Mr. Ashish P. Dhakan (MD & CEO)
Prama Hikvision India Pvt. Ltd.

✦ Could you tell us a little bit about latest development on Hikvision India front in security industry?

We are expanding our footprints in the Indian security market by offering vertical solutions and wide range of quality products in Video Security, Access Control, Perimeter Security, Intrusion Alarm, Inspection and Storage segments. Our latest video product offerings are having AI and IoT technology enabled applications. Our Machine Vision Products and Mobile Robots are creating new success stories in the Manufacturing, Logistics and E-Commerce sectors. We are focusing on Indian cities in Tier-I, Tier-II and Tier-III segments as emerging markets for security products and solutions. Our go to market strategy hinges on the evolving mzarket scenarios, trends and research data. The focus is on pitching vertical specific solutions in the diverse market segments.

We are ramping up the production capacity of our state-of-the-art manufacturing facility near Mumbai in a phased manner. The commitment to the 'Make-in-India' vision continues to be the driving force. We are striving to serve the needs of the Indian security market in the best possible manner.

✦ Changing The Face of Surveillance Security, What do you feel has been the biggest change in the industry?

The biggest change is the consolidation trend in the security industry that is helping the security industry move to the next level of growth. We are catering to the growing demand for video security products and other security solutions after a long spell of pandemic impact. We are resolving the challenges of supply chain disruptions by expediting the process and ramping up the production in our manufacturing facility.

To fulfill the growing demand of skilled workforce in the electronic security product manufacturing segment, various training initiatives to develop skills are underway. Hikvision India has partnered with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) to offer security technology and product training related to video surveillance and security products for Indian youth. The company is providing training and certifications (HCSA and HCSP) as a part of the Skill India program.

✦ How is technology reshaping the security sector in the world, especially in India?

The Indian security market is moving towards maturity by swift adoption of transformative technologies (AI and IoT), innovative products and smart solutions. Despite being a price sensitive market it has grown exponentially. Now in the high-end Indian project market the value that the solution provides is often being preferred over the price.

The Indian security market is evolving rapidly with time and trends. It is facing challenges head on with innovative strategies that are based on local insights. It has shown an exemplary resilience during the pandemic phase. It's been observed that this market has unparalleled potential compared to other leading security markets. It is full of new opportunities and growth prospects.

As far as the Indian security market is concerned, it is a clear sign of growth and maturity. The infrastructure and transportation continues to be the fastest growing sectors in the Indian security market. The homeland security, smart city, real estate, healthcare, banking and education sectors are experiencing an upswing in the recent times.

✦ How are players using technology to increase the efficiency of automation systems, access control and parking management solutions and offer contactless solutions in the current scenario?

As technology advances, artificial intelligence (AI) is used in increasingly disparate ways to help achieve automated security measures. It's now also being used in business scenarios, making it possible for business owners to resolve complex issues or tedious jobs with minimal effort. AI-powered applications, such as automated event alerts, false alarm reduction, ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition), and people counting, have already become popular in a variety of scenarios.

Automation of Security Systems

For security professionals, being able to provide innovative solutions with AI features is already becoming a vital component to make them more competitive. To help them meet common and unique challenges, Hikvision offers a range of products and solutions with AI-powered AcuSense technology, as well as DeepinView and DeepinMind series of products that can streamline and maximize automation of security protection and business operations.

Access Control

The Access Control Segment of physical security is evolving faster than ever. We now find ourselves stepping into the era of most advanced biometric recognition. The use of face recognition in access control and time attendance has been quite popular in the market, mostly for its advantageous "touch-free" experience. Later, as access control continued to develop in biometric recognition, iris recognition became a new trend – especially for scenarios that require higher security and more convenience. With advanced deep learning algorithms and practical functions, Hikvision's MinMoe Face Recognition Terminals and Iris Recognition Terminals improve security and efficiency in access control and time attendance, making them easier and smarter.

Parking Management Solution

The Hikvision Smart Parking Solution gives parking operators everything they need to improve their daily operations, from entrance and exit management, to parking guidance and customer vehicle location. It can optimize the use of parking lots, boost the flow of vehicles, and enhance driver satisfaction – which means parking is always efficient and cost-effective.

Smart Parking Solutions

State-of-the-art Smart Parking Solutions can improve the management, security and profitability of parking lots, thanks to an array of new and intelligent features.

Simpler Entrance and Exit Management

Smart parking solutions can integrate the latest barrier technology with industry-standard automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras, to make entering and leaving parking lots much more efficient. By rapidly identifying vehicles and sending this data to the barriers, intelligent cameras can speed up vehicle flow and can minimize queues, improving the productivity of the whole parking site. When it comes to payment for parking, organizations can also integrate an ANPR system with a third-party ticketing system, to make the customer experience even smoother.

Intelligent Parking Guidance

Parking guidance cameras can automatically monitor the availability of spaces. One camera can have visibility of multiple spaces, and intelligently detect if there is a vehicle in each one. This information is sent to a guidance terminal, which then calculates how many spaces are occupied or available, and informs customers via parking guidance screens installed at critical junctions of the parking lot.

