Is a Saas-Based Security/Surveillance System Right for You?

You’ve probably noticed that “the cloud” is taking over many aspects of your business.

Take accounting software, which was one of the first industries to champion the cloud-based model. Years ago, you’d have one computer where you had your accounting software running on it. Any time you or your bookkeeper wanted to access it, they’d come to your office, take the one computer where it was stored, and do what they needed to. Hopefully they remembered to save and back up the changes!

Nowadays that dedicated software is replaced with an online version where you can not only have multiple logins, but you can access it by just opening a browser, putting in your username and password and pressing enter. That means the work can be done from anywhere, at any time, and you’re not carrying the risks associated with power outages, version control, and hardware problems.

It used to be the same with security systems. In a traditional security system setup, the relevant software is running on a dedicated computer or a server which would be installed at your facility. Aside from the hardware and software costs themselves, you probably needed dedicated IT personnel to take responsibility for maintenance, administration and reducing downtime of this system.

Cloud computing brings a few advantages that leave behind the risks and inefficiencies of the traditional setup. First, you get the advantage of “always-on” convenience and access from anywhere with an Internet connection. Second, it eliminates the need for the onsite dedicated computer or server. Devices like IP-based cameras and access control card readers still report directly to software controlling them, but that software is in the cloud, saving you time, money and headaches.

Here at Grid Squared, we offer a true software-as-a-service (Saas) platform that puts you in control, letting you scale to match your needs and simplify your deployment and management. You can access it from anywhere, and it’s better for cash flow, too: you only carry a fraction of the costs it would take to own and maintain all the relevant hardware.

• There’s no need to host your own on-site or virtual private server – your data is centrally hosted by our servers, with multiple redundancies and software that is “automagically” always up-to-date.
• View live or stored video of your facilities through a single, centrally managed cloud-based dashboard. No more upfront costs for video recorders; no more worrying about software updates.
• Whether you have one office door or a thousand worldwide, you can’t always be there to guard it and manage access. Our approach lets you do it all—allow entry, print badges, open doors, set schedules and see who’s in your building—from wherever you are (desktop or laptop, tablet or mobile device), through a single, secure web-based administrative interface.

Contact us to discuss how best to implement a cloud-based security or access-control system at your facility!