Contractor engagement drives new product development at ESP
Neil Baldwin, managing director at Scolmore Group company, ESP, looks at how contractor engagement and some of the latest technologies are helping to drive product development of the company’s security solutions.
According to the latest report from AMA Research, the total UK electronic security market of products – CCTV, electronic access control and intruder alarms – and associated services was estimated at approximately £2.35bn in 2017 and is expected to grow at 12% per year.
Market growth is being driven by technological advancements boosting replacement demand and improving new build and RMI expenditure across key market sectors. CCTV accounts for the majority of the market in value terms, with a 52% share. This sector has seen the greatest levels of innovation and new product development, and with technology also becoming more affordable, this is leading to a continued shift away from analogue to digital products.
By keeping a close eye on developments within the overall security sector and taking on board feedback from the numerous contractors we speak to, we are able to develop products that harness the latest technologies and meet the growing demand from our customers.
IP CCTV
The HDView IP (Internet Protocol) CCTV range was developed to satisfy the growing demand from wholesale customers and contractors and will meet the needs of a changing market place and the shift from analogue to IP systems. This move from analogue to IP CCTV systems gives installers the opportunity to sell an upgrade to their clients, to provide a more reliable security solution that offers superior benefits.
ESP’s IP CCTV range is designed to offer superior, reliable and straightforward installation solutions for a range of applications from domestic through to larger and more complex commercial projects. The range features POE (Power-Over-Ethernet) which enables the camera and power feed to be wired in Cat5e cable up to 100 metres without the need for additional power, which makes installation much more convenient. A single Ethernet cable provides both the power and the HD digital feed, with just one cable per camera and multiple cameras can be installed anywhere on the network that the NVR is connected to.
Processing power, an abundance of features, versatility and high resolution IP CCTV all combine to make this the superior choice over traditional analogue systems. There are two distinct IP ranges available - the REKOR IP 2 Megapixel range which has been tailored for the domestic market, and the HDView IP 5 Megapixel range which is aimed at larger applications with a wide choice of NVR and camera selection.
Access control
Globally, the overall access control market is expected to grow from USD 7.5 billion in 2018 to USD 12.1 billion by 2024. The growth of the market is driven by high adoption of access control solutions owing to increasing crime rates globally; technological advancements and deployment of wireless technology in security systems; and adoption of IoT-based security systems with cloud computing platforms.
It represents a growing market and ESP offers contractors a range of solutions to suit a variety of applications big and small – from domestic properties to larger commercial premises. The latest product development in this category has been the expansion of one of its best-selling products – the Aperta EZTAG door entry system – to offer installers more choice and provide wholesalers with more opportunities for sales.
EZTAG3 is a sleek keypad and proximity reader, designed to provide a compact, durable and convenient solution for a wide variety of access control applications. Already available in silver, ESP has now introduced a black version which will broaden its appeal for a range of installations.
Offering straightforward installation and commissioning and with simple self-contained programming, EZTAG3 is an IP65 rated weatherproof combined access control keypad with proximity tag or pin code activation, accommodating up to 1,010 key tag holders or pin numbers. Users approach the keypad and enter a four digit code or hold a personal proximity tag within a few inches to activate one of the EZTAG3’s two on board relays which in turn activates an appropriate door release in separate controlled areas. The EZTAG3 supports two separate lock outputs, as well as fail safe and fail secure locks.
It comes complete with 10 tags and features a robust housing with a narrow (45mm x 152mm) footprint allowing installation where space is at a premium. The units are further enhanced with the use of LED operational indicators and an attractive blue backlighting of the keypad. There is also a doorbell option.
A black keypad has also been introduced for the EZTAG3PRO Kit, which offers a complete door entry system in one handy and convenient box, and comprises:
- EZTAG3 proximity door entry keypad
- 10 proximity tags
- Electromagnetic lock
- Boxed power supply - with optional backup battery
- Push to exit button or mushroom button
- Emergency break glass