Siemens completes deal with VistaScape

BUFFALO GROVE, Ill.--Siemens Building Technologies announced Oct. 31 the completion of its acquisition of VistaScape Security Systems, of Atlanta, for an undisclosed sum. VistaScape, a developer of automated video analytic technology, will operate under its existing brand as a wholly owned subsidiary of Siemens Building Technologies. Terms of the deal were not released. "As an integrator," said George West, vice president of Siemens Building Technologies' security division, "you're looking for technologies that can help your customers wade through the increasing mass of information that they're gathering. The cost to gather security-related data is going down on an exponential basis, but the challenge becomes, 'What do I do with that information? How do I turn that into actionable intelligence?'" Siemens gained experience with VistaScape in this area during the integration of perimeter surveillance at the Illinois International Port District over the past two years. Looking ahead, "Now that that the acquisition of VistaScape is completed, we look forward to advancing the state-of-the-art in this technology area," said Steven Kuehn, media relations manager for Siemens Building Technologies. "With access to the resources of Siemens Corporate Research, we think there are great synergies at play and opportunities to take this technology to the next level--which will ultimately serve the best interests of our customers." Founded in 1999 and based in Atlanta, VistaScape will continue to be run by chairman and chief executive officer Glenn McGonnigle. The company's chief product is SiteIQ, which incorporates geospatial-aware intelligent video surveillance technology with input from other sensors in the field and access control systems. It allows security operators to see an entire facility or area in three dimensions as the alarm information comes in. "For our commercial customers with large campuses," said West, "as well as with critical infrastructure, there's a lot of area to cover. A tool to do that more effectively is tremendously valuable." Does this signal a new era of spending in the security marketplace for Siemens, a giant worldwide company? "People don't often recognize that Siemens is involved in the security marketplace on a global scale," said West. "People shouldn't be surprised when we add technologies we think will help solve our customers' problems."