addsecure.