A comprehensive video surveillance system is a key component in developing a well-rounded plan for protecting your business, including your people, assets, and the building itself. Any integrated security system contains various components that work in concert to provide the coverage you need, from the cameras themselves to storage elements and everything in between. A video management system features heavily in most commercial security configurations and is viewed as a vital piece of the puzzle.
A video management system, or VMS, allows the user to parse, sort, filter, store and in general manage all the video data collected from the cameras used to watch over your office, workshop, store, or property. Given the effectiveness of video surveillance in securing businesses — research has shown roughly two-thirds of burglaries at commercial properties can be deterred with video surveillance solutions — the development of video management systems has rapidly evolved.
Today, an innovative VMS can change the way video surveillance is collected and used. Using the latest technology, cloud capabilities, and more, today’s video management system features cover a wide range of possibilities. They allow security personnel to manage video in real-time and provide benefits covering the ability to view actions of both employees and customers on-premise, monitor building access, and even guide responders during emergencies.
Develop a Plan First
But which video management system features should you prioritize? Before spending top dollar (and busting your budget) to get a VMS with every conceivable feature baked in, business owners should assess their needs and develop answers to key questions:
- What do you want to do with your VMS?
- How are you going to use it?
- How will you interact with it?
- How does a VMS improve your business and its security?
Every business is unique and will have different goals and requirements. Keep flexibility in mind when considering your options and how an experienced, proven security solutions provider can add value with ongoing service, integrating and implementing your entire system, and strong vendor relationships.
Once you’ve mapped why you need a VMS, it’s time to view some of the critical video management system features available today.
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Discover Key Video Management System Features
Open Source Architecture
Whichever VMS you ultimately decide on needs to be able to operate with your range of hardware, regardless of brand. To this end, It’s strongly recommended that customers implement ONVIF-compliant hardware and platforms. ONVIF specifications dictate a ‘common language’ that different IP-based security devices can use to communicate. You can use cameras from multiple brands, different storage solutions, and a framework to tie it all together — provided they are all ONVIF compliant.
Smart Search
The ability to view video live is one of the biggest benefits of implementing a VMS, but often security footage is needed after the fact. If an incident occurs after hours, or during an extended downtime (like a long weekend) you can be left combing through seemingly endless hours of video to find the necessary data. Your VMS should provide more than basic playback capabilities and solutions today offer compressed time skimming and many more options to better sift through your stored video.
HealthCheck
Every video surveillance system is only effective if it’s actually operating. If a camera, server, or network goes down and recording stops, then you may not have the evidence you need to remedy an incident.
At ProTech Security, we do more than install security systems. We also ensure these systems are equipped with HealthCheck, a proprietary system health-checking program, that monitors cameras, switches, hard drives, and other on-site equipment to boost performance. It can detect camera, energy, phone, and Wi-Fi outages in real time.
Without this key video management system feature, your security investment might not be running when you need it most.
Advanced VMS Features
The development of video analytics, AI, and other new technologies has opened up many more opportunities for businesses to tailor their VMS to their exact needs. For instance, heat mapping allows retailers to monitor where customers spend their time in the store and open up actionable intelligence such as seeing which displays get the most traffic or if a new product is a big hit. From using analytics to identify anomalies to facial recognition tech, new options are always on the horizon. A proven security solutions partner can help you identify what makes the most sense for you.
Identify Key Video Management System Features with ProTech Security
At ProTech Security, we have a strong history of experience, innovation, and customer service. The ProTech Security Advantage is more than 40 years of service in Northeast and Central Ohio and a strong commitment to providing quality, cost-effective protection for homes, businesses, educational institutions, and government facilities. To see what ProTech Security can do for you, contact us today.
