Manufacturers rethink role of video tech as operational pressures grow

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Research for first issue of ‘In focus’ series from Axis explores UK manufacturing challenges and why cost and quality pressures are driving demand for greater operational insight.

Axis Communications, a leader in network video, found in a survey of 600 UK manufacturing decision-makers in Q2 2026 that 39% say operational efficiency and productivity will be the greatest future value of security systems ahead of security and incident prevention at 33%. This reflects a growing demand for better visual intelligence to help control the industry’s dominant pressure of rising costs, cited by 57%.

These are the findings of a new evidence-led series using independent research and expert analysis to examine how visual intelligence can support the digital transformation of key sectors. In focus: a spotlight on manufacturing by Axis explores how video data can help manufacturers add context to operations, close the visibility gap, and support smarter, safer and more efficient manufacturing.

Over one quarter of respondents said reducing cost would be the top priority to solve with better insight, and 45% see significant or some potential for network cameras beyond physical security. Yet while 96% use security technology for security and incident prevention, only 18% use it for operational efficiency and productivity currently.

The conclusions also point to a maturity gap. While visual intelligence can help teams find, understand and act on the causes of cost, including waste, rework, downtime, process variation, unsafe behaviours, manual inspections and delayed investigations, only 16% say security technology data is fully integrated into operational decision-making – 42% say it is used in some decisions and 27% say it is not used at all.

Key findings:

Cost is the dominant pressure: 57% of UK manufacturers cite rising operational costs as a major operational challenge
Insight is needed to control cost: 26% say reducing operational cost is the area where better operational insight could have the greatest immediate impact
Visual data has clear operational potential: 45% see significant or some potential for network cameras or visual data to improve operations beyond physical security
Security tech is still underused operationally: 96% use security technology for security and incident prevention, but only 18% use it for operational efficiency and productivity
Manufacturers expect a shift: 39% say operational efficiency and productivity will be the greatest future value of security systems over the next 3-5 yrs, ahead of security and incident prevention (33%)
Integration for decision-making is limited: Only 16% say security-tech data is fully integrated into operational decision-making – 42% use the data in some decisions while 27% do not use it at all.

Gabriele Mangiafico, Business Development Manager EMEA, Axis Communications, says, “What is clear from the research is that for manufacturing to become truly smarter, it needs more context to better understand what is actually happening on the factory floor. The main challenges given by manufacturers are context-heavy problems, such as reducing waste, where visual intelligence can connect operational data to real-world events, helping teams investigate faster and act with greater confidence. This points to a strong shift. While security technology is still overwhelmingly viewed through a traditional protection lens, it will move from the control room into the operational core of manufacturing in the near future.”

Health and safety is another area where visual intelligence can help manufacturers shift from forensic review to proactive prevention. While only 14% currently use security technology for health and safety improvement, 37% of Health and Safety respondents were unsure or have not considered the potential of visual data beyond security. Monitoring PPE use, verifying access rights to restricted or hazardous areas, detecting non-compliance and triggering visual or audible alerts are all strong use cases where network cameras can provide the real-time context needed to reduce risk before it becomes an incident.

Linn Storang, Regional Director, Northern & Eastern Europe, Axis Communications, commented, “The smart factory will not be built on data alone. Manufacturers also need context, and network camera technology can provide a vital layer of visual intelligence that many organisations have not yet fully explored. By connecting existing video data to operational decision-making, manufacturers can move beyond post-incident review and use visual insight to support productivity, quality, safety and resilience in real-time.”

Explore more on Axis.com: ‘In focus: a spotlight on manufacturing by Axis’

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For further information about Axis Communications, please contact:

Axis Communications Northern Europe, Marketing Communications

Phone: +44 (0) 1582 283760, E-mail: sean.house@axis.com