According to Network Optix, launching your own AI solution doesn’t have to be difficult. Whether you’re working independently or collaborating with a team, Nx AI Manager provides all the tools needed to build, train, and bring your AI-powered video solution to market. To make the process even easier, here is a straightforward guide to walk you through each stage—from creating your initial prototype to successfully entering it on the market.
- Identify your use case
The first step in developing an AI solution is clearly defining the problem you would like to address. For example, in a restaurant setting, you might aim to monitor how long tables are occupied on average in order to better plan out your services and scheduling. By tracking table occupancy, you can better adjust seating arrangements, reduce wait times, and ensure a smoother dining experience for your guests. This specific objective becomes your “use case,” guiding the development of your AI solution to deliver actionable insights and measurable improvements.
2. Develop a prototype on Nx Meta
With your use case defined, you can now start building a prototype using Nx Meta—our sandbox environment for testing and customizing AI video solutions. You can get a suitable AI model from many available model libraries such as Yolo, Hugging Face, Nvidia Tao, Intel Open Vino and others. If you’re familiar with some of our supported AI model training tools like Edge Impulse, TensorFlow or PyTorch, you can train the model yourself. If not, Nx can actively help you find a model maker to handle the technical side.
The built-in Nx recording tools make it very easy to capture video data to train and optimize the model under real-world conditions of your use case. This allows you to rapidly prototype and build a first version of your AI solution.
3. Refine Your Prototype
Once your model is trained and uploaded to the Nx AI Manager Cloud, you can now deploy it to a test location where you have an edge device running the AI Manager connected to a live camera. This is how you will evaluate how well it works in the field. If the model needs improvement, such as better detection accuracy, then the AI Manager can be configured to capture additional live training images that you can use to re-train your model. You can rapidly repeat this cycle, potentially across multiple locations, until the AI performs as needed.
4. Choosing your route to market: Nx EVOS or OEM
Now that your AI model is ready, it’s time to decide how you’ll bring it to market. There are two main paths you can follow:
Option 1: Nx EVOS (Sell and Distribute through Network Optix)
This route lets you sell your AI solution through Nx EVOS, our enterprise-grade platform designed for large-scale, intelligent video management. It’s a neutral route—meaning that your solution will be available through Nx’s platform without direct distribution. This is a good route to take if your AI model is specialized and meets specific enterprise needs.
Steps for submitting through Nx EVOS:
- Have a product built on top of an Nx Core service.
- Apply to become an Nx EVOS reseller.
- Once approved, your solution can be deployed across Nx EVOS customers’ networks.
- Use Nx Connect to manage licenses, customer billing, and support.
Option 2: OEM (Rebrand and sell as your own product)
If you prefer to have full control over your branding and distribution, you can choose the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) route. This allows you to rebrand Nx EVOS as your own product and sell it directly to your customers. The OEM route is ideal for companies looking to establish a unique brand presence while using Nx’s powerful video management tools in the background.
Steps for OEM:
- Rebrand Nx EVOS under your company’s name.
- Build your own sales and distribution channels.
- Create custom licenses and manage them using Nx Connect.
- Deploy your solution to your customers’ systems and provide ongoing support.
5. Nx Connect: License and manage your solution
If you end up choosing the Nx EVOS route, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with Nx Connect, our built in licensing and billing system. This will allow you to:
- Create Licenses: Nx Connect lets you generate and manage licenses for your customers.
- Manage Distribution: With Nx Connect, you can track deployments, update your AI model across multiple sites, and handle customer billing in one site.
6. Scaling Your AI Solution
As your AI solution gains traction, tools like Nx AI Manager and Nx Connect make it much easier to scale with your growth. You can continue to refine your model, deploy updates across customer sites, and even add new features and updates as the business grows.
Conclusion
Taking an AI video solution to market through Nx AI Manager is straightforward, whether you’re selling through Nx EVOS or as an OEM product. From prototyping to full deployment, Nx provides the tools and support you need to build, refine, and commercialise your AI solution. By choosing the right market route and utilizing Nx Connect for licensing and management, you can efficiently scale your solution and succeed in the marketplace.
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