Ajax: The annual summary 2018
Wenn wir gebeten werden, das letzte Jahr mit einem Wort zu beschreiben, ist „Reformierung“ genau das Richtige. Ajax Systems ist in diesem Jahr mit einem geradezu gefährlichen Tempo gewachsen: sowohl die Produktion, als auch die Mitarbeiterzahl und die Absatzmärkte nahmen in atemberaubendem Tempo zu. Solche Maßstabsänderungen führen oft auch zu einer unkontrollierten Kettenreaktion, in deren Folge Prozesse zusammenbrechen und die Qualität der Dienstleistungen leidet. Um dies zu vermeiden, haben wir die Entwicklung neuer Produkte etwas zurückgeschraubt und stärkeren Fokus auf die Optimierung des Bestehenden gelegt.
First and foremost, the product development process had to be automated and transformed into a pipeline that creates hardware based on the principle of software. Now the work on a new device begins synchronously at all stages: the design is started, the selection of components begins, production processes are planned, the marketing strategy is developed and the logistics scheme is created. This kind of coherence helps to minimize or completely avoid downtime, errors and missed deadlines.
In the second step, we carried out a restructuring in production: we reorganized the personnel structure and the bonus program, hired middle team leaders to manage several smaller, functional teams. This made it possible to increase productivity in environments where production standards are growing faster than the number of new employees in the assembly.
Together with the new development of processes, we are improving the principles of personnel selection: we select people who are close to the principles of Ajax Systems, we invest even more in their development and increase the number of our specialists in the internal rotation program. All Ajax Systems employees undergo numerous trainings and tests and thus learn the common values of our company.
We want to use a specific example to explain the work on quality:
In 2018, the company successfully passed two audits. First, we received the ISO 9001:2015 certificate, which shows our attention to every detail in all areas: in the selection of personnel, in cooperation with suppliers, in the quality control of our products. The auditors were particularly surprised that we test absolutely every Ajax device.
In addition, Ajax Systems has achieved an overall score of 2 in the 5th point scheme audit, which confirms that we manufacture a series product of consistently very high quality, regardless of production time and batch number.
Our team
The number of Ajax Systems employees has almost doubled compared to the previous year. The two main reasons for this were the strong expansion into new markets and the increasing demand for Ajax systems in existing markets. We are currently (December 2018) already supplying our customers in 77 countries around the world. To avoid delivery problems, we have strengthened our production, marketing, sales and logistics teams. In addition, specialists have been brought in to strengthen the operational processes in specific areas.
Our products
In 2018, we set ourselves the goal of bringing devices to the market that cover gaps in outdoor surveillance and the smart home. The result was the first version of Relay, a low-current relay. With the growth of automated smart home solutions in 2019, it will make life easier for many Ajax owners.
In September 2018, we broke through the one million devices produced mark. It took us 3 years to achieve this. In the meantime, the production volume has exceeded hundreds of thousands of sensors per month, meaning that the second million will come off the conveyor belt in the first half of 2019.
Back in October, we presented 10 new products: the new Hub Plus, MotionProtect Outdoor Motion Sensor, Smart Socket, MotionProtect Curtain Sensor, Motion Sensor with MotionCam camera, ReX Signal Amplifier, the programmable Button remote control and three software innovations. The most technologically complex developments, Hub Plus and MotionProtect Outdoor, have already gone on sale.
We have been thinking about large commercial properties for a long time: the development of the second generation intelligent Hub Plus, which supports up to 150 devices and the group management function introduced in Hub OS Malevich 2.6, closes another gap. With the help of groups, it is easy to control the protection of individual rooms on large objects: in multi-storey villas, banks, stores or warehouses.
We have also released useful new software. The updated Windows Ajax Pro desktop app with monitoring function helps you to organize central monitoring of group security in apartment buildings, single-family homes and residential complexes. The very new Enterprise API enables security and service companies to integrate our products into their own systems and create new services for their customers.
Our awards
Participating in and winning industry competitions shows us that we are doing everything right. This year we convinced the jury of the international security technology trade fairs Expoprotection and Intersec, so that Ajax remains the most titled wireless security system in Europe. We are delighted with these awards, add them to our trophy cabinet and continue to work hard.
Our growth
In 2018, we concentrated on expanding existing markets and thus reduced our focus on opening up new countries. This strategy increased operating income by a factor of 2.5. Today, our core market is the EU and we are preparing the ground for entry into Africa and the Middle East.
In 2018, we completely updated the official Ajax website. Now it is an information platform with the ability to quickly select an individual Ajax security system kit. The amount of content increased 10 times compared to the old website. And the support section has grown to 324 articles with detailed instructions and step-by-step guides for working with Ajax products. Next year we will make this mega-platform available in more languages for European customers.
For partners and independent installers, we have opened the Ajax Academy in three languages: Ukrainian, Russian and English. The training process now consists of 26 lessons that help to understand the intricacies of our products. For many partners, Ajax Academy is a free tool for internal training of employees and knowledge control. After all lessons, the student receives a certificate. Today, more than 1000 people in Ukraine and abroad have received such certificates.
Our plans for 2019
We already have a number of premieres planned for the beginning of the year: We will be launching a smart socket, the MotionProtect curtain sensor and the ReX signal amplifier. We will be working on integrations: The Enterprise API we introduced is just the first step. And we will continue to develop the road safety, video and smart home functions. Stay tuned!
