AxisInnovates September 2021

#AxisInnovates The latest news & views from Axis in the UK, Ireland and Nordics

Issue 15

FOCUS: Voice of our partners Page 4-12 25th anniversary of the network camera Page 20

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Contents Editorial 3 Voice of our partners 4 Industry 4.0 12 AXIS Site Designer 14 UK Protect Duty 16 Body worn use in retail 18 25th anniversary 20 Broadcast solutions 23 Sustainability 24 Banking - Video analytics 26 Autonomous retail 28 Customer stories 30 IP audio zones 36 Fundraising news 38 Axis Online Events 40 Tools 42 Online channels 43

Editor Kristina Tullberg kristina.tullberg@axis.com Tel: +46 46 272 1800

Axis Northern Europe

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UK office Axis Communications Ltd. 1 Capability Green Luton, Bedfordshire LU1 3LU, UK Phone: +44 (0)1582 283 760 Nordic office Axis Communications Gränden 1 223 69 Lund Phone: +46 (46) 272 1800 Sales: +46 (46) 272 2050 2

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EDITORIAL

Partnerships remain key as Axis reaches innovation milestone As Axis celebrates 25 years since it developed its first network camera, Linn Storäng, regional director for Northern Europe, reflects on the success of its trusted partnership network.

My first year as regional director for Axis in Northern Europe has been as rewarding as it has been challenging.

We have all been through many ups and downs in both our personal and business lives as we have struggled to navigate this turbulent period towards a new version of normality. I have been extremely fortunate to be surrounded by great people and to work for an organisation that has offered unwavering support even through the most challenging of times. As a team, our great spirit and fantastic culture has meant that, even when times have been hard, we’ve all pulled together.

Partnerships for ongoing success This year we celebrate 25 years since the first Axis network camera was designed and developed. We have gone from strength to strength, and the secret of our ongoing success lies in the supply chains we have forged and the important trusted partnerships that we have fostered along the way. Mutually beneficial, a partnership with Axis can bring great success to both parties.

At Axis we work with our partners to understand their challenges, look at ways we can collaborate, and ultimately to support them in realising their full potential.

The still ongoing threat of COVID-19 means that it may take a while until life can run smoothly again, and it may never get back to how it was before.

It has, therefore, become increasingly important to Axis to find ways to support and to strengthen its existing partner relationships so that we are all better equipped to face whatever challenges the future may hold. Earlier this year, Axis conducted a survey of its partner base which proved invaluable for evaluating concerns and understanding how we can better support partners and customers in 2021 and beyond. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the 200 respondents who took part in our survey, the results of which were published in a whitepaper: Impact of COVID-19 on the security industry.

When we developed AXIS Site Designer, we did so with installers and integrators in mind, helping them to work faster, smarter, and more accurately, while also maximising end-customer satisfaction.

Our recent work with two existing partners, Southern Fire and Security and Acctive Systems helped them to realise the full benefits of this powerful web application, enabling them to produce professional system designs down to granular detail, demonstrate a level of professionalism to prospects and clients and meet growing customer demand.

Our partnerships have enabled us to continue to innovate throughout the pandemic, launching several new products as we work in ever-closer collaboration. This is evidenced in a recent question and answer article (see next page) with one of our partners, Convergint, which reiterates the importance of partnerships while also showcasing how automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) solutions have evolved with the help of our network cameras.

25th anniversary: always breaking new ground When I think about the milestone that we have reached and how far we’ve come, I also consider the evolution of the industry as a whole and the new areas into which Axis has been able to branch out. Our security installer and integrator base is extremely important to us, and our partnerships in these areas continue to go from strength to strength. But, in addition, I would like to highlight the partners that we are increasingly working with that sit outside of the more traditional roles, including those specialists in IT who are constantly covering new ground.

25 years ago, we could scarcely have imagined that we would be seeing our cameras, together with artificial intelligence (AI) software, working as part of the industrial internet of things (IIoT), in tailor-made Smart applications designed to solve specific industry problems. An example, explained in a recent blog, highlighted how network cameras together with AI applications can vastly improve the operation of manual assembly production lines through close monitoring and reporting, ensuring a streamlined and efficient service .

Our solutions are increasingly being used for applications beyond security and this ability to branch out places Axis in a strong position to continue to help its partners and customers in the future, whether their needs are security related, operations related, or both. This edition of #AxisInnovates, therefore, not only serves as a reminder of where we’ve come from and the things we have achieved, but also of where we’re going - as we set our sights on the incredible journey yet to unfold and the amazing story we continue to write as we innovate for a smarter, safer world.

Impact of COVID-19 on the security industry white paper: www.axis-communications. com/covid19-partner-report

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VOICE OF OUR PARTNERS

Jouni V i rt a

Alarm call-outs reduced by more than 50% Rene Piiparinen and Mika Aro from Securitas talks to Axis’ Jouni Virta about the benefits of adding network speakers to perimeter security solutions.

Many infrastructure companies’ sites and projects are located centrally in the cities, which makes them a natural target for intruders and vandalism. However, there are ways to tackle this problem.

"This is a construction site and a protected area. It is now closed, please leave the area."

This message comes from an Axis network speaker at a construction site in Finland, it has shown to be effective in providing alerts and scaring off intruders.

In this article, Rene and Mika from Axis partner Securitas explain why.

Effective complement The Finnish construction company Kreate had problems with intruders entering its construction sites, especially in the evenings and at night so Kreate requested an upgrade of its existing security system from its partner Securitas, to keep intruders at bay. Securitas commissioned the installation of Axis network speakers

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to complete the Kreate security system that consisted of existing surveillance cameras and alarms.

For Securitas, this means that there are significantly fewer call-outs for its guards every night.

Rapid response AXIS C1310-E Network Horn Speakers are now connected to the perimeter protection of the construction sites and are activated automatically if anyone crosses the perimeter and trespasses, and a pre-recorded voice message is played.

If the intruders fail to leave, an operator at an alarm centre is alerted. The operater switches on a real-time public address system and informs that the intruders are being monitored on camera and that security guards and the police are on their way.

The speaker can also be used to instruct staff in emergency situations.

"These speakers are easy to install. They provide a rapid response to alarms and are effective when it comes to scaring intruders away from the sites," says Rene Piiparinen, Solutions Manager at Securitas, who designed this voice solution.

An open system Rene Piiparinen highlights the open system as one of the primary advantages of Axis products and solutions, "Integrating Axis products with other devices and products, even from other suppliers, is straightforward and easy."

"The number of call-outs has fallen dramatically.

On average, we're seeing between a third and half as many call-outs as before."

Mika Aro, Sales Manager Securitas

VOICE OF OUR PARTNERS

"We also appreciate the range of features and analytics available, and it's easy to upgrade and add different features when we need them."

The advantages of Axis products and solutions are also emphasised from a longer-term perspective.

"Axis is constantly developing products and features that can be integrated and updated with existing solutions and systems, making Axis products futureproof," says Rene Piiparinen.

Long-term cooperation Securitas has been an Axis partner for a long time and greatly appreciates the close and straightforward cooperation and communication.

"It's easy to get in touch with people and obtain good support, both locally and from head office. We receive great training and documentation that we can share with our customers. We also appreciate having direct contact with Axis, with no middlemen," says Mika Aro. Saves time and money The speaker solution saves both time and money for security companies as guards do not have to physically go out every time an alarm is triggered from a security installation. Situations can often be handled remotely instead. Many intruders leave the scene when faced with the fact that they have been observed and caught on camera, and security guards and police are on their way.

For Kreate, this has reduced the risk of construction sites being vandalised and subject to theft, which can result in unwelcome disruptions and problems with ongoing work.

Another advantage of the speaker solution is that it is mobile; as soon as a building project is completed, Securitas can move the security solution to another construction site.

But Kreate is not the only company that has had problems with unauthorised visitors in the evenings and at night; Securitas has had Axis network speakers installed as part of security solutions for schools, restaurants, recycling companies, power stations and other businesses to enhance safety and security.

"Both we and our customers are very pleased. I'm pleasantly surprised by how much more effective our security solutions are now when we've added Axis speakers."

Rene Piiparinen, Solutions Manager, Securitas

One-stop shop solutions Rene Piiparinen has seen a general increase in demand for outdoor security systems in recent years. The aim is normally to deter intruders, not catch criminals. Moreover, there is a growing demand for solutions that are one-stopshop, where customers want one point of contact. Demand is also growing for intelligence and analytics to be integrated into products.

"We're seeing more and more advanced features, which means that businesses, including ours, can act much more proactively in the event of intrusions and alerts," says Mika Aro. Rene Piiparinen has some advice for businesses planning to install security solutions.

"Choose a supplier with a good reputation, good references and good people.

Choosing a futureproof solution and looking at total cost of ownership from a long-term perspective, five years and beyond, is crucial."

Rene Piiparinen

Learn more: www.axis.com/en-gb/products/ audio/security

About Kreate https://kreate.fi/en/ One of the leading Finnish infrastructure construction companies, employ some 450 experts in construction. The 2019 turnover was approximately EUR 220 million. Kreate professionally delivers a wide range of infrastructure construction projects in any environment based on our solid, extensive expertise.

About Securitas www.securitas.com Securitas is a leader in intelligent security and safety services. Securitas offers solutions for surveillance, technical security, fire protection and risk management. The group operates in 48 markets and employs 355,000 people.

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VOICE OF OUR PARTNERS

Dar en L

an g

Innovations in ANPR and the benefits of a trusted partnership Steve Clift, Convergint, talks with Daren Lang from Axis about a relationship between their companies based upon high levels of professionalism and shared values, and explains how ANPR solutions have evolved.

How long has Convergint been in operation?

Convergint is a global, service-based systems integrator which has just celebrated its 20th anniversary since opening its Chicago-based headquarters in 2001.

Following a recent round of acquisitions, Convergint now has 195 office locations globally, with over 5000 staff. In addition to being listed as the number one systems integrator in SDM Magazine's Top Systems Integrators Report for the past 3 years, Convergint was also awarded 2020 Integrator of the Year and Financial Market Partner of the Year by Axis Communications at its Axis Connect and Converge Conference (ACCC), hosted in the US. The Axis award recognised outstanding strategic partnership qualities, proven technical aptitude and front-running sales performance.

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What are your thoughts on the partnership with Axis? How has this benefitted your business?

As a global company, we pride ourselves on listening to our clients’ needs and responding quickly, wherever they are based. One of our original Values and Beliefs is to ensure we are our customers’ best service provider – this is something that still drives our business today. To do this effectively, we only partner with providers who offer the highest quality security technology and are true experts in their field.

At Convergint, we have a strong foundation of Values and Beliefs, on which our entire company is built. It’s essential to us to work with like-minded businesses. Axis Communications ticks all the boxes in terms of the quality of its solutions and the core values around which it bases its business.

Axis was also the company that first adapted IP technology in the video surveillance market, so they are absolutely leaders in the physical security space.

How is Convergint helping to revolutionise the use of number plate recognition technology?

Automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) technology typically uses a purpose-built, dedicated camera system.

This has inherent cost implications to keep running, and because of a lack of any real push to develop the technology, it has missed out on the advancements that the rest of the industry has enjoyed.

A benefit of our global presence is that we are able to look at the application of security technologies across the world, making comparisons to determine how various tools are currently used and how they could be improved. In the case of ANPR, we were able to look at how police

VOICE OF OUR PARTNERS

"At Convergint, we have a strong foundation of Values and Beliefs on which our entire company is built. It’s essential to us to work with like-minded businesses. Axis Communications ticks all the boxes in terms of the quality of its solutions and the core values around which it bases its business."

forces were using the existing technology to determine what was working and what wasn’t. Our findings revealed that drastic improvements were needed. This resulted in Convergint bringing the advancements of IP network camera technology into the ANPR market.

Can you elaborate on the use of network cameras for ANPR and summarise the benefits?

Traditional ANPR cameras are used because of their accuracy and read rate. They capture car number plates successfully, and then use 3/4G and landline comms to send data back to the police headquarters for processing; this is a cumbersome and time-consuming process. The big difference here is that Axis cameras have the processing speed that was only available in ANPR cameras, hence the step change.

Axis network cameras have now evolved to the extent that they are more than capable of replicating this accuracy, making them ideal for ANPR purposes.

