Ajax has shared its annual report for the year 2024, and fuelled by the achievements and also by lessons learned from occasional setbacks, Ajax Systems now steps into the new year as strong and ambitious as ever.

2024 was a busy year for the company, with a widening portfolio that reached 180 products, growing by 45 unique devices across all categories in just one year, while software saw 56 updates. Ajax also introduced the expansion of Ajax Services, marking an exciting new chapter for the company.

The team worked toward strengthening partnerships to drive business and user satisfaction. Recording a significant rise in the number of both end and Pro users demonstrated that investing in knowledge sharing, efficiency, and improved online and offline communication was a winning strategy.

Ajax Systems received 20 awards that the company maintains aptly reflects its core priorities. Professional communities worldwide acknowledged the innovativeness of Ajax hardware and software, the sleek design of the products, and the impact of the firm’s communication effort. In addition, Ajax Systems was recognised as the best manufacturer in the industry three times over the year.

Brand-new portfolio segmentation

Ajax Systems undertook a strategic change to the segmentation of its fast-growing portfolio to make it clear and intuitive. The company introduced four categories — Intrusion protection, Fire and life safety, Comfort and automation, and Video surveillance — that marked key directions in its business development.

Baseline and Superior product lines were reimagined. Baseline now encompasses wireless Jeweller devices for intrusion only, while Superior includes wireless Jeweller and wired Fibra devices for high-profile projects. The Superior products will also undergo renaming to ensure they are easily recognisable. The changes are planned to be implemented by the end of 2025.

Ajax Special Event

In November, Ajax hosted its sixth Ajax Special Event, an annual showcase of the company’s latest technologies and devices. This year’s presentations focused on four so-called “universes”, representing the four new Ajax product categories — Intrusion protection, Fire and life safety, Comfort and automation, and Video surveillance. The Ajax team highlighted how all the categories seamlessly integrated within the Ajax ecosystem or so-called Multiverse. This integration aims at delivering not only a better experience for end users but also unlocking infinite business opportunities for Ajax partners.

The Ajax Special Event attracted large global audiences, both online and offline. A total of 139 offline events were held in 39 countries, with the main event hosted in Manchester, UK, at the legendary Old Trafford Stadium. The online broadcast, which was available in 26 languages, saw a substantial rise in first-day views compared to last year’s event. And, according to the company, the Ajax Special Event: Multiverse received unprecedented participation and viewership, achieving new heights for the company.

During the event, the Ajax team introduced 29 products, including three services, and shared exciting news about the obtained certifications. The intrusion protection category expanded with a range of wireless devices. However, the category that excited the audiences the most was Video surveillance, as the Ajax partners were anticipating the portfolio to grow, and they were not disappointed. Ajax Systems announced two new video products:

• Doorbell, a video doorbell with built-in AI, PIR sensor, and control via apps. The device promises excellent video and audio quality and includes innovative communication capabilities.
• Indoorcam, a Wifi security camera with a PIR sensor, built-in AI, and a fallback communication channel. Designed for use in homes, restaurants, and shops.

Motorola Solutions has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Theatro Labs, Inc., a maker of AI and voice-powered communication and digital workflow software for frontline workers, based in Richardson, Texas.

Theatro’s software-as-a-service platform, purposefully designed for frontline workers, provides a suite of collaboration applications that deliver information in real time to help improve their productivity and physical safety. Using conversational language through a wearable device, users can ask Theatro’s AI voice assistant for guidance to assist customers, check inventory and pricing, and communicate with other team members. The technology can help accelerate employees’ work processes and product knowledge.

Additionally, with frontline employee safety threats and theft incidents continuing to rise, Theatro enables employees to discreetly alert management and security teams when they feel unsafe directly through the wearable device, while the AI voice assistant can issue step-by-step safety and incident protocol guidance to help manage a response. Theatro’s software also integrates with video security cameras to identify potential theft or safety threats, and proactively alert employees on the store floor.

“Theatro is designed to prioritise both safety and operational efficiency, which are essential for all frontline workers,” said Mahesh Saptharishi, executive vice president and chief technology officer, Motorola Solutions. “With Theatro, we are continuing to invest in innovative technologies that purposefully apply AI to protect employees while automating how they work and improving their service to customers.”

