Frost & Sullivan Lauds IBM's Excellence in Developing Video Surveillance Solutions to Improve Clients' Functionalities and Reduce Business Complexities

Business Wire, May 1, 2008

PALO ALTO, Calif. -- Based on its recent analysis of the video surveillance software market, Frost & Sullivan presents IBM Global Technology Services with the 2008 North American Frost & Sullivan Award for Video Surveillance Software Company of the Year.

IBM has demonstrated a remarkable ability to address customers' needs through IBM Smart Surveillance Solution (SSS), a sophisticated technology that performs highly effective data analysis of video sequences - either in real-time or from recordings.

Not only can the solution help clients garner critical information but can also reduce costs and shorten response time by integrating data from multiple sources (video cameras, radar, sensors, and audio inputs) and using metadata search parameters and event prioritization criteria. IBM Research has invented and developed the SSS technology and has more than fifty filed patents for video analytics.

While traditional video surveillance technologies work well in a controlled environment, their shortcomings are exposed in real-world situations. On the other hand, IBM's customer responsiveness has helped the company redirect its focus on analytics in order to offer products with proven capabilities in real-world implementations.

For instance, in the retail environment, IBM's surveillance solution has extended analytics' scope beyond functions such as people counting to detecting and controlling cashier fraud and bottom of basket loss. These superior capabilities can improve clients' return on investment (ROI).

IBM has taken advantage of its late entry to the market by improving on existing video content analytics. It currently offers the most robust video management engine with integrated analytics that can retrieve information about events that are not defined by users. This solution enables customers to retrieve forensic information that can aid in understanding the weak links in their infrastructures, which may, in turn, help reduce future threats and associated impact.

"In addition to traditional video and associated data being captured, undefined attributes are also collected and can be searched when the need arises," says Frost & Sullivan Industry Analyst Dilip Sarangan. "Detailed searches can be conducted using various parameters, thus illustrating the robustness of IBM SSS."

The company has achieved considerable growth through its customized services. It helps customers assess the types of business issues that can be solved through video analytics, and then proceeds to design and deploy a system specifically suited to the individual customer's needs.

"IBM focuses on markets with documented business challenges that can be addressed using IP-surveillance systems and video content analytics," notes Sarangan. "The company has achieved its greatest traction within vertical markets, such as retail, public safety (including government agencies and mass transit systems), education, and banking and has expanded its reach geographically as well."

Based on contracted implementations and qualified opportunities for the company, Frost & Sullivan estimates IBM to achieve 400 percent growth in 2008 over 2007. This extraordinary growth testifies IBM's commitment to providing solutions that improve safety and security through a strategic approach to business problems.

Each year Frost & Sullivan presents this Award to the company that has demonstrated unparalleled excellence within its industry. The Award is based on the company's business development, competitive strategy, customer satisfaction, and leadership. This recipient is perceived to exhibit outstanding management and consistent growth. The company must offer high quality products and/or services and have positive social and economic impact on local and national communities. The company should have proven expertise in taking advantage of market changes by capturing and solidifying market presence, or through execution of innovative strategies within the existing competitive landscape.

Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Awards recognize companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis, and extensive secondary research in order to identify best practices in the industry.

About IBM Global Technology Services

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Frost & Sullivan, the Global Growth Consulting Company, partners with clients to accelerate their growth. The company's Growth Partnership Services, Growth Consulting and Career Best Practices empower clients to create a growth focused culture that generates, evaluates and implements effective growth strategies. Frost & Sullivan employs over 45 years of experience in partnering with Global 1000 companies, emerging businesses and the investment community from more than 30 offices on six continents. For more information about Frost & Sullivan's Growth Partnerships, visit http://www.awards.frost.com.