Tijmen Vos

Industry veterans Hadi Rayess and Mike Matar have joined Eagle Eye Networks in Dubai and are looking for resellers as the video surveillance industry is transforming quickly to the cloud. How it all started There have been times when cloud video surveillance was a hard sell. Bandwidth management, cost of internet lines, and the fact that video surveillance was solely a responsibility of the physical security department definitely contributed. Rishi Lodhia, Managing Director for Eagle Eye Networks in EMEA, has been through it all. He started in the security industry 15 years ago with a cloud solution and encountered a lot of pushback in those days. “In the end, the same thing happens across all industries. As a disruptor, you’re first being downplayed at before you’re taken seriously. The same thing happened in the car industry. Fifteen years ago, a diesel or gasoline car was your go-to offer if you wanted a reliable, value-keeping car. Now, within 15 years, a diesel car has become the dinosaur in the car industry, overtaken by electric and hybrid cars. And the same thing is happening in video surveillance now that the barriers for adopting cloud have been taken away and the analytics and computing power cannot be rivaled in premise-based solutions.” Global front-runner Silicon Valley-based venture capital firm Accel made an investment to further develop its cloud and AI capabilities Lodhia and his longtime friend and companion Tijmen Vos pioneered for a long time in cloud video surveillance, but after partnering with Eagle Eye Networks in the U.S. in 2017, things really took off. Now Eagle Eye Networks is the global front-runner in smart cloud video security. Recently, the company received an investment from Silicon Valley-based venture capital firm Accel to further develop its cloud and AI capabilities across the globe. Current trends in video surveillance A number of factors are driving the video surveillance trends in 2021. Innovation from companies like Eagle Eye Networks and the partners are front-runners and meeting the demands of customers for the video surveillance systems to provide business insights in addition to security. Combine the promise of AI and cloud video surveillance with the volatility, instability, and remote work environment of 2020, an environment where people are looking for their video surveillance and security systems to deliver more business value than ever before. The acceleration of cloud adoption and the use of analytics to provide improved security and drive business improvements will make 2021 a transformative year for the industry. Video Surveillance and Security Trends for 2021 Customers are Asking for Cloud: The shift to the benefits of the cloud in the video surveillance space are powerful and undeniable, including major cost savings, heightened data security, remote access and maintenance, flexible storage and retention, scalability, increased stability, and disaster recovery. Analytics and AI Turn Security Systems into Business Solutions: Video surveillance systems are not just for security anymore, they’re also a valuable tool for business intelligence (BI). While AI has been talked about for several years, its deployment has lagged. This year, we’ll see AI move from the lab to practical adoption. Compliance Requirements are Constantly Evolving: As video surveillance becomes a more widely adopted tool across industries and continents and more industries are using video for compliance purposes, regulating its use is becoming more prevalent. IT Departments More Engaged and Owning Video Surveillance: IT leaders have not only gotten involved in the video management system, they’re actually owning it. As part of their IT strategy, corporations are leveraging video for business process improvement while reducing unnecessary operational overhead. Demand for Open, Integrated Systems: An open and connected ecosystem makes it possible for businesses and developers to integrate any number of applications on a single video management system (VMS) platform. The platform handles all the heavy lifting of interfacing with the cameras, recording video, securely transmitting and storing video to the cloud, and making video available for use in the integrated applications. The days of vendors “locking” users into their cameras or touting “hybrid” systems (which require upgrades to vendor hardware to get new features) will not be accepted. User experience as a key factor to adopt solutions: User is the king. Ease of use, intuitive user interface, low latency connection, compatibility across several devices… rocket science at the reach of anyone thanks to a rewarding user experience. Expanding rapidly Eagle Eye Networks is adding 100 people to the team across the world In short, exciting times are ahead for cloud video surveillance and Eagle Eye Networks. Eagle Eye Networks is adding 100 people to the team across the world. Recently, industry leader David Barr joined the company as Enterprise Sales Manager in EMEA and Regional Sales Managers have been added in Spain, Portugal, France and Germany. Furthermore, the company is expanding rapidly in the