Axis Video Analytic Platform Examined

Axis, the IP camera market share leader, has announced an open application platform for video analytics. This allows customers to run a variety of 3rd party video analytics on Axis cameras. Simultaneously, video analytic manufacturers gain access to Axis' extensive user base. The first applications are planned for Q4 2009 with AgentVi, Aimetis and Via:sys among the early adopters. [Note: see Axis section on their website describing their Camera Application Platform.]

Limitations of camera and recorders support is a historical challenge for the adoption of video analytics. Some video analytic manufacturers only support their own brand of cameras, while most camera manufacturers offer no video analytics or a single option for their cameras.

The most optimistic analogy is to Apple's iPhone app store which has single-handedly exploded the use of applications on mobile phones.

While Axis's program should remove limitations on camera support, the most significant concern will be the capacity and performance of the analytics running on Axis cameras.

To that end, we see 3 key questions that will determine the success of Axis analytics program:

1. How well will the analytics perform on Axis cameras?
2. How will performance vary on different Axis cameras?
3. How significant will support and optimization of analytics be on Axis cameras?