Their significant processing power means they can also analyse video using onboard software, speeding up the relaying of information by sending only relevant snippets of meta data back to base. Axis cameras, combined with highperformance number plate recognition software, results in a powerful IP solution which is fully digital and totally mobile.

The advances in 4G and 5G comms as well as the ability to transmit images via Wi-Fi results in fast and efficient data transmission while the system can run from a battery that provides up to 10 days of continuous power without the need to recharge.

How will this system improve operations and are there plans for future development?

Axis cameras breathe new life into what was essentially a very one-dimensional solution, capable of delivering limited results. As the cameras are designed on open standards to be connected to other devices and systems, this introduces the potential for greater situational awareness by bringing further cameras and sensors into the equation.

For example, consider a busy city where a criminal drives at high speed through red lights, putting pedestrians and other road users in danger. The ANPR solution can collect car number plate and speed data from the vehicle as it passes, but now other cameras, connected to the same system, can provide additional data.

"Axis cameras breathe new life into what was essentially a very onedimensional solution."

This results in a wider and more overarching view of the entire situation, providing the police with far greater detail than an ANPR system alone. In terms of future plans, we are currently in negotiations with police to establish further trials in the UK which, once complete, will allow us access to multiple government frameworks and a wider rollout of the technology for the benefit of more police forces.

Learn more: www.convergint.com www.axis.com/solutions-byapplication/license-platerecognition

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VOICE OF OUR PARTNERS

Bob Pat

el

Benefits of a trusted partnership, dedicated support and high-quality end-to-end solutions Mark Buxton, Director, Fox Tango Asset Protection, talks to Bob Patel about the ongoing relationship with Axis and explains why reliable, fully supported solutions are the only option for a safer future.

How long has Fox Tango Asset Protection been in operation?

Although relatively new, my colleagues and I come from solid backgrounds within the electronic security, emergency systems and radio communications industries. We also have expertise in security risk assessment and threat awareness. Our team's combined 40-year operational background encompasses a huge wealth of experience and knowledge. This ranges from protecting critical national infrastructure sites and providing support to industrial and commercial premises, right through to network infrastructure and cybersecurity.

What are your thoughts on the partnership with Axis? How has this benefitted your business?

Our primary goal as a business is to support our clients’ needs. We effectively

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become part of the team. With Axis, we are also made to feel like part of the team and have been fully supported with every project that we have undertaken using Axis’ solutions. They are very knowledgeable and constantly offer help and advice. Having a dedicated key account manager, technical support, and, of course, the Axis Academy for building on knowledge around both existing and forthcoming Axis solutions, is fantastic.

"We protect critical assets, buildings, perimeters and people. We simply cannot use solutions with questionable credentials. This is one of the main reasons that we chose Axis."

As technical specialists ourselves, we don’t require technical support very often, but when we do need it, it’s there. It’s not just read from a script but is provided as part of a genuine personalised service from a company that really cares about its partners. This desire to help and to see its partners flourish makes us feel well supported.

How do Axis solutions compare with others on the market?

There is always something new in production, whether that is new firmware, new chips or brand new hardware. The technology combined with Axis’ approach to partner relationships and customer service puts them well ahead of other industry manufacturers.

In my experience, there are far too many ‘fit and forget’ products on the market; cheap off-the-shelf technologies that do

VOICE OF OUR PARTNERS

not meet customer needs and are simply installed and then forgotten about, with no customer aftercare.

With Axis there are assurances as to the longevity of each solution, such as a detailed service management plan. This is the difference between specifying a dedicated end-to-end security solution to meet long term customer objectives, rather than just putting up a selection of poor quality technologies and hoping for the best; not a smart option in a world where physical crime and cyber crime are continually on the rise.

Does the openness of Axis solutions add to their appeal?

The Axis product range is robust and its ability to operate across open platforms for ongoing development and integration with other partner solutions is certainly a big plus point. With other products and other manufacturers there are too many unknowns. At Fox Tango, we protect critical assets, buildings, perimeters and people. We simply cannot use solutions with questionable credentials. This is one of the main reasons that we chose Axis.

Can you tell us about any projects and provide examples of the solutions?

One of our first projects was with a food manufacturer who wanted a highly secure, yet highly adaptable, security solution. This comprised video surveillance cameras with onboard edge analytics for intrusion detection; twoway intercom using Axis network video door stations; and an IP audio system; all controlled using AXIS Camera Station.

Specifying an end-to-end solution from a single manufacturer makes the entire system much simpler.

You are an advocate of AXIS Site Designer. Can you explain why it is so important?

Generally, we specify and design everything before we go out to a site.

It’s not commercially viable to hold large amounts of stock at our premises, so by using AXIS Site Designer we can put together a whole solution virtually and know exactly what inventory we need.

We have many upcoming projects, some of which will utilise exciting products that we are looking forward to working with. AXIS Security Radar, for example, will allow customers to detect human and vehicle movement, providing advanced intrusion detection and passing an instruction to PTZ cameras, enabling the tracking of movement. This is a very powerful solution with wide ranging applications across a variety of industries and sectors, and AXIS Site Designer makes it incredibly easy to illustrate to the client.

Do you have any final thoughts about the current physical security requirements of your customers, and the role that trusted partnerships play?

All Axis products are designed to meet end user needs. It seems simple, but it’s surprising how many customers will put up with a ‘make-do’ solution because they are not fully aware of their options.

It’s important to realise that many solutions are not tailored in any way, and often consist of a mix of off-theshelf products that cannot be properly integrated.

Axis really is ahead of the curve in that respect, listening to customer requirements and offering solutions that allow for fluidity, customisation, scalability, and integration to ensure that exact customer requirements are met and often exceeded. Using such technology gives us confidence in our ability to deliver high quality solutions, and we know it gives the customer confidence in us, and in Axis.

Learn more: www.ftap.co.uk

"The Axis product range is robust and its ability to operate across open platforms for ongoing development and integration with other partner solutions is certainly a big plus point."

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VOICE OF OUR PARTNERS

Anya Ch up ry na

Matt Robson Head of Sales and Marketing Welcome Gate

High-quality security solutions help support furniture retailer’s EU expansion Matt Robson, Head of Sales and Marketing at Welcome Gate, talks to Anya Chupryna from Axis about an exciting new project made possible through innovative technology and a long-term partnership with Axis.

Can you provide an introduction to Welcome Gate?

Welcome Gate has been in operation for over 15 years and specialises in tailoring bespoke security packages to suit individual business needs. Our expertise covers video surveillance, access control and intruder & fire alarms.

Welcome Gate prides itself on its dedication to delivery and exceptional customer service; taking a consultative approach to support its customers and work closely with them to deliver a solution that ticks all of the boxes, fully meeting their expectations.

Can you explain your latest project and what the main challenges were?

We were first approached by a wellknown London-based furniture designer

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and retailer to specify and install a system that would improve the security of their regional offices. Following recent expansion which has seen the opening of several experiential showrooms across Europe and four large storage warehouses, we were again asked to develop a solution to protect the vast quantities of furniture held across the sites.

The solution needed to be able to provide protection both inside and outside the premises around the clock, even in lowlight conditions.

Key factors were that the system should be able to facilitate remote monitoring from any location, removing the need for security personnel to be continually present on site. It should also be cyber secure, protecting the network by

removing the risk of security technologies presenting a vulnerability.

How did Axis become involved as a technology partner?

Welcome Gate has enjoyed a close working relationship with Axis for almost five years. Axis was the first company to put a camera on a network, and the resilience of their solutions combined with their longevity and expertise makes them the natural choice for such a project.

Axis stands as a shining example of how to do security correctly. In a market where products are often hastily produced with low levels of quality assurance and poor transparency in the manufacturing process, Axis solutions represent high quality and reliability.

VOICE OF OUR PARTNERS

Furthermore, Axis’ strong ethical foundation underpins its manufacturing process, and its unwavering dedication to sustainable practices is something to be greatly admired and emulated.

Which Axis products were chosen for the project?

34 Axis cameras were installed across the site covering various points both indoors and out. AXIS Lightfinder, installed across the cameras, results in clear surveillance data even in low light, and outside the premises during adverse weather conditions.

Such is the scalability of Axis’ solutions, we can easily build upon the existing system to provide additional protection, even adding third party solutions where required by taking advantage of Axis’ open standards. Creating a future-proof security system for the customer that can evolve in-line with their business was always a priority, and we are already looking at how IP audio and access control can be incorporated in our next phase.

Learn more: https://welcomegate.com

The video feeds are managed through two systems running AXIS Camera Station video management software that also utilise two network video recorders.

The cameras and recording technology are connected using seven Power over Ethernet (PoE) network switches.

How has the customer found the new solution?

The customer is very happy with the new system and the quality of the Axis products. Right from the outset account managers from Axis and Welcome Gate sat down with the customer to design and specify the solution using AXIS Site Designer software. This allowed them to play an integral part in the process.

The finalised solution allows them to monitor video feeds either on-site in a central control room, or away from the site via mobile device. The ability to record, edit and quickly package video for the attention of the relevant authorities has given managers, operations staff and security personnel a renewed sense of confidence as a result of feeling better protected.

With regards to this project are there any future plans?

The customer’s rapid expansion means that we will be replicating this solution across additional sites. In addition, they are looking to bring other elements of their business in-house. For example, rather than using an external photographer to create images of their product range, they are instead opening their own photography studio. This will also need to be secured.

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INDUSTRY 4.0

Marrying AI and manual labor for more effective assembly lines

By Carl Staël von Holstein, Axis Communications Digitization, automation, and Industry 4.0 are driving far-reaching changes in the manufacturing industry. But most of the mass production in industries such as automotive is still done by manual labor.

granted based on your work and frame of reference. So I was pretty surprised to learn that some 72 percent of assembly in mass production is still carried out by manual labor.

When it comes to manufacturing, there is quite naturally much talk about Industry 4.0. As you know, the industrial internet of things (IIoT), along with automation, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, augmented and virtual reality (AR and VR), are frequent buzzwords.

I came across this number when talking to a new partner. They are called Drishti and aim to improve productivity, quality, and training in various industries where manual assembly is still frequent and where lean production is generally the norm. They have a solid position within the automotive industry but also in medical devices and electronics and other long-tail discrete manufacturing industries. Drishti is also a valued member of the Axis Application Development Partner (ADP) Program.

And with good reason. These are potent tools that are already transforming manufacturing, and this development shows no signs whatsoever of slowing down. As one of the persons at Axis in charge of driving Industry 4.0 solutions, this area is obviously close to my heart. And believe me, many exciting innovations are going on.

Quite recently, however, I was reminded how easy it is to start taking things for

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Connecting manual labor and AI When talking about Industry 4.0, we mainly focus on connecting smart components, letting the machines communicate to reap the benefits. In this

perspective, Drishti offers a kind of hybrid solution. They use videos to connect the manual labor at the assembly line with AI. This way, they gather masses of data in the process, which is analyzed and form the foundation for future improvements.

It is a huge step forward since most mass production units still use the traditional way of measuring productivity by using a stopwatch and then writing down the results. However, this is a very limiting model because you miss out on valuable data that can be used to improve the operation.

On the other hand, Drishti places cameras above each workstation, which quickly and continuously measures the process.

The analytics on top of the cameras and AI translate the video streams into actionable data. You will, for example, get information on how long each moment takes and if there are any anomalies, bottlenecks, or repetitive

INDUSTRY 4.0

work moments that add time or even put quality or safety at risk.

You can measure the time spent at each workstation and if all the actions in a process step have been performed. If a step is missed, the system will raise an alarm.

Easier to find the root cause Basically, the Drishti setup is all about data. Simple, accessible data. If you should detect a faulty product or get a customer claim, it is easier to get to the root cause. For example, I watched a video where a worker tightened the same screw twice – that is, one time too many.

Maybe that doesn’t sound so serious, but ultimately, the torque used to secure this screw might have doubled. It may cause errors later in the process or at the usage stage.

If all the steps were performed correctly, but then you have something out of the ordinary, such as the problem mentioned above, the analytics software will classify it as a production error. And you can go back and check what might have caused the error.

