IBM recently launched a service product-Digital Video Surveillance (DVS). The company claims that it will help its clients stay ahead of security threats with modular and flexible technologies. DVS acts as IBM's business strategy for offering risk mitigation and delivers digital security technology to businesses of all sizes and industries. A company official from IBM said, “Our risk mitigation program is structured effectively to prevent losses and reduce the cost of losses that occurs while creating a safer environment for employees, business partners, and the communities in which companies operate.” Video surveillance technology has helped protect businesses for years, but most companies existing systems are limited in many ways including: post-event search capabilities, image quality, cost to maintain and difficulty in expanding systems. In this context, the IBM official said, “DVS acts as IBM's Business Strategy for offering risk mitigation and delivers digital security technology to businesses of all sizes and industries. At the level of practical security, it is crucial to awaken industries from the complacency that accompanies their persistent inability to see itself as a key terrorist target in a time of permanent emergency. Our DVS service marks an important shift in the industry's approach to security, applying advanced analytics to video data and signaling the ability to converge physical and information technology (IT) security.” Presently the company is focusing on improving business performance and resilience of its clients by implementing strategies to limit the impact of security threats and improve business resilience. The IBM official said that this program would not only protect assets but also improve internal governance.

“Our portfolio of solutions will help clients build business operations to rapidly adapt and respond to internal or external dynamic changes-opportunities, demands, disruptions or threats-and continue operations with limited impact to the business. This can help customers enhance their physical security and reduce operational costs through the use of computer technology, IP networks and advanced digital technologies. We will also assist companies in implementing their own DVS solutions, depending on their needs.” The product can be used by financial institutions to ensure security at bank branches and automated teller machines (ATMs). Commercial transportation organizations can be charged with providing security at locations including airports, mass transit terminals and seaports. For industrial companies, security is paramount in areas such as construction sites and power plants.

DVS service product also extends to IBM Retail Loss Prevention Solution, which connects surveillance video with point of sale systems, inventory, customer and employee data. This integration gives retailers the ability to search and analyze store activity, view and record live action, quickly recall previous recordings, query events, and trigger alerts to loss prevention staff when anomalies are detected. Retailers can also leverage DVS technology to understand the effectiveness of store design and in-store promotions. Speaking on the market strategies for the said segment, the company official informed, “There is a profound shift occurring in the DVS market, from analog and digital video recording (DVR) systems to true networked DVS. IBM will be a key catalyst in enabling this evolution, through our core competencies in systems integration, services, hardware, software and research. We, along with our technology business partners and suppliers, can help customers enhance their physical security and reduce operational costs through the use of computer technology, IP networks and advanced digital technologies.”

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