March & Infinova – a perfect union?

Recent acquisition news reached the industry regarding the purchase by Infinova of Canadian based IP video specialists, March Networks.

The CDN$90 million acquisition, set to complete by April 2012, will see a combination of 2 industry heavyweights in their own right, join forces to make a seriously large force in the IP sector.

But is it a perfect union?

Looking at the proposed deal, there is a CDN$1.4 million ‘get out clause’……. applicable to either side…… whilst the precise details are not known, presumably it is more sided for Infinova – maybe a performance related condition to the sale becoming final? It would make sense as March have been very open about their various region performances and their aggressive plans to increase revenues throughout their business regions.

But what might it mean for the two companies?

Well, let’s take a brief look at what each do and offer:

March Networks

Combining an established Retail and Banking customer base that was historically March Networks in Canada, with the IP intelligent video and software that Cieffe Srl in Italy provided, March have established a solid and leading innovator in IP technology – both in hardware and software.

Infinova

Little is known about Infinova in the UK, their presence appears stronger in the US and the Far East. They appear to have a wide and varied product range of both analogue and IP based products.

Interestingly they have a range of HDCCTV products, something that March obviously do not have with their IP pedigree….that might be an interesting development to see which direction they promote the more heavy, or perhaps even simply look to industry lead in both?

So why the union?

Here are our thoughts and we must insist these are purely opinions!

1) Infinova want an established route to the EMEA market – something March has

2) March possibly OEM some existing Infinova kit and have been extremely successful with many of their IP cameras – this might have led Infinova to consider not only locking in their OEM sales with March, but also capitalise on the profit margins by benefiting from the final product sale?

3) March have an IP PTZ product range, an OEM they have with a European PTZ Dome manufacturer, Infinova also have a PTZ IP range, could this increase profit margins for both companies by using ‘in-house’ products? March were extremely successful with a large South African contract for PTZ domes running into the hundreds and it would be commercially viable for Infinova to want to gain a slice of that action – we have already seen that March are reducing their IP PTZ dome model range – presumably this is in preparation for the Infinova deal?

4) March are under increasing pressure from other leading IP software and hardware manufacturers and Infinova gives them another strong, US outlet for their range.

5) Acquiring March gives Infinova a credible IP route to market that perhaps they do not fully have at the moment?

As we said, these are only our opinions and not at all based on fact – it does appear, on the surface, to be a better deal for Infinova and a slightly strange deal for March – time will tell.

One thing is indeed for sure though, the market for acquisitions is still buoyant and that many companies now consider growth, in difficult economic conditions globally, is best reached through strategic mergers/acquisitions – maybe this is behind Infinova’s thinking?!

March networks acquisition by Infinova

March Networks acquisition.

March networks a global provider of intelligent IP video solutions, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement  with Infinova (Canada) Ltd.Infinova is a company listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange and will integrate well with March. Infinova will acquire, through a statutory plan of arrangement, all of the issued and outstanding common shares of March Networks Corporation for C$5.00 per share in cash. In total the value of the transaction is approximately C$90.1 million. The takeover is subject to approval by the shareholders of both companies.March Networks and Infinova between them create one of the 10 largest global players in the video surveillance industry a powerful force will emerge and there is much to be gained by both parties from this merger. Infinova offers March Networks a broader geographic footprint, access to the world’s fastest growing market and a complementary fit with respective product lines. The merger is consistent with a strategy to accelerate growth and expand in the Asian market from March networks perspective.March Networks is established as one of the leading players in the video industry and Infinova will help to take the new company forward when they combine forces. This acquisition provides scale in all critical markets, as well as giving Infinova access to March Network’s IP technology. It is thought March will continue to operate independently from its Ottawa headquarters and maintain its name and brands. March will benefit from Infinova’s manufacturing expertise.

March Networks NVR

CCTV Canada review

CCTV Canada review.

