Laurel-based Odyssey Technologies Inc. is trying to corner the market in corporate monitoring needs. Its high-tech spyware is helping keep tabs on businesses and employees around the world.
Odyssey Technologies provides software-based, centralized and remote physical and financial security services, such as remote video patrolling and retail exception analysis, delivered to retail, hospitality, financial services and property management customers over broadband networks. With clients throughout the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and Latin America, its product line is helping companies keep down theft, reduce operating costs and increase efficiency and earnings.
Its product line caught the interest of the state?s Department of Business and Economic Development?s Small Business Development Financing Authority.
“They have taken technology developed out of the University of Maryland and carved out a market niche with few competitors for their product and services,” said Anthony Williams, vice president of MMG, the firm that manages MSBDFA for the DBED.
“We do software data mining, database video archiving, point-of-sale video and ATM video patrolling,” said Odyssey CEO John Webster, an MIT graduate. “All of the video surveillance is brought back to our warehouse, archived and stored and from any remote location our clients can, with their code, access the information to see what went on in their various business locations.”
Here?s how it works.
Instead of having to send out a regional manager to check on franchise operations, executives can log into Odyssey?s web browser, sign onto their account and get a live feed or stored data of the day?s transactions or events. If someone suspects employee theft, they could query the system to see if an employee is ringing up merchandise below cost and Odyssey provides both visuals and register data to unmask the culprit. Webster also has software that serves as a remote doorman, allowing his clients to control entry into their buildings from any location in the world, delivering a visual of guests seeking entry.
