HikVision Company Overview

Published May 17, 2009 00:00 AM
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While many are familiar with HiKVision [link no longer available] as an OEM of DVR cards and DVR appliances, HikVision is expanding into a full IP video offering and strengthening its branded business. HikVision reports 2008 revenue of $260M USD with 70% of revenue from China. They claim to have 50% market share in China as well. The company reports 1400 employees with over 400 in R&D. Established in 2001, they are an outgrowth of China's National Research Institute. Currently, they primarily do direct sales in emerging markets.

They currently offer a moderate range of IP cameras with resolutions up to 2 MP. They offer IP video management software in addition to DVRs and hybrid NVRs. The software is fairly elegantly designed (especially relative to stereotypes of Chinese software) and is provided free for use with their IP cameras. Their software currently only supports their IP cameras. HikVision's IP cameras are priced at a similar range to ACTi. The cameras only are supported by a limited number of 3rd party VMS providers though they report they are close to implementations with a number of large VMS providers.