Integrated CCTV recently had the opportunity to interview Rick Ramsey the product manager for Avigilon. Avigilon’s appearance at IFSEC last year, the UK’s number 1 CCTV exhibition raised their profile dramatically. We asked Rick about Avigilon and their thoughts and ideas for the future. Rick was also able to give us some great insight into the CCTV products that Avigilon produce. The quality of the Megapixel and HD camera available is exceptional and the 16 megapixel camera is unique in the market place.

Avigilon Camera HD Pro
Avigilon CCTV

Check out the interview and see more for yourself on Avigilons comprehensive website. CLICK HERE

Avigilon ACC-4.6 Range

March Networks raise the bar – Apple compatibility!

Command is March networks newest idea, but why I’am so excited about it? Ok, so I know I have bleated on about my love for all things Apple, but I am not the only one I am sure!

Many Security End Users are wanting to access their CCTV Surveillance Systems from their iDevices……….particularly Mac’s and MacBook’s…..

Now, I don’t want to get into the Apple OSX vs Microsoft Windows debate……there are enough forums and websites where die-hard Apple fans wage war on anything Mr Gates touches and others where Mr Jobs is public enemy number 1…….and that’s without Google and it’s Chrome OS coming around the corner!

No, this is about a company that has decided to take a different approach to software compatibility……..Command from March Networks

I got to see an ‘Advanced’ specification document and I have to be honest, if it releases in any way near as good as the spec, this is a winner!

Instead of a bespoke and installed software platform, it looks like March have decided to go a web-based platform…….this makes sense….less overhead on the PC, able to be run on systems where perhaps IT restrictions do not allow certain software……and most importantly……not Microsoft dependant!!! AT LAST!


Offering compatibility with Microsoft Windows, Mac OSX and I would guess, Linux/Unix and Chrome (when it launches) this means that the end user has the ability to view their system, irrespective of PC OS.

Another interesting feature, which I hope is as it states, ‘Video Analytics’……..hopefully, this means Analytic capability on their HD/Megapixel cameras which so far have probably hampered March camera sales…….interesting idea to take the technology to the PC instead as this allows greater flexibility in camera selection…… Autotracking is not mentioned, I guess that means their XDome IP range are still the main driver for that Analytic?

Shadow Archiving is listed, one of the innovative features of March Networks where gaps in recordings are auto-filled upon network resumption – truly a great feature for all the ‘network down’ concerned brigade!

Until I get my excited hands on this new software, there is little else to really say, other than well done to March Networks for taking the bold step to move into cross platform compatibility

Of course, once I do get the chance to have a good play with Command, watch out on Integrated CCTV for the review!

VideoSphere MegaPX. The new Nanodome from March Networks

VideoSphere MegaPX Nanodome is the new Megapixel IP camera from March Networks. Compact neat and low profile, this IP camera offers high resolution pictures of HD quality. Mpeg compression streams of UP to 30 frames per second and a CMOS chip enables the Videosphere Nanodome to operate in low light scenarios and still give excellent colour and definition. Produced to integrate easily into March Networks video management software the H.264 compression technology within the camera is up to 20 times more efficient than many other J-PEG based IP cameras out in the marketplace.

Videosphere MegaPX nanodome

The ability to produce two video streams means the videosphere MegaPX has built in redundancy features and is both economic and flexible. The IP camera comes with a 4.00mm fixed lens and the surface mount feature makes it very easy to install. Something we are always keen to See.

MegaPX looks a little different from its rivals but as with any March Networks product its quality goes without question. POE  is always a feature we look for here at Integrated CCTV and the Videosphere MegaPX is equipped with this facility a must these days with any Megapixel IP camera. The Nanodome will integrate beautifully with March’s range of HD NVRs and of course the MegaPX is fully ONVIF compliant.

March Networks NVR

If you need to order this part with your distributor the  part number for reference is MEGAPXNANOD4. HD dome cameras are becoming very popular within integrated security solutions today and March Networks have produced the MegaPX Nanodome with this very much in mind