In the end, it all boils down to providing business value for the customers. Drishti specifies four pillars of value, claiming that their setup offers deep visibility into production, reduces the number of mistakes, helps associates add more value, and speeds up production improvements. And, as always, the proof is in the pudding. For example, one customer improved throughput by 21 percent, another reduced their product line labor cost by 34 percent, and a third reduced their defect rate by an impressive 48 percent.

The operators become ambassadors I’m not about to pitch the Axis portfolio to you here and now, but let’s say that our cameras with edge capabilities are perfect sensors in Drishti’s applications, and as such we are Drishti’s exclusive camera provider. We will talk more about specific solutions in an upcoming article, backing it up with more customer experiences as well as application and business insights.

But surely, the operators can’t like all this, feeling watched over and controlled?

No, as a matter of fact, it turns out that this is not the case. On the contrary, according to Drishti’s surveys, the operators often become ambassadors for the model, which is probably not surprising when you think about it. It brings an element of objectivity and is a way for them to prove their worth in a world that is getting increasingly digital and automated. The collected data can also form a solid foundation for training and future competence upskilling, benefitting both the operators and the company.

But of course, using Drishti’s services, it is crucial to guarantee GDPR compliance and operator privacy in the video streams. So, it is a primary customer concern. Here, Drishti got help from a partner – yes, you guessed it – where the installed cameras carry privacy-masking software. This solution operates in realtime and without affecting the quality or functionality of the video footage.

Massive amount of data As you can imagine, Drishti’s services amass vast amounts of bytes. All these hundreds of thousands of hours of video and data need to be streamed, analyzed, and stored. In the upcoming article, we will discuss how Axis compression technology keeps these enormous data volumes manageable.

I’m looking forward to describing in more detail how these solutions work and how Axis solutions help make Drishti’s services improve productivity and quality in manual assembly production. So please keep your eyes open because I’m sure that it will be interesting. Especially if you are working with lean processes in the manufacturing industry and manual assembly is a vital part of your operation.

Read more on Drishti's website: drishti.com/resources/state-ofhuman-factory-analytics/

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AXIS SITE DESIGNER

Helping Axis partners design, specify and install dedicated security solutions Axis account manager, Sean Mcnaboe, explains more about AXIS Site Designer, a web application that helped two partners transform the way they do business and win projects.

Designing and specifying a physical security solution for a site can be a highly complex process and partners report that it can be difficult to demonstrate the precise functionality of Axis’ security technologies in fine detail. Accurately illustrating how solutions will operate at sites of varying size, or how they might impact existing infrastructure can be challenging. As evolving threats demand more advanced security in response, it has become increasingly important to help Axis partners get the most out of the solutions on offer while accurately promoting their benefits to the customer.

AXIS Site Designer is a powerful web application that is ideally suited to designing surveillance systems featuring Axis’ end-to-end products as well as those from selected third party VMS partners.

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The intuitive web application has great capabilities to help streamline design workflow; simplify the demonstration of security products and accessories; calculate exact camera angles for maximum visibility; share site notes with installers; automatically generate a quotation; and change items in the bill of materials within minutes. AXIS Site Designer has the potential to vastly improve the service that partners can offer to their customers.

Close partner collaboration Axis worked closely with two partners to better understand the design and specification challenges they were facing on a day-to-day basis. Southern Fire and Security offers the complete package when it comes to security, with an extensive knowledge base covering alarm systems, surveillance cameras, door entry systems and manned security.

Acctive Systems is a leading integrator of electronic security systems, providing design, installation, integration, maintenance and consultancy services covering a range of security solutions.

Steve Wilson, Director, Southern Fire and Security, found that when securing larger properties that involve consideration to be given to the building as well as any vulnerabilities around its grounds, a solution was desperately needed to help visualise how any security system would operate across the entire estate. Gerry Numa, Chief Technical Officer, Acctive Systems, wanted something to help bring designs to life and to offer full flexibility to add and change solutions as required.

This would allow systems large or small to be specified to the finest detail.

AXIS SITE DESIGNER

"We consider Axis one of the top security brands so the decision to work with them was easy, AXIS Site Designer is not complicated. It allows professional systems to be accurately designed and even produces detailed inventories, providing a real ‘wow factor’ for clients and prospects.

I’m confident that it has significantly contributed to us winning new customers.”

Gerry Numa, Chief Technical Officer, Acctive Systems

A high-quality professional solution Both Southern Fire and Security and Acctive Systems have found AXIS Site Designer to be a force multiplier because of its ability to provide detail down to a granular level in their solution designs, while high-quality, detailed inventories demonstrate a level of professionalism to prospects and clients. The application makes it extremely fast and easy to make design recommendations, adding and changing solutions to meet customer demand.

For end-to-end systems using AXIS Camera Station, AXIS Site Designer can distribute the camera settings automatically to quickly get the system up and running. Both partners are finding that its capabilities are having a positive impact, significantly reducing design time and aiding new business acquisitions and upcoming projects.

Creating the right system to fit the exact operational requirements and needs of a client becomes simple with an intuitive maps feature, allowing floor plans of any site to be imported into the application.

reach out to their dedicated account manager to find out more about the support that Axis can offer, including free one-to-one training.

Read our case study with Southern Fire & Security and Acctive Systems to learn more: www.axis.com/en-gb/customerstory/site-designer

Cameras can be virtually positioned, and their coverage visually demonstrated. This also helps to identify potential issues, such as blind spots affecting the field of view, before the solution is physically implemented.

AXIS Site Designer represents cost savings through its ability to improve the accuracy of design, specification and installation. Steve and Gerry have found AXIS Site Designer to be a powerful and versatile tool that helps them meet, and exceed, customer requirements.

Axis would like to help other partners increase their knowledge of the full functionality of AXIS Site Designer.

Interested partner businesses should

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THE UK PROTECT DUTY

Taking appropriate measures to secure publicly accessible locations Steve Kenny, Axis Communications, looks at how physical security technology can be used to better protect the public realm in line with the proposed UK Protect Duty.

The UK Protect Duty*, also known to many as ‘Martyn’s Law’, refers to a new piece of proposed legislation which concerns the protective measures that should be considered to make the public safer at publicly accessible locations.

Currently, owners of such spaces, including stadiums, gyms, music venues and multi-use buildings with public realm areas, have no obligation to act on advice from specialist counter-terrorism officers or on how to reduce the risk of a terror attack.

The proposed new legislation follows the tireless campaigning by the mother of Martyn Hett as a direct response to the UK Manchester Arena bombing of 2017. The new duty will require owners and operators to carefully consider the range of potential threats, relative to their business, and to take reasonable

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practical security measures, including the implementation of relevant technologies, to mitigate these threats.

This looks set to spark a change in the culture around such events and will most certainly lead to a significant change in how they are secured. When considering physical security requirements, many existing security provisions are uncoordinated and unregulated. Clearly this needs to change, with greater clarity around the responsibility of businesses to protect their spaces, and a drive towards the implementation of security technologies that meet the highest standards of protection.

A 3-phase approach for better protection of public spaces It is imperative that everyone involved knows their responsibilities in guarding against a potential attack. And it is

here that technology can help operators before an attack, to detect anomalous behaviours leading up to an event; during an attack, to monitor and control, by watching people and managing their movements such as guiding the public to safe zones; and post attack, to review, through incident analysis after the event.

Thorough training is crucial to ensure that staff know how to spot the warning signs and are fully aware of the importance of acting on any report of suspicious or unusual activity at, or near, the site. Behavioural analytics integrated within network cameras can support teams in the build-up, or detect phase, delivering an alert via mobile device to security teams the moment anomalous activity is detected. In such cases, seconds saves lives and earlier detection enables preventative measures to be taken sooner.

THE UK PROTECT DUTY

Network speakers can also sound an alert or deliver pre-recorded messaging, triggered by surveillance data, to warn against loitering or attempting access into off-limits areas.

During an attack, in the monitor and control phase, on-site network cameras can monitor an incident as it unfolds, with on-camera analytics capable of identifying explosions, gun shots and breaking glass, providing early warning and a more accurate indicator of the nature of the evolving incident.

Security teams, supplied with accurate intelligence, can then make split-second decisions which could save many lives.

This may include, for example, triggering an automated sequence of security responses delivered through the building management system to better control the movement of people, safely evacuating them from a location using safe zones and placing other areas into lockdown.

Edge-based processing capabilities will also allow video data to be packaged and sent to an alarm receiving centre (ARC), or the emergency services for immediate review. This brings Command and Control teams swiftly up to speed on the situation unravelling on the ground.

Furthermore, this intelligence gathering can be complemented with the use of body worn cameras by incident response teams (IRTs) that combine the latest modern network camera technology in a high-quality, wearable solution.

These cameras should be considered an extension to any fixed security system, complementing existing network surveillance cameras by covering any blind spots in the field of view, such as a person wearing a hat that might shroud the face from a fixed camera. They provide an individual perspective of any situation, with forensic video captured at the point at which an incident occurs, to collect evidence where and when it’s needed. Also, the presence of personnel wearing body worn cameras can serve as a visual deterrent to potential attackers.

In the post attack review phase, video from fixed and body worn cameras, access control data gathered at entrance and exit points, and incident response documentation can help build up a picture of the type of attack, how it unfolded and its characteristics to improve knowledge and understanding.

This is the type of evidence that can help the police identify the perpetrators of crime more quickly; having rapid access to recorded video is essential while still applying the rigorous requirements of the GDPR and encryption that makes such evidence safe for use in court proceedings. Reviewing data to identify points of failure and staff responses will, in addition, prove invaluable for training purposes to increase organisational preparedness for future threats.

Establishing such partnerships can lead to a much more resilient security strategy. Through implementation of a scalable, future-proof security solution, the managers and operators of events and open spaces can feel confident that they are taking all the necessary steps to mitigate threat to create and maintain safer, more secure public spaces.

To learn more about Axis’ solutions for the protection of public spaces, visit: www.axis.com/solutions/ stadiums-and-venues www.axis.com/solutions/sounddetection

Cyber-secure solutions and trusted partnerships Though attacks on a site might be thought of as being only physical in nature, in reality, a combination of cyber and physical attack might be the modus operandi of terrorists to deliver maximum disruption with catastrophic results.

A security system is only as strong as its weakest link and it’s imperative that these systems are not left open to cyber attack, in turn, compromising the physical security of a public space or multiple spaces. A cyber attack might be used purely to distract and disorientate a business which, while focused on restoring IT systems, are unprepared for the physical attack which follows. It is therefore imperative that the physical security technologies employed can offer comprehensive site protection while guarding against cyber vulnerabilities.

The management of risk and mitigation of threats extends to the forging of trusted relationships with partners and vendors, whereby trusted partnerships formed with reliable vendors of highquality security systems, is the best line of defence.

*www.gov.uk/government/consultations/protect-duty

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BODY WORN USE IN RETAIL

How can body worn cameras help to deter violence and intimidation in retail?

Axis’ Graham Swallow discusses the use of body worn cameras as part of a holistic approach to deter escalating violence and intimidation in retail.

Surveillance cameras, access control mechanisms and network audio systems all play a key role in modern retail. Together, they help create an environment that is safer by virtue of evidence potentially leading to criminal capture and prosecution, and by the presence of such systems serving to deter unacceptable behaviour and criminal acts. However, violence, abuse and antisocial behaviour are still on the increase.

Every day over 400 retail staff are attacked, threatened or abused at work.

Over 150,000 instances were reported in 2019 and this number has increased, representing a growing concern.

According to Co-op, such behaviour has become ‘normalised’ and been allowed to spiral to unprecedented levels during the COVID-19 pandemic. Retail associations are joining forces to lobby government to change the law and make violence against shopworkers a more serious crime

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with better police powers to address it, which will make a huge difference.

However, this won’t be enough on its own as there will always be situations where evidence is disputed. For this reason, more and more retailers are looking for a solution that will help them address criminal behaviour at the point at which it occurs, empowering staff and making them feel more secure. This is where body worn camera technology comes to the fore, capturing evidence from the first-person perspective.

Deterring ‘flashpoints’ and improving retail security The global body worn camera market is growing rapidly. Though commonly used by law enforcement and private security companies, body worn is increasingly seeing wider application across a range of industries. Beyond retail, where it is becoming more commonplace, it is making a difference within healthcare,

on public transport and within many public service roles. Body worn cameras combine the latest modern network camera technology in a high-quality, wearable solution that can capture video and audio on the move. This technology has obvious benefits wherever the management of people and protection of property is a key focus.

