Motorola Solutions, a global leader in mission-critical communications, has acquired VaaS International Holdings, Inc., (VaaS), a global provider of AI-driven image capture and analysis technology, for a purchase price of $445 million in a combination of cash and equity.

VaaS, a “video analysis as a service” company, is a leading global provider of data and image analytics for vehicle location.

The company’s image capture and analysis platform, which includes fixed and mobile license plate reader cameras driven by machine learning and artificial intelligence, provides vehicle location data to public safety and commercial customers.

Its subsidiaries include Vigilant Solutions for law enforcement users, which was recognized in the 2018 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program, and Digital Recognition Network (DRN) for commercial customers.

VaaSs 2019 revenues are expected to be approximately $100 million.

“Automated license plate recognition is an increasingly powerful tool for law enforcement,” said Greg Brown, chairman and CEO, Motorola Solutions.

“With this acquisition, VaaS will expand our command center software portfolio with the largest shareable database of vehicle location information that can help shorten response times and improve the speed and accuracy of investigations.”

VaaS’ platform enables controllable, audited data-sharing across multiple law enforcement agencies.

Vehicle location information can help accelerate time to resolution and improve outcomes for public safety agencies, particularly when combined with police records.

For example, law enforcement has used VaaS’ solutions to quickly apprehend dangerous suspects and find missing persons.

“We are very excited to be joining Motorola Solutions,” said Shawn Smith, co-founder of VaaS and president of Vigilant Solutions.

“This acquisition enables us to continue to serve our existing customers and expand our footprint globally, while at the same time supporting a company with a commitment to innovation and growth, guided by a common purpose that aligns with our mission and culture: ‘To help people be their best in the moments that matter.’ It doesn’t get any better than that.”

“Our extensive license plate data and AI technology have opened new commercial applications of our products,” explained Todd Hodnett, co-founder of VaaS and president of Digital Recognition Network.

“We believe commercialization of these new applications can be accelerated under the Motorola Solutions brand and reach, and we look forward to working together to grow and diversify our commercial business.”

License plate reading is a highly specialized practice that requires purpose-built cameras and analytics.

VaaS’ fixed and mobile license plate reader cameras can capture and analyze license plate information, which differs greatly by state and country, even when vehicles are moving at high speeds or in low-visibility weather conditions.

Vigilant Solutions Excels in 2018 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program

Vigilant Solutions, continued their winning streak in the Annual ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Program securing Four ‘ASTORS’ Awards for their AI and data analytics technologies for law enforcement, receiving a Platinum, two Gold and a Silver Win in 2018.

• • Vigilant Solutions

    • Best License Plate Recognition System

  • PlateSearch

PlateSearch helps thousands of law enforcement agencies of all sizes, to help apprehend suspects and solve crimes, including homicide, human trafficking, kidnapping, robbery, burglary, rape, drug trafficking, terrorism, carjackings and much more.

PlateSearch is an incredible force multiplier that enables agencies to develop more leads, and when agencies solve crimes, they prevent future crime, protect officers and create safer communities.

(When lives are on the line, every second counts. Every tool available to help develop leads and solve crimes counts, too. License Plate Recognition technology helps law enforcement agencies solve more crimes. Courtesy of Vigilant Solutions and YouTube.)

• • Vigilant Solutions

  • Best Image Technologies Solution

    • FaceSearch

 

Vigilant’s FaceSearch is an easy-to-use facial recognition solution that works to generate quality investigative leads for public safety.

Available via the web, on mobile devices and as a PC-based application, FaceSearch was developed by Vigilant Solutions to deliver a functional, scalable and affordable solution hosted in the cloud, that offers easy importing and integration capabilities.

FaceSearch relies on over 350 facial vectoring algorithms, and users can compare an image against a gallery of tens of millions of images pre-populated from open source data, including mugshots, registered sex offenders and CrimeStopper websites.

Users can easily upload and integrate a local image from jail management systems, CCTV cameras and other sources.

(FaceSearch provides preprocessing capabilities and analyzes faces to convert images, both high and poor-quality into suitable probe images for searching. Compare your images against Vigilant’s gallery, which houses over 15 million images so that you can begin developing leads and solve cases faster. Courtesy of Vigilant Solutions and YouTube.)

