The Trends We are Seeing

The Trends We are Seeing

The themes for VMS product development can be summarized as bigger, better and faster. In 2015, look for capabilities that range from those which deliver more information to architectures that optimize VMS performance on purpose built hardware offerings. VMS development will be focused on system usability, total solution costs and true scalability.

Single interface: One trend driving VMS product development is the integration of multiple sets of security data. Combining information from several different but complimentary security systems together with video creates a powerful tool set for the security user.

This is a common occurrence in highend security operation centers. Video, access, intrusion, weather and risk awareness information are presented together helping security operators get the best picture of the situation at hand.

The trend can be seen with VMS products integrating more deeply with access control. Traditionally VMS and access control integration was relatively lightweight, and commonly presented in the access control software interface. Because of this, integrations didn’t always fit the needs of video-centric users. More video products today are providing a level of access control functionality in the VMS interface shifting the center point of the integration to the video systems.

Access control, point of sale and mass notification are all common targets of deeper integration which are driving VMS towards being the primary interface of the security system.

Scalability: VMS is a technology which for a long time has been deployed by large organizations but without true enterprise management capabilities. Features that allow for rapid deployment, centralized system management and the ability to perform actions across multiple network video recorders and clients simultaneously will be more widely adopted.

Larger and more distributed systems also need to take bandwidth consumption into account to make remote viewing and investigations practical. Bandwidth throttling, dual streaming and other techniques have been available but specialized techniques that better optimize transmission of video will be more frequently introduced. For example, bandwidth can be minimized without sacrificing quality by resizing the video resolution to the size of the target display area before transmitting video.

Cloud: Cloud based video recording, or VSaaS, continues to be an interesting yet emerging technology. There are some inherent benefits to cloud based recording which make it a clear direction for the market. Offsite recordings, lower upfront cost model, built-in system management are all attractive attributes of the VSaaS for consumers. For security system providers cloud offers a way to differentiate as well as add recurring revenue.

The main challenges with VSaaS are availability and scalability. Adoption may accelerate over the next few years as more companies look to provide a cloud offering. The scalability of a cloud recording deployment is limited by available bandwidth at the user’s site, meaning it will be most practical with residential and smaller camera count commercial deployments.

Total recording solutions: One of the most challenging aspects of designing a video security system is determining the minimum hardware requirements for the VMS. As the camera count, resolution, frame rate and other factors increase so do the CPU and storage requirements of the network video recorder.

To further complicate matters, the components of a server running VMS software are being used 24x7 and typically to their fullest capability. A network video recorder’s CPU is always used heavily, the hard drives are spinning all the time, the cooling system is being utilized constantly and so forth. As such, the best NVRs utilize 24x7 rated components, designed for long life span.

The risk of over specifying hardware or deploying an underperforming solution is driving many security integrators and consumers towards specially built NVR recording platforms. VMS providers have been following suit and will continue to expand hardware offerings. The trend for 2015 will be towards more specialized appliance products incorporating wireless, PoE and other connection modules providing all-in-one devices that combine software, hardware and connection infrastructure. Specialized form factors will also be in demand for space constrained and other unique installation scenarios.

Hardware optimized products: Because more VMS providers are now offering NVRs, the total recording solution cost is starting to take focus. If a VMS can run a recording configuration on fewer and less expensive NVRs, the system may be more competitive than alternative offerings, even if the software license cost is higher.

This trend can be seen in part by the push for processing to the edge, like when using camera based motion detection or video analytics. More advanced techniques may become the norm such as offloading processing from the NVRs CPU to the video card’s GPU. Such a design would result in lower total hardware cost for the consumer.

Another driver for this trend will be H.265 cameras becoming more widely available. Without processing-optimized VMS products, adoption of H.265 based may be slow to take off due to higher processing requirements.

This article originally appeared in the February 2015 issue of Security Today.

Featured

  • From Surveillance to Intelligence

    Years ago, it would have been significantly more expensive to run an analytic like that — requiring a custom-built solution with burdensome infrastructure demands — but modern edge devices have made it accessible to everyone. It also saves time, which is a critical factor if a missing child is involved. Video compression technology has played a critical role as well. Over the years, significant advancements have been made in video coding standards — including H.263, MPEG formats, and H.264—alongside compression optimization technologies developed by IP video manufacturers to improve efficiency without sacrificing quality. The open-source AV1 codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media—a consortium including Google, Netflix, Microsoft, Amazon and others — is already the preferred decoder for cloud-based applications, and is quickly becoming the standard for video compression of all types. Read Now

  • Cost: Reactive vs. Proactive Security

    Security breaches often happen despite the availability of tools to prevent them. To combat this problem, the industry is shifting from reactive correction to proactive protection. This article will examine why so many security leaders have realized they must “lead before the breach” – not after. Read Now

  • Achieving Clear Audio

    In today’s ever-changing world of security and risk management, effective communication via an intercom and door entry communication system is a critical communication tool to keep a facility’s staff, visitors and vendors safe. Read Now

  • Beyond Apps: Access Control for Today’s Residents

    The modern resident lives in an app-saturated world. From banking to grocery delivery, fitness tracking to ridesharing, nearly every service demands another download. But when it comes to accessing the place you live, most people do not want to clutter their phone with yet another app, especially if its only purpose is to open a door. Read Now

  • Survey: 48 Percent of Worshippers Feel Less Safe Attending In-Person Services

    Almost half (48%) of those who attend religious services say they feel less safe attending in-person due to rising acts of violence at places of worship. In fact, 39% report these safety concerns have led them to change how often they attend in-person services, according to new research from Verkada conducted online by The Harris Poll among 1,123 U.S. adults who attend a religious service or event at least once a month. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions.

  • QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    The latest Qualcomm® Vision Intelligence Platform offers next-generation smart camera IoT solutions to improve safety and security across enterprises, cities and spaces. The Vision Intelligence Platform was expanded in March 2022 with the introduction of the QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC), which delivers superior artificial intelligence (AI) inferencing at the edge.

  • EasyGate SPT and SPD

    EasyGate SPT SPD

    Security solutions do not have to be ordinary, let alone unattractive. Having renewed their best-selling speed gates, Cominfo has once again demonstrated their Art of Security philosophy in practice — and confirmed their position as an industry-leading manufacturers of premium speed gates and turnstiles.