Within a retail store environment, security and operations teams regularly deal with any number of security-related issues, ranging from theft to violence and aggression against staff or other customers. Body worn cameras can help teams capture vital evidence that can aid in the management of ‘flashpoint’ situations; those that are more likely to turn volatile, such as managing complaints, prolonged queuing and customer service areas.

BODY WORN USE IN RETAIL In addition, any situation where the retailer has a legal obligation to ask questions, for example, to ensure compliance with the law when selling age-related and situation-controlled products, such as alcohol, tobacco or certain medication, has potential to turn volatile. Here, the presence of body worn technology can actually help deter aggression, making people think twice before engaging in anti-social behaviour towards store staff.

Body worn cameras are one component in an overarching security solution, providing situational awareness after the fact. This is the type of evidence that can help the police identify the perpetrators of crime more quickly; having rapid access to recorded video is essential while still applying the rigorous requirements of the GDPR and encryption that makes such evidence safe for use in court proceedings.

Health and safety benefits Body worn camera technology can also play an important role in health and safety within the retail environment.

First Aid operatives, equipped with a body worn camera can capture accurate evidence from the scene of any incident.

This could be of great benefit to emergency services personnel who can receive an eye-witness account backed with video evidence if required. Builtin fall detection capabilities provide automatic recording in the event of an incident that might cause the operative to lose footing and place them at risk.

Access to up to 90 seconds of buffered memory, allows retrieval of video from before recording was initiated, helping to establish the cause of the fall and providing valuable hindsight that may help to evidence an assault or defend against a claim, while enabling the business to learn from each scenario.

De-escalation techniques and training For everyday shoppers, the presence of body worn cameras has very little impact on their experience except where it improves store safety. But, to the perpetrator of violence and intimidation, the camera represents a risk of being captured and brought to justice for their behaviour. Organisations should therefore consider what training will need to be put in place. De-escalation techniques and the use of appropriate language

and clear policies on how to deal with inappropriate behaviour are valuable, if not essential, to keep shop workers safe and out of harm’s way.

Rather than utilising the technology to simply document a crime or assault, it’s generally agreed that it is far better to prevent it from happening in the first place. Training should also cover where and when an operative should push the record button, helping to document accurate evidence and insight that maximises the capabilities of the technology.

Innovating for a safer future in retail The Axis body worn camera will operate on a single battery for over 12 hours, covering operatives for an entire shift without having to worry about recharging or swapping batteries, just when you need the device to be recording. The devices are highly secure so that video footage cannot be tampered with, presenting unbiased evidence of any incident and the actions of all parties involved.

Secure connectivity enables video to be presented in encrypted form to police or any legal entity. A smart phone app allows recorded data about an incident to be retrieved quickly and securely for forensic review without returning to base. Understandably, there are concerns around how body worn cameras, or any other type of surveillance camera, might impact on customer privacy, so processes such as face redaction and masking can be enabled to remove or obscure the identity of bystanders before footage of any incident is used for legal proceedings or training.

The presence of body worn technology can be a powerful deterrent against criminal activity and aggression while making the consumer feel at ease and the wearer of the camera more confident in their role. Any technology that has the potential to reduce violence towards shopkeepers and retail staff, while supporting in the struggle against rising crime, is a great example of innovation for a smarter, safer world.

Learn more at this on demand webinar: https://bit.ly/3h8f6ll

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25TH ANNIVERSARY

Carl-Axel Alm, Senior Expert Enginer and Martin Gren, Co-founder of Axis

Changing the face of surveillance: The brains behind the first network camera 25 years ago, at a trade show in the US called the Networld+Interop show, the small print server company Axis Communications launched AXIS Neteye 200, the world's first network camera.

This is the story behind this invention.

There’s no proven formula to success.

But on a closer look, great inventions and innovation have a few things in common: Enthusiastic and engaged people with an idea, an incentive and good timing. These factors were also the base for the invention of the first Axis network camera. And it all started with a journey to Japan…

Time travel to the beginning of a revolutionary idea Let’s jump back to a day in the early ‘90s when the seed to a great idea was planted: Martin Gren, the co-founder of Axis, was on a business trip in Tokyo to meet potential customers. One of them turned out to have an inventory of analog cameras that were rather difficult, if not impossible to sell. Knowing that Axis had experimented with technology that made networks smarter, he asked Martin if it was possible to attach them to a network.

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Martin Gren saw the potential and the idea started to sprout. What he didn’t know then was that an Axis engineer named Carl-Axel Alm, was in the process of developing a prototype of a network video conference system. When Martin came back from Japan with his new idea and saw what his colleague was working on, he realized that they weren’t far away from turning this from an idea into reality. But instead of using the technology for a video conference system, a sector where he didn’t see Axis doing business in the future, Martin suggested using the new hardware to create a network camera.

When talking about the realization of a network video camera that receives control data and submits the recorded images via the internet, it is important to remember that this whole development process happened before the world wide web was commonly known.

It was mainly used by network engineers and specialists. The team, therefore, had to build the product in line with the technology that was available at the time. Looking back at the situation at the time, Carl-Axel explains: “If you had a really nice boss, maybe you had a modem and a 200 MHz computer."

"The performance was slow, only one frame every 17 seconds (or 3 frames per minute). So the products we did were in line with the available technology at the time,” explains Carl-Axel, and Martin adds: “We built the product only because we could, not because we saw a market for it.”

Finally, on September 17, 1996, in Atlanta, just after the Olympic games, the hard work came to fruition in the form of the first-ever launch of a network camera: “NetEye”, AXIS 200 Network Camera.

25TH ANNIVERSARY So who was the first customer? “We had an indirect business model, but we did get tech support calls and end user leads.

One such was from Steve Wozniak, the other founder of Apple, who gave us the first support call. It turned out he had a bunch of AXIS 200 cameras,” says Martin.

Steve Wozniak, Co-founder of Apple with Martin Gren

Realizations and impressions Many big, new inventions are misunderstood, and the first network camera faced the same challenge.

“I had two moments that helped me realized we were onto something great.

The first time was, when we visited the IFSEC tradeshow in England in the spring of 1996 before AXIS 200 was launched and we saw that everything was analog.

Either the industry would remain analog, or we were onto something big. The second time was at the same tradeshow in 1998 when we showcased the camera and it became clear that people underestimated us. They thought that we were into cheap webcams and on the wrong tradeshow,” says Martin.

Selling the first cameras and the birth of the ARTPEC chipset “When we first started working on AXIS 200, we did it because we could, not because of market requirements.

But as soon as we went to the security shows, such as Ifsec, we realized that the existing technology was outdated (as it was mainly analog) and so was the business model of the video surveillance industry,” explains Martin.

At the time, it was a common business model that companies would leave it to manufacturer reps to sell the products directly to the integrators and end-users.

Unlike many other companies, Axis had a legacy of being an IT company with a very strict two-tier model, which meant that the company only sold its products to distributors who then sold them to integrators. There were no exceptions.

Since network cameras required an ecosystem of software, servers, switches and routers, the old model was not applicable and most important, the two-tier business model was a lot more scalable.

Axis started to get more and more deals which made the team confident that they were onto something big. Hence, they decided to invest in the industry’s first dedicated chip for network cameras, the ARTPEC-1 which stands for Axis Real Time Picture Encoding Chip.

The ARTPEC name was made up by one of the employees in the Axis marketing department in Boston.

“The investment in the first ARTPEC chip was so significant that, if we hadn’t succeeded, it could have cost us the company. We realised what a great opportunity this would be and continued the development in order to bring the company forward,” says Martin.

Axis didn’t have to wait long for the reward for this decision: The ARTPEC built the base for the camera business to grow at a very high pace as the cameras were now suitedfor proper video surveillance.

The result was an increasing monetary outcome.

"This led to a funny story a little further on in the process, when the camera was already on the market,” says Martin, “One of our tech support guys, Kettil, got a call from a customer who had an AXIS 200 installed at a ski slope, and the camera didn’t work. At the time, we had some challenges finding a proper enclosure for the camera, as Carl-Axel mentioned.

Kettil asked the customer how cold it was, at which the customer told him that it was minus 22 degrees Celsius!

Kettil asked what kind of enclosure he was using. The customer answered: ‘Enclosure? What enclosure?’ ‘Well… you must have an enclosure if you’re going to have the camera outside…’.”

The story behind the first design Moreover, it was the unusual design of the camera that attracted attention as it was not brick-shaped, like all the other cameras back then. This rather odd design had a few side effects.

“It actually had the worst and the best form at the time. The best form, because it ended up on the front page of

The first sketch of AXIS 200, visualizing the unusual non-brick-shaped design.

many computer magazines as it looked so different. The worst form, because we had such problems finding a casing that matched the camera,” explains Carl-Axel.

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25TH ANNIVERSARY

The obstacles of “NetEye” So far, it sounds like a very smooth journey, but like many great inventions, the team had to face a few obstacles as well. Some were rather small, for example when they learned that registering a second trademark for their internal product name “NetEye” would be too expensive, which is why they stuck with AXIS 200. But the team wouldn’t let themselves be put off by some difficulties.

“Quitting was never an option for us.

The most important thing was that our division was separated from the rest of Axis, which gave us freedom and space to elaborate with new ideas. I think, otherwise we would have never come that far,” said Martin.

“I agree,” adds Carl-Axel, “We were a core team of 8-10 people who ran the camera division completely separated from the rest of Axis. We were able to try and learn from our mistakes. But at the same time, it was very practical to have the support from the rest of the company in our back through functions like purchase, sales and finance.”

That realization of using a web browser as a way to view the camera footage was a true game changer!

The mentioned issues hadn’t included the management so far, which needed to be convinced of a product that didn’t exist at all in the nineties. There were inventions before, but they were mainly extensions or improvements of already existing products and therefore easier to promote – to customers and the management.

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“I was presenting to the Axis board of directors and tried to show them that we were onto something big. I mean, that realization of using a web browser as a way to view the camera footage was a true game changer! This turned later into a web-server with live pictures. In the end, my deal with Mikael Karlsson and the board was to sell 10,000 units within two years. After those two years, we had reached 14,000. I think that’s quite good considering it was something completely new,” says Martin.

The numbers spoke for themselves and Martin Gren got his camera business unit.

It was the beginning of a new era for Axis.

A small camera for Axis, a giant leap for video surveillance Fortunately, Martin and Carl-Axel didn’t let these challenges keep them from developing AXIS 200. A device that was the cornerstone to a smarter and safer world through network solutions, which now include network video surveillance, data analytics, access control and audio systems.

It is impressive to see how two ideas can merge and spawn a device like AXIS 200 that changed the landscape of the surveillance market forever.

Nobody, not even the developer themselves could have ever dreamt of where this would lead twenty-three years later: The network camera was not only the stepping stone for new technology but also the base for many interesting and complex use cases.

When you’re listening to the two inventors, it becomes clear that they love what they’re doing.

“I have been at Axis for over 25 years and have seen the thermal cameras, the modular cameras and radar come to life.

I still have the same role as developer engineer, since I’m a bit of a crazy inventor like ‘Gyro Gearloose’. Developing new, fun things drives me. Things that can be sold in great volumes. I don’t like developing products that just become a craze. Something that turns out to be good and that customers like,” says CarlAxel with a smile.

BROADCAST SOLUTION

Newlyweds say ‘we do’ using Axis livestream solution to broadcast ceremony Friends and family from around the world witness unique wedding on social media in high-definition using AXIS V59 PTZ Network Camera due to COVID-19-restricted access.

A couple from Cheshire, whose wedding ceremony had to be repeatedly rescheduled in 2020 due to coronavirus restrictions, finally tied the knot at the fourth time of trying with a helping hand from Axis.

Deciding instead on a more intimate affair to stay within the 30-guest limit, but also mindful of others not missing out, the couple opted to livestream the proceedings in HD 1080p simultaneously on Facebook and YouTube using an AXIS V59 Network Camera with the Camstreamer app to include over 100 friends and family around the world.

