Tech Data Adds IP Video Management Vendor

The Clearwater, Fla.-based distributor will carry Milestone's XProject software line for video capture, storage and management, including the XProtect Corporate, Enterprise, Professional and Basis+ products. The products will be targeted at small and midsize businesses and enterprises.

Tech Data's physical security SBU will provide sales and technical support to VARs looking to integrate the Milestone software with networked security solutions.

Bob Shouse, senior manager of Tech Data's physical security unit, said the Milestone software is built on an open architecture and can be integrated with products like IP video surveillance cameras from a variety of vendors.

"They've designed it so that system builders and integrators and application developers can actually enhance the capabilities of their software to provide additional solutions across a broad array of small to midsize to enterprise organizations for video surveillance," he said.

Shouse added that the new product line helps further Tech Data's digital solutions strategy.

"It really continues on the track that Tech Data set out on about a year ago this month to take a look and begin to move and take hold of this convergence tidal wave we saw coming our way in the IP-enabled physical security business," he said. "We've been slowly trying to build our line card to build our capabilities to service those resellers who are trying to put together physical security solutions."

Ray Benoit, president of RTM Communications, a Merrimack, N.H.-based solution provider, said Tech Data's move to increase its presence in the networked security market is timely.

"IP security is much like telephony from a few years ago. The people who own the data backbone, who truly understand IP and communications across the network, will be able to take that technology to the next generation," Benoit said. "I see IP security as the next really big thing for people to truly change the paradigm of how they secure, monitor and protect their environment."

For customers looking to manage their security systems through their networks, the Milestone software will open new doors for Tech Data's VAR customers, according to Benoit.

"I'm a go-getter. I want to manage my own environment, and IP security allows me to do that. Milestone's software allows me to do that even a little easier. It allows me to integrate my traditional network as well as new IP security solutions onto a single presentation platform," he said. "I'm hoping it's priced right."