“VSaaS vs On-Premise: Is Cloud Security the Right Move for Your Business?”
● Oct 8, 2024
With the shift towards cloud-based solutions, many businesses are rethinking their security setups. In this podcast, we discuss the pros and cons of VSaaS—its cost-saving benefits, scalability, and ease of use—while also comparing it to more traditional on-premise systems like Milestone XProtect.
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The Pros
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Episode Summary
In this episode, we explore the rise of Video Surveillance as a Service (VSaaS) and how it compares to traditional on-premise security systems.
As businesses increasingly move towards cloud-based solutions, VSaaS promises flexibility, cost savings, and scalability.
We examine the pros and cons of VSaaS, from reduced hardware costs to the convenience of remote access, and how it contrasts with the robust power of systems like Milestone XProtect.
The discussion covers when VSaaS makes sense for small businesses and when a hybrid approach might be more suitable for large enterprises with complex security needs.
We also touch on exciting developments in open platforms like Arcules and the importance of solid internet infrastructure for seamless performance.
Key Takeaways
- Cost Savings with VSaaS: VSaaS eliminates the need for large upfront investments in servers, storage, and maintenance. Instead, it offers a predictable monthly fee, potentially saving businesses up to $60,000 over three years.
- Scalability and Flexibility: As businesses grow, VSaaS allows for easy expansion of surveillance capabilities. It’s as simple as updating your subscription, making it ideal for businesses that need to scale quickly without the hassle of upgrading hardware.
- Remote Access and Convenience: With VSaaS, businesses can access their video footage from anywhere, anytime. This is particularly useful for owners who need to monitor multiple locations or access footage while on the go.
- Hybrid Approach for Larger Enterprises: For companies with more complex security needs, combining VSaaS with on-premise solutions like Milestone XProtect can provide the best of both worlds—cloud flexibility for remote sites and robust on-premise security for critical locations.
- Importance of Internet Stability: Since VSaaS relies on the cloud, a stable and reliable internet connection is essential. Without it, the system’s performance could suffer, akin to trying to stream a movie on a slow connection.
- The Role of Open Platforms: Solutions like Arcules are praised for their open API, which allows businesses to integrate their existing cameras and customize the system according to their needs, without locking them into proprietary hardware.
Resources
Transcript
00:00 All right, so you want to know more about VSaaS? VSaaS. Yeah. VSaaS surveillance is a service. Right. It's got a lot of buzz.
00:06 Right. But is it really a shortcut for your security solution? We're going to do a deep dive today. Figure out what VSaaS is all about and if it's right for you.
00:16 You know, it's interesting because VSaaS, it really is like this big shift in how we think about security. Remember those old systems like rooms full of servers.
00:25 Yeah. And you need that IT guy on speed dial constantly. Yeah. Now, always something to fix. It's not like that at all with VSaaS.
00:32 So instead of that mountain of equipment, we've got what the cloud now, it's like the difference between having stacks of CDs and just streaming music, right?
00:40 But for security cameras. Yeah, that's a great way to put it. VSaaS takes all those recordings and puts them securely online.
00:45 It's like this digital vault. And the best part, you can access it from anywhere anytime, no more running back to your office to check footage.
00:53 I can see why people are excited about that, especially these days, being able to check in from anywhere, here is essential, but okay, so it stores stuff in the cloud.
01:02 What else makes VSaaS so different? What are we even talking about here? One of the biggest things is just how scalable it is.
01:09 Imagine your business is growing like crazy. You need to add a bunch of new cameras. Yeah, you don't want to be caught without coverage.
01:15 Right. With Vsauz, you just update your subscription and boom, you're covered. No need to buy a whole new system or get bogged down in a ton of tech headaches.
01:23 Security just sort of grows alongside your business. Okay, that flexibility is a big deal. Especially for, well, everyone really these days.
01:32 No one wants to be tied down by their tech, right? Seems way easier than the old way of doing things, but those traditional systems always seem so expensive, like you'd need to take out a loan just to get started.
