What is video analytics? Video analytics, in simple terms, helps organizations collect more information from the videos they already have and use that data to make smarter decisions, deliver better customer service and boost safety and security. Before we get into how to implement video analytics, let’s take a quick look at the basics of what it actually means.

How Does Video Analytics Work?

A video analytics company will produce one of three types of programs to effectively do their job. The first type is highly expensive, but provides real-time alerts of an event, meaning that actionable results can occur almost immediately after a problem have been identified. Second, many solutions offer near real-time analysis that gives companies live feedback on an issue without actually alerting them. For example, if you have a person moving through your home who is not authorized to do so, live video analytics will flag you to pay attention or take immediate action. Finally, some solutions are configured for long-term analytics that allows for historical reporting for legal purposes or other issues that may arise in future litigation against your organization. 

Need for Video Analytics

If you have a security camera system, odds are that you’re going to want a video analytics solution. Video analytics services help with intelligent video management by providing insights into areas where your cameras are picking up action and alerting you when there’s something you need to take care of. Video analytics solutions can also provide information on who’s doing what so that you know exactly when a situation requires an in-person response or simply needs review later. While some people might think they don’t need video analytics because they already have security cameras installed, it’s important to remember that just having them isn’t enough you still need to use them properly. 

Video Analytics as a Security Tool

Video analytics are software programs that review live or recorded video feed from cameras, drones, wearable devices and other sources in real time. Video analytic technology analyzes visual data for a broad range of security threats, including everything from gunshots (whether directed at an individual or group) to a streaker running through a store. The video analytic company's products search for faces, colors and even geographical coordinates. Some systems automatically lock onto individuals on film as they move in front of multiple cameras; others issue an alert if one face shows up in several locations during the same timeframe. The idea is that video analysis software delivers quick actionable information about high-risk events – for example, a carjacking where one suspect stands out as having red hair, while another wears blue clothing.

6 Top Benefits of Video Analytics

Video analytic software, also known as intelligent video analysis (IVA), provides real-time data about what’s happening in front of a camera. Security video analytics collects metadata and information that helps you recognize trends or patterns over time, and that’s where some really powerful benefits come into play. Video analytics services give you powerful insights that boost efficiency, effectiveness, and security. Here are ten top benefits of video analytics.

Find problems quicker Detecting incidents before they become serious issues saves your company money, improves efficiency, leads to a better customer experience, boosts employee productivity and protects your business from legal liability. Video analytics solutions help you find problems quickly so you can fix them even faster.

1. Reduce false alarms Video analytics solutions reduce false alarms by analyzing video streams for anomalies and verifying suspicious activity before sending alerts. This means fewer unnecessary calls for service, which translates to savings on manpower costs and lower insurance premiums.
2. Identify repeat offenders Video analytics solutions provide valuable information about who’s coming onto your property, when they enter, how long they stay there and if/when they return. This allows businesses to build profiles of repeat offenders so security teams know who to watch out for when patrolling their facilities or responding to an alarm call. Video analytics solutions also identify first-timers so security teams can greet them with friendly reminders and helpful tips.
3. See around corners Video analytics services let you see around corners, inside buildings and other areas that would otherwise be out of sight. Video analytics systems use algorithms to analyze images captured by cameras installed at key locations throughout your facility to detect movement within blind spots, providing invaluable peace of mind knowing potential threats are detected sooner rather than later.
4. Keep tabs on assets Real-time video feeds allow you to keep tabs on assets such as trucks, trailers or forklifts parked outside overnight or in remote locations. Video analytics solutions alert you immediately if something appears amiss, giving you extra protection against cargo theft and equipment damage.
5. Protect people Video analytics services protect people by detecting unauthorized entry attempts, inappropriate behavior and safety hazards such as slips, trips and falls. Video analytics tools also help protect employees from workplace violence by monitoring entrances and exits for signs of trouble like loitering or loiterers carrying bags. If video surveillance detects a potentially dangerous situation developing—such as two employees arguing—video analytic software automatically zooms in on both individuals to capture facial expressions, body language and gestures for further review.
6. Deter crime Video surveillance helps deter crime because criminals generally avoid places where they think they might get caught doing something illegal.

Limitations of Video Analytics

Many systems use video management software that records any incidents captured by cameras. The limitations of video analytics are not necessarily with video analytic programs themselves, but more so in how they are integrated into an existing security system. When selecting a video analytic company, ensure you understand what types of systems they integrate with and if you’re current system will support integration. If you have no security system or are looking for a complete solution, then look for a video analytic company that offers all of your necessary features included in one solution.

