Ashish P. Dhakan
MD & CEO
Prama Hikvision India Pvt. Ltd.
Ashish P. Dhakan is a prominent figure in India’s security technology industry. He serves as the Managing Director and CEO of Prama Hikvision India Pvt. Ltd., a leading player in video surveillance and security solutions. As a great visionary in his domain, he has been instrumental in driving technological innovation and local manufacturing in India. Under his leadership, the company has established India’s first large-scale video surveillance manufacturing plant, aligning with the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
Through his strategic vision, Hikvision India has expanded its offerings across various sectors, including smart cities, safe cities, transportation, and retail, and has made significant investments in research and development to stay at the forefront of technological advancements.
SecurityLinkIndia has recently been privileged to have an interaction with him, here are the excerpts:
We spoke one year back, which innovative security solutions Hikvision India has introduced and providing to the Indian security market?
Hikvision India is providing innovative AIoT security solutions in the Indian security market by following the best practices and compliance with the norms. We have identified several key trends that are shaping the physical security industry. Here are some of the most impactful ones:
Diversified AI Applications: AI applications are becoming more varied, addressing complex problems and meeting specific customer needs. AI’s capabilities are expanding beyond visual recognition to include audio and textual analysis, enhancing overall security measures.
AIoT Integration: The combination of Artificial Intelligence and the Internet of Things (AIoT) is bridging the physical and digital worlds. AIoT solutions are not only improving security but also enhancing operational efficiency across various industries.
24/7 Imaging Technologies: Advancements in imaging technologies are enabling high-quality visual monitoring around the clock. This includes improvements in low-light and night-time imaging, which are critical for continuous surveillance.
Cloud and Edge Computing Convergence: The convergence of cloud and edge computing is driving faster and more efficient security services. This allows for real-time analytics and smarter decision-making at the edge, reducing the need for extensive on-site hardware.
Digital Twin Technology: Digital twins, which are virtual models that simulate real-world scenarios, are being used to improve business management and operational efficiency. This technology helps in creating accurate and dynamic representations of physical environments.
Enhanced Perception Capabilities: Security devices are incorporating more perception capabilities such as radar, Lidar, and environmental sensors. These enhancements make security systems more powerful and versatile.
Sustainability and Energy Efficiency: There is a growing focus on sustainability within the security industry. This includes the use of energy-efficient devices and practices that reduce the carbon footprint of security operations.
These trends highlight the ongoing innovation and adaptation within the physical security industry, driven by technological advancements and evolving societal needs.
In ongoing trend of digital transformation, what impact do you see in the Security & Surveillance space?
The best impact of digital transformation is the speedy transition of Indian security industry from analog to IP mode. As the security industry trends are moving towards IoT and AIoT trends, we hope for more speedy adaptation of IoT and AIoT solutions.
The digitization trends are making significant changes in the security and surveillance segments. These changes are driving innovative solutions based on smart integration, remote monitoring and smart video analytics. Hikvision Embedded Open Platform (HEOP) enables technology partners to develop and run their own applications on Hikvision’s hardware, facilitating custom security systems to respond to the specific needs and unique installation scenarios of customers. HEOP features open-architecture hardware, standard interfaces, and the HikFlow algorithm development kit. Partners can easily join the HEOP ecosystem through Hikvision’s Technology Partner Portal.
HEOP 2.0 facilitates partners to deploy proprietary deep-learning algorithms on Hikvision’s edge devices, providing more intelligent and tailored applications for end users.
The HEOP 2.0 system architecture ensures smooth running and quick migration of applications among varied types of underlying hardware. HEOP 2.0 works on four layers including Application Layer, Interface Layer, System Layer, and Physical Layer.
How has Hikvision India performed so far?
The brand Hikvision is a thought leader and technology innovator across the categories in general and video security in particular. Our vision is to empower vision for the security and sustainable growth. We work closely with our partners to explore innovative ways to better perceive and understand the world, to empower vision for decision-makers and practitioners, and work together to enhance safety and promote sustainable development.
Hikvision is committed to serving various industries through its cutting-edge technologies of machine perception, artificial intelligence, and big data, leading the future of AIoT. Hikvision provides a broad range of physical security products, covering video security, access control, and alarm systems. We also provide integrated security solutions powered by AI technology to support end-users with new applications and possibilities for safety management and business intelligence.
Over the past several years, we have deepened our knowledge and experience in meeting customer needs in various vertical markets with professional and intelligent solutions, including smart city, transportation, retail, logistics, energy, and education. In addition, Hikvision is extending its business to smart home, robotics, automotive electronics, intelligent storage, fire security, infrared sensing, X-ray detection, and medical imaging to explore new channels for sustaining long-term development.
How AI and Analytics are revolutionizing the Security & Surveillance Industry?
AI analytics is changing and developing fast now, we understand and use data, particularly in physical security. By using artificial intelligence, specifically machine learning, AI analytics help in providing useful insights from the raw data, revealing patterns and connections that would usually need human analysis. This automation boosts efficiency and opens doors to creative security solutions.
