MAY 9--CCTV in Europe is on a high growth trajectory, with rising awareness and adoption of IP solutions acting as major drivers bolstering growth. In addition, proactive systems capable of performing intelligent analysis are spurring demand for network cameras and recorders. The European CCTV and video-surveillance-equipment market is relatively the most active segment within the security industry in comparison to other building security equipment and is characterized by a surge of activity in the IP surveillance domain. A new study from Frost & Sullivan (www.autoid.frost.com), European CCTV and Video Surveillance Equipment Markets, finds that the market earned revenues of $1.42 billion in 2005 and estimates this to reach $1.94 billion in 2012.
IP-based video-surveillance systems are enjoying huge publicity, with every business thinking of or already incorporating network-based solutions into their surveillance systems. These systems are considered more or less as a commodity, with customers beginning to regard them as the most effective way to deter the growing levels of crime. As a result, the market is witnessing a major technological transition towards network-enabled surveillance solutions.
"More than any other factor, the unnoticed breaches in security, followed by the subsequent loss of either personal or sensitive data, have heightened the need for CCTV and video-surveillance solutions as part of security systems in every organization," says Frost & Sullivan research analyst Archana Umesh Rao. "Across Europe, it is evident that awareness levels of the need for video surveillance are at an all-time high, following acts of terrorism, vandalism and violence."
"A strong analog market, followed by years of experience of security companies in offering traditional CCTV products, is rendering it difficult for manufacturers to make installers look beyond what they have been offering up to now," explains Rao. "As a result, educating end users and installers, as well as making them aware of the huge benefits and the return on investment for network solutions should remain a key focus area for market participants."
