Businesses in Durban are increasingly investing in video surveillance and alarm systems to prevent and deter rising criminal activities such as theft, vandalism, and break-ins.
This growth is driven by factors such as increasing concerns about business safety and security , rising adoption of IP cameras, and growing demand for video analytics and cloud-based solutions.
In light of recent high profile crimes in Durban, businesses have become acutely aware of the need to invest in more effective systems than those currently deployed, and being provided by the mainstream army of everyday security installers.
There are major areas in which businesses have seen the potential to increase the effectiveness of their investments. Let’s examine some of them.
There is rising adoption of IP camera systems. The main driver is the capacity of IP cameras to handle advanced AI and ML video analytics. Traditional CCTV systems commonly offered have limited functionality, such as basic recording and playback, while businesses are realizing the need to actively deter crime and improve investigation efficiency.
Businesses realise that they need Real-Time object detection and identification. The modern IP cameras can distinguish between people, vehicles and other objects – triggering alerts only for relevant events, identify known personnel or known criminals through facial recognition – enhancing security and access control, or detecting unusual behavior patterns. Searching and playback is also significantly more efficient, as the AI searches for relevant events, saving time – since businesses don’t need to spend hours searching through video footage.
These pro-active measures act as powerful deterrents against Theft and Vandalism, and provide efficient evidence for investigations. The accurate algorithms effectively detect, prevent and alert against perimeter or building intrusions.
The second area in which business owners are leveraging the power of modern IP cameras is for active deterrence. These cameras are able to detect an intrusion, initiate alarms, sirens, flashing beacons, pre-recorded voice warnings, and even two way communication. There are increasing accounts of instances where criminals have turned back from their intentions in the face of these systems.
The third area in which businesses are realizing the need to expand their security systems is in the interoperability of security systems. Having a disjointed variety of security systems each performing specialist functions, doesn’t promote the most efficient and pro-active response to incidents.
Many manufacturers are announcing smarter surveillance systems. Sadly many of these popular systems are not as accurate as they are marketed to be, and the inaccuracies in terms of false alarms and missed detections generate a lot of frustration. While these manufacturers are working towards integrated platforms, current solutions are somewhat clunky, limited in options, and not as seamles
s as they should be. They are also limited by the closed and proprietary nature of their solutions.
These popular systems are initially attractive to business owners because of the cheaper prices. Since they are so readily available, intense competition also results in large discounts in the cost of labour to install these systems. The frustration at the false alarms, and missed detections by these systems though – eventually far outweigh the savings initially realized.
At Gensix, the issues mentioned above proved frustrating as well. We maintained loyalty to the popular brands, continually hoping that the AI would improve, that integration would expand and become open. After continued frustration though, realizing that customers were not receiving optimum solutions, we made the difficult decision to transition our offerings to the Ajax solution. Difficult since it’s in a higher price range and the market is extremely price-sensitive – given the competition issues we mentioned above. Ultimately though cheaper solutions, that don’t quite meet the security needs of our customers – didn’t align with our mission.
Mission Statement:
We empower a secure and intelligent future by designing and delivering comprehensive smart systems that seamlessly integrate security, automation, and energy management. Our solutions scale from basic needs to holistic facility control, leveraging cutting-edge AI, machine learning, and off-grid capabilities to ensure exceptional experiences in any environment.
The Ajax system aligns well with our mission statement – in the areas that are important to our customers.
Real-Time object detection and identification. Ajax incorporates the detection and identification into it’s indoor and outdoor devices on a single platform. This is achieved with the motion cam , pet-aware, indoor detectors and outdoor detector beams. We can rely on the tried and trusted motion detection technologies employed in these detectors – now enhanced with AI algorithms, and visual alarm
verifications. The detectors will provide alerts and 5 visual images of what caused the activation, while allowing the user the ability to simply check in on the area with the photo on demand concept. Of late we can now also compliment this with Ajax’s own range of high quality IP cameras, with 8 Megapixels of resolution, and advanced ai detection algorithms.
Ajax addresses the issue of false alarms – not only with the photo-cam alarm verification solution. Since it offers extensive integration with cameras and third party devices and sensors, every activation is the result of input from multiple sensors and devices. This system of self checking and validation greatly reduces the potential for false alarms – while providing visual verification in the event of a false alarm.
Active Deterrence – Ajax has a well developed eco system of deterrent devices like strobes and sirens. The Ajax eco system is extended through at least five different protocols, that allow a ver
y wide range of third party devices to be integrated with the Ajax app. The system can be described as open, rather than proprietary and allows lighting, locks and many other systems to come together to provide the deterrence. Ajax goes a step further though. Since everything is integrated with the one platform, Ajax will summon assistance from armed response or emergency services based on the data it receives from the connected systems.
Integration of Systems. I already mentioned that Ajax offers at least 5 different modes to integrate with a wide range of third party devices. Ajax makes it decisions from a wide range of sensors simultaneously sending data. Your security responses are based on a wider context of data than from traditional, disjointed systems – enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of the systems.
This ability to integrate, makes it possible to seamlessly upgrade your existing wired alarm systems to an Ajax system. The existing wired components can be connected to the relevant Ajax module and draw your wired alarm system and devices into the Ajax app.
Ajax is a secure wireless system that is easily installed. Infrastructure costs such as cabling and labour are greatly reduced. While we are very circumspect when it comes to wireless security, Ajax employs sophisticated algorithms that detect signal jamming attempts, and will switch between frequencies to counteract signal jamming.
Hopefully this article has provided useful information to businesses who realise, that increasing crime rates and sophistication, demand advanced security:
- Pro-active object and behavior detection,
- Active deterrence,
- Integrated multi-sensor data monitoring,
- Reduced nuisance alarms,
- Data security,
while highlighting the limitations of current popular, cheaper positioned standalone systems and devices.
Contact us at gensix technology to assess an Ajax Deployment at your home or small business service@gensixtech.co.za
