Roy Alves is country GM at Axis Communications.

The debate around the benefits of network versus analogue video surveillance will take an interesting turn in 2013. According to electronics industry research company IMS Research, the worldwide sales of network cameras will overtake that of analogue cameras in the coming year.

Since the launch of the very first IP-based camera in 1996, the demand for network video surveillance has increased steadily and is now driving a fundamental shift in the industry.

The growing popularity of network video surveillance has resulted in a steady increase in its market share over the years, which can be attributed to the growing understanding of the benefits to an IP-based security system.

These benefits have even seen many experienced installers of analogue CCTV systems make the shift to network – total cost of ownership, image quality, flexibility, easy integration into existing systems, power over Ethernet technology and onboard storage and intelligence are only a few of the technologies and differentiators that set network video apart.

I believe, though, that the scales tipping in favour of network video sales in 2013 is being driven by the sheer volume of research and development (R&D) that takes place behind the scenes and delivers new technologies. Through this focus on R&D, the industry has seen the introduction of amazing new technologies, including lowlight, thermal, infrared and high-definition cameras.

It even seems as though technologies are converging to drive further uptake of network video, as broadband availability and speeds, which have been an ongoing concern, seem to be improving on a daily basis.

The IMS Research survey points to exciting times ahead for the IP security industry, and I, for one, am looking forward to seeing where our R&D leads us.