Axis cameras keep an eye on retail growth at Hughes and Hughes

Network cameras from Axis Communications, the global leader in network video ¹ have been installed in 10 Hughes and Hughes bookstores – Ireland’s fastest-growing bookstore group. Working with IT consultancy and Axis Partner, OmniSys, Axis network cameras are being rolled out to its bookstores across Ireland and the UK. A driving force in airport book retailing, Hughes and Hughes currently has 10 airport stores including six at Dublin airport, one at London’s City Airport. It has also won the contract to be the exclusive bookseller at London Heathrow Terminal 5.

Across Hughes and Hughes’ Dublin airport operation, a total of 21 network cameras have been installed including 18 AXIS 216 FD Fixed Dome Network Cameras across three stores, an AXIS 207W Wireless Network Camera monitoring a remote warehouse and AXIS 210 and AXIS 211 Network Cameras protecting the cash and administration offices. Images are fed on to the airport authority IT network and are monitored and recorded via a high specification personal computer (PC) using AXIS Camera Station capable of handling images from up to 25 network cameras.

In-store incidents recorded for up to 28 days – high quality JPEG video files are supplied to local police where offences have been committed or allegations made. IP-Surveillance has also helped Hughes and Hughes senior management teams to view customer shopping behaviours in real-time via their own PC or PDA.

Mark Gould, managing director for Hughes and Hughes commented: “Thanks to the network cameras from Axis, I typically watch trading across our stores for about an hour or two a day. I can get a feel for customer numbers on different days or times of day. The information I get from what I see around the business helps me make more informed management decisions.”

Colin Whelan, managing director of the integrator OmniSys, commented: “Network Video represent a growing part of our business, we see IP-Surveillance as a natural extension to any business IT network. Many of our customers do not even consider installing surveillance cameras because the cost and relative poor quality they now associate with the old CCTV technology. The truth is that network cameras and associated management systems has changed the view amongst businesses – surveillance is now both affordable, highly effective and can grow with your business. For installers, Axis is making it easier – using Power over Ethernet network cameras, such as the AXIS 216FD, cuts down on costly electrical wiring.”

Steve Gorski, managing director for Axis Communications (UK) commented: “OmniSys and Hughes and Hughes have both recognised the potential of IP-Surveillance – to provide security monitoring and also to help cut insurance fraud and manage a fast-growing retail business. Senior managers can check on the progress of the business when they cannot physically be at the stores. This insight gives Hughes and Hughes a real edge over their competition.”

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Notes to editors
A full case study with accompanying high resolution images is available from Agility PR – see contact details below.

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 $54.7m 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 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 Nordic list, Mid Cap, Information Technology. Axis operates globally with offices in 17 countries and in cooperation with distributors and system integrators in 70 countries. Markets outside Sweden account for more than 95% of sales. Information about Axis can be found at www.axis.com.

About Hughes and Hughes
Hughes and Hughes is Ireland’s fastest growing bookstore chain, with currently 16 stores across Ireland and one store based at London’s City airport. The business was founded in 1984 by Derek Hughes and employs 220 staff with a sales turnover of €38 million for the year ending February 2006. It has recently won a €70 million contract to operate as the exclusive bookseller for Terminal 5 at London’s Heathrow airport. Information about Hughes and Hughes can be found at www.hughesbooks.com

About OmniSys
OmniSys is an IT consultancy founded in 2001 by Colin Whelan, offering consultancy and project management to small and medium sized enterprises in Ireland. It currently employs eight staff and is based in Santry, Co.Dublin. Information about OmniSys can be found at www.omnisys.ie

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 Axis media enquiries, including full case study copy, interviews and high resolution photography to support this story, please contact:
Miles Clayton /Simon Bennett, Agility PR Limited
Tel: 01438 310 139/5. Email: miles@agilitypr.co.uk / simon@agilitypr.co.uk

For further information about OmniSys, please contact:
Colin Whelan, Managing Director, OmniSys Ltd
Tel: +353 (0)87 948 4216 Email: colin@omnisys.ie

For further information about Hughes and Hughes, please contact:
Mark Gould, Managing Director, Hughes & Hughes
Tel: +353 (0) 180 79 291 Email: mark.gould@hughesbooks.com