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.

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.

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. 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.

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.

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