The Power of one vendor and how it can save your business time and money

In this article I will explore the many benefits of using a single vendor (manufacturer) for your security system. There is an increasing part of the market that now prefers an end to end solution from a single vendor and this is what we will cover in this article. Of course, there is also a significant part of the market that also prefers, or needs, a multi-vendor solution from the likes of our VMS partners Milestone and Genetec with whom we have a close working relationship.

So, firstly let's look at the benefits of using a single design tool to design, quote and configure your solution.

By using Axis Site Designer you can not only design your video solution but also your audio, access control, radar and analytics projects. Axis Site Designer includes the ability to add maps and to drop the Axis cameras directly onto the map so that you can visualize the area that they will cover. You can also place other Axis devices such as audio and radars, so you can easily see the area that you will be able to hear the speaker or see the area that the radar will protect.?

An important area where mistakes are often made during a system design is the addition of accessories such as cameras brackets. In Axis Site Designer you can easily select and add the correct bracket, so when you arrive on site to install the camera you have everything that you need.

Once you have designed your solution you can then simply add the correct video recording solution for your project from the simple to use interface. You can also easily share your project with other people so that you can collaborate on projects, share the bill of materials with Axis or even generate a quote.

Note: not many people realize that you can also design your Milestone and Genetec systems in AXIS Site Designer you can select their recording solutions once you have selected your Axis hardware.

Using a single vendor has many benefits for end users and system integrators.

By using a single vendor you can avoid many of the problems that are experienced when there is a poor integration between the cameras and the video management system.

A common cause of frustration is when a system is installed and you find that either the hardware is not supported by the video management software or the customer needs to wait for a new version of software so that the device can be added and all of the functions of the device accessed. This means additional cost and delays for both the end user and system integrator while this problem is resolved. By using a unified end to end solution from Axis Communications compatibility is assured first time, every time.

Cyber Security is of the highest priority for Axis and by controlling both your devices and recording solution we can ensure that all parts of your sytem are cyber secure and therefore give you peace of mind. We now have the Axis Camera Station Recorder Hardening guide which means that no only can your edge devices be secure but also your VMS.

By using Axis Site Designer the system can be programmed in a matter of seconds by simply uploading the system designed in Axis Site Designer into the network video recorder and this means that engineering time during the installation is greatly reduced.

By using Axis Camera Station you can control your entire system from a single interface. Playback, viewing and downloading of video is incredibly simple but that isn’t the only functionality that you have.

Axis Secure Entry, which is included at no additional cost in Axis Camera Station, means that you can also control your access control system from the same interface. You can add and remove users credentials and even see the status of doors thanks to the map icons.

You can also make audio announcements to Axis speakers and view and control Axis intercoms all from a single interface. There is no need to jump between different software programmes to control, view and programme your system. We are continuously developing other solutions such as body worn cameras and sirens and support for new hardware devices is always added to Axis Camera Station at no additional cost.

By using Axis Camera Station you simply pay for a licence for each device. One camera is once licence. One radar is one licence. Once intercom is, you guessed it, one licence. This means that our licencing model is very easy to understand and quote.

If you buy a 48 channel network video recorder from Axis then the 48 channels are included in the cost. If you want to expand to include more devices then simply add the correct amount of licences that you need.

Another thing that is important to know is that there are no hidden costs and no annual software maintenance fees. Any future updates to Axis Camera Station can simply be downloaded from axis.com and you can then update the system at a time that suits you.

By using Axis for your end to end solution you have a single point of support. This means your entire system, including video, audio, access control and all of our other Axis devices are supported by Axis. Axis Communications are a global company and this means that we can support your Axis end to end system wherever it is installed on the planet.

The vast majority of Axis devices have a 5 year warranty ?and it's free with no action required from you. That means there's no administration, no emails, and no registration required. And, you don't need to worry about hidden costs – there are no unpleasant surprises hidden in the fine print – what we promise is exactly what you get.

Our technical support teams cover all regions and timezones. We offer support by phone, email and even chat, which is available 24/5, so that we can give you the best possible support.

Axis Camera Station is installed in tens of thousands of sites around the world and this gives you the peace of mind that you are safe investing your system with the global company that invented the first network video camera.

We have been developing Axis Camera Station since 2004 so it is a mature software solution which has had over 1,000,000 devices connected.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me directly or reach out to your local Axis sales office.