The power of the cloud
Cloud technology simplifies how businesses do business. Yet, many misconceptions around cloud technology still remain in the security sector. Some feel that moving to the cloud means losing control over their media and data. Others feel cloud deployments are too expensive. But interest in hybrid and 100% cloud deployments continues to grow. That’s because cloud hosted systems can be deployed, configured, operated, and updated with unmatched ease and efficiency. By combining modern, proven cloud connectivity technologies with advancements in edge processing and storage, Axis Cloud Connect enables secure, cost-effective connected systems.
Unified hybrid and cloud experiences
Genetec Security Center SaaS provides a range of services featuring Axis devices remotely powered by Axis Cloud Connect. These remove friction in remotely deploying, configuring, using, and maintaining Axis devices in Genetec Security Center SaaS. Meanwhile, remote access means admin roles, operators and investigators can easily perform their workflow tasks at any time, anywhere.
Save time and effort
Axis Cloud Connect reduces the complexity and cost of cloud deployments for Genetec and their end customers. Admin, operator and investigator roles remotely manage the following workflows and services.
Workflows
Manage sites and users
Gain control over all sites and all users remotely. Admin roles easily register organizations and sites and manage users and access rights. It’s possible to create and manage an organization that combines all system installations under one name for easier governance and efficient management. Admin roles can manage users locally on the server or through Active Directory. User roles are managed on an organization level and roles within an organization apply to all Axis cloud applications.
Configure, onboard and commission
Axis Cloud Connect helps integrators and installers efficiently configure, onboard and commission Axis devices in bulk, with easy workflows and quick web configuration. With a constantly growing portfolio of supported Axis direct-to-cloud devices by Genetec Security Center SaaS, setting up a new site has never been easier. Two examples are outlined below.
The first example covers setting automatic device configuration, edge recording as well as event-to-action automation. Device configuration is setup and accessible via pre-installed templates and profiles in the cloud — ready to be automatically sent down to the fleet of Axis devices. Settings specific to hybrid or full cloud deployments built by Genetec with Axis Cloud Connect include:
- Enable Axis AI-powered cameras to automatically trigger real-time event-to-actions and alarms.
- Automatic device configuration by setting what video and metadata to capture based on object classes, attributes, colors, motion, etc. — as well as scenarios like object in area, time in area, line crossing, etc.
- Enable edge storage directly on an Axis device via SD cards or on cloud-managed appliances.
One way to use these features daily is setting Axis AI-powered cameras to trigger automated actions when an object enters into a specific area of a scene. This means that the instant an object appears in a defined scene area, Axis cameras can be set to start recording — along with the pre- and post-buffer footage time stamps — along with which metadata to save either on a SD card or on Genetec cloud-managed appliances. All of which cuts cloud processing costs.
Perform secure device onboarding remotely. Onboarding is based on Axis one-click cloud connection that is built into every Axis device. It authenticates the ownership of an Axis device over the cloud and works together with an owner authentication key, which is shipped with the device.
Edge processing
Edge processing cuts costs. By processing data on the edge — i.e.: inside an Axis device — it's possible to reduce cloud server workflows. Axis growing AI-powered cameras mean more intelligence can sent directly from the cameras themselves as these cameras simultaneously detect and classify the scene. The capabilities to detect, classify, count, and track objects with high accuracy in the camera eliminates the need to save, process and store irrelevant media (video and audio) as well as metadata. And means less GPU’s are needed for server-side processing, thereby reducing processing power required for real-time video analytics.
Live operations
Unified streaming experiences — anytime, anywhere. Operators and investigators use Axis devices in Genetec Security Center SaaS to efficiently monitor and manage live events and investigate incidents. Live peer-to-peer encrypted video, audio, and metadata streams are powered by WebRTC for all sites. WebRTC is a modern open standard streaming solution offering low latency and enables real-time encrypted peer-to-peer communication and media data exchange in browsers. Plus, Axis Cloud Connect provides an adaptive bitrate streaming feature that ensures low latency and a secure connection. Beyond cameras, AXIS Powered by Genetec access control solutions as well as Axis-branded intercoms are both supported in Genetec Security Center SaaS.
Rapid investigations
The sheer amount of metadata sent from just one camera mounted at one location over a day is extensive. The greater number of devices on site, the more time is required for post-event video search and statistical analyses. Consolidated metadata — Axis’ latest means of managing metadata — us ideal for post-event analyses. It allows investigators to rapidly pinpoint a single video clip from a vast database wile eliminating the need to process, store and search irrelevant footage and metadata. This enables forensic search investigations to be performed up to 50 times faster.
Media-to-cloud storage
Cut cloud storage costs is key. Efficient transport of media and metadata to storage is an Axis Cloud Connect service that makes this possible. Admin roles set when to to transport media and metadata for storage or server-side analyses. Instead of sending everything in real-time to storage or analytic servers, media and metadata can be set to sent either live or at any timed interval. Axis Cloud Connect uploads everything to a cloud endpoint over HTTPS. What's more, users also choose edge storage on AXIS SD cards.
Device update and management
The solution performs remote updates of the entire fleet of devices for all your sites. Through Axis Cloud Connect APIs admin roles get access to information that affects its devices. This includes notification if a new firmware is available as well as if a new version of an ACAP is available for devices in the system. And monitoring Axis devices status, warranties, and licenses. All of which allows users to stay cybersecure with automatic bulk device updates and maintenance.
Videos
See these support videos for more details about the workflows and services.
Axis Cloud Connect
Get to know the technology platform behind the services
Managed services
Managed services enable by Axis Cloud Connect
AXIS OS
Read more about the operating systems in Axis devices.
ACAP
Add value with compatible analytics and applications