Applications of Video Analytics

Video analytics services offer multiple opportunities for organizations, both large and small. Some companies use video analytics solutions for improved quality control in factories or office settings. Video surveillance of a distribution center’s picking process can help spot bottlenecks that aren’t yet visible to humans for example, slowdowns caused by mislabeled items or confusion over different labeling systems among employees. Another common use of video analytic services is in quality assurance on assembly lines, production line workers could constantly monitor their progress using pre-recorded videos, but many companies are turning to video analytic tools because they don’t have enough workers at any given time.

Stages in the Life Cycle of Video Surveillance Data

Whether you’re a video analytics company or an end user, there are stages in data collection that you should consider when determining what data types are needed for optimal surveillance performance. The first stage involves video capture, where analog cameras capture live video images that can then be digitally transmitted over a network. The next stage includes a digital or analog pre-processing system that performs noise reduction, image enhancements, and compressing/encoding, which is followed by storage of raw data. As new technologies emerge to improve wireless transmission methods or IP camera performance for example, planning for expansion helps ensure that your system doesn’t become obsolete.

How do you Choose an Application Partner?

We want to make sure you have a great experience building your video surveillance app. That’s why we offer an application platform made up of three main parts. We want to give you access to these services in order for your company or organization’s needs are met with our state-of-the-art video software development kit (SDK). Don’t worry, though; there isn’t anything complex here. In fact, we think you’ll find that accessing all three through our partners will be one of the easiest aspects of working with us! 

What are the Challenges in Adopting Video Analytics?

One of these challenges that video analytics faces is adoption. In 2013, Frost & Sullivan estimated that more than 80% of companies have deployed video as part of their strategy for risk management, yet only 20% have taken advantage of video analytic capabilities (Source: Real Time Video Analytic Solutions – 2013). To solve for barriers to adoption, we worked with our partners in government agencies and enterprises across North America to conduct a research study on why organizations aren’t using video analytics. We found three key barriers: Overwhelmingly, survey respondents reported that not knowing where or how to start was their biggest barrier.

Challenges Specific to your Industry/Organization

As an example, police departments use video analytics to differentiate between a suspect’s face, an innocent by standers face, or a passerby’s face. This enables law enforcement officials to identify criminals in real time when they enter a certain area of town or if they come within several yards of any officer. In these situations, video analytics makes surveillance more effective without infringing on anyone’s rights. It also increases public safety because officers can stay safe while making split-second decisions with more information at their disposal. However, video analytic software isn't just useful for helping solve crimes it can also help prevent them from happening in the first place by identifying patterns of suspicious behavior over time so police know where and when security needs to be increased.

Video Analytics Market Size and Forecast 2018-2024

Video Analytics Market report provides data on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, growth rate and trends of Video Analytics market. The Video Analytics report also lists some of the leading players in global Video Analytics industry along with their company profiles. Video Analytics market research report gives a clear picture about current Video Analytics business scenario which includes historical Video Analytics data and Video Analytics future prospects. Video Analytics Market Report 2018 contains a qualified and comprehensive analysis of current state of Video Analytics Industry. Top key players are presented along with their strategic planning including future financial aspects. Global Video Analytics Industry research report analyses all important factors which impact Video Analytic business such as supply chain management, opportunities, drivers, restraints, risks & upcoming technologies used in manufacturing process etc.

How Does a Typical Video Analytics system work?

Video Analytics systems work in one of two ways: by watching for events or by tracking a person or object. This distinction relates to both how they alert you when they detect something, as well as how they operate. Event-based Video Analytics will record activity continuously and start an alert when something meets its criteria. So, if a door opens, everyone who uses that door might trigger an alert—and all alerts will go through your security center at once. Person- or object-tracking Video Analytics typically home in on a person or vehicle then notify you (by email or text) when they stop moving for some length of time.

Competitive Landscape for Video Analytics Solutions, 2017

Video analytic solutions are designed to provide businesses with more information about their video surveillance camera footage. The video analytics market is growing quickly, driven by major technology trends, including more advanced video storage capabilities and software for mining large amounts of data. In addition, new applications for video analytic solutions are driving growth in existing markets (such as retail) and enabling new markets (such as digital signage). This competitive landscape examines major companies in each submarket of commercial video analytic services (video storage/archiving, event detection, object detection/tracking, motion detection) and professional services. The competitive landscape includes profiles of over 70 companies from around the world offering technologies or services related to video analytics.

Conclusion

Video Analytics uses video signals to spot objects, events, and situations. It also tracks them as they move within a camera’s field of view. Video Analytics helps security teams detect abnormal activities, quickly react, and accurately identify what’s happening on their property. When combined with robust planning and training programs, Video Analytics increases security staff effectiveness by providing support for decision-making, prioritizing interventions based on data analysis rather than intuition alone, reducing staffing needs for non-critical tasks, such as review of recorded footage or non-threatening situations that don’t need intervention from security staff at all times.