6 ways video in the cloud adds value in the age of IoT
With the growing interest in the IoT and connected devices becoming widely used, there is much concern about managing the massive volumes of data generated. Cloud-based solutions offer a perfect solution for this, reducing the burden of ownership on customers and allowing them to focus more on their core businesses.
In many ways, video is at the core of IoT: Not just in the security segment, but also in areas such as intelligent traffic management where cameras are necessary to monitor and manage vehicle movement. Even solutions such as building automation make use of cameras to control HVAC systems based on the number of people in a room.
Here are six ways cloud video solutions add value in the age of IoT:
1. Lower capital investment
Running surveillance and storage in the cloud allows businesses to access IoT solutions without large-scale capital investments, providing them the freedom to invest in other areas. As the quality of video cameras continues to rise, the size of video files they generate also increases. Storing this on-premises requires significant investment in hard disk drives and related components.
When storing and analyzing video in the cloud, customers can avoid substantial capital expenditure on storage devices. Even when they want to scale up their business, the cost per installation and site remains low. For customers who are not ready to move their entire data to the cloud, vendors are also offering hybrid solutions that comprise a mix of on-premises and cloud-based storage solutions.
2. Scale without more space
Storing large amounts of data from IoT devices on-premises will require an increase in physical space. Customers will need to own and maintain rooms particularly for storage equipment. Videos, especially from devices such as surveillance cameras, will also need to be retained for specific periods that regulatory bodies specify.
With cloud solutions, customers can increase their storage space without increasing their physical space. Simply install the cameras to easily scale up a business’ surveillance operations.
3. Centralized management for better control
If a customer owns a business with multiple sites, using video in the cloud enables them to manage data from different locations through one single place. Instead of switching back and forth between various locations, a centralized management platform pulls all the data and alerts into a simplified view so a user can see what is important right away and respond accordingly. Ultimately, this saves time, resources and can result in more streamlined response when an incident occurs.
This helps simplify the process and reduces the number of people needed to work on it and the costs associated with it. Centralized monitoring also provides more visibility and decreases the chances of security gaps. When all video is stored in a single location, admins can easily access old videos for comparison or other forensic purposes.
In addition, customers can configure cloud solutions to send alerts to admins when the system detects activities that are categorized as abnormal in the footage, such as sending an alert if a perimeter is breached. In video surveillance, this could be someone entering a restricted area or loitering around. In industrial settings, it could even be detecting leakage from thermal camera footage.
4. Remote access increases flexibility
In today’s world, business occurs 24/7. But this doesn’t mean that employees need to be at the office round the clock. The remote access feature of cloud-based video allows people to work from home or wherever they are.
This can help businesses — especially SMBs — to limit their headcount and lower costs. Most cloud video management systems also allow access and management from mobile devices, further increasing the convenience.
5. Quicker updates, greater security
Cybersecurity has become a major threat that keeps security leaders awake at night. Cloud-based video storage systems provide better cybersecurity as the companies that manage them often have dedicated teams that specialize in it. Admins can avoid the costs of employing and training people for this.
In addition, among the several recommended practices to improve data protection, a crucial step is the timely update of device and server firmware. With cloud-based video management services, updates can be done from a single source simultaneously.
Another benefit is admins who store video on the cloud can protect their business against any storage hardware failure. Cloud storage vendors often maintain multiple data centers at different locations with data backup.
Finally, the physical security of data is also an essential factor to consider. Data stored on-premises is vulnerable to theft and vandalism. Uploading video to the cloud removes any cause for concern about data reaching the wrong hands.
6. Access to analytics for more insights
Analytic solutions have revolutionized the way industries function, providing actionable insights based on patterns from data collected. For example, the property management segment can benefit from solutions that leverage analytics to detect activity within a certain area of a business; especially as many businesses are vacant or operating with limited staff in the current landscape.
Operators can use video surveillance data and pre-set rules to protect specific areas by instructing the system to send an alert when a certain area is breached. Such business intelligence can help determine proper response and allow operators to gather the necessary information to make informed decisions.
But running some of the most advanced video analytic solutions requires massive processing power. Storing video in the cloud allows companies to access such analytic solutions without having to invest in the necessary hardware. This helps boost their bottom line with business intelligence at low costs.
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