New value added services

Theatro serves well-known U.S. retailers across a broad range of merchant categories. Motorola Solutions and Theatro expect to integrate complementary workflows across Motorola Solutions’ portfolio of technologies, including body cameras, fixed video, panic buttons and radios, to provide new value-added services to existing customers while expanding growth opportunities in industries such as hospitality, healthcare, manufacturing and education.

“For more than a decade, we have been passionate about innovating for frontline workers,” said Chris Todd, President & CEO, Theatro. “We’re thrilled to be joining Motorola Solutions to enable even more capabilities that help team members remain safe while delivering their best work every day.”

Both Motorola Solutions and Theatro are exhibiting at NRF ’25 – Retail’s Big Show currently taking place in New York City.

The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2025, following receipt of regulatory approvals and satisfaction of customary closing conditions. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Quanergy Solutions, a leading provider of 3D Lidar solutions, is driving an awareness of its advanced 3D Lidar system, created to address critical vulnerabilities in data center security. With the rise of hyperscale, colocation, and edge facilities, data centres face unprecedented challenges in safeguarding sensitive information and ensuring uninterrupted operations.

“The future of data centre security lies in proactive, intelligent solutions,” says Adam Andres, Global VP of Sales at Quanergy. “Our 3D Lidar technology offers the advanced capabilities to detect and deter threats, ensuring the safety and reliability of critical infrastructure.”

Quanergy’s 3D Lidar is designed to eliminate blind spots, reduces false alarms by over 90%, and promises to deliver 360° real-time tracking, all while seamlessly integrating with existing infrastructure. Designed to monitor up to 1,000 moving objects simultaneously, the system provides unparalleled accuracy and adaptability even in challenging environments.

According to the company, blind spots, tailgating, and false alarms are among the top vulnerabilities in traditional security systems. Quanergy’s technology offers to tackle these issues head-on with features such as real-time tracking, comprehensive 360° coverage, and centimetre-level accuracy even in rain, fog, or total darkness. The solution also respects privacy by tracking objects without capturing personally identifiable information (PII).

Quanergy’s 3D Lidar technology has been deployed at over 100 critical infrastructure sites worldwide, delivering proven accuracy and reliability in complex environments.  According to Quanergy,the system demonstrated a 100% detection rate for simulated security breaches at a major global cloud provider, significantly reducing false alarms by 90%. This proven solution enhances data centre security while streamlining operations and reducing costs.

Suprema, a global leader of AI-based security solutions has once again been named a ‘2024 Global Top 50 Security Company’ as compiled by A&S, marking its 14th consecutive year. The top 50 list of security companies worldwide are announced annually, with companies being ranked based on revenue and profitability. Suprema has maintained its position on the list consistently since 2011.

A recent market research report, jointly published by the Security Industry Association (SIA), ASIS International, and Omdia, projects the global physical security market to grow from $51 billion in 2022 to $70 billion by 2026, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.2%. The report segments the physical security market into five categories: video surveillance, access control, intrusion alarms, fire detection, and other equipment. Among these, video surveillance leads the market, followed by access control as the second-largest segment. Notably, North America dominates the access control market, while regions such as Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa are expected to experience the fastest growth in the coming years.

Suprema provides access control security solutions to over 140 countries and has achieved the No. 1 market share in the biometric access control market within the EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) region.

This year, the company further accelerated its growth in emerging markets, including Africa, India, and Southeast Asia, achieving remarkable milestones. Suprema’s global leadership is underpinned by over 20 years of technological expertise, delivering reliable and high-performing products and services. The company remains at the forefront of innovation, consistently developing solutions that align with the latest security trends, including AI and cloud technologies.

Recently, Suprema launched the Bioentry W3, an AI-powered facial authentication device offering enhanced data security features. Additionally, Suprema has expanded the global reach of its Cluee, an open cloud integration service, further solidifying its market presence and achieving significant results.

“Being recognised as a Global Top 50 Security Company for 14 consecutive years is a testament to our ability to adapt swiftly to changing market trends and our relentless commitment to research and development,” said Hanchul Kim, CEO of Suprema Inc. “We will continue to strengthen our competitiveness as a global leader in AI-powered integrated security solutions and drive innovation in the industry.”