As a leader in security technologies, Hikvision harnesses AI analytics to redefine surveillance and security management. Our advanced algorithms automate the detection, categorization, and analysis of objects and movements within a camera’s scope. This not only accelerates response times but also introduces cost-effective, accurate, and innovative practices in security monitoring.
Hikvision’s AI analytics capabilities include:
- Facial Authentication: Identifies individuals from a preconfigured list, streamlining access control and enhancing security for sensitive areas.
- Vehicle Identification: Efficiently recognizes vehicles by color, type, manufacturer, and plate number, aiding in seamless traffic management and security enforcement.
- AcuSense Technology: Accurately differentiates be tween humans and vehicles and other moving objects, ensuring precise perimeter breach alerts.
- Hard Hat Detection: Ensures safety compliance in critical environments like construction sites and factories by detecting individuals without hard hats and triggering immediate alarms.
- Fall Detection: Quickly identifies human falls, enabling rapid response to potential emergencies, thereby enhancing safety protocols.
- People Counting: Offers real-time customer flow analytics, helping businesses optimize their environments and improve overall customer experiences.
Hikvision has developed AI analytics tools, they are more than just features – they represent a shift towards smarter, more responsive, and more efficient security systems. If you’re looking to integrate AI-powered security solutions or need guidance on leveraging AI analytics for your operations, Hikvision is your go-to expert.
Please brief us about your ‘Make- in-India’ plans, the progress made so far and your future plans in this regard?
For the security industry ecosystem in India, the ‘Makein-India’ is the most happening trend. Hikvision India is committed to the ‘Make-in-India’ vision with a long term perspective. Our state-of-the-art manufacturing facility at Vasai is a living testimony of a phenomenal progress that is happening in the Indian video security products and solutions segment. These solutions are customized for Indian environment and conditions and specific local requirements. Our mission is to be aligned with the ‘Make-in-India’ program to transform India into a global design and manufacturing hub. Through the local state-of-the-art manufacturing plant, Hikvision India is manufacturing its wide range of products and solutions as per our long term commitment to ‘Make-in-India’ vision. We are setting a gold standard for security product manufacturing in India, while continuously upgrading technology, expanding capabilities and creating new benchmarks.
Tell us about your commitment to Skill India ?
Hikvision India has partnered with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) to offer specialized training in security technology. This collaboration aims to enhance the skills of India’s youth in the security sector through programs like the Hikvision Certified Security Associate (HCSA) and Hikvision Certified Security Professional (HCSP).
These programs focus on:
Security and video security: Training participants in the operation and maintenance of Hikvision security devices.
Technical skills development: Equipping young engineers and security industry aspirants with the necessary technical skills to excel in the field.
The Skill Development Training Program conducted by Hikvision India offers several advantages:
Industry-relevant skills: The program focuses on the latest security and video surveillance technologies, ensuring participants gain up-to-date and relevant skills.
Certification: Participants receive certifications such as the Hikvision Certified Security Associate (HCSA) and Hikvision Certified Security Professional (HCSP), which are recognized in the industry and can enhance career prospects
Hands-on training: The program includes practical training on the operation, configuration, and maintenance of Hikvision security devices, providing valuable hands-on experience.
Career opportunities: Completing the program can open up job opportunities in the security industry or help participants start their own businesses.
Enhanced employability: The certification programs validate advanced levels of knowledge and skills, making participants more attractive to potential employers.
Support for entrepreneurs: The training also supports aspiring entrepreneurs by equipping them with the necessary skills to set up and manage their own security businesses.
This initiative not only prepares individuals for jobs but also supports them in setting up their own businesses in the security industry.
What are your plans for the future in terms of new product launches and market expansion?
Hikvision is committed to serving various industries through its cutting-edge technologies of machine perception, artificial intelligence, and big data, while leading the future of AIoT. Hikvision provides a broad range of physical security products, covering video security, access control, and alarm systems. We also provide integrated security solutions powered by AI technology to support end-users with new applications and possibilities for safety management and business intelligence.
Over the past several years, we have consolidated the leadership position in the market. We are developing our knowledge and experience in meeting customer needs in various vertical markets with professional and intelligent solutions, including smart city, transportation, retail, logistics, energy, and education. In addition, Hikvision is extending its business to smart home, robotics, automotive electronics, intelligent storage, fire security, infrared sensing, X-ray detection, and medical imaging to explore new channels for sustaining long-term development.
With significant R&D initiatives and customization, Hikvision India is developing innovative solutions with its core technologies, covering multi-dimensional perception, artificial intelligence, big data, and beyond. Imaging and video related technologies remain very important for us, and we have been leading the industry in numerous areas, including high definition, and low-light imaging, as well as image defogging, smart rapid focus, and image stabilization among others.
Besides visible light imaging, Hikvision India is extending its machine perception technologies to the full electromagnetic spectrum. Varying in wavelength and frequency, electromagnetic waves can extend from visible light to both ends of the known spectrum.
Hikvision India has developed innovative products and applications powered by latest technologies. These applications are customized according to the requirements of Indian environment and standards. We are also exploring multiple machine perception technologies. The core focus is on enhancing the customer experience through our various R&D initiatives.