Asia Pacific and LATAM. For the Middle East and Africa, Hadi Rayess joined as Senior Sales Director and Mike Matar as Senior Sales Engineer. A game-changer “In my 20 years of experience in the security industry, the convergence to cloud in video surveillance is a game-changer and can be compared to the shift from Analog to IP Cameras. Eagle Eye Networks is a frontrunner when it comes to Cloud Video Surveillance with datacentres across the world and a cyber secure by design platform.” “In addition, the fact that Eagle Eye Networks can work with over 3500 camera models and operates as an open platform is giving benefits to the industry compared to systems that are closed and require dedicated hardware. The Middle East and Africa don’t have legacy systems in place and can benefit directly to jump on Cloud for safe and flexible video surveillance. We are looking for resellers that want to help shape this trend,” adds Lodhia. Growth and adaption “To announce this launch in The Middle East and Africa is yet another step in the growth path of Eagle Eye Networks. From our Amsterdam office, we have been able to spread the Cloud video surveillance message across the EMEA region for a long time but it is great to have local people on the ground now that can onboard local resellers and end-users that will benefit from the advantages of our solution.” “When I hear that even Police forces are delighted with our solution as they don’t have to use a USB stick anymore to download video from a local recorder but immediately get the video via Whatsapp or email, then you know you are on the right track. We will keep supporting the team from Amsterdam. Cloud is becoming the standard for video surveillance and I am looking forward to see how the new economies of the world will adapt to this quickly.” closes Rishi.

Eagle Eye Networks, the pioneer in cloud video surveillance, has raised $40 million of Series E funding from venture capital firm Accel to continue its growth and expand its technology leadership. Eagle Eye is leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) on its true cloud platform to dramatically reshape video surveillance and improve safety, security, operations, and customer service for businesses around the world. Video surveillance systems have multiple security features, such as motion detection and standard analytics. However, these systems require either monotonous monitoring or a meticulous manual review after each triggered event to extract useful information. Cloud video surveillance Similarly, business operations analytics are still in early development. “There is a tremendous opportunity to leverage AI and alter the very nature of video surveillance,” said Dean Drako, Founder and CEO of Eagle Eye Networks. “Eagle Eye Networks now has the means and the technology to enable cloud video surveillance to transform how companies manage security and business operations, in the same way self-driving/electric cars are transforming transportation.” Smart cloud video surveillance with privacy and cybersecurity protections will make the world much safer" “Ultimately, smart cloud video surveillance with appropriate privacy and cybersecurity protections will make the world much safer, for example: detecting dangers such as weapons, erratic driving, active robberies, and traffic accidents. Furthermore,” continued Drako, “It will help businesses provide better service by reducing wait lines, ensuring displays are organised and stores clean, and assuring product quality.” Deploying new analytics Sameer Gandhi, Partner at Accel added, “Eagle Eye Networks pioneered the video surveillance industry’s move to the cloud, and AI applications will drive the industry’s next transformation. Eagle Eye is in the pole position to make this happen. Its true cloud technology puts Eagle Eye in a unique position to instantly deploy new analytics breakthroughs. Dean Drako’s track record, proven with Eagle Eye and previously as founder of Barracuda Networks, speaks for itself.” The Eagle Eye Cloud Video Management System (VMS) is a simply smarter cloud video surveillance solution, purpose-built to help businesses improve safety, security, operations, and customer service. Tens of thousands of companies in more than 90 countries around the globe have moved their video surveillance to the cloud with Eagle Eye VMS. Comprehensive central management Customers choose Eagle Eye Cloud VMS for its comprehensive central management, cloud reliability and redundancy Customers, including multi-family residences, smart cities, schools, hospitals, hotels, logistics, restaurants, and retail shops trust Eagle Eye for actionable business intelligence and proactive security. Customers choose Eagle Eye Cloud VMS for its comprehensive central management, cloud reliability and redundancy, cost savings, and its open API video platform that provides a vast number of third-party integrations. Customers appreciate Eagle Eye’s inherent cyber secure design and extensive video encryption to protect their data and privacy. The Eagle Eye Cloud VMS works with thousands of industry cameras and does not require customers to ‘rip and