Taking a Practical Look at Video Storage in the Cloud

Taking a Practical Look at Video Storage in the Cloud

VSaaS solutions have been around for a while now, offering what many see as more efficient software maintenance and support for their surveillance systems.

  • By Dan Cremins
  • Nov 02, 2015

I recently met with two systems integrators whose companies specialize in providing video surveillance solutions to retail customers. Among the many topics we discussed was the adoption of cloud-based video surveillance. We all agreed that, while the technology has evolved to the point where it is now a viable alternative to other types of surveillance solutions, it’s also clear that not everyone is ready to store their video in the cloud. Here’s a look at some of the reasons why.

The storage and management of surveillance video in the cloud is often referred to as Video Surveillance as a Service (VSaaS).  VSaaS solutions have been around for a while now, offering what many see as more efficient software maintenance and support for their surveillance systems.

But as cloud technology gains momentum, some providers are promoting solutions that favor the wholesale storage of video in the cloud. This can sound like an exciting alternative to local video storage, with promises of better scalability and lower hardware costs.

As my colleagues and I discussed, however, depending on the size of your business and the IT infrastructure you have in place, some cloud-based solutions can actually be more expensive. They may also lack several of the more traditional functionalities and integrations we’ve come to expect to help manage both small and enterprise-class video surveillance systems.

Bandwidth is key
As a starting point, it’s essential to remember that streaming video to the cloud requires a significant amount of bandwidth – more than many businesses typically enjoy. If you work in a large organization or one that comprises multiple locations, and you’re deploying high-definition (HD) or multi-megapixel IP cameras for surveillance, a cloud-based solution may not actually be feasible.

I know of one retailer that upgraded all of its analog surveillance to HD IP cameras for enhanced video quality. After the switch-out was complete, however, it quickly discovered that staff could no longer access the video remotely! The organization just didn’t have the bandwidth needed to transmit the high-resolution video to a central location and it eventually decided to revert back to its analog cameras.

This is an extreme example, of course, but one that underscores my point: enterprises need adequate bandwidth to stream video remotely for viewing or storage in the cloud. (It also highlights how critical it is to do a proof-of-concept at a single location whenever you’re adopting new technology!)

Do the math
If you’re considering cloud-based video storage, you should take time to calculate your specific bandwidth requirements. For example, a single retail location with 16 IP cameras (all capturing HD 1080p video at an average rate of 10 images per second) would require a total upload speed of approximately 32 Mb/s to push its surveillance video to cloud. Many businesses just don’t have that type of bandwidth available or at least not consistently at all locations. Additional bandwidth can certainly be purchased, but it’s going to come at a cost.

You should also investigate how much of your corporate network will need to be dedicated to moving video to the cloud. IP video files are large, and require a fair bit of the network to transmit. Often a video surveillance system will offer bandwidth throttling to control how much of the network can be used for video streaming at any given time. That type of functionality is essential to many organizations, allowing them to keep their networks free to handle transactions and other business-critical data as a first priority.

Ask lots of questions
Bandwidth and networking resources are just two aspects of cloud-based video storage that you’ll want to investigate. Once your video gets to the cloud, for example, what are the associated storage costs? I always recommend making sure you thoroughly understand how a cloud provider’s fees are calculated, including any additional fees for exceeding upload or storage limits. Other good questions to raise include where your video will be physically stored and what happens if the network goes down. Some organizations have restrictions on their video being transmitted to another country. And if your connection to the Internet is lost, how will that impact video recording and accessibility?

Without a doubt, cloud-based video surveillance solutions are an attractive-sounding alternative to today’s more traditional video management solutions. But until technology evolves to help address the bandwidth barrier – and the higher costs associated with it – cloud-based solutions won’t be practical for everyone.

As with any technology, each organization needs to weigh the pros and cons to determine whether the solution is the best one to meet its business objectives. So ask lots of questions and involve all the stakeholders in your company to ensure you get the best outcome for your technology spend.

Dan Cremins is Global Leader of Product Management for March Networks, a leading provider of intelligent IP video solutions to some of the world’s largest retail and banking organizations.

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

  • 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.

  • HD2055 Modular Barricade

    Delta Scientific’s electric HD2055 modular shallow foundation barricade is tested to ASTM M50/P1 with negative penetration from the vehicle upon impact. With a shallow foundation of only 24 inches, the HD2055 can be installed without worrying about buried power lines and other below grade obstructions. The modular make-up of the barrier also allows you to cover wider roadways by adding additional modules to the system. The HD2055 boasts an Emergency Fast Operation of 1.5 seconds giving the guard ample time to deploy under a high threat situation.

  • Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden Door Controls is pleased to announce that, in response to soaring customer demand, it has expanded its range of ValueWave™ no-touch switches to include a narrow (slimline) version with manual override. This override button is designed to provide additional assurance that the request to exit switch will open a door, even if the no-touch sensor fails to operate. This new slimline switch also features a heavy gauge stainless steel faceplate, a red/green illuminated light ring, and is IP65 rated, making it ideal for indoor or outdoor use as part of an automatic door or access control system. ValueWave™ no-touch switches are designed for easy installation and trouble-free service in high traffic applications. In addition to this narrow version, the CM-221 & CM-222 Series switches are available in a range of other models with single and double gang heavy-gauge stainless steel faceplates and include illuminated light rings.