The topic of video monitoring is hotter than ever, and more and more dealer-owned and central monitoring stations are offering some version of it to customers. Beyond just video verification, video monitoring is being used to proactively monitor all kinds of situations, thanks to advancements in video analytics and, going forward, artificial intelligence. This issue touches on those advancements, as well as the why and how of offering video monitoring today.

One of the biggest benefits to offering video monitoring for security dealers is the increased recurring monthly revenue it can bring. In the cover story, “Using Video Monitoring to Generate More RMR,” which begins on page 10, author Deborah O’Mara says video monitoring just may be the answer to decreasing revenue from hardware-centric sales, DIY pressures and new market entrants offering monitoring for historical lows and no contract. The article provides both useful tips and cautionary tales of what to do and not to do to succeed in video monitoring.

One thing that is helping propel video monitoring forward is analytics. In the feature, “Using Analytics for Video Monitoring,” beginning on page 14, author Maggie McFadden Shein notes that monitoring centers are finding ways to better serve their customers and reduce attrition while monetizing the potential of analytics to offer end users customized applications to meet their needs. Though customers with monitored video analytics are still a minority, the use is steadily increasing and those in the industry agree that analytics have a big future in the role of security. 

Done well, video monitoring can solve a myriad of issues the security industry has struggled with. Case in point, British Columbia-based Radius Security & Vancouver Fire is using the combination of the SureView Immix platform and IncidentCode.com from Police Priority to provide actionable intelligence to first responders. “We truly feel like we can eventually change policy here in Canada to actually require the usage of this technology in all PSAPs and we think we are getting close to achieving that,” says Don Azcona,  operations manager for Vancouver Fire & Radius Security in the case study beginning on page 18.

Lastly, two guest columnists discuss the future potential of video monitoring: In “The Future of Video Verification” on page 6, PPVAR President Joey Rao-Russell talks about how AI and deep learning, authentication and GEO fencing are some of the technologies that will be a force multiplier for the security industry and law enforcement. And in “A Clearer Picture,” beginning on page 8, TMA President Ivan Spector talks about how advancesd video analytics have made the promise of true outdoor video surveillance a reality. 

We hope you find this issue of Video Monitoring Today both informative and useful!