Questions to ask before purchasing a storage solution

Purchasing the right video storage solutions isn’t always easy. With more video data being produced and retention periods getting longer, keeping those data safe and secure requires considerations on various factors, including ease of use and integration with other systems.
 
That was the point raised by Axis Communications in its recent blog post “9 questions to consider before purchasing a recording solution.”
 
“You often need to consider a number of factors before you feel comfortable enough tying your business to any kind of surveillance hardware. The result could ensure you’re using a recording solution that will meet (or even exceed) your security objectives,” the post said.
 
To select the right storage, Axis has several suggestions which can be summarized as follows.
 

Ease of installation and use

 
According to Axis, storage is supposed to be easy to set up and use. “Fortunately, some network video recorders come out of the box ready as a plug-and-play solutions. These NVRs are preloaded with video management software (VMS), licenses and all the features you would need,” the company said. “While installing an NVR may be simple, if it’s difficult to operate, users may have a hard time navigating the system or reacting quickly to an incident. Video management systems with intuitive interfaces allow users to painlessly monitor business environments with features such as easy-to-identify icons, menus that are simple to navigate, and the option to operate a pan, tilt, zoom camera with just a few clicks.”
 

Integration

 
Open platforms are important as NVRs built on open platforms are likely to integrate with different brands of IP cameras. “When systems allow for third-party integration, users could have the ability to operate and manage various devices on the network all from one place. This means you could open a door with a click within the VMS interface, or make a live or recorded announcement through a network speaker,” Axis said.
 

Accessibility and scalability

 
According to Axis, in today’s businesses most professionals don’t have time to travel daily to each of their business locations to review alerts or analyze footage. This can be resolved with modern NVRs, which allow people to view live or recorded footage remotely over the network, it said.
 
The scalability of the storage solution is also key. “Over time, your business needs will change and so too may your surveillance requirements. Planning for the future is a crucial aspect of running any business,” Axis said. “Ask yourself how many devices do I need now, and how many may I need in the future? How long will I need to keep my video recordings? What happens if I need to scale quicker than originally expected?”
 

Form factor

 
The more space a storage solution takes, the more costly it might be. Picking the right NVR form factor based on the user’s own needs is therefore important. But Axis reminded that there are other factors to consider. “We recommend taking into account other elements such as hardware specifications, features and connectivity to name a few. Some NVRs, for example, feature remote troubleshooting, device management and built-in Power over Ethernet switch,” Axis said.
 

Finding support

 
Should the NVR go out of commission, finding support in the quickest time is critical. “Here are some other things you’ll want to keep in mind. Does the NVR include a warranty? If so, how many years is the warranty for, and what does it cover? How quickly can a technical support specialist help you fix the problem, and how can you easily contact this person?,” Axis said, adding redundancy and selecting quality manufacturers are also important in safeguarding storage.
 

Cost

 
Finally, there’s the cost factor. “Keep in mind that you get what you pay for. While one solution may cost less, it may be less reliable and secure than a more expensive option,” Axis said.