Worldwide, Video Management Software (VMS) has become a highly visible component of business, with the market estimated to be worth over USD 71.28 Billion by 2022, and an estimated CAGR of 16.56% (MarketsandMarkets, March 2016). The market is highly fragmented today due to increasing blurring of boundaries between cloud-based VMS solutions and on-premise VMS devices.

A VMS solution primarily allows the user to collect, play, manage and analyze the recorded videos. There are 4 components in any VMS system:

Cameras (analog or IP-based)

Storage solution On-premise edge devices with memory based on SD cards installed in each camera Network attached storage units Cloud-based with central computer storage

Network infrastructure (LAN, WAN, WLAN etc.)

End software for viewing, recording and editing videos

No matter how the end solution is deployed, the trend today is that service providers are aiming for precision, greater user efficiency and lesser costs. Accordingly, there are 3 deployment models in VMS:

1. On-premise VMS deployment.

The onset of high resolution camera technologies like Ultra-HD and 360 degree field of view means VMS service providers will have to upgrade their platforms to cater to any combination of camera types and video output formats, cross-OS capabilities in Windows or MAC systems, and account for greater storage requirements which according to a Gartner research note, represent 40% of the total cost of a video surveillance solution.

2. VMS on Cloud/VSaaS

Apart from on-premise, VMS can also be deployed on Cloud leading to greater flexibility, reach and usage. The Cloud-based architecture provides a broader network for diverse features, that allows the users to access and manage the functionalities of the end system from laptops, tablets and smart phones. VMS on cloud must provide uninterrupted access to the videos irrespective of its location of storage.

The cloud-based technology should provide greater amount of bandwidth, helping in storage and streaming of uninterrupted high quality videos. The management of devices like configuration of cameras, adding and removing of camera in the system, PTZ functionality should become easier. Even, the new technology updates can be done easily over the web, on on-premise IP cameras.

Using Video Surveillance as a Service (VSaaS), the companies have greater flexibility to select the services they want, and they just have to pay for what they use. Companies can have a monthly / yearly subscription of the services from the service providers resulting in more optimized and economic use of VMS services.

In a previous blog, we have shown how many companies are moving from traditional Video Management software to Cloud based Video Management Software.

3. Hybrid VMS

Cloud-based VMS solutions are very trendy nowadays, but sometimes you do need on-premise deployment as well. The basic idea is that service providers should have the freedom and flexibility to select what video is stored on-premise and what video is stored in the cloud – this creates the need for a hybrid deployment. Plug-n-play support for a wide range of industry-leading IP cameras and encoders are essential.

Industries like home automation, retail, financial institutions, educational institutions, Government premises, public transportation, Multi-site businesses etc., have varied requirements from VMS. And, depending on the requirement, you can have either have a fullycloud-based VMS system or a hybrid system which can provide customized features for video surveillance and analytics.

What you can additionally expect from VMS?

For high security areas like govt offices, airports, corporates, VMS can provide advanced features like an interactive virtual map of the site, access to any security device like alarms, door sensors, biometric devices. For retail stores, features like motion detection, Pan-Tilt-Zoom camera, incident capture, customer behavioral alerts can be managed with the VMS system. In financial institutions like banks, security alarms, image capture, PTZ functionality and other security features can be added to the system.

Video analytics are a major focus area in VMS solutions, in order to make the generated video data more useful. They will be an integral part of future VMS applications. Want to know the top 3 emerging trends in video analytics? Click here.