The bride, Bethanne Seddon (nee Pugh), is no stranger to IP camera technology being the UK Sales Lead at NW Security Group, a trusted and valued Axis Gold Partner for 15 years. Beth commented, “Working within the IP video industry for many years, I have seen first-hand the benefits that video can offer to not only security and business intelligence applications, but also to a much wider range of scenarios. At NW Security Group, we offer a broad range of highperformance streaming solutions onboard Axis cameras, so when it came to looking for a set up that would allow my guests from near and far to be a part of our day remotely, it was a no brainer that Axis technology could help!”

AXIS V59 PTZ Network Camera Series provides both wide-area coverage and great detail in broadcast-quality (up to 4K) within a single camera. The versatile cameras are equipped with a variety of intelligent features and can move between pre-set positions and zoom in automatically in response to detected events. They can also be easily integrated into a system with other cameras.

they loved how the camera was able to follow us from the altar across to the registry signing. I was also particularly impressed with the audio clarity, as the music playing through the church audio system as well as the wedding service itself could be heard clearly with very little noise pollution. I am so thankful to both my team at NW Security Group and Axis for making the livestream possible!”

Beth concludes, “Our guests were overjoyed to be able to see us as if they were a part of our congregation. We have had some lovely comments saying how fantastic the image quality was, and that

Learn more: www.axis.com/products/axisv59-series NW Security Group: www.nwsystemsgroup.com

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SUSTAINABILITY

Peter D

em ps ey

A flourishing social enterprise to create new forests and save the planet Cloudforests CEO, Bernard Pender, interviewed by Peter Dempsey from Axis, explains the genesis of a major project in sustainability and regrowth in Ireland, and how Axis technologies are helping to create a greener tomorrow. fly tipping, trespassing and the crops in nearby fields being damaged or stolen.

Two years ago, we were again working in the forestry sector, and decided to use our extensive experience and knowledge to develop our own site.

Cloudforests CEO, Bernard Pender

How did the Cloudforests project begin?

My earlier work with a video surveillance company involved a project in which surveillance cameras were installed in sections of forest to safeguard against

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Climate change has now become such a major concern, and this spurred us on to use our own reserves to create Cloudforests, a social enterprise focused on climate change and environmental protection. We source the land, plant trees, and look at ways to enhance the biodiversity of the site, purely for the benefit of the planet. We have a clear mission to help save the planet with our simple plan to create one hundred Cloudforests along Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way.

Where does Axis fit in, and how has its technology helped achieve your goals?

Following our previous experience working to secure forest sites with the aid of video camera technology, we now wanted to take this up a notch; being able to protect the land but also to capture the beauty of the natural surroundings and share this with a much wider audience. From the moment the first tree was planted back in October 2020, we have been capturing timelapse video of the sites using Axis 4K cameras.

Axis products are always manufactured to an exceptionally high standard and were the ideal choice to withstand harsh conditions in rugged environments.

SUSTAINABILITY Axis’ stance on sustainability built on a foundation of ethical practices, plus its proven expertise in the field, makes it an ideal partner for the Cloudforests project.

Are there challenges associated with running the technology in such a remote location?

Axis technology and the possibilities of mobile have developed to such an extent now that the connectivity at our sites works perfectly for our requirements.

AXIS Zipstream lets us send compressed video over 4G from a completely rural location, lowering the bandwidth without compromising on visual clarity. The versatility and ease of use of the Axis cameras are excellent. They even allow us to incorporate third-party apps so that we can not only use the cameras for timelapse recording, but also live stream to our social channels. This enables guests to visit the sites virtually.

High-quality video imagery allows us to check the progress of trees across all of our sites at any time. We have also incorporated an Axis IP audio solution.

Originally intended purely as a deterrent, IP audio speakers have been used to run music in combination with an evening light show, to stunning effect.

What part can Cloudforests play in working towards a more sustainable future?

From an environmental perspective, just one of our forests covers 12 hectares and can absorb 120 tonnes of carbon per annum. When you consider that a typical family car emits 4.5 tonnes of carbon within this same timeframe, we are removing the emissions of roughly 27 cars per annum. And this is at just one site.

As a social enterprise focused on climate change, we want to use elements of the digital age to help us take direct climate action. We strive to run as a circular economy, eliminating waste and pollution by keeping products and materials in use.

Our sites have started to generate lots of interest from individuals as well as from businesses asking how they could get involved. This prompted us to consider how we could further utilise Axis technology while doing something really worthwhile to add value. We wanted to give something back to the local area and to make our sites more visitor friendly.

Can you explain the Cool Partner initiative?

The Cool Partner programme is so-named because of its potential to help cool the planet through taking a greener, more environmentally-conscious stance.

Businesses that want to become Cool Partners sign up for a three-year period, during which we plant 30 trees and give them all of the related content as a way to support their own green initiatives or demonstrate their credentials around sustainability. What inspires businesses to get involved is that our initiative is not just about putting their name to part of an existing forest; it really does offer them the chance to visit our sites and plant their own trees, making that personal difference to the environment.

Each sponsored area carries a company logo, and live video feeds can be accessed at any time. At the moment we have five partners signed up to our Cool Partner programme, but mounting interest in the project has driven us to source two further forest sites which we are now developing.

What are your future plans?

We want to become a part of the community and will be looking into various initiatives to engage with the public, such as installing bat boxes and bird houses and even enabling small businesses to run from our sites, selling honey or fruit that they have grown on our land.

From a technology perspective, our sites will continue to utilise dedicated, scalable and customisable solutions.

Naturally, we will again turn to Axis to meet our needs as we grow. We are hoping to install AXIS Camera Station VMS to enable complete monitoring of our sites from any location, and want to work to develop our audio intelligence, allowing us to listen in and identify the sounds of the forest, as well as the visuals. This will result in a fully immersive experience, even for those who cannot be there in person.

Learn more: www.cloudforests.ie

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BANKING - VIDEO ANALYTICS

Invest in the future of customer experience with video analytics

By Ian Littell, Axis Communications In today’s ever-changing environment many businesses find themselves working very hard to stay relevant and cost efficient. To support this wider goal, many retailers, from banks and cafés, to supermarkets and shopping malls, are now starting to evaluate the use of video analytics. The use of analytics technology helps to support decision making by providing the relevant facts with realtime data.

Invest in the future with video analytics In the banking sector for example, many businesses are now looking to innovate in this area to improve the customer experience. Analytics can maximize spend and then build on the investments being made for the long-term as well as deliver a quick ROI (Return on Investment).

With the maturity of sophisticated video analytics, network cameras have stepped beyond the traditional sphere of security surveillance and loss prevention and

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into the realm of operational business intelligence.

Below is a list of the most popular video analytics in financial institutions: Cross Line Detection is a tripwire application that detects moving objects which cross a virtual boundary. A branch could use this technology for protecting high-security areas and customers’ interests. The software could be programmed to send an alert to security about an intruder on the premises.

Demographic Identifier generates demographic data about customers as they do their banking. It can determine a person’s gender and approximate age range by detecting and analysing their face. The analytics provide the ability to compare gender and age statistics across branch locations and times of the day.

This helps financial institutions to target marketing efforts and tailor the customer experience.

Facial Capture will capture, index, and catalogue the faces of people entering the branch or using the drive-through teller lanes. Powerful search algorithms enable financial institutions to quickly find the recorded video of individuals of interest to expedite investigations of fraud, robbery or identity theft.

With facial capture analytics, stronger cases can be built to submit to law enforcement, as well as provide better protection of assets by setting alerts for suspects using facial similarity searches.

Sound Detection is a camera-based analytic that provides the ability to detect specific sounds and send alerts. Sound detection could include aggression, car alarms, gunshots, and breaking glass.

BANKING - VIDEO ANALYTICS

The ability to get accurate advanced alerts allows for proactive event analysis by security staff.

License Plate Recognition automatically captures the license plate in real time, compares, or adds it to a pre-defined list, and then takes the appropriate action such as generating an alert. Captured registration plate data can be used to identify motorists at drive-through teller lanes and ATMs, as well as for car parking security. The analytics can also capture additional forensic detail like the make, model, and colour of the vehicle and, in some cases, an image of the driver.

People Counter precisely monitors the flow of customer traffic throughout the day. People counter automatically counts in real-time the number of people passing under a camera and in which direction they are moving.

A branch can use the statistics to determine optimal opening hours and staffing needs. Analysing traffic trends can also help the branch evaluate the impact of advertising and special promotions to draw customers into the premises.

Queue Monitoring is an intelligent analytic that captures real-time statistics about how long customers are waiting in line for teller or management services, tracking the queue duration and queue fluctuations over the course of a day.

By analysing queue data, a financial institution can plan better and utilise staff more cost-effectively. Banks can also set the queue threshold to prompt the opening of a new queue when the number of waiting customers exceeds the limit. This decreases customer wait time and creates a more positive customer service experience.

Loitering Detection can be used to detect people that enter a specific area and send an alert if they remain in that area for a predetermined amount of time. For ATM vestibules, this can help to prevent people from hanging out in these areas creating a potentially unsafe or undesirable environment for customers.

Download our ebrochure to learn more: www.axis-communications.com/ Branch_Transformation_E_Book

Social distancing today.

Enhanced security tomorrow.

Dependable technology for a changing world.

Visit www.axis.com/banking

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AUTONOMOUS RETAIL

The smarter future of autonomous retail

By Graham Swallow, Axis Communications

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While the foundation of autonomous retail has been built up over the past few years, it is only now that retailers are beginning to fully experiment with the technology. Indeed, a small number of businesses have already forged ahead, including Amazon with the expansion of its Amazon Go chain and related app now seeing a rollout across US and UK. This acceleration in the growth of unmanned retail stores has, in part, been boosted by the COVID-19 pandemic and a demand for a more contactless, socially-distanced shopping experience.

This is where physical security technologies can play a significant role in protecting a site while supporting operation.

Many retailers are now exploring such solutions as a way to streamline their services and simplify store operations while reducing overheads. Of course, the security of unmanned sites is a concern, with many retailers eager to embrace such a design, but wary about the prospect of leaving a store unguarded.

These cameras are monitored and operated remotely from a central control room, offering management full visibility of operations, regardless of the number of stores. Recorded video material can be processed and passed to authorities when necessary, in accordance with applicable laws.

A digital solution to optimise security, improve service and boost profits A flexible, comprehensive solution which improves security and access at its stores helps to make the autonomous retail vision a reality. Network cameras can be employed to monitor entrance points and sales areas, including checkout terminals.

Access control mechanisms at entrance and exit points enable smooth, touchfree access to customers, while IP audio speakers can enable ambient music to create a relaxed in-store atmosphere, while also offering the ability to play alerts or voice messages as required.

As autonomous stores do not require staff to be present and can be accessible 24/7, this serves to improve customer experience and loyalty, and ultimately increases sales. In fact, utilising data from the access control system, management can configure lights to turn on/off and ambient music to power-down when the last person leaves the shop, to be reactivated the next time someone enters the premises. This approach can conserve energy, leading to cost savings.

Designing a future-proof solution In-store physical security technology should be reliable and of a high quality, without compromising customer experience.

AUTONOMOUS RETAIL

Axis’ own solutions in this field, which have now been successfully rolled out across a chain of independent confectionery stores in Europe, comprising AXIS A1001 Network Door Controllers, AXIS P3245-V Network Cameras, and AXIS C1004-E Network Cabinet Speakers, together with a cloudbased video management system (VMS), Milestone XProtect® Professional+, from Milestone Systems.

At access points a solution from Entryfy has been incorporated to check for positive authentication, scanning a QR code using a mobile phone and identifying customers via mobile BankID. The threat of vandalism is greatly limited if everyone entering the shop can be identified in advance, meaning that only those who want to legitimately use the services will go through the identification process.

Through adherence to open standards, Axis’ solutions allow third-party devices and software to be added as required, meaning that the system is easily scalable to meet ongoing business requirements, without being limited by the technology or being tied-in to any particular set-up or vendor.

Read more: Axis Partner Entryfy: https://entryfy.com Crazy Candy customer story: www.axis.com/customer-story/ digital-solution-unmanned-store

As more businesses launch their own unmanned stores, the benefits of such technology to streamline and improve every aspect of their operations becomes ever clearer. A comprehensive solution from a trusted security provider can bring complete peace of mind while offering additional benefits to support the retail business as it emerges from lockdown measures and seeks a secure future.

