Hanwha Techwin MD Bob Hwang: We spotted the potential of AI before anyone else

A little over a year ago few people in the security sector had heard of Hanwha Techwin.

The company has since done plenty of work to instill in the industry’s mind that Samsung Techwin has now become Hanwha Techwin following its acquisition by the Hanwha Group in December 2014. It has also sought to reassure installers, system integrators and distributors that nothing has fundamentally changed.

With IFSEC International 2017 – where Hanwha Techwin is exhibiting its video surveillance products and solutions – only a few weeks away, Bob (HY) Hwang PhD, the company’s MD, discusses the company’s latest product development, artificial intelligence, warranties and customer support services for the whole supply chain.

Check out security solutions from Hanwha Techwin at IFSEC International, 20-22 June 2017, London ExCeL. You can find Hanwha Techwin on stand G800. Get your free badge now.

IFSEC Global: Hi Bob. Can we expect to see any new products from Hanwha Techwin over the coming months?

Bob (HY) Hwang PhD: There will be a surprise or two for visitors to our stand at IFSEC International, but in the main we have already set out our stall in terms of our product offering for 2017.

Although there will be further  additions to each of our camera series in order to give customers the widest possible choice, we are now at a stage where we have a formidable range of cameras and recording devices which provide entry level options for small offices and shops, as well as ultra high performance solutions for high security and mission critical applications.

Hanwha Techwin’s silver, gold and diamond-level STEP Partners are now able to take advantage of an extended five-year warranty programme

Our new H.265 Wisenet X cameras, supercharged by the most powerful chipset ever incorporated into a full camera range which we launched just a few weeks ago, have already attracted considerable interest from installers and system integrators throughout Europe.

Collectively, with our feature rich 2MP and 4MP Wisenet Q and premium 4K (12MP) Wisenet P cameras, the 2MP and 5MP  Wisenet X models enable us to provide a cost effective solution for any video surveillance project.

IG: What else are you doing to stand out in this highly competitive market?

BH: As we have said on previous occasions, having ‘Best in Class’ products is not enough to win additional market share or earn the loyalty of existing customers. We must also offer the highest levels of pre and post sales support, and most importantly, demonstrate the respect we have for our customers.

By this I mean we must show that we think of them as business partners and we very much appreciate the part they are playing in our success, and in return, we are doing everything possible to help them succeed.

IG: Can you give some examples of what this means in practical terms?

BH: The recent announcement that we have enhanced our warranty support is an excellent example. In a fiercely competitive market, we are always looking to provide installers and system integrators with a competitive edge.

Hanwha Techwin’s Silver, Gold and Diamond level STEP Partners are now able to take advantage of an extended five-year Warranty Program which covers parts and labour on all Hanwha Techwin IP cameras and NVRs, with the exception of zoom/focus functionality, pan/tilt motor assemblies, slip-rings and HDDs, which will remain at three years.

Our video surveillance products have proved to be exceptionally reliable. This provides us with the opportunity to reward the loyalty and support of our STEP Partners by providing them with improved warranty terms which they can offer to their clients.

Whilst the five-year warranty is designed for Silver, Gold and Diamond STEP Partners, everyone else will continue to benefit from existing three-year warranty terms.

Most camera models in our Wisenet X range provide the ability to immediately check view angles via a smartphone, by using an onboard USB port and Wi-Fi

IG: And what are you doing for installers?

BH: We are also continually looking to help installers by, for example, reducing the time and cost of installations. This is why most camera models in our Wisenet X range provide the ability to immediately check view angles via a smartphone, by using an onboard USB port and Wi-Fi.

The Gyro sensors incorporated into many of the Wisenet X cameras and domes also make life easier for installers as they greatly add to the stability of cameras in windy conditions in exposed open areas.

Keeping to our commitment to remain vigilant and ensure Wisenet cameras are equipped to minimise the threat from cyber attacks, is another way in we can show respect and consideration to our customers, as it is not just our reputation which is on the line when end-user client’s confidential data is at risk.

Installer and system integrators who source video surveillance solutions from Hanwha Techwin can sleep well at night knowing we are protective of their relationships with their clients. We are doing whatever is possible to protect the integrity of the systems they install and will not endanger their reputation with their clients by allowing hackers to get in through the ‘back door’.

We are also  able to  justify the decision of customers to choose Hanwha Techwin as their preferred supplier by helping them keep one step ahead of their competitors. We are doing this by continuing to research and develop innovative new technologies and by establishing technology partnerships with other manufacturers who are experts in their respective fields.

We are concentrating on developing AI cameras and storage devices capable of autonomously detecting abnormal movements and situations by utilising the NVIDIA platform

IG: We’ve noticed that Hanwha has been speaking a lot about AI (artificial intelligence)…

BH: We are the first manufacturer operating in the electronic security sector to recognise the tremendous potential of AI  technology. This is reflected in the global partnership we have established with NVIDIA.

We are planning to collaborate on the intelligent video analysis platform which is currently being developed by NVIDIA. This will feature AI GPUs based on deep learning on security devices, such as cameras and storage media, and will allow for fast and accurate video analysis data which provides meaningful information to customers.

We will be concentrating on developing AI cameras and storage devices capable of autonomously detecting abnormal movements and situations by utilising the NVIDIA platform, which we will apply to our city surveillance, retail and traffic solutions.

With market requirements constantly evolving, an open platform provides the opportunity for existing edge-based specialist applications (and those that will be developed in the future) to be run on board Wisenet cameras.

IG: Research company Marketsandmarkets has estimated the video surveillance market was worth $30.37 Billion in 2016 and is projected to reach $75.64bn by 2022. How well equipped is Hanwha Techwin to take advantage of this growth?

BH: From a production point of view, the recent announcement that we are developing a new production facility on a 60,000m²  site in Vietnam as part of a $100m investment in our new subsidiary, is a clear demonstration we intend to have the  capability to fulfil the growth in demand for our products.

We are also determined to excel in everything we do and we will move forward by listening, innovating, thinking outside of box and most importantly, by respecting and valuing our business and technology partners. With this mindset, I have no doubt that we will achieve great success for ourselves and our customers.

Check out security solutions from Hanwha Techwin at IFSEC International, 20-22 June 2017, London ExCeL. You can find Hanwha Techwin on stand G800. Get your free badge now.

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