The number and complexity of the technologies involved in physical security is rapidly growing with each passing day, and for those commercial integrators that provide security along with AV and automation, there are a variety of as-a-service opportunities to reap RMR.
In the areas of video surveillance and access control in particular, there’s a tremendous push for integrated solutions that are capable of joining the two together with intrusion, life safety, building management, heating and cooling, and others. The newest of these involves the use of a cloud-based solution called SaaS (security as a service).
SaaS encompasses all of the above, including the two management approaches to physical security commonly known as ACaaS (access control as a service) and VSaaS (video surveillance as a service). In the near future this will include IDaaS (intrusion detection as a service) — not to be confused with data security in the IT world.
All of this involves data processing and retention in a data processing center of immense magnitude that resides on the cloud. SaaS in this setting is intended to enhance the quality and quantity of timely, accurate information that ultimately reaches end-user security personnel, service technicians, and most importantly, first responders.
It’s important — imperative, in fact — that all stakeholders have ready access to as much building intelligence as possible during a situation because many times these individuals will unknowingly place their lives on the line when they respond to a call for help. [related]
SaaS in the cloud can be viable in myriad situations. “We see it being used in all kinds of settings. In terms of security, it’s being used in everything from corporate settings with lobbies and entrances to service stations, convenience stores, retail stores, manufacturing operations, and warehouses, to name only a few. We have some [security dealers] that also deploy it in remote locations where they don’t have a contingency of personnel but they need to know what’s going on,” says Dean Drako, president and CEO of Eagle Eye Networks.
According to Drako, there are many reasons why SaaS lends itself so well to so many kinds of commercial applications, and the biggest one of all is a need for an effective enterprise solution that will work globally.
“One reason is that it supports deployment in multiple locations in an enterprise setting. Some will migrate to the cloud sooner than others because they have a problem managing all those locations from a single office. Several examples of this include large, chain-type commercial businesses such as retail stores and restaurants,” says Drako.
