What is a Video Management System (VMS)?

A video management system (VMS) is a software platform for managing, recording and monitoring video streams from surveillance cameras. Through a single interface, operators can view live footage, search recorded video, configure alarm rules and manage user permissions, regardless of how many cameras the system includes or where they are located.

VMS platforms are primarily used in medium-sized and large installations where a basic network video recorder (NVR) is insufficient, such as shopping centres, hospitals, industrial facilities and organisations with cameras distributed across multiple locations.

How Does a VMS Differ from an NVR?

An NVR (network video recorder) is a physical recording device with a fixed number of camera channels and limited storage capacity. It is well suited to smaller installations with up to around ten cameras and requires little maintenance. However, it is rarely compatible with cameras from different manufacturers, and its expansion capabilities are limited.

A VMS, by contrast, is software that runs on a server or in the cloud, with no fixed limit on the number of cameras that can be connected. It often supports cameras from different manufacturers through open protocols such as ONVIF and can be integrated with other security systems, including access control and alarm systems.

In short, an NVR is well suited to straightforward installations, while a VMS is better suited to environments with greater requirements for flexibility, scalability and integration.

What Can a VMS Do?

Centralised management of all cameras and video streams through a single interface, whether the cameras are located at one site or across multiple locations.
Motion-triggered recording that only records when activity is detected, saving storage space and making footage easier to search.
Video analytics to automatically detect events, count people, identify vehicles or flag unusual behaviour.
Integration with alarm systems and access control, allowing an alarm, an opened door or an unauthorised access attempt to be directly linked to the relevant camera footage.
Remote access via a computer or mobile phone, enabling security personnel to monitor events as they unfold without being on site.
User permissions to control who can view specific cameras and access recorded footage.

Storage in a VMS

A VMS offers more flexible storage options than an NVR. Footage can be stored locally on a server, on network-attached storage (NAS) or in the cloud, and multiple solutions can be combined to provide redundancy.

Most systems use H.265 compression to reduce storage requirements without significantly compromising image quality. Rules can also be configured to determine how long footage is retained before being overwritten, which is useful for organisations that need to comply with record-keeping requirements.

When Do You Need a VMS?

For a small shop or office with just a few cameras, an NVR is usually sufficient. The need for a video management system arises when the number of cameras increases, when cameras from different manufacturers need to be managed together, or when the surveillance system needs to be integrated with other security technologies, such as digital locking systems and access control.

Organisations with cameras across multiple sites, such as retail chains or property management companies, can also benefit greatly from a VMS, as everything can be managed centrally.