COBS

What COBS does

COBS AB is a Swedish provider of wireless alarm and communication solutions, founded in 1977 and headquartered in Västra Frölunda (Gothenburg), Sweden. The company designs and supplies DECT (CWS400, CWS6500, Virtual IP-DECT), VoIP, and VoWiFi/LTE infrastructure, the CMS (COBS Message Server) middleware platform, and personal alarm hardware such as the Alert4U2 line, which combines IP67 waterproof form factors with RFID-based indoor positioning (A-POS). Its solutions are built around 24/7/365 reliability for environments where communication is mission-critical, including nurse call systems, staff attack alarms, evacuation messaging, and intercom/access control integration.

The company operates a platform-plus-resale business model: it sells proprietary hardware and CMS software (with multi-year subscription licenses, e.g., a Start license covering up to 100 users over 3 years), supplemented by professional services delivered through a channel partner network of specialized distributors, resellers, and system integrators across Sweden and broader Europe. COBS also resells complementary brands including innovaphone VoIP gateways and deskphones, 2N intercom/access control, and Zenitel critical communications. It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the publicly listed Swedish technology conglomerate Lagercrantz Group.

COBS serves approximately 100,000 users across more than 7,000 installed sites spanning healthcare and social care, hospitals, hospitality, heavy industry, infrastructure, marine, residential, retail, school safety, and security/ corrections. Named deployments include the Poort van Beveren Belgian prison, Stena Line vessels, the Norra Länken road tunnel, the Karlatornet tower, the neonatal care unit at NUS, and the Alcro-Beckers paint manufacturing facilities. Pricing is not publicly disclosed, and the company provides direct webshop access for smaller purchases alongside partner-led enterprise rollouts.

Name

COBS

Legal name

COBS AB

Website

https://cobs.se

Company type

Private

Founded year

1977

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

COBS AB is a Swedish provider of wireless alarm and communication solutions built on DECT, VoIP, and VoWiFi/LTE, serving approximately 100,000 users across 7,000+ installations in healthcare, hospitality, industry, infrastructure, marine, and corrections across Sweden and Europe.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Wireless Communications

NAICS

Security Systems Services (except Locksmiths) (561621), Security Systems Services (56162), Wired and Wireless Telecommunications (except Satellite) (5171)

SIC

Services-Telephone Interconnect Systems (7385), Communications Equipment, Nec (3669), Communications Services, Nec (4899)

akta.pro primary industry

Wireless/DECT Audio Intercom Systems (HSAHAIAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Network Monitoring, Assurance & Managed NOC Services (SLA Ops) (HDAIAGAJ), Enterprise Service Bus (ESB) & Message-Oriented Middleware (HDAEACAE)

Keywords

• Wireless alarm systems
• Personal safety alarms
• DECT communication systems
• Intercom access control
• VoIP enterprise telephony

Headquarters

HQ city

Västra Frölunda

HQ country

Sweden

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Hardware Sales: Sale of physical products including alarm transmitters, DECT handsets, VoIP gateways, intercom stations, and related accessories. Products are sold through channel partners and direct webshop.
2. Software Licenses: Software licenses for CMS platforms, IP-DECT infrastructure (SW Licenses), and various software applications. Licenses are sold as bundles with varying user counts (e.g., Start license for up to 100 users, 3 years).
3. Professional Services: System design, installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair services provided through channel partner network.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

COBS provides wireless alarm and communication solutions centered on personal safety and security. Its portfolio spans DECT systems (CWS400, CWS6500, Virtual IP-DECT), portable RFID-positioned alarm transmitters (Alert4U2), professional VoWiFi/LTE handsets, and the CMS (COBS Message Server) platform for alarm and message distribution. The company serves enterprise customers across healthcare, hospitality, corrections, infrastructure, marine, and industrial sectors in Sweden and Europe.