✦ Improvisation is a stepping stone to achieving success. Company always had a one-point focus- Improvising its solution-offering and uplifting its service standards, where do you see an opportunity for achieving higher growth?

The Indian security market is brimming with new opportunities related to customization of products and solutions as per Indian environment and verticals. This is a huge opportunity for achieving higher growth that requires manufacturing capabilities, research and development, technology adoption and innovative customization. Our 'Make-in-India' Manufacturing facility and its R&D center is helping to fulfill the end-user's requirements for customized solutions.

✦ Given your knowledge of national and international industry requirements, what would you say is the biggest change to hit the industry?

The security industry in India is fast evolving with the latest physical security technology trends. It has continued to adapt, and develop in spite of challenges. Several trends related to emerging technologies have even accelerated. Beyond traditional physical security domain, a host of emerging technologies like AI, cloud computing, IoT, and cybersecurity, are shaping the future of video security solutions. We foresee following technology trends that are redefining the future of video security solutions.

AI will be Everywhere: Nowadays, Artificial Intelligence is quite common in the security industry. More customers in the industry have recognized the value of AI, and have found new uses for AI applications in various scenarios. Along with ANPR, automated event alerts, and false alarm reduction, AI technologies are being used for wider applications, like Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) detection, fall detection for the elderly, mine surface detection, and much more.

AIoT to Digitize and Pervade Across Verticals: With more security cameras and other security devices being connected to the network, the security industry is becoming an important part of an IoT world, enriching its visual capabilities. It's apparent that the boundaries of the security industry are blurring, going well beyond the physical security arena. Meanwhile the popularization of AI technology enables the connected devices to become intelligent “things” in the IoT world. The combination of AI and IoT, or as we call it, AIoT, is taking the security industry to a higher plain, automating the workflows and procedures of enterprises and aiding in the digital transformation of various industry verticals such as energy, logistics, manufacturing, retail, education, healthcare, etc.

Converged Systems will break down Data Silos: Workers throughout private enterprises and public service sectors alike would jump at the chance to get rid of obstructive “data silos.” Data and information scattered and isolated in disparate systems or groups create barriers to information sharing and collaboration, preventing managers from getting a holistic view of their operations. Here, the convergence of various information systems has been proven to be an effective approach – hopefully enough to break down those silos. It's clear – the trend in the security industry has been to make efforts to converge systems wherever possible, including video, access control, alarms, fire prevention, and emergency management, to name a few.

Cloud-Based Solutions and Services will be Essential: Like AI, the cloud is not a new trend in our industry, but it is an expanding one. From small business markets to enterprise levels, we can see the momentum push more and more businesses to leverage cloud-based security solutions and services.

Crystal Clear Security Imaging will be Standard: It is always vital for video security cameras, as a core function to maintain image clarity and capture details 24 hours a day, in any weather and under any condition. Cameras with low light imaging technology that renders high-definition and full-color images at night and in nearly completely dark environments have been very welcome in the market. We are taking note of the impressive technology applied to more camera models, including 4K, Varifocal and PTZ cameras.

The 'Zero Trust' approach will take the Cybersecurity Spotlight: With more security devices connecting over the Internet than anyone ever imagined, cybersecurity has become an immense challenge in the industry. The term “Zero Trust” has become a hot word just in recent years. A strategic initiative that developed to prevent data breaches by eliminating the concept of trust from an organization's network architecture, Zero Trust is rooted in a philosophy of “never trust, always verify”.

✦ The security industry has become a high-tech, dynamic world to operate in. What new and exciting things can we expect to see over the next decade from the industry? What are your future plans?

By all appearances, the security industry is in a stage of redefining itself. It is moving from the realm of security and safety to encompass a wider scope of activities that will expand the role of traditional safety and security definitions. The new technologies like IoT, AI, Robotics, Machine Vision and Blockchain are bringing new levels of intelligence and sustainability to communities, companies and societies.

With innovations and smart integration now the latest IoT and AI enabled security systems and apps, are able to take the physical security industry to the next level. We are committed to serving various industries through its cutting-edge technologies of machine perception, artificial intelligence, and big data.

We will continue to provide a broad range of physical security products, covering video security, access control, and alarm systems by expanding and ramping up 'Make-in-India' manufacturing facility. We will also provide integrated security solutions powered by AI technology to support end-users with new applications and possibilities for safety management and business intelligence.

✦ What is your message to the security business community?

The Indian security industry is poised to take a big leap; we all need to prepare for the next level of growth in terms of product innovation, technology integration, customization of the vertical solutions and service support. We are grateful for the trust of our ecosystem partners Dealers, Distributors and System Integrators.

The System Integrators are at the core of B2B security business scenario, they move the projects from inception to completion. The contemporary challenges faced by the security industry can be addressed by product innovation, technology training and agile service support. There is a huge demand for credible and certified trained System Integrators, which remains unfulfilled. While security industry is growing at an exponential rate, it is best advised to be a trained and certified System Integrator to serve the fast growing security industry requirements with specialization and expertise.

For more information visit:
www.hikvisionindia.com

(This "Interviews" Published in November II 2022 Edition)