Founded in 2003 in Carlow, Netwatch is the first company in Ireland to use satellite and internet-based technologies to provide remote visual security monitoring to businesses throughout the country and abroad.
Its video transmission technology allows highly trained specialists to monitor client properties and critical infrastructures in real time and speak directly to criminals before a crime is committed.
Netwatch has enjoyed significant growth since its launch with a 10-fold increase in turnover from 2003 to 2006 and is on target to turn over €7 million in 2007. It employs 60 full-time and six part-time employees protecting more than 600 sites across Ireland, Spain and Arizona in the US. The Netwatch system has had outstanding success with more than 5,500 attempted break-ins foiled since its inception.
Products/services:
The Netwatch system appeals to business in many industries from night time monitoring to the protection of staff in high-risk environments during day time. Application of the system includes property protection, personal protection, remote access control, remote process control and remote monitoring of IT infrastructures. Netwatch has based its product on the most up-to-date technology available in terms of hardware and software development.
Customers:
The Netwatch customer base is spread across Ireland, where domestic and international clients receive the same response time from the Carlow-based command centre.
Client sectors range from motor trade, construction and hardware to warehousing, manufacturing and utilities. These include: John Sisk & Sons Ltd, Windsor Motor Group, P Elliot Ltd and Bennett construction.
Q:What vision prompted you to start up in business?
A:The catalyst for the foundation of Netwatch arose from a personal experience when a close friend was set upon by intruders when he answered a traditional alarm call at his business premises. He arrived at the property not knowing that there was a dangerous gang of criminals on site and was attacked and was lucky to escape with his life.
I too was a key-holder for the company where I worked and the shortcomings of traditional security systems became blatantly obvious.
Q:Express the biggest challenge you see your industry facing?
A:One of the biggest challenges facing us is the ability to be able to identify suitable technologies for our business and the ability to recognise which technologies can offer real business benefits for our customers.
