PRESS RELEASE
30th March 2006

Axis protects the modern day Fort Knox at DEG

Axis Communications’, the market leading IP-Surveillance vendor1, network cameras and video servers have been deployed at Data Electronics Group (DEG), a highly successful data centre provider serving large enterprises in Ireland. The products are designed to provide an additional layer of security on the data floors within DEG’s headquarters site at Kilcarbery Business Park (KBP) in Dublin.

The new system consists of 60 AXIS 210 Network Cameras, 32 existing analogue-based CCTV cameras feeding into two CCTV multiplexers which, in turn, provide data to two AXIS 241S Video Servers. Milestone XProtect Enterprise software is being used for viewing the images. All data is then stored for 30 days on an Intel-based 9.6 Terabyte server. Axis’ network cameras cover all site entrances and provide full coverage across the data centre floors, collecting images at six frames per second on motion. 

The new IP-Surveillance system works in conjunction with already tight physical security at KBP. Entry to restricted parts of the building is controlled through the use of a biometric hand key geometry system from IR Recognition Systems, which identifies an individual using the unique characteristics of his palm dimensions. 

Daniel Tinkiel, chief operating officer at DEG commented, “Security is the watchword of our business. Everything we do is designed to maximise the security of our customers’ data. They want to know we are able to monitor their mission-critical data minute-by-minute, 24 hours a day. We want to ensure that image quality is high enough to positively identify individuals involved in any theoretical security breach. This system gives us this guaranteed image quality.”

DEG is rapidly moving away from traditional analogue-based CCTV, and is looking to replace its remaining 32 analogue cameras in the near future. DEG knows the key benefits of IP-Surveillance are better image quality, easier maintenance and the potential for integration with other IP-based security systems such as its biometric-based access control system.

Tinkiel explains further: 
“The more diverse technologies and networks you have the larger the burden of integration, maintenance and upgrade if you do not converge them onto a single IP network infrastructure. This is why I’m a firm believer in convergence of all technologies– voice, data, video – everything should be transported and stored using IP-based technologies and protocols. ” 

DEG invested €80,000 in the new IP-Surveillance system giving the contract for installation and configuration to Dublin-based Axis Solution Partner, Encom. The investment came at the end of a €17.8 million re-fit of the KBP site over the last two years to bring the site up to the latest standards. The re-fit focused on every aspect of service delivery to customers, building in multiple levels of back-up to ensure seamless data and internet availability through the use of three layers of electricity supply provision and four Tier-1 carriers for simultaneous and ‘hot swappable’ internet service provision collectively guaranteeing 100 per cent service availability. 

Tinkiel concluded:
“I would not hesitate to recommend this solution to others who are specifying physical security systems for highly secure sites such as ours.”
---------------

Notes to editors
1 Axis Communications is the leading player in the network camera market with 47 per cent market share in the EMEA region according to industry analyst house IMS Research in its latest market report entitled ‘The World Market for CCTV and Video Surveillance Equipment 2005 Edition’ published in October 2005. The network camera market was worth $547m in 2004 and is set to grow by 50 per cent per year over the next five years to reach a value of $360.6m in 2009 in EMEA alone, according to the same report.

About Axis
Axis Communications 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 Stockholmsbörsen (XSSE: AXIS). Axis operates globally with offices in 16 countries an in cooperation with distributors, systems 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. 

About Encom
Encom is a total IT solution provider focusing on business customers ranging from large multi-nationals to small local companies, meeting customer requirements for desktop and mobile computer systems, peripherals, servers, networking (including cabling), internet solutions and office software. Encom owns Irish distribution rights for high specification data storage and graphics solutions. It also manufactures and sells computer systems under the Encom brand. Encom was established in 1991 and is based in Dublin. Information about Encom can be found at www.encom.ie

About DEG
DEG has witnessed astonishing revenue growth over the last five years through the provision of data centre services for 90 customers, mostly global names. DEG’s customers are offered 100 per cent internet and data availability. DEG was recently recognised as Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland ‘Fastest Growing Technology’ firm in the Deloitte and Touche Fast 50 Awards, and achieved 14th place for same award for Europe as a whole. DEG was founded in 1974 as a computer support business for Ireland’s airports, a division it still runs today. In 1990 DEG opened its first data centre at Harolds Cross in the heart of Dublin and following two major acquisitions in 2001 and 2002, it was able to open additional Dublin-based data centres at Kilcarbery Business Park (KBP) and Ballycoolen. 

For further information about Axis Communications in the UK and Ireland, please contact:
Steve Gorski, managing director, Axis Communications (UK) Limited
Tel: 0870 162 0047. Email: steve.gorski@axis.com

For all UK and Ireland media enquiries, please contact:
Miles Clayton / Tim Rose/Simon Bennett, Agility PR Limited
Tel: 01438 310 139. Email: miles.clayton@agilitypr.co.uk / tim.rose@agilitypr.co.uk / simon.bennett@agilitypr.co.uk