The key priority for our leadership is to keep on innovating and evolving as an organisation.

- Ashish P Dhakan

MD & CEO, Prama Hikvision India

How do you look at the current market scenario of security systems?

The company performed very well despite the challenges faced due to the pandemic scenario. We were excited to serve the growing demand for CCTV and advanced video security solutions after a long spell of pandemic impact. The surge in demand is spurring the growth of the security industry. It was a great learning experience for all of us to go through the various phases of pandemic challenges and recovery. We had the resilience and innovative strategies on our side to communicate and engage the target audience in a simple and effective manner. We are following the 'Make-in-India' vision and it is a perfect manufacturing roadmap for the future.

The key priority for our management leadership is to keep on innovating and evolving as an organisation while navigating through the evolving challenges and opportunities. We have set the strategic priorities of our goals based on capacity, capital and capability. Our focused marketing initiatives are based on the evolving market trends, technology advantages, customer and employee demand for societal impact. The customer expectations are very high as there is an intense pressure to deliver results despite increasing competition, economic uncertainty and upheaval.

How is technology evolving in security systems? What are the latest features incorporated?

In spite of a highly unusual 2021, the security industry's constant transformation has not stopped. Several significant shifts in the use of technology are even accelerating - for example the increasing applications of multi-perception technologies, the convergence of security systems, the popularity of artificial intelligence, and the rise of cloud solutions. These changes are expanding and reshaping the scope of the security industry, from keeping people and assets safe to creating more secure, efficient and intelligent environments.

Looking ahead at 2022, we have high hopes, and we would like to share some encouraging ideas and thoughts here regarding key trends that may affect the security industry in both the short- and long-term. In 2022, we could expect a slew of Security Technology innovations led by Artificial Intelligence (AI), IoT (Internet of things) and Automation (Robotics) trends. The Smart Integration of Multiple Security Systems will be the key trend. Many of the technologies (Thermal technology, AI Applications and Deep Learning Algorithms) that were applied as risk mitigation tools during the pandemic would continue to be in demand. Verticals that support these solutions could be drivers of growth for the industry. The industry will definitely see more innovation in the coming year as customer requirements change due to the evolving risk scenario and growing demand for public safety.

Hikvision India will continue to offer comprehensive product offerings across the product segments of Video Security, Access Control, Intrusion Alarm, Inspection and Perimeter Security. There is a growing interest in our innovative Video Security (ColorVu and AcuSense Range of video security cameras) and Access Control (MinMoe Face Recognition Terminals and Video Door Phones). Our Intrusion Alarm and Inspection products (AX Hub, Emergency Call Box and Smart Pole) generated lots of interest among end-users in the residential and commercial real estate projects. In the Robotics and Automation segment Mobile Robot Products, Machine Vision Products and Logistic Vision Solutions are gaining popularity due to surge in the logistics and e-commerce sector's requirements.

How are buyers responding to the new technologies and features? 

The building security is getting prioritized in the construction industry and it is having a positive impact on the demand for Video Security Cameras, Access Control Systems, Intrusion Alarm, Inspection, Video Intercom Solutions and Perimeter Security systems. The new technologies that are helping thermal detection and Touch-Free Access are gaining popularity. The advanced security solutions that are spurring demand are Crowd Flow Control, People Counting and Social Distancing Alerts. Video Intercom Solutions are gaining popularity as an ultimate multipurpose home security device with smart integration of video security.

What are your expectations on the market growth in the post-pandemic scenario? What could be the key trends?

Looking ahead at 2022, we have high hopes of growth and expansion in the Indian security market. We expect the return to normalcy in the business and economy will revive the demand for security solutions across the verticals. Here are some of the key trends that will redefine the security industry in the near future.

Intelligent Video Technology helped during the pandemic: In the face of the evolving pandemic scenarios, businesses are prioritizing finding ways to continue operations safely. Intelligent video technology has shown great potential to help companies keep their employees and customers safe while getting back to work.

Powered by AI, security cameras monitor densely populated locations to ensure employees follow vital safety precautions - including social distancing, mask wearing and flow control - and provide initial temperature screenings.

Multi-dimensional perception: Now, more perception capabilities, such as radar detection, multispectral imagery, humidity and temperature measurement, and gas pressure detection, are being integrated with video cameras and systems. This integration extends perception capabilities of these video cameras and systems, and widens their applications by enabling the collection and use of multi-dimensional information. Multi-dimensional perception capabilities will play a fundamental role in taking the video security industry to the next level, and we constantly see growing numbers of integrated security devices and systems with multiple sensors.

Visibility - any time, any condition: Users have come to expect uninterrupted performance from their video cameras, regardless of the season, the weather, and certainly the time of day. It's vital to have cameras that can respond effectively to capture clear images, no matter what time of day or night or how bad the weather is. With thermal imaging, the rendered image is far less affected by even the most light-obscuring of these conditions.

5G technology for UHD and wireless video security: 5G technology may bring great changes to the security industry. 5G's greater bandwidth and lower latency make the regular transmission of high-quality images possible, and, with the widespread adoption of ultra-high-definition (UHD) cameras, could bring new opportunities for video security.

Convergence of multiple security systems: We operate in an industry where users expect comprehensive solutions. The concept of systems working seamlessly together has long been desired by the vast majority of security professionals.

The benefits of converging multiple security systems - including video, access control, alarm, fire prevent and emergency management - into a unified platform are manifold, with efficiency and cost-effectiveness the most obvious.

Digital transformation of enterprises enabled by video security systems: Aside from security and protection, the added value video security systems offer has expanded to assist enterprise-level businesses in their digital transformation process and gain insights into development opportunities.

Accelerated cloud-based security solutions: The “moving-to-the-cloud” trend for businesses of all sizes, accelerated across the security industry in 2022. From small business markets to enterprise level, more and more businesses today are leveraging cost-effective cloud services to extend the flexibility of their operations, deployment and management.

Increased edge computing to put AI everywhere: Increasingly powerful edge computing has become available for security cameras now, and we continually see more intelligent algorithms finding wider applications. This makes us believe edge computing stands a good chance of “putting AI everywhere.”

Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR), automated event alert, people counting, heat mapping, illegal parking detection, and hard hat detection, as well as a number of other AI applications, are becoming popular in the security market.

Open AI application ecosystems: With AI applications finding use in many new fields, market requirements for AI algorithms are becoming more diversified and the demand for customization is also increasing. We have seen more collaboration across the industry and new ecosystems to satisfy various needs of the market.

Emphasis on cybersecurity and data privacy: Protecting security devices and systems from cyber-attacks and establishing data privacy are going to be more important now than ever.

What are your product and market expansion plans?

Hikvision India is focusing on 'Make in India' security products manufacturing roadmap with expansion of capacity and capability.  Our 'Make-In-India' manufacturing plant is a living testimony of our firm commitment to the vision, mission and a throbbing reality of an ongoing success story. It is one of the best and largest manufacturing facilities in India in the security industry.

The latest technologies, world class manufacturing processes and state-of-the-art machineries are the key highlights of the manufacturing facility. Our go to market strategy for the Indian market hinges on the Customer Centricity and diversified marketing programs we continue to implement as per the evolving market scenario.

With our state-of-the-art manufacturing facility and big-ticket investment, Hikvision India is continuing video security camera production to cater to the fast-expanding domestic market in a phased manner. The installed capacity of this manufacturing facility is 1.5 million cameras per month. This integrated manufacturing facility is an expression of our full commitment to the Government of India's flagship 'Make in India' program. We remain committed to our vision of 'Make in India for a Safer India' with a firm resolve.

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