Product overview

COBS provides a comprehensive wireless alarm and communication solutions portfolio with a platform-plus-modules architecture. The core offerings include DECT Systems (CWS400, CWS6500, Virtual IP-DECT) for reliable wireless voice communication, the CMS (COBS Message Server) platform for alarm and message management, and Alert4U2 personal alarm transmitters with RFID positioning. The ecosystem extends through VoWiFi/LTE handsets, A-POS location beacons for indoor positioning, and mobile solutions via COBS Mobile. COBS also resells complementary brands including innovaphone VoIP solutions, 2N intercom and access control systems, and Zenitel critical communications products. Additional modules like COBS Lynx, WebSuite, Nucleus, and AMiE provide integration, web management, and mobile device capabilities. The company serves security-demanding environments in healthcare, hotels, industry, prisons, and commerce with approximately 100,000 users across Sweden and Europe.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• COBS Mobile: Mobile application for alarm and communication solutions
• COBS Lynx
• Alert4U2
• CMS (COBS Message Server)

Products and services

• DECT Systems (CWS400, CWS6500, Virtual IP-DECT)

Quantifiable outcome

• 100,000+ users in Sweden and Europe rely on COBS solutions
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments10 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• innovaphonecoreTechnology or IntegrationCOBS partners with innovaphone to offer VoIP Gateways and IP/VoIP-based communication solutions. innovaphone provides robust IP-based systems and solutions with serverless switches built on rigid embedded hardware for maximum availability.
• 2NcoreTechnology or IntegrationCOBS offers 2N intercom products including IP-based port phones, SIP-Audio solutions for speaker call and speaker information, access control units, and centralized device management systems (Access Commander).
• ZenitelcoreTechnology or IntegrationCOBS offers Zenitel intercom and critical communications products including IC Edge, IP stations, door displays, IP speakers, AlphaCom XE audio servers, ICX-AlphaCom, and explosion-proof solutions. Zenitel provides outstanding built-in security applications with system monitoring and tone control.
• Lagercrantz GroupflagshipOthersCOBS AB is part of Lagercrantz Group, a Swedish technology group. As part of this parent company, COBS follows the group's environmental goals and sustainability standards.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Spectralink: US-based vendor of enterprise-grade DECT and Wi-Fi handsets and mobility solutions for healthcare, retail and manufacturing. Competes head-to-head with COBS in wireless voice, messaging and personal alarm handsets.
• Zenitel: Norwegian critical communications provider of intercom, public address, and IP audio for security-demanding environments. Overlaps with COBS's critical comms bundle and is also a partner.
• Ascom: Swiss-listed provider of wireless communication and patient/caregiver solutions for hospitals, senior living and industry. Directly comparable to COBS in IP-DECT-based nurse call, personal alarm and messaging for healthcare and enterprise.
• innovaphone: German provider of VoIP gateways, IP-PBX and unified communications with embedded hardware focus. Comparable to COBS's VoIP/PBX solutions layer and a partner.
• 2N (Axis Communications): Czech-based intercom and access control vendor owned by Axis. Directly comparable to COBS's intercom and access control offering and also a partner.

Broad incumbents

• Mitel: Global provider of enterprise communications including DECT, IP-PBX and UCaaS. Overlaps with COBS's DECT/PBX and UCaaS integration offering but at much broader scale and across many verticals.
• Unify (Atos): Enterprise communications vendor offering OpenScape voice, UC and contact center platforms including DECT mobility. Overlaps with COBS's enterprise voice/messaging stack but at much larger scale.
• Panasonic Connect (Wireless Communications): Major vendor of DECT business phones and enterprise mobility devices used in healthcare, retail and hospitality. Comparable to COBS's enterprise DECT handset portfolio.

Emerging players

• Vocera (Stryker): Now part of Stryker, Vocera provides hands-free clinical communication and wearable alarm badges for hospitals. Competes with COBS in the personal-alarm/messaging layer for healthcare.

Regional players

• TeleAlarm (Legrand): Swiss/European provider of wireless nurse call and telecare solutions for care homes and clinics. Comparable to COBS's healthcare and care vertical solutions, primarily focused on continental Europe.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about COBS