Taking an intriguing direction with a new division, one of South Africa's most respected information technology companies is branching out into the provision of security solutions - and not those which surround information security, either. Rather through its Advanced Infrastructure division, Dimension Data is launching an entity called Integrated Security Solutions (DDISS), which will specialise in the design, installation and support of surveillance and monitoring technologies.
The motivation for the launch of the division is twofold, explains Nicholas Shaw, General Manager for Dimension Data Advanced Infrastructure: "Firstly, there is an overwhelming need for intelligent and automated surveillance and monitoring in South Africa. And secondly, the 'IP revolution' provides the underlying infrastructure for IT experts to enable these solutions to deliver real value for businesses.”
Heading DDISS is Business Unit Manager Greg Collyer. He notes that the major differentiator for the division is the inherent information technology expertise gleaned from an experienced and highly qualified team. "That will go a long way in delivering all-IP solutions which are integrated into ERP solutions, time and attendance registers and building management systems," he says.
Going into more detail, Shaw says the traditional approach to surveillance can be summed up by a guard watching several screens and waiting for something out of the ordinary to happen. "This is an analogue world in which CCTV cameras feed on to screens and video recorders. It is also a world which is highly dependent on human observation and intervention, and one where gaps exist through which criminals can easily pass."
The IP (Internet Protocol) revolution, Shaw says, has enabled the development not only of cameras, which are connected to an IP network, but can enable much more. Specifically, he draws attention to the power of digital techniques for surveillance and monitoring: "With a completely digital, IP-driven solution, artificial intelligence is introduced on to the network. Face recognition, object detection, behavioural triggers and unusual activity no longer relies on human intervention - the system can do it automatically and alert guards to a scenario whether they are actively watching the screen or not."
Shaw points out that a convergence between physical and logical security is an emergent force as organisations seek to mitigate risk against threats of any kind. "Intelligent systems integrate surveillance, access control and information security and provide for their alignment with business processes. By putting surveillance on to the IP network, security of this nature, which by virtue of its digitisation also provides for analysis, is becoming a welcome reality."
Collyer says initial market response is positive. "The concept of integrated, automated security is recognised and existing clients are already in the process of scoping or even deploying these systems. There is a substantial market for IP security solutions and we intend to establish our organisation as the first-choice provider."
According to Shaw, DDISS draws on the company's extensive heritage as a networking and information technology specialist, while also bringing several key partnerships to its value proposition. These include agreements with Schneider Electric and General Electric, in addition to the already strong relationship with Cisco. "Schneider Electric and General Electric are not well known as vendors in the IT space," Shaw confirms, "But are widely known as major industrial players. These two vendors approach surveillance and monitoring from a 'traditional' perspective, while incorporating the advances of IP. Meanwhile, Cisco is strengthening its IP solution set."
With the participation of these vendors and its own intellectual capability, which includes solution architecture, project management and extensive networking skills, Shaw says DDISS offers a solid value proposition and brings a level of credibility to the industry not seen before.
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