The Real Cloud Security Is Out There

A recent Security Director News article entitled, “Will the real cloud security please stand up?” provided a good analysis of the current cloud-based marketplace. As we work with our customers we often encounter confusion over the terms cloud-based, hosted and IP-based security.

We found the article’s description to be a good overview. The article states:
“So, where are the real cloud applications? By category, the biggest emerging crop is in video surveillance, variously known as hosted video or Video Software as a Service (VSaaS).
Many of these are true cloud applications because they are:
a) hosted;
b) multi-tenant, supporting numerous customers in a single instance;
c) massively scalable;
d) sold per-camera-per-month as a metered service.”

As a provider of a true cloud-based video security surveillance solution that is in fact, 100 percent hosted, multi-tenant, scalable and sold per-camera-per month, we agree that education is the key to ensuring customers are receiving a true cloud-based solution and not a repackaged software solution with new new marketing .

The article also states:”For those of us in the cloud business, it is our job to provide leadership, clear away confusion, and help them along.”

We have thousands of cameras already in the field providing security and business benefits to recyclers, homeowners associations,  retail stores, apartment and office complexes, restaurants and more.  We work with our clients daily to ensure our solution is meeting their current needs while also prepared for the challenges of tomorrow. Our goal is to provide our customers, both large and small, one integrated solution that allows them to access their security on their terms and device of choice.

To read the full article click here:
http://www.securitydirectornews.com/industry-view/will-real-cloud-security-please-stand

Security on the Cloud: A Bright Spot for Integrators

The SSI’s seventh annual Systems Integration Study echoes what we have been telling our integrators and potential new integrators – the time is now to make the move to the cloud

A recent article entitled “Cloud Brightens Integrator Outlook; Cloud-based, or hosted, services are among several newer technologies leading security integrators out of the recession” discusses the survey and the possibilities for integrators including the following:

“However, the impact of newer and cloud-based technologies along with their promise of future growth is also prominent. Almost 40 percent of integrators are offering managed access control and averaging 15-percent growth in those services. But video continues to be the industry’s shining beacon. Highlights include 30-percent growth in IP camera sales; a 37-percent gain in megapixel devices; and 38 percent of projects now feature VMS- and/or PSIM-based solutions.”

From our recently launched $10 a month/private label product to our ongoing consulting with our integrators, we work with them every step of the way.   Our new pricing offers integrators the ability to immediately offer a cloud-based or hosted video surveillance option to small businesses and opportunity to greatly increase recurring revenue.

Some of the benefits we provide our installers include:

• Central User Authentication across multiple servers
• No Contracts!
• ‘Quick-View’ technology provides status of all accounts, cameras, disk storage and bandwidth per account or camera
• Central licensing per server allows camera limits as well as GB limits per account
• Integrates authentication with onsite servers…..still single hosted login regardless of server location
• Not tied into a single camera manufacturer; as other manufactures provide viable solutions, we’ll support them
• Runs on Windows Architecture…….all in one package; no database or web server software required

 

As integrators look to make the move to the cloud, education is a key component. We aim to provide all of our clients both large and small with the resources to succeed.  As integrators look for a solution they need to find the right partner that will help them easily and successfully make the move to the cloud.

The full article from Security Sales and Integration can be found here:
http://www.securitysales.com/channel/system-integration/articles/2011/04/cloud-brightens-integrator-outlook.aspx

Cloud-based Video Security Provides Dealers and Integrators with New Business Opportunities

Ryan Strange, CEO of ControlByNet recently provided Security Magazine his insights on why now is the time for dealers and integrators to make the move to cloud-based video security solutions.

New Business Opportunities

Dealers and integrators can include flexible hosted solutions, recurring revenue and instant monitoring centers

• By Ryan Strange
• Mar 01, 2012

Security is more than just the protection of people, companies and their assets; it also is an integral part of a company’s reputation and success. In today’s tight economy, companies are looking for systems that save resources and decrease overall security and maintenance costs.

