In this report, we propose criteria to evaluate Video Management Software (VMS). Those selecting VMS software may find this useful. Moreover we plan to use this criteria for our upcoming testing series on VMS software (expands our ongoing IP Video Surveillance product testing program) .
We encourage comments, feedback and discussion on these criteria.
Goals of Our Evaluation
We believe VMS software evaluations should:
- Focus on users rather than features: The criteria should examine how well the VMS software meets the goals of real users (conduct an investigation, review an alert) rather than simply list technical features.
- Educate rather than rank: The evaluation should help users better understand how the software works rather than simply providing scores that obscure details and differences.
- Show Usability: What is most hard to judge about VMS software from marketing material is their usability (see the widespread unhappiness in our recent discussion on VMS usability). All VMS software have dozens of features (or more) but which are the most complete, are the easiest to use, etc.
- General rather than specific to an application: Since our results will be read by thousands of people around the world, we need to make it general enough so that many readers can make use of it. For a specific deployment, we would certainly supplement this with specific questions for the user's application.
The common 'trick' in evaluations designed by vendors is to take their data sheet and create a checklist that matches the VMS's proprietary implementation and to judge other systems by that criteria. By contrast it is critical that our evaluation is independent and user focused.
Criteria/Questions
We propose the following questions be used (with some notes on issues involved):
Basic Use (Live and Recorded Video)
- How do I watch live video? (There are surprising variances in the complexity and options even in watching 1 or a few cameras)
- What ways can I monitor many video feeds simultaneously?
- How can I be notified and review alarms?
- How do I search for recorded video? (The variances are tremendous amongst systems)
- What ways can I search multiple video feeds?
- How do you share images from video?
- How do you share video clips from recorded video?
- How do I know if I am in live or recorded video mode? (This is often difficult to do in VMS software which is both sad and confusing)
- How do you switch between live video, investigations and configuration? (Some systems require multiple applications, others are integrated into a single client, etc.)
Administration
- How do I add/setup a camera?
- How do you set up alarms to be displayed? (Some systems are very complex in setting up alarms)
- How do you restrict access to the system?
- How do you restrict access to certain features or functionalities?
- How can you setup the VMS to handle failures to servers/appliances?
- How can you access reports or alerts on the health status of the servers/appliances/applications?
- How can you upgrade the VMS software?
Usability
- How does the VMS handle the higher resolution of megapixel cameras?
- How does the VMS perform with low bandwidth connection (256 kb/s)? (Many VMS users are remote)
- What, if any, VMS functionalities regulary take more than 10 seconds to load? (When software is unresponsive, users are less likely to use it and be more unsatisfied)
- What happens when the VMS client cannot connect to a camera? (Since IP cameras can drop frequently, this can become a major source of frustration depending on how the VMS system handles it)
- What options does the VMS provide to reduce storage consumption?
- What help functionality does the VMS provide while using the client?
- How similiar is the use of the VMS client to a DVR? (This is important to most security operators and guards who have limited technical training and prefer simple systems)
- How similar is the configuration of the VMS server to a DVR? (This is important to traditional security integrators who often have limited IT expertise)
- How simple is it for an untrained operator? (Many systems have impressive feature offerings but are extremely difficult for untrained operators to understand without formal training)
- How powerful is it for the expert operator? (Some systems are quite limited in advanced functionality)
Scalability
- What ways can I add/setup many cameras at the same time?
- How do you do restrict access when using multiple servers/appliances? (This is a major differentiator amongst systems and a core requirement for larger, multi-site deployments)
- How can I watch live video feeds from different appliances/servers?
- How can I conduct searches from video feeds stored in different appliances/servers?
In this criteria, we omitted 3rd party support for cameras, security, business and storage systems. As a practical matter, we will unlikely be able to test these comprehensively. However, we will factor all of those into the overall report. Finally, pricing will certainly be included, allowing us to evaluate overall value comparing performance to price.
Our Tests vs Your Own Tests
We expect our tests to provide a low cost way to understand key comparative strengths and benefits of various VMS systems. Testing numerous VMS systems oneself is impractical for most, simply because of the cost and time involved (which can easily be thousands of dollars). We can provide this for a fraction of the cost. Moreover, because we focus solely on video surveillance, we can identify key issues and comparative concerns easily.
We do recommend that end users and integrators tests the systems themselves that they plan to roll out. Our tests can help you determine what the 'short list' of vendors should be and provide basis for your own testing for your finalists.
Feedback
We are happy to elaborate on proposed criteria, add additional criteria or simply discuss the key issues involved in evaluating VMS software.