According to the latest research from Marketsandmarkets, the RFID market is expected to reach USD 25.24 billion by 2033, up from USD 12.61 billion in 2025, at a CAGR of 9.1% from 2025 to 2033.

The growth in the RFID market can be attributed to the increasing demand for automation and real-time tracking across retail, logistics & warehousing, healthcare, and manufacturing industries. The analysts found that the major drivers of growth of the market are an upsurge in demand for e-commerce and optimisation of the supply chain, enrichment of asset tracking and solutions in inventory management, increasing precision and security through RFID technological advancements, and the growing adoption of contactless transactions. The increasing demand for passive RFID tags and readers, RFID-IoT-cloud integration solutions, RFID initiatives by the government for various sectors, and smart city and Industry 4.0 initiatives are the major growth drivers for this market. The technology is becoming less expensive with time and has become more widely applicable in a broad range of industries.

Key players

This market includes key players on the world stage including Zebra Technologies Corp., Avery Dennison Corporation, Honeywell International Inc., HID Global Corporation, Datalogic S.p.A., Impinj, Inc., Gao RFID Inc., Alien Technology LLC, Caen RFID S.r.l., and Xemelgo, Inc. These businesses have adopted various organic and inorganic growth strategies such as product launches, expansions, partnerships, collaborations, and acquisitions.

Entertainment vertical is strong

In the vertical segment of the RFID market, the entertainment sector is characterized by a phenomenal growth and will attain the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The growth in the entertainment sector is chiefly driven due to the rising adoption of RFID technology and enhancing customer experience, operational processes, and security at entertainment venues such as theme parks, stadiums, and theatres. RFID-enabled wristbands and tickets are widely utilised for access control, cashless payments, and personalised services, significantly improving visitor convenience and operational efficiency. In addition, RFID technology aids in inventory management and asset tracking for equipment, costumes, and props in production houses and live events. Immersive experiences, like interactive exhibits and escape rooms, further increase the pace of the adoption of RFID solutions for real-time engagement and data collection. Thus, as demand for seamless, secure, and data-driven entertainment grows, it is likely that the inclusion of RFID solutions will become essential and therefore will grow at a tremendous rate in this segment of the market.

Larger size reduces costs and allows for greater volume

During the forecast period, the 12-inch segment in the RFID wafer size market is expected to grow at the highest CAGR. This growth will, however, be driven mainly by the demand for greater efficiency and performance in RFID applications. Larger wafers, such as the 12-inch, enable a far larger number of chips per wafer, reducing the per-unit cost of the individual chip and allowing greater volume. This requires additional wafer technology development as businesses such as logistics & warehousing, retail, and healthcare take up RFID-based technologies for asset tracking and authentication and inventory management purposes. The 12-inch wafers can support a higher density of chips and better performance and integration, which are critical to support the growth in RFID applications in various sectors. Moreover, the automation and digitisation trend across industries is also fuelling the demand for more effective and cost-controlled RFID solutions. Companies are continuing to invest in advanced RFID systems, putting the 12-inch wafer segment in a good position for witnessing a reasonable share of growth, which is another factor driving the RFID market.

Asia Pacific to remain the strongest market

Asia Pacific is anticipated to remain the largest market for RFID, because of solid industrial growth, fast uptake of technology, and substantial investments in logistics, retail, and manufacturing. This, combined with heavy investment into infrastructure, with growing pressure on supply chain efficiency, has quickly led to adoption across diverse industries. In addition, growing demands of retail, healthcare, and automotive sectors for automation, real-time tracking, and inventory management further boosts adoption of RFID technology. The research found that some key players in Asia Pacific like China, Japan, and South Korea have been leading the development of RFID technology; with the support of respective nation governments through considerable initiatives on smart cities and their economic digitalisation. Rising use of RFID solutions within the IoT ecosystems and an expanding pattern of e-commerce and smart retail are also the market contributors. In addition, benign environments that are regulatory in nature as well as the presence of big brands of RFID manufacturers within this region add to competitive edges and continued expansion within this Asia Pacific RFID market.