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CUSTOMER STORY

The network cameras that are music to our ears In 2020, when we probably needed it the most, the whole entertainment industry practically shut down. COVID-19 hit the music scene extremely hard. With lockdown and attendance restrictions, there was simply no room for live music.

However, desperate times call for ingenious initiatives. Not everyone was satisfied to wait to see what would happen. All around the world, people were finding new ways to record and perform and getting their music out to an audience.

Malmö Live, the concert hall in Sweden’s third-largest city and home of Malmö Symphony Orchestra (MSO), is a prime example. Starting in March 2020, concerts were canceled or rescheduled.

Despite the new, totally unforeseen playing field, Malmö Live’s management acted fast.

They considered what it would take to live-stream concerts – to build a Digital Concert Hall. Of course, you could assign an external professional producer, but this is an expensive solution which would limit the number of concerts. Malmö Live is publicly funded, and its function is to arrange concerts, classical music, and other genres, catering to existing and new target groups within and beyond the region.

New application for surveillance cameras It was pretty clear that the weekly, full-scale symphony orchestra concerts required an external producer. These productions were just too advanced to produce in-house. But would it be possible to stream the smaller-format concerts, such as chamber orchestras and jazz ensembles? To get these concerts out to an audience stuck at home.

The Malmö Live IT and tech team got just a couple of days to evaluate the situation and report back to management. Without many precedents to learn from. As luck would have it, Malmö Live had previously initiated a project focusing on digital concert solutions. This project had already provided the concert hall with several Axis network cameras.

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“We had these cameras, which got us thinking,” says Anders Tannlund, head of IT at Malmö Live. “The first step was to check if we were allowed to use them in this new way. We contacted Axis and got the go-ahead.”

Strong commitment saved the day The obvious second step turned out to be trickier – how to do it. How do you use cameras typically used for surveillance to broadcast live music? Anders says, “We took what we had and made do with that as best we could.”

With just a few days’ advance, the tech team broadcasted the first live stream using the Axis cameras and in-house equipment in April. Looking back, Anders says, “We dove right in. We didn’t have the technical experience, but the entire tech team got involved. The first two concerts were a bit touch and go. Sure, there were some technical issues, such as lagging. The production could also have been smoother and more professional, but we saw that it could work, and we learned a lot from it.”

CUSTOMER STORY

Continuously improving the equipment A crucial step was to invest in a new computer better suited to the task.

There were also investments in hardware and peripheral equipment to up the production quality. Today, the system is based around vMix live video streaming software and new AXIS V5925 HDTV 1080p PTZ (pan–tilt–zoom) network cameras.

During an average production, three persons handle the camera feeds from the concert room in the control room.

They are in constant contact over intercoms with the producer, who sits in an adjoining room, deciding what is streamed to the viewers. In the concert room, there is a sound engineer and a lighting technician.

The quality of the productions has improved steadily over time. With some 30 live streams as well as pre-recorded and edited videos, the team’s selfconfidence has improved significantly.

“Every aspect of the productions is so much better today,” Anders says.

Attracting a worldwide audience Looking at the number of viewers, Malmö Live’s Digital Concert Hall has been a success. Counting both in-house and external productions, there have been some 675,000 views. Interestingly, for a primarily regional concert hall, there have been viewers from across the world. And the word has spread. Other players in the same situation have approached Malmö Live, curious about how they can start their own digital productions.

Clearly, without the technical team’s total commitment and enthusiasm, it wouldn’t have worked. The work has often been stressful but also provided a positive challenge. And it has built excellent team spirit.

Mattias Tufvesson, Technical Director, says, “You often wish that you could control the cameras more creatively and have more time for pre-production. You want to improve the quality even further.

But most of all, it’s been incredibly fun.

And it still is. We’ve rotated, so everybody has had a chance to try their hands on the different tasks. We’re still on our learning curve but have certainly come a long way.”

Axis cameras enabled a quick switchover Malmö Live’s Digital Concert Hall has also meant significant changes for the musicians.

"Initially, it was a bit overwhelming, but the audience was our focus from the start.

With our sheer range of music styles and formats, from one solo pianist to maybe 100 musicians, we need different digital set-ups.

Having the Axis cameras, we got a quick start and could go ahead with many of the planned concert.”

MSO Orchestra Manager Björn Lovén

Nothing has been decided yet, but the Digital Concert Hall at Malmö Live will likely continue in some form in the postpandemic future. “The digital format can never substitute live concerts, the feeling of being present in the hall when the music is created,” Anders says.

Listen to live concerts: https://malmolive.se/en/ digitalconcerthall

Björn says that the orchestra and the musicians are grateful for the fast switchover. They have been able to perform continuously despite the dire situation. “Professional musicians are like athletes,” he says. “They need to perform, not only practice. That said, it can feel strange to perform in front of an empty concert room.”

The right partner crucial for success Every cloud has a silver lining, as they say. For Malmö Live, the one positive thing about COVID-19 is that they have managed to establish a digital concert hall that complements the physical concert hall. “We have seen what you can achieve if you work with the right partners,” Björn says. “And we will keep that in mind going forward.”

"The Axis camera set-up can provide an extra layer to the live concerts. For example, we’ve seen that we have reached people that for geographical or other reasons can’t attend the live concerts.”

Anders Tannlund Head of IT, Malmö Live

AXIS V5925 PTZ Network Camera AXIS V5925 combines excellent image quality with smooth PTZ control and broadcastquality audio for professional webcasting.

It’s compatible with VISCA joysticks and VISCA over IP, making it easy to integrate with your existing AV installations. > HDTV 1080p at 60 fps and 30x zoom > High-quality audio with XLR inputs > 3G-SDI and HDMI outputs

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CUSTOMER STORY

Increased security and better quality of life for care recipients through technology Better care provision and enhanced quality of life for old people and others in need of care in Grimstad municipality, thanks to a digital solution from Axis and Tellu.

For old people and others in need of care, the nights can be cause for concern with the risk of falling and other types of accidents and incidents. Some have sleep problems and get up for a walk at night. A bad night's sleep affects their attention, appetite, and well-being the next day.

Grimstad municipality, located on the south coast of Norway, wanted to ensure that municipality residents could receive supervision and care when they needed it. The goal was that even people with a great need of healthcare and care could also stay at home for as long as possible, and, at the same time, be safe both during the day and at night, but without being disturbed unnecessarily.

It was primarily a question of patients who are older, have a disability, suffer from dementia and cannot tell day from night, are prone to falling, or generally feel insecure and are dependent on home care services and healthcare.

"Grimstad municipality has made a comprehensive investment in healthcare technology, and wanted to develop it further," says Atle Werner Arntsen, welfare technologist at Grimstad municipality.

Care recipients previously had an alarm solution with sensors but without a camera. There was then the possibility that staff would react to events and visit care recipients unnecessarily, even though they were not in any need of healthcare. One example is when sensors triggered an alarm if a patient got out of bed, but on arrival staff found that the patient was back in bed and sleeping soundly. Grimstad wanted to reduce this type of false alarm.

In addition, it was a difficult work situation for the healthcare personnel who worked in the geographically vast municipality, and Grimstad wanted to improve the work environment for the healthcare personnel.

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Only initial scepticism Grimstad municipality needed a reliable and secure solution, which would be dependable and easy to manage for the healthcare personnel. The municipality faced three main challenges. The first was the concern of some patients who considered video cameras to be an invasion of privacy. The second challenge was that health personnel were concerned that a technical solution would be used to monitor patients.

Initially, many employees and patients were sceptical, because they felt that a camera solution would risk intruding on personal privacy.

"It was important to demonstrate that there was no one sitting and monitoring the patients all day long, but only checking the images when a sensor activated an alarm, or at a certain time.

Once they had seen all of the benefits, such as that people could stay at home longer and have a better quality of life, everyone became positive," says Atle Werner Arntsen.

"If you compare it to the risk of having a stranger barging straight into your flat in the middle of the night – which is the greatest invasion of privacy?" asks Tanja Fredensborg, a nurse at Grimstad municipality, rhetorically.

A third challenge was that employees and patients initially felt insecure when operating the technology. Prior to installation, Grimstad municipality organised extensive training and

information sessions to demonstrate to staff and care recipients how the solution worked. The municipality developed thorough procedures for using the cameras – in order to ensure safe and reliable use that would respect and safeguard personal privacy.

"When the staff understood how the solution would be used, they thought, "that's not so dangerous," said Atle Werner Arntsen.

Reliable intelligent overall solution First of all, the consent of the patients was sought. After that, an integrated solution was installed at the homes of those in need of healthcare, consisting of AXIS P3245-LV and AXIS M1065 network cameras, with AXIS Fence Guard and AXIS Video Motion Detection, as well as the Digital supervision service from Tellu, supplier of digital products and solutions in welfare technology. The monitoring of the camera images is performed locally by healthcare personnel, by an operator at a regional or national emergency call centre, or a combination of the two.

The easy-to-use solution allows the staff to remotely see whether patients need some kind of help. In addition, an alarm is triggered by events that activate a sensor. The alarm is sent to a mobile phone, PC or tablet, and healthcare personnel can verify the situation, check what has happened, as well as whether and what measures are required, and continuous surveillance is made possible.

The images are transmitted in real time

but are not recorded, and the network traffic is encrypted. Among the benefits of the products, Grimstad municipality highlights their high quality, reliability and stability.

"The products are flexible, allow adjustments to be made, are based on open platforms, and include the option to add your own functions.

We appreciate the wide range of different types of cameras from Axis.”

Caroline Cappelen Product Manager, Tellu

Long-term and responsive cooperation Trust is one of the key components of the close cooperation.

"This is a classic example of very good cooperation between our municipality, Tellu and Axis. Tellu's staff are very accessible, competent and responsive, and we've really appreciated the frequent dialogue and unique contact," says Atle Werner Arntsen. "We've been able to call at three in the morning to get help."

"It's been an incredibly exciting and successful cooperation, in which we've combined an innovative solution with good functionality.”

Caroline Cappelen

Nursing homes and old people's homes The next step was to introduce the solution into nursing homes and old people's homes. Healthcare personnel can easily monitor patients in several different rooms at the same time. The cameras provide very good image quality, and can reproduce sharp images in the dark at night. This means that healthcare personnel do not need to enter the rooms to check whether patients are feeling well or need help; no one wants to wake up the patients unnecessarily.

"Residents in nursing homes often suffer from 'the corridor problem'," says Caroline Cappelen.

"This is when they leave their room in the middle of the night, and when they return they take a wrong turn into another patient's room and wake them up."

Security enhancing technology The investment in Grimstad municipality has been a great success; the municipality can provide better care for those who need it. Since patients can stay at home for longer, Grimstad municipality has made gains in socio-economic terms, with reduced costs from fewer residents in nursing homes and old people's homes.

It has also resulted in welfare gains for individuals who can stay at home, with increased well-being and much better quality of life. Many care recipients get a better night's sleep because they are not disturbed unnecessarily.

"We are extremely satisfied with this security enhancing technology. Some patient groups, such as those with dementia, can stay at home for longer.

It delays going up a step on the care staircase. This creates a sense of being in control, for them to be able to live in their own home, increasing a sense of security for relatives as well as ensuring patient safety. The technical solutions give us a unique opportunity to adapt to the needs of each patient, where the focus is on the patient," says Tanja Fredensborg.

Better care Grimstad municipality has seen a drastic decline in the number of false alarms with fewer emergency call-outs, and can provide better care by means of correct resource allocation.

"There is less pressure on home care services. Using the cameras makes it possible to see if something has happened that needs to be acted on; whether it's a person or a glass of water that's fallen over, or whether they've just gone to the toilet," says Tanja Fredensborg. Some old people get a sense of security from knowing that someone is looking after them throughout the night.

Images from the cameras also provide better decision data for the municipality prior to healthcare personnel meeting patients, which means that necessary measures are taken more quickly.

The solution has also resulted in major environmental benefits since staff avoid visiting patients unnecessarily, using the cameras for remote supervision instead.

There has been a significant fall in the number of car journeys.

