PRESS RELEASE
8th May 2006

Axis secures the Scream

Axis cameras were deployed by CNL to help secure priceless art works including ‘The Scream’ on loan to the Royal Academy of Arts from the Munch Museum in Oslo.
Network cameras by the global leader in network video Axis Communications1, were selected as part of a comprehensive surveillance solution put together for the Royal Academy of Arts (RAA) by leading integrator CNL (Computer Network Ltd). The RAA was given less than a week to install a new security system in its main galleries prior to the hanging of key works from the Munch Museum in Oslo for a loan exhibition held from September to December 2005.

The additional surveillance was requested by the head of security from the Munch Museum who came to assess security measures at the RAA less than a week before the Munch loan exhibition was due to be exhibited. Only a year before three key Munch works, including one of three original ‘The Scream’ paintings, had been stolen from the Munch Museum in Oslo by masked gunmen2.

With no time to run cables in the listed building at Burlington House, one of the twelve wireless access points placed at the entrance to the main public galleries was used to provide an encrypted network connection to a number of AXIS 206W wireless network cameras.

The AXIS 206Ws were installed to cover the key exit points from the main galleries due to house the Munch works. David Vobes, facilities manager of the RAA summarised the installation: “Having our new surveillance system running over IP enabled us to extend the system rapidly via the wireless access points without damaging the fabric of the building, thereby avoiding major capital outlay. No less importantly, with CNL’s assistance, we created a system which reliably delivers high quality images helping us meet modern high specification requirements to protect works of art which often cost millions.”

James Condron, sales and marketing manager at CNL, said: “Axis has an extremely strong portfolio of technology allowing us to meet and respond to our customers needs. The AXIS 206W was ideal to meet the requirements for this part of the project whilst their codecs provided the platform to seamlessly integrate with the RAA’s existing analogue infrastructure – providing a highly-efficient and cost-effective surveillance network.”

CNL worked with RAA’s IT and facilities management staff to provide output from existing CCTV cameras to RAA’s network via AXIS 241Q Video Server Blades. Together with new Axis network cameras installed on the RAA’s roofs, foyer and administrative offices, the RAA now has a highly comprehensive surveillance system designed to meet the highest standards requested by museums loaning work to them, the Museums Libraries & Archives Council and the Home Office.

Steve Gorski, managing director of Axis Communications (UK) Ltd, said: “The installation at the RAA by CNL demonstrates how our wireless and wired network cameras can work together with our video server technology to create a secure site using a mixture of traditional analogue-based CCTV cameras and state-of-the-art wireless networking infrastructure. The outcome is a system which has cost effectively enabled the RAA to migrate to IP-Surveillance whilst upgrading their system to meet dynamically changing security requirements.”

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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.

2 In August 2004 the Munch Museum was raided by masked gunmen who stole key Munch works including one of the three original Scream paintings and a second called Madonna worth in total more than £10 million.

On 24th February 2006 masked gunmen broke into the Chacara do Ceo Museum in Rio de Janeiro stealing Monet, Matisse and Dali art works worth a total of £30 million. Art heists are on the rise causing security arrangement in many key art museums around the world to be reviewed in recent times.

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 Computer Network Limited (CNL)
Computer Network Limited (CNL) is a software developer and one of the UK’s leading integrators of IP based security and surveillance solutions. Since 2000, the company’s award-winning software and integration skills have been used to deliver IP CCTV, Access Control and Intruder detection solutions, utilising IT infrastructures. With experience of delivering over 400 IP installations, CNL provide corporate organisations, education establishments, local government and police with highly resilient, effective security solutions that deliver greater control, reduce costs and provide significant operational efficiencies.


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