replace’ their existing infrastructure. Eagle Eye Networks, together with its partner Brivo, provide a seamless solution for cloud video surveillance and facility access control. Brivo is a pioneer in cloud facility access control. Cloud video security The Eagle Eye API allows for seamless integration with partners like Brivo and others making Eagle Eye Cloud VMS the only platform robust enough to power the future of video surveillance. Eagle Eye Networks has grown rapidly in EMEA both organically and through the 2017 acquisition of Camera Manager whose founders, Rishi Lodhia and Tijmen Vos launched the first true cloud video security offering in 2004 and continue to drive the company's European growth and innovative product development. The Eagle Eye Networks European headquarters in Amsterdam, provides an attractive mix of elements crucial for success, including innovative technology founders who share Drako’s bold vision, drive and demonstrated leadership. “We were the first to introduce cloud video surveillance to the market and this step is fast tracking our growth in Europe, the Middle East and Africa,” said Rishi Lodhia, Eagle Eye Networks Managing Director for EMEA. Video surveillance industry The adoption of true cloud video surveillance and powerful AI is driving an acceleration of the business globally" “The adoption of true cloud video surveillance and powerful AI is driving an acceleration of the business globally, but especially in EMEA. It gives us the ability to help give businesses the intelligence they need and protect people’s privacy without compromising safety and security.” The company expects to add roles across Europe to support the growth and customer success with the adoption of the cloud and AI powered video surveillance. “In more than two decades in the video surveillance industry, I have heard people talk about revolutionising the market and taking it to the next level, but only Eagle Eye Networks has truly delivered on that promise,” added John E. Mack III, Executive Vice President, Co-Head of Investment Banking at Imperial Capital. “While Eagle Eye Networks’ vision as the first cloud native solution was compelling previously, the changes 2020 brought about through business disruption related to COVID-19 make Eagle Eye’s products and services even more desirable. Eagle Eye’s focus on the customer and commitment to innovation create a foundation that makes its cloud and AI enhanced offerings for video surveillance a focus for security specific executives and the C-suite alike.”

Cloud applications are an everyday facet of business these days, exemplified by systems such as Office 365, Salesforce.com and Dropbox. The physical security market is also embracing the cloud after overcoming some initial concerns and thanks to improvements in cloud offerings. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: which security markets are likely to embrace the cloud?

Panasonic recently announced the launch of CLVR (pronounced clever), the world’s first affordable, on demand and zero configuration cloud based video analytics service. Available as part of a subscription to Panasonic Cameramanager, CLVR helps businesses to optimise their video surveillance with intelligent alarming and storage via the cloud. The first feature launched under the CLVR label is CLVR Detection. Tijmen Vos, COO Panasonic Cloud Management Service Europe, said, “Most modern day security cameras offer some form of motion detection. The trouble with motion detection is that the user either gets too many irrelevant notifications, or too few relevant ones. CLVR Detection significantly increases the proportion of relevant notifications a user will receive.” Cameras connected to the Panasonic Cameramanager application running CLVR, are able to send relevant notifications when, for example, customers enter a store or when a car enters a car park. CLVR is the combined result of collaboration between TNO, Vicar Vision and Panasonic Cameramanager, utilising a €200K grant from the Small Business Research Innovation (SBIR) project. TNO, a global leading research institute, provided the algorithms. Vicar Vision, an R&D company, manipulated the algorithm to be optimised for the cloud. Cameramanager turned the algorithm into a working cloud-based video analytics solution, able to detect relevant movements of humans & objects, and trigger an alarm. CLVR is aimed at SMEs and enterprises that want to get the most of their surveillance solution. Tijmen Vos explains, “We wanted to give small and medium sized business owners access to high quality video surveillance, triggered by smart analytics and instantly accessible from mobile devices and PCs.” “The next step is making monitoring of people movements and reporting available as part of the Cameramanager subscription. This is the kind of information major retailers use already and can help any business owner stay ahead of the curve,” Vos says. CLVR will be available from July 1st as part of all Cameramanager Business & Professional plans and will be rolled-out starting in the Benelux, as part of the Cameramanager go! All-in-one camera surveillance solution.