By: Mr. Ashish P. Dhakan, MD & CEO, Prama Hikvision India Pvt. Ltd
AI is making video security systems more secured & hassle-free
How IP intercoms meet evolving security and communications needs
Video Intercom (Also known as Video Door Phone in India) has come a long way from simply answering calls and swiping cards. Today, we are embracing more intelligent video intercom solutions with features like mobile controls, friendly touchscreens, visualized interfaces, and more. Intercom products address a crucial part of the security, communications and convenience needs in both residential and business sectors. They have evolved over time alongside the “leapfrog” development in the technologies created for better and safer living environments.
The transition from analog to IP technologies
The intercom market is witnessing a significant transition from analog to IP. IP-based intercoms offer a wider range of capabilities – including higher image resolution, mobile control, remote operation, and a series of smart functions.
IP intercoms bring a new level of convenience
Mobile control: IP intercoms let owners receive calls, play video, and open locks from anywhere through just a simple touch. For example, people often receive calls on their mobile devices for package deliveries or other services when they’re not at home. IP intercoms, however, allow users to give temporary access remotely to those who need it, just using a simple mobile application. This is more convenient and much safer than manually giving out passwords or key cards.
User-friendly interfaces: IP intercoms commonly provide a user-friendly screen with a clearly visible interface, simple touch interaction, intuitive operation, and multi-functional information display (e.g., weather, news, announcements, etc.). These easy-to-use features help get modern consumers accustomed to using IP intercoms since they operate very similar to mobile phones.
High image quality: Compared to purely analog solutions, IP intercoms provide excellent imaging with higher resolutions and wider field of view. Wide Dynamic Range (WDR) and night vision are also supported to help users see clearly despite challenging light conditions, such as direct sunlight or high contrast environments during the day and darkness in the evening and night time.
IP intercoms provide excellent imaging with higher resolutions and wider field of view
Intelligent authentication
IP intercoms also support multiple access methods, from ID cards and PIN codes to biometric recognition. Additionally, following recent trends in contactless solutions, IP intercoms simplify the action of opening doors while addressing common concerns about bacteria and viruses introduced by physical touch.
All-in-one management
IP intercoms also offer opportunities for integration with other security systems, such as video and alarms. A unified control center ensures all-in-one linkage among various devices and systems and facilitates convenient device operation and management, improving security for businesses and home owners.
Hikvision’s IP intercoms serve a wide range of scenarios, including apartment buildings, single-family homes, and SMB offices. In residential applications, these advanced intercoms combine a better user experience with elegant design to suit any decor, as well as a touch-friendly screen for easy operation. Users can remotely open doors and talk to visitors by simply tapping the Hik-Connect mobile app on their smartphone or tablet.
For Business applications, Hikvision’s IP intercoms enhance safety levels and management efficiency with strong integration capabilities. Hikvision’s All-in-One Indoor Station Series controls and manages all Hikvision access control, video security, and alarm devices through the built-in Hik-Connect app. The product series can also be converged with third-party applications to satisfy customized or personalized needs.
Emerging technologies in video security solutions
The security industry has, no doubt, continued to shift, adapt, and develop in spite of challenges. Several trends related to emerging technologies have even accelerated. Beyond traditional “physical security,” a host of emerging technologies like AI, cloud computing, IoT, and cybersecurity, are shaping the future of video security solutions. We foresee following technology trends that are redefining the future of video security solutions.
AI will be everywhere: Nowadays, Artificial Intelligence is quite common in the security industry. More customers in the industry have recognized the value of AI, and have found new uses for AI applications in various scenarios. Along with ANPR, automated event alerts, and false alarm reduction, AI technologies are being used for wider applications, like personal protective equipment (PPE) detection, fall detection for the elderly, mine surface detection, and much more.
AIoT to digitize and pervade across verticals: With more security cameras and other security devices being connected to the network, the security industry is becoming an important part of an IoT world, enriching its visual capabilities. It’s apparent that the boundaries of the security industry are blurring, going well beyond the physical security arena. Meanwhile the popularization of AI technology enables the connected devices to become intelligent “things” in the IoT world. The combination of AI and IoT, or as we call it, AIoT, is taking the security industry to a higher plain, automating the workflows and procedures of enterprises and aiding in the digital transformation of various industry verticals such as energy, logistics, manufacturing, retail, education, healthcare, etc.
Converged systems will break down data silos: Workers throughout private enterprises and public service sectors alike would jump at the chance to get rid of obstructive “data silos.” Data and information scattered and isolated in disparate systems or groups create barriers to information sharing and collaboration, preventing managers from getting a holistic view of their operations. Here, the convergence of various information systems has been proven to be an effective approach – hopefully enough to break down those silos. It’s clear – the trend in the security industry has been to make efforts to converge systems wherever possible, including video, access control, alarms, fire prevention, and emergency management, to name a few.
Cloud-based solutions and services will be essential: Like AI, the cloud is not a new trend in our industry, but it is an expanding one. From small business markets to enterprise levels, we can see the momentum push more and more businesses to leverage cloud-based security solutions and services.
Crystal clear security imaging will be standard: It is always vital for video security cameras, as a core function to maintain image clarity and capture details 24 hours a day, in any weather and under any condition. Cameras with low light imaging technology that renders high-definition and full-color images at night and in nearly completely dark environments have been very welcome in the market. We are taking note of the impressive technology applied to more camera models, including 4K, Varifocal and PTZ cameras.
The ‘Zero Trust’ approach will take the cybersecurity spotlight: With more security devices connecting over the Internet than anyone ever imagined, cybersecurity has become an immense challenge in the industry. The term “Zero Trust” has become a hot word just in recent years. A strategic initiative that developed to prevent data breaches by eliminating the concept of trust from an organization’s network architecture, Zero Trust is rooted in a philosophy of “never trust, always verify”.
