Mobotix AG: a model based on the quality of its production process as an emblem in the IP megapixel video surveillance market

Megapixel network video technology from its origins, with a decentralized concept in the development of its products and a rigorous manual production process to offer quality, innovation and added value in each of them define the business vision of the German manufacturer MOBOTIX AG, a benchmark in the IP video surveillance market that, For the first time and in favor of the Spanish specialized media, opens the doors of its headquarters in Germany, to show how they do it.

Know in detail the production process that Mobotix AG performs on each of your megapixel network cameras from 1999 It's not easy for anyone, But if in addition and for the first time in its fifteen years of experience it opens the doors of its headquarters and factory, located in the German town of Langmeil (to some 100 Km. of Frankfurt), to show it to a small group of Spanish specialized media and with its founder, Ralf Hinkel, As host, is that things in the Spanish market have been done more than well.

The business model of this German manufacturer remains faithful to its beginnings, And this is always stressed by those responsible: "MOBOTIX is a software developer that manufactures network video hardware systems and megapixel quality with a decentralized development concept, since each camera integrates everything you need, as a differential technological proposal compared to other players in the IP video surveillance market".

Under this concept, Digital Security Magazine has been one of the specialized means chosen to prove it, and know in detail this "technological and strategic differential", with a tour of the Mobotix facilities in Langmeil and a professional meeting with its management team, Headed by its founder, Ralf Hinkel; the newly appointed CEO, Klaus Gesmann, and Business Development Director for Southern and Eastern Europe, Jesus Garzón.

One-to-one manufacturing process

"Each camera is a jewel of art - says Jesús Garzón when explaining the production process of each of the systems developed by Mobotix - and that is why we will not be the manufacturer that sells the most cameras in the market., but the one that offers the best quality, Value and guarantees, because they are tailor-made".

And so it seems to be.: More than thirty professionals work in the development process of each camera line, Composed of an average of three hundred pieces that must be assembled manually with precision and rigor. Its most critical components (Sensors, motherboard, Lens measurement, resistance,...) They are tested and checked three to five times to ensure the quality of the camera, in a process that lasts 48 Hours, and offer the market an advanced device "in which everything is software, except the plate; no moving parts, since everything is integrated into the camera", Garzón stresses.

If a test fails in this process, reboots from the beginning, since only devices that meet all the requirements of the quality cycle pass to the area of storage and logistics, in fact "our RMAs (return merchandise authorization) are only 0.2%", assures this manager.

This manual assembly differential compared to the mass production used by many manufacturers is explained in a video made on the occasion of the special edition of the M15 camera, with gold housing and called The Golden M15.

But, ¿cómo se logra suministrar a tiempo con este riguroso proceso de ensamblaje todas las cámaras y sistemas que los clientes demandan? The answer is provided by the CEO of the company, Klaus Gesmann: "with a high concentration of employees in their professional performance, which is something very important and fundamental for us and for the quality of the product we offer to customers. At MOBOTIX we have very little employee turnover, And that's very satisfying.".

With an area of about 6.000 m2, to which is added the warehouse and logistics area (around 1.700 m2), more than a hundred employees work in the production plant of MOBOTIX AG. The work structure is based on a production line (Electronic Parts & Components, assembly, Tests,...) for each camera model.

Specifically,, from the Mobotix factory are produced with this manual assembly process a 10.000 monthly megapixel cameras, that pass to the area of storage and logistics for distribution from the commercial network that this manufacturer currently has in seventy countries.

Innovation in thermal systems

The meeting with the directors of MOBOTIX also served to learn about the latest innovations of the company, some of them recently presented at the Security Essen contest 2014, held in Germany.

Jens Wirok, Director of International Training of the company, highlighted the progress made by the M15D camera, Its first thermographic model "that sees what the human eye does not see" thanks to its advanced thermal sensor 5 megapixels and dual lenses, with a temperature measurement range of -40 To 550 °C for high-quality images in colour and total darkness, as well as moving elements due to the integration of MxActivitySensor, which significantly reduces the number of false alarms, As he advanced Digital Security Magazine.

This commitment to thermal technology has continued to evolve with the new S15D FlexMount model, with resolution up to 10 megapixels and new thermal sensor modules, Flexible-mount dual video cabling, as well as its weatherproof design.

This compact and flexible system , to which is added its reduced need for space for its installation, allows the S15D's two thermal sensor modules to be placed anywhere and up to 2 meters from the central unit to visualize both the thermal radiation of vehicles and people, How to detect movements accurately up to 400 meters away from the camera and in adverse environmental conditions.

As noted by the founder of Mobotix, Ralf Hinkel, "Thermal technology will mark the future of the security industry.. Other manufacturers have been waiting years to develop this technology for the development of 4K systems., But the possibilities offered by thermal cameras in urban and industrial security are enormous. The Japanese are researching this and implementing thermal prototypes even in vehicles.. It is a future and growing technology and its cost will go down in about three years.".

Integration-based future

Another novelty, that reinforces the business strategy of MOBOTIX based on integration, is the new MxDisplay system "which is a new concept of configuration and software to view and manage the cameras of the same IP network, of an entire installation, In addition to acting as access control with the video intercom and with a 306º vision, no blind spots, thanks to Hemispheric technology", points out Jens Wirok, Director of International Training of the company.

MxDisplay works wirelessly (VoIP/SIP), so that the user can start a remote session from his computer or smartphone and control the entire installation of video surveillance and access control safely, as it integrates a very robust encryption BUS. The evolution of this complete system, which Ralf Hinkel defines as "having an iPhone on the wall", Go through the next addition of new automation features, for temperature control, Lighting…

The company's forecasts to market this system are the installers and electrical integrators, "First it will be done in Germany and then we will attract four or five integrators in other countries.. We are sure that it will have a great acceptance in all types of companies and facilities for its easy installation and use with a cutting-edge integrated technology", explains the founder of MOBOTIX.

Spain as a benchmark

The positive evolution of the Mobotix business in the Spanish market was another aspect that both its founder and the CEO of the company stressed during their meeting with the specialized media, precisely, of this country: "For us it is a very important market and it has brought positive revenues and growth to the company., where the work of Jesus has been fundamental to achieve it".

In addition, Ralf Henkel highlighted in this regard the growing evolution in Spain of the National Partners Day, "That has become a powerful event for the entire company to be close to the channel and to know our solutions and their advantages: Fewer cameras installed thanks to its megapixel resolution; Decentralized system in which the device integrates and processes everything, which allows a low cost of maintenance and bandwidth use".

Precisely, of the 15 To 17 of this month of October, The Spanish subsidiary celebrates the sixth edition of this annual conference, in which he will meet in Madrid (Eurostars Tower hotel) to more than a hundred partners, Distributors, Integrators and customers to show them their latest developments.

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