+44 151 633 2111
Milestone announces new products for medium and large sized installations
Milestone, the open platform leader in video management and recording software for security and surveillance, has announced changes to their product range affecting medium and large installations, available from May 21st 2013.
Milestone users – Be aware of PMA amnesty expiry on 2nd January
We’d like to inform our customers that the Milestone XProtect PMA/SUP amnesty is due to end on 2nd January 2013.
Milestone recently replaced their PMA (Product Maintenance Agreement) with an SUP (Software Upgrade Plan) and with this change introduced a beneficial amnesty meaning that if you were running Milestone without a valid PMA, you could buy an SUP without having to pay for backdating the agreement. This meant great savings for Milestone XProtect users who bought XProtect without a PMA or whose PMA had expired.
That amnesty ends on 2nd January 2013.
If you are running Milestone XProtect without a valid PMA/SUP then you have until 2nd January to pick one up. After that Milestone’s official line is that SUPs cannot be backdated. i.e. If you do not have a valid SUP after this date you will not be able to purchase one and your Milestone system is at risk of quickly becoming outdated.
Importantly, customers not purchasing an SUP will NO LONGER automatically receive Device Pack updates (newly supported cameras, firmware updates, bug fixes etc) with their Milestone license. For this reason we recommend that any customer currently without a valid SUP purchases one within the amnesty period (before 2nd January) in order to get future software upgrades.
Call us now on +44(0)151 633 2111 to make use of this offer before the amnesty runs out.
HOWTO: Offline licensing of cameras in Milestone XProtect
In another of our Milestone XProtect series of HOWTO blogs, I’ll take you through how to license new cameras whilst not connected to the Internet.
Why might you want to licence a camera offline?
Any manager of a security system needs to make decisions about how that system is connected to the network. We encounter XProtect-based security systems of all sizes and configurations. Some are connected to the Internet and some are not. XProtect’s mobile server capability would require an online connection, but if you have no need for this feature or tie your network down tightly your XProtect server may be operating offline, and in this case you’ll be licensing cameras offline.
HOWTO: Install Milestone XProtect Essential
In this HOWTO, I’ll walk you through each step when installing Milestone XProtect Essential; from the initial email provided by our sales team which contains your Software Licence Code (SLC) and .lic license files, applying the license file, through to the point where you have your first camera installed, licensed, online and ready to go.
The process of installation is a bit long-winded (which I’m guessing is the reason you’re reading this in the first place), but you end up with a robust and feature-packed software installation. Put aside half an hour, grab a cuppa, settle in and let’s get started.
New from Milestone: Mobile 2 and a simplified Web Client
Following the launch of the Milestone mobile app at the end of last year we have seen some great improvements in 2012 and now Mobile 2 is here.
First let’s catch up, Milestone XProtect Mobile is a free application for smartphones and tablets specially designed for use with the Milestone XProtect suite of video management software. It enables users to access and monitor their Milestone video system when on the go. The app runs on Android 2.2 (TM) and iOS5 and higher. It is available for download on the App Store and on Google Play.
Mobile 2 is just one of three ways to access your Milestone system, with the Smart Client (installed software offering full functionality) and the Web Client (browser-based access with some limitation – more about this later) being the other two methods. This flexiblity is available with all Milestone XProtect products and gives you a powerful system that you can control from anywhere.
So what’s new in Mobile 2?
Product Launches: Panasonic i-Pro WV-SC384 and Vivotek FD8131
Take a look at the latest releases from Panasonic and Vivotek, now available for purchase.
Panasonic i-Pro WV-SC384
The WV-SC384 is a new addition to Panasonic’s pan-tilt-zoom SmartHD camera range and is very similar to the WV-SC385 model with the only difference being that it does not have a removable infrared cut filter, meaning the WV-SC384 is more suited to day-time operation only whereas the popular WV-SC385 is true day / night and can be used for 24/7 operation.
Both cameras benefit from features such as Wide Dynamic Range (WDR), on-board SD-card recording for backup and 18x optical zoom, which combined with the HD 720p resolution provides crisp, detailed footage of objects and activity at long distances. The WV-SC384 is available as an indoor unit as well as an outdoor bundle.
The odd thing is that Panasonic has launched the WV-SC384 at a higher price point than the WV-SC385, which you would not expect given the true day/night facility in the latter. We expect this will be corrected over time, at which point this camera will become very attractive indeed in the marketplace.
Milestone release 6.0 Device Pack for XProtect software
Milestone have released their latest XProtect Device Pack. This update to the popular IP camera recording platform has added support for new IP cameras and has also corrected specific issues previously raised with certain camera models.
This system expansion and added support re-instates Milestone’s drive to maintain their position as the market leader in Video Management Software.
Read more >>
Milestone release XProtect Smart Client version 7.0
To coincide with the launch of their flagship VMS XProtect Corporate 5, Milestone has announce an upgraded version of their client software: Smart Client 7.0.
The upgrade is a substantial one. Milestone have completely redesigned the application, improving usability across the application and making it easier to manage installations of all sizes. They have streamlined the interface to give instant access to live and recorded video along with customisation options allowing the user to tailor their viewing experience to match their working environments. Using Milestone Integration Platform also allows control over various types of security and business systems such as point-of-sale integration or video analytics, direct from the new Smart Client.
Even though Smart Client 7.0 is launched alongside XProtect Corporate 5 it can be used right now with existing versions of Milestone which already support the Smart Client.
On top of the improved design there are also a number of new features available, including:
- Bookmarking – allows you to flag video sequences and add descriptive notes, which enables better sharing of information