Linn Storäng, Regional Director for Northern Europe, reflects on 10 years of Axis mission to innovate for a smarter, safer world, and how this will shape the company in the next decade
In the early part of this century, we witnessed significant change across the physical security industry which, in turn, delivered great successes for Axis. Being instrumental in driving the transition from traditional analogue CCTV to IP video with its pioneering range of network cameras, Axis needed a clear vision; something to describe the forward momentum that would give it clarity and purpose.
When ‘Innovating for a smarter, safer world’ was first used in 2013, it perfectly encapsulated an idea that would describe our mission and has been at the core of our value proposition ever since. That is, to build solutions that would keep people safe and secure - but more than that - to continue to innovate with a collective belief and purpose that technology can help contribute to a better society.
Now, a decade later, we could scarcely have predicted the way in which that vision would play out, and how it would benefit so many sectors. While we continued to innovate, improve and expand our network camera ranges, we also made significant breakthroughs in access control, spearheaded the transition from analogue to IP audio, oversaw several iterations and refinements of our own ARTPEC system-on-chip, and pushed the boundaries of advanced analytics and edge-processing capabilities.
And with hindsight, we now know one thing to be true – change is the only constant in the security industry. As we look to the next ten years, our industry will play its part in delivering solutions to address some of the world’s biggest challenges. And we know, us Axians, that ‘Innovating for a smarter, safer world’ will be the tiller that guides our ship.
Improving safety and cybersecurity
The past ten years has seen us evolve to meet ever more complex challenges. Innovations in network cameras, together with improvements in analytics, has vastly increased our physical security capabilities. Advances in radar and thermal cameras, and even drone detection, has resulted in the most sophisticated and accurate means for keeping people, premises and assets safe and secure. The recent launch of our explosion-protected camera designed specifically for Zone/Division 2 hazardous areas provides protection in even the most volatile and dangerous working conditions.
But we recognise that threats are not always of the tangible kind and can be virtual. As more IoT devices are developed and added to a network, the greater the potential for those same devices to be compromised. We have worked tirelessly to ensure that cybersecurity is a primary point of focus throughout the development of all Axis solutions, so that our customers and partners can be confident that they are installing a trusted device on to a network that cannot become a gateway for risk. And the threat from cyberspace will not diminish, which is why Axis takes its cybersecurity responsibility seriously and will use the same dedication to innovation to make our devices safer and smarter.
Supporting digital transformation
Our work to develop open platforms, combined with the vast potential of a camera to act as a sensor, means they are being incorporated into tailor-made smart applications that are designed to solve specific industry problems with no related security factor. Network cameras are now used to monitor critical systems for temperature changes; improve time and efficiency in logistics operations; monitor quality on high-speed production lines; and improve the performance of sports teams. These are all new uses as industries embrace camera technology to unlock digital transformation agendas.
In the next ten years, smarter camera analytics, machine learning, faster on-board processing, ease of deployment and device interoperability are all factors that will contribute to growth in the Internet of Video Things (IoVT), where video sensors are used as business intelligence tools to streamline and optimise processes. Network cameras cover a wide area of vision and one camera can collect metadata on a huge number of different parameters, whether that is in healthcare, manufacturing, agriculture or logistics. The latest edition of our partner magazine, #AxisInnovates, is dedicated to the topic which illustrates the use of cutting-edge technology to meet ever-changing requirements.
Sustainability, trust and ethics
As we look to better harness the potential of machines to boost productivity and efficiency, we should also point to the benefits of a leaner use of resources and less waste. Deploying a network camera system that is designed for optimal power consumption is better for the environment and will ultimately represent cost savings to businesses from an energy point of view. As a signatory of the UN Global Compact, Axis has steadfastly strived to minimise the environmental impact of its operations to help beat climate change and promote the responsible use of natural resources.
As we look to the future, trust and ethical business practices will only rise up the agenda, which are also values that are shared by our partners. Axis was proud to win a Great Place to Work® award in 2019, recognising it as one of the Best Workplaces™. This evidenced the general positive feeling for Axis among its fantastic workforce, without whom none of our achievements in the past decade would have been possible, and on whom we will rely for future growth.
Amid so much change in the last decade, I am proud to work for an organisation that has stuck firmly to its purpose throughout. I expect the next decade to be just as exciting as we continue to work closely with partners, suppliers and customers to ensure that every solution we produce has real-world applications to help face evolving industry challenges. And throughout, ‘Innovating for a smarter, safer world’ will be our purpose, it is what will make us tick.
