Have we entered the age of the security company "open marriage?"
I used that phrase just a few days ago in relation to the Panasonic-Video Insight acquisition. Now the phrase springs immediately back to mind related to the truly shocking news today about Canon buying Axis, which last year bought video management system supplier Milestone.
Is it possible for a video management company and a camera company to be owned by the same company and yet remain "open?"
That was the premise when Canon bought Milestone, but is it likely to remain the core focus, or are these new combined companies looking to chart a different course for the market? Do they reflect suppliers' view that the market's growing preference for end-to-end solutions trumps the need for independent, best-of-breed components from which integrators and users can pick and choose?
Maybe the pendulum is turning back toward the "Avigilon model." Maybe ease of installation is more important than freedom of choice.
It appears that end users could suffer in the end as end-to-end solutions become the path of least resistance and the new unified companies "leverage their synergies."
But surely in a market as fractured as the surveillance industry, there will still be a need to be open; that is, to integrate with a variety of hardware and software solutions. Surely we won't regress into a proprietary market where a few big players dominate everything.
Meanwhile, it's time to get to know Canon, the market's latest really big player -- even as we wonder where these "newlywed" companies will take our industry.
Canon's shocking acquisition of Axis: is security industry turning tide?
- Related companies
- Axis Communications
- Canon Europe Ltd
- Milestone Systems
- Avigilon Corporation
- Related links
- Avigilon CCTV software
- Axis Communications CCTV software
- Milestone CCTV software
- Avigilon IP cameras
- Axis Communications IP cameras
- Avigilon Network video recorders (NVRs)
- Avigilon IP Dome cameras
- Axis Communications IP Dome cameras
- Axis Communications Network video recorders (NVRs)
- Milestone Network video recorders (NVRs)
- Related categories
- CCTV software
- IP cameras
- IP Dome cameras
- Network video recorders (NVRs)
- View all news from
- Axis Communications
- Canon Europe Ltd
- Milestone Systems
- Avigilon Corporation
Articles by Larry Anderson
{##Poll1719488782 - What is the most valuable benefit of artificial intelligence (AI) in an emergency call center?##} In an emergency, information is pivotal. More information provides better underst...
Suddenly, artificial intelligence (AI) is everywhere. The smart technology brings a range of benefits to our lives, from streamlining everyday tasks to making scientific breakthroughs. The advantages...
The design of buildings encompasses many elements, from the practical to the aesthetic. Well-designed buildings should be functional, and they can also be beautiful and inspiring. But can security sys...
Manufacturers make things. That hasn’t changed. Manufacturers today still produce finished goods from raw materials using various tools, equipment, and processes. What is evolving is a greater e...
Migrating to the Cloud can be a cultural shift for some organisations, especially when it comes to physical security systems. Challenges such as concerns about data security and compliance, cost manag...
When it comes to protecting the environment, the security industry has historically been perched on the sidelines. For instance, the amount of electricity that physical security systems use is minimal...
The economic fallout of the COVID-19 epidemic was felt in supply chain disruptions, higher prices, and shortages of certain goods. The physical security industry was not spared, although the epidemic...
When it comes to preventing theft and ensuring overall safety, technology offers a robust toolkit for retail stores to enhance security in several ways. From intelligent surveillance systems to RFID t...
The security industry offers a vast array of technologies and vendors. This can be overwhelming for end users, who depend on security integrators for guidance and service. But how well do security int...
ISC West 2024 mirrored a vibrant industry on the precipice of accelerated change. Factors such as the cloud, artificial intelligence (AI), edge computing, and biometrics are shaping the future of the...
Technology offers a range of tools to bolster security at public events, including before, during, and after. This year, the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris will draw the attention of the world, requiri...
Security professionals are recognising the intelligence value of leveraging publicly and commercially available information. This information can now be accessed more effectively from typically hard-t...
Technology can be a powerful tool, but it can also be misused. Ethical principles help ensure that technology is used in a way that minimises risks and avoids causing harm to people or society. Issues...
Fueled by mounting concerns about the cybersecurity vulnerability of U.S. ports, President Joe Biden has signed an Executive Order aimed at shoring up defences against cyberattacks. Cybersecurity ini...
Technological leaps in the last several decades have revolutionised biometrics. The technologies are constantly evolving, spanning facial recognition to iris scanning to fingerprints, to provide new l...
In today's interconnected world, the lines between physical and digital security are blurring. This means that threats can easily exploit vulnerabilities in both realms, potentially causing significan...
There is a bright outlook for trade shows in 2024. In particular, ISC West has recently become the must-see event in the security marketplace. ISC West will take place April 9-12 at the Venetian Expo...
By all reports we have heard, 2024 is rushing by at a rapid pace. Many of us are just now catching our breaths after the busy holiday season, even though spring is practically here. Having had a healt...
Edge devices play an important role in the Internet of Things (IoT) by enabling real-time data analysis, faster decision-making, and improved operational efficiency across various industries. In the p...
With the new year well underway, 2023 seems almost like a distant memory. However, a bit of distance might be just the thing to enable us to examine the impact of the year 2023 on the physical securit...
Related videos
In case you missed it
![What are the benefits, and drawbacks, of AI in security?](https://www.sourcesecurity.com/img/news/612/what-are-the-benefits-and-drawbacks-of-ai-in-security-920x533.jpg)
Suddenly, artificial intelligence (AI) is everywhere. The smart technology brings a range of benefits to our lives, from streamlining everyday tasks to making scientific breakthrou...
![ASSA ABLOY solution: Digital cabinet locks help Helsinki Airport to improve regulatory compliance and passenger safety](https://www.sourcesecurity.com/img/news/612/digital-cabinet-locks-help-helsinki-airport-to-improve-regulatory-compliance-and-passenger-safety-920x533.jpg)
Helsinki Airport is a busy transport hub, with a network of flights connecting Finland with cities across Europe, Asia, and beyond. Managing access in such a dynamic environment is...
![Bosch Building Technologies: AI-based video solution for greater transparency and security when monitoring shipping traffic](https://www.sourcesecurity.com/img/news/612/ai-based-video-solution-for-greater-transparency-and-security-when-monitoring-shipping-traffic-920x533.jpg)
At Scheveningen Harbour in the coastal city of The Hague in the Netherlands, an AI-based video security system from Bosch Building Technologies is now ensuring that every single sh...
Expert commentary
Round table discussions
Security bytes
- Getting to know Dan Grimm, VP and General Manager of Computer Vision at RealNetworks
- Big wins and the importance of showing up: Insights from SourceSecurity.com editor Larry Anderson
- Setting goals, business travels and radioactivity: Success secrets from Tiandy's John van den Elzen
- Getting to know Jeff Burgess, President/CEO at BCDVideo
Access control system planning phase 1
DownloadHow to lower labour costs when installing video surveillance
DownloadTotal cost of ownership for video surveillance
DownloadKey Findings from the 2024 Thales Cloud Security Study
DownloadVideo surveillance
Download