Network Optix is arguably the last new VMS. Founded in 2010, more than a decade after most client/server VMS offerings, the company has become a factor in the VMS market. However, this has largely been through other brands, as they are better known (especially to American buyers) via their OEMs such as Digital Watchdog (Spectrum) and Hanwha Techwin (Wave) (tested).
IPVM integrator statistics and comments reflect those factors, with a solid net positive rating but high levels of neutrality:
Inside this post, we examine the 4 main themes as well as share dozens of integrator comments about the company plus feedback from Network Optix about their model.
Executive *******
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It feels like they are leaving themselves open for possible acquisition. Maybe not actively seeking, but open to it. They've done well just focusing on the one aspect of the security solution- the VMS. But that can carry them only so far.
I wonder what considerations or protections DW and Hanwha might have in place if Nx was acquired.
They've done well just focusing on the one aspect of the security solution- the VMS. But that can carry them only so far.
Milestone?
I myself couldn't see that- Milestone is too established and well developed. And I don't hear many complaints on their interface. Who knows, maybe it's time for Brother Printers to jump into the game like Canon and Konica Minolta.
I myself couldn't see that- Milestone is too established and well developed.
See what?
You said that focusing on one thing, the VMS, can only carry you so far. But it seems like it’s enough for Milestone.
You're right about that and I somewhat amend my comment. Milestone has been mostly focused on the VMS software, but they also have their Huskey appliances, more options to scale for size from entry to enterprise, and they've been at it a long time.
Like the article said, Nx was one of the last newer entries. It's done really well but I think long term hard to stay where they are or grow in this current market. I could be wrong but that's how I see it. And I still don't think Milestone would be a good candidate as a buyer as they have their own well developed competitive products. I could only see it if they wanted some unique IP or to get rid of a competitor.
I would think Hanwha could afford to buy Nx outright. That makes the most sense to me.
There are some politics on the board and ownership stake within Nx that would make that pretty difficult... in my undertanding.
Their go to market history has been odd and I wonder where the deal with the devil was made. Their entire engineering team is Russian... where did they get their VC from? Who actually owns Network Optix and who is on their leadership team?
Nx has zero presence in Russian market. Regarding engineering, Boeing also has engineering in Russia.
I find Nx dependency on Russian based engineers extremely troubling from both a cyber security and a geo political perspective. While Russian software developers are fast and cheap... they represent a significant liability for Nx and their customers.
Customers are winning from better technologies and this is more important than polytical journalists fears.
Time will tell. Ask Hikvision and Dahua how that theory is working out for them.
We doing business in Southeast Asia country
and we love to use Network Optix for Mid-end deployment.
I agree that sales model and branding was confuse
In SEA there was only ONE Executive sales channel for some X number of country around here (In my case under NX Witness Brand)
but they OVERPRICE the product even whole-sell distributor price is still expensive than purchase single license of DW from NA as an end-user!
When user find out that NX Product is 99% same as DW most of them choose to pick DW from NA instead of buying via official channel...
I like it a lot. Next generation thinking with plenty of 3rd party integration. They took the VMS and created something unique and powerful.
I've been with DW Spectrum for several years. Besides their faulty v2.3 release years ago, the company has nicely developed the software into a solid platform. I'm in the middle of upgrading my 25 client systems from v2.6 to v3.2; as 3.2 has awesome features and great stability. The Failover and storage database is easy to manage as well as the BEST and fastest search engine on the market (faster than Milestone IMO).
Also, running on Linux is a no-brainer for my clients, as the OS runs more stable than Windows.
Spectrum, Very Solid Product - However, I did try to use dw products to make it a seamless site for about 105 cameras. It was not as seamless as I would have wished. I still had to go in manually to each camera and change fps and vbr/cbr. Was looking for that seamless integration. What camera are most people using this VMS????
That one is 2017. Here is 2018s report...
http://www.networkoptix.com/2018/11/27/2018-anonymous-statistics-report/
It all depends on the api and level of integration When using Hanwha cameras on wave, you can easily configure most of the important settings including frame rate, quality, etc right from the vms ui.
In Australia the Network Optix VMS is sold by ISCS. I have several substantial installations. NX Witness as it's branded is one of the best VMS systems I've used. On a bang for your buck basis it's number 1 on my list.
However their website is very difficult to navigate. The system also assumes you'll have web access, which for a secure site installation is not on.
Update, Charles interviewed Network Optix while at Secutech Taipei, it's been added to the post and copied below:
UPDATE: Network Optix Responds
We interviewed Network Optix's marketing/BDM director at Secutech Taipei this year for their response to this report.
On Network Optix having little brand awareness in the industry (i.e. the results are good overall but have a very high 'neutral' rating):
That's consistent with our platform approach. Many users are familiar with our products but they're branded differently, they may not recognize. But it's kind of by design. We want to be a platform.
On Network Optix's current strategy and analytics offering:
Our core strategy right now is to develop core software, staying on top of whatever trend. We're not really focused on analytics. It's a 'pipes in the house' approach. The only analytic that we do native to our platforms is motion analytics. Our focus is on instant usability, no necessary training, and responsiveness even on lightweight hardware solutions.
On concerns that Network Optix's sales model is not sustainable in the long term, due to providing solutions to competing partners and a history of firms dropping OEMs to sell under their own brand (e.g. Genetec in 2000s):
We're fundamentally different compared to that period. When solutions came out then, the technology solutions were much more proprietary. We look for those conflicts and actively seek to reduce them. We have a 'rising tide raises all ships' approach.
Whether Network Optix will incorporate human rights into its policies, as Milestone has done, notably dropping Hikvision as an "Elite Partner":
No, we don't [have plans to do that]. Tech can be used for good or bad. Our goal is to provide as many solutions to as many brands as possible. In terms of how these products get used downstream for us, it's up to the market.
I didn't realize Network Optex was Network Optix competitor. I wish I could correct old typos on my own posts.
Remove this post once enlightened. yw.
