Security & Safety Things is announcing that it has rebranded to Azena, a new name that positions it for the next chapter in its plans for redefining video analytics.
Since its market introduction in 2018, Azena has grown to more than 120 employees spread across its headquarters in Munich, its technology Innovation Accelerator facility in Pittsburgh, and another development hub in Eindhoven, The Netherlands, all supporting the Azena open platform for smart cameras. The Azena platform is comprised of an open operating system for cameras and an Application Store with nearly 100 Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enabled video analytics apps, enabling smart cameras to simultaneously run multiple apps directly on the device. Integrators can flexibly add or change apps on one or multiple cameras as needed for their customers and use any of the 15 cameras from six different manufacturer partners in a variety of form factors.
“Systems integrators play a crucial role in connecting the video analytic edge devices on our platform into the larger system landscape for a truly data-driven approach to security, operational intelligence and automation,” said Hartmut Schaper, Chief Executive Officer, Azena. “Our new identity as Azena positions us for improved name recognition and market presence as we continue to add functionality and the potential for expansion into new markets for our systems integrator partners.”
The Azena Application Store features apps that address more than 40 different use cases in at least 25 different vertical markets, ranging from traditional perimeter security, retail loss prevention and occupancy management to stadium security and even the unique needs of aquaculture. Some examples of use cases include:
• One US professional hockey team, the Pittsburgh Penguins, is using the Azena platform to monitor crowding at its stadium entrances, license plate recognition for more efficient stadium parking and heat mapping for improved layouts of its fan merchandise retail outlets.
• An oil drilling company is deploying smart cameras running the Azena OS so operations staff can remotely monitor any pumping disruptions in the oil fields.
• A chemical plant is monitoring its locations for the presence of smoke to enhance workplace safety measures.
Additionaly, systems integrator Prosegur has announced its collaboration with Azena to use analytics on the edge as part of its Security Operations Centre as a service offering. By deploying more sophisticated analytics to measure activity or automatically verify alarms, incoming alarm traffic from customer sites can be pre-filtered, reducing the number of alarms needing to be handled by human operators in the SOC, enabling a more appropriate response.
Integrators will reportedly find a host of other new features in the Azena platform designed to leverage device management capabilities and remote access for diagnosis and maintenance to cameras on a customer site, using Azena’s digital twin architecture.
