Johan Akesson

Following the long-term partnership with and subsequent acquisition of the video analytics application company Cognimatics, Axis Communications, the market leader in network video, has fully integrated Cognimatics applications with Axis network cameras, audio, and access control products. In doing so Axis now can introduce new and comprehensive store optimization and loss prevention solutions for the retail sector, providing intelligence and driving revenue growth. “The competitive environment for bricks and mortar retailers is as ferocious as it has ever been,” said Johan Akesson, Director Business Development Retail at Axis Communications. “Generating more revenue per customer, reducing loss, and enhancing customer experience are all commercial imperatives. With these new solutions, we aim to provide the same levels of business intelligence to retailers in the physical environment that their online counterparts have.” The new solutions will be marketed solely under the Axis brand, and will support retailers in two critical areas of their commercial objectives – store optimization solutions for customer understanding and revenue growth and loss prevention solutions to prevent theft. Store Optimization Solution In its store optimization solution, Axis’ network cameras and audio products, added to business intelligence and analytics software, deliver unparalleled accuracy in terms of people counting, age and gender detection, store occupancy estimation, and queue monitoring. The insights are delivered through comprehensive reports designed to customer needs, hosted in the cloud and available through both desktop and mobile applications. The solution allows for the enhancement of customer experience and sales opportunities through dynamic staffing levels, sales display information, and in-store announcements. Loss Prevention Solution In the loss prevention solution, Axis’ network cameras, access controllers, and video door stations are combined with analytics software to highlight real-time issues and enable immediate action. This can be used in cases such as unauthorized store exits and tailgating at entrances, in addition to providing a mechanism for random selection without profiling. Store Optimization Solution Network Product Examples AXIS M30 Network Camera Series AXIS P30 Network Camera Series AXIS P8804 Stereo Sensor Kit AXIS C1004-E Network Cabinet Speaker AXIS C2005 Network Ceiling Speaker Store Optimization Suite AXIS People Counter AXIS 3D People Counter AXIS Demographic Identifier AXIS Occupancy Estimator AXIS Queue Monitor AXIS Store Reporter AXIS Store Data Manager Loss Prevention Solution Network Product Examples AXIS M30 Network Camera Series AXIS P32 Network Camera Series AXIS A1001 Network Door Controller AXIS A8004-VE Network Video Door Station Loss Prevention Suite AXIS Direction Detector AXIS Tailgating Detector AXIS Random Selector

Intersec 2017 focusses on IP-based video surveillance for retail sector offering The rise of IoT (Internet of Things), and its convergence with video analytics is set to have a profound impact on the Middle East video surveillance industry, as the regional security sector’s traditional boundaries continue to blur. Global security solutions providers at the upcoming Intersec 2017 trade show in Dubai said the retail sector is one of many industry verticals where video surveillance can offer bottom-line benefits far beyond loss prevention and control. Intelligent IP Video Analytics Swedish company Axis Communications is one of more than 1,200 exhibitors at Intersec, and will offer up a range of intelligent solutions based on IP (Internet Protocol) video analytics that have multiple applications across a range of sectors, including retail. Johan Åkesson, Director of Business Development for Retail at Axis Communications, said retailers who think of video surveillance as a loss prevention tool are missing a huge opportunity to leverage some truly powerful in-store intelligence. Real-Time In-Store Surveillance “When retailers think of video surveillance, it’s usually in the context of loss prevention and security, but there’s a whole other arena where surveillance video provides enormous value: gathering real-time in-store intelligence to help improve margins,” said Åkesson. “With embedded analytics in network video cameras, retailers can not only observe customer behavior in-store, but garner real-time statistics to improve store layout, product and display placements, and even identify bottlenecks and dead areas on the shop floor.” Axis Communications will display its entire range of intelligent security solutions at Intersec 2017, which runs from 22-24 January at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. It’s among the world’s top ten security solutions providers that will all be out in force