PRESS RELEASE
7th June 2005

Axis launches Training Academy to fast track IP-Surveillance knowledge in UK channel

Axis Communications, the leading IP-surveillance vendor, has launched the AXIS Training Academy as part of a campaign to stimulate more UK-based IT and network resellers to move into the burgeoning IP-surveillance market. 

A total of six pilot Academy training courses have been run in the UK and Ireland over the last eight months. Very positive trainee feedback has led Axis to commit additional resources to offer the Academy as a core offering within its Channel Partner Programme. 

Despite opening these pilot courses up to Axis’ entire reseller database, it found the take-up was much higher amongst IT resellers, consultants and IT support businesses in particular. These types of businesses made up 73 per cent of all attendees. The rest classified themselves as CCTV installers. Of this mixed group that attended 82 per cent found the training essential to their company’s continued success.

The AXIS Training Academy will offer in-depth, classroom-style training courses covering a range of issues such as:

•  Introduction to the network camera versus the traditional CCTV system
• Converting analogue CCTV systems to IP based surveillance systems
• Configuring IP-Surveillance systems – including issues such as compression selection, resolution, bandwidth management, motion detection, day/night capability, storage and archiving of images
• Legal requirements such as Data Protection Act compliance

Technical information about the installation of IP-Surveillance equipment was seen as the most valuable area of learning in these pilots, as voted for by 73 per cent of trainees; whilst nearly half (45 per cent) thought the information about networking and application integration of IP-Surveillance equipment was the next most important area of learning.

Of the 50 trainees questioned, 51 per cent predicted the most growth coming from their IP-Surveillance consultancy and installations over the next year, ahead of any other single aspect of their businesses. A further 29 per cent felt the most growth would come from development of IT services in general. One of the key benefits of IP-Surveillance integration work for channel players is the opportunities that it opens up for continuous service-based income. Nearly two thirds of trainees estimated percentage sales growth from IP-Surveillance-based projects to be six per cent or more in the next 12 months. 

A majority (54 per cent) believed that the growth of demand for IP-Surveillance in the next year is being driven by the wider penetration of broadband in the UK. Others felt that clear, unchallengeable improvements in network cameras and other IP-Surveillance technologies, was the most significant factor in driving growth this year. 

Independent studies by industry analysts IMS Research and Frost & Sullivan have estimated the growth of the IP-Surveillance market at between 30-40 per cent, whilst JP Freeman believes that during 2007 US sales of network cameras will begin to exceed those of traditional analogue CCTV cameras.

Aasim Ashraf, director of Axis partner A2Z Computers Limited, commented on his company’s attendance at a recent Axis Training Academy course:
“Three senior contacts here found the event very useful. The hands-on sessions where we were able to set up different cameras and use Axis’ software to present feeds from a number of different cameras was particularly insightful. Since this training session we have elected to install a nine camera demo site in our own offices and use this to illustrate the benefits of IP-Surveillance to potential customers.”

Dominic Bruning, managing director of Axis Communications (UK) Limited, commented:
“The time is right for us to offer this Training Academy as a core part of our Channel Partner Programme. Network integration firms are always looking for the next opportunity to extend their offering and IP-Surveillance is clearly the next serious opportunity for many of them.” 

Axis partners interested in signing up to attend future Axis Training Academy events should go to http://www.axis.com/partner/channel_program/academy.htm or call Axis UK offices on 0870 162 0047. Resellers interested in becoming Axis partners should make contact via the same telephone number. 

About Axis
Axis increases the value of network solutions. The company is an innovative market leader in network video and print servers. Axis' products and solutions are focused on applications such as security surveillance, remote monitoring and document management. The products are based on in-house developed chip technology, which is also sold to third parties. 

Axis was founded in 1984 and is listed on the O-list (Attract 40) of Stockholmsbörsen (XSSE: AXIS). Axis operates globally with offices in 16 countries and in cooperation with distributors, system integrators and OEM partners in 70 countries. Markets outside Sweden account for more than 95% of sales. Information about Axis can be found at www.axis.com. 

For further information about the AXIS partner programme, please contact:
Dominic Bruning, Managing Director, Axis Communications (UK) Limited
Tel: 0870 162 0047. Email: dominic.bruning@axis.com

For all Axis Communications UK media enquiries, please contact:
Miles Clayton / Tim Rose, Agility PR Limited
Tel: 01763 288 000. Email: miles.clayton@agilitypr.co.uk / tim.rose@agilitypr.co.uk 

For A2Z Computing:
Az Ashraf, Managing Director, A2Z Computing Ltd
Tel: 0870 774 0247 email: az@a2z-computing.com