Big Data to Present Mammoth Opportunity for Growth in 3D IC Technology

The IC market’s quest for 3D ICs has come a long way. 3D ICs that have been successful today include 3D memory cubes, 2.5D interposers, and imagers. These ICs have improved speeds for data transmission and optimized power consumption. The semiconductor industry is shifting its focus to 3D IC technology since its use offers a greater opportunity for the development of broader set of electronic systems. Exceptional speed and reduction in size of chip are some of the factors responsible for the shift of semiconductor industry to the 3D IC technology.

According to a research report by Transparency Market Research (TMR), the 3D ICs market was valued at nearly US$2.41 bn in 2012 and is expected to expand at an 18.1% CAGR between 2013 and 2019. 

Q. What are the latest developments in the 3D ICs market?

In July 2016, a Certified Energy Auditor (CEA) Institute, Leti, unveiled its second generation 3D network-on-chip technology. Using this technology, the researchers have developed an on-chip communications system, which will boost computing performance. The technology is also expected to reduce energy consumption to a large extent.

TEZZARON Semiconductor has announced the world’s first eight-layer 3D IC wafer stack, containing active logic. As compared to any 2D silicon fabrication, the transistor and interconnect densities per cubic mm of this wafer stack have enhanced performance computing, saving billions of dollars in the industry.

Q. What are the factors enhancing the demand for 3D ICs?

The demand for higher bandwidths, higher density, and form factor motivation is boosting the growth of 3D ICs market. The integration of 3D IC technology with silicon vias (TSVs) have enabled high efficiency and guarantees high return of investment to investors. The rise in the number of portable devices is also behind the growth of the global 3D ICs market.

Q. What are the opportunities for growth in the 3D ICs market?

Big data presents a huge opportunity for semiconductor companies. Be it CPUs, chip-based sensors, GPGPUs, or integrated field nodes, the 3D IC interconnect powers the core of machines and drives productivity. Players in the IC industry will realize the importance of software analytics and make use of Big Data. Semiconductor companies need to adapt to Big Data and the Internet of Things to enable the deployment of sensors for machine health monitoring and smart homes. This will help players to grow in the market. Multi-chip packaging and IntSim are also expected to shape the future of the 3D ICs market. IntSim can help predict 3D chip power, number of metal levels, and die size. It also assists users in studying scaling trends and for optimizing their chip designs.

Thus, the demand for 3D ICs is expected to rise significantly over the years.

Intelligent Analytics Embedded in Physical Security Systems to Emerge as Promising Trend

In an era where hacking of everything is possible and mega breaches are common, physical security lapses are being ignored and focus is more on logical security. However, physical security is important to protect important assets. Lack of physical security can result into more issues and losses than a virus attack. For instance, when the data server is exposed for anyone to access it, it would not matter how many service packs and firewalls have been installed in the operating system. Physical security is vital to ensure only the authorized people have physical access to the system.

The global physical security market is fueled by the accelerating budget allocation for physical security by governments owing to rising security concerns and terrorist attacks. According to a research report by Transparency Market Research (TMR), the global physical security market, which was valued at US$48 bn in 2012 is expected to reach US$125 bn by 2019 expanding at a 14.9% CAGR from 2013 to 2019.

TMR analysts answer key questions that companies operating in the global physical security market have:

Q. What are the factors increasing the demand for physical security systems?

The increasing adoption of physical security in business organizations is boosting the demand for these systems across the globe. The increasing safety concerns across the globe and thus, a rise in the demand for increased security level are boosting the demand for physical security systems. The rising number of government regulations demanding increased security levels and also the high budget allocation for physical security are enabling the growth of the market worldwide.

Continued investments in new infrastructure are leading to a rise in the purchase of physical security systems. The increasing complexity of vulnerabilities and risks that government sectors, chemical facilities, and business organizations face, are responsible for the rise in the demand for security management solutions and products.

Q. What are the opportunities for growth in the physical security market?

Convergence of physical security systems and IT is expected to open new doors of growth in the market. This will allow physical security systems such as CCTV and other security systems to be web-enabled, making them highly efficient and save significant costs. Physical security systems will benefit from IT as more systems join corporate networks in cyberspace.

Intelligent analytics embedded in physical security is an emerging trend that is expected to give manufacturers operating in the market a scope for growth. For instance, video analytics embedded in a network camera can help detect abnormal scenes and enable users to set particular object criteria and direction. The scene is then evaluated continuously and unusual activities are detected and marked for later review or annunciated.

Another trend that is budding and is expected to stay in the coming years, is the shift to cloud. The physical security market is evolving and have shifted to digital platforms, thus leveraging on cloud computing for security applications. This is enabling companies to run security applications such as virtual security guards, video surveillance, and activity tracking, at affordable prices and in a much more efficient manner.

Q. What are the recent developments in the product range by key players in the physical security market?

Honeywell has launched Pro-Watch Vindicator Edition, which delivers mission-critical solutions required by the military. The product enables economic continuity and decreases the risk of terrorism, vandalism, and intrusion.

SMARTair™ from Assa Abloy AB is an intelligent solution, stepping up from mechanical keys. It is a wireless, cost-effective solution to a high-security system. In case of a lost card SMARTair™ access control doors can simply be reprogrammed, thus negating the need to replace locks and cylinders.

Such inventions by key players are expected to ensure the physical security market’s growth.

Growing Smartphone Penetration and Convenience Pushes Adoption of Mobile Wallets

The growing use of smartphones and the rising penetration of non-traditional payment gateways have led to an increase in the adoption of mobile wallet technology. Companies such as Google, Amazon, and Apple are jumping into the mobile payment space for their transactions. Such moves are a proof that mobile wallet technology holds significant promise and the market is expected to boom in the coming years. The trend is catching on even in smaller and yet-underdeveloped markets. For example, the Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) has granted a license to the Jamaica Co-operative Credit Union League (JCCUL) for Conec, which is a mobile wallet payment service. This is expected to propel the use of mobile wallet technology on a commercial basis in the country.

According to Transparency Market Research (TMR), retail payment, restaurants, vending machines, and public transportation are the important end use applications, enabling the growth of the mobile wallets market

TMR answers three key questions that companies operating in the global mobile wallet industry may have:

Q. What are the recent developments in the mobile wallet market?

Amazon, with an intent to spread the adoption of its payment service to third-party websites, has recently launched Amazon Payments Global Partner Program. This move is expected to help e-commerce platform providers and others, to integrate with Amazon Payments, enabling them to offer the option to “pay with Amazon” during checkout.

Chase Pay mobile wallet has partnered with MCX to enable favorable payment economics and indemnification of merchants, against any customer-initiated fraud. Chase Pay is expected to go to the market with a cloud-based mobile wallet that will work with all smartphones.

