Motorola Solutions, which increased its presence in the video surveillance and public safety markets last year with its purchase of Avigilon, announced on Monday that it has acquired data and image analytics firm VaaS International Holdings. According to a statement, Motorola agreed to pay $445 million for the company in a combination of cash and equity.
Based in Livermore, Calif., and Fort Worth, Texas, VaaS is a “video analysis as a service” company whose image capture and analysis platform is used to provide vehicle location data to public safety and commercial end users. Its subsidiaries include Vigilant Solutions for law enforcement users and Digital Recognition Network (DRN) for commercial customers. The company’s 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-fFunder 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,” said 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.”
