2019 was a great year for security integration

2019 was an interesting year for PSIM companies that saw a lot of M&A activity. Qognify acquired ONSSI (who had acquired Seetec), making it a significant vendor in the advanced VMS market. Indigovision acquired Agora, a Portuguese PSIM vendor, to add significantly increased intelligence to their VMS offering.

On the whole we are seeing VMS vendors adding more and more integration capabilities to their software, effectively making them entry level integration platforms. We don’t see these as competitors at the higher end of the security integration market.

The route to market is changing slowly for PSIM vendors, but significantly. CNL works with full-service partners, integration partners and directly with end-users. All options can work equally well; while CNL can be the integration specialist, our partners are responsible for the sub-systems hardware and software. says Bloodworth.

Data integration will gain momentum in 2020

Data integration within security is gaining further momentum. In the past, the integrations were mainly about cameras, doors and intrusion devices, but now, data analytics and point cloud technologies make accurate people and asset tracking possible and with it the need for orchestration across multiple complex sub-systems with communications and collaboration embedded. Make no mistake, lower cost radar and Lidar is changing the perimeter and high security markets for good. But, this kind of tracking technology needs orchestration of other technologies like cameras, ground sensors, intercoms, radios and more. That orchestration technology is exactly what PSIM solutions do best, and where PSIM and VMS product differentiation will grow wider.

Greater vendor collaboration in 2020

Another market trend is vendor collaboration, showing how their technologies and solutions work together. CNL collaborated with two partners at ISC West; Bowler Pons and Cepton. Bowler Pons showcased how they could make complex procedures simple through physical demonstrations of multiple sets of high security gates, security facilities, security guards, both remotely managed or manned. Cepton demonstrated the latest in Lidar technologies utilising edge computing to provide real-time detection, tracking and classification. CNL is also part of a consortium showing inter-operability between manufacturers, an initiative started by TBS and Nedap, who were joined by Milestone Systems, Axis Communications, Boon Edam, CNL, Assa Abloy Group, Samsotech International and Traka.

Super users will set the agenda for 2020

Keith Bloodworth expects to see the rise and rise of the super user, and has noted previously that many end users are driving the segment to reach higher ambitions and CNL continues to see this trend. Whether this is aggregating the sub-systems, using PSIM to manage credentials for multiple access control systems, orchestrate perimeter detection with tracking Lidar, super users can be seen as the force that drives the industry. There are consultants, particularly in regulated industries who are specifying PSIM, but super users are now being seen in corporates who have goals and ambitions that even stretch CNL's enterprise platform.

Enterprise Risk Management and PSIM

"We have questioned whether PSIM is just or even a security product at all. Of course, many use it as a security aggregation platform, but in recent months, we have been working with enterprise risk management (ERM) partners and they fully understand the power and value of PSIM."  For them, the high cost and implementation times are viewed as a minor issue compared to the value it offers to clients through a successful PSIM implementation oriented around enterprise risk management. They have been excited by the breadth of our integration capability, the configurability of our platform and implementation of highly complex operational workflows. PSIM is a subset of enterprise risk management; which means PSIM is of equal interest in the boardroom and the security operations centre." says Bloodworth.

Outlook for PSIM in 2020 and beyond

Analyst growth predictions seem to have become more realistic, but still point to 25%+ CAGR for the PSIM industry. According to Keith Bloodworth, although CNL is growing faster than this, as are some of the other vendors, the market remains a specialist one. He predicts, that, with the advancement of machine learning, security automation, converged digital and physical technologies and tougher compliance needs, we will see global integrators with specialist IT and data skills working on progressive risk solutions that incorporate security needs. PSIM growth will continue in the coming years, but the solutions will need to evolve faster to meet super user ambitions.