PRESS RELEASE
3rd March 2008

Axis awarded Encom Best Channel Partner in Ireland

Axis Communications, the global leader in network video¹, has awarded Irish systems integrator Encom its Best Channel Partner in Ireland Award 2007, at its recent partner conference held at Sopwell House, St Albans. Dublin-based Encom had expertise in storage and PC deployments working with the likes of Irish telecoms operator Eircom and data centre provider DEG, before building an IP-Surveillance business unit in 2004. Since then Encom has experienced strong growth through a number of major IP-Surveillance deployments such that 30 per cent of its turnover now comes from IP-Surveillance.

Encom found that, due to its extensive IT expertise, the move into deploying network cameras for customers over their networks was a relatively straightforward one. In 2004 it sold a number of large multi Terabyte servers into companies requiring video data storage solutions. Encom saw the opportunity to provide complete IP-Surveillance solutions during these installs.

Encom engineers already had a strong background in network design and installation including remote access and wireless technologies. This expertise was key when getting up to speed in the area of IP-Surveillance. Encom also sent some of its technical staff on Axis Training Academy courses during 2004 and achieved Axis Solutions Partner status in 2005. Once this investment had been made, Encom found that the market opportunity in Ireland was huge.

John Morgan, managing director, Encom, explained: “It became clear in discussion with a number of our customers that the traditional CCTV installer companies were having difficulty meeting their requirements in the IP-Surveillance area. We capitalised on that situation and were able to build our business fast.”

Steve Gorski, managing director, Axis Communications (UK) Ltd commented: “Encom has proved a very important, early adopter partner for Axis in Ireland and we are very grateful to them for embracing IP-Surveillance with such gusto over these years. They have put both resources and commitment around the network video market opportunity in Ireland and I’m really pleased that it is now reaping major rewards for us both.”  

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Notes to editors
Encom will be hosting its annual IP-Surveillance Seminar at Croke Park in north Dublin on 23rd April 2008. At this event presentations will be made by both Axis and Encom explaining the benefits of IP-Surveillance and making reference to several successful Encom installs. Last year’s seminar attracted senior security staff from across Ireland including representatives from Dublin City Council, Trinity College Dublin and Eircom in addition to leading consulting engineers. 1 Axis Communications is the global market leader in the network video market with a market share of network cameras of 32%. The world market for network cameras alone will be worth more than $1 Billion by 2009. The network camera market is set to have a CAGR of more than 40 per cent per year over the next three years to reach a value of $1.5 billion by 2010, according to industry analyst house IMS Research (www.imsresearch.com) in its latest market report entitled ‘The World Market for CCTV and Video Surveillance Equipment 2007 Edition’ published in December 2007.

About Axis Communications
Axis is an IT company offering network video solutions for professional installations. The company is the global market leader in network video, driving the ongoing shift from analogue to digital video surveillance. Axis products and solutions focus on security surveillance and remote monitoring and are based on innovative, open technology platforms.

Axis is a Swedish-based company, operating worldwide with offices in 19 countries and cooperating with partners in more than 70 countries. Founded in 1984, Axis is listed on OMX Nordic Exchange, Large Cap and Information Technology. For more information about Axis, please visit our website at www.axis.com