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Published on March 3, 2008

"With Eon Tech as our partner, we can deliver complete security products to our dealers covering all segments from low to medium and high end," Jittisak Jittirat, manager of professional systems sales for JVC, said last week.

Vincent Lee, CEO of Eon Tech, said JVC provided mainly closed-circuit television (CCTV) security protection systems, while Eon needed a partner for high-end products.

Jittisak said Eon Tech would focus on low to medium security products, while JVC would concentrate on medium to high-end items.

JVC's distribution strategy is to sell security products through the dealers' network.

The market for security systems is projected to soar 50 per cent this year on fears about security in homes, apartments and condominiums.

Jittisak said that, according to Kasikorn Research Centre, the total security market was worth more than Bt17 billion last year, including security guards or "manpower", which accounts for 65 per cent of the market.

"The security market has enjoyed annual growth of 7 to 10 per cent due to media reports on unrest in many areas throughout the country, which led to the popularity of CCTVs and other security equipment," he said.

The market for CCTV and security products grew less than 20 per cent in Thailand last year, but more than 30 per cent in India.

"In Thailand, dealers or even end-users are price-sensitive. The market here has been mainly controlled by Chinese products, which offer prices 30 to 50 per cent cheaper than Japanese or European brands," Lee said.

Eon tried to provide the best quality products with good prices and service, he said.

"Thailand has no security fair, and everybody is concerned only about price. This will hurt end-users, who will suffer from low quality products," he said.

For example, Chinese four-channel digital video recorders sell for only Bt20,000-Bt30,000, while JVC and Eon models are priced at Bt50,000-Bt80,000, he said.

"Today consumers demand not only CCTV equipment, but also integrated security systems, such as home security, home automation, CCTVs or even mobile monitoring, so that they can keep an eye on their home from anywhere and anytime," he said.

Eon Tech recently launched its latest Guard Tour System (GTS), designed to keep tabs on where security guards are and what they are doing using the GPRS system.

"With our GTS product, we can help the security guard immediately when something bad happens. GTS will send a panic message through the GPRS Internet or they can use the 'call-me' function to send a message to the service centre," he said.

Eon Tech also plans to launch spy cameras in the local market this year targeted at government agencies, police stations and media offices.

Kwanchai Rungfapaisarn

The Nation