With network connectivity and cloud-based services becoming readily available, device manufacturers and service providers have found new ways to protect end users’ properties and serve their evolving security and operational needs. A&S surveys current market conditions for managed video as a service and examines real-life usability issues, technical limitations and business development opportunities.
With network connectivity and cloud-based services becoming readily available, device manufacturers and service providers have found new ways to protect end users' properties and serve their evolving security and operational needs. a&s surveys current market conditions for managed video as a service and examines real-life usability issues, technical limitations and business development opportunities.
The prevalence of broadband along with 3-G and 4-G connections is making video accessibility easier than ever. While current uptake of managed video as a service (MVaaS) is limited to certain markets and business venues, momentum is picking up with increasing functionality and reliability. According to John Honovich, founder of website ipvideomarket.info, 2010 global subscription revenue was estimated to be US$50 million to $100 million, with a total of 200,000 to 300,000 cameras hosted, of which 75,000 to 125,000 were new. IMS Research pegged
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▲Matt Steinfort, President and CEO of Envysion
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the world market for video surveillance as a service and remote video monitoring in 2010 at approximately $692.4 million.
A highlighted benefit of MVaaS is plug-and-play, meaning that edge devices such as cameras and D/NVRs automatically connect to the video service without configuration by the customer. "However, not all managed and hosted video providers offer plug-and-play setup yet," said Matt Steinfort, President and CEO of Envysion. "Some providers, especially those hardware companies who have developed managed or hosted video solutions, do restrict users' camera choice. Others, like ourselves, are camera-agnostic and can deploy their video solutions with any mix of analog or network cameras."
Another important aspect of plug-and-play that remains inconsistent among MVaaS providers is the ability to run managed or hosted video independent of a computer's operating system, security configuration or other system configuration. "Web-based applications, like Envysion's, bypass these issues because no software is downloaded to the computer. Still, not all managed and hosted providers offer a cloud-based solution, meaning users must install software on their computers before using the system and any time an upgrade is released," Steinfort said.
Product Adopted:Software