The security industry should not be polarized — acquiring both analog and IP installation and integration skills might prove even more beneficial for system integrators and installers who are caught between the technological changes.

As the migration from analog to IP continues, physical security faces tremendous changes. Channel players are witnessing the change firsthand, as distributors and system integrators (SIs) understand that keeping up is the only way to ride the IP wave into a better tomorrow. For traditional SIs and installers versed in analog, possessing both analog and IP know-how offers a promising opportunity for attractive profit margin and greater business prospects in the face of fierce competition.

As a result of mounting market expectations and requirements, more traditional SIs and installers are learning and understanding IP-based solutions. With a growing number of hybrid projects, it is important that traditional SIs and installers learn the ropes about IP solutions to expand their customer base. “Incumbent installers possess invaluable experiences in terms of mechanical and engineering works, such as indoor/outdoor video cabling, electrical wiring and protective measurements, t renching and such, ” said Gavin Ng, Sales Director of Afiintra Technologies.

“Structured cabling and design are not foreign to IT/IP professionals, at least in theory. But traditional installers do provide practical experience that we lack. There is much to learn from professional installers, especially on different types of media and best practices and cabling standards.”

On the other hand, technology transfer has to take place for installers to be competent in the digital world, Ng added.

Depending on the nature of installation, analog systems are still widely deployed. Hybrid projects are increasing as users transition to IP, requiring installers to pick up the IP language. “Many projects in Asia are either fully analog or fully IP, but we are seeing more hybrid solutions as well,” said Sean Wong, Business Director of Security Systems in Asia, Anixter. “A fully IP system would enable a much better, high-level integration as opposed to fully analog, although this depends on the infrastructure design as well as the level of integration needed.

<Source: By Camille Shieh | Date: 04/06/2011 ;  A&S, August>