COPENHAGEN, May 20, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Milestone Systems, the global leader for open platform IP video management software, announces that Jesper Balser has now taken over the reigns as Chairman of the Board. Ole Stangegaard, who held the position for nine years, has chosen to resign and enjoy his retirement. Jesper Balser joined the Board of Directors for Milestone in late 2009.

Jesper Balser has challenged and inspired us since the first day he became a member of the Board. I am sure that as our Chairman he will drive us forward on our track of continued growth. Jesper supports Milestone's strategies to win larger market share in the coming years, says Lars Thinggaard, CEO President of Milestone Systems. Jesper Balser has strong experience in developing global channels for software business, and we are pleased to gain from that expertise.

In 1985 Balser co-founded Navision and as CEO steered that company's growth to become an international provider of ERP business management software, taking it public in 1999. That company was acquired by Microsoft Corporation in 2002 and became a new division called Microsoft Business Solutions, where Balser served as Head of Global Strategy for a time.

It's a gift to get the opportunity to stand at the helm of a company that has it all: the market for Milestone products is in steady growth, partly because the security market is in focus and partly due to the migration from analog to IP-based video surveillance. Milestone furthermore has a business model that makes it possible to service the global market effectively - with motivated employees who dare to set high goals and the will to achieve them, states Jesper Balser, Chairman, Milestone Systems.

The number of Milestone employees has expanded to 215 from 151 in 2008, growing consistently since the company was established in 1998. In 2009 Milestone continued to increase investments in product development, up 15 percent from 2008. During the same period, there was a 200 percent growth in sign-ups for the Milestone Solution Partner program: today 240 companies integrate their solutions such as access control, video analytics and retail systems with Milestone's open platform XProtect(TM) IP video management software.

In parallel, Milestone collaborates with over 80 hardware manufacturers to ensure that XProtect software supports the latest choices in network video cameras and encoders - over 800 different models to date. This means that installation partners in 107 countries can implement the best surveillance solutions for each customer's needs.

About Milestone

Founded in 1998, Milestone Systems is the worldwide industry leader in open platform IP video management software, according to IMS Research five years in a row. Milestone XProtect(TM) products have been installed in thousands of customer installations, sold through authorized and certified partners in more than 100 countries. With support for the widest choice in network hardware and integration with other systems, XProtect provides best-of-breed solutions to 'video enable' organizations - reducing costs, optimizing processes, protecting people and assets. For more information please visit http://www.milestonesys.com.

SOURCE: Milestone Systems

CONTACT: Courtney Dillon Pedersen, PR Manager Milestone Systems, MobilePhone +45-28-350-357