Comcast SmartOffice (Using Genetec and Axis) Profile

By: Brian Karas, Published on Mar 29, 2017

Comcast has more than 20 million subscribers and $80 billion in revenue.

Now Comcast is partnering with Genetec and Axis to deliver a "surveillance package for all types of business" with SmartOffice to its large customer base.

IPVM spoke with Comcast's Executive Director of Premise Services, Christian Nascimento [link no longer available], who led the development of this offering for Comcast.

In this report, we analyze Comcast's video offering, and how this will impact the security market for traditional integrators.

******* *** **** **** 20 ******* *********** *** $80 ******* ** *******.

*** ******* ** ********** with ******* *** **** to ******* * "************ package *** *** ***** of ********" **** *********** to *** ***** ******** base.

**** ***** **** *******'* Executive ******** ** ******* Services, Christian ********** [**** ** longer *********], *** *** the *********** ** **** offering *** *******.

** **** ******, ** analyze *******'* ***** ********, and *** **** **** impact *** ******** ****** for *********** ***********.

[***************]

Comcast ***********

*********** ** *******'* ******* ***** service, ***** ** **** *****-*** (****) ******* *** *******'* ********** ***** *******. ****************** ** ****, *** ******* confirmed **** *** ******* version ** ********** ******* to **** *** ******, though ***** **** **** some ******* ************ *** API ********** ***** *** test.

*** **********, *** ***** ** stored ** *** *****, with ** ******** ** the ******** ********. **** interface ** **** ** recorded ***** ** ******* Comcast-specific ******* *** ***** apps, ** ** * desktop *** *******.

*********** ** ********* ** select ******* *********, *** Comcast ***** ** **** it ********* ** *** their ******* ** ***-****.

*** *** ******* ***** Office ** **** ********* **** ******* ** functionality.

Pricing - ** ******* *****

*** ***** ****** ** $30/month, **** ********** ****** cameras ***** $**/** *** outdoor ******* $**/**. **** includes * **** ** video *********, ****** ******* can ** ********* ** 30 **** (*** ********** monthly *******). ******* **** not ****** *** ******** for ************, ** *** upfront **** *** *** cameras, ****** *** ******** potentially ********** ** ***** businesses **** ** *** have *** ******* ** invest ** ***** ** a ******** ********. ***** are ** ***-**** *******, but ** ** ******* to * *** ** 4 ********.

Targeting ***** ******** *********

**** ******** ** ******** at *** *****/****** ******** market - *********** ******, bars/restaurants, **** **** **********, and ***** ******* *** example. *** **** ******, Comcast ********* **** ********* will **** * ********** limited ****** ** *******, generally **** **** **. Targeting ***** ******* ******* should ****** *** *********** for ****-********* *************, ** upstream ********* *********** *** the ***** *********.

Federation *******

********** ******* *** ******* Genetec's ********** *******, ***** ****** *** video *** ** ********* viewed ** *******. **** allows ******* ** ********* the ******* ***** ***** ******* ******* ** ******* to ***** ******, ** SmartOffice ***** *** ********** Stratocast *******.

No ***** *** ***** ** ******

******* **** ***** *** no ***** *** *********** higher **** **** *********, though **** *** ******** this ***** ** ********* feedback.

No ***** ***** / ********* *******

****** ********** ****** ******* is hindered paritally ** **********'* **** of ********* *******, ***** would **** ****** ********** cameras *********** ********* ********* ** relying ** *********** *.***.

Comcast ** ******** **********

******** *********** ***** **** their ****** ********* **** pitching ***** *******, *** Comcast *** ********* ***** this. **** ******* ***** installers **** "****** ******* ****** locations" ** **** ** the ************ *******. *** company ** **** ******** 24/7 ******* *** ******/*********** of *******. **** **** of ******* ******** ** less ****** **** ***********, ***** interested ** ********* ******** may **** ** ****** our ******* / *********** ********* Guide.