"Our municipality is large and expansive, and at night we just need one car to cover the whole area. This solution is incredibly time and cost saving.”

Tanja Fredensborg, Nurse, Grimstad Municipality

At the old people's homes and nursing homes where the solution has been introduced, the staff have increased flexibility and a better working situation with reduced stress, and the ability to better plan their time. Grimstad municipality plans to roll out the solution to more old people's homes and nursing homes.

"In the slightly longer term, we are thinking about even more cameras and an even more developed solution.

By then the next generation will have started to grow old, and they will have an even greater acceptance of the use of technology," says Tanja Fredensborg.

Tellu's Digital supervision > HD camera with IR light for dark rooms > Microphone for listening and sound notification > Motion sensor with push-notification, which can be fitted, for example, to a patient’s bed at night and connected to a camera so that when the sensor is activated, an alarm is sent via SMS or | email to healthcare personnel and/or a response centre > Application for computer, mobile and tablet > Secure login with ID port > Encrypted video transfer > Option to anonymise images > Connected e-health platform Read more: https://tellu.no/en/

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CUSTOMER STORY

More efficient rescue operations to fight fires and prevent and deal with accidents When the alarm sounds from the loudspeakers at the fire stations at any time of the day, fast and effective responses are crucial for the emergency services to best perform rescue operations in the event of accidents and fire, reduce injuries to people and damage to property, and ultimately save lives.

Creating better and more efficient command and control Landskrona Fire and Rescue Service in Sweden wanted to streamline and improve the quality of its rescue operations, and was looking for a functioning camera solution for its command vehicle.

The solution should provide faster and better overall command and control of the rescue work, as well as decision data for more efficient rescue and relief operations. The command and control centre and the incident command should have a better situational understanding to assist the decision-making process, which is particularly valuable in stressful and challenging situations.

"Sometimes we cannot handle everything that happens all at once when we arrive at the scene of an accident. We needed a solution to allow the command and control centre to provide us with better support," says David Sköld, Incident Command Officer, Landskrona Fire and Rescue Service.

"Sometimes you get stressed and might speak in incomplete sentences. In which case, it would be good for both the command and control centre and ourselves to see the same event in real time to get a shared understanding. This means that we can quickly make the right decision, which can be of critical, life-saving importance."

The biggest challenge was for the solution to work technically, which was not the case with previous solutions.

"We were very particular about finding the right partners," says David Sköld.

Reliable solution Incendium, specialists in secure solutions for live video streaming, installed a streaming service with its IncidentShare software and AXIS Q6215-LE PTZ Network Camera.

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A camera is mounted on the roof of the incident command vehicle so that the command and control centre can watch and follow the sequence of events and the emergency call-out on site, without being in direct contact with and dependent on the emergency call-out personnel. Axis Lightfinder technology allows the camera to capture and record colour images in the dark, without external lighting, which is an advantage for accidents and fire at night. The HDTV quality camera is connected to a microphone and has a 360-degree view.

All data traffic is encrypted.

Video from the camera is transmitted in real time to the emergency services command and control centre, which can then conduct operations with the rescue team ‘out in the field’. The command and control centre is a service leased by Registry Centre South, part of Region South Fire and Rescue Service.

The camera is reliable, robust and weather-resistant, and can withstand shocks and vibration.

"The camera can handle both the speed and the rain, which is incredibly good," says David Sköld.

"The camera sees everything.

It is of supreme quality and has a great IR sight. You can see for almost 400 metres in the pitch dark. It's simply fantastic!

The incredibly sharp image quality in the dark means that the command and control centre can even see things before we do.”

David Sköld, Incident Command Officer, Landskrona Fire and Rescue Service

David Sköld also highlights the good cooperation with Incendium, "Incendium's support staff are very knowledgeable and fast."

When the camera on the command vehicle shows the sequence of events to the command and control centre, it can come to the aid of the incident command and the incident task force with advice and assistance and, if necessary, send reinforcements in the form of personnel and vehicles.

CUSTOMER STORY

The solution from Axis and Incendium

"Having the camera is like having an extra pair of eyes. We have the eyes of the command and control centre on site immediately from when we arrive at the scene of the accident. They can see the extent of the accident and provide assistance immediately, even before we get the chance to ask for it," says David Sköld.

The solution is easy to use. Using the camera, the command and control centre can also assess and analyse the risks of the potential development of an accident or fire.

Better for citizens The emergency services have experienced an increase in the quality of work, with increased efficiency.

In the next stage, David Sköld envisages that more fire engines and rescue vehicles will be equipped with cameras in order to increase the safety of all of the municipality's inhabitants, and in order to save more lives.

"I am very happy. The camera solution works extremely well, and has done so not least from a technical point of view. It provides very good image quality, even when we travel at high speed.” David Sköld

About Landskrona Fire and Rescue Service Landskrona Fire and Rescue Service carries out accident rescue operations in Landskrona and Sövalöv in southern Sweden, in order to prevent and deal with fires in apartment blocks and houses, road traffic accidents, drowning incidents, and other types of accidents.

The camera is also an important part of the learning process, where the emergency services learn and benefit from various incidents and accidents, such as when assessing and investigating fire scenes. The solution enables improved analysis of events to determine how a fire started, the ability to log the sequence of events and to facilitate the coordination of rescue and relief operations. It is also valuable later in the process if there is a subsequent fire cause investigation, usually initiated by the police, in which the images and video are used.

The emergency service also offers training courses in fire protection and first aid to companies, organisations and schools, as well as training, information, and advice to the general public. In total, Landskrona Fire and Rescue Service employs around 60 people: firefighters, task force leaders, incident command officers, fire engineers, and office staff. Every year, Landskrona Fire and Rescue Service is called out to approximately 700-750 alarm call outs.

"We provide better support for citizens and can provide a better service to society.”

David Sköld

Read more: www.incendium.dk

AXIS Q6215-LE PTZ Network Camera > Robust PTZ camera (Pan, Tilt, Zoom) with built-in infrared lighting > Provides perfect image quality with rapid pan/ tilt/zoom > A half-inch sensor that provides high light sensitivity and dynamics > Optimised IR up to 400 metres, with infrared lighting adapted to the current zoom setting > Compatible with MIL-STD-810G > HDTV 1080P resolution, WDR, Lightfinder and 30x optical zoom, which provide outstanding video quality, both in low light and in total darkness, at up to 400 metres distance > Flexible design that allows the camera to be mounted facing up or down, directly on a surface, or with a wall bracket or post bracket > Includes a wiper to remove water > Perfectly suitable for surveillance of open spaces such as airports, ports, or areas outside buildings and houses > Thanks to the robust design, the camera with stands harsh weather conditions, including wind speeds of up to 245 km/h IncidentShare > Software for secure transmission of video in real time > Adapted for the emergency services and police, who want a platform where they can view live streaming from vehicles, body cameras, drones, and other types of mobile cameras (fire fighting robots or similar) > Provides the facility to receive live video from informants who call 112. The emergency call centre can send an SMS with a URL link to the informant and via the link get access to the mobile phone’s camera and see what the informant is trying to describe in words. > Three simultaneous viewers of the video images > Encrypted video transmission

www.axis.com/products/axisq6215-le

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IP AUDIO ZONES

Getting in the zone with IP audio David Needham, Axis Communications, explains how defining network audio zones can be a powerful feature to help industries operate with improved security, safety and efficiency.

As the migration from analogue to digital (IP) audio increases, forward-thinking AV professionals are beginning to understand the many benefits that modern IPenabled solutions present. Simple IoT connectivity, smooth and streamlined operation and the ability to integrate digital audio products with existing audio and video systems results in a robust system with implications for improving security and enhancing business operations across a range of industries.

Indeed, IP audio can help to keep workers and the public safer, while delivering a more customised and personalised experience.

Specifying and setting audio zones is just one powerful function of such a solution. This functionality allows security alerts, messages or music to be played within designated areas, imparting important information or encouraging desired behaviours. The ability to select pre-recorded audio, or to record instant messages and allocate them to certain

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speakers within certain areas is simple yet effective with IP audio technology.

This represents a key advantage that such solutions have over their analogue predecessors, while addressing a major pain point across a variety of sectors.

Improving site security Within airports or other critical national infrastructure sites with large perimeters to protect, employing a network audio system is the ideal complement to a video-based security solution because of its ability to target real-time messages to specific zones, dramatically improving security measures.

Consider a scenario where an intruder attempts to climb the perimeter fence.

Here a network camera within a certain zone detects activity and sounds an automatic warning via a digital speaker.

This type of warning may be sufficient, preventing the need for further security

measures. However, an escalation in criminal activity can trigger an automatic alert to security personnel, an alarm receiving centre (ARC) and the Police.

Zone-specific audio activity also means that audio is effectively contained within a specified area or multiple areas. In the event of a situation such as the one described occurring at a busy airport, passengers will be unaware of such alerts, which are only targeted at the trespasser. Only when an event necessitates cooperation or action from the public, such as the emergency evacuation of a site or outbreak of fire, then zone configurations can be quickly altered to deliver instructions to those who need them.

Public address to broadcast key messages Connecting an IP audio solution to a network is a much more efficient means of targeting relevant messages to those who need them most.

IP AUDIO ZONES Take any transport hub, for example - all large hubs have a need to broadcast travel information to specific areas so that travellers can find their way to the right platform or departure lounge. The use of IP audio zones helps transport operators broadcast specific travel information to passengers so the right people can find their way to the right area, at the right time.

Moreover, an especially unique application of audio technology and zone targeting is its ability to help prevent suicide on our railways, which reached a staggering 283 in the 2019/20 financial year*. While having a long-lasting impact on all involved, suicide costs the rail industry millions of pounds each year.

One way in which railway stations are increasingly able to prevent this tragic occurrence is by integrating IP audio with existing network camera technology. The increased data helps station managers identify those loitering or acting strangely in high-risk areas, such as the edge of a platform, so they have time to make physical interventions, or to play an announcement via an IP-enabled horn speaker in the zone of the individual, effectively breaking the ’30-minute wave’, the period within which the individual contemplates suicide.

Similar benefits are being felt in the retail space too. Consider a large department store that spans numerous floors. Each floor may target a different customer segment, for example, men, women or parents. Shop managers, knowledgeable about the buying habits and behaviours of each customer segment, can broadcast targeted offers or promotions that appeal to a specific customer demographic.

Then, when the store needs to be reorganised, the audio zones can be simply updated from a central location without the onerous task of removing and reinstalling an analogue system. IP audio represents a flexible, simple solution to a previously complex issue.

The use of IP audio technology and zone allocation can have a positive impact on customer behaviours, particularly in the retail and hospitality sectors.

However, another good example of its benefits involved a ground-breaking research project recently undertaken at Leeds Beckett University which demonstrated that the innovative use of sound technologies helped to improve the learning experience for children with special education needs. The hope is that this will lead to better outcomes in their education and in their futures.

The project involved the installation of sound projection IP audio solutions into five mainstream provision schools in the North of England. The equipment was placed in specific classrooms to help identify pupils who struggle with a range of specific learning difficulties.

Leading-edge IP audio technology was chosen not only because it was simple to connect to the schools’ existing IT infrastructure, but also because it can enable different sound profiles to be centrally managed and played in different zones. Researchers found that playing sounds into different zones, based on the children’s needs, helped reduce anxiety and create a calmer and more relaxed learning environment.

The use of IP audio technology and the ability to specify and select zones can enable businesses to make more intelligent decisions with regards to improving safety, efficiency and customer satisfaction, while for consumers, such technology can satisfy a demand for increasing personalised and engaging experiences. As the limitations of analogue become ever more apparent, the full migration to IP audio is not far away, taking the AV industry a step closer to a smarter, safer world.

Find out more about Axis network audio solutions: www.axis.com/products/audio

Improving outcomes with background music Music can have a dramatic impact on our mood. It can help us focus, give us energy, or help us relax. *www.networkrail.co.uk/running-the-railway/looking-after-the-railway/delays-explained/ fatalities/

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FUNDRAISING NEWS

St e v e n

Ke nn y

Charity challenge ‘peaks’ the interest of the Axis team Axis employees and partners put their physical abilities to the test in an outdoor team-building activity to raise money for worthy causes that are very close to their hearts.

