As organizations evaluate their video surveillance options, organizations face a crucial decision when selecting their video surveillance infrastructure: should they opt for a cloud-based solution like Avigilon Alta or stick with traditional on-premises deployment through Avigilon Unity? Let’s dive deep into both options to help you make an informed decision.
The Cloud Revolution: Avigilon Alta
Avigilon Alta represents the next generation of video surveillance, embracing the cloud-first approach that has transformed numerous industries. This solution offers several compelling advantages:
Simplified Management
Alta’s centralized cloud interface eliminates the complexity of traditional security system management. Security personnel can access and manage the entire system from any device with internet connectivity, making it ideal for organizations with multiple locations or remote teams.
Effortless Scalability
One of Alta’s strongest suits is its ability to scale without the headaches of hardware planning. Adding new cameras is as simple as connecting them to the network – no need to worry about server capacity or storage limitations. This flexibility makes it particularly attractive for businesses experiencing growth or those with fluctuating security needs.
Automatic Updates and Maintenance
With Alta, gone are the days of scheduling system updates or worrying about security patches. Updates are automatically deployed across the system, ensuring you’re always running the latest software version with minimal IT intervention. This automated approach significantly reduces the maintenance burden on your team.
The Traditional Powerhouse: Avigilon Unity
Unity represents the traditional on-premises approach to video surveillance, offering complete control and independence from internet connectivity. Here’s what makes it stand out:
Complete Control and Independence
Unity puts you in the driver’s seat with full control over your security infrastructure. All data remains within your physical premises, making it an attractive option for organizations with strict data sovereignty requirements or those operating in highly regulated industries.
Robust Local Performance
With Unity, your video surveillance system operates independently of internet connectivity. This means consistently high performance and reliable access to your security footage, regardless of external network conditions.
Customizable Infrastructure
Unity allows for precise customization of your security infrastructure. Organizations can tailor their server and storage configurations to meet specific requirements, whether it’s extended retention periods or high-resolution recording needs.
Making the Choice: Key Considerations
Storage and Redundancy
- Alta: Leverages distributed storage on cameras with optional cloud backups, providing built-in redundancy against physical threats. Bandwidth usage can be optimized to focus on critical footage.
- Unity: Relies on centralized storage through local servers, requiring dedicated backup solutions but offering complete control over data management.
Access and Connectivity
- Alta: Offers seamless remote access from anywhere with internet connectivity, ideal for organizations with distributed teams or multiple locations.
- Unity: Provides robust local access with optional remote connectivity through VPN or specific network configurations.
Long-term Maintenance
- Alta: Minimizes the need for on-site maintenance and hardware management, reducing the total cost of ownership.
- Unity: Requires regular hardware maintenance and periodic upgrades but offers greater control over system components.
The Bottom Line
The choice between Avigilon Alta and Unity ultimately depends on your organization’s specific needs:
Choose Alta if:
- You value simplified management and automatic updates
- Your organization operates across multiple locations
- You want to minimize IT infrastructure and maintenance costs
- Scalability and flexibility are top priorities
Choose Unity if:
- Complete data control is essential for your operations
- Your environment has limited or unreliable internet connectivity
- You require customized infrastructure configurations
- Local performance and independence are crucial
Both solutions offer robust security capabilities, but their deployment models cater to different organizational needs and preferences. Consider your specific requirements, IT resources, and growth plans when making this important decision.
Remember that this isn’t necessarily an either/or choice – some organizations might benefit from a hybrid approach, using Alta for certain locations while maintaining Unity installations where appropriate. The key is to align your video surveillance infrastructure with your security goals and operational requirements.