Milestone Systems Releases XProtect(R) 2014

Friday 23 May 2014 15:17
- New capabilities in Milestone video management software enable the next generation of integration, access control interoperability and optimized user experience.

Milestone Systems, the open platform company in IP video management software (VMS), is announcing the release of the Milestone XProtect 2014 VMS product suite for partners and customers.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130916/639134 )

The XProtect 2014 product suite addresses the entire security market regardless of the size, complexity or location of the installation. The Milestone XProtect clients are also optimized and updated to take advantage of the new XProtect 2014 capabilities.

The full range of Milestone XProtect 2014 software will be showcased in live presentations at the Milestone booth E800 at IFSEC International 2014 in London June 17-19.

XProtect 2014 introduces several new advantages* for Milestone customers and the Milestone partner ecosystem.

New smart integration abilities

The Milestone add-on product, XProtect(R) Access Control Module 2014, makes it possible to integrate different access control systems within the same customer installation. XProtect(R) Smart Client provides a consolidated interface for operating integrated access control systems with dedicated functions to effectively monitor access events, manually assist passages and conduct investigations of specific access points or cardholders.

Intelligent video handling with metadata

Milestone introduces an ONVIF (Open Network Video Interface Forum) compliant framework for handling and storing video-related metadata for its XProtect advanced VMS product range that includes XProtect(R) Corporate 2014 and XProtect(R) Expert 2014. Metadata is any data adding an information layer to video and audio streams. The metadata framework can enable new possibilities for high-level integration: integrators can use metadata to connect with all types of IT systems and Milestone Manufacturer Alliance Partners can use the metadata integration to support cameras with built-in analytics.

More efficient evidence handling workflow

Video handling in XProtect 2014 is enhanced with new features to streamline the user experience:

- The Smart Search function utilizes the motion metadata generated during

the motion detection analysis in the recording server. By searching on this generated

metadata, sequences with motion in specific areas of a camera view can be found

quickly and accurately, reducing the time required to conduct investigations.

- Evidence Lock is a new function in XProtect 2014 VMS that secures the

availability of video recordings for investigations by allowing the retention time for

selected video sequences to be extended beyond the defined retention policies.

- The Storyboard function turns video into evidence by documenting a sequence of

events. Piecing together video sequences from multiple cameras into a structured flow

makes object tracking easy for logical, objective and straightforward review.

Extended system security

A new security feature in XProtect is tiered administrator rights where administrative staff can be granted access to functions based on responsibility levels. Dual authentication provides an option for an additional level of system security, where a log-in or access is successful only when a second user approves it.

Ease-of-Use features for partners and end users

New ease-of-use features in XProtect 2014 VMS are centered on both Milestone partners and end users to ensure a simple and optimized experience working with a Milestone solution. For example, the product upgrade processes are enhanced to reduce time spent on maintaining the system.

End users will benefit from a new interactive map functionality in XProtect(R) Essential and XProtect(R) Express that provides a graphical overview of the entire installation. Tooltips and customization possibilities are added to the XProtect Smart Client to lessen the need for end-user training.

Video Push with GPS metadata in Milestone Mobile enables first responders and security personnel to use a smartphone as a mobile camera for video coverage of incidents not viewed by stationary cameras. The GPS coordinates together with the video stream are pushed from the smartphone to the XProtect VMS system.

Also of note is the Milestone Customer Dashboard, an online system monitoring service that enables Milestone resellers to obtain real-time system status of their customers' installations. This enables proactive alerts and service to improve the customer experience.

Janne Jacobsen, Vice President of Professional Products Business Unit at Milestone Systems, says: "The 2014 update of the Milestone XProtect VMS suite reflects our dedication to provide solutions that are optimized for different market segments and customer needs. For small to mid-sized installations, the 2014 edition of the XProtect Professional VMS product suite is focused on simplifying every step in the deployment and use of our products. The goal is to provide solutions that meet our customers' demand for easy-to-use video solutions that are also cost efficient to install and grow."

Bjorn Eilertsen, Vice President of Corporate Products Business Unit at Milestone Systems, says: "I am very excited about this 2014 release and the possibilities it gives both our customers and partners. If you look at the major enhancements we have done to the workflow around evidence handling, you will find that the new Smart Search, combined with Evidence Lock and the new storyboarding capabilities, shorten the time dramatically for producing evidence material. Add the new security capabilities that will make our advanced VMS products even more attractive for large and high-security installations. And this is just half of the story! We have also taken the open platform to a whole new level, introducing ONVIF-compliant support for metadata and a framework for integrating access control systems with our new XProtect Access Control Module. Both these initiatives empower our ecosystem of partners to develop new solutions and meet our customers' needs."

The Milestone XProtect 2014 product suite is available now through the Milestone partner network.

Download pictures:

Janne Jacobsen and Bjorn Eilertsen.

XProtect 2014 overview graphic and Milestone Logo

YouTube: XProtect 2014 launch video

*Please note that features might be limited to certain versions of XProtect and not all devices may be supported with all features. Please see http://www.milestonesys.com for full details

About Milestone Systems

Founded in 1998, Milestone Systems is the global industry leader in open platform IP video management software, according to IHS Inc. (formerly IMS Research). Milestone technology delivers powerful surveillance that is easy to manage, reliable and proven in thousands of customer installations around the world. With support for the widest choice in network hardware and integration with other systems, Milestone provides best-in-class solutions to video enable organizations - managing risks, protecting people and assets, optimizing processes and reducing costs. Milestone software is sold through authorized and certified partners. For more information, visit: http://www.milestonesys.com.

Source: Milestone Systems