Thursday, May 10, 2012 | Posted by Grant Cowan at 03:47 PM
A lot of the projects Salient works on allow us to show our value as the "transition leader.” We are helping to bridge the gap for analog users to migrate to IP video cost effectively. In my February 9th blog I mentioned that there are six components that resellers and end users should consider when considering the total solution cost of a VMS solution, including:
Installation Time
Analog Encoders
Server License
Add-on Modules
Hardware
Client Workstations
In this blog, I’ll review the analog encoders' cost and highlight two scenarios:
Software VMS with Analog Encoders
For this scenario, Reseller A is going to choose a pure software VMS coupled with analog encoders. In addition to the camera license, Reseller A must also provide an analog encoder port for each analog camera. By adding this additional hardware, we are inflating the overall channel cost for the project even though the license cost stays the same. The second part of this scenario is what to do with the encoders when the customer is done? After this large investment, the customer now has a glorified paper weight after they transition the analog cameras to IP cameras. I am not sure what the secondary market for analog encoders is, but I assume it is not thriving.
A lot of major VMS software providers also license cameras by the MAC address. So when you are ready to transition those cameras from analog to IP, get ready to pay for changes and stay glued to your email so you can wait for your VMS tech support to send you a new license. Hopefully that is not at 5pm on a Friday night when your VMS “partner” is already at happy hour while you are waiting for an email that will not come until Monday.
Hybrid NVRs
Hybrid NVRs are a nice solution to transition but there are a few pitfalls to make sure and stay away from when selecting a hybrid NVR. First, most hybrid NVR solutions come in a 16 or 32-port option. This scenario creates an issue when you want to supply an end user with maybe a 4 camera or 20-camera solution. Why is that an issue? Look at it like this: let’s imagine your local butcher only provides ribeye steaks in packages of 16 and 32. If you are a family of four, you don’t want to overpay for 12 steaks you will never use. And as a reseller, I don’t want to outbid myself on a project because 16 or 32 cameras are the lowest I can go. Why pay for 16 when I only need four ports or why pay for 32 when I only need 20.
The second pitfall for most hybrid NVRs is that once I want to transition the analog camera to an IP camera, I have to pay for a new license. Once again, that initial license cost really changes once I add in my new variables of overpaying for the ports I actually need and having to pay for a second license when I migrate to an IP camera. I’m sure that’s not in the quote.
Salient Transition Solution
Salient provides the best solution for the hybrid NVR market. First, we provide an analog capture card at no cost to the reseller when they purchase four analog licenses. Yes, at no cost. Second, Salient does not offer our analog capture cards in increments of 16 or 32; we offer them in increments of four so our resellers can provide more value to the end user. When you need a four-camera solution, you purchase a four-camera solution while your competition purchases a 16-camera solution. Last, when your customer is ready to move to IP cameras, Salient will transition your analog licenses to IP licenses for FREE. Once again, Salient provides a capture card at no additional cost with the purchase of four licenses and when you are ready to move to IP cameras, we take the capture card back and transition the licenses from analog to IP for FREE. That is why I have dubbed Salient as the “Netflix” of IP video: one low cost and you can trade in your licenses anytime for new licenses.
Salient also does not license by MAC code so whether you are transitioning from analog to IP or changing one IP camera out with another, you can do that on the fly without Salient tech support. Still waiting on that email from your other VMS “partner.” They are still at happy hour spending some of the money they charged you for that $110 support call.
Stay tuned for my next blog where I’ll explore the server license fee many VMS providers charge.
Tuesday, May 08, 2012 | Posted by Farah at 03:26 PM
CompleteView version 3.8.2 is scheduled to release soon and we think you'll find the new features just as exciting as we do. If you didn't get a chance to see a preview during our April 20th Salient eXchange webinar, here's a sneak peek:
New Camera Support
American Dynamics
Illustra 600 Series
VideoEdge IP Mini-Dome
HIKVision
DS-2CD7153-E
DS-2DF1-401H
VivoTek
FD 7000 series
FD 8000 series
CV SpotLight Enhancements
"Edit Server" feature updates your cameras if you make any changes to the configuration
Password protection provides an added level of security to your event popups
IP Audio Support
Axis cameras
Sony cameras
Corridor Views
Create 9x16 video tiles
Mix and match 9x16 with 4x3 and 16x9 video feeds
Compatible with Video, Alarm and CV SpotLight Clients
Compatible with CompleteView integrations
Great for retail aisles and school and medical facility hallways
Recording Management Enhancements
Volume Management allows you to specify video retention time by number of days
Auto View layouts now available for up to 10x10 grid
Auto View will automatically create multiple views that show all cameras on the server
Wednesday, February 29, 2012 | Posted by Brian Carle at 01:41 PM
Version 3.8.1 of CompleteView provides video Backup capability, TouchView Mobile for Android smartphones and the CV SpotLight Client
Features and Enhancements
Backup capability adds support for scheduled backup of CompleteView recordings. Backup provides the same scheduling capabilities as Archiving but allows administrators to set recordings to be copied instead of moved. Using Backup, administrators can define a backup schedule, volume and choose which type of recording to backup (scheduled, motion, alarm or any combination).
