Montreal-based Genetec, a technology provider of unified security, public safety, operations and business intelligence solutions, announced a collaboration with Axis Communications to introduce Axis Powered by Genetec. This enterprise-level access control offering combines Genetec access control software with Axis network door controllers in a single easy-to-deploy, all-in-one offering.

With inventory available globally and offered exclusively through the Genetec certified network of channel partners, Axis Powered by Genetec combines the Genetec Synergis access control software with the AXIS A1210 and AXIS A1610 network door controllers.

Integrators will benefit from hardware pre-loaded with Genetec’s access control software, eliminating friction associated with traditional software/hardware integrations. Devices in the Axis Powered by Genetec program benefit from continuous delivery of product and firmware improvements, new features and cybersecurity updates.

Genetec’s long-standing relationship with Axis and its vision of bringing power and technology to the edge was the impetus in developing Axis Powered by Genetec, said Despina Stamatelos, senior commercial manager at Genetec. “We’ve been partners with Axis for 20 years; they were one of the first manufacturers we worked with on the video side. Then, when they introduced controllers in 2015, we integrated into those,” she said. “Axis mentioned they would be introducing new controllers this year and once we discovered they would have the capacity to run external software on them, we thought it was a good opportunity to work together.”

Axis Powered by Genetec combines hardware and software in a single unit, simplifying installation, reducing maintenance and bringing built-in cybersecurity features at both the hardware and software levels. The open platform solution expands the Genetec ecosystem of non-proprietary systems while providing customers with more flexibility to scale as their physical security needs evolve.

For both integrators and end users, one of the top benefits of the new product is increased cybersecurity, Stamatelos said. “Cybersecurity is built into both the hardware and software levels, so they’re getting the best of both worlds,” she said. “Genetec works on being on the forefront of cybersecurity, so any time we make updates to features and improvements and advancements, the end user will have access to that latest technology.”

The new product also brings logic closer to the door, so if the server goes down, logic is within that unit, which is good for security.

To head off potential supply chain issues, Genetec and Axis worked closely on forecasting to ensure that thousands of units will be globally available when Axis Powered by Genetec launches early this month, she added.

End users can only purchase the product through certified Genetec channel partners; standard Axis units will not be able to connect into the Genetec system. “The unit from us will be at different price points because of licensing and software,” Stamatelos noted.

Axis Powered by Genetec provides a cost benefit to channel partners; because it has less of a hardware footprint, there is less maintenance and quicker and easier installation for integrators to provide an enterprise-grade solution. “Going beyond the tradition of running software on hardware means right out of the box, they’ll get full features,” she added. “Many integrators favor Axis on the video side and now they have a solution on the access control side as well that they can bring to market and their customers.”

So far, the response from Genetec’s channel partners has been overwhelmingly positive, Stamatelos said. “They’re very interested and they love the fact that it’s an edge product,” she said. “We felt that was missing from our portfolio. Now they can use this product in spaces where space is limited and cabling is hard to pull. They’re excited about it in general, especially because it’s a program that’s open to other manufacturers.”

Genetec will be introducing select Powered by Genetec offerings across a range of edge devices in the coming quarters.