Microsoft And NYPD Partner For Crime Awareness System

This isn't "vaporware".

Hello Aaron:

We covered MS-DAS in this note: Microsoft / IDV PSIM Reviewed

At the time I did this update, Microsoft was unwilling to speak directly to the offering, instead yielding all questions to IDV Solutions, a Michigan company who developed the interface. Microsoft's version to the NYPD included custom interfaces with other MS platforms, including .SQL databases and BING Maps. At the time, it was pretty limited on features. Video surveillance integration was primarily achieved through live-view web server integration only, and no VMS integrations were offered up.

In many ways, Microsoft's offering is just like other PSIM platforms: they are monetizing custom software integration. As far as new or novel, MS-DAS has a nice mapped-based interface, but is vulnerable to the same weaknesses of other PSIM platforms.

One detail I thought interesting was that NYPD negotiated something like a royalty payment on every future MS-DAS sale. This article reported: "The City will receive 30% on the profits Microsoft will make selling it to other cities, although Mayor Bloomberg declined to say if that money would go back into the NYPD. "

I (tried) to speak to Microsoft on a technical level several different times, in several venues, about this offering. Every time they deffered questions to 3rd party vendors. I got the strong impression Microsoft saw this primarily as a branding play rather than a pet project.

I hope that helps!

I saw the NOVA episode too and it was fascinating. Lots of good CCTV related coverage.

The issue Microsoft is running into is no one wants to buy the product. My guess is it is too expensive even for the government. Which is probably a first……