By making the move to the cloud, dealers and integrators can seize new business opportunities, including providing flexible hosting solutions, maximizing recurring revenue and entering the monitoring and guardstation market. The key feature in a true IP-based system is flexibility; anything else is a new model of the same old technology.”

Click here to check out the full article: http://security-today.com/articles/2012/03/01/new-business-opportunities.aspx

Don’t Count out Analog Video yet???

According to a recent industry article, integrators shouldn’t count out analog video yet. The article states “IP is without a doubt the new king of the jungle, but the old lion is still here, roaring just a bit less loudly.”

This is bad advice for integrators for many reasons. IPVM states that it is the “Worst Advice Ever” (http://ipvm.com/updates/1351) and we agree.

The article points to the following as some of the reasons dealers’ haven’t made the transition:

“And just as there are dealers who haven’t made the transition, there are end users who still prefer analog 1) because of the lack of PTZ latency, or 2) because small analog systems still are less expensive than their IP counterparts, or 3) because they already have the coaxial cable in place. “

We argue that by making the move to the cloud, integrators can seize new business opportunities including providing flexible hosting solutions, maximizing recurring revenue and entering the monitoring and guard-station market.

Solutions like ControlByNet’s I-flashback provide integrators with an easy to use, 100-percent browser-based application. Dealers can provide their customers with the full benefits of having their security ‘on the cloud’ including remote hosting, multiple location access (onsite, hosted or any combination) from a single web login and access on mobile devices.

We believe that now is the time for both large and small integrators to find the right IP solution for their customers. Yes, this requires continued education to integrators on the benefits of making the move to the cloud and providing them with the resources needed to succeed. We work with integrators small and large every day to make the move seamless. No longer do dealers or customers have to worry that a DVR is broken or missing and at the same time they can enjoy additional business opportunities including recurring revenue and new revenue streams like guard and monitoring stations.

ControlByNet Announces New $10 / Month White Label Hosted Video Surveillance Package for Integrators

A recent report by IMS Research states that the cloud-based video surveillance market could exceed $1 billion in 2012. However, the report states that despite its developments pricing is a major hindrance.

ControlByNet announced today its new white label package for integrators providing them ControlByNet’s hosted video solution starting at $10 per camera per month. The new pricing offers integrators the ability to immediately offer a cloud-based or hosted video surveillance option to small businesses and opportunity to greatly increase recurring revenue.

“Our new white label offering allows integrators to ease into cloud-based security and focus on the core of their business and not on infrastructure. With our hosted solution, i-flashback REMOTE, we worry about the uptime, servers, bandwidth and upgrades,” said Ryan Strange, CEO of ControlByNet. “In addition, the price per camera per month for basic recording is usually in the $25 – $35 range, so our new pricing provides a great opportunity for resellers and integrators to gain significant recurring revenue.”

CBN’s i-flashback REMOTE provides web-based controls for hosting providers to manage multiple servers, users and accounts. The solution allows users to manage hundreds of remote cameras from a single browser; including Internet Explorer, Firefox, as well as the growing number of connected devices including Windows Mobile, iPhone, iPad, Blackberry and Android.

Benefits to the integrator for the new white label offering include:

• Branding – Integrators can position their branding front-and-center to the customer.

• Recurring Revenue Stream – Integrators now realize recurring revenue, where in the past it was a sell-and-forget solution.

• Additional Opportunities – A hosted solution keeps integrators closer to their customers, putting them first in line for new opportunities from the customer for additional services.

• Secure Video – CBN’s cloud video solution is not a ‘store and forward’ service where cameras can disappear along with the evidence. When an event happens it is immediately recorded ay the datacenter and the customer is alerted.

• Future technology compatibility – CBN’s flexible solution has the ability to expand camera manufacturers, which doesn’t prohibit integrators from offering solutions to those with cameras already installed.

