Abstract

This IDC Perspective discusses the value of video telemetry in non-security applications. Video surveillance is evolving from a purely safety- and security-focused technology to a business focus. Video data is becoming useful in helping identify process improvement opportunities as well as monitoring things like process throughput. In the area of retail, vision applications can assist in inventory tracking and placement, loss control, and frictionless shopping. In manufacturing, video can improve process flow and activities like defect detection. By assessing value in terms of business process improvement, significant investments in video surveillance can be justified. Safety and security capabilities can be a valuable by-product of such investments.

"If you are investing in video surveillance technology simply as a way to improve safety and security, you are missing the point," according to Mike Jude, research director, Video Surveillance at IDC. "Video surveillance as an insurance policy is hard to justify from a business perspective. However, if you invest in video surveillance technology as a way to increase process efficiency and as a way to improve business processes, it can be justified based on its measurable return on investment. Then improvements in safety and security simply become a by-product of good business planning."

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