The conversation seems to be continuing when it comes to the slow transition of some manufacturers and installers from analog to digital security cameras, but there’s some momentum in the conversation and more sub-trends that are becoming just as critical to the future of the industry.

Glenn Adair, senior systems engineer at Panasonic, has seen some thawing in a prior resistance to even consider new technology in casinos and correctional facilities, many of whom are replacing aging or broken analog cameras with their IP counterparts.

“I think they’re realizing there are always going to be limitations with analog and that they can’t push it much further,” Adair says. “The flexibility of the IP infrastructure is another thing people like, so you aren’t running cable everywhere.”

Panasonic has a vast portfolio of products in both analog and IP offerings, rather than selling a hybrid version. This allows customers and installers to pick the pieces that work best for them for a particular job.

“Installers are definitely getting the message” about the transition to IP cameras and security products, Adair says. “Some are making the transition faster than others, which is the case with anything.” He’s seeing more integrators with IT experience branching out into the security space to try to marry the two.

Adair isn’t entirely surprised about the slow transition from analog to digital, saying it’s important for people buying security products to feel … well, secure.

“People were more reluctant until it was proven,” he says. “They waited for the technology to really improve, but I think there’s more of a comfort level now.” Adair sees those involved in jobs of less than a dozen cameras sticking with analog for now, while the bigger jobs are “a no-brainer” for IP technology.

Scott Dixon, director of business development at network camera inventor Axis Communications, puts the burden of moving things forward squarely on manufacturers’ shoulders, saying it’s “funny to me to hear them blame integrators for the slower rate of convergence.”

“It should be about making the integrator’s job easier, helping them,” Dixon says. During new product development, Axis sends product managers into the field to seek opinions from potential buyers about new ideas the company is considering. “If a product is too difficult to install, for example, we know that slows people down and costs them real money.”

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D. Craig MacCormack

Craig MacCormack is a veteran journalist with more than 15 years experience covering local and national news and sports as well as architecture and engineering. He joined Commercial Integrator in January 2011. Follow him on Twitter: @CraigMacCormack.

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