Q. What are the factors challenging the growth of the market?

Even though it is widely believed that a few layers of the mobile payment process are secure, there are ways for malicious cybercriminals to get their hands on consumer data. Fraudulent incidences such as the one associated with the use of Venmo wallet are restricting the adoption of mobile wallet. A Venmo user’s account was hacked and a different email address and mobile device were added to the victim’s profile without his consent. Although Venmo has now updated its security protocols to include multifactor authentication, events such as these could potentially resulted in consumers backing out from the use of mobile wallets.

Q. What factors can be identified as core drivers behind the adoption of mobile wallet?

Mobile wallet services fall under financial supervision imposed by regulatory authorities, thus assuring consumers about the safety of their usage. Convenience is one of the key factors driving the adoption of mobile wallets. The elimination of the use of paper serves as an added advantage of using mobile wallet technology. This is particularly appealing to the urban society that possesses an increased awareness regarding environmental conservation. Moreover, encouragement by governments of various countries to adopt this green technology for transactions is helping the mobile wallet market to grow.
The rise in point-of-sale terminals and near field communication (NFC) enabled smartphones are other factors driving the adoption of mobile wallets worldwide. Furthermore, market players are revolutionizing the mobile wallet technology to make it compatible with mobile payment solutions. All these factors will encourage the adoption of mobile wallets and will help the market to grow in the coming years.

Deep Learning Applications to Drive Global Microserver Industry

Microservers are a system-on-chip device featuring multiple single-socket servers sharing cooling fans, power supply, chassis, and other such hardware. This common platform allows microprocessors to achieve much higher power efficiency than conventional servers, since more tasks can be carried out on the same volume of power. Microservers were developed in order to integrate server motherboard tasks on to an easily portable and power-efficient unit. This eliminates the need for support chips complementing the server function, which has resulted in the power efficient and space-saving design of microservers.

According to Transparency Market Research, the global microservers market was valued at more than US$1 bn in 2012. Due to the rapidly increasing adoption of microservers in diverse industries, the market is expected to exhibit a stellar 43.4% CAGR from 2013 to 2019, with the market’s valuation expected to rise to US$30.2 bn over the period.

How will deep learning applications drive the global microservers market?

Microservers used in graphics processing units (GPUs) have undergone significant technological advancement over the last decade, as the flourishing video game industry has provided a stable source of funding. Now, however, microprocessors from GPU specialists such as Nvidia are now being used to power machine learning and artificial intelligence programs. This is due to the ability of microprocessors to carry out multiple functions at the same time. This remains a crucial aspect of any prospective AI program, with the interconnection between the multiple units on a microserver simulating the dynamic nervous activity in the human brain.

Conventional servers are an excellent option for intensive computing, but fall woefully short of microservers when it comes to multitasking. In October 2015, Google DeepMind’s AlphaGo program beat the European Go champion, a game considered extraordinarily difficult for artificial intelligence to grasp due to the wide range of possibilities in it. In March this year, the program beat one of the top ranked Go players in the world, Lee Sedol, marking a historic achievement and a crucial milestone for artificial intelligence. The increasing interest in artificial intelligence is thus a major driver for the global microservers market.

This is not the first use of Nvidia’s GPUs for AI applications – in 2012, the University of Toronto built an image classification system using Nvidia GPUs. The support provided by Nvidia to a programming language called CUDA, which allows end users to redirect the GPU’s capacity towards non-graphics applications, is crucial in this endeavor. Similarly, these GPUs can be used in speech recognition programs, where ‘learning’ is absolutely vital, and other such applications.

What are some of the major restraints on the microservers market?

The major restraints on the global microservers market are the high cost of switching to microservers and the compatibility issues between conventional platforms and advanced microservers. However, the increasing demand for application-specific, low-power servers is likely to ameliorate both these issues, as major companies requiring application-specific servers have the financial capacity to restructure the conventional platforms to fit the advent of microservers. This will also help reduce the overall costs related to microservers, thus helping the global microserver industry gain demand from progressively smaller companies.

Telecom Expense Management Market Driven by Increasing Demand for Enterprise Mobility

Telecom expense management (TEM) is a group of solutions intended to monitor and optimize various processes in the telecommunications industry.The increased ease of monitoring telecom industry processes through telecom expense management solutions allows players to cut costs significantly, which is a major benefit of incorporating TEM services. TEM solutions also help users automate several processes in the supply chain, further reducing their expenditure and making their supply chain smooth and optimized.

According to a market research study recently released by Transparency Market Research, the global telecom expense management market is expected to be valued at US$4.9 bn by 2024. The market is expected to exhibit a robust 13.5% CAGR between 2016 and 2024.

What are the major drivers for the global TEM market?

One of the major drivers for the global telecom expense management market is the increasing support given by governments of developing countries to expanding their telecom network. The rising awareness about the importance of a robust telecom network to a prosperous economy is responsible for the increasing telecom expenditure in countries such as India, China, Indonesia, Argentina, and Brazil. This has led several telecom players to incorporate telecom expense management solutions in order to increase their profit margin.

The increasing prevalence of BYOD (bring your own device) policies in the corporate sector is another major factor driving the global telecom expense management market. Though the rising usage of portable electronics has raised security concerns, they are comfortably outweighed by the convenience it brings to every component of the corporate supply chain. The global telecom expense management market is expected to receive significant demand from the corporate sector in the coming years due to the need to manage and monitor the increasing number of remote connections.

Which are the major segments of the global TEM market?

Of the major application segments of the global telecom expense management market, the banking, financial services, and insurance (BFSI) sector accounted for the largest share in the market in 2015. The major advantage of TEM solutions to BFSI entities is the reduced amount of paperwork and the ease of handling complex transactions. Other major applications of telecom expense management are healthcare, manufacturing, transportation and logistics, and government and defense.

By region, North America was the largest market for telecom expense management in 2015 due to the increasing demand for enterprise mobility. The technologically advanced telecom scenario in North America also leads to higher costs, which can be negated by the use of telecom expense management solutions. In the coming years, the rapid urbanization in the Middle East is expected to make the region a major player in the global telecom expense management market. Latin America and Asia Pacific are also expected to make creditable gains in the global telecom expense management market in the coming years.

Asentinel, a major player in the global telecom management market, recently announced its acquisition of Anatole, one of the leading expense management solutions companies specializing in managing services and primarily IT assets. This represents a significant shift in the global telecom expense management market, with Anatole’s strong European network expected to allow Asentinel to establish a global presence. Other key players in the global telecom expense management market are Avotus Corporation, MDSL, WidePoint Solutions Corporation, Inc., Calero Software LLC, Ezwim B.V., Valicom Corporation, and Comview LLC.

