Stewart McCone

One of the UK's foremost figures in public space safety and street crime prevention has joined Videosoft as the company rolls out its next generation of CCTV and security video streaming products and services. Andy Stocker, the former 'Street Czar' of the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham (LBHF), and CCTV, local authority, and public space security expert brings 20 years’ experience to his new role as Videosoft's Principal Public Sector Manager. Appointment Andy's appointment comes at a unique time in the security sector's history - where Future Tech such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning and Blockchain are being used with new developments in CCTV and video streaming. Public welfare, terrorism, social disorder, security issues and financial restructuring are at the forefront of local, national and international policy. A perfect fit In welcoming Andy to the Videosoft management team, Stewart McCone, CEO of Videosoft, said: "Andy is a perfect fit for Videosoft. His people skills, industry, public sector knowledge, and professionalism are, quite literally, second to none.” "Ask anyone who's watched Channel 5's Criminals: Caught on Camera* - they will be aware that public space CCTV is a subject close to Andy's heart. Andy knows the local authority and public sector inside out and is already bringing that deep and thorough knowledge and understanding to Videosoft as we introduce our next generation of video streaming technology.” "As Street Czar at Hammersmith & Fulham, Andy was the single point of contact for residents and businesses, bringing his brilliant people skills to bear with a no-nonsense approach that championed issues through council departments and ensured the efficient, effective resolution of a host of public safety and crime issues ranging from security to fly-tipping." Experience For someone with such good people rapport, Andy's career started in a decidedly Tech heavy and data-driven way with ten years as an operations analyst in corporate IT in the banking and transport sector before starting with the LBHF in 2000. It was at LBHF that he first got a taste of creating solutions for people subjected to antisocial behavior and low-level crime and which has been the hallmark of his career ever since. Andy proved to be the very effective introduction of a deployable CCTV system to deter and detect offences Gradually taking on more responsibility, Andy had operational management of the Borough's in-house security, then the management of the public space CCTV service; he oversaw the merger with, and joint management of, the Royal Borough of Kensington CCTV and LBHF CCTV. This combination provided considerable financial savings to the Boroughs and a significant increase in arrests and convictions and a reduction in street crime. In 2017, his role expanded to include responsibility for everything at street level for the Council - from crime to litter, becoming their Street Czar, working for two years with residents and business in the Borough, including what proved to be the very effective introduction of a deployable CCTV system to deter and detect offences. Andy’s comments "I'm incredibly excited to be joining Videosoft at such an important time for public space and CCTV security," said Andy, "and to be working with Stewart and the Videosoft management team, who are clearly now the leading players in the provision of live video streaming technology for the CCTV and security sector.” "My role is very much underpinned by the need to ensure Tech provides real-life improvements and added security to people's lives while working with public sector organizations, local authorities, the police and emergency services.” "Streaming live video isn't easy, but it's at the very heart of the current street crime reduction requirements and vitally important in the provision of mission-critical live streaming - lose live feed at a critical moment and you've potentially lost a life." New role For Andy, his new role at Videosoft is also about leveraging the advantages thrown up by marrying Future Tech such as AI to CCTV and video streaming. "I'll be aiming to help non-Tech people understand what Tech can do and can't do and the potential benefits of things like AI, supporting clients to get most out of what they purchase." Andy's understanding of local authority and public sector funding will also be an asset to clients who need to increase service levels but may have budget pressures and reduced staffing levels. "Local authorities have very complex funding structures, but at the same time, they need to reduce crime and antisocial behaviour in a fiscal atmosphere of declining resources and tight budgets. I expect to be helping them to work smarter and access funding streams they may not have considered, which may indirectly benefit other cash strapped emergency services, including the police.” "When it comes down to it, I want to be in a situation where I can help people and help improve the world, we live in. I want to be able to do something different, where I can 'write the rule book - not follow the rule book'.” "At Videosoft I'll be able to do just that!"

Videosoft is going global with its range of adaptive low bandwidth video streaming products. The Videosoft suite of cutting-edge video streaming products, including the brand new FireBird F-100, delivers high quality, low latency live video over unreliable or congested networks, including 4G mobile and satellite. Video streaming expert Videosoft is headed up by the company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Stewart McCone, one of the security industry's renowned video streaming experts, who brings more than 20 years of industry experience to the Videosoft business. Mr. McCone said, “Videosoft is about easy to use low bandwidth, low latency, reliable and secure video delivery over low bandwidth and unreliable networks, including mobile and satellite.” Stewart McCone is backed up by a team of expert developers and programmers, all with many years of industry experience in the streaming and video arena. Delivering quality real-time and reliable video streams Even at low bandwidths, Videosoft products deliver quality real-time, reliable video streams across a network" Stewart McCone adds, “Even at low bandwidths, from as little as 6 kbps upwards, Videosoft products deliver quality real-time, reliable video streams across a network. Because of the unique protocols that our team has built into the software, latency is down to milliseconds and the video automatically adapts to the amount of bandwidth available on the network. This is critical in maintaining responsive and real-time streaming in any environment." For Stewart McCone, Videosoft's raison d'etre is inextricably linked to the positive influence of Future Tech. Positive influences of Future Tech Mr. McCone said, “I'm a firm believer that Future Tech can provide real-world improvement. Standard Tech just doesn't suit todays ever changing environments, but with specialized tech, including things such as AI (Artificial Intelligence), Machine Learning and Block Chain, operational barriers can be removed or lowered. Tech like ours can deliver real-world change and using video and remote services to help make the world be a better, safer place.” For the company's Business Development Manager (BDM), Iain Janes, the Videosoft story is a global, but plain and simple one, which involves listening to the market and providing what the market wants. Overcoming limitations to bandwidth Ian Janes said, “Bandwidth is ‘the elephant in the room’ that people are only just beginning to fully appreciate that there are limitations to bandwidth when streaming video, even 5G can be problematic. We know it's a massive issue, which is why we've done something about it.” Many users assume that with 4G and 5G, their CCTV problems are solved, but that's not the case" “Many users assume that with 4G and 5G, their CCTV problems are solved, but that's not the case,” argues Ian Janes, adding “In fact, a CCTV camera running multi MBps video will often be the first thing to drop off the network.” He further said, “With Videosoft, you can run live video with minimal latency and good quality, even at much lower bitrates than standard equipment - we think that's something worth talking about.” The market does too, and Videosoft is receiving significant interest from around the globe. Security & Policing 2021 show “Jointly, the team have years of unique experience and know precisely what the market needs. We know that reliable real-time situational awareness is critical to operational success and life and death events,” adds Ian Janes. The company, Videosoft will debut the FireBird F-100 at the upcoming Security & Policing 2021 virtual show, taking place from March 9 to March 11, 2021. The Firebird F-100 is just one of several exciting new products that Stewart McCone and the Videosoft team have in the pipeline for release over the next coming months.