Axis Communications and Cisco are integrating physical security into the Cisco Meraki Dashboard. Through Axis Cloud Connect, IT and security teams can centrally manage supported Axis devices within Cisco Cloud Control, including visibility into connectivity, device status, and AXIS OS versions.
Many organizations manage physical security and IT using separate tools and processes. The two companies now aim to change that. Supported Axis devices will now be visible in the Cisco Meraki Dashboard within Cisco Cloud Control. Administrators can see whether a device is online, which AXIS OS version it is running, and where maintenance is needed, all without having to check each location individually.
The foundation for this is Axis Cloud Connect, the open hybrid cloud platform that connects Axis devices at the network edge to cloud services.
Two levels in Cisco Cloud Control
Cisco offers two options for managing supported Axis devices. Essentials provides centralized device management and insights into status, connectivity, and maintenance. Advantage adds historical video access, video analytics, and 30 days of cloud storage.
A complete replacement of existing infrastructure is not necessary. Axis and Cisco are aiming for a phased approach, in which existing supported devices remain in place, and cloud management is added where it delivers the greatest benefit. For large, distributed environments, such as a supermarket chain with hundreds of locations, both companies agree this is the practical path forward.
Jonathan Cohn, Senior Director of Product Management at Cisco, says of the integration: “Our customers now have the ability to expand their systems with Axis devices without adding complexity – and without ever leaving the simple, unified management experience of the Meraki dashboard.”
Christian Andersson, Global Product Manager for Axis Cloud Connect at Axis Communications, calls the partnership a blueprint for the future of converged enterprise systems.