Although many organizations around the world currently use surveillance cameras, access control systems and other physical security solutions to keep people and valuable property out of harm's way, these tools are often detached from one another. As a result, management and maintenance can turn out to be much more costly and challenging. For this reason, among others, decision-makers are beginning to recognize the benefits associated with combining multiple services together.
A new report by IMS Research echoed the growing market for integrated security systems, noting that North and South American firms will be major drivers. Analysts predict the demand for integrated security systems in the Americas will expand at a compound annual growth rate of more than 7 percent from 2011 through 2016, at which point it will generate more than $30 billion in revenue.
"The security systems integration competitive environment is really interesting because the range of companies in the market is huge," said Paul Bremner, IMS Research analyst and author of the report.
Why are integrated security systems taking off?
Despite the fact that Brazil and other Latin American countries are forecast to have faster growth, the United States is estimated to make up the largest portion of the growing integrated security system market, IMS Research noted.
"The Latin America market is a really exciting place right now for systems integration," Bremner said. "A lot of technology providers are trying to establish themselves in this marketplace, including the large international systems integrators. In the U.S. it’s a different picture entirely and I believe we’re seeing the start of consolidation."
As the demand for integrated security systems continues to rise, the marketplace for advanced intrusion detection and prevention systems is becoming more competitive. A separate report by Source Security noted that access control, in particular, is a major asset of any successful integrated system. This is because access control can protect a facility by keeping unauthorized individuals at bay, control and report anomalous behavior, while simultaneously providing effective monitoring of remote locations.
As businesses around the world continue to struggle through today's ongoing macroeconomic crisis, decision-makers will likely leverage integrated solutions in an effort to enhance savings, make management more convenient and, most importantly, strengthen the physical security of valuable property.