Ensuring security and providing intelligence

Oh Tee Lee, Regional Director, South Asia Pacific Region, Axis Communications met Ankur Gaurav and discussed the emerging opportunity for retail security solutions as the global players face towards India after the FDI is allowed.

Ankur Gaurav: What are the product innovations you have come up with in the recent past?

Oh Tee Lee: We have come up with two new technologies. First is the thermal camera, which senses the body heat and gives the image out of that. This is the only way one can secure a place with no-light. Second is to monitor in low light conditions or where the light is not balanced. These are extremely useful for retail warehouses.

AG: Any more products for the retail sector?

OTL: Yes, the covered camera is specially for retail sector which is retail and retail banking. When you know the camera is there, you can hide your face and do the fraud activities. But with help of this camera, the wrong doers will not be aware and can be easily caught red handed.

AG: Where is the manufacturing and R&D happening?

OTL: RND happens in Sweden manufacturing is minimal in china, we have factories are in Czech Republic and Hungary and an assembly plant in Bangkok.

AG: Any possibility of expanding manufacturing in India?

OTL: Whenever Red tape is not a problem in India we will strategize the plan. At present we do not have the right incentive to open a plant in India.

AG: You are also serving to other industries such as banking and real estate, what is the contribution of retail to this industry?

OTL: Retail contribution in the total surveillance market is 25 %. It is the largest segment.  We have the biggest consumer from retail sector. Shrinkage is the biggest problem and not necessarily security. Our largest customer is a retail customer and I can only tell you he is one of the top three retailers in the world.

AG: What are other applications of your product apart from security?

OTL: Looking at applications beyond security:  Business intelligence, Analytics, Heat maps- to identify where people stand in the store, which aisle is more popular. Where to place the products, how many people came in the trends being followed. From security point of view we ensure how to control the pilferage and shop lifting. Insiders are also not trust worthy.

AG: With FDI allowed in India now, how will be the demand for retail security solutions in the near future?

OTL: With FDI in the retail we are seeing a lot of opportunity and business interest developing in the retailers across the world. We understand the requirements of the retailers who will be foraying into Indian premises.

AG: How has been the contribution of the emerging economies to this industry?

OTL: Asia-pacific contribution is around 11 per cent to the world revenue and India has a substantial ratio in that. But Asian market has a potential of delivering high growth. In India we have a primary market from the metro cities and some from the tier-1 cities.

AG: Can you name a few Indian clients you are catering to?

OTL: We are not allowed to share the names but Cafe Coffee Day is one of the clients. Orion Mall in Bangalore is another place where you can find Axis communications products.