Benefits of Hosted Video Surveillance

Copyright (c) 2009 Wes Fernley

These days, people need security, and they want to be sure that someone or something is going to be taking care of their home, business, and/or other important area(s) of concern. First off, let's define hosted video surveillance; it is essentially an off-site video security system. If you don't want a DVR or other video storage device stored in your home or business (or maybe you just don't have room for the equipment), this is ideal for you. Or, if you're worried about having the recorder at the same location as the cameras, a hosted video surveillance system is ideal for you. Also, if you have a number of locations: homes, businesses etc that you want to be able to keep an eye on, and record all of the video from these places onto one recording system/location - hosted video is perfect.

Among the other benefits of a hosted video surveillance system are that you don't need a lot of complex (and expensive) equipment all over your site. You don't need camera cables run along the floor or in the walls (which necessitates holes and other damages to your location), and no heavy equipment left lying around. As the recording equipment is stored off-site, you never have to worry about losing the video tape. When thieves break into a business or home, and they see surveillance cameras, they will seek out the tape to take it. If the building burns down, and the tape is onsite, it will be lost. With hosted video surveillance, none of these are an issue - the recordings are stored safely at the central location.

Next, there's access. If you have a security system set up at your business (or businesses), you typically have to go there to view the tapes, to see what has happened there over the course of the previous day, week or whatever timeframe you want. With hosted video surveillance, you can view the video on your home computer from any location. If you're on vacation on a cruise ship (so long as they have Wi-Fi), you can check out the condition in your business, home, and other important locations. And that access is available to you on a twenty-four hour, seven days a week, 365 days of the year basis. You see both video archives of past tapes or get a live video stream of what's going on there on a real-time basis.

Then there is the issue of technical support. If you buy regular cameras, cables, and a monitoring system, and you have any technical problems, you'll probably have to call a technician to come out or go to a store. Whereas a hosted video surveillance system has that all covered; you have a problem, you call or get online.

Finally, you have to be concerned with updates and upgrades. Technology is constantly changing; if you buy a system, it becomes static - you're stuck with that level of technology. If you get a hosted video surveillance system, upgrades and updates will be included, and you don't have to think twice about them - the company takes care of all of that. So, when taken in its totality, it is easy to see the value of using a hosted video surveillance company to protect those places that are important to you.


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