What Costar Technologies does

Costar Technologies develops, designs, and distributes a range of security surveillance solution products. Founded in 1997 and headquartered in Coppell, Texas, the company serves enterprise and government buyers across verticals including retail, banking, healthcare, education, transportation, manufacturing/logistics, government, sports facilities, and commercial properties. Its product portfolio — organized under the AV Costar, CostarHD, Costar Video Systems, and InnoTech brands — operates as a sub-brand family within IDIS, comprising network cameras, network recorders (NVRs), HD analog systems, VMS and mobile software, accessories, and the IDIS Cloud Manager platform.

Technically, Costar products are differentiated by the proprietary DirectIP and DirectCX protocols that enable plug-and-play integration across the IDIS ecosystem, alongside the Intelligent Codec for bandwidth optimization and a Critical Failover redundancy feature for mission-critical sites. The portfolio carries NDAA, TAA, FIPS 140-3, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, FCC, and UL certifications, positioning it for federal, state, and regulated buyers. AI capability is delivered through Next Gen Edge AI cameras and the IDIS VAI (Video Analytics Intelligence) suite, supporting on-device object detection, classification, and behavioral analysis.

Costar monetizes primarily through one-time hardware sales (cameras, recorders, accessories) supplemented by VMS and software licenses. Distribution runs through IDIS Americas' certified partner program of resellers and integrators, direct enterprise/government sales engagement, technology partnerships (e.g., Gallagher Security for access control integration), and the IDIS Cloud Manager self-serve platform. Pricing is quote-based with multi-year contracts on larger deployments. In June 2025, Costar Technologies was acquired by Datalec Precision Installations as part of consolidation in the electronic security sector, with the Costar product lines continuing to be marketed under the IDIS portfolio.

Name

Costar Technologies

Legal name

Costar Technologies

Website

https://costartechnologies.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Acquired

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Costar Technologies develops and distributes security surveillance products — cameras, recorders, VMS software, and AI analytics — serving enterprise and government buyers across retail, banking, healthcare, education, transportation, and government verticals via the IDIS Americas channel.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Video Surveillance Equipment

NAICS

Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing (33431)

SIC

Photographic Equipment & Supplies (3861)

akta.pro primary industry

Webcams & Video Capture Peripherals (HDACAFAG)

Keywords

• Video surveillance solutions
• Security camera systems
• Network video recorders
• Video management software
• Surveillance hardware products

Headquarters

HQ city

Coppell

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Hardware Sales: Sale of physical security products including network cameras, network recorders (NVRs), HD analog equipment, and accessories. Revenue generated through one-time hardware purchases via channel partners and direct sales.
2. Software Solutions: VMS software licenses, mobile software applications, cloud management tools, and analytics platforms.
3. End-to-End Security Solutions: Integrated surveillance system solutions combining hardware, software, and services for vertical markets including government, retail, healthcare, banking, education, and transportation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Costar Technologies develops, designs, and distributes video surveillance hardware and software—including network cameras, network recorders (NVRs), HD analog cameras and DVRs, video management software, edge-AI analytics, and accessories—under the AV Costar, CostarHD, and Costar Video Systems brands. Since its June 2025 acquisition by Datalec Precision Installations, the product portfolio is sold and supported through the IDIS Americas channel infrastructure targeting enterprise and government security buyers.

Product overview

Costar Technologies operates as a sub-brand portfolio under IDIS following its acquisition by Datalec Precision Installations. The Costar product family includes AV Costar, CostarHD, and Costar Video Systems, offering surveillance cameras, network cameras, and video recording solutions. These products complement IDIS's core offerings including network cameras, network recorders, software solutions, HD analog systems, and accessories, providing end-to-end security and surveillance solutions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• AV Costar Video Surveillance Product Line AV Costar is a sub-brand video surveillance product line under the IDIS Americas portfolio, offering security cameras and related equipment (including AI cameras and network recorders) for enterprise and government buyers.
• CostarHD HD Security Camera Product Line CostarHD is a Costar Technologies sub-brand product line offering high-definition security cameras and video surveillance recording/monitoring solutions targeting enterprise and government security buyers.
• Costar Video Systems Product Line Costar Video Systems is a sub-brand product line providing video surveillance systems—including security cameras and video management solutions—under the Costar brand for enterprise and government security deployments.
• AV Costar Network Cameras and Network Recorders (IDIS-branded product line carried under Costar) Network cameras (Dome, Bullet, PTZ, Box, Fisheye, Multi-imager, Specialty, AI Cameras) and network recorders (DR-8000, DR-6000, DR-2000, DR-1000 Series, Specialty) sold through the IDIS Americas channel under the AV Costar sub-brand, with NDAA/TAA/FIPS 140-3 compliance and DirectIP integration.
• InnoTech Security Product Line InnoTech is a Costar Technologies sub-brand product line of electronic security solutions serving enterprise and government security buyers.
• IDIS Cloud Manager (Cloud-based Surveillance Management Platform) Cloud-based platform for remote monitoring, management, and health-checking of Costar/IDIS surveillance deployments, enabling self-service system administration and multi-site visibility.

Quantifiable outcome

• Global electronic security market projected to reach USD 208.4 billion by 2034 (8.9% CAGR)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments9 records

Ideal customer profiles8 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature9 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Datalec Precision InstallationsflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 June 2025Datalec Precision Installations acquired Costar Technologies as part of strategic market consolidation in the electronic security and surveillance industry. This acquisition integrates Costar Technologies' product portfolio into Datalec's installation and integration services business.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Axis Communications: Swedish manufacturer of network cameras, video encoders, and access control. Direct competitor in the IP surveillance camera category serving enterprise, government, and retail customers with comparable NDAA-compliant offerings.
• Hanwha Vision: Korean manufacturer of network cameras, recorders, and VMS solutions (formerly Wisenet). Competes head-to-head with Costar/IDIS in mid-market and enterprise security deployments across similar verticals.
• Bosch Security Systems: Division of Bosch offering IP cameras, video management, and intrusion detection. Overlaps with Costar's enterprise/government surveillance portfolio with comparable AI analytics and integration capabilities.
• Avigilon (Motorola Solutions): Motorola Solutions subsidiary providing AI-enabled network cameras, VMS, and access control. Direct competitor in the high-end AI camera and analytics segment, particularly in government and commercial verticals.
• Hikvision: World's largest surveillance equipment manufacturer. Competes globally on price/performance but is restricted from U.S. federal markets due to NDAA, making it a partial competitor limited to commercial segments where Costar also competes.
• Dahua Technology: Chinese manufacturer of video surveillance equipment competing across the same product categories (cameras, NVRs/DVRs, VMS). NDAA-restricted in U.S. federal markets, but competes in commercial and international markets.
• Pelco (Motorola Solutions): Manufacturer of fixed and PTZ surveillance cameras now owned by Motorola Solutions. Competes in the same enterprise/government security camera segment with comparable IP and analog product lines.

Broad incumbents

• Genetec: Canadian provider of unified security software (Security Center, Omnicast VMS, AutoVu, Synergis). Overlaps with IDIS Solution Suite in VMS and analytics, while also integrating with Costar's hardware via ONVIF.
• Milestone Systems: Danish open-platform VMS provider whose XProtect software integrates with hundreds of camera brands including Costar/IDIS. Represents the software-side alternative to IDIS's bundled VMS offering.
• Honeywell Building Technologies: Honeywell's security division offers commercial surveillance cameras, access control, and integrated building security. Competes with Costar in commercial real estate and large-enterprise deployments via a broader building automation portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Costar Technologies