• • Vigilant Solutions

  • Best Image Technologies Solution

    • GunOps

    • *Vigilant is also a 2017 ‘ASTORS’ Award Winner

User-friendly, GunOps is a cloud-based, secure, on-demand software application that uses resilient and proprietary grid storage technology that enables firearm examiners, detectives and intelligence analysts to work as a team, linking gun crimes and suspects – to solve crimes.

GunOps is an investigative tool currently used by several high-profile public safety agencies across N America.

Law enforcement agencies can use GunOps strategically to link crimes by mapping out hot spots and using advanced analytics to take prolific offenders off the street earlier and faster, thereby reducing violent crime.

Additionally, GunOps visualization and association capabilities are used by LEAs to deploy their department’s resources more efficiently, where and when they are needed.

(GunOps enables a visual and interactive way to monitor recovered firearm evidence as it is booked into the police department. This allows Crime Lab Technicians to filter and view firearm-related evidence according to geographical areas, which then enables the operator to more quickly zero in on the targets of greatest opportunity to success. Courtesy of Vigilant Solutions and YouTube.)

2018 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program

The Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program is specifically designed to honor distinguished government and vendor solutions that deliver enhanced value, benefit and intelligence to end users in a variety of government, homeland security and public safety vertical markets.

Over 130 distinguished guests representing National, State and Local Governments, and Industry Leading Corporate Firms, gathered from across North America, Europe and the Middle East to be honored among their peers in their respective fields which included:

• The Department of Homeland Security
• The Federal Protective Service (FPS)
• Argonne National Laboratory
• The Department of Homeland Security
• The Department of Justice
• The Security Exchange Commission Office of Personnel Management
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection
• Viasat, Hanwha Techwin, Lenel, Konica Minolta Business Solutions, Verint, Canon U.S.A., BriefCam, Pivot3, Milestone Systems, Allied Universal, Ameristar Perimeter Security and More!

The Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards is the preeminent U.S. Homeland Security Awards Program highlighting the most cutting-edge and forward-thinking security solutions coming onto the market today, to ensure our readers have the information they need to stay ahead of the competition, and keep our Nation safe – one facility, street, and city at a time.

The 2018 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program was Proudly Sponsored by ATI Systems, Attivo Networks, Automatic Systems, Desktop Alert, and Royal Holdings Technologies.

2018 Champions Edition

See the 2018 ‘ASTORS’ Champions Edition – ‘Best Products of 2018 ‘ Year in Review’ for in-depth coverage of the outstanding products and services of firms receiving American Security Today’s 2018‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards.’

Nominations for the AST 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program will officially open as of January 1st, 2019 at americansecuritytoday.com.

Enter Early to Maximize Media Coverage of your Products and Services at Kickoff, and Get the Recognition Your Organization Deserves!

And be sure to Register Early for the 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Presentation Luncheon at ISC East 2019 to ensure your place at this limited- space event!

Why the 2018 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program?

American Security Today’s comprehensive Annual Homeland Security Awards Program is organized to recognize the most distinguished vendors of physical, IT, port security, law enforcement, and first responders, in acknowledgment of their outstanding efforts to ‘Keep our Nation Secure, One City at a Time.’

Why American Security Today?

American Security Today is uniquely focused on the broader Homeland Security & Public Safety marketplace with over 70,000 readers at the Federal, State and local levels of government as well as firms allied to government.

The old traditional security marketplace has been covered by a host of security publications that have changed little over many years.

American Security Today brings forward a fresh compelling look and read with our customized digital publications that provides our readers with solutions to their challenges.

Our Editorial staff provides a full plate of topics for our AST monthly digital editions, AST Website and AST Daily News Alerts.

The editorial calendar and AST’s high drawing website features 23 different Technology and Marketing Sectors such as Access Control, Perimeter Protection, Video Surveillance/Analytics, Airport Security, Border Security, CBRNE Detection, Border Security, Ports, Cybersecurity, Networking Security, Encryption, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Campus Security, Security Services, Corporate Facilities and Emergency Response among others.

These sectors are part of the new integration, where these major applications communicate with one another in a variety of solutions to protect our cities and critical infrastructure.

AST has Expanded readership into vital Critical Infrastructure audiences such as Protection of Nuclear Facilities, Water Plants & Dams, Bridges & Tunnels, and other Potential targets of terrorism.

Other areas of concern include Transportation Hubs, Public Assemblies, Government Facilities, Sporting & Concert Stadiums, our Nation’s Schools & Universities, and Commercial Business Destinations – enticing targets for extremist or lone wolf attacks due to the large number of persons and resources clustered together.