Subscriber Discussion

Video Analytics, Avigilon, Fair Price - Impact On A Market

KA
Konstantin Avramenko
Mar 25, 2015

I have re-read this interview Avigilon looks to dominate video analytics and I am interested to know an opinion of community on this statement:

"On a cost basis, there were also problems, because they were all trying to charge $500 to $2,000 per video channel and that’s simply just priced way out of the market. We believe people will spend between $30 to $50 to $60 for analytics on a per channel basis, not $500 or $1,000. Basically, all of the analytics companies were pricing themselves out of the market.”

Taking into the account that they are selling complete solution, a price on VA can be any. So, it is a bit cunning. But do you think that low prices can make a difference? What is a fair price of VA today from your point of view? Don't you think that in the nearest future VA without a solution (i.e. without deep integration with some kind of end user application for exact purpose(s)) will be out of market?

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SM
Steve Mitchell
Mar 25, 2015

What is a fair price of VA today from your point of view? Don't you think that in the nearest future VA without a solution (i.e. without deep integration with some kind of end user application for exact purpose(s)) will be out of market?

End user customers are open to the idea of using VA to solve problems, but the value to them is provided by a holistic solution that solves their problem. And those problems are rarely articulated in terms of discrete VA algorithms. For example, military customer wants solution to help them keep their base parameter secure. They are sold a solution of video camera and 'tripwire' algorithm. But when the bad guys wear camouflage clothing, they pass through the parameter unnoticed. What the customer might have needed was (say) thermal cameras and tripwire algorithm designed for thermal. The solution to their problem ("parameter security") was the composition of multiple technologies, and VA was just a component of that. The entire solution was not VA in and of itself. So while the customer may be willing to pay big money for a solution, and that solution's price may be large enough to absorb an expensive VA license, it needs to be an entire solution that actually works, and the VA license cost needs to be in-line with the solution cost.

The other thing at play is the idea that software wants to be free. Given that there is no (ongoing) manufacturing cost basis behind software, any given class of software tends to get cheaper over time. So, yes, 30-50$ per channel is much more reasonable than $500-1000, and yes, the VA needs to be included in a solution that provides actual value, it is not sold on its own merits.

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KA
Konstantin Avramenko
Mar 25, 2015

Thank you for a good example Steve. I cannot agree that there are no ongoing costs with a software. Do not forget that you need constantly improve your product, search for innovation, support new hardware, software platforms, and so on.

I believe that the end user solution is a dedicated task. You cannot expect to get a solution from the same team that focused on the algorithms of movements detection and tracking. These people will have their task and need be focused on it. Moreover the end solution can and will include many components from different vendors. So, I think that it has to come from other party that is more in a "solution business". Avigilon is a good example and probably it is really a for VMS / "complete solutions" providers and they need to be proactive in it and do not expect that VA vendors will make this work on their own.

U
Undisclosed #1
Mar 25, 2015

I think that your question is not specific just to video analytics.

For many analytics companies, the analytics product is their only product. However, the company still needs a building to work from, payroll people, they need to attend trade shows and do marketing programs, hire support people, and other overhead costs. If the only product they ship is their software, the licenses have to be high enough to cover all these costs, and the costs of the developers, and enough to make a profit.

For a company that offers analytics as part of a larger product line, they can generally absorb some of the fixed costs of business into other products, allowing them to sell the analtyics component cheaper than a stand alone company. There is also volume of business, as John has pointed out in the past, analytics has never been a HUGE seller. So the analytics-only company has two problems- overhead, and low volume. This causes the per-channel license to be higher.

There is also another interesting thing when pricing a product. Generally speaking, the higher the price, the more the customer expects for performance. If you sell something like "Analytics Tripwire" for $500/channel license the customer expects excellent results (even if they set it up wrong). If you sell "Analytics Tripwire" for $50 and it doesn't work perfect all the time the customer is more forgiving. This lowers your support costs and your sales costs. When you ask "does low price make a difference", I think there is data to show that it does.

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KA
Konstantin Avramenko
Mar 25, 2015

A, Yes, you are right. It is true for many other areas as well. And for instance I see the same issues with a facial recognition and other biometrics.


Regarding the price vs expectations, it is not so directly connected. People intend to demand the best service/quality for the money even it is a dollar. So, you will have maybe even more complaints and support requests with a low price tag.

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U
Undisclosed #1
Mar 26, 2015

My personal experience with selling analytics shows some corellation between price and user expectations. It may not be a universal thing, but I think it exists across multiple products.

Do you expect more from an $800 camera than a $200 camera? Do you expect more from a VMS that costs $500 per channel than one that costs $50 per channel? Do you expect more from a Mercedes Benz than a Kia?

