The video management system (VMS) is the essential for effective security, says Ethan Kim, Director of Product, Software Solutions at Hanwha Vision America.

VMS capabilities

Whether it’s a traditional on-premise solution, on-board a camera or in the cloud, the video management system (VMS) remains the heart of a video surveillance network system.

The devices that connect to it are becoming increasingly sophisticated and multi-functional, and a VMS system must evolve its capabilities to keep pace and exceed user requirements, continually enhancing cybersecurity, system scalability, convenience and interoperability.

Companies today face increased security threats and they are managing their operations with fewer resources and tighter budgets.

They need flexibility in how they configure and operate their surveillance system, and that includes their choice of a VMS model.

Companies looking for a VMS solution have many options to choose from ranging from a full on-premise infrastructure to a hybrid approach to a pure cloud solution.

Each approach has its own set of advantages and disadvantages; and neither is “better”.

They all offer unique features and benefits, so the right choice depends on the specific needs of the user.

An overview of the cloud

The cloud, or cloud services, essentially offers users a toolbox of on-demand computing power, storage space and software that can be accessed over the internet.

It’s possible to have a cloud-based system up and running in minutes.

Users don’t have to purchase and manage massive servers, system configurations or storage.

Cloud adds easy scalability. With a few clicks, a system can be provisioned to add more storage or cameras and users can greatly benefit from that elasticity.

An operation becomes much more flexible, nimble and faster since users don’t have to deal with the time-consuming process of backend sizing.

Our industry has seen a rapid increase in cloud adoption and we anticipate this growth will continue to accelerate as the cloud continues to evolve and mature.

Its increasing acceptance signals that the industry has moved past many early challenges and negative perceptions.

Now, there are clear advantages associated with cloud technologies, including operational efficiency, speed, system storage and scalability, and enhanced data security through stronger encryption and authentication methods.

The cloud can also offer a centralized data and information platform.

Once a cloud system is up and running, users can have full access to their system from any internet-connected device from anywhere.

Cloud removes the barrier of physical access or needing to be onsite compared to the flexibility of being remote.

Once the data egresses and is ingested to the cloud, it’s the same ease of access from anywhere.

Users don’t need to buy and maintain massive servers and storage space.

Often, systems with high camera counts or long required retention times have high storage and maintenance costs.

Plus, hard drives have limited lifespans and servers need updates, licensing, reboots and antivirus software.

Now, you’re eliminating all those initial costs, and you’re also shifting from capital expenditures to operational expenses.

For example, a user doesn’t need to outlay $50,000 in physical servers that depreciate on day one.

Some cloud systems have different tiers of add-on features.

With some traditional on-premise infrastructures, you have to buy a full license or defined feature set, often as an “all or nothing” arrangement.

With the cloud, it’s often more of an “a la carte” deal where users can pick and choose the features they want for a certain camera without impacting anything else – another example of cost savings.

Enter SaaS

Then there’s software-as-a-service (SaaS). This model essentially eliminates the need for users to install and manage their own hardware.

Instead of owning assets that require having a physical resource on-site for hardware maintenance, software upgrades and security patches, users let the service providers do the work by paying a recurring (on-going) fee.

Cloud VSaas

Cloud-based video SaaS (Vsaas) offers cloud storage and management.

This eliminates the need for on-site servers, compared to traditional on-premise VMS solutions that store video on-site and require manual configuration and updates.

There are many benefits of VsaaS:

• Low upfront costs: no need for hardware or software purchases; you pay a monthly or annual subscription fee
• Simplified setup and maintenance: plug-and-play functionality and automatic updates reduce setup time and maintenance costs
• Enhanced cybersecurity: secure cloud connections eliminate the need for open ports or VPNs, reducing security risks
• Easier remote monitoring: access live feeds and recordings from anywhere with an internet connection through a web browser or mobile app
• Scalability: adding or removing cameras is simple and can be done remotely. Cloud storage allows for easy expansion of storage capacity
• Automatic updates: users always have the latest software and security features

With VSaaS, users can view live camera feeds, search through recordings and make backups – all from a web browser anywhere with an internet connection.

Cloud-based versus on-premise VMS

VSaaS offers several advantages and for those seeking flexibility, scalability and lower upfront costs, the cloud can be a viable solution.

For businesses with strict security requirements, data sensitivity or a reliance on live monitoring, on-premise may be preferred.