Poor ********** ********

** ** ******* ** differentiate *** ********, ******* shows *** ******** **** are **** ********** **** arguments *** ***** ******.

** *** ***** *******, Comcast ***** *** ***** viewing ***** ** ***** camera ******** ** *********** *** with ***** ***** **** not **** ****** *** with **** ****, **********'* will ********* **** ******* ***** density **** ****** ********** cameras.

** ******* *** *** 'night ******' ************, *** person ***** ** *** camera ** ****** ***/*********** and ****** **************. ***** the ********** ******* ** no ******, *** **** of *** **** ******** appears ** **** ****** overall ******** **** *** SmartOffice *******.

Compared ** *********** *********

**** ******* *** *** installs *** ********* ***** average *** *** ********** *******.**** ********** ********* ** **** ****** with ***** ** ** 3MP ** *** **********. Additionally, *** * *** storage ******** ** **** far ***** *** **** typical ** *** ********* ******* ** **** integrators.

* * ****** ****** 'SmartOffice' ****** **** **** users $**/***** ($***/****). ***** this **** ******* ******* and *********** ** ****** components, ** **** ** several ***** **** ********* than * * ****** 1080p ** ****** ****** with * ********** *********** contract **** *** ******* lifetime ** *** ******.

Benefits *** *******

** *** * ****** of ******** *** ******* here:

  • ******* **** ****** ************ in ***** ****** ***** applications. *** ******* **** ***** Genetec * ***** ******* to ******* ********* **** it ********* ***** *** have **** ****** ** win.
  • *** ******* ** ******** video **** ***** ***** businesses **** *******'* ********** VMS ********, ******** ******, could ** * ******* to *** **** ****** that *** ******* *** their ********* / ****** / **** *******.
  • ********, *** ****** **** Genetec ** *** *** the *** ***, ******** up * ******** **** via ******* *********** **** the ********* ** ******** those **** *** ***** police ***** **** ******* more ********** *** ********** VMS ********.

Integrators ********* **** *******

*******, *********** *** ******* with ******* ** **** levels ** ********:

  • ****** ********** (*.*., **** 720p)
  • **** ****** ****** (** ***** one)
  • ****** ******* (*.*., **** than * ****)
  • ***** ****** (*.*., * Hikvision * ****** ****** can ** ****** *** less **** * **** ** the *********** **** ****)
  • ***'* *** ******* ******* (e.g., * ********* ****** can ** '******' *** $10 *** ***** *** camera *** ***** **** significant *******, ***.)

Comments (19)

Undisclosed #1

03/29/17 02:34pm

To be sure, does the offering include Internet services or this is above and beyond? 

Avatar

Brian Karas

IPVM | In reply to Undisclosed #1 | 03/29/17 02:39pm

This is in addition to anything the customer is paying for Internet/phone service.

Undisclosed End User #10

In reply to Brian Karas | 04/02/17 06:54pm

That does not really answer the question. Does the offering include the data connection required for smart office or is it an additional monthly cost?

Paul Shah

In reply to Undisclosed End User #10 | 04/02/17 07:59pm

This is based on what they are doing in Detroit:

 

"Comcast Business Deluxe 50 Internet service is required with the $139.75 base package. The monthly charge for Deluxe 50 Internet service is $89.95 per month"

Avatar

Brian Karas

IPVM | In reply to Undisclosed End User #10 | 04/02/17 09:30pm

No, it does not include the data connection. The price for the cameras is in addition to what customers are paying Comcast for internet access.

Undisclosed #2

03/29/17 02:40pm

Either Comcast will tarnish Axis and Genetic by affiliation, or this will be very bad for small integrators. 

John Honovich

IPVM | In reply to Undisclosed #2 | 03/29/17 02:43pm

But small integrators do not usually use Axis or Genetec anyway so what would their concern be?

Undisclosed Integrator #3

03/29/17 03:43pm

Not a surprise that Axis came out and partnered with someone that may lack the past performance or public view as an "integrator" as a way of getting passed their slowing year over year growth in camera sales (or reduction in it). 