Night Vision Surveillance Cameras Witness High Adoption Due to Rising Security Concerns

Night vision (IR) surveillance cameras come into use when the lighting conditions are poor (during the night) or due to other external factors. These cameras make use of infrared technology to carry out surveillance. Used for face detection, threat detection, traffic management, and for continuous monitoring, night vision surveillance cameras are adopted across the globe to ensure secured access, secure borders, and secure living premises. The global night vision surveillance cameras market is expected to expand at a whopping 26.5% CAGR from 2016 to 2024 states a research report by Transparency Market Research (TMR). At this CAGR, night vision surveillance cameras will be a US$175.8 mn market in 2024.

TMR analysts answer the key questions that companies in the night vision surveillance cameras market need to ask:

Q. What is new in the night vision surveillance cameras market?

Tubeless night vision is a technology that is expected to offer a clean HD digital signal with better low-light imaging than the older tube systems. SPI Corp, a U.S. based company has introduced broad spectrum thin film array technology (BSTFA) that will offer a low cost, low power, and high performance solution using tubeless night vision.

Thermal cameras are another trend in the night vision surveillance cameras market. Hikvision, a China based company has introduced thermal cameras that are apt for visually challenging applications. They are unaffected by weather or darkness and feature auto gain control (AGC), 3D digital noise reduction, and digital detail enhancement (DDE), to further enhance the clarity of an image. These cameras also come with a technology that can detect fire and send a warning.

Q. What are the application areas of night vision surveillance cameras?

Night vision surveillance cameras are used to ensure continuous operation and optimal protection in airports, power plants, water facilities, and high-risk manufacturing plants. Low-light cameras, thermal cameras, and pan-tilt-zoom cameras are essential in incident management systems. The surveillance cameras utilize advanced software to detect and alert intruders and threats. Moreover, they allow for instant sharing of live and recorded video with the police and any other pre-defined user. Campuses, industries and mid-size businesses also deploy surveillance to prevent theft, property damage, and trespassing. Thermal cameras along the perimeter help detect intruders and carry out relevant actions.

Q. Which type of night vision cameras will have the highest growth potential?

Night vision surveillance cameras come in two types: Fixed cameras and pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ). Of these, PTZ cameras constituted the largest segment in 2015, accounting for 71.9% of the global night vision surveillance cameras market. The high demand for PTZ cameras was due to their use in video analytics and intelligent imaging applications in several sectors such as transportation, stadiums, industries, business, and defense. However, the fixed cameras segment will be the fastest-growing camera type segment, expanding at a 26.9% CAGR between 2016 and 2024.

Factors such as the high demand for continuous monitoring and perimeter access, growing security concerns, and rising use of night surveillance cameras in defense and military sectors are expected to drive the market to new heights.

Social Gaming Market Driven by Increasing Use of Smartphones

Social gaming comprises games that can be played on social media websites. These games are often low on graphics, which saves the developer’s costs, but can be played along with one’s friends, which increases its appeal.

Increasing Demand for Smartphone-based Social Gaming to Drive Global Social Gaming Market

The increasing demand for smartphones is a major driver for the global social gaming market. Due to the consistent and rapid technological advancements in the telecom sector, the online functionality of smartphones is being enhanced on a regular basis. This has allowed makers of online games to develop their own product portfolio and add innovative features.

The primarily ad-based revenue generation system of social gaming has also benefitted the global social gaming market, as it has resulted in online games being available to play for free. This is a major driver for the social gaming market in developing regions, where the presence of social media is growing but the disposable income of the consumers remains much lower than that in developed countries.

On the other hand, the restrictions on the usage of social media websites in workplaces are a major restraint on the global social gaming market.

Research Report: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/social-gaming-market.html

Women, 19-25 Age Group Emerge as Key Demographics for Social Gaming

 
In terms of the key demographics for the global social gaming market, users in the age group of 19-25 emerged as the key consumers in 2012. By gender, women held the majority in the global social gaming with a 54% share.

Apart from advertising, the in-game sale of virtual goods and lead generation offers are the other two major sources of revenue for the global social gaming market. The virtual goods segment is expected to exhibit a robust growth in demand over the coming years, with the segment expected to exhibit a 15.2% CAGR from 2013 to 2019.

APAC Dominates Global Social Gaming Market

 
By geography, the Asia Pacific social gaming market emerged with the largest share in 2012. The increasing GDP of developing Southeast Asian countries such as Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia, and the robust economic performance of regional giants such as India and China have led to an increasing demand for social gaming. The booming smartphone sales in Asia Pacific are also a key contributing factor towards the dominant share of Asia Pacific in the global social gaming market.

The global social gaming market is primarily dominated by Zynga Inc. The early entry of Zynga Inc. into the nascent and risky social gaming market has paid off in the years since then, with social media becoming one of the most easily accessible modes of mass marketing. Electronic Arts Inc., one of the major game developers in the world, is another major player in the global social gaming market.

Global Hadoop Market Driven by Continuous Innovation

Hadoop is a big data management tool gaining popularity all over the world due to the need to manage the increasingly voluminous and diverse data. Due to the increasing popularity of social media and various photo sharing websites, the amount of unstructured data generated on the Internet is growing rapidly. This has overburdened the conventional data management systems, which were built to deal with the largely structured data being generated at the time.

According to a new report from Transparency Market Research, the global Hadoop market was valued at US$4.1 bn in 2014. The market is expected to exhibit a stunning increase at a 28.4% CAGR between 2015 and 2023, and is likely to end up at a valuation of more than US$37 bn by 2023.

Staying at the Cutting Edge

The consistent development of Hadoop technology has been hugely beneficial for the global Hadoop market, as the technology on offer in the market at any point has kept up with the changing dynamics of the data being generated. Major computing giants such as IBM and Intel have now also started to develop their own versions of Hadoop software, which has helped the global Hadoop market keep pace with the dynamic technological scenario.

Research Report: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/hadoop-market.html

This has driven the global Hadoop market, as the ability to deal with unstructured data is becoming crucial in today’s competitive market. Big data analytics is vital for modern corporate entities, as it allows them to better understand consumer behavior and formulate market strategies based on these insights. With the online retail sector set to grow at a steady rate in the coming years, big data analytics is set to become increasingly important.

Global Market Dominated by Cloudera

The global Hadoop market is dominated by Cloudera, Inc. and Hortonworks. Cloudera, Inc. accounted for a whopping 23.4% of the global Hadoop market in 2014, with Hortonworks following on 17.6%. Other major players operating in the global Hadoop market include IBM Corporation, Teradata Corporation, Cisco, EMC Corporation, MapR, and Pentaho.