01:43 Well, and you're right, with the old way, you have that huge upfront cost. And by all the hardware, the software licenses, pay for installation, it all adds up so fast, but VESAS, it flips the script.
01:56 instead of one massive expense. So is it like a subscription then? It is. It's more like a predictable monthly fee.
02:02 Like you think about leasing a car versus buying one outright. Oh okay. Makes sense. So instead of having to shell out a huge chunk of cash up front, it becomes a regular operational expense.
02:11 Exactly. And what's amazing, it can actually be much cheaper in the long run. Oh yeah. How much cheaper are we talking here?
02:17 Is this like saving a few bucks or is this like actual money? There was a study done and they found that switching to visas could save businesses an average of $60,000 over three years.
02:28 Wow. Okay, that's not just a discount. That's serious savings. What business couldn't use an extra $60,000, right? I'm guessing those savings come from more than just the subscription fee, though.
02:40 You're right on the money. When you sign up for VSUS, your subscription usually covers a lot more than just the cloud storage.
02:47 You're also getting maintenance, equipment costs sometimes. So it's like an all-inclusive security package deal? Yeah, basically. And when you factor all of that in, it really adds up.
02:56 That total cost of ownership for VSaaS can be way lower than managing an on-premise system yourself. Okay, this is already sounding pretty good.
03:03 But hold on. Before we crown VSaaS, the king of security solutions is always a catch, right? I mean, it's got to be perfect for every business, right?
03:10 That's the million dollar question. It's great for a lot of businesses, but it's not a magic solution for every single situation.
03:17 Sometimes, a more robust on-premise system, something like Milestone XProtect might be the better way to go. It really comes down to your specific needs.
03:26 Okay, that's fair. So we know now VSaaS is more than just a fancy acronym. It's a different way of approaching your security.
03:33 We talked about the cloud, remote access, scaling things up as your business grows. Plus, those cost savings are nothing to sneeze at.
03:41 But how does this all actually stack up against a system like Milestone XProtect? one that's known for being really powerful.
03:48 I guess we'll need to dig into that, huh? Yeah, that's where things get really interesting. All right, so we're talking Vsas versus like the champion of security, Milestone XProtect.
03:58 When does Vsas actually beat out the old reliable on-premise solution? Okay, so think about it this way. You've got a small business, right?
04:06 Maybe it's a cafe, maybe a little shop. You need good security. But you don't have a huge IT department just hanging around.
04:13 Yeah, no one's got a time for that. Exactly. You don't need a tech guru on call 24-7. That's where Vsauz really shines.
04:19 It's straight forward. You can scale it up easily. Plus, you don't need to become a computer whiz to set it all up.
04:24 So I can finally say goodbye to that nightmare closet full of servers and wires, huh? Music to my ears. What about the big guys?
04:32 The companies with tons of locations, security protocols, up the Wazoo. Can those companies even use Vsauz? Or are they stuck with the old way?
04:40 No, they can definitely use it. Think of it like this, a big company, headquarters, branches all over the place. They can actually use both VSUS and an on-premise system together.
04:51 It's called a hybrid approach. Oh, so like get the best of both worlds. Exactly. They could use XProtect, that powerful system for their main locations, you know, the ones with all the important stuff.
05:03 XProtect has features like Smart Maps, so you can actually see a visual representation of your security setup. And it also has these failover options, so even if something breaks.
05:12 Wait, so it keeps recording even if something goes wrong? Yep. Keeps everything running smoothly. But those features might be overkill for, say, a smaller branch or a remote office.
05:21 Right. Like, why make things more complicated than they need to be? That's where VSaaS comes in. For those smaller spots, VSaaS is perfect, way more cost-effective, super easy to setup.
05:32 And you can manage it all from the cloud no matter where you are. So instead of needing like a million different log-ins and passwords, I've got everything in one place.
05:41 Makes sense. And we've talked about a few VSaaS companies, but there's one we keep coming back to. Arculies. What is it about them that's got us so interested?
05:50 What's great about Arculies is that they're all about being open and when it comes to VSaaS, that's a big deal.
05:56 Imagine you've already invested in security cameras, right? Good ones. Some VSaaS providers make you buy a whole new set to use their system.
