Security Sales & Integration July 2023 - 27

Th e transportation sector uses smart video technologies
to manage traffi c fl ow, optimize public
transportation routes, and gain immediate situational
awareness for fl agged events. Today's
hospitals and medical facilities are leveraging a
wide range of cameras, sensors, and analytics
to monitor safety, prevent drug and equipment
theft, improve staff performance and regulation
compliance, and optimally manage the inroom
patient experience.
End Users Need Easy Solutions
As organizations grapple with limited resources
and reduced employee rosters, video systems
are being transformed to accommodate
a broader range of users, including those with
non-security and nontechnical backgrounds,
such as teachers, nurses, and retail staff . VMS
platforms are now designed with intuitive user
interfaces that prioritize ease-of-use and functionality.
Th ese systems often incorporate features
such as drag-and-drop camera controls,
customizable layouts, and guided workfl ows
to streamline system navigation and operation.
Th e aim is to minimize the learning curve for
nonexperts, enabling them to use VMS software
with confi dence and effi ciency.
Also, advanced VMS solutions are increasingly
integrating with third-party applications and
services, like POS, access control, and business
intelligence systems. Th ese cross-functional integrations
facilitate a more holistic approach to
security, facility and operations management,
allowing users from diff erent departments to
access relevant data and make informed decisions
based on real-time information.
By making VMS software more accessible and
user-friendly, the security industry is broadening
its reach and empowering a diverse range of
users to harness the potential of video technology.
In small- and medium-sized Cloud deployments,
with new Cloud-based VMS', intuitive
user interfaces designed specifi cally to minimize
the learning curve and allow employees with
minimal technical expertise to successfully operate
and maintain the system are essential.
Cloud-Based Video, a New Norm
On the enterprise level, open-platform video
deployments on Cloud providers like AWS are
revolutionizing the security industry by enabling
organizations to scale and enhance their
existing video systems eff ortlessly and cost effectively.
With minimal capital investment and
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aff ordable pay-as-you-go Cloud services such
as storage and on-demand access to video analytics,
businesses can now easily monitor and
manage multiple sites with extreme effi ciency.
Th e primary reasons for adopting a Cloud provider
like AWS include the ease of overseeing
multiple locations, the convenience of remote
monitoring capabilities, and very scalable and
aff ordable in-Cloud video data storage.
For example, consider a fi nancial chain with
banks in multiple cities and regions. Using a
Cloud-based VMS, the company can monitor
all locations simultaneously and access and analyze
recorded footage anytime, anywhere, for
any number of reasons. Th is centralized approach
not only streamlines operations but also
reduces the need for local storage and compute
infrastructure, cutting down on costs and ongoing
maintenance.
Moreover, the unifi cation of Cloud-based
video and access control is gaining traction,
with both systems operating on a single platform.
Th is integration simplifi es management
and strengthens security by providing a comprehensive
view of the premises. AI is the driving
force behind this convergence, as it enables
sophisticated analytics and automation, further
enhancing the capabilities of these security systems,
even beyond security.
For many years now, the Cloud has brought
both challenges and opportunities for our industry,
but as infrastructure and bandwidth
concerns have diminished - thanks to substantial
U.S. infrastructure investments over
the last decade - and moving video management
to the Cloud has become an increasingly
viable and valuable solution.
Cloud-based video systems are an excellent
addition to an organization's Cloud-First initiative
and are now being seamlessly integrated
with other enterprise systems, providing a unifi
ed platform for security, operations, and customer
interactions. Th is integration improves
compliance and off ers advanced encryption
and data protection measures. Additionally, the
Cloud ecosystem enables users and integrators
to quickly test and deploy specifi c video analytic
tools very economically.
Cloud systems also off er leading-edge cybersecurity
in datacenters, reduced hardware costs
and continuous access to video data, and these
systems can be easily scaled up or down, accommodating
businesses with rapid growth or
seasonal fl uctuation fl exibility. SSI
Video
management
in the Cloud
allows for fast,
scalable, and
even as-needed
deployments
that are easy to
use and costeff
ective.
TIM PALMQUIST is Vice
President, Americas, for
Milestone Systems.
JULY 2023 Security Sales & Integration 27
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Security Sales & Integration July 2023

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