On Genetec's side, Stratocast has lacked from the large wins outside of it's use in public-private partnerships. As they are looking to grow their cloud, the best way to do that with a product more catered to the SMB market (something the average Genetec dealer is not successful in), it isn't surprising they looked outside the security industry to find a way to give Stratocast a potential major win as a stand-alone product.

Undisclosed #4

03/29/17 04:05pm

I heard about something like this a few years ago.  It makes perfect sense for service providers and I expect to see more of it.  Service providers sell bandwidth, cameras use lots of bandwidth.

Undisclosed Integrator #5

03/29/17 06:20pm

A local security company had an in depth blog post addressing the Cable Company as a security company issue. I'm guessing they are feeling the pressure.

 

 

Undisclosed Manufacturer #6

03/29/17 06:43pm

In concept, this is brilliant for all three parties involved. In execution and service, time will tell. While Comcast is trying to right its ship of years of horrific customer service, big ships turn slowly. Adding a layer of service demands in a completely new technology to them will certainly have some challenges. Who's responsible when something doesn't work as intended? Three throats to choke. Will be interesting to watch it unfold. 

Undisclosed End User #11

In reply to Undisclosed Manufacturer #6 | 04/02/17 07:13pm

I am going to assume the end user will have no idea Axis or Genetec is even involved in this offering.  This will be a Comcast branded service, I doubt there will be any 3rd party branding involved, and would the end user using this product be upset at Axis or Genetec if something does not go right, I don't think so.  No they will be upset with Comcast.  And honestly Comcast's "Business" unit is very responsive, not at all like the home unit.  I had Comcast business at one of my business and the customer service was outstanding, not at all like my old home service, I say "OLD" because I am now cordcutter, and never looking back

Undisclosed Manufacturer #6

In reply to Undisclosed End User #11 | 04/02/17 08:39pm

Agreed, good points. I may stand corrected. We'll see. Even if branding is strictly Comcast, back office collaboration between the three on technical issues is still a factor on successful implementation, whether visible to the public or not.

Undisclosed Manufacturer #7

03/29/17 08:45pm

Why is ZipStream not supported?  Does the DGOV mess up the cloud stream, which is looking for I-Frames at specific intervals?  Or is this just an older camera that doesn't have ZipStream?

Is this common for a "VMS" or cloud service to not support a smart codec?

Avatar

Brian Karas

IPVM | In reply to Undisclosed Manufacturer #7 | 03/29/17 08:54pm

I asked Genetec for specifics on why Zipstream was not supported by Stratocast, but did not receive a response.  I will followup with them again. The Axis camera used does support Zipstream.

Undisclosed Integrator #8

03/29/17 09:24pm

The only real beneficiary I see in this is Genetec.  It's truly a win-win for them.  Comcast could horribly flop on installs using their third party contractors.  Residential integrators suffer further unnecessary competition.  As long as Genetec Stratocast works they are simply raking in money for an already developed product.  Well played Genetec and congrats for thinking long term regarding the cloud.

Undisclosed #9

03/30/17 12:50am

Comcast customer service is SOOO bad. I feel sorry the people who actually pay for this service.

Undisclosed #12

04/02/17 09:54pm

All 3 will 'win' - at least for a short time....

Axis gets to sell POS 720p cameras that nobody else will buy...

Genetec gets to sell to a much lower market than they could ever reach before...

Comcast adds an extra value add to their existing product...

It's really all on the cable guy at this point (and maybe both Axis and Genetec upping their individual component offerings [1080p at least and ZipStream support]).

Michael Miller

04/02/17 10:30pm

Does anyone know if Comcast is dropping in a dedicated WAN connection for this or are they sharing the WAN connection with the Corp network?

Login to read this IPVM report.
Why do I need to log in?
IPVM conducts unique testing and research funded by member's payments enabling us to offer the most independent, accurate and in-depth information.