TouchView Mobile for Android smartphones provides live video viewing, PTZ camera control and playback capability for up to 16 cameras for any CompleteView v3.8.1 server on your Android phone. TouchView is available at no cost on the Google Play store (formerly Android Market)--search "salient".
CV SpotLight, formerly Pop Up Monitor, is a customizable pop up utility for viewing video on alarm or event in a window on-screen, in full screen mode or on multiple monitors. Users can customize audio alerts and pop up video positioning on a camera-by-camera basis.
Upgrading
Any customers using CompleteView 3.x or subscribing to Salient’s Yearly Upgrade Plan are entitled to upgrade at no cost. To obtain the new release please contact Salient’s support department at 512-617-4802.
Thursday, February 09, 2012 | Posted by Grant Cowan at 04:22 PM
Whenever a VMS salesperson walks into a reseller or an end user's office, invariably the main question is “what is your license cost?” Most people in the VMS industry could probably recite the license cost for all of his or her competitors. With that being said, the license cost for a VMS solution is only a small part of the equation for the Total Solution Cost (TSC) for a VMS reseller or end user.
Many times resellers or end users will look at a line item comparison of license costs and forget that most of the cost of an IP video system comes from everything but the license cost. By selecting the right VMS solution, you can reduce the overall cost of the project even if the license cost is higher. This article will explore six components that resellers and end users also have to consider:
Hardware
Analog Encoders
Server License
Add-on Modules
Installation Time
Client Workstations
Installation Time This component is one of my favorites to address. When installing several VMS solutions, it is like making a sandwich in your kitchen. You have to go to the fridge to get the meat, cheese and mayo. Then you have to run to the pantry to get the bread. Now you have to find a plate, knife and a drink. It’s a lot easier to pick up a sandwich from the store that is ready to go. The same is true for IP video.
If Reseller A has to install a Microsoft OS, a software-only VMS and build the RAID arrays on a 3rd party server, it is going to take multiple hours on site to do the install. Salient can offer Reseller B an easier installation since we offer the Subway method of building a VMS solution. When a Salient server arrives, the Microsoft OS is installed, the RAID arrays are built and the Salient OS is already installed. The only thing the reseller needs to do is add camera connections. Once again, the right VMS solutions can save dollars for the reseller across all facets of the installation.
Thursday, October 13, 2011 | Posted by Brian Carle at 01:20 PM
Version 3.8 of CompleteView video management software adds enhanced digital PTZ camera control, 16 camera exported clip playback and Structured Views*
Features and Enhancements
Structured Views* allow CompleteView administrators to organize large sets of location zones, sites, view layouts and maps in a hierarchical structure. This allows operators using the Video Client to see their views and maps organized logically in a way that represents their facility, campus or enterprise.
Playback up to 16 exported video clips simultaneously, using the enhanced CompleteView Video Player.
Support for Mobotix 180/360 degree cameras.
Integration support for the Software House C•CURE 9000 v2.01 access control platform.
Digitally Pan Tilt and Zoom any fixed camera. Digital PTZ works in all CompleteView clients such as the Video Client, Alarm Client and Web Client. Digital PTZ of live and recorded video is available.
The Walsh Group deploys Salient Systems for corporate headquarters
Wednesday, August 31, 2011 | Posted by Farah at 08:15 AM
AUSTIN, TX (August 30, 2011) – The Walsh Group, a Chicago-based general contracting, construction management, and design-build firm, has implemented a brand new IP-based surveillance system at its corporate headquarters with Salient Systems’ VMS at the core and a mix of Axis Communications network cameras. Walsh is recognized as the largest construction firm in Chicago according to Crain’s Chicago Business, as well as one of the nation’s top 20 contractors according to Engineering News-Record. The firm has experience with a wide variety of building, civil and transportation sectors. New corporate headquarters required state of the art security systems with remote viewing capabilities for management. Walsh chose M&R Electronic Systems, a 10 year partner in construction projects, to design and install a comprehensive security solution. Read the full press release.
Thursday, August 25, 2011 | Posted by Farah at 02:23 PM
Salient Systems is pleased to announce the release of the RM2000 hybrid video management server available in 4-channel increments from 4 to 32 analog inputs. In addition to the flexibility of the analog inputs, the RM2000 supports up to a recommended maximum of 50 camera sources providing support for simultaneous IP and analog camera recording. The RM2000 transitions customers easily from analog to IP simply by removing the 4 channel analog card and replacing it with 4 IP channels at no extra charge. Powered by CompleteView™, Salient’s VMS (video management software), this offering is a highly efficient, low cost, video surveillance solution. Read more of the RM2000 press release.