Peer-to-Peer Lending is Transforming Consumer Lending by Becoming a Major Financing Substitute for Small Businesses

Peer-to-peer lending, abbreviated as P2P lending, is a money lending practice to businesses or individuals via online services utilized for matching borrowers directly with lenders. P2P platforms make revenue from the origination fees that borrowers have to pay. In addition, these platforms also generate revenue from a part of the interest charged to investors as a form of servicing fees coupled with additional charges including late fees. On the other hand, borrowers enjoy the benefits of a streamlined application process, anytime access to their loan status, and swift funding decisions.

Transparency Market Research (TMR), a market intelligence company throws light on the overall market by covering all the major aspects of the peer-to-peer lending market. As per TMR, the peer-to-peer lending market stood at US$26.16 bn in 2015 and is predicted to reach US$897.85 bn by 2024 by expanding at a whopping 48.20% CAGR from 2016 to 2024.

Q. What are the major advantages of peer-to-peer lending?

There are a number of advantages of peer-to-peer lending. This type of lending may present better rates as compared to the rates offered by traditional banks. In addition, for the investors looking for socially conscious investment, peer-to-peer lending presents the probability of backing the attempts of people to break-free from huge rate debts. Furthermore, peer-to-peer lending is also adopted by borrowers who, owing to their credit status, are not qualified for traditional bank loans. Peer-to-peer loans can also be utilized for acquiring loans within an area wherein financial institutions do not lend small-balance unsecured loans owing to the limitations in cost structure.

Q. What are the potential challenges in the peer-to-peer lending market and how can these be overcome?

Although the proliferation of new technologies and shifting demographics provide great opportunities for the market, factors such as the increasing regulatory scrutiny worldwide challenge this market’s growth. P2P loans carry a huge interest rate as compared to conventional bank loans. The majority of the loans are unsecured and all the risks are experienced by lenders, so if a small business isn’t able to make payments, lenders undergo heavy losses. Furthermore, the rising competition from traditional lenders and banks will also impact the market negatively.

However, to overcome this barrier, P2P lenders will have to reassess some of their presently utilized practices and may find benefits from collaborating with other conventional financial institutions. By doing so, some potential opportunities may be created for both parties and solutions benefitting both can be figured out.

Q. What is the predicted future of the peer-to-peer lending market?

The market is poised to rise expeditiously in the coming years. Peer-to-peer lending is being highly utilized in small businesses, consumer credits, real estate, and student loans. The development of peer-to-peer small business loans is guaranteed and peer-to-peer lending platforms have come up to fill a niche within the small business capital market.

Amongst the end-use segments, the segment of small businesses held the largest share of approximately 38% in the market in 2015 and is predicted to rise at an extraordinary 48.8% CAGR from 2016 to 2024. Consumers are on a quest for streamlined and simplified lending processes and the companies operating in the peer-to-peer market are capitalizing on this requirement. The key operators such as Prosper Marketplace, LendingClub Corporation, and CommonBond are innovating new products with cutting-edge offerings. Furthermore, Social Finance and CircleBack Lending are also targeting to raise funds for supporting competitive pricing.

Global Smart Airports Market Impelled by Increasing Need to Improve Efficiency of Airport Operations

The aviation industry is in a transitional phase across the world. Smart airports are the latest trend in this industry. According to a report by Transparency Market Research (TMR), the global smart airports market is expected to increase from a value of US$7.5 bn in 2015 to US$19.3 bn by 2024, expanding at a CAGR of 10.80% during the period from 2016 to 2024.

The exponential surge in passenger traffic has boosted the need to improve the efficacy of airport operations, leading to the deployment of smart solutions at airports. The increasing investments in the modernization of airports are also propelling the smart airports market significantly.

What are the major drivers of the global smart airports market?

The commercial aviation sector is experiencing a massive overhaul in its financial conditions, thanks to the installation of smart solutions at airports. Self-service and automated processes have emerged as major trends among passengers travelling by planes, which has given rise to the deployment of advanced palm prints and fingerprints recognition technologies at airports. Growing concerns over security have been driving the need for e-gates and automated border controls. All these factors are leading to an impressive rise in the global market for smart airports.

The increasing focus on green initiatives is also encouraging the usage of smart solutions at airports for better management of water, energy, waste, and emissions, adding significantly to the growth of worldwide smart airports market.

Which segment is leading the smart airport solutions market and what are the driving forces behind its growth?

Based on solution, the smart airports market is segmented into terminal side solutions, airside solutions, and landside solution. The landside solutions segment led the global market in 2015 with a share of around 46% in terms of revenue. However, the terminal side solutions segment is likely to register the fastest growth at a CAGR of 14.80% from 2016 to 2020.

The increasing adoption of digital video surveillance and management (DVM) solutions in airports for the improvement in the security is likely to impel the terminal side solutions segment over the next few years.

What is the latest trend among leading market participants in the global smart airports market?

The introduction of innovative solutions is the key trend among leading players in the worldwide market for smart airports. Vision-box, a major smart airport solutions provider, has recently introduced an automated border control (ABC) system for airports, which has been a massive hit in this market. Curaçao International Airport, Curaçao, John F. Kennedy International Airport, U.S.A., Viracopos International Airport, Brazil, and Queen Beatrix International Airport, Aruba, are some of the major international airports that have deployed ABC systems.

Other prominent participants in this market are IBM, Siemens AG, CISCO System Inc., Honeywell International Inc., and QinetiQ Group Plc.

Global Simulation and Analysis Software Market Driven by Increasing Demand from Booming Automotive Industry

Simulation and analysis software is a key part of the global product lifestyle management (PLM) market. The market for simulation and analysis software has been driven by the increasing incorporation of computer-aided design solutions in various manufacturing industries. Simulation and analysis software allows manufacturers to assess a product before it is produced, in order to assess its integrity and iron out any errors that may persist in its design. A digital model of the product to be manufactured is created through simulation and analysis software, which can be customized to fit the real-world parameters of the product. This is an incredibly powerful tool for the global manufacturing sector and has rightfully been embraced by several flourishing industries.

Global Automotive Industry Boom Drives Simulation and Analysis Software Market

Among the many factors responsible for the increasing demand for simulation and analysis software, the rapid expansion of the global automotive industry in recent years is a major one. The automotive industry in Europe and North America is at the cutting edge of technological innovation, with German giants such as BMW, Audi, and particularly Mercedes making a name for themselves thanks to their highly sophisticated and technologically products. The increasing prosperity of consumers in emerging economies such as China and India has given established automotive giants significant room to expand, which has resulted in a steady growth in the adoption of simulation and analysis software.