Related Reports

Phone Camera Calculator Released on Mar 10, 2020
IPVM has released the first-ever Phone Calculator, video surveillance design software that you can use on your phone, without installing an...
Every VMS Will Become a VSaaS on Feb 21, 2020
VMS is ending. Soon every VMS will be a VSaaS. Competitive dynamics will be redrawn. What does this mean? VMS Historically...
Milestone Launches Multiple Cloud Solutions on Feb 18, 2020
Milestone is going to the cloud, becoming one of the last prominent VMSes to do so. Milestone is clearly late but how competitive do these new...
ROG Security - Cloud AI For Remote Monitoring on Jan 28, 2020
ROG Security is offering cloud-based AI analytics to remote guard companies, by touting having "nothing to install" to "add virtual guards." We...
Avigilon Shifts Cloud Strategy - Merges Blue and ACC on Jan 23, 2020
Avigilon is shifting its cloud strategy, phasing out its Blue web-managed surveillance platform as a stand-alone brand and merging it with its ACC...
Ionodes Company Profile on Jul 31, 2019
What happened to Ionodes? With seasoned leadership from Jean-Paul Saindon founder of SmartSight and Dr. Michael Gilge, founder of VCS, back in...
Ivideon Russian VSaaS Profile on Jun 27, 2019
Ivideon was an early VSaaS entrant, initially focusing on the consumer market, claiming massive growth to IPVM in 2014. We spoke to Ivideon, to...
Closed Cloud Cameras Trashed on May 13, 2019
When you buy a camera, do you own it? Not anymore. In the world of closed cloud cameras, you may think you are buying a camera but all you are...
Amazon Marketing Pro Installs of Amazon Security Systems on Apr 25, 2019
Is Amazon a threat to conventional providers like ADT, Vivint and Brinks Home Security? Many say no. Now, Amazon is advertising free in-home...
Eagle Eye Favorability Results 2019 on Mar 21, 2019
Eagle Eye has been the biggest spender in the cloud VMS market including (via their owner) acquiring Brivo for $50 million and CameraManager from...

Most Recent Industry Reports

Wyze Raises $10 Million And Seeks Services Expansion on May 27, 2020
Wyze has raised $10 million, the company's first disclosed raise since the $20 million announced at the beginning of 2019. Inside this note,...
Startup Videoloft Presents Cloud Storage on May 27, 2020
Videoloft presented offsite cloud storage at the May 2020 IPVM Startups show. A 30-minute video from Videoloft including IPVM...
Directory of 250+ Fever Camera News Reports Globally on May 27, 2020
This global directory tracks 250+ articles about thermal cameras used to detect fevers in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Articles are...
Integrators Rising Against Coronavirus on May 27, 2020
IPVM integrator statistics make it clear - Coronavirus's impact on business is lessening and many are anticipating even better news in weeks...
Netposa Stock Surges 46% After US Human Rights Abuse Sanctions on May 27, 2020
Last Friday, the US government announced it would sanction PRC video management provider NetPosa for being "complicit in human rights violations...
LILIN Presents NDAA-Compliant P2 Cameras on May 26, 2020
Merit LILIN presented its NDAA-compliant P2 camera series at the April 2020 IPVM New Products show. Inside this report: A 30-minute video...
ZKTeco Body Temperature and Mask Detection Reader Tested on May 26, 2020
While dedicated fever cameras emerged first, now tablet/kiosk fever detectors are ramping up. China's ZKTeco has been aggressively promoting such...
IDIS Presents 12MP IR Panoramic Fisheye on May 26, 2020
IDIS presented its 12MP IR panoramic fisheye camera at the April 2020 IPVM New Products show. Inside this report: A 30-minute video from...
FDA Defines Correct Operation of "Fever Cameras" on May 26, 2020
The US FDA has now defined the correct operation of "Thermal Imaging Systems", colloquially known as "fever cameras". Many in video...
OnSSI Founders Return, Start Corsight on May 25, 2020
The OnSSI founders are back, less than 2 years after selling OnSSI to Qognify, they have returned to Corsight, a spin-out of an Israeli AI...