EN- Industry Focuses

Security conversations with Shawn Enides, Business Development Manager Trains and Transit at Genetec "The mass transit industry is on the move–from analog to IP," said Shawn Enides, Business Development Manager for Trains and Transit at Genetec. While Shawn has gained years of experience working in all facets of the security industry, it's his family's passion for locomotives that drove him to hone his expertise on the transit market. In this short Q&A, Shawn tells us why education–or the lack of it–is the main factor holding some businesses back from IP. He also explains why government mandates and information sharing are motivations for mass transit agencies to finally ditch analog technology for good. Want an insider's take on what's happening in the mass transit market? It's all right here. Download the interview now. Q: How does analog technology create challenges for mass transit agencies? A: It's the limitations. Traditionally, analog video systems impose limitations on what mass transit agencies can do. Most of these analog surveillance systems are proprietary. This means that organizations are limited to a specific vendor's technologies. From the camera standpoint, they are also dealing with issues like low resolution and poor image quality. Analog cameras also do not have built-in analytics like we see with IP cameras from vendors such as Axis, Vivotek, and Bosch. Analog video solutions are closed all-in-one boxes that lock transit agencies into very basic features. Everything from automatic video offloading from cameras onboard buses, to easily sharing video with external agencies doesn't exist in the analog world. So, for instance, if a new government mandate comes out or the agency wants to upgrade to H.265 devices, analog technology makes this very difficult. Q: What are the main challenges for upgrading to IP? Is budget a factor? A: It's a matter of education. There are transit agencies that are actively embracing new security technology. But there are still many agencies who have been operating with analog systems for a long time and feel comfortable with how it works. We need to show them that IP systems can not only help them better secure their buses, trains, and stations, but that going IP is the smarter long-term solution. Budgeting can also be a big factor for mass transit agencies. Most of the time, mass transit organizations are relying on funding from government agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in the United States (US). That's because mass transit is considered part of the critical infrastructure of a country, just like an airport. In the US, it's easier to secure funding for security solutions that are DHS certified. "We need to show them that IP systems can not only help them better secure their buses, trains, and stations, but that going IP is the smarter long-term solution."

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