Other major end users of simulation and analysis software include the electrical and electronics industry, the aerospace and defense industry, and the industrial machinery industry. The increasing demand for smartphones and tablets in emerging regions is another major driver for the simulation and analysis software market, as are the military modernization efforts underway in developed giants such as the U.S.

Availability of Open-source Software Restrains Global Simulation and Analysis Software Market

While the global economic landscape appears highly favorable for the global simulation and analysis software market, the market is hamstrung by the easy availability of open-source design assistance software. This is a major restraint on the organized simulation and analysis software market, as emerging players are opting to use the cheaper open-source programs in the market.

Global Video Surveillance and VSaaS Market Reaps Benefits of Rising Demand for Robust Operational Efficiency

The escalating security concerns and favorable government regulations have driven the rising adoption of video surveillance systems across the globe. VSaaS or video surveillance as a service is a hosted cloud-based surveillance system that includes remote viewing, storage, video recording, management alerts, cyber security, and more. With an increasing number of businesses worldwide adopting cloud-based solutions, the future of the global video surveillance and VSaaS market seems promising.

According to a report published by Transparency Market Research, the global video surveillance and VSaaS market, which stood at US$21.19 bn in 2014, is projected to reach US$88.25 bn. The market is therefore expected to exhibit a CAGR of 17.0% between 2016 and 2024.

Q: What are the key factors encouraging the adoption of VSaaS across diverse application segments?

A: In the security industry, video surveillance finds applications for preventing terrorist and other criminal activities. The increasing investment in infrastructure such as roads, railways, communication networks, and airports has also led to the rising deployment of video surveillance systems. The market is also substantially gaining from the latest advancements introduced in megapixels and high definition (HD) cameras. Additionally, the growing popularity of do-it-yourself (DIY) projects on video surveillance for home security is also giving a significant impetus to the global video surveillance market.

Q: How is cloud-based VSaaS facilitating businesses across the globe?

A: The majority of businesses around the world are adopting cloud-based solutions for better operational agility and robust disaster recovery. Cloud-based VSaaS is arguably one of the most important emerging services for enterprises operating around the world as it assures them various economies of scale. From the perspective of video surveillance, a cloud-based system can provide access to video views from any of the IP cameras used in a company and provide video management software (VMS), all securely connected to the system via the Internet. 

Video storage is another useful cloud-based service offered by cloud-based VSaaS to companies. Videos archived from a company’s camera is in actuality stored in another location that can be accessed via the Internet. Therefore the enterprise is not required to invest on the purchase or maintenance of their own physical storage devices.

Deploying cloud-based VSaaS will thus help in reducing the need for capital. Instead of incurring maintenance charges and one-time expenditure, a company under this system is invoiced on a monthly basis. Moreover, integrating cloud-based systems also helps companies save any upfront investment in computer servers, licenses, or updates.

Q: What latest advancements in video surveillance and VSaaS are being seen in the market?

A: The proliferation of video surveillance and VSaaS across SMBs in the UK has been rapid.  Encouraged by the rising demand for VSaaS in the country, leading camera manufacturers, Axis Communications and ONVIF, have launched intelligent security solutions. Since their advent, products manufactured by Axis support the universal plug and play (UPnP) Ethernet standard. Recently, the company added a “one-click” feature in its cameras to automate the process of finding an IP path via any router that they are attached to.

Another new standard called Profile S by ONVIF is designed to improve video streaming. It tackles video and audio streaming and relay output control efficiently.

While these are only examples of recent launches in the UK market, the unveiling of similar technologies worldwide will significantly stimulate the global video surveillance and VSaaS market.

Smart Parking Systems Emerge as Ideal Solution to Several Environmental and Economic Issues

Poorly supplied and poorly managed parking systems have resulted in severe traffic congestion across the globe, further resulting in wastage of fuel, air and noise pollution, increase in carbon emissions, and stifled economies. For decades now, cities have tackled this issue by primarily expanding off-street parking. However, with surging construction costs, the dwindling availability of land, and limited municipal budgets, cities have been compelled to make efficient use of already existing parking infrastructure. The introduction of new and transformational technologies such as smart parking systems has enabled cities to address the alarming levels of congestion.

Q. How has the implementation of smart parking systems impacted traffic congestion in large cities?

A. An increasing number of cities have been supporting trials of smart parking systems that combine wireless communications, sensors, and mobile apps. These systems provide drivers real-time parking availability information at not just commercial parking spaces but even at airports, universities, and corporate campuses. This has not just enabled the optimization of parking availability but also helped companies realize the benefits of revenue generation on their properties. Governments and private organizations in some of the most dynamic cities in the world, including Nice, Madrid, Moscow, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Sao Paolo, Copenhagen, and London, have been working toward making the most of the potential that smart parking systems present in the form of increased productivity and economic growth.

Q. Is the outlook of the global smart parking systems market positive?

A. With a growing interest in smart parking systems from larger cities around the world, the market for smart parking systems is poised to expand at a significant pace over the next seven years, so the market’s outlook can be termed as positive. In a report published by Transparency Market Research, analysts have found that expanding at an impressive 20.2% CAGR from 2015 to 2022, the smart parking systems market will increase from a value of US$39.4 mn in 2014 to US$177.1 mn by the end of 2022. Considering the progress that this market is most likely to make in the coming years, an increasing number of players are hopping onto the bandwagon. Streetline, Inc., ParkMe, Inc., Urbiotica, Amano McGann, Skidata AG, Smart Parking Limited, Parkmobile LLC, Nedap N.V., Cisco System, Inc., and Swarco AG are some of the leading companies presently dominant in this space.

Q. What are the hiccups in the adoption and implementation of smart parking systems across cities?

A. Even despite the host of benefits that smart parking systems present, the speed of adoption across several smaller and presently underdeveloped or developing cities is much lower than expected. For most large cities, strong funding from national governments has been instrumental in the large scale deployment of smart parking systems. As a result, the lack of financing is a major roadblock for the smart parking systems market. Apart from this, private and public resistance, combined with low consumer as well as organizational awareness of the benefits of smart parking, has impeded the growth of the smart parking systems market. In addition, several system integration and interoperability issues continue to play havoc with the market trajectory.

Non-lethal Weapons Markets Sees New Opportunity in Personal Security Applications

Non-lethal weapons, as their name suggests, are weapons that are designed to slow an assailant down rather than kill them. That said, most of the powerful non-lethal weapons qualify as ones that are being used without the intention to kill, and if used correctly, they will not. Non-lethal weapons were created with the intention of not killing people, only to guard the user against an assault in the event of an emergency retaliation. There are organizations for and against the use of non-lethal weapons. The INCLO and Physicians for Human Rights, for example, had published a study which stated that there is a severe consequence of using non-lethal weapons without proper training. Their misuse can cause major injuries, blindness, or even death.

