Axis Cameras Still Going Strong after Hurricanes and Blizzards!

It hasn’t always been easy choosing the right security camera. As a nationwide security systems company and security integrator we are not the biggest security company but choosing Axis IP Cameras and Axis Security Cameras as our standard has made us one of the smartest security camera installation companies. The reason it hasn’t been easy? First Axis Communication manufactures IP Cameras, access control systems, and the companion NVR line. But the bottom line is that Axis systems and cameras are not the cheapest. However, time and time again clients who listened to us and chose Axis IP cameras for their deployments have gotten extraordinary results, and great return on their investments. With Axis IP cameras you may spend more money up front but the cameras are reliable and survive in the harshest conditions.

Axis Cameras Survive 2 Hurricanes and 1 Tropical Storm in Florida!!

It was 2012 and we just completed an 85 Axis IP Camera installation in southern Florida. Our cameras of choice were Axis Communications cameras. The cameras were a combination of P3364-VE, and P5512-E and P5512-E Axis IP Cameras. We just completed the job, and our worst fears became realized. Our Axis Camera system installation was about to be tested by Hurricane Sandy. Sandy was the most destructive hurricane in 2012. Our site didn’t take a direct hit, but the power got knocked out and there were torrential rains. After a day or so power was restored. We powered our systems up and after all of that we only had 3 downed cameras. I thought that was amazing. And of those 3 we were able to connect with them remotely and turn on the internal fan and clear 2 of them. Only one of them failed, and it was quickly replaced by the Axis Communications team.

Axis Camera Systems very low Failure Rate and IP66 rated!

Well we weren’t done yet after that first year, these cameras survived another hurricane, and tropical storm. And in 2017 they took a direct hit from Irma. We thought all our cameras would get ripped off the building with the piping and installation. But because of a great security camera installation by IT Risk Managers LLC the infrastructure and cameras survived. The Category 6 cable survived and the fiber optic cable survived. We used a weather proof, UV rated hard innerduct pipe to run all our Category 6 and fiber optic cables through. Miraculously the Axis IP Cameras survived and so did the security camera installation. During Irma we lost 2 cameras, but out of 85, all I can say is wow. These cameras meet IP66 protection standards, but I think they go beyond IP66 standards. Can you imagine security cameras surviving and working after such harsh storms?

Axis IP Cameras Survive Blizzards and Unpredictable Weather in Chicago 

Now let’s move on to Chicago. The problem we’ve always had in Chicago is the freezing, sub-zero temperatures. One day it could be 65 degrees and the next day it can be below zero. But most importantly it’s the humidity and extreme highs and lows. Extremely moist highs and lows cause condensation. But with the environmental controls built into the P3375-VEs we can blow air inside the dome and clear condensation. Our Chicago based Axis Security Camera installations have survived -10 below temperatures, heavy windstorms, and rain storms. Out of the 300 to 350 Axis cameras we have installed in the Chicago area, we have less than a 1% failure rate per year. Again, as a Chicago based security integrator and security camera company those are great numbers. IT Risk Managers LLC is very satisfied with the Axis Communications security and camera line.

Axis Communications Provides Great Support!

And when there has been a failure, Axis Communications has had fantastic support. They have US based support that resolve help tickets fast, help us troubleshoot effectively with minimum hassles and downtime. Every Axis IP Camera or Axis Companion unit we’ve ever had to return has been replaced quickly with no problems. 

And the great thing is the P3364-VEs, M3204s, P5512-Es cameras continue to survive the harshest weather conditions and still have life. At this point in time it looks like these cameras may have a 10-year lifespan. I have no doubt the replacement cameras will be as reliable and probably more reliable then these older axis camera workhorses. The Axis P3364-VE is being replaced with the Axis P3375-VE. The Axis P5512-E IP camera has been replaced with the P5514-E Axis camera. And the Axis M3204’s has been replaced with Axis M3214.

 

IT Risk Managers Axis Security Camera Partner in Chicago

Axis cameras are compatible with many other leading NVR systems like Milestone, Genetec, Avigilon, Exacq and others. Axis also has a Device compatibility tool, called the Axis Camera Station Device Compatibility tool which helps verify 3^rd party network video product compatibility with Axis. Axis also integrates with many different access control solutions, intercom solutions and other security solutions. As a Chicago security camera installer we could make much more margin with other camera vendors, but in our mind, we need to give our clients the best solution even if we can make more money with other security camera vendors. Axis is our IP Camera solution of choice.

If you have a need for a security camera installation, access control solution, door entry solution, IP enabled intercom system, or project design recommendations please email info@itriskmgrs.com or call Rick Bolda at 630-918-7370.