Deliver More Value to Your Customers with Cloud Video Surveillance

Investing in a cloud video surveillance solution can make a dramatic difference in the overall operations of a business, security and otherwise. With many options available, it’s critical you present a solution that will help address your customer’s current needs, while offering the flexibility to achieve future goals.

When recommending a solution, you’ll want to be able to articulate the specific advantages there are when using the cloud and how it can benefit their business. In this article, we’ll cover some of the most important factors for you and your customers to consider when choosing a cloud video surveillance solution.

Meet Customers’ Needs with Cloud Security

There are several reasons that cloud video security is the right solution for your customers, including remote access and centralized management, diverse deployment options, and cost-effectiveness. Below, we’ll cover these factors in depth so you can best address your customers’ security needs.

Remote Access to The Security System and Video

The power of the cloud should provide your customers with easy access to their security, both the devices as well as the video, regardless of physical location. Furthermore, it should have controls in place to ensure the right people have access to only the video, devices and data they need. Whether a district manager reviewing events tied to several locations, a security professional receiving an alert and video verification of critical events on their phone, or the IT team making changes to the system remotely, cloud video should keep all teams informed and efficient, wherever they are. When choosing cloud video, consider your customer’s specific needs in both the management of locations and users and how remote access could create efficiencies and improve both security and business operations.

Flexible Deployment Options That Scale

With any video surveillance system, it’s important to consider both your customer’s needs today and tomorrow. The cloud provides the ability to scale security as their business grows, so it’s vital to deliver a solution that can keep up.

· First, consider their current security footprint. Do they have existing cameras? Do they have other business systems that could be integrated with their video security, such as access control or point-of-sale? Choose a system that can work with their existing infrastructure or previous investments.

· Next, consider current gaps in their security. Are there locations today where they need more cameras and a recorder that can scale to meet those needs? Are there locations where they have video but lack the analytics to detect events? Are there locations that could benefit from video but a network recorder doesn’t make sense? Choose a system that offers solutions to their unique challenges.

· Finally, consider what their security might look like tomorrow. What does business growth look like, and how does their security scale to support it? How do you efficiently support the onboarding of new locations? What technology will become critical to their business in the future, and will their security solution and video integrate with it? Choose a cloud solution that is both open and flexible enough to address their needs both today and tomorrow.

Consider the Cost of Cloud Video Any investment in security will be evaluated for cost tradeoffs. When considering the value of a cloud security solution, demonstrate to your customers the potential savings in efficiently deploying security, but also the cost savings over time in managing security.

· Consider the cost of video storage alongside business needs. Cloud storage does come with a cost, so it should be done as efficiently as possible. It also brings some inherent risk or challenges, considering it’s reliant on internet and bandwidth. Deliver a system that provides the reliability of local video storage but also additional cloud storage options to support redundant recording of critical events. Also, explain the risks associated with not having video when you need it and supply a solution that provides system health alerts so issues, such as downed cameras, can be resolved as soon as they occur.

· Consider the investment required today to make the shift to next-generation security. Can they use existing cameras and systems, such as access control? Will they be able to take advantage of powerful analytics with their current devices? Choose a system that gives them more return on their existing infrastructure.

· Consider the savings they’ll achieve through greater efficiencies thanks to cloud solutions. What work exists today that could be minimized or removed completely thanks to the cloud? What tasks or issues previously required teams to travel or be on-site that can now be done remotely? Choose a system that can address current pain points and save their teams’ time.

· Finally, consider a cloud video solution that can deliver intelligence across their organization to help propel the company forward and improve their bottom line. Demonstrate the power of video security system when used for loss prevention, marketing, operations, and other sides of their business, adding value across the organization and shifting surveillance from a cost center to a profit center.

OpenEye’s Cloud Video Surveillance Security Solutions OpenEye Web Services (OWS) delivers a cloud security solution that provides remote access and cloud management while addressing commercial security needs today and tomorrow—thanks to its flexible and scalable architecture. OWS supports any combination of servers and embedded appliances, as well as network and cloud-connected cameras, and gives you the option to record locally or to the cloud based on the events that matter most to your customers. Retrofit existing deployments, including both third-party and analog cameras, as well as third-party business systems, providing a low-friction migration path to the cloud and ensuring your customers get the most value out of their security.

Everywhere Access that Scales

From the OWS cloud, users can connect to devices to view live video, search events, and manage the system from wherever they are. Add any number of recorders and cloud cameras to a logical location. With no limit on the total locations and devices associated with an OpenEye Web Services account, you can scale as needed, all while providing a streamlined management platform within a single pane of glass.

Cloud-Managed Local Recording OpenEye’s powerful, cloud-managed recorders can support up to 96 cameras, and offer a wide range of options to accommodate varying system load and performance requirements. Cloud “edge” cameras provide an all-in-one recording solution with their own dedicated storage and analytic processing built into the camera—providing additional flexibility and scalability for versatile deployments.

Open Ecosystem Thanks to the open ecosystem, OWS works with existing cameras as well as third-party devices and business systems, such as access control, environmental sensors, point-of-sale, and more—no need to rip and replace. Beyond the freedom of choice, OpenEye provides an easy path to the cloud, without the upfront investment in infrastructure nor the downtime associated. With more integrations added each year, OpenEye provides peace of mind in your customers’ security investment, meeting their business needs today and in the future.

Ready to Learn More?

See what OpenEye Web Services can do and learn how our powerful cloud video surveillance security solutions increase safety, improve operations, and create more value for your customers. Learn more at OpenEye.net