To optimize the interplay of edge, cloud and on-prem, Hanwha Vision has introduced a new hybrid VMS optimized for AI workloads, dubbed BLAZE.
The security space is seeing more architectural diversity than ever before, with workloads distributed between the edge, on-prem devices and the cloud. To optimize the interplay of those elements, Hanwha Vision has introduced a new hybrid VMS optimized for AI workloads, dubbed BLAZE.
On the occasion of the rollout of BLAZE across APAC, we talked to Hanwha Vision about the new VMS, its benefits for users and where it slots in with the company’s vast offering of solutions and services.
asmag: BLAZE was released at ISC West this year, and now it's becoming available in three major global markets. Can you tell us a bit about the rollout strategy behind your new flagship hybrid VMS?
Hanwha Vision: BLAZE is Hanwha Vision's next-generation, end-to-end hybrid VMS — with cameras, devices, and management software all designed by Hanwha Vision to work as one. Our rollout strategy focuses on making sure customers and partners are fully equipped to get the most out of the platform through comprehensive training and close support. BLAZE is now available across Asia through our channel partner network, and since its April launch in the Americas and Europe, more than 100 customers are already running BLAZE in multi-site deployments including large-scale environments with hundreds to thousands of cameras.
asmag: What changes for users of other Hanwha Vision VMS solutions? Why should they change and how can they do it? What changes for them in terms of their subscription with Hanwha Vision?
Hanwha Vision: BLAZE is designed for customers who want full end-to-end Hanwha Vision support. Hanwha Vision continues to offer its existing VMS solutions in parallel, and where a customer chooses to adopt BLAZE, Hanwha Vision and our partners help identify the most suitable approach on a case-by-case basis.
There are several benefits in using BLAZE. It has a centralized system management where the user can efficiently manage multiple locations while maintaining secure, centralized access and control. Users can also benefit from AI capabilities such as semantic search, similarity search, attribute-based search and object detection to find critical events quickly and efficiently.
They can keep existing setup like the cameras and network video recorder and just replace the backend VMS system to our BLAZE VMS. Since Hanwha Vision devices are part of BLAZE integrated devices, so the transition is technically straightforward. The exact scope varies case by case, configuration settings can be carried over with our transition tool, while recorded video and licensing are handled separately. So, Hanwha Vision and our partners plan the right path with each customer.
BLAZE uses a perpetual licensing model, a one-time purchase that lets you keep recording video with no ongoing subscription. The first three years include free software updates; after that, customers can purchase a Software Update Plan (SUP) whenever they need, which grants unlimited updates for the next three years.
asmag: Data governance is increasingly important for users across APAC and EMEA. Is BLAZE suitable for users who need to comply with strict regulatory and data sovereignty regimes?
Hanwha Vision: Data governance is important across APAC and EMEA, and BLAZE was designed with these requirements in mind.
BLAZE's hybrid architecture provides customers with greater flexibility in managing their video infrastructure and data, while maintain high levels of security and operational control. This allows organizations to design deployments that better align with internal government policies, regulatory obligations and sovereignty requirements.
asmag: Hybrid architectures come in many shapes of forms, from on-prem processing and storage with cloud management to architectures where on-prem is just for backup. What kinds of systems can be realized with BLAZE at its center?
Hanwha Vision: BLAZE supports flexible hybrid deployments, combining on-premises storage and processing with cloud-based management and federation. This allows organizations to balance performance, security, and scalability according to their operational requirements, with support for up to 50 servers per system, with unlimited sites via cloud federation.
asmag: On the other hand, how can BLAZE be integrated within existing systems running on legacy hardware, from Hanwha Vision or other vendors? Is it suitable for users who take their first steps into the cloud?
Hanwha Vision: BLAZE provides a pathway for organizations to modernize their video management environment without the need for a complete infrastructure replacement. Its hybrid approach also makes it suitable for customers who want to gradually adopt cloud capabilities while continuing to leverage their existing infrastructure.
asmag: BLAZE is optimized within the Hanwha Vision ecosystem, foremost edge AI applications running on Wisenet 9 chipsets. Can you tell us a bit about that? How can users experience this optimized VMS-hardware match?
Hanwha Vision: BLAZE is designed to work closely with Hanwha Vision's latest camera technologies, including Wisenet 9 cameras with advanced edge AI capabilities. This combination allows users to leverage AI-driven video intelligence more effectively and improve operational efficiency across their surveillance environment.
Hanwha Vision offers a comprehensive portfolio of 12 purpose-built BLAZE appliance models, designed to support surveillance deployments of all sizes. The streamlined deployment process reduces installation time and complexity, while Hanwha Vision devices connected to BLAZE are automatically configured to provide the best out-of-the-box experience.
Our high-performance AI-enabled appliances feature dedicated AI acceleration, enabling advanced investigation tools such as Semantic Search and Similarity Search within the BLAZE platform. With Semantic Search, you can use natural language queries, such as "person carrying a backpack" to quickly locate relevant events. Similarity Search allows users to identify and track the same person across hundreds of cameras by analyzing visual metadata, helping investigators reconstruct movement paths within seconds.
Security is built into every layer of the platform. From encrypted camera communications to tamper-resistant exported clips and intelligent session management, and with automatic HTTPS negotiation and JWT-based authentication, BLAZE is designed to meet the highest security standards.
For users, the tight integration between Hanwha Vision hardware and the BLAZE platform translates into a more intuitive experience, enhanced search accuracy, deeper insights, and quicker access to critical evidence during investigations.
In addition, users benefit from free software updates throughout the appliance lifecycle until the product reaches its End of Support, ensuring continued access to the latest features, enhancements, and security updates.
asmag: Integration of different domains within security and the wider IoT sphere continue to be trending. Where does BLAZE slot in in this regard? Is it part of a strategy to provide Hanwha Vision-based end-to-end solutions, does it give users more flexibility to integrate, or maybe even both?
Hanwha Vision: BLAZE is designed to strengthen the Hanwha Vision ecosystem while providing flexibility to connect with broader technology environments and support mixed environments with third-party cameras and verified multi-vendor models. Our goal is to help customers bring video, AI, security systems, and other operational technologies together to create a more connected and efficient environment.
asmag: Hanwha Vision is itself part of the Hanwha Group that spans many industries. That offers great integration opportunities as well. Is BLAZE part of a approach that goes beyond the security sphere?
Hanwha Vision: Yes, we see video intelligence increasingly playing a role beyond traditional security and surveillance. BLAZE supports this direction by providing a modern platform that can help organizations leverage video and AI to improve operational visibility, safety, and efficiency across a wider range of applications.
Product Adopted:Software