Genetec Press Summit 2024: Shibumi, Giraffes & the ‘Easy Button’ to Cloud
After a significant hiatus, Genetec made a triumphant return, hosting the world’s security trade press for a dynamic press summit on February 6-7. This momentous event took place in the freshly inaugurated Washington, D.C. Experience Center. With the spirit of innovation more robust than ever, Genetec once again proved its leadership in connecting diverse global concepts, leading up to the grand unveiling of its latest enterprise solution: Security Center SaaS.
Seismic Shifts and Shibumi
The summit kicked off with an insightful presentation from Andrew Elvish, Vice President of Marketing at Genetec. Elvish spoke on what he defined as a “seismic shift” in the security industry, paralleling the magnitude of the switch from analog to IP technology seen in the early 2000s. This shift, Elvish explained, is the industry’s pivot to cloud solutions.
In his discourse, Elvish introduced an intriguing concept to many attendees: Shibumi. This Japanese aesthetic principle, emphasizing effortless elegance and simplicity, became a recurring theme, symbolizing Genetec’s approach to solution design. This philosophy, contrasted with the notion of “creative destruction,” framed Genetec’s market journey from a disruptor to a leader.
Genetec’s ascent is nothing short of remarkable. Elvish shared data from Omdia, outlining the company’s rise to the top ranks in access control, ALPR solutions, and continuous leadership in video surveillance since 2017. This growth underscores a significant industry pivot towards unified, rather than merely integrated, security systems.
However, the journey is not without its challenges. Elvish addressed the “consumption gap” – the disparity between the potential of Genetec’s innovations and their practical application. Bridging this gap, according to Elvish, is key to maximizing the value and stickiness of Genetec’s offerings.
Cloud Adoption and Cyber Security
Further insights emerged from Genetec’s State of Physical Security 2024 report. This comprehensive survey, gathering inputs from over 5,500 end users and channel partners, shed light on increasing OpEx budgets, rising cyber threats, and a significant pivot towards cloud-based solutions. Elvish’s presentation painted a clear picture: cloud adoption is not just a trend; it’s a transformative movement across the security industry landscape.
Easing into the Future with Security Center SaaS
Moving towards a solution-centric discussion, Michel Chalouhi, Vice President of Sales, Global, emphasized Genetec’s dedication to simplifying operations for its partners. This prelude introduced the summit’s highlight – a sneak peek into Genetec’s Security Center SaaS, officially announced later on February 21.
Christian Morin, Vice President of Product Engineering, discussed how Security Center SaaS embodies the shift towards the cloud, stressing that cloud technology offers an “easy button” for security solutions. This system is not merely cloud-oriented but designed flexibly to accommodate on-premises, hybrid, or full cloud applications depending on user needs. Highlighting an end to version numbers, Morin introduced a dynamic model wherein new capabilities are activated as needed by customers.
Shibumi, Giraffes, and Cybersecurity
A fireside chat with Pierre Racz, Genetec’s founder, brought the discussions back to shibumi. Racz elucidated this concept’s significance in the design philosophy behind Security Center SaaS. However, the conversation wasn’t confined to aesthetic principles alone. Racz tackled the pressing issue of AI and cybersecurity, intertwining humor and wisdom to critique and illuminate the industry’s pressing challenges.
The day concluded with an engaging exploration into hacker culture, alongside detailed demonstrations of Security Center SaaS. These discussions highlighted Genetec’s commitment not only to innovation and security but to creating solutions marked by simplicity, scalability, and ease of use.
As the press summit elucidated, Genetec’s latest offerings seek to harmonize cutting-edge technology with intuitive design — striving for shibumi in security solutions. And while giraffes might feature as metaphors in discussions on AI, in the world of Genetec, they signify the quest to transcend conventional boundaries, ensuring that security, elegance, and simplicity walk hand in hand.