There are a few questions, the answers to which are important to figure out why the global non-lethal weapons market is progressing at such a positive rate.

What Justifies the Global Non-lethal Weapons Market to be Estimated at US$4.8 bn by 2021?

Simply stated, it is the growing efficiency of non-lethal weapons that can not only be wielded by law enforcers and military personnel, but also civilians for their self-defense. For now, the greatest driver for the global non-lethal weapons market is the growing use of these weapons on the field by the defense sector. The sector is finding better uses for non-lethal weapons for crowd control and in many urban warfare scenarios. Non-lethal weapons can help reduce the number of casualties in such situations while still managing to get the job done. Other advantages they provide is the reduction of collateral damage, lower overall cost in terms of ammunition replenishment, and a wider range of applications. The global non-lethal weapons market is growing at a 6.1% CAGR between 2015 and 2021. It was recorded at US$3.2 bn in 2014 and will reach US$4.87 bn by 2021, says Transparency Market Research.

Is the Number of Civilian Non-lethal Weapon Carriers Expected to Increase?
Yes it is. There are two reasons for this: Better and cheaper weapons, and a growing concern over personal security. Small non-lethal weapons such as conducted electrical weapons – commonly known as Tasers – and chemical sprays such as mace and tear gas, are showing a higher purchase record by civilians. A growing number of people are resorting to non-lethal weapons for their protection. This also applies to the regions that are facing a steady increase in civil unrest.

In 2014, North America was the leading region in the global non-lethal weapons market owing to a large consumption rate by both the defense sector as well as the civilians. At the same time, Asia Pacific has been expected to play a major part in the market in the coming years, as it is expected to show the fastest growth rate till 2021. This trend could slightly change over the course of time, as we are witnessing a high rate of non-lethal arms purchases and license procurements in parts of Europe.

Current political situations are affecting the region’s economic state, including the supply and procurement of security and protection measures. For instance, there is currently a steep incline in the number of non-lethal weapon license procurement in the German Bavaria.

What is the Future of Non-lethal Weapons?

Creating the perfect non-lethal weapon can be a lot trickier than expected. For one, things such as rubber bullets and tear gas canisters – things that are not meant to kill – end up injuring a larger number of people than previously thought. Then there are weapons such as the active denial system, which can heat up any surface it is pointed at, or the thunder generator, which creates shockwaves that can stun and knock back anyone who comes close enough. There were even concepts such as the sticky foam, which stuck to a person and incapacitated them. But it came with the major disadvantage of suffocating the person if the foam hit their face.

Regardless of whether or not these devices work in real-time crowd control, the future of the global non-lethal weapons market seems to be stable for now. Being a market that is sustained by political and civil unrest, warfare, and crime rates, the global non-lethal weapons market is currently experiencing a high demand, and it is expected to do so in the future.

Launch of Windows 10 has Propelled Growth of Global Hybrid Device Market

The growing adoption of hybrid devices for enterprise mobility and the high demand for devices with enhanced battery performance have catapulted the growth of the global hybrid device market. Hybrid devices are lighter in weight, which makes them extremely mobile in nature. Faster navigation with the help of a touchscreen or stylus and capturing and storing personalized inputs such as scientific equations and diagrams are some of the key benefits offered by hybrid devices. As a result, hybrid devices are being increasingly used to perform business-related tasks. Furthermore, hybrid devices can be used for both work and for entertainment. The global hybrid device market is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 20.8% during the period between 2015 and 2022. The overall market was worth US$5.1 bn in 2014 and is projected to reach a valuation of US$31.8 bn by 2022. 

How is the competitive landscape of the global hybrid device market evolving?

Some of the key players in the global hybrid device market are Lenovo Group, Microsoft Corporation, Samsung Corporation, ASUSTeK Computer Inc., Hewlett-Packard Development Company, Acer Inc., Dell Inc., Fujitsu Ltd., Toshiba Corporation, and LG Corporation.

The launch of Windows 10 has been particularly helpful for Microsoft Corporation to expand its business in the hybrid device market. Initially, it was Microsoft’s decision to create an operating system that could work on both traditional PCs and touchscreen devices. However, the company’s first such attempt by building Windows 8 led users to switch to alternatives such as Apple’s MacBook and Google’s Chromebook. In Windows 10, Microsoft has closed the loopholes that were identified in Windows 8. With the global hybrid device market soaring, the share of Microsoft in the market is anticipated to significantly increase in the years to come.

Detachable or convertible - which hybrid device is more in demand?

Owing to their high portability and mobility, detachable hybrid devices have emerged as the most preferred devices in the global hybrid device market. Mobility, flexibility, and dual functionality in a single device are the key features of detachable hybrid devices and hence, this device segment is anticipated to register noticeable growth in the near future.

What is the scope of growth of the global hybrid device market across the telecom and IT sectors?

The key end-use industries in the global hybrid device market are personal use, retail, healthcare, telecom and IT, educational institutes, and others including transportation, banking, and government sectors. Though the demand for hybrid devices for personal use has been rather high, the growing adoption of enterprise mobility and hybrid devices across the telecom and IT industry has significantly pushed the growth of the overall hybrid device market. In fact, in terms of volume shipments, the telecom and IT sector is anticipated to register the highest growth in the market in the coming years. 

Search for Non-nuclear Warfare Capabilities to Benefit Directed Energy Weapons Market

Directed energy weapons (DEW), although still a nascent technology, will revolutionize several aspects of modern warfare. While still immature, the technology has the capability to allow both defensive and offensive techniques against a wide spectrum of targets. Decades ago, prior to the development of non-nuclear warfare, DEW tactical options did not exist, and nuclear high-altitude electromagnetic pulse (HEMP) weapons were the predominant capability in this field.

Q. How do directed energy weapons work?

A. DEWs are systems that mainly use direct energy (atomic or subatomic particles or concentrated electromagnetic energy) for the purpose of damaging or destroying facilities, adversary equipment, and personnel. These weapons can be either lethal or non-lethal depending on their application areas.

DEW are mainly of two types: Lasers and microwaves, both of which are part of the electromagnetic spectrum. High-energy lasers emit highly-focused lower-powered energy beams using one of the two mechanisms – electric power or chemical fuel, while high-powered microwaves direct electrically charged microwave beams at a wide angle locking on the target.

