Axis study claims that IP cameras save costs

25 Feb 08

Axis commissioned the study to "develop an understanding of the total cost of ownership for both an analogue surveillance system and an IP-based video surveillance system". Factors such as system maintenance, video recording and playback, cameras, installation, configuration, training and cable infrastructure were assessed.

A dozen interviews were conducted with non-vendor industry participants such as security integrators, value-added resellers and industry analysts from different geographic regions in North America. Participants provided feedback, validation and cost data in the form of request for proposal responses.

The RFP was based on a typical deployment scenario that included a 40-camera surveillance system for a small to mid-size school campus. No existing cameras were said to be re-installed, and no premise wiring or infrastructure existed.

The study's findings suggested that the cost to acquire, install and operate an IP-based system was 3.4 per cent lower than a traditional system consisting of analogue cameras and DVR-based recording. Overall, it says, an installation with 32 cameras is the break-even point for IP-based systems versus analogue systems.

With any installation between 16 and 32 cameras, the cost of IP versus analogue is similar, although it is slightly lower for analogue systems. The study also says that in facilities where IP infrastructure is already installed, IP-based surveillance systems would always be lower cost, even for systems consisting of one to 32 cameras.

Axis general manager Fredrik Nilsson said: "There is an overwhelming lack of knowledge about the total cost of ownership when it comes to analogue versus IP-based systems. The study, which was led by an independent researcher, clarifies common misconceptions about pricing and validates the cost effectiveness of IP surveillance systems."

Axis UK managing director Steve Gorski said: "This study shows that on a like-for-like basis where cost is the only consideration, IP-based systems make sense at a relatively low number of installed cameras. In our experience, most end-users will have some IP infrastructure to integrate into already, which network cameras can take immediate advantage of.

"When you add in the wider benefits of IP-based systems, such as scalability, remote monitoring and image quality, solely basing a comparison on cost becomes less and less relevant."

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