1. Bandwidth is still a concern for many organizations considering an IP video deployment. Security improvement projects can be stalled when an origination’s IT professions are concerned about the network impact of streaming video from IP cameras and supporting the cameras and recording servers.
2. Confusion is partly related to video streaming from websites, such as youtube.com, to an organizations network. In this scenario, the organizations Internet connection (WAN) is taxed by the incoming video streams. The WAN connection is much slower than internal network connections (LAN) which would be used by an IP video deployment.
3. Even using a high resolution, high frame rate configuration, bandwidth generated by an H.264 capable IP camera only amounts to a fraction of the bandwidth available on the LAN.
4. Modern LANs using switches automatically segment traffic. Each connected device has its own dedicated bandwidth meaning video generated by the cameras will not affect other network traffic, such as email.
Using CompleteView for IP video deployments provides unique advantages, such as Dynamic Resolution Scaling, which further reduces the bandwidth impact on your LAN. Additionally, CompleteView provides powerful administration features making it easy to monitor, manage and maintain a large and dispersed video surveillance installation. These features help to make an IP video deployment easier for an organization's IT department to support. For more information please check out our white paper, Why is CompleteView Network Friendly?
Steve Surfaro from Axis Communications discusses Salient's CompleteView video management system shown in the SD&I booth during the ESX 2011 show in Charlotte, NC.
Thursday, June 09, 2011 | Posted by Farah at 03:58 PM
Salient’s CompleteView VSaaS won the ESX Max Impact Award for video surveillance systems category. "The products and services selected as this year's Maximum Impact Awards winners are smartly positioned to have a positive impact on the revenues and profits of security integration and monitoring companies," says George De Marco, ESX Chair. Read the ESX press release.
Friday, April 22, 2011 | Posted by Farah at 10:04 AM
Salient participates in various events and tradeshows throughout the year. We would love the opportunity to meet you at these events and provide a live demonstration of our video management system. Find out why Salient is recognized as the transition leader for video surveillance management and its transition from analog to digital. Visit our Events page for a list of our upcoming events.
Just one click! Salient Integrates With Axis One-Click Camera Connection
Friday, April 01, 2011 | Posted by Farah at 02:11 PM
SALIENT SYSTEMS ANNOUNCES INTEGRATION OF AXIS ONE-CLICK CAMERA CONNECTION
March 31, 2011 - SALIENT SYSTEMS ANNOUNCES INTEGRATION OF AXIS ONE-CLICK CAMERA CONNECTION
Significant reduction of capital outlay and service costs with VSaaS model
AUSTIN, TX (MARCH 31, 2011) – Salient Systems is pleased to announce the recent integration of Axis Communications’ One-Click Camera Connection with its CompleteViewTM Video Management System. Video Surveillance as a Service (VSaaS) is quickly becoming a viable method of deploying video security solutions and new VSaaS offerings are more practical due to H.264 video compression availability and improved availability of high speed internet connections. Salient Systems’ CompleteView VMS is now integrated with One-Click Camera Connection which seamlessly connects Axis network cameras to the VSaaS system regardless of Internet service provider, routers or firewall settings, for simplified deployment. Connection to the service provider equipment is handled without the need for a hardware gateway or VPN for faster, easier installation of IP cameras. Read more.
Thursday, March 10, 2011 | Posted by Brian Carle at 12:56 PM
Salient Systems is now offering new industry leading hybrid NVR options. We have expanded our NVR lineup to include 11 purpose-built NVRs designed for CompleteView Video Management System.
Our new NVR lineup includes higher performance and expanded video storage capacity options up to 24TB. Salient's S500, RM1000, RM1100, RM2500 & RM2800 all ship with additional memory and are now available in higher processing performance XMP models. In addition we have added a new enterprise NVR, the RM3000. The RM3000 is a 2U rack-mountable NVR with up to 20TB of RAID video storage and 33% greater video processing capability as compared to the RM2800 XMP.
Check out our updated Hardware Brochure for a product comparison & specifications. Also, please use our updated Design Tool to help calculate hardware and storage requirements of your camera and recording configuration.
Tuesday, February 08, 2011 | Posted by Brian Carle at 03:10 PM
Version 3.6 adds Pop Up monitor functionality, Windows 7/2008 support and more.
Features and Enhancements
The NEW CompleteView Pop Up Monitor. This new client will pop up a window with live video from a camera on a motion or alarm event. It can run in the Windows system tray, display only when an event occurs and can be configured to play a sound on event. The Pop Up Monitor can be used on its own, or in conjunction with other CompleteView clients, such as the Video Client.
Support for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 operating systems.
Support for the NVR Viewer by DComplex for the iPad/iPhone/iPod. View live video, playback and control PTZ cameras from your iPhone or iPad! If you haven’t seen it yet, view a short video demo on YouTube.
Support for Software House’s C•CURE 9000 version 1.93.
Upgrading
Customers of version 3.X software and customers on Salient’s Yearly Upgrade Plan can receive the release at no cost. Please contact Salient Support at 512-617-4800 for more details.
