Axis Integrates Edge Storage in Video Surveillance Systems

Axis Communications, Inc. announces that edge storage within Axis IP cameras now has a tight integration with video management software (VMS) partners such as Aimetis, Genetec, Milestone Systems and OnSSI.

                       Edge Storage by Milestone Systems

It allows cameras to function as failover devices in the event of network or server failure.

The integration of Axis’ edge storage with VMS enables more reliable and more redundant video surveillance solutions.

"In the ever-innovating IP video surveillance world, we’ve been collectively discussing the potential of edge storage for some time as a way to improve reliability and flexibility," said Fredrik Nilsson, general manager, Axis Communications Inc. "By providing edge storage solutions in close cooperation with these major VMS partners, we can help customers build an even more customizable and redundant network video system with a mix of SD/SDHC card storage and traditional server-based video recordings."

Edge storage – sometimes referred to as local storage or onboard recording – has been available to the market for some years, but up until now there has been no full-featured solution available that integrates edge storage cameras with leading video management systems. With the new solution, edge storage can be used to enhance redundancy and reliability in a system. SD cards are gaining in capacity and reliability, making the technology a viable option for video recording. Additionally, SD cards have the advantage over a hard disk because it is solid state with no moving parts, increasing reliability.

It can, for example, be set up to store video in the camera during a network failure or when the VMS is taken down for maintenance. Once the system is up and running again, the system will automatically feed the recorded clips back to the VMS, ensuring the user gets seamless, uninterrupted video recordings. The capability is especially useful in mission-critical installations, such as airport or mass transit hubs, where edge storage in cameras covering entrances and exits could be a critical part of the strategic backup plan.

"Axis’ edge storage is a critical enabler for the innovative Video Trickling feature we launched earlier this year in Omnicast," says Morgan Pasnon, senior technology alliance manager, Genetec. "It allows our customers to optimize bandwidth usage by transferring and storing only video of interest on a schedule, on an event or manually, and also offers a serverless option for remote site recording. These combined capabilities ultimately provide our customers with more flexibility and reliability in their video surveillance deployments."

Marc Holtenhoff, CEO of Aimetis echoes the excitement to support Axis in its Aimetis Symphony video management system and added, "Edge storage is a critical enabler for our system redundancy feature, which helps Aimetis provide new ways of building dependable and fail-safe video surveillance solutions."

"We have a large, satisfied global customer base using Milestone XProtect video management software with Axis network cameras and encoders, so it is a high priority to support the interoperability of new technology offerings," said Christian Bohn, VP marketing & product management, Milestone Systems. "By integrating Axis’ edge storage with XProtect, we provide new ways of building even more reliable video surveillance. The key driver for edge storage implementations is to ensure continuous recording and complete archives of video evidence, in case of network or server hardware failures."

Another benefit of edge storage arises in systems with low network bandwidth where scenes could be monitored in a low bandwidth configuration, but recorded locally in very high quality. After an incident, the system has the ability to retrieve high-quality recordings from the cameras. Moving forward, edge storage can also be a powerful strategy for handling video recording in installations where network access is not constantly available, like at very remote locations or in mobile surveillance installations, such as on a train.

Edge storage will be supported by these VMS providers for the majority of Axis network cameras and video encoders with the latest firmware version 5.40 as upgrades become available. AXIS P1346 Network Camera will be the first to support this feature. It is supported by several leading vendors of video management software through Axis’ Application Development Partner Program and AXIS Camera Station.