Wildfire Connections

Actually, an end user asked about them a few weeks ago.

He was interested in this claim:

"WildFire is offering its’ new WPI Program (WildFire-Provided Infrastructure) to all city and county government agencies nationwide. Under WPI, WildFire provides the basic infrastructure required to launch a city-wide or county-wide wireless camera network (the central NVR & the Central Relay Point of the network) at no charge whatsoever. The only commitment WildFire requires is for a minimum of five (5) low-cost WildFire wireless cameras (from $1,695 to $1,995 each) to be purchased to launch the network. If the private-sector buys all the cameras, the WildFirenetwork would be launched at no cost to the local city or county government."

My response was that, 'I suspect they give this away to seed the market. They also emphasize that "Local merchants and other businesses purchase their own WildFire wireless PTZ cameras.' It's probably a loss led to lock in their equipment. They then make their money by selling cameras to the community at a premium."

Also, I wonder what cameras they are offering for that low a price.

Overall, from reviewing their website and their marketing videos, they appear to be a regional integrator packaging COTS surveillance products (e.g., I clearly see examples of VideoIQ and Exacq in their videos).

Interesting. Will have to look into this as a potential Firetide wiremesh alternative as we have just started to look into a 450k municipal camera expansion program due to an earmark of a recent tax measure. John, do you have any additional information regarding this company other than what they list on their website?

We have not talked directly to them nor to any of their customers.

As for them being an alternative to Firetide, I'd be cautious. They are not claiming any technical breakthrough so I bet there's some significant fine print in their offer.

Very true. I will spend some time tomorrow reading all the fine print I can find. Always want to do the best on many levels when it comes to tax dollars and as in most cases, nothing's free without a cost buried somewhere. I am always suspect of a bid that need several rounds of follow up regarding specifications than a business charging a market rate with all the details laid out.

This website has been very helpful in assisting our ability to obtain unbiased reviews or insight and has already paid for the cost of membership tenfold with just one 40k improvement project.

Thanks, Mark! Let us know if we can provide any other feedback or advice.