From 2015 to 2021, the number of video surveillance cameras in the United States surged from 47 million to approximately 85 million. With organizations across industries collecting more video footage than ever before, video management systems (VMS) have become essential for storing, managing, and analyzing security footage.
Today, businesses have access to many high-quality VMS options, but selecting the right one to meet specific needs can be challenging. Below, we’ll explore the key features to consider when choosing a VMS and highlight five noteworthy solutions.
Types of Video Recording Systems
There are three main types of video recording systems used in security camera systems today:
- DVR (Digital Video Recorder) DVRs, first introduced in 1998, store video locally, typically on a hard drive. While many organizations still rely on DVRs for video monitoring, the technology is considered outdated. DVRs often produce lower image quality and require video file conversion using a digital encoder.
- NVR (Network Video Recorder) NVR is the industry standard for modern security systems. In NVR systems, IP cameras capture and encode video before sending it to the recorder. Footage can be stored on a hard drive, mass storage device, or in the cloud. NVR technology is more scalable than DVR, making it a popular choice for many organizations.
- IVR (Intelligent Video Recorder) IVR systems build on NVR technology, allowing for advanced data processing and automatic retrieval of video data. With IVR, you can perform intelligent analysis of footage, enabling the system to make inferences and automate tasks. This makes IVR ideal for scalability, as it supports unlimited camera feeds and locations. As long as there’s a network connection, cameras don’t need to be near the IVR unit.
Challenges in Video Surveillance Management
While video surveillance offers valuable insights for businesses, managing vast amounts of footage presents significant challenges. The primary issues include:
- Non-Camera-Agnostic Systems: These systems are not compatible with different camera types, limiting an organization’s flexibility in designing security solutions.
- Vendor Lock-In: Non-agnostic systems can force organizations to stick with a specific vendor’s hardware and software, hindering scalability and preventing the use of more advanced technology from other vendors.
- Operator Dependence: Systems that aren’t AI-driven require human operators to monitor and review footage, increasing the risk of human error and adding time-consuming tasks for your staff.
What to Look for in a Video Surveillance Management System
To overcome these challenges, it’s crucial to select a video surveillance management system that offers advanced features. Below are the top features to consider when evaluating a system:
1. AI-Powered Management
Video surveillance systems that use artificial intelligence (AI) can automatically analyze footage, reducing the need for manual review. Known as video analytics, AI can identify security threats, generate absence or presence alerts, and monitor employee performance to ensure safety and efficiency. This automation saves both time and resources while improving the overall effectiveness of the system.
2. Ample Cloud Storage
With 60% of the world’s corporate data now stored in the cloud, cloud storage has become essential for video surveillance. Cloud backups protect against data loss due to disasters or system failures and provide long-term storage for historical footage. This allows organizations to retrieve video evidence even months after recording, offering valuable flexibility.
3. User-Friendly Software and Easy Maintenance
The best VMS solutions are easy to set up and maintain, offering plug-and-play functionality and intuitive software interfaces. Systems with straightforward onboarding and robust customer support help minimize the learning curve and reduce the complexity of system management.
4. Scalability
Traditional security systems can be difficult to expand, but modern NVR and IVR solutions offer greater scalability. By using camera-agnostic systems, organizations can add new cameras and locations with ease, without being tied to a single vendor’s products.
5. High-Resolution, Weatherproof Cameras
Crisp, clear footage is essential for effective security. Choosing high-resolution cameras ensures that your video feed provides detailed images, while weatherproof cameras are crucial for outdoor environments. Durable cameras minimize the need for frequent repairs or replacements, maximizing the value of your investment.