FEATURE : SMART CITIES
Scaling video management into smart city solutions
Video Management Systems have emerged as an essential tool to help public and private providers in Africa to boost transformation of their smart cities by having a comprehensive view of the environment in which they operate , explains Teresa Huysamen at Duxbury Networking .
Smart cities are increasingly becoming a focus area for governments and companies across Africa . However , the transition to these environments does not come without challenges , especially when it comes to security and resource management . Video Management Systems , VMS has emerged as a critical tool to provide public and private sector entities with the means in this transformation by having a comprehensive view of the environment in which they operate .
With the right VMS in place , municipalities and businesses can rapidly respond to existing security challenges while also having a platform to anticipate and adapt to future demands . South African cities are dynamic environments where safety , efficiency , and data-driven decision-making can be gamechangers in their transition to becoming digitally-led and citizen-centric .
The security measures of any smart city must be able to scale alongside the urban development taking place . Traditional security systems often fall short in this regard , as they were not designed with the flexibility to grow or adapt to changing needs . Modern VMS are engineered with scalability as one of their building blocks .
As a city expands , whether through new infrastructure , increased population density , or technological advancements , the associated security systems can adapt to provide comprehensive protection without requiring a complete overhaul or reinvestment in new solutions .
46 INTELLIGENTCIO AFRICA www . intelligentcio . com