Cloud platforms and applications are becoming prevalent across security solutions. In the simplest terms, cloud systems store and access data and programs over the Internet instead of using an on-premises computer server. The cloud is a metaphor for the Internet.
This technology helps security integrators provide managed services and the advantages of off-site systems and services to customers, which is why cloud computing is often mentioned among the 'megatrends' in the physical security industry. Here is part one of our Cloud Security series.
Cloud computing
The way users purchase services and products is changing in all walks of life, including the physical security market. The traditional concept of buying and owning a product is giving way to the idea that it is possible to purchase the services it offers instead.
This approach has come from the consumer realisation that the outcome is more important than the tools to achieve it. For example, this approach is evident with the rise of music streaming services as opposed to downloads or physical products. And it coincides with a rise in cloud computing.
| The cloud is a metaphor for the Internet and the way users purchase services and products is changing in all walks of life, including the physical security market |
With the physical security industry becoming ever more integrated – and truly open systems now a reality – there is every reason to assume this service-led trend will come to dominate the way our industry interacts with its clients as well. Customer choice equates to a change of focus and interest, with physical products being eclipsed by the benefits of the overall solution.
Cloud-based services put the onus on the result rather than which device the user chooses. There are benefits for security providers too. Rather than simply 'shifting boxes' and enduring the inevitable sales peaks and troughs this creates; Security as a Service (SaaS) sales allow manufacturers and installers to enjoy a more stable business model.
Cloud-based solutions will have large impact
“Cloud-based solutions will continue to have a large impact across the security industry in 2019,” says Fawzia Atcha, Vice President, Imron Corp., one of our Expert Panelists. “We saw this trend dominate product offerings in the home security market throughout 2018. We expect the commercial and industrial markets to move in this direction as well, thanks to customer demand."
More and more businesses are realising that leveraging the cloud is the most efficient way to solve emerging challenges"
"End users are looking for more streamlined experiences, opting for applications that can be accessed remotely from mobile devices as opposed to desktop software or through a server. Dealers and integrators are seeking to increase recurring monthly revenue through managed services to drive their bottom line. These are just some of the factors driving strong adoption of hosted and web-based cloud solutions.”
“More and more businesses are realising that leveraging the cloud is the most efficient way to solve emerging challenges,” says Ron Virden, Chief Operating Officer, ACRE, LLC, another Expert Panelist.
“Cloud-based applications offer significant financial savings by enabling more cost-effective scaling, as well as a reduction in hardware maintenance and management costs, more resilience, ease of mobile support, flexibility, and greater user experience.”
| Integrators are adjusting business models to leverage cloud-based solutions and there has been a rise of cloud-based products and offerings |
Accessibility, infrastructure and management
Wayne Jared, VP Engineering of 3XLOGIC, Inc., another Expert Panelist, lists three features of cloud-based SaaS that are the most valuable:
- Eliminating the need for internal infrastructure, and thus upfront costs and long-term maintenance issues;
- Allowing “experts” to manage the environment and take the burden off stretched or non-existent IT staff;
- Accessibility from anywhere for ease of use with higher-level security.
There has been a rise of cloud-based products and service offerings that security integrators have access to. While a few key players have offered cloud-based solutions for a couple of years, on the video side in particular, now the cloud is really picking up steam across all other security and life safety solutions.
As a result, integrators are adjusting their business models to leverage these cloud-based solutions into recurring revenue models as managed security service providers (MSSP).
Part two, coming soon.