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Canon acquires Milestone

Canon has a clear ambition to drive future growth through diversification and has identified network video surveillance as a strategic new business area. Bringing Milestone into the Canon Group will significantly enhance Canon’s software capabilities in this sector.

Rokus van Iperen, president & CEO, Canon Europe, Middle East and Africa, explains: “Canon is aiming to take a leadership position in network video surveillance and we are making an important strategic investment today to realise our objective to expand in this market. Together with Milestone, we can accelerate our growth by delivering new advanced products and solutions for new sectors, through new channels, to offer greater customer value. We are very excited about working with such a talented and innovative company and we welcome Milestone into the Canon Group.”

Lars Thinggaard, president & CEO, Milestone Systems: “Milestone is extremely excited about the huge potential that being part of a global group will provide. Canon respects how we built our business with our partners and supports our strategy of providing open platform solutions and therefore the need to remain a standalone company within the Canon Group. We feel this step is right for taking both our business and support for suppliers and partners to a new level.”

Milestone is the world leader in video management software, with strong consultancy and training services and a major focus on innovation. This creates strong synergies with Canon’s customer focus and R&D culture. As part of the Canon Group, Milestone will be able to accelerate its business and development of new products. In addition, Milestone will be able to use Canon’s business and consumer channels to expand its global market presence.

Milestone’s successful open platform business model is essential to its future success and Milestone will continue to provide open platform solutions to the market, while operating as a standalone company within the Canon Group. Canon fully supports Milestone’s open platform strategy and respects their strong partnerships.

Hi-Tech Security Solutions will follow up on this story in the next issue.

Milestone ramps up in southern Africa

Milestone Systems has hired Michael Metcalfe as channel business manager for southern Africa.

“In response to the sharply rising demand for open technology video solutions in the area, we are ramping up the Milestone organisation in southern Africa. I am delighted that we have Michael joining Milestone Systems as channels business manager for southern Africa. His long experience with distributors is perfectly suited to address the possibilities our distribution partners have growing their business,” says Peter Biltsted, sales director, Middle East & Africa, Milestone Systems.

Michael Metcalfe has more than 10 years’ experience in distribution and channel development. He has been employed by the largest South African distributor, Tarsus Technologies and most recently held a position as sales and business development manager from another large distributor, Duxbury Networking, before joining Milestone.

“I am thrilled to be at Milestone Systems as this position enables me to listen and react to the business needs in the Milestone partner community. I am looking forward to strengthening the existing relationships with our partners and widen the reach of the Milestone brand in southern Africa by making use of my previous experiences in the channel business model,” says Metcalfe.

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