Q. What is the development outlook of directed energy weapon systems in the future?

A. Directed energy weapon systems will display substantial demand in the future, thereby leading to the development of its associated market. Analysts at Transparency Market Research project the global directed energy weapons market to display a magnificent 20.8% CAGR from 2014 to 2020. The rising demand for crowd control weapons and the need to combat adversarial situations such as terrorist attacks are propelling the demand for directed energy weapons globally. Moreover, several governments around the world are gearing up to modernize the capabilities of their armed troops in the form of advanced weaponry, which is influencing the growth of this market. Presently, countries such as Russia, France, China, the U.S., the U.K., Germany, and Israel are making hefty investments in the development of directed energy weapons.

Q. Are there operational difficulties in the utilization of DEW?

A. Yes. The beam quality need for directed energy weapons is 10 times more than that of industrial lasers as the targets are far away. The capability of these weapons depends on atmospheric conditions too, which, if unfavorable, can adversely affect a weapon’s capability to lock and destroy its target.

Funding is a challenge too. Directed energy weapons are in competition with other established modernization programs for enhancing warfare capabilities. The next big challenge for directed energy weapons is crossing the ‘valley of death,’ wherein the money spent on basic and applied research to reach to the prototype phase fades in comparison to the cost incurred in actually operationalizing DEW systems.

Q. What is the current position of fielding DEW in operations in the Western World?

A. Britain is all set to take its first crucial step for fielding a laser directed energy weapon in the coming month. The Ministry of Defense is on the lookout for a contractor to construct a technology demonstrator to validate the system.

Earlier in 2015, in a first, a directed energy weapon was deployed on the USS Ponce of the United States navy and was proved to be operationally effective.

Growth of Global Ammunition Market to be Steered by Measures to Safeguard National Security

Currently, arms and ammunition form a large part of major nations’ annual expenditures. This is because nations around the world are grappling with terrorist threats that have necessitated overhauling their defense capabilities. In this regard, organizations such as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) are working towards counteracting terrorism by improving awareness of the threat, enhancing capabilities to prepare and respond, and intensifying engagement with partner nations and other international entities. Consequently, procuring and developing state-of-the-art weaponry and ammunition has become a high priority for nations worldwide.

In the light of political developments and incorporation of hi-tech weaponry to combat terrorism, the global ammunition market will rise at a CAGR of 3.7% from 2015 to 2021, says Transparency Market Research.

Q. What are the core factors driving the global ammunition market?

A. Nations around the world are striving to safeguard national security, thereby spending heavily on modern weaponry and ammunition. These measures are closely related to securing the country’s economy and the lives of its citizens. The rising concerns due to geopolitical disputes and changing military and law enforcement mandates as preparatory measures to respond to contingency are boosting the growth of the ammunition market across the world. Continual research and development for technologically advanced weaponry is also improving the demand for ammunition globally. With the rising popularity of shooting-related sports, the ammunition market is receiving a further boost.

Q. How lucrative are Asia Pacific and the Middle East and Africa regions for the global ammunition market?

A. Enormously. The increasing arms race in these regions due to some of the most brutal terrorist attacks in nations here in the past are the reason for this. Nations in these countries are striving to gear their armed forces to combat terrorist activities and be prepared in the instance of an eventuality.

For instance, following the 26/11 terror attack in Mumbai in India, several security measures were implemented. The entire west coast is now under continuous surveillance by aircraft and ships of the Navy and Coast Guard. The country is also making massive investments in ammunition in view of its conflicts with China and Pakistan.

Q. Where does Europe stand in the ammunition market globally?

A. The region is positioned as a clear leader in the global ammunition market. In 2014, the region contributed a revenue of 35% to the global market. Meticulous efforts carried out for the modernization of the armed forces and the increasing adoption of technologically developed ammunition are the reasons for the same. European countries such as France and Belgium, where recent terrorist attacks have left hundreds dead, are being compelled to strengthen their capacity to counter insurgents.

Q. Is demilitarization in Europe negatively impacting the ammunition market?

A. Yes. With the beginning of demilitarization in Europe in the 1970s that solidified in the 1990s and finally aggravated with the financial crisis of 2008, the demilitarization in Europe is undeniable. The reasons for this are the shrinking budgets leading to smaller armed troops, deployment of equipment in small quantities, and inadequate military capacity. Resultantly, demilitarization is resulting in shaky demand for ammunition in the region.

Rising Demand to Speed Up QA Process Drives Global Test Automation Market

Test automation is a process of using software to test programs to ensure all parts of the code are free of error. Software testing consists of various tests to compare the actual output with the expected output. Such tests are vital for any program, since significant business value may be attached to the software functioning perfectly. The process of software testing is predominantly done manually at present. However, the inevitable human errors in the process have made an increasing number of end users keen to switch to automated testing.

As a result, the global test automation market is expected to exhibit a strong 23.6% CAGR from 2016 to 2024, according to a new market research study released by Transparency Market Research (TMR). The increasing incorporation of IT solutions in business processes has helped the test automation market immensely, as it has made it easier to provide the virtual ecosystem testing software needs to operate at optimum levels. According to TMR, the global test automation market was valued at more than US$12.9 bn in 2015. If the market succeeds in maintaining the robust expected CAGR of 23.6%, the valuation of the market could rise to US$85.8 bn by 2024.

What are the major restraints and drivers for the test automation market?

The primary driver for the global test automation market is the rising adoption of IT solutions in the corporate sector. The growing usage of mobile-based and particularly cloud-based applications has made automation much easier to bring about in any business environment.

However, even though the usage of advanced technological solutions is rising, it is still prohibitively expensive for many companies, particularly in developing countries, where the digital as well as brick-and-mortar infrastructure required for large-scale adoption of IT solutions is often absent. This could be a major restraint on the global test automation market in the coming years.

Which are the largest segments of the global test automation market?

According to test type, the global test automation market is segmented into functional, integration, web services, acceptance, load, compatibility, security, platform, network, usability, migration, and mobile testing, and process design quality analysis. Of these, functional testing emerged as the largest segment of the global test automation market. The flexibility of business processes in many modern corporations is responsible for the dominant share held by the functional testing segment.

On the basis of geography, North America emerged as the largest regional segment of the global test automation market in 2015. The high degree of technological sophistication prevalent in the region and the growing demand for QA from the region’s corporate sector are the main driving factors crucial to the test automation market’s growth in the region in the coming years. In terms of potential, though, Asia Pacific, which is expected to exhibit a 26.2% CAGR in the aforementioned forecast period, comfortably tops the table due to the growing flow of investments in the region’s corporate sector.

Are there any notable recent events that could have an impact on the test automation market?

Leading software testing company, Appvance, has recently announced the launch of a new test automation platform, named Appvance UTP. The USP of the platform is that it is unified. The platform allows companies to unify multiple types of software testing into one, drastically reducing the amount of time it takes to go through the QA process. Appvance UTP also contains a new Designer recording environment, which can script use cases rapidly without the designer needing to write a single line of code. Standard technologies such as HTML5 and JavaScript can be used in this service.

