i-PRO inherited the renowned Japanese quality from its former parent, Panasonic, and in October 2021 it emerged as an independent entity. This transformation has reshaped the company’s identity, allowing it to become more agile and responsive to market demands while upholding the esteemed “Made in Japan” standard.
As President Jose Riolobos of i-PRO EMEA puts it, “Becoming an independent company has been a game-changer for us at i-PRO. Moving away from the rigid corporate structure of our former parent company has allowed us to be more agile, innovative, customer-centric and responsive to market needs—all while maintaining the superior ‘Made in Japan’ quality that our partners and customers trust.”
Since its inception, i-PRO has grown its product line from 50 cameras to over 289 models. Development cycles have been reduced from over a year to just 10–14 months, with modular designs allowing for faster and more flexible production.
Reflecting on this evolution, Riolobos (right) adds, “We’re young and dynamic, able to move faster and more flexibly than ever before.” These words capture the spirit of the change that has allowed i-PRO to dramatically accelerate its product development cycle – launching up to seven times more products annually than when it was under Panasonic’s umbrella. This rapid pace ensures that installers and integrators have swift access to the latest security technologies, reduced lead times and more competitive pricing, all built on a foundation of quality that customers have long come to expect.
Keeping an eye on AI-fication
Central to i-PRO’s renewed focus is its pioneering work in edge AI technology. In a field where traditional server-based analytics often result in high costs and complexity, i-PRO has set a new benchmark.
“With over 250 AI-powered cameras, we are leading the way in edge AI technology globally, delivering tangible benefits to our system integrators and customers,” Riolobos states and adds, “Traditional server-based analytics often come with high infrastructure costs and complex deployment challenges, but i-PRO AI-powered cameras process data directly at the edge—eliminating the need for expensive servers, reducing bandwidth consumption, and cutting storage costs.”
By processing data locally, the technology cuts costs and significantly enhances real-time performance and analytical accuracy, ensuring that security systems are robust and proactive.
i-PRO’s approach goes beyond technical innovation; it embraces a philosophy of customisation and openness. “At i-PRO, we don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach,” declares Riolobos. “Our open AI ecosystem is designed to give our integrators, AI developers and technology partners the freedom to create tailored solutions that go beyond traditional surveillance.”
This commitment to an open platform enables partners to customise security setups for diverse environments—from automated licence plate recognition and behavioural analytics to smart city solutions. By fostering this collaborative environment, i-PRO ensures that its products remain versatile, adaptable and at the forefront of security technology.
Moreover, Riolobos says, ” i-PRO’s dedication to responsible innovation is at the core of its mission and is further demonstrated by their decision to join the United Nations Global Compact in 2023. To maintain the highest level of data integrity, all of i-PRO products are built with the highest levels of cybersecurity by design. i-PRO leads the security and safety industry as the first camera manufacturer to set standards and rules for the ethical use of AI technology.”
We cannot accomplish everything on our own
The company’s strategic evolution is also underpinned by its dedication to building strong partnerships. “Our partner community is at the heart of everything we do at i-PRO. From our certified system integrators and premium distributors to the AI developers who work closely with us, our partnerships play a vital role in delivering cutting-edge and customised security technologies,” Riolobos explains, “Through strategic partnerships with AI innovators such as Noema, Vaxtor, VIT, and other key developers, we are expanding the capabilities of our AI-powered cameras to serve broader applications—from automated license plate recognition and behavioural analytics to smart city solutions as well as, transportation, retail and large venues insights.”
Looking to the future, i-PRO is set to expand its collaborations into new realms such as cybersecurity, cloud-based video management and smart infrastructure technologies. A key upcoming event is the i-PRO EMEA i-Summit in May, which promises to be a significant milestone for forging new alliances and furthering innovation across key markets.
This evolution is not simply an organisational shift but a strategic reorientation that positions i-PRO as a leader in modern security tech. The ability to combine legacy quality with an agile, independent approach means that i-PRO can address today’s fast-changing security challenges with speed and precision. As Riolobos summarises, the company’s transformation is about “being more agile, innovative, customer-centric and responsive” – a philosophy that is evident in every aspect of its operations.
Why is this relevant today?
For installers and integrators, the benefits are both immediate and long-lasting. The accelerated product development cycle means that the latest technological advancements are introduced faster, reducing the gap between innovation and deployment.
Meanwhile, the open system architecture offers the flexibility to design bespoke technology that meets the unique needs of varied operational environments. This approach minimises the reliance on expensive server infrastructures and ensures that security systems are capable of real-time responses to emerging threats.
Ultimately, i-PRO’s journey from being part of a large corporate structure to becoming an independent, dynamic innovator demonstrates that legacy quality and modern agility can coexist harmoniously. By retaining the high manufacturing standards inherited from Panasonic while embracing a future-focused strategy, i-PRO is setting new benchmarks for intelligent security solutions. As the company continues to evolve, its commitment to quality, innovation and strategic partnerships remains at the core of its mission – ensuring that its customers always receive security technologies that are both dependable and cutting-edge.
i-PRO will be exhibiting at The Security Event in Birmingham, Hall 5/ Booth G55.
Find out more about i-PRO’s technology here.