KA
Konstantin Avramenko
Mar 26, 2015

In general I agree but people are not perfect.
When I buy KIA I do not compare it to Mercedes I compare it to Hyundai or VW. And the fact that I purchased KIA instead of Mercedes does not prevent me to complain about poor quality, low mileage etc. :)

UI
Undisclosed Integrator #2
Mar 25, 2015
Having sold various levels of analytics from a hundred dollars a channel to thousands a channel I can say the expectations are the same, it's just easier as a manufacturer to leave the integrator holding the bag by refunding the small amount invested in the "analytics upgrade" and not the whole solution.
JH
John Honovich
Mar 25, 2015
IPVM

"Taking into the account that they are selling complete solution, a price on VA can be any. So, it is a bit cunning."

And force out all the analytic only providers? :)

"What is a fair price of VA today from your point of view?"

Whatever the market will bear... The cost of doing analytics right is high, so either developers need to charge a premium for it (as they have in the $500 to $1,000+ range per camera) or they make their money by bundling it with solutions (the Avigilon approach).

KA
Konstantin Avramenko
Mar 25, 2015

And force out all the analytic only providers? :)

IMHO it is pretty obvious that it will be tough to sell VA for $500-$1000 if they declare that their VA part is for $50. It will be interesting to see what will happen. Will other major players try also to add VA to their "complete solutions" or we will see pivots in the models of VA providers. Personally, I prefer second option.

JH
John Honovich
Mar 26, 2015
IPVM

It's a big market and there are many different types of analytics. Even if Avigilon gave analytics away for free, there are many many users who would still pay a premium, either because they have another system, because they have a preferred non-Avigilon partner, because they want some flavor or optimization that Avigilon does not offer, etc., etc.

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RM
Rich Mellott
Mar 29, 2015
Much like it was presented above, VA is only a part of the solution. VA by itself more often has little value without the proper software front end to present it to the customer in a usable fashion. Some can take a solution and only use the event triggers to gain value, but few end users see enough value in that. Depending on the end user needs, they may need some or all of the following: - rules engine that combines multiple data points or triggers - the dashboard that presents usable metrics for the business - UI that incorporates VA as an overlay with the video - search engine that allows for ease of use - forensic search that leverages VA metadata of complete video scene - reporting that provides the detailed overview - macro to micro drill downs metrics - ease of setup for VA for changing needs - ability for edge based analytics to limit traffic - ability for server or cloud analytics to process centrally - many more not listed In short, there is no one provider that will be able to solve the needs of every application and use case for the end user. Now with a large portfolio of VA and a solution that can absorb it, a solution provider may evolve to the VA channel leader in the market. That does not mean they will be the only VA provider or solution to absorb it and price will be defined by the total solution and the market acceptance for a said vertical or application.
U
Undisclosed #3
Mar 29, 2015

I think Rich nailed it on the head here. His comments on the Head end combined with the type/accuracy of the VA in what environment will command the price point. Avigilons Edge analytics like "tripwire" are just like the one you can buy in AXIS's camera for relatively inexpensive. These are horrible to put in certain outdoor environments because they are Pixel based, just like regular "motion detect" in software. Car lights, reflections, Blowing leaves, etc... can set off the tripline. Heck a flash light from off camera can do it.

A big difference from a server based logorithm analytic that sets up zones that you pay more money for- that 500.00 a channel license that doesn't give you the 25-50 false alerts every day. There is seriously a reason you pay more money for these analytics.

Would the AXIS or Avigilon work well indoors or in a fixed lighting scenerario? Yup and may be excellent choice at the cost.

And no- I don't work for a VA company :). I just tried a tripwire installation in edge cameras 2 years ago before I realized it was Pixel based along the inside of a fence line outdoors. Because they are NOT clear in literature or tech specs what the "video analytics" are. Or to be more accurate- aren't. Even in a remote area (really remote), horrible idea. Total failure.

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JH
John Honovich
Mar 29, 2015
IPVM

C, I am not sure what you tried 2 years ago but Avigilon's video analytics are from VideoIQ, which have tested well (see Avigilon Analytic Cameras Tested, Testing Avigilon / VideoIQ Rialto, etc.) and are the overall favorite in our 2014 video analytics survey.

Now, perhaps you tested Avigilon's non-VideoIQ motion detection / analytics, which is 'pixel based' and similar to Axis (e.g., VMD Camera Shootout).

U
Undisclosed #3
Mar 29, 2015

Hmm- I was actually doing a pilot back then using both AXIS and Video IQ (pre-Avigilon). Both were causing high quantity of alarms due to lighting issues (car lights coming up highway) Although the AXIS was certainly more than the Video IQ. After involving tech support on both sides was when I was told about the pixel based.

I had to go to a 2 zone server based analytic to eliminate the alarms from both. But I am willing to take another look. In my office first :). That last little fiasco was a month of pain.

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