An article on the IMS Report can be found here:

http://www.securitysales.com/channel/ip-video/news/2012/03/20/report-vsaas-market-set-to-surpass-1b-by-2014.aspx?ref=eControlPanel-20120322&utm_source=Email&utm_medium=Enewsletter

Clayton County Water Authority Leverages ControlByNet’s Hosted Solution to Streamline Security and Save Resources

ControlByNet (CBN), a leader in cloud-based hosted video security surveillance solutions, announced today that Georgia’s Clayton County Water Authority (CCWA) is using ControlByNet’s i-flashback REMOTE to monitor its facilities including remote payment stations as well as office and operational facilities.

Just south of Atlanta, the CCWA provides water services to more than a quarter of a million people with approximately 1,500 miles of water distribution pipes and another 1,400 miles of sewer conveyance pipes and storm water infrastructure The award-winning Authority is recognized as an industry leader with peers around the country visiting to learn more about its processes. ControlByNet’s i-flashback REMOTE provides CCWA with an easy to use, 100-percent browser-based application. CCWA has access to the full benefits of having their security ‘on the cloud’ including remote hosting, multi-location access (onsite, hosted or any combination) from a single web login and access on mobile devices.

”Delivering vital services including water, wastewater and stormwater presents both security and operational challenges,” said Ryan Strange, CEO of ControlByNet. “Our i-flashback solution provides water utilities like CCWA with a centralized solution that can be accessed anywhere in the organization with an Internet connection including smartphones and tablets. By utilizing a cloud-based solution water and waste management facilities, as well as telecommunications and other service based organizations can streamline their security, while at the same time enjoy operational efficiencies.”

Flexible Hosted Solution

CCWA faces the same challenges as many other water utility organizations. The previous security solution included mixed analog DVRs and cameras across lots of remote locations, acres of materials storage, as well as remote payment stations. In addition, as with many organizations storing heavy materials CCWA was faced with repeated metal theft attempts.

ControlByNet’s solution provides CCWA with a central server running ControlByNet’s i-flashback REMOTE multi-site hosted solution. i-flashback REMOTE allows each department to remain an independent surveillance site for the manager and employees access, but makes them a part of the central solution for quick multi-site viewing by top-level managers. Users can log-in from anywhere in the organization via web browser, including tablets or phones. This provides CCWA with the ability to monitor even when visiting remote sites.

“We have experienced multiple benefits from CBN’s cloud-based solution. People often don’t understand that organizations can ‘host their own cloud’ and get the same benefits as the public Internet cloud, but with the security of a closed network,” Mike Bennett, Deputy Manager of CCWA. “CBN’s solution provides us the ability to access our security on any device, at anytime all while knowing that not only are our locations secure but so are our security records.”

No DVR Needed

CCWA also converted analog cameras to IP-accessible ones by using video encoders. This enabled CCWA to realize all of the benefits of a cloud-based solution including removing multiple antiquated DVRs from its properties. No longer does CCWA have to worry that a DVR will be broken and/or stolen with vital security information. The move to an IP-based camera solution also allowed CCWA to reduce infrastructure installation costs by using power-over-Ethernet and wireless. The cameras can utilize existing switches in the organization.

For the remote customer service center, cameras now transmit vital information back to the headquarters so no data is onsite to be tampered with or stolen. The primary customer service center employees directly access the IP cameras for live views without ever needing access to the county surveillance solution.

Prepared for the Future

As CCWA and other water utilities look to the future, cloud-based solutions allow users to ‘”future-proof” their system. Cloud-based solutions enable organizations and businesses to be ready for growth and changes without replacing the infrastructure. For example, should CCWA require additional processing or data storage, CCWA can add additional servers anywhere in the network which will attach to the main server via the built-in i-flashback authentication software.

In addition, CBN’s cloud-based solutions allow for “instant” guard centers anywhere with Internet access on almost any device including Xoom, iPhone\iPad and Android mobile devices. With ControlByNet’s ip-LookOUT Guard Station, CCWA could provide remote security for all of their sites, thereby reducing costs at the remote locations by eliminating or minimizing onsite security. Guards are visibly and audibly alerted upon motion events from any remote site. The live image and recorded video are instantly presented for the guard to take the necessary action.

