i-PRO Co, Ltd., a pioneer in professional security solutions for surveillance and public safety, has experienced double-digit growth in its first year in business following its independence from Panasonic.
By combining the drive and innovative spirit of a start-up with the rich heritage gained through 60 years of innovation, i-PRO has, in one year, introduced more than 100 new camera models, built key partnerships, launched in multiple locations around the world and achieved double digit growth, all in service of its mission to democratise AI.
Working to create ecosystem
The foundation of the company’s success is its ‘BTF’ culture, established by its employees when they collectively identified the concepts that would drive the new company forward: boldness, trust, and flexibility. This mindset engendered a strategy based on two principles, ‘open policy’ and ‘time-based competition.’
Under i-PRO’s open policy, the company works to create ecosystem where AI can flourish
Under i-PRO’s open policy, the company works to create ecosystem where AI can flourish, and customers can quickly and easily access the advancing technology. In its first year the company has aggressively built partnerships with VMS vendors, AI analytics vendors and integrators worldwide. It also introduced the i-PRO EZ-2 Partner Portal. Built to simplify the way integrators, resellers and distribution partners conduct business with i-PRO, it provides instant access to inventory levels and enables users to create quick quotes 24/7.
Time-based competition strategy
The company’s time-based competition strategy focuses on minimising time that does not deliver value from across the entire development-to-delivery chain, helping customers reduce opportunity costs. This principle drove the expansion of i-PRO’s manufacturing centre in Japan, moving much of its manufacturing from Cambodia to the new facility, which is close to the company’s R&D hub in Fukuoka, Japan.
This move allows the company to rapidly produce a range of customised camera products with delivery times far quicker than competitors’. It also enables new agile production engineering initiatives that allow implementation of a high-mix/low volume strategy which in turn enables processes such as made-to-order manufacturing.
Cyber-security certification
2022 saw the launch of i-PRO Americas, with headquarters in Rolling Meadows, IL
It is what enabled the company to produce more than 100 new camera models in 12 months, and achieve the highest level of cyber-security certification with up to FIPS 140-2 level 3 compliance.
2022 saw the launch of i-PRO Americas, with headquarters in Rolling Meadows, IL, a corporate office and warehouse facility in Houston, and a state-of-the-art experience centre in Toronto, Ont. Canada. Three new locations opened in Japan: a R&D centre and a new factory in Fukuoka, and a global headquarters office in Tokyo. In EMEA, where i-PRO was established in 2021, the company continued to build market presence through close collaboration with partners.
Delivering positive results
i-PRO APAC Pte. Ltd. was also established in Singapore with corporate HQ and experience centres in Singapore and Brisbane. Worldwide, i-PRO grew to 1,300 employees, and i-PRO Americas was Certified™ by Great Place to Work®, with 87% of its employees saying i-PRO America is a great place to work, above the 57% average for U.S. companies.
i-PRO Americas President Bill Brennan said, “We are all proud to be here and are encouraged to see that being bold, flexible, and building trust, is delivering positive results. We’re here for our customers and for our partners, we thank them for their trust and collaboration and look forward to welcoming new partners and people as we work together to drive AI forward.”
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