06:03 Oh, talk about a budget killer. Yeah. So Arcules lets you stick with what works. Yep. They work with a massive range of cameras and devices, over 6,000.
06:12 So you're not throwing money away, just to switch systems. And it's not just the cameras either. They also have what's called an open API.
06:19 Okay, you said the magic words, API. For those of us who haven't gone to tech school, what does that even mean?
06:26 Why should I care? Think of an API like a translator for different software. Let's some talk to each other. So because Arculi's has an open API, developers can actually build custom stuff for it.
06:38 Custom stuff? Yeah. Like special features or ways to integrate it with other systems that you're already using. It's way more flexible than a standard VSaaS.
06:46 Okay. Starting to get it, so instead of trying to squeeze my business into their mold, I can kind of make Arculi's fit my business.
06:52 Exactly. That's the power of an open API. But before you go install VSaaS tomorrow, we've got to talk techie stuff for a minute.
06:59 Uh-oh. Time to break out the pocket dictionaries. not that bad. But seriously, the most important thing for Vsauz is a rock solid internet connection and I mean rock solid.
07:09 Makes sense. I mean, it's all online, right? Right. It's like trying to stream a movie on a bad connection, painful.
07:15 You also need IP cameras, but most cameras these days are already IP cameras. Okay, so as long as my Netflix isn't buffering every five seconds, it should be good.
07:23 Pretty much, but setting up an on-premise system like X Protect, that's a whole different ball game. Okay. How different are we talking?
07:31 Yeah. Like do I need to learn a new language? Different. It's a lot more hands-on. You're gonna need servers that can handle all that video, a place to store it all, a network that can keep up with it all.
07:41 Yeah. Sounds like a lot. Just thinking about it. And that's not even mentioning the technical expertise you'll need to set it up and maintain it.
07:48 Plus, don't forget about backup power in case the lights go out, keeping those servers cool and all regular upkeep. It's a full-time job really.
07:57 So VSAS, I'm trading server headaches for a good internet bill. I can handle that. One thing that always makes me a little nervous with the whole cloud thing though, how secure is my footage up there?
08:10 Is it just floating around in cyberspace for anyone to see? I know you mean. Yeah, it does make you wonder who else can see that stuff.
08:16 And you know what, it's good to be careful. Any good VSAS company gets that. Oh yeah. They know security is important, so they actually put a ton of work into making sure everything is locked down tight.
08:26 Okay, that's good to hear. So like, what are they actually doing? What makes them so secure? I'm talking about heavy-duty encryption, multi-factor authentication, the works, and there are data centers.
08:36 Those are built with the latest security in mind. It's like Fort Knox for your video footage. Use it to my ears.
08:43 So it's not just about convenience then. No, it's like I'm getting this whole team of security experts without actually having to hire a whole team of security experts.
08:51 That's a great way to look at it. Think about it. They're constantly monitoring for threats, keeping those security protocols up to date.
08:57 So they're always one step ahead of the bad guys. Exactly. Making sure that your data is safe 24-7. All right.
09:04 So let's recap a bit. We've covered a lot of ground. We have. We dove into VSaaS, looked at the cost, how it compares to those traditional systems, even touched on those hybrid solutions and open platforms like Arquiles, we even geeked out a bit about the tech stuff.
09:20 So for everyone listening, what are the big things to remember? You know, when you're trying to figure out your own security setup?
09:27 I think the main thing to remember is that there isn't one perfect solution for everyone. Everyone's got different needs, right?
09:34 Exactly. Vsass has a lot of advantages. It's convenient, it can save you money, you can scale it up easily, especially for those smaller businesses out there, It's a game changer, but it's not magic doesn't solve every problem right you got to think about what you need What you can afford what your plans
09:51 are for the future find that sweet spot between what you need and what works for your business Exactly and hey if today got you thinking about this whole cloud security thing don't stop here go explore There's a ton of cool stuff out there, and it's only getting better and better all the time Yeah, the
10:07 future securities looking pretty bright. Thanks for joining us for this deep dive into Vsass catch you next time
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