Picture: Mr Hayashi Noriyuki, Senior Manager, System Solutions Department, Panasonic Marketing Middle East & Africa
Panasonic has been active in the Middle East for over 50 years and today offers a range of products for the consumer, business and government markets including security and CCTV. We caught up with Hayashi Noriyuki, Senior Manager in the System Solutions Department at Panasonic Marketing Middle East & Africa ahead of Intersec 2015 to find out more.
What are the growth prospects for CCTV in the Middle East over the next 3-5 years?
The video surveillance market has been experiencing significant growth across the globe for the past few years due to rising concerns for security and safety. This has resulted into an increased demand for technically advanced surveillance systems, creating huge growth opportunities for CCTV manufacturers, operators and distributors.
According to reports, increased investments in public and private sector construction infrastructure projects and continued political and security threats are increasing the demand in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) surveillance system market. The global market for CCTV is expected to grow at a CAGR of around 14% during 2013-2017. The Middle East will gain a significant share in the global closed-circuit television (CCTV) market due to the large construction projects currently underway across the region.
How does this compare with other regions of the world?
In the last few years many suppliers of video surveillance equipment have looked to the Middle East for new growth opportunities. Aside from the technological trends shaping the market, such as the transition from analogue to network video surveillance and the introduction of open standards, regional factors such as government systems, the development of infrastructure, and local preferences, are equally important in influencing market growth in the Middle East and the region is definitely set for good growth.
Reports have indicated that the CCTV industry in North America and Europe are set to remain significant as well. Many public and private operators will continue to make the transition from analogue products to network-based systems. This could be cited as a major difference as in the Middle East many users have already transitioned from analogue to network based systems.
What is the history of Panasonic’s involvement in the Middle East?
Panasonic Marketing Middle East & Africa FZE (PMMAF), a subsidiary of Japan-based Panasonic Corporation, is the regional headquarters for Panasonic in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region and is based in Dubai. For more than 50 years, Panasonic has been successfully represented by the distributors and partners and has eventually resulted into building a solid customer base and a significant market share in the region.
Our portfolio comprises of a vast range of products that range from Audio Video (AV) to home appliances, to industrial solutions – in short, we cater to B2C, B2B and B2G alike.
Are Panasonic’s plans in the Middle East changing?
Companies around the world are bullish on the ‘MEA’ market. The region is ideally located and offers lucrative opportunities for investors and global companies in a rapidly expanding industry.
What is the key to success in the Middle East?
The Middle East is a key market for us. Government spending on security products in the GCC is increasing every year and to keep up with this demand we aim to provide the latest products for both companies and individuals. The key is to deliver cost-effective and reliable security solutions for a wide range of verticals and we provide security products for public premises, retail and mall facilities, banks, airport, buildings, transportation industry and many more, simply put, catering to all sorts of different industries.
What is Panasonic’s route to market in the Middle East?
We have exciting relationships with our dealers and partners across Africa. However, we will be making our products available through every possible channel across the market.
B2B and B2G require professional sales channels with specialists that can provide comprehensive solutions to customers. Our personnel skills are constantly upgraded through regular training and seminars that keep them up-to-date with not only our products but technologies that are required to provide optimum solutions.
Please tell us about the 360-degree 4K camera.
The 360-degree 4K network camera is our flagship addition to the product line up at Intersec. There are two models – the WV-SFN480 and WV-SFV481 – both of which can be used indoor and outdoor. These cameras provide a 360°/180° field of view, delivering very detailed 9 megapixel images with a fisheye, panoramic and de-warped view.
They are ideal for surveillance applications that require wide area coverage such as shopping malls, retail stores, airports, railway stations, parking lots, factories, warehouses, offices and more. Additionally, these cameras are equipped with a new 4K Ultra Engine and optimized optical system including 1/2-inch high-sensitivity image sensor and Panasonic large diameter lens which enables clear identification of people and objects from the centre to the edge and from wall to wall, delivering very detailed images with 4K resolution.
Is the 360-degree 4K cameras being used anywhere in the Middle East yet?
No, this is the regional launch of the 360-degree 4K camera at Intersec, so it is now in the market.
For further information
During Intersec 2015 in Dubai, Panasonic and Mr Noriyuki can be found in hall S1 on stand S1-I12.
www.panasonic.com