About ControlByNet (www.controlbynet.com)
ControlByNet provides the most advanced adaptable hosted and managed IP-based surveillance solution on the market. ControlByNet’s advanced software is the cornerstone for the new security surveillance business model. By leveraging Software as a Service (SaaS), CBN’s solution integrates seamlessly across its products creating limitless installation scenarios. The hierarchal nature of the software allows a single log-in with multiple levels of access from any (Internet) location which leverages existing enterprise resources. With years of development, their software solution is flexible, future-proof and designed to lead the industry. Product offerings include i-flashback LOCAL and REMOTE and ip-LookOUT, its guard monitoring application. While the i-flashback interface is as simple to use as a nanny cam, both versions of the software are sophisticated enough to manage thousands of remote cameras from a single browser; including Internet Explorer, Firefox or even an iPhone or iPad. ControlByNet primarily uses Axis Communications for remotely hosted cameras but will expand to others as manufacturers provide IP cameras that are deemed highly efficient on the network. For more information, visit www.controlbynet.com.

SDM: Cloud Computing

The February issue of SDM focuses on Security Cloud Computing.  The article states that security cloud computing (SCC) is changing all aspects of security from how it is sold, to delivered and used to how it is valued by customers.   SDM’s Industry Forecast Study found that 60 percent of dealers and integrators are offering remote video monitoring and 25 percent are offering hosted (cloud-based) video storage/viewing.

With its i-flashback solutions, ControlByNet  is at the forefront of the move to the cloud and is featured on page 68 of the issue. Following is an excerpt of the article:

SCC Solutions

SCC has a long history in the residential  alarm market and a bright future too, by eliminating a deal-killing capital investment and moving the video storage offsite and eliminating the risk of the DVR and contents being stolen or destroyed. One example includes ControlByNet working with a homeowner’s association. HOA members and security officers are able to view live and on-demand video from any location.

ControlByNet’s president, Ryan Strange shares, “The residential and small business markets are really understanding and adopting SCC once they learn about it. The opportunity for leveraging SCC for a few mission-critical cameras and having live, remote access is very attractive to customers.”

He anticipates that the SCC discussion will advance in the coming year as hosted and hybrid models are redefined to clearly show the benefits for channel partners and customers.  “The quality of the solution will improve and channel companies will have more tools to present the benefits to customers.”

To view the entire article visit: http://digital.bnpmedia.com/publication/?i=98705

Will the DVR Shortage Push Integrators to the Cloud?

IP-based surveillance is expected to continue to grow in 2012, but could the DVR shortage help push hesitant integrators on the“cloud.” The catastrophic flooding in Thailand in August has resulted in a DVR shortage which is impacting surveillance integrators. It is estimated that the best prices for DVRs may increase more than 10 percent.

With IP-based surveillance, integrators and their clients no long have to worry that a DVR is broken or missing.  At the same time, integrators can benefit from new business opportunities including offering flexible hosting solutions, enjoying recurring revenue and adding monitoring and guard station solutions. However, integrator education is still a missing piece of the puzzle.  

With ControlByNet’s  i-flashback solution we help integrators make the move from analog to IP easy.   Our i-flashback solution allows integrators to step into the IP surveillance and hosting business slowly by having ControlByNet’s do the initial hosting. This minimizes initial investment while allowing integrators to offer their customers a hosted IP solution. As integrators grow their businesses and learn the system they are able to move the hosted cameras to their facility seamlessly with no customer interruption.

The time is now for dealers and integrators to find the right IP solution to help them take their customer to the cloud and the DVR shortage just might help some integrators make the move.

Prepared for the Future or Left in the Past?

Cloud-based video surveillance continued to grow in 2011, however there are still integrators and customers hanging onto their DVRs. Beyond the challenges of having a broken or stolen DVR, this old technology limits users ability to have access to their video on the browser and device of their choice.  

Many of the DVR’s out there are set to use ActiveX only which means these users can only use Internet Explorer.  Some of them will accept using a Firefox browser, but looking at a recent report of ours it is clear that Internet Explorer and Firefox are leaving lots of users out.  Only 39% of our visitors  use  Internet Explorer and even with Firefox you’re only at just over 60%.  That’s a lot of people out there who couldn’t access a DVR with their preferred browser client  like Safari and Chrome .

