Peter Strom. (Darren Brown, OBJ)

March Networks has introduced its new video surveillance management software to help customers transition to Internet protocol (IP)-based video.

The IP video and business analysis applications provider has launched VideoSphere, which includes integrated video and system management software, analytic applications and March Networks IP cameras, encoders and networked video recorders.

The offering will help customers use one common piece of software to manage both IP and analog video surveillance environments in order to maximize investments in existing video infrastructure.

"With nearly 70,000 systems in service and some of the world's largest video deployments, March Networks has a rich heritage of working with leading organizations across the financial, retail, transportation and other high-growth sectors," said March Networks CEO Peter Strom in a statement. "We leveraged this experience in designing the VideoSphere solution to provide our customers with best-in-class functionality today and the flexibility they need to adopt new technologies at their own pace as part of a clear and long-term migration path."

The company quoted IMS Research in noting that the transition from analog to IP video would likely take a while to go through.

"Although we expect the world market for networked video surveillance systems to grow by almost 40 per cent CAGR (on a compound annual growth rate basis) through to 2011, our research also indicates that there remains a substantial installed base of legacy systems, many of which will transition to IP over time," stated IMS Research analyst Alastair Hayfield.

Mr. Hayfield noted that the total market for new networked video surveillance systems would be worth US$4 billion by 2011, with sales of digital video recorder systems such as March Networks's products representing an additional US$3 billion annually.