Security & Safety Things becomes Azena

Issue 7 2021 Editor's Choice

Security & Safety Things is announcing that it has rebranded to Azena, a new brand name that underscores the company’s corporate growth and leading-edge smart camera platform and positions it for the next chapter in its ambitious plans for redefining video analytics. With a growing slate of global customer and partner collaborations and expanding geographic coverage, Azena will continue to increase the value of its platform for systems integrators and end customers.

Since its market introduction in 2018, Azena has grown to more than 120 employees spread across its headquarters in Munich, its technology Innovation Accelerator facility in Pittsburgh and another development hub in Eindhoven, The Netherlands, all supporting the Azena open platform for smart cameras.

The Azena platform is comprised of an open operating system for cameras and an Application Store with nearly 100 artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled video analytics apps. It enables smart cameras to simultaneously run multiple apps directly on the device. Integrators can flexibly add or change apps on one or multiple cameras as needed for their customers and use any of the 15 cameras from six different manufacturer partners in a variety of form factors.

“Systems integrators play a crucial role in connecting the video analytic edge devices on our platform into the larger system landscape for a truly data-driven approach to security, operational intelligence and automation,” said Hartmut Schaper, chief executive officer, Azena. “Our new identity as Azena positions us for improved name recognition and market presence as we continue to add functionality and the potential for expansion into new markets for our systems integrator partners.”

The Azena Application Store features apps that address more than 40 different use cases in at least 25 different vertical markets, ranging from traditional perimeter security, retail loss prevention and occupancy management to stadium security and even the unique needs of aquaculture. Some examples of use cases include:

• One US professional hockey team, the Pittsburgh Penguins, is using the Azena platform to monitor crowding at its stadium entrances, licence plate recognition for more efficient stadium parking and heat mapping for improved layouts of its fan merchandise retail outlets.

• An oil drilling company is deploying smart cameras running the Azena OS so operations staff can remotely monitor any pumping disruptions in the oil fields.

• A chemical plant is monitoring its locations for the presence of smoke to enhance workplace safety measures.

• Systems integrator Prosegur, one of the world’s largest security companies, has announced its collaboration with Azena to use analytics on the edge as part of its security operations centre as-a-service offering. By deploying more sophisticated analytics to measure activity or automatically verify alarms, incoming alarm traffic from customer sites can be pre-filtered, reducing the number of alarms needing to be handled by human operators in the SOC, enabling a more appropriate response.

Integrators will find a host of other new features in the Azena platform designed to leverage device management capabilities and remote access for diagnosis and maintenance to cameras on a customer site using Azena’s digital twin architecture. Other benefits include:

• Ability to run all the analytics apps from the Azena Application Store on the video stream of existing IP cameras by means of a small appliance from one of the camera manufacturer partners, bringing AI to already installed video systems.

• Wide range of integration options to connect VMS systems, dashboard software, access systems, other apps or other cameras to support the creation of sophisticated end-to-end solutions.

• Option for integrators to build and deploy custom solutions with apps available only to them and their customers via the Azena Application Store.

• Ability to securely and remotely connect to a customer camera without a VPN.

• A new integration assistant that quickly builds middleware for custom integrations between Azena components and third-party software and hardware.

• Opportunity to negotiate directly with app developers on bulk pricing.

• Standardised terms of use that can be adopted by all applications in the Application Store.

Learn more about Azena, its Application Store and the benefits of its platform here: https://www.azena.com




Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page



Further reading:

World-first safe K9 training for drug detection
Technews Publishing SMART Security Solutions Editor's Choice News & Events Security Services & Risk Management Government and Parastatal (Industry)
The Braveheart Bio-Dog Academy recently announced the results of its scientific research into training dogs to accurately detect drugs and explosives without harming either the dogs or their handlers.

Read more...
The need for integrated control room displays
Leaderware Editor's Choice Surveillance Training & Education
Display walls provide a coordinated perspective that facilitates the ongoing feel for situations, assists in the coordination of resources to deal with the situation, and facilitates follow up by response personnel.

Read more...
Cyber top business risk as climate change hits record high
Editor's Choice
Globally, companies identify cyberattacks, particularly data breaches, as their primary business concern for the coming year, with business interruption ranked second. In Africa and the Middle East, cyber incidents, shifts in legislation and regulation, and macroeconomic developments are the three foremost business risks.

Read more...
As technology converges, so does cybercrime
Editor's Choice
Cybercrime is no longer siloed: it involves complex collaborations and coordination between different malicious entities, including state actors, organised crime and even drug and human trafficking networks.

Read more...
The need for integrated control room displays
Editor's Choice Surveillance Training & Education
Display walls provide a coordinated perspective that facilitates the ongoing feel for situations, assists in the coordination of resources to deal with the situation, and facilitates follow up by response personnel.

Read more...
The bane of burnout
Editor's Choice Security Services & Risk Management
The World Economic Forum has recently formally acknowledged burnout as an occupational syndrome, giving it a status that is even more worthy of being taken seriously and resolved as quickly as possible.

Read more...
Federated identity orchestration
Technews Publishing SMART Security Solutions Editor's Choice Access Control & Identity Management Security Services & Risk Management AI & Data Analytics
Understanding exactly who resides at the end of a digital device is key, and simple identity number verification by the Department of Home Affairs is no longer a viable solution on its own.

Read more...
Scammers take advantage of desperate need for cash
Editor's Choice News & Events Security Services & Risk Management
Revitalised from their end-of-year holiday, South Africans typically tackle the new year with gusto and renewed vigour, but so do the criminals as they prepare for the rush back to school or university

Read more...
Here’s to a SMART 2025
SMART Security Solutions Editor's Choice News & Events
This is the final news brief from SMART Security Solutions for 2024, and the teams would like to take this opportunity to thank our readers, advertisers and partners and wish everyone a safe and secure festive season.

Read more...
SA company develops world-first safe K9 training for drug detection
Editor's Choice News & Events Security Services & Risk Management Government and Parastatal (Industry)
The Braveheart Bio-Dog Academy recently announced the results of its scientific research into training dogs to accurately detect drugs and explosives without harming either the dogs or their handlers.

Read more...