VSaaS offers various benefits that may appeal to your clients even if they’ve only had the budget for a modest investment in video surveillance in the past.
Businesses are discovering a more manageable and accessible solution for video surveillance. Technavio predicts the Video Surveillance as a Service market will grow by $7.45 billion worldwide from 2021 to 2026, with North America contributing 32 percent of that growth.
VSaaS offers users a variety of benefits that are driving that growth and which may appeal to your clients, even if they’ve only had the budget for a modest investment in video surveillance in the past. Here are 10 reasons your customers may be ready to buy VSaaS:
1. Less hardware on site.
VSaaS is a hosted offering. Users manage and store their video surveillance data in the cloud, which eliminates the need for dedicated servers on site – as well as the need to maintain and upgrade them. Users only need IP cameras; however, they can back up data locally to create a hybrid system, if warranted.
2. It’s an OPEX, not a CAPEX.
Compared to an on-premises system, VSaaS has a significantly lower upfront expense. Software, hosting, and storage costs are billed monthly as an operating cost. In addition, all service and support is included, so the user pays a predictable monthly fee – with no surprises.
3. The vendor maintains software.
Users access VSaaS via the cloud, and the vendor manages all software maintenance including security patches and upgrades. The end user is assured they are always using the most up-to-date, secure version of the software.
4. Easy to scale.
VSaaS often allows the user to pay only for the number of cameras, the resolution, and the storage they need, rather than a set fee. Users can purchase and add more cameras and storage to the service as needed.
5. Camera choices.
VSaaS solutions support a wide variety of cameras, so a user may be able to use existing cameras, maximizing their video surveillance hardware investment. The flexibility of VSaaS solutions also makes it easier for the user to upgrade cameras to models providing higher resolution; the user can just expand the bandwidth and storage they’re purchasing through the service rather than having to invest in new on-site hardware to support them.
6. Anytime, anywhere access.
Because VSaaS is managed in the cloud, your customers can monitor video in real time from any internet-connected device – even a smartphone or tablet. Also, data is stored in one centralized location, and users have the option of backing up data locally, so it’s accessible even if there is a disruption to internet service.
7. Real-time alerts and intervention.
Like on-premises systems, you can configure VSaaS to provide facility managers with real-time alerts when an incident occurs. But unlike on-prem systems, the manager can log in from any device, review the video, and take action if they determine it’s necessary.
8. Additional security.
Cloud-based systems don’t have the vulnerabilities that traditional systems have, such as on-site software and open ports. VSaaS vendors make security a priority, staying vigilant to identify and protect their systems from new threats, and ensuring that video, whether stored or in transit, is secured. The level of security that the vendor provides often far exceeds what one of your customers could afford and implement on their own.
9. New features and functionality.
Video stored in the cloud allows users to backup, archive, and search data quickly and easily. Users can also retain video over a longer period due to greater storage capacity.
10. New capabilities.
VSaaS solutions with open APIs allow the user to integrate new applications. Video’s value can far exceed loss prevention and physical security. Businesses can also leverage a video data stream in big data analytics to monitor and analyze customer behavior, increase sales, and evaluate operations to pinpoint areas that can improve efficiency.