Proliferation of such test automation platforms could be a game-changer in the global test automation industry, with the higher efficiency of unified platforms allowing players to get testing done in a fraction of the time it took before.

Global Environmental Health and Safety Market to Gain from Cost-effective EHS Solutions Introduced to Benefit SMBs

Industrial accidents could pose heavy liabilities for industries since they not only create distress or personal grief for workers but may also lead to negative publicity and huge monetary compensations. Environmental health and safety (EHS) tools are therefore used by organizations to adhere to prevailing norms laid down to promote health and safety of workers.

North America and Europe have been at the fore of adopting various stringent EHS norms. Post the global downturn in 2008, various companies located in the aforementioned regions have proactively implemented robust, yet costly EHS monitoring tools. As per a report published by Transparency Market Research (TMR), the global environmental health and safety market is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 12.0% between 2016 and 2024. The market is projected to reach a valuation of US$8.31 bn by 2024 from US$3.01 bn in 2015.

Q: What factors will encourage or inhibit the growth of the global environmental health and safety market?

A: The global EHS market is poised to surge exponentially in the near future. The market will witness lucrative opportunities particularly in the emerging nations. However, the high cost of environmental compliance software dampens the rate of EHS adoption across SMBs at the early stage. In order to resolve this concern, several Federal agencies have been operational in mandating the implementation of EHS across developing nations. Additionally, these agencies have also introduced cost-effective solutions for SMBs and cost-sensitive economies to help them comply with the prevailing EHS standards. The market has been significantly gaining from the myriad statutory and legal regulations mandating organizations to maintain EHS standards. Driven by these factors, the global EHS market exhibits considerable growth potential worldwide.

Q: Why is North America considered the most lucrative regional market for EHS?

A: Based on in-depth research, analysts at TMR peg the EHS market in North America as the largest in the world. As per the TMR report, the global EHS market is expected to exhibit the highest CAGR of 13.2% between 2016 and 2024. The rapid expansion of the end-use industries in the region and the developed infrastructure of the U.S. have been significantly aiding the growth of the EHS market in North America.

An agency called the Occupational Safety and Health Organization (OSHA) is responsible for ascertaining a high EHS standard across industries in the U.S. Established in 1970, the institution encourages employers and employees alike to reduce the chances of workplace hazards. OSHA mandates companies to provide a workplace without any known hazards. With such stringent regulations in place, the EHS market in the U.S. is expected to witness robust growth in the forthcoming years.

Q: What gaps are noticed in the implementation of EHS regulations between developed and developing nations?

A: While developed countries are focusing on minimizing risk and maximizing awareness pertaining to the importance of deploying EHS programs, developing nations in many instances have fallen short of proving their dedication towards ensuring environmental health and safety. For instance, China witnessed two big explosions at a chemical warehouse in Tianjin port on August 2015 that killed over 159 people. The intensity of these blasts was so high that they sent shockwaves through apartment blocks located several kilometers away. Such incidents could be averted with stringent EHS program in place.

However, the scenario is much different in enterprises located in developed nations. For instance, in 2013, Johnson & Johnson, a multinational firm with diverse operations, began improving its safety culture by deploying a standardized approach across its supply chain. In 2015, the company started its global Safety Journey program. As many as 2,000 employees were trained under the Safety Culture Roadmap based on feedback obtained from over 56,500 employees and contractors on their present safety culture.

As more companies in developing countries follow in the footsteps of their counterparts in traditional markets, the demand for EHS is expected to rise steadily.

Strengthening National Security and Protecting Marine Life – How Underwater Security Systems and Services Are Straddling Two Needs

The global demand for energy is expected to double in the next 25 years. This surging demand for energy plays a pivotal role in the depletion of existing fossil fuel reserves, thereby encouraging production activities in the offshore gas and oil industries. A new analysis by Transparency Market Research projects that the emerging economies are likely to account for over 75% of the demand for energy derived from the offshore gas and oil industry. The need for underwater security is thus felt to enable offshore rig operators identify and manage assets and ensure the delivery of services without any interferences.

Over the years, underwater security has been deemed imperative for the oil and gas industry. Underwater security solutions allow risk assessment of a small standalone offshore site, taking into account the fluid types produced in the well, well pressure, directional configuration, measured depth, vertical depth, sub-surface safety valve, damage containment, location and others. Furthermore, in response to the demand for remote control centers, the need for constant monitoring and control is also set to increase. Underwater security service providers are increasingly focusing on innovative cyber solutions to help the oil industry adapt to the digitization wave. It is therefore expected that in the coming years, the market for underwater security will report an exponential surge.

Q: How are stringent government regulations boosting demand from global underwater security market?

A: Strict government mandates and the increasing threat from cybercrime are fuelling demand from the global market for underwater security systems and services. The market has been witnessing the rising implementation of cyber security solutions to combat sophisticated threats strewn by professional adversaries. Industries such as energy, aerospace and defense, utilities, and banking, financial services, and insurance (BFSI), have been extensively adopting cyber security solutions in keeping with regulations enforced to check cybercrimes, which may eventually cause loss of financial and intellectual assets. Such factors have been encouraging leading companies in the oil and gas and other industries to oblige to regulations mandated by the government.

Q: What is India expecting from its recently launched underwater security plan at the harbors of Vishakhapatnam?

A: Recently the Indian Navy launched an integrated underwater harbor defense system and mine warfare data center to improve the Navy’s surveillance skills and response to any potential threat at the naval dockyard located in Vishakhapatnam. This is one of the most recent instances of implementing underwater security and services to tighten the defense capabilities of a region. The multi-sensor system deployed is called IUHDSS. It is capable of identifying, tracking, detecting, and generating warnings for underwater threats.

Q: Are there any recent notable underwater security plans aimed at protecting marine life? How are such developments relevant to the market’s growth?

A: Recently, a Monitoring, Control, and Surveillance (MCS) Plan has been unveiled by the Pacific island country of Palau. The plan is intended to manage and monitor emergency responses and combat illegal activities in ocean waters protected by a national marine sanctuary established recently. Researchers from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography were key contributors to the MCS Plan, launched on May 4, 2016.

The monitoring technology adopted will enable Palau to understand climate and oceanographic forces influencing the marine life, which is at the base of its economy. The data thus obtained will improve Palau’s climate resilience and enhance its access to information pertaining to ocean acidification, sea-level rise, and other phenomena related to climate change.

The growing awareness about the importance of underwater security will therefore boost the market. With emerging nations coming at fore, the market for underwater security witnesses lucrative opportunities for venturing in Asia Pacific