at the world’s largest trade fair for security, safety, and fire protection. Retailers who think of video surveillance as a lossprevention tool are missinga huge opportunity to leverage some truly powerful in-store intelligence Video Analytics Solutions The 19th edition of the three-day event arrives as the global appetite for video analytics is expected to grow annually by 20 per cent, from US$1.69 billion in 2016 to US$4.23 billion by 2021, according to news portal Security.World. Dubai-based AgilityGrid is another Intersec 2017 exhibitor that will showcase its video surveillance hardware and software solutions, having already worked on a major project in a Qatar mall where it installed thousands of cameras and over 10 PB (petabyte) of storage. Security Surveillance Solutions Costa Boukouvalas, the CEO of Agility Grid, said there’s a strong demand in the retail sector for large-scale surveillance solutions, with Big Data playing a key role. “The trend for Big Data analytics and understanding more about customers and people’s behavior in general is going to increasingly be applied to video analytics – from use of facial recognition and biometric software to recognizing VIP customers when they enter a retail outlet,” said Boukouvalas. “Our large-scale solutions have ranged up to 10PB, 3,000 cameras and over 100 recording servers. At Intersec, we’ll also be showcasing a new hardware line that better caters to customers who have medium-sized solution requirements with virtualization.” Exceptional Performance Security System Elsewhere, Korean-based surveillance solutions provider IDIS will return to Intersec 2017, and is looking to emulate the successful partnership it established with Sedar – a home furnishing manufacturer and retailer – at one of the show’s previous editions. Harry Kwon, General Manager of IDIS Middle East & North Africa, explained, “IDIS first exhibited at the Intersec in 2014, and at the time Sedar needed a state-of-the-art security surveillance system that offered exceptional performance without placing a heavy burden on company resources.” Central Monitoring “By the time the Sedar team visited IDIS at Intersec 2014, the company had already reviewed and dismissed systems from around 40 other manufacturers. At our stand, Sedar finally found what it was looking for, and by 2015, it rolled out over 400 IDIS full-HD cameras and 40 network video recorders, all operated through IDIS Solution Suite to provide both local and centralized monitoring from its headquarters in Dubai. The solution has secured Sedar’s manufacturing facility, a 50,000sqm distribution center in Riyadh, the company headquarters, eight major warehouse and 20-plus showrooms across the Middle East.” "IP-based surveillance systems have surpassed the boundary between passive monitoringand interpretative systems that can analyze and providereal-time intelligence" Added Kwon, “The IDIS solution enabled Sedar to benefit from rapid plug-and-play installation, minimal maintenance, outstanding resilience, storage and retrieval of footage. Additionally, the company has seen a 10% increase in staff productivity, experienced fewer reports of unauthorized access and potential concerns around employee behavior and also has the ultimate scalability in order to support future growth.” IP Solution For Remote Monitoring Other leading Intersec exhibitors showcasing IP-based video surveillance solutions for retail and other enterprise sectors include Hikvision, Honeywell, Bosch Security Systems, Dahua, Tyco, Flir Systems, iOmniscient, NIT, Nedap, March Networks, and LENSEC. Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of Messe Frankfurt Middle East, the organiser of Intersec, said, “IP-based surveillance systems have surpassed the boundary between passive monitoring of premises and establishments into interactive and interpretative systems that can analyze and provide real-time intelligence to remote control rooms for further action.” “Breakthrough technology and interactive systems will transform the way surveillance and monitoring is done across the world, and as the leading international security and saEVVA to participate in Intersec Dfety trade platform, Intersec 2017 will be the launch venue of choice for the industry.” Intersec 2017 Show Sections Intersec 2017 will feature more than 1,200 exhibitors from 52 countries, while over 31,000 visitors from 128 countries are expected to attend as they seek the latest solutions across seven show sections of Commercial Security, Fire & Rescue, Safety & Health, Homeland Security & Policing, Perimeter & Physical Security, Information Security, and Smart Home & Building Automation. The annual showcase is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and officially supported by Dubai Police, the Dubai Civil Defense, and Dubai Police Academy. Save