What is a cloud Video Management System?
Differences between a cloud-managed and cloud-hosted VMS
A traditional VMS is cloud-managed – users can manage their cameras and access footage remotely, often providing a centralized view of multiple locations. Commonly with a traditional VMS, the users’ footage is stored on local recorders installed at the same location as the cameras.
However, new Video Surveillance as a Service (VSAAS) providers offer cloud-hosted rather than just cloud-managed video solutions. Just like a traditional VMS, viewing footage is still centralized and cloud-managed, but instead of recording footage locally, the video is stored in the cloud.
Choosing the right VMS for your CCTV system
Storage
Cloud storage is preferable to storing video locally as it protects users from loss of footage due to damage or theft of their recorders.
It also provides users with additional flexibility to change the amount of storage and features they require as their needs change.
If you do choose to go with a cloud-hosted VMS then it is also important to consider the price of storing the footage. Storage pricing can vary quite dramatically depending on the cloud provider. Here is a pricing comparison of some of the leading cloud VMS providers.
Features
Thinking about the features that you require from a VMS is important, leading VMS’s like Milestone and Genetec have the benefits of all the bells and whistles, but in reality, you’ll pay considerably more for specialist features that may go unused.
A lightweight VMS that is offered by most Cloud VSaaS providers often satisfies the requirements of most. For example, Videoloft’s cloud platform provides an array of features including detecting objects and allowing users to set customizable alerts. It also offers smart-search functionality that makes it easy to be alerted & to find the most relevant footage. It provides the ability to remotely control cameras, with features like Pan, Tilt, Zoom (PTZ), and change motion detection sensitivity and zones.
Licensing costs
The other cost that you must consider before purchasing a VMS for your security cameras is the cost of licensing. Traditional VMSs like Milestone or Genetec often require an expensive license per user.
However, with a cloud VMS, you pay per camera rather than per user, which can make the solution much cheaper! With Videoloft you can add an unlimited number of additional users for free, and there are no constraints on how many users or devices can simultaneously remotely view footage from a single location or even camera.
Another option is to have both, use a traditional VMS to give a small number of users all of the sophisticated features and also a cloud VSaaS provider to store video securely offsite and provide additional users with easy remote video access.
How to install a cloud VMS
Interested in Videoloft’s cloud VMS for your security system? Look no further – choose your cloud plan, and create your account by getting started. Videoloft gives you secure offsite video storage, a centralized remote viewing platform and much more.
Are you a security professional looking to add a cloud VMS to customers’ security cameras? Learn more about our free partner program for security installers, integrators and dealers.
