The honour was bestowed during the annual Axis Channel Convergence Conference held recently in Las Vegas. Milestone was selected as a winner “due to its close product collaboration and active engagement” with Axis.
“Our Application Development Partners are carefully selected companies that match our level of industry drive and innovation with a network video focus,” said Fredrik Nilsson, general manager at Axis Communications Inc.
“Milestone has consistently elevated the IP surveillance market with its educational efforts, and aggressively works alongside us as a true partner in product development and interoperability.”
Nilsson added: “We look forward to continuing our success of providing comprehensive customer solutions in the future.”
Software developers and the integration process
Axis’ Application Development Partner initiative assists software developers as they look to integrate the company’s network video products and ensure compatibility and reliability for video management solutions and applications.
Partners are able to leverage the VAPIX platform, technical documentation, Software Development Kits (SDKs), development support and the Axis Camera Application Platform to create software and analytics solutions for customers.
“Axis is also a Milestone Manufacturer Alliance Partner, and our close relationship proceeds to grow worldwide, strengthening our leadership in the development of IP solutions for video surveillance,” explained Henrik Friborg, vice-president of strategic alliances and the co-founder of Milestone Systems.
Another synergy between Milestone Systems and Axis Communications is the mutual commitment to working with ONVIF-compliant products (a standardisation initiative for IP-based physical security products), wherein both companies strive to ensure IP interoperability to create Best-in-Class solutions and more options for customers.
The Axis Channel Convergence Conference is an annual gathering of Axis’ top distributors, systems integrators, development partners and strategic infrastructure partners in North America.
The event includes educational sessions relating to IP-based technology trends, reviews of Axis’ product portfolio and future plans as well as highlights of customer success stories.
Milestone Systems ranks fifth for profit growth
Milestone Systems has been listed in the 2010 Security 50 rakings recently announced by A&S International. In addition, the company is ranked number 5 in its list of ‘Top Ten Companies for Profit Growth’.
This annual listing includes industry leaders from the product categories of video surveillance, access control, biometrics and intrusion detection, in turn ranking the product sales of manufacturers (excluding installation, integration, distribution and resale income).
The latest report carries extra significance because the recent financial downturn brought negative repercussions with slumping sales after a decade of meteoric growth.
A supposedly recession-proof industry found itself in challenging times: several companies closed, unable to make ends meet and “…leaving behind qualified players with sound financial practices and competitive product offerings. Solutions providers who offered unique value grew despite trying circumstances. In these dire times, the Security 50 ranking identifies the leaders of security.”
Ann official statement on the A&S International website adds: “We salute them for generously sharing their financial data, time and experience and for shedding light on how to keep a business sustainable. These professionals make a difference in security by giving their best in the worst circumstances.”
Rising above the recessionary gloom
Despite tough conditions in 2009, with the recession decreasing budgets and driving prices down, ten companies managed to rise above the challenges with robust revenues. A&S examined their growth factors and differentiators for success to find out how they performed so well, and where they found ‘blue oceans’ in a time of drought.
Eight of the Top Ten companies for profit growth operate in the video surveillance sector, and include European-based network video providers Axis Communications, Milestone Systems and Mobotix.
Asia also showed strength, with Hikvision Digital Technology and a few others appearing in the list.
All ten companies posted double-digit rises in profits. For its part, Milestone Systems reports a profit growth of 18.7% for 2009.
“In the US, we’re doing particularly well across the education, transportation, city surveillance and industrial sectors, with retail slowly coming back as well,” reflected Lars Thinggaard, the president and CEO at Milestone Systems.
“In Asia and Europe, Government stimulus packages are influencing major infrastructure projects that require constant monitoring.”
Training: an “essential ingredient”
Training is an essential ingredient for the success of Milestone’s channel partners. Certifications ensure that installers and end users reap the full benefits of the Milestone XProtect management solutions.
Thinggaard added: “For cost and efficiency reasons, last year we started working with Connex International for specialised training in the US. This year, we also invested money in the company, further expanding and strengthening presales and product services worldwide.”
Founded in 1998, Milestone Systems is one of the worldwide industry leaders when it comes to open platform IP video management software. Its XProtect products have been installed for thousands of end customers – all of those systems being sold through authorised and certified partners in more than 100 countries.
For more information visit the company’s website (a link is provided on the right hand panel of this page)
