i-PRO CEO: Integrator training, R&D, edge AI among company priorities

FUKUOKA, Japan—i-PRO CEO Masato Nakao knows the importance of training integrator partners in building better relationships with end users.  

During the company’s Global Press Summit in Japan, Nakao-san explained that i-PRO’s commitment to the integrator community is highlighted by a new service called the Sakura Elite Partners program, which provides integrators with what he called “white glove” service to offer end users the most advanced, sophisticated technologies in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. 

Nakao-san discussed i-PRO’s commitment to integrator training, as well as high-priority areas such as R&D and sustainability, in an interview conducted at its Fukuoka headquarters.  

SSN: Please talk about your relationship with the integrator community and how it trickles down to the end users.  

Nakao-san: We have a business development management team that focuses on mission-critical end users at new stadiums, museums, utility/power companies, citywide surveillance and so on. We knock on the door of those customers, generate leads and introduce those leads to the partner integrators.  

We have hired a new team that focuses on the training and the education of integrators. They will provide the education and training of the most advanced technologies of AI and cybersecurity to the integrators. We hired a very good director from a very notable company to build this team and focus on the education.   

SSN: What are the biggest challenges currently facing i-PRO?  

Nakao-san: Right now, I think it’s how to promote our technologies to integrators and how to educate them on the most sophisticated technologies.  

At Securing New Ground, there was a discussion that AI may be a buzzword and that AI doesn't work, but we would like to erase that recognition. We would like to continue to upgrade our cameras. That is our challenge for the next year. 

SSN: How does i-PRO prioritize R&D in its overall strategy?  

Nakao-san: It’s our first priority. We don't hesitate to spend money on our R&D. Although our resources are limited, R&D is THE priority.  

SSN: How does i-PRO adapt to changes in customer demands and technology?  

Nakao-san: We depend upon our sales team and product team. Gerard Figols is the chief product officer, and he is responsible for searching for new technologies. He works closely with the sales team, and that’s the way we search for the intelligence of the new technologies demanded. 

SSN: What is your vision for i-PRO over the next five years?  

Nakao-san: We would like to be the first choice of edge AI. We must collaborate with partners, cloud partners and even OEMs (original camera manufacturers). We would like to provide our elements of technologies to other camera manufacturers, not only selling our own branded cameras, but we would also like to sell our technologies to all kinds of partners. We will customize our technologies to everybody. 

SSN: How do you see i-PRO differentiating itself in a competitive market?  

Nakao-san: We partner with all kinds of players. Of course, we all like to play in the highest-grade market, in terms of sophistication of technology. We would like to be regarded as the first choice.