"In trying to identify the greatest driver in the security market at the moment, aside from IT convergence, I would have to say interoperability. Some might use the term integration but we perceive them as two essentially different, albeit related, issues - integration essentially relies on open protocols between different manufacturers' products; interoperability is the capacity to drive and manage different security functions through a single front-end system. Take the example of an intrusion system in an interoperability context: in an alarm situation, it will "interoperate" with the video surveillance system to send live images to an alarm receiving centre for alarm verification purposes, over a secure network. A critical decision ensues, namely whether intervention is necessary. If it is, changing the access control rights to other areas of the building will help contain the risk until the intervention team is on site. This is where we see a truly interoperable system bringing real value in solving a security problem, as it allows a true central management of the complete sequence of events, thereby enabling an efficient and adequate response to alarms.

Crossing the security boundaries

The increasing involvement of service providers in the security equation, particularly telecommunications and energy companies, is helping to push this trend for interoperability, not only within security but beyond. People are already starting to see security as a necessity rather than a luxury when it is being purchased as part of a package alongside such staples as light, heating and water. This brings about a change in the mindset - no longer is it about purchasing an individual solution to a single problem but rather a package that solves several. For those manufacturers involved in the different sectors of the market, Siemens Building Technologies (SBT) included, it is this very sector differentiation that we have to move away from. The market asks for security - it is the industry, particularly the manufacturers that define the boundaries: we need to ensure that we are able to offer products which can cross these very boundaries to offer an optimum solution rather than thinking in strictly product sector specific terms. We have three product lines in our security portfolio - video surveillance, intruder detection and access control - but one of our top priorities is to ensure that we don't erect solid barriers between the different disciplines.

Interoperability and global presence

In taking on this position as Head of Security Products at SBT, one of my objectives is to create a global presence and if we are to develop from our current position, we need to listen to what the market wants and then deliver: interoperability of the three product lines is therefore key. We are already bringing forward the notion of interoperability, and on our recent stand at IFSEC, this was very much to the fore with for example access card "badging" triggering automatic video recording and setting or unsetting the alarm system upon entry and exit - all displayed and controlled via one screen. This is all interoperability, and also what we see as a very strong offering to customers who aren't looking to buy video surveillance or access control or intruder detection, but rather security. We now have to harness the competences of these vertical lines and actually bring it out.

Building on Siemens' know-how

We have various centres around Europe, Asia and the US, all feeding into a pool of development - for Siemens as a business this means more than 30,000 software engineers at 150 R&D locations in 30 countries with some 62,000 active patents. Whether the developments are in video surveillance, access control or intruder detection, we must always have interoperability and integration and the way the different products can interact and integrate with each other, in our minds. Creating the means to ensure that these different technologies are truly interoperable is not easy and requires significant investment but it is an investment that we see as critical. Some 20 percent of our total R&D budget in the next year will be devoted specifically to further developing the capability for interoperability within our products and systems.

Acquisitions support Interoperability

In talking about interoperability and integration, this applies as much to businesses as it does to products. Acquisitions have and will continue to play a fundamental role in our strategy. SBT purchased Bewator in 2005, a leading access control specialist that added considerably to our existing security capability. More recently we have acquired iMetrex (known in Europe as Europlex), an India based company that provides integrated systems and solutions for security and fire risks - again an example of interoperability being at the heart of what we need to do.

The global impact of IT convergence

It is also important that we recognise the considerable impact of IT on our business. As video surveillance, intruder detection and access control move over wider and wider areas, we are coming out of the buildings and onto networks. We therefore need to recognise that we are coming out of the security manager's mind and into that of the IT manager. We need to address the issues that the IT manager is facing, be it IP compatibility, bandwidth technology or the security of the network over which the information will travel. Returning to the increasing use of video surveillance for intruder alarm verification purposes, the benefits in terms of IT are considerable - much better to use a 24 hour monitored, secured and controllable link to receive alarm signals and real time online access to video images than an internet based approach which makes the images potentially accessible by anybody and the alarm transmission potentially unsecured. Recognising this increased IT focus, our product support, training and product development in general takes into account the needs of the IT manager.

For a holistic security approach

Interoperability also brings a number of other factors to the table: it offers a significant means of differentiation, particularly against low cost imports, while also ensuring cost of ownership benefits and peace of mind to the customer. The paradigm shift in security towards interoperable products/systems that are part of customers' IT will only increase as customers move away from a video surveillance or an intrusion or an access control option and look towards a more holistic "Security" approach which is not product sector specific.