A new report from Axis Communications, the market leader in network video, has identified a growing market opportunity for the channel as 75 per cent of small business owners cited IT and security resellers as the preferred route to procure network cameras.
Activity within the market is expected to increase as 82 per cent of UK businesses polled cited a need to update their existing video surveillance technology in order to increase security levels.
The report, based on the views of 500 small business owners, also demonstrated a shift in perception from video surveillance as a standalone security purchase to one that forms an integral part of the small business IT infrastructure.
Interest in procuring the latest technology was also evident amongst those businesses with no current solution in place, with a third looking to invest in a solution in the next two years. The key driver for the installation of advanced video surveillance solutions was a desire to benefit from the latest advancements in technology and a need to increase business security levels.
Video surveillance with smart features was listed as a key consideration by 84 per cent of small business owners wanting to benefit from functionality such as remote access and high-resolution images to boost business security.
Yasin Miah, small business account manager at Axis Communications, states, ‘Small business owners are becoming increasingly aware of the leap in technology that powers CCTV and network cameras.
‘At the same time, however, there is a need for guidance, as they lack the resources and insights that would be provided by a dedicated security expert or IT Manager in a larger organisation. This presents an opportunity for resellers, particularly IT resellers, who have been in the business of providing advice to this audience for years.’
Miah continues, ‘When we asked small business owners about their preferred method of purchase it became clear that video surveillance was considered to be more than just a single, security device but something that could now form part of their broader IT infrastructure.
‘Clearly, there is an opportunity for all IT and security resellers, including those that had not previously offered network camera as part of their IT offering. Two thirds (66 per cent) of respondents also cited an online search as a preferred route, showing the value of e-commerce platforms that many resellers run in parallel to their business.’
In order to accommodate the demand, Axis Communications offers the AXIS Companion Line, which takes its enterprise-level technology and its strong video surveillance heritage and transfers it into a small business solution.
This includes specialist support for resellers and installers, to ensure they are in good stead for the upcoming growth, including dedicated training and sales promotions, as well as marketing collateral through the AXIS Companion Specialist initiative.
The initiative allows fast and direct access to technical support through a local help desk, as well as a dedicated web portal to provide resellers and installers with the support to sell to and assist small businesses, which ensures they are well placed to provide the best solution for their customers.
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