Axis Communications was started back in 1984 by Martin Gren, an engineering student at the Lund Institute of Technology, and Mikael Karlsson, a 22-year-old business graduate from the Stockholm School of Economics. Their original idea was to develop innovative protocol converters/printer interfaces for the connection of PC printers in IBM mainframe and mini-computer environments. In the 1990s, Axis set to work making the network smarter, broadening the IP-based technology platform to allow simple, affordable connection, access and use of other types of office equipment in networks. The very first network camera, the AXIS 200, was launched in 1996.
Apart from its products and culture of innovation, Axis has another trump card to play - its unique sales model and worldwide partner network. Axis has been applying the same indirect sales model since the start. This tried and tested business model - selling exclusively through partners and investing heavily in training - is a cornerstone of the company’s success and sure to stand it in good stead in the years to come.
AXIS CAMERA'S HISTORY FROM 1984 - 2009
1984
Axis Communications was formally founded by Mikael Karlsson, Martin Gren and Keith Bloodworth. The year before, Martin Gren and Mikael Karlsson founded the company Gren & Karlsson Firmware.
1986
Axis first customer is Cardo, the Swedish sugar company. At this time the indirect sales model is established where Axis never bypasses its channels.
1987
First company to introduce a RISC processor with built-in IBM mainframe 3270 coax and AS/400 midrange 5250 compatible communications, the CGA-1.
1988
First company to introduce a pocket-sized IBM 3270 and 5250 protocol converter, the AX-7 Cobra and AX-3 Cobra.
Axis establishes an office in Boston, US.
1989
Support for printing using local area Networks over Ethernet using TCP/IP in the Axis AX-5.
1991 First company to introduce a multi-protocol print server with TCP/IP and NetWare.
Axis establishes an office in Tokyo, Japan.
1992
Axis changes strategy and shifts all R&D focus from IBM mainframes to networking, with TCP/IP being the cornerstone. Axis begins selling through volume distribution.
Axis establishes an office in Hong Kong.
1993
Release of the ETRAX 1, the world's first 32-bit RISC processor with on-chip Ethernet and Token Ring controllers.
Award: Best Print Server – by Byte Magazine for the NPS 550 RISC.
First company to introduce a pocket-sized network print server, the NPS 530.
1994
Several awards for Axis’ print products including PC Magazine Editors’ Choice.
1995
First company to introduce a file server independent, multi-protocol CD-ROM server, supporting TCP/IP (NFS) and Windows (SMB), for Ethernet networks, the AXIS 850.
Axis establishes an office in Singapore.
1996
First company to introduce a network camera, the AXIS 200 Network Camera.
Axis establishes offices in Paris, France, Taipei, Taiwan and in Shanghai, China.
1997
First company to offer a CD-ROM server with native support for NetWare Directory Services (NDS).
Axis establishes an office in London, UK, and in Seoul, Korea.
1998
First company to introduce a Network Document Server that enables paper-based information to be easily scanned and sent by e-mail. Axis establishes offices in Munich, Germany and in Sydney, Australia.
1999
Introduction of the world’s most popular network camera for five consecutive years, the AXIS 2100 Network Camera. Axis is the first company to use embedded Linux in a volume product.
2000Award: International Award by Swedish security magazine Detektor for the AXIS 2120 Network Camera.
Axis establishes offices in Madrid, Spain, Torino, Italy and in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
2001
Release of the chip ETRAX 100LX.
Market research firm Frost & Sullivan recognizes Axis Communications as the leader in the global network camera and video server market.
2002
Axis switches focus again, this time focusing on professional network video.
2003
Product Achievement Award for Digital Video for the AXIS 2130 PTZ Network Camera, selected by a panel of the security industry during the SIA New Product Showcase at the ISC EXPO in Las Vegas.
Axis receives the award "Best Places to Work" in Sweden in the category for Diversity.
2004
AXIS 206 Network Camera - the smallest network camera in the world.
AXIS 206 Network Camera
Axis stays ahead – IMS Research recognizes Axis as the clear market leader in the fastgrowing EMEA network video market. Axis introduces MPEG-4 compression in its products.
2005
Frost & Sullivan ranks Axis as the definitive market leader in both the global network camera market and the global video server market. Introduction of the Axis 20x series – still the world's smallest network cameras.
2006
Axis establishes new offices in Johannesburg, South Africa and in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
2007
More than 1,000,000 Axis network cameras are installed in security installations around the world.
Axis establishes a new office in Bangalore, India.
2008
Launch of a new product generation of network video products which are based on an inhouse developed chip - ARTPEC-3 with H.264. 
AXIS Q1755 Network Camera
The global market research analyst IMS Research ranks Axis as the market leader in network video and in third place in the ranking of security cameras.
Axis establishes new offices in Moscow, Russia, São Paulo, Brazil and in Beijing, China.
2009
Axis celebrates 25 years in the network business. With great experiences from network products and working in network with partners, Axis is very well prepared for the future ahead in the professional security business.
2008
Launch of a new product generation of network video products which are based on an inhouse developed chip - ARTPEC-3 with H.264.
AXIS Q1755 Network Camera
The global market research analyst IMS Research ranks Axis as the market leader in network video and in third place in the ranking of security cameras.
Axis establishes new offices in Moscow, Russia, São Paulo, Brazil and in Beijing, China.
2009
Axis celebrates 25 years in the network business. With great experiences from network products and working in network with partners, Axis is very well prepared for the future ahead in the professional security business.