Cloud-based  software like our i-flashback provides a future proof solution for customers. As we update our products our customers are also updated- seamlessly.  People are upgrading faster; part of it choice and part of it the software constantly reminding them of an upgrade version available.  Your security should keep up with latest technology  and  not be tied to current or even older technology.

ControlByNet Provides Integrators with a Flexible Hosted Solution and Recurring Revenue

Solution for Home Owners Associations Takes Security to The Cloud

Atlanta – December 13, 2011 – ControlByNet, (CBN), a leader in cloud-based, hosted video security surveillance solutions, is experiencing continued growth with home owners associations. ControlByNet and its integrators have experienced 100 percent retention with its home owners association clients.  ControlByNet’s i-flashback REMOTE, one of the most advanced hosted solutions on the market, provides web-based controls for video hosting providers and enterprise customers to host video across multiple servers, users and accounts.

“Home Owners Associations want a solution that helps them protect the property, as well as minimize the day-to-day security worries.  With no video storage onsite, e-mail alerts when problems arrive and nothing for vandals to steal, our solution provides residents a greater sense of security and deters malicious vandalism,” said Ryan Strange, CEO of ControlByNet.  “For our integrators, the HOA market provides a great opportunity to add new clients who are looking for a reliable and cost-effective solution.

ControlByNet has the most flexible hosted solution on the market with the ability to host for the customer, let the integrator do the hosting, linking to an onsite server or any combination. This flexibility allows integrators like TRC quickly offer a hosting business using the i-flashback REMOTE solution.

As seen in the December issue of Security Dealer and Integrator Magazine article, “HOAs: At Home and in the Clouds,” integrators like Villa Sentry are helping HOA communities make the move to the cloud, saving them time and money.

“We work with a variety of HOAs and understand that volunteer board members have other priorities, so we make it ours to watch out for them,” said Paul Ismail with Villa Sentry.  “With all of the video files secure at our data center there is nothing for a vandal to steal or destroy.  We also notify HOAs if there is a camera, Internet or power outages so they can leave all the worrying to us.”

Integrators like Ville Sentry also enjoy the following benefits from using ControlByNet:

• Recurring Revenue – Integrators can recognize a recurring revenue stream instead of the old model ‘sell-and-forget’ solution.

• Added Customer Opportunities – A hosted solution keeps integrators closer to the customer which puts them first in line for openings for additional services.

• Instant Access – Customers  can access video anywhere with an Internet connection and on almost any device including iPad, Xoom, iPhone and DROID. Not only is it beneficial to the customer but allows integrators to demo the product from anywhere on any device.

• Future technology compatibility – CBN’s flexible solution has the ability to expand camera manufacturers, which doesn’t prohibit integrators  from offering solutions to those with cameras already installed.

Interested integrators may view the CBN demo located on its partner page, http://www.controlbynet.com/partners.php.

About ControlByNet (www.controlbynet.com)
ControlByNet provides the most advanced adaptable hosted and managed IP-based surveillance solution on the market.  ControlByNet’s advanced software is the cornerstone for the new security surveillance business model. By leveraging Software as a Service (SaaS), CBN’s solution integrates seamlessly across its products creating limitless installation scenarios.  The hierarchal nature of the software allows a single log-in with multiple levels of access from any (Internet) location which leverages existing enterprise resources.  With years of development, their software solution is flexible, future-proof and designed to lead the industry.  Product offerings include i-flashback LOCAL and REMOTE and ip-LookOUT, its guard monitoring application.  While the i-flashback interface is as simple to use as a nanny cam, both versions of the software are sophisticated enough to manage hundreds of remote cameras from a single browser; including Internet Explorer, Firefox or even an iPhone or iPad. They primarily use AXIS for remotely hosted cameras but will expand to others as manufacturers provide IP cameras that are deemed highly efficient on the network. For more information, visit www.controlbynet.com.