Software only has lots of the momentum. But should you use software only? While DVR/NVR appliances are increasingly viewed as antiquated, over 80% of end users still chose traditional appliances over software only. Are those buyers wrong?
Here are the key advantages of software only:
- Lower costs and more flexible for large camera counts (32+) within a high speed LAN (1Gb/s+)
- Lower costs for all IP camera deployments
However, appliances have advantages for certain scenarios:
- Less expensive for low camera counts (16 and under)
- Simpler and cheaper setup for Distributed stores/branches (e.g., bank branches, restaurants, convenience stores, small box retailers)
- Lower costs for Analog camera deployments
Inside the Professional Section
In the premium section, we will examine:
- How DVR vendor profiteering has strengthed software only
- What IT does and does not object to
- How appliances are improving
- The downsides of deploying software only
- What the future holds for software only (and appliances)