Thin Server Puts VARs in the Surveillance Market

A new $1,799 thin server from Axis Communications, Inc. will give small businesses a cheap and easy tool for adding new video capabilities to their IT infrastructures, including surveillance applications.

On June 1, Axis will unveil and ship the AXIS 2400 video server, a self-contained thin server that can transmit live, high-quality video images of up to 30 frames per second video in real time over any network.

While the thin server has potential in education and training applications, Axis is urging its VARs to first target the surveillance market. "There's a great opportunity because of the need for surveillance tools that bridge the gap between older analog video surveillance systems and digital networks," says Brendan Daly, Axis Camera Division business development manager. "We see a lot of potential for VARs to take this into applications that have been non-network-centric until now."

Daly advises VARs to use the AXIS 2400 in applications such as traffic surveillance and live event broadcasting, as well as remote monitoring, security systems, alarms verification, manufacturing plants, process monitoring and remote image archiving.

The system uses Axis ARTPEC-1, the industry's first dedicated chip for network surveillance and remote monitoring. No network file server has to provide network access to the cameras connected to the AXIS 2400 video server. Axis' ThinServer Technology combines embedded, streamlined versions of major operating systems such as Windows NT, NetWare, OS/2 and UNIX, optimized 32-bit RISC hardware and an open Web-based management platform.

The AXIS 2400 enables video images to be automatically sent to a Web page, a remote PC or stored in the internal buffer. As many as four video cameras can used with the thin server.

System set-up is guided by wizards. The 2400's built-in video broadcast application is easily launched on a web browser.

Companies who have analog surveillance systems can be led down the upgrade path with AXIS 2400. The thin server can be integrated with existing camera systems such as CCTV surveillance systems, and has built in control for many popular Pan/Tilt/Zoom units through its two serial ports.

"This gives Internet or networking VARs a cool new app they can bring to customers, whether they have a legacy surveillance system or not," says Daly. "For the first time, small businesses can cheaply and easily implement a system that allows them to watch their property, employees, and valuables."

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