A team of Axis employees, together with colleagues from several partner organisations from across the security industry, challenged themselves to walk the Yorkshire Three Peaks on 20 May 2021. A team completed the National Three Peaks back in 2019, and Axis and partners once again rose to the challenge to tackle a different, though no less demanding, mountain range to raise money for charity.

The Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge takes on the peaks of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough, which form part of the impressive Pennine mountain range within the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The challenge sees walkers traverse the peaks one after another over a route of 24 miles (38.6km), including 1585m (5200ft) of ascent, with a target completion time of under 12 hours.

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Axis’ Steven Kenny spoke of the event, “Having completed the National Three Peaks back in 2019, now felt like the right time to do our next long mountain walk. Once again, we have chosen charities that are close to our hearts and ones that we know do some fantastic work. We will continue to support PTSD Resolution who do some incredible work for our colleagues across the security industry and their families; we have also chosen NHS Charities Together, a very worthwhile charity, especially in the current climate.”

a crowdfunding page to make it easy to split donations between the two charities. Axis is also in contact with The Big Give, providing a platform to boost charity fundraising that will enable received donations to be doubled.

Activities for bonding and developing employees are a key part of Axis culture, characterised by commitment, collaboration, openness, entrepreneurship and taking responsibility. Axis believes that a good work environment promotes healthy relationships, enhances creativity and contributes to innovation.

PTSD Resolution helps women and men who have served in the army to readjust to society and a work / familylife balance. NHS Charities Together, much publicised due to the efforts of Captain Sir Tom Moore, funds projects that improve services for patients and supports NHS staff and volunteers so that they can continue with their vital life-saving work. The Axis team set up

Steven concludes, “While we give so much of ourselves while undertaking such challenges, it’s great to also be giving something back at the same time. Events like this help us strengthen relationships with our team mates and wider colleagues, while the sense of camaraderie and requirement for close cooperation and teamwork really helps us all feel a valued part of the Axis family."

FUNDRAISING NEWS

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AXIS ONLINE EVENTS

Axis Online Events: A season of thought-provoking discussion and debate Dominic Jones from Axis Communications reviews the recent programme of online events covering a wide range of industry topics and garnering much attention from partners, customers and prospects alike.

When the COVID-19 pandemic put a halt to running physical events, it was a natural and exciting step for Axis to launch and host its own Axis Online Events. In the first half of 2021, Axis has brought together key industry speakers alongside Axis’ own experts to discuss in a virtual setting a range of issues and challenges, while also exploring innovative technologies that could be deployed to help.

And, of course, if any of the sessions have been missed, all of the Axis Online Events are now available to Watch On Demand providing a mix of presentations, interviews and Q&A sessions. All of the events were very well attended generating many questions for, and much debate among, our panel of experts. If,

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however, there are questions not covered in any of the sessions, please drop the Axis support team a line and one of our experts will be in touch. For now, here’s a few of the highlights: Axis Body Worn Solution for Security and Beyond The Axis Body Worn Solutions for Security and Beyond event focused on the benefits and applications of body worn cameras across a range of sectors.

The presence of body worn cameras can have a positive effect on deterring antisocial behaviour, while offering an additional layer of protection to those working in an environment where they may feel vulnerable. They can also be used in combination with fixed

surveillance cameras with the benefit of eliminating blind spots in the field of view and providing up-close video evidence. From a technical perspective, this solution is built on open standards and offers easy integration with any video management system (VMS) or evidence management system (EMS), resulting in a versatile, highly scalable solution for operatives on the move.

Feedback has been very positive and its popularity has been illustrated by the big uptake in people signing up to view it in the weeks since.

AXIS ONLINE EVENTS

Cybersecurity Trends event Axis, together with experts from Unified Security, have produced in recent months a number of articles and whitepapers on the topic of cybersecurity to evaluate its full-scale impact. Our related Cybersecurity Trends event has been another high point in the series and saw authors Sarb Sembhi and James Willison, together with Axis cybersecurity specialist, Steven Kenny, discuss how different industries and markets are adapting to new threats. Key points covered included the potential impact of the skills shortage on IT and security, and the considerations to be made when implementing emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics, machine learning, edge computing and 5G. The comprehensive event also covered enterprise security risk management and the benefits a converged security approach.

Secure entry and frictionless access control The then-upcoming release of AXIS Camera Station Secure Entry prompted a uniquely engaging event which brought Axis’ Peter Currie and John Allen together to talk about Unifying Access Control and Video Surveillance. Peter and John explained how unification differs from traditional integration and the merits of unifying access control and video surveillance across a wide range of industries and sectors. Watch on demand now to understand the benefits of working with Axis as a trusted partner, and how AXIS Camera Station Secure Entry, a truly unified solution to provide video and access management in one intuitive and easy-to-use interface, can be employed as part of a comprehensive end-to-end solution. Other events in the series included Fundamentals of Perimeter Protection featuring Axis’ Lucas Young and guest speakers, and also Frictionless Access Control, which includes how Adidas has deployed frictionless applications in their retail stores.

Network audio solutions Audio systems are increasingly becoming digital, embracing the benefits of connectivity and integration with other devices in a move away from traditional analogue technologies. The recent event, Audio for Public Address, now available to Watch on demand, explored the modern digital public address system, and covered integration with AXIS Camera Station and SIP, a standard protocol used in voice over IP (VoIP) applications.

Further events focused on the ten reasons to adopt a network audio solution and the benefits of audio over IP networks.

Axis latest event, The Power of Audio will explain how Axis’ IP audio should be used as a key component in a comprehensive security solution with benefits for safety, security and operational efficiency, and is now open for registration.

TiNYg Technical Innovations Forum event: UK Protect Duty One of our most recent and most talked about events concerned the proposed UK Protect Duty. Also known to many as Martyn’s Law, the legislation will concern the protective and preventative measures that should be considered to increase safety at publicly accessible locations.

The event, hosted by TiNYg, the Global Terrorism Information Network, and sponsored by Axis, saw a number of guest speakers address the reasons for the new legislation, explain who it applies to and provide context around how it fits in to government strategy. Also covered was the identification of appropriate security technologies and their role in supporting businesses and organisations in mitigating risk and complying with the proposed law. A keynote address was provided by Debbie Bartlett, Deputy Director, Protect and Prepare, Office for Security and Counter Terrorism (OSCT) at the Home Office.

At Axis, we strive to innovate for a smarter, safer world, and our online events bring together discussion on the latest industry trends, subject matter experts and cutting-edge technology solutions to help our industry make more informed buying decisions.

We have much more to say about the evolving security industry and our position within it, supported as ever by our many trusted partners. So, to discover more, please join us and register now for our exciting itinerary of autumn and winter events.

To register to upcoming events or watch past events on demand, please visit: www.axis-communications.com/ OnlineEvents (UK & Ireland) www.axis-communications.com/ nordic-events (Nordics)

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TOOLS

Take control of advanced IP audio solutions with Axis and Milestone Axis’ David Needham explains the AXIS Speaker Manager Plugin, an addition to AXIS Optimizer, which unlocks advanced network speaker capabilities through Milestone XProtect®.

AXIS Optimizer is a powerful application that enables systems integrators and end-users to get the most from their Axis devices when used in combination with Milestone XProtect video management software (VMS). AXIS Optimizer offers several plugins for optimally installing and managing Axis devices, saving time and improving the user experience. Here we look at the AXIS Speaker Manager Plugin to enable integration of products from Axis’ audio range into the Milestone VMS. AXIS Speaker Manager facilitates the configuration of speakers, zone selection and volume control directly from within the Management Client. Here, audio clips can be selected and announcements played swiftly and effectively through Axis’ network speakers. Additional functionality includes a simple pushto-talk option for instant messages and alerts.

From a security perspective, AXIS Speaker Manager offers simple association with new or existing surveillance cameras via a Smart Client portal, with the option to control audio while also viewing video. It also works together with XProtect Alarm Manager which consolidates alarms from all security devices and systems connected to Milestone XProtect.

Inside the XProtect Management Client Looking in more detail at the Management Client, speaker zone management enables speaker groups to be determined, and also standalone speaker mode to be selected. This allows full control over which information is sent out to which speaker or group of speakers, and across which zone(s). As an example, consider a retail business where managers might want the freedom to play ambient music from the speakers

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throughout the store, but then halt music to communicate with operatives in a staff room, while music continues on the shop floor. Synchronization and delay between speakers can also be set up and controlled resulting in a fluid and dynamic audio system that’s suitable for a wide range of requirements.

The XProtect Management Client makes the organisation of audio clips simple, allowing management and control over an audio library that can be built up with pre-recorded content. The client also facilitates easy syncing of audio between the locally stored clips in the library and any edge-based speaker device, or camera and speaker group. Whether downloading a new clip and sending it out to an individual speaker or speaker group, or deleting a clip and making sure it’s removed from the speaker list, the process is always simple and efficient.

Audio/visual management with the Smart Client If a camera has been associated to a speaker or group of speakers in the Smart Client, the speaker(s) can be controlled through the VMS camera live view. The on-screen speaker control window allows an operative to issue a live audio message or play a media clip across speakers / groups / zones based on the images that the camera has detected. Through full control of camera view and audio playback with volume management, operatives have a complete audio-visual security system for increased peace of mind.

Again, by way of example, consider a warehouse or distribution centre where video surveillance cameras detect a group of trespassers on site. A pre-recorded message is triggered through speakers near the perimeter to warn the individual that action will be taken if they fail to

leave the site immediately. Meanwhile, security operatives can use push-totalk functionality to directly address an individual that can be seen attempting to access a side door.

At Axis, we are continually striving to innovate our products and services to create a smarter, safer world.

AXIS Optimizer delivers considerable performance enhancements of Axis devices for Milestone XProtect users to streamline workflow. The AXIS Speaker Manager Plugin is another step towards adding versatility and a better user experience providing total control over audio and video. What’s more, it is constantly updated and available for free so you can work smarter and safer.

To help systems integrators and end-users get more out of this powerful tool, learn more at: www.axis.com/products/axisoptimizer-for-milestone-xprotect Axis technical support videos (YouTube): https://bit.ly/2X25z8t

ONLINE CHANNELS

Where to go to stay informed...

New products and solutions

Are you having a hard time keeping up with all of our new product and solution launches?

You are not the only one. To make your life easier, we have created a web page that will be updated every month with the most recently launched products, solutions and tools from Axis Communications.

Check out the new products: www.axis.com/products-and-solutions/new-products

Online news, training and events in the Nordics

At Axis, we always strive to give our partners and other stakeholders with an easy and accessible way of learning more about the trends, solutions and topics that concern our industry today. We offer everything from events to webinars, newsroom content and much more.

Go here for more information: www.axis-communications.com/nordics-enews

Axis Online in the UK and Ireland

In a disrupted world we adapt and are just as available for our customers as before. On this page we have gathered information about all our virtual classrooms, online training events, webinars and more to keep you up to date and provide an easy way to update your knowledge.

Find out more about Axis Online: www.axis-communications.com/axisonline

Secure Insights blog

If you are a buyer or user of security solutions, then you have come to the right place.

We created this blog to help businesses like yours learn the ins and outs of surveillance, get insights from intelligent security solutions and show how surveillance can help you gain business intelligence. The Axis blog is meant to be a place for the entire Axis community to meet and exchange ideas. So please jump in and join the conversation!

Visit the Axis blog! www.axis.com/blog/secure-insights/

Latest news, articles and more

In the Axis newsrooms you will find News, press releases, articles and more. Everything you could possibly want to read to keep up to date with the latest and greatest from us.

UK: Sweden: Norway: Denmark: Finland:

www.axis.com/en-gb/newsroom www.axis.com/sv-se/newsroom www.axis.com/en-no/newsroom www.axis.com/en-dk/newsroom www.axis.com/en-fi/newsroom

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About Axis Communications Axis enables a smarter and safer world by creating network solutions that provide insights for improving security and new ways of doing business. As the industry leader in network video, Axis offers products and services for video surveillance and analytics, access control, intercom and audio systems. Axis has more than 3,800 dedicated employees in over 50 countries and collaborates with partners worldwide to deliver customer solutions. Axis was founded in 1984 and has its headquarters in Lund, Sweden.

For more information about Axis, please visit our website www.axis.com.

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