Cisco Systems’ Linksys division Wednesday took its first step toward entering the small business physical security market with the launch of a new IP video camera.

The new Linksys Wireless-G Pan/Tilt/Zoom Video Camera (WVC200) is the first of several planned physical security products for the small business space to be launched over the next few months, said Allen Powell, director of channel sales at Linksys, Irvine, Calif.

Powell said Linksys has been hearing through its VAR partners that small business customers are looking to integrate physical security solutions such as video surveillance into their IP-based networks, opening up a market that Linksys has been missing.

“Our partners have been implementing Linksys infrastructure and using other vendors’ cameras,” Powell said.

While Linksys has been selling video cameras for the consumer market, the new PTZ Internet camera is part of the vendor’s Business Series of products and marks its first small-business focused IP video offering, Powell said.

Linksys Senior Vice President and General Manager Michael Pocock said in a recent interview that channel partners will play a critical role in the vendor's SMB strategy.

A full line of surveillance cameras is on Linksys’ road map, as are other pieces of the physical security solution, including remote recording and motion detection software, Powell said. In addition, Linksys is prepping the launch of new education and training modules for partners around the physical security market, which should launch within the next six months, Powell said.

With its pan, tilt and zoom capabilities, users can control the camera’s movement and focus remotely via the Internet. Up to 10 users can simultaneously access the camera remotely. An integrated microphone also picks up and records audio.

In addition, the camera can be set in a security mode that can automatically record video and audio feeds when it senses motion and can send a short video clip via an e-mail alert. The camera also includes an Infrared cut filter that enables viewing in low-light or no-light environments when an external IR light is used.

The PTZ Internet camera supports MPEG-4 video compression, supplying a 640x480 video stream. Included software enables the monitoring of multiple cameras and recording to an external hard drive with advanced search capabilities.

The camera is available now for an estimated street price of $299.

Solution provider Wave Link has already deployed the new Linksys cameras for several clients, including customers in manufacturing, dental, jewelry and copier services, said J. R. Harris, associate director of marketing at the Las Vegas-based company.

“Customers want to increase productivity of their employees as well as cut down on security issues such as theft,” Harris said.