Johannesburg, 18 Jan 2013
Nowadays, modern video surveillance systems are inconceivable without IT. Consequently, a lucrative new business segment has emerged for IT systems houses, enabling them to expand their product portfolios and providing them with the opportunity to offer their customers total company security from a single source.
The latest technological developments are further accelerating the fusion of video security and IT as business disciplines. Thus, network-based systems are evolving from formerly proprietary CCTV (Closed Circuit Television) systems: Where previously analogue cameras were physically hooked up to recorders and monitors via BNC cables, IP cameras are now being used and these are connected to recording servers and monitors across a TCP/IP network. IP-based video systems offer many advantages for the end-user, such as enhanced flexibility and adaptability of the video system, or higher resolution since they enable the use of HD and megapixel cameras.
New contact partners: From site protection to the IT department
With IP video systems, the video streams are no longer transmitted via separate analogue cabling, but rather across the company's existing IP network or a dedicated video network - in other words, via LAN/WAN and standard commercial IT systems such as routers, switches and the like. It follows that, these days, it is impossible to conceive of IP video systems without IT, because who knows the company network better than the IT department?
This also means that some of the responsibility for video security is being devolved from the traditional premises protection services to the IT department. Whereas previously the security officer made the decision to buy a video system in consultation with an electrician, he is now being replaced in this function by the head of the company's IT department. And in the event of questions in this regard, as for any other matters relating to the company network, this individual's first approach is most often to an IT systems house.
Portfolio expansion for IT systems houses
So it makes sound business sense for IT systems houses to invest in the development of a new business segment, and to include video solutions in their portfolios as a complementary service to those they already offer relating to network infrastructure. This will enable them to offer their customers all-round plant security from a single source, and thereby set themselves apart from their competitors.
This development is also welcomed by end-customers. After all, it means they have a single, key contact partner who looks after their entire security infrastructure for the site - from IT security to network security and physical premises protection. In the event of service incidents, there are no unclear areas of responsibility that one provider can pass off to another. Interface problems are also minimised if all relevant systems are managed by one central, professional IT partner. This is a decisive advantage for end-customers, since they not only save time and money in the long term, they also spare themselves many headaches.
Strong partnerships through IT partner programmes
More and more video security technology manufacturers are introducing partner programmes that have been specially developed to respond to the needs of the IT market. In this way, they intend to win IT systems houses and other IT service providers as customers for the booming "IP video" business segment. One example of such is Dallmeier, a manufacturer based in Regensburg, with offices globally, including South Africa, that has earned a position at the forefront of the international market for network-based video security technology by providing the highest possible quality based on more than 25 years' of experience. Dallmeier is also the only German manufacturer on the market to offer full-range solutions from a single source: IP cameras, recording servers, video management software and video analysis.
Dallmeier has now set itself the objective of building a comprehensive network of IT partners that are able to plan and design entire video systems, and manage their network infrastructure. To this end, the company has drafted five different partner programmes, each with its own set of objectives. The programme that is of most interest for IT systems houses is the "Reseller Partner Programme", which is designed specifically for IT systems houses, IT sales organisations and IT service providers that wish to include Dallmeier products in their portfolios as distribution partners.
Personal contact
If you are looking for more information on our IT partner programmes, please contact the Dallmeier Southern Africa Office:
Riaan Kruger
Phone: (+27) 11 979 4540
Mobile: (+27) 834 608 015
E-mail: dallmeiersa@dallmeier.com
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