Axis Communications are the world leaders in innovative products and solutions in the video security space, and that innovation extends into connected services. While many network camera manufacturers have a 'cloud' offering of some sort, few rival Axis in the capability of their connected services. One useful tool for end users is their Axis My Systems offering, launched in 2024. First, a little background.
What do we mean by connected services?
Also used interchangeably with the term 'Axis Cloud Connect', connected services is Axis' integration of their physical products, e.g. IP cameras, with their rapidly developing integrated cloud services. Its core features and enablements include:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Centralised management | Makes it easier to manage your Axis camera estate |
| Multi-site, multi-user | Offers additional productivity and management capabilities for distributed systems spanning multiple sites |
| Secure cloud connectivity | All video and data is secure both at rest and in transit |
| Cloud services enablement | Enables third parties such as Morphean to securely connect to Axis devices |
| Remote monitoring and control | Basic live video, playback, and control from a web browser and from anywhere |
What, then, is Axis My Systems?
Axis My Systems first and foremost helps you manage your Axis devices and software and keep everything secure.
My Systems itself is a cloud-based platform allowing end-users to access and manage their Axis Camera Station Pro and Axis Camera Station Edge sites remotely from anywhere in a web browser and with a single login. It extends those systems into the cloud and provides features and services which complement their on-site capabilities. It can’t yet be used for device config - or viewing independently of ACS Edge or Pro - so it is not a standalone tool or a substitute for a true cloud video management platform such as Morphean, Eagle Eye Networks or Milestone Kite. Axis My Systems is best suited for multi-site businesses, or when multiple recorders are in play.
How do you set up Axis My Systems?
To use Axis My Systems, you need a My Axis account. This is available from Axis.com and can be seen as the master account for your camera estate. Your MyAxis account will give you access to Axis My Systems, Axis Camera Station Pro, Axis Camera Station Edge, Axis Device Manager, Axis Optimizer and more Axis tools, and acts as a means to bring them all together in one place. You will find a link to My Systems within your My Axis account login.
For cameras, when you set up Axis Camera Station Pro or Axis Camera Station Edge, you will log in with your My Axis account. This then establishes a connection with the My Systems portal from each system and from there you can select the cameras that you’d like to become available in Axis My Systems for management and monitoring.
But be aware, Axis My Systems is under constant development, so you can expect more and more beneficial updates in the future. For now, the most beneficial features are:
- ✔ Camera estate consolidation - viewing multiple sites from a single portal and login
- ✔ Device lifecycle management (firmware management)
- ✔ User access management
- ✔ Axis license management
- ✔ Basic Axis Camera Station server and storage monitoring
- ✔ Basic Axis Camera Station notifications management
- ✔ Cloud storage (paid-for additional option available here)
- ✔ Live camera view (basic)
- ✔ Video playback and export (basic)
- ✔ PTZ camera control
Is Axis My Systems useful for CCTV monitoring?
There are some limitations to be aware of when using My Systems for your camera estate. The key one being how My Systems handles live video, as video is pulled directly from each site. Using My Systems upstream internet speeds can quickly become strained when viewing multiple cameras simultaneously. My Systems is therefore best suited for viewing a small number of cameras simultaneously. Crucially, cameras from different sites cannot be combined in one view.
Further, Axis has some data limits on what passes through their platform. These limits are unclear, as-is how Axis will enforce them and how this will manifest when you are using My Systems.
Considering these limitations, Axis My Systems should not be seen as a video monitoring solution or as a replacement for a video management system. It simply isn't that.
In Short
Axis My Systems is a valuable addition to Axis' connected services ecosystem for you to be aware of, offering remote access, management, and basic monitoring capabilities for distributed camera systems. It is best suited for multi-site or multi-server setups.
Axis My Systems provides an easy-to-use portal for centralised management of your business' camera estate, with potential for further benefits and time savings as Axis continues to expand and refine its connected services.