We are Wrecking Crew
Genetec turns 25!
Find out how we got started, what makes us tick, and what's next.
It’s 1997. Elton John’s “Something About the Way You Look Tonight” is playing on the radio and you just read about the recent appointment of Steve Jobs as the interim CEO of Apple Computer Inc. while browsing Netscape.
That same year, Microsoft released Internet Explorer 4.0, and IBM’s Deep Blue supercomputer defeated world champion chess player, Garry Kasparov, in the second six-game showdown, winning the tie-breaking game in only 62 minutes. Technology was advancing rapidly, and there was a lot to be excited about.
As the world evolved, so did physical security. And in April 1997, Genetec was incorporated.
In the beginning
In the early days of Genetec, we were a small crew of 8 developers and engineers with big dreams. Technology was becoming more sophisticated, and we recognized that physical security solutions needed to be able to adapt.
This vision became a reality with the launch of our first IP-based video surveillance system, Omnicast™. It offered more scalability, flexibility, and ease of use than anything else on the market.
The secret sauce
Every tech company will tell you that innovation makes them different or special. And although innovation is core to our success, our focus has always been on the people behind the brand:
At Genetec, we're all innovators
We call ourselves “Wrecking Crew”, a name and an approach that comes from our CEO, Pierre Racz. It speaks to our belief that something isn’t created from nothing; processes and conventions must be reassessed and upended to create something new. It’s the freedom of rebuilding from scratch.
It also means that an idea can come from anywhere within our organization. Whether you’re an intern, a manager, or a VP, you’re encouraged to be creative, challenge the status quo, and share your ideas.
Our employees are our greatest resource. We’re a group of like-minded individuals who are curious, strive for excellence, and want to improve the everyday lives of people around us.
The best part of being a member of the Wrecking Crew is often what we do away from our desks. We’ve pushed the boundaries of learning and encourage employees to connect with their peers by having annual developer summits, hackathons, peer-led training, and tech talks with guest speakers. And who can forget our legendary events and EPIC year-end parties? We even have a Genetec song!
We couldn't have done it without our partners
Security can be complex, and networks doubly so. But with the right channel partners, technology partners, and A&E consultants, it becomes a less daunting undertaking. Early on, we realized that supporting our customers and partners was going to be as central to our success as the code we wrote and the products we developed.
We listen to our customers
The simple act of listening is often underestimated. We listen, then collaborate with customers to address their challenges and create unique solutions to improve their everyday. In fact, many of our products were developed because they were requested by our customers.
“We work hand in hand with customers who are pushing the boundaries and thinking about what comes next. That’s why our development process is agile and iterative. Having the ability to rapidly test new ideas with customers is fundamental.”
– Christian Morin, Chief Security Officer and Vice President of Integrations and Cloud Services
As we grow, we intend to remain steadfastly entrepreneurial, no matter our size.
The switch from analog to IP with Pierre Racz
Want to learn more about how IP came to be? Listen to episode 8 of Engage: A Genetec podcast, where Martin Gren, inventor of the first network camera and co-founder of Axis Communications, and Pierre Racz, CEO of Genetec, look back at more than 50 combined years of technological innovation. They chat about their journey helping the physical security industry switch from analog to IP and discuss what they see coming that will shape the future of the industry.
Come see what's next
This year, we’re celebrating our 25th anniversary! Over 25 years and 1,600+ employees later, we’re now a global leader in unified security platforms, with a broad offering across a range of security specialties.
The future shows no sign of slowing down for Genetec. You can expect us to continue to push the boundaries of innovation and deliver products that help our customers improve, understand, and protect the everyday.
Over the next year, we’ll bring you stories from the people behind the brand. You’ll hear about how they surpassed difficult challenges, how they get ideas for new products, and what it’s like to work at Genetec. Make sure to follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter, to stay up to date on this new blog series. And if you’re looking for a new career, consider joining the Wrecking Crew!
Want to join the Wrecking Crew?
Check out our career opportunities