Cisco to integrate video surveillance with IP

By Stuart Corner
Wednesday, 08 March 2006 14:28

Business IT - Technology

Cisco Systems is to acquire privately-held video surveillance technology company, SyPixx Networks, based in Connecticut, for $US51 million in cash.

SyPixx Networks offers network-centric video surveillance software and hardware that enable existing analogue video surveillance systems to operate as part of an open IP network.

Cisco says the acquisition will enable it to deliver video surveillance as part of an intelligent converged environment. "Now Cisco will make it possible for customers to continue using their existing video surveillance systems and to integrate them into an overall physical security program, while enhancing the safety of people and the protection of assets."

This is an identical strategy to that set out by Terry Matthews, owner of rival IP telephony developer Mitel,  who also founded March Networks, a company with technologies similar to SyPixx.

"Video will be accessible at any time from any place, enabling rea-time incident response, investigation and resolution. This will support the deployment and control of new security applications and maximse the value of live and recorded video," Cisco says

As a result of this acquisition, Physical Security will become a new Emerging Technology area for Cisco.

SyPixx was founded in 2004 and its 27 employees will be part of Cisco's Emerging Markets Technology Group.