Interview with Rich Cillessen, Region Head Americas of Siemens

In January Siemens announced Siveillance VMS, a video management solution that enhances the company's existing security portfolio. The strategic partner for this software is Milestone Systems, on whose technology Siveillance VMS is based. Siveillance comprises software-based security platforms and modules that are used in critical infrastructures and by enterprise customers. At MIPS in Las Vegas, Heiko Baumgartner had the opportunity to talk to Rich Cillessen, Region Head Americas of Siemens BT's Enterprise Security business, about the strategic cooperation and the Siemens VMS offering.

GIT SECURITY: Why did Siemens choose Milestone for this strategic partnership and how do the VMS solutions fit into the Siemens offering?

Rich Cillessen: Milestone is the leading provider of open, IP-based video management software. Its flexible technologies have been proven in thousands of installations worldwide. You can see here at MIPS 2015 how important a good VMS is for security projects. We are a key player in the security industry and the VMS is a vital module in our Siveillance portfolio. The cooperation helps us to further focus and expand our enterprise security solutions business. In the very near future the same video technology will also be integrated into the Desigo CC building management platform which is an outstanding addition to our total building solutions portfolio.

Can you give us an overview over the versions that will be available for Siveillance VMS?

Rich Cillessen: We will offer the Siveillance VMS in three versions. The version VMS 100 supports up to 128 cameras and is suitable for small and medium-sized facilities. The VMS 200 meets the demands of centrally managed systems with the high scalability requirements typical of major industrial facilities while the VMS 300 is used in systems that are distributed over multiple locations. It centrally manages user and system data. VMS 300 has a redundant design and is therefore available during network interruptions. It is suitable for critical infrastructures such as airports.

Video Analytics is a hot topic here at MIPS. What options do Siemens customers have to combine the VMS with video analytics?

Rich Cillessen: Siveillance VMS can be enhanced with Siveillance SiteIQ Analytics, an intelligent video analytics plug-in to form powerful solutions like for example to protect perimeters. It is a plug-in for perimeter security that is characterized by high detection rates and low false alarm rates. It has an innovative, zone-based approach to alarm configuration and reliably detects intruders in even the most challenging conditions. As a result SiteIQ Analytics can be used in power utilities, air- and seaports, petrochemical facilities and wherever else a premium perimeter security solution is required.

You mentioned the integration of video technology into Desigo CC in the future. Can you tell us more about this project?

Rich Cillessen: Desigo CC is our integrated building management platform, probably the most extensive building management platform currently available on the market worldwide. It is an integrated solution that provides managers, CEOs, facility managers, and building occupants with all relevant information for all aspects of properties and building portfolios. With Desigo CC, you can control and optimize all the systems in the building: heating, air conditioning, room automation, energy management but also fire safety and security services like video surveillance, access control and intrusion protection. Here, too, Siemens and Milestone Systems are working closely to provide video functionalities in Desigo CC. We have a team of experts that are in close contact and will develop this integration to optimize video surveillance within Desigo CC.

Siemens has vast experience in the integration of access control into management systems. Can you help Milestone in their development of the XProtect Access Control Module, the module they present here at MIPS?

Rich Cillessen: The aim of the Milestone's Access Control Module is to unite access control and video into security solutions and to enable easy integration of third-party access control solutions into their Smart Client. To help Milestone with the ACM is not part of the deal, but in the day to day work between our experts and the Milestone technicians, I am sure that we can give them valuable feedback to develop a better product.