Here are some key decision factors to keep in mind:

• Initial investment: on-premise requires a higher initial investment, while cloud costs are typically lower upfront but may increase over time based on usage. Cloud computing eliminates the need for upfront hardware purchases and relies on a subscription-based model for accessing IT resources
• Scalability: cloud offers on-demand scalability, while on-premise requires additional hardware purchases for expansion
• Maintenance and support: on-premise IT staff will manage maintenance and support, while cloud providers manage these tasks
• Predictability: cloud costs are more predictable and transparent, while on-premise costs may fluctuate due to hardware upgrades or maintenance needs
• Control and customization: on-premise provides greater control and functionality, while cloud may have some limitations
• Industry regulations: certain industries may have compliance requirements that influence the choice between on-premise and cloud

Even more factors to consider include:

• Deployment: the VMS is installed on the user’s on-premise server, hardware and software managed by the user. With VsaaS, it is cloud-based, hosted and managed by the service provider
• Recording and monitoring: on-premise VMS offers full local control and flexible storage options but requires investment in hardware and ongoing management. VSaaS provides scalability, automatic storage management and secure remote access, but involves internet reliance and limited functionality
• Operations and maintenance: on-premise VMS offers full functionality and private access but requires IT expertise and ongoing management effort. VSaaS provides ease of management and centralized control, but some reliance on the cloud provider is involved

Finally, the total cost of ownership (TCO) is a crucial factor to consider when choosing between on-premise and cloud solutions.

On-premise infrastructure involves purchasing and maintaining hardware, software and IT staff in-house.

The initial investment can be significant, but it may provide long-term cost savings and greater control over data security and customization.

The transition from on-premise to cloud-based VMS allows for easier camera connectivity, simpler web-based interfaces and intelligent features like video analytics and object detection.

Cloud-based VMS offers scalability, with the ability to easily add cameras and storage without the need for additional hardware.

No one-size-fits-all-solution

The scope of cloud deployments can vary from customer to customer, based on their market, unique requirements, the focus of their operations and budgets, among many other factors.

It’s also important to note that the cloud is not a one-size-fits-all solution.

Many companies, including Hanwha, view an ideal scenario as a technological ecosystem where both on-premise edge and cloud solutions co-exist.

Edge intelligence and capabilities have been advancing rapidly and leveraging the strengths of both the edge and the cloud allows organizations to maximize the benefits of both approaches.

Even Hanwha Vision’s own WAVE VMS follows this hybrid model, allowing customers to maintain local storage locally and also benefit from the cloud’s ease of use and connectivity to the cloud.

An array of VMS options

There are various solutions beyond VSaaS and traditional on-premise VMS.

With the advancement and widespread adoption of cloud technology, on-premise VMS systems that rely on local servers can be extended to hybrid models by incorporating cloud modules.

Additionally, solutions can be categorized as hosted VSaaS or managed VSaaS, depending on the primary storage location of video footage (on-premise or off-premise) while all access and management is managed through the cloud.

There are four main types: hosted and managed VSaaS, on-premise and hybrid VMS, and choosing the right option largely depends on how users need to store and access their video footage.

• Hosted VsaaS: both the storage and management of video footage take place in the cloud, not at a user’s physical location. Customers are primarily responsible for camera installation and network connectivity; the service provider oversees the rest. Hosted VMS offers low upfront costs, scalability, secure cloud connection and simplified management. However, there is a reliance on internet connectivity, ongoing subscription fees and controls, with updates and cybersecurity provided by the service provider
• Hybrid VMS/managed VsaaS: video footage stays stored on-premises, but video management occurs in the cloud. This model offers more flexibility than hosted VSaaS and potential cost savings depending on subscription plan, but it requires a certain level of IT knowledge and customers still need to manage certain aspects of the system
• On-premise VMS: all video storage, management and analytics are hosted on the customer’s own servers. While this delivers the highest level of control and functionality, plus strong data security (isolated from external access), there are higher upfront costs, ongoing manual maintenance and limited scalability

The bottom line is that surveillance customers are looking for solutions that match the new ways of working they have had to adopt in recent years.

This trend will accelerate the continued acceptance of constantly evolving technologies including edge recording and cloud platforms.

This article was originally published in the November edition of Security Journal Americas. To read your FREE digital edition, click here.