Video surveillance has long played a pivotal role in security. However, existing solutions may become inadequate as users’ needs evolve. This is where containerized video management solutions come in. This article examines how.
Video surveillance has long played a pivotal role in security. However, existing solutions may become inadequate as users’ needs evolve. This is where
containerized video management solutions come in. This article examines how.
Video surveillance is indispensable to many organizations who use camera systems for monitoring and investigative purposes. Demand has been growing as well. According to MarketsandMarkets, the video surveillance market is projected to grow from US$42.9 billion in 2021 to $69.1 billion by 2026 at a CAGR of 10 percent.
In a video surveillance system,
video management software (VMS) plays an important part. Yet over time, users have found certain VMS solutions to be insufficient. For example, it’s hard for certain VMS to scale up and down based on the user’s needs. Some VMS solutions are also hardware intensive, requiring multiple OS (and thus multiple hardware) to run different applications.
This is where containerized VMS can come in handy. “With fewer servers and updates, greater flexibility and ROI, containerized VMS is an ideal solution for both global enterprises and small businesses,” said John Rezzonico, CEO of Surveill.
What it is
According to Rezzonico, containerized VMS is a hybrid solution that runs on a virtualized environment in an operating system in a single server, meaning less hardware in the overall solution. “This is especially ideal for organizations that are looking to scale into multiple buildings, campuses, citywide, nationwide, or globally. Containerized VMS is also able to repurpose existing servers and optimize the overall performance. They can run on any operating system as long as the hardware allows virtualization, and it’s horizontally scalable,” he said.
Containerized VMS comes ready to install with pre-configured prerequisites and does not need any additional frameworks or database software. “This means they are ready to implement instantly. Because these systems do not have separate network or recording servers, deployments are hassle-free and built with complex global situations in mind,” Rezzonico said.
“Today, many VMS solutions don’t empower you to use third-party add-ons or technology. The containerized approach provides end-users with the technology they need, not the technology they are being talked into because it fits within the standard technology or brand footprint,” he added. “They can access a foundational video product that seamlessly works with other technologies. And within a global deployment, it doesn’t matter where you log on, and you have the complete management and access – based on permissions – and the ability to manage your solution from anywhere. It’s a way to scale across one single, global cluster.”
Containerized VMS is simple to use and is up and running in 30 minutes with no downtime. It is also completely scalable and compatible with any organization regardless of their size or existing camera setup.
“True VMS solutions are made for your environment. Whether you have 50 sites globally or one local campus, it’s a solution for your organization, offering unlimited scalability. It is hardware-agnostic and has a built-in API meaning it is always ready for environment-specific customizations and integrations,” Rezzonico said.
Who can benefit
Containerized VMS can be beneficial for a variety of users, especially certain mission-critical entities.
“The biggest challenge with securing mission-critical organizations is having a system secure and scalable enough to pass the rigorous performance testing that is required. Containerized VMS is purposefully-built for these types of enterprise organizations. In fact, the Surveill system is one of the approved platforms for government associations that take place worldwide,” Rezzonico said.
He added: “While containerized systems serve as a true enterprise solution they can scale regardless of an organization’s unique requirements and fit into any sized environment. From a small business with one camera stream to a multi-site deployment with thousands of IP camera systems globally, containerized VMS systems produce a scalable, simple to use, and powerful solution that can be tailored specifically to fit the organization’s needs.”
In the end, users may initially be hesitant to switch to containerized VMS, which is a novel concept. But ultimately they may find it a viable option. “While security stands to benefit from the development of this technology, it is a significant change of mindset to move away from traditional VMS solutions. But it would be best if you considered tomorrow, and six months from now, and how your current technology investments will support your efforts down the road,” Rezzonico said.