Axis Communications is celebrating the 25-year anniversary of the network IP camera, which was first conceived by the company back in 1996.
The Swedish-based company has built on its strong heritage of excellence in networked hardware products to become the global market leader in IP-based network video surveillance, driving the evolution from analogue to IP to AI in cameras.
In 1996, Axis connected a camera to the network and with that, the world’s first network camera was born. Since then, Axis Communications has evolved the camera offering:
- 1998 – first encoder
- 1999 – world’s first network video chip and the most sold video security camera for 5 years in a row
- 2001 – First video analytics (VMD)
- 2008 – First use of H.264 compression for network cameras
- 2009 – First network cameras with HDTV, remote focus and zoom functions
- 2006 – First downloadable video analytics (Axis 242S-IV)
- 2010 – First thermal network camera
- 2011 – First platform for analytics and introduction of Lightfinder technology.
- 2011 – First launch of AXIS Camera Application Platform (ACAP) platform
- 2013 – First launch of physical access control solutions
- 2015 – Launch of open standard network and Axis Zipstream technology
- 2016 – Launch of cameras with pan, tilt, roll, zoom (PTRZ) technology and laser focus technology
- 2017 – First launch of network radar technology
- 2020 – First launch of deep learning camera
- 2021 – Generation 4 of AXIS Camera Application Platform (ACAP). AXIS Camera Application Platform (ACAP) is an open application platform that enables members of Axis Application Development Partner (ADP) Program to develop applications that can be downloaded and installed on Axis network cameras and video encoders. ACAP makes it possible to develop applications for a wide range of applications such as security applications that improve surveillance systems and facilitate investigation, business intelligence applications that improve business efficiency and camera feature plug-ins that add value beyond the Axis product’s core functionality.
Since 1996, the Swedish-based company has advanced its business operations to serve customers across various segments such as retail, transportation, banking and finance, cities, government, education, healthcare, smart buildings, data centres, industrial and manufacturing, law enforcement, stadiums, casinos and many more.
Today, Axis has offices in 50 countries, with over 3,800 employees worldwide and has generated total sales of USD$1.2billion in 2020. Its network cameras are installed worldwide in more than 20 countries and more than one million of its network cameras have been installed globally.
Axis has achieved this incredible success through its unwavering commitment to building and nurturing its partner community. Today, the Axis worldwide community of system integrators and resellers is more than 24,000 strong.
Wai King Wong, Regional Director for Oceania at Axis Communications, said: “We take pride in our position as the true innovators in network camera technology, and now the extension of that into audio and other associated fields. The market across Oceania is advanced, receptive to new ideas and constantly looking for the next breakthrough, and we have a large pool of very talented and creative integrator partners here who are constantly looking to innovate as well. This all points to a very exciting time for Axis Communications and the next phase of our evolution, as we look to develop the next edition of our ARTPEC chipset, bring in cameras with advanced AI and deep learning capabilities, and keep driving innovation with products like explosion-protected and advanced thermal cameras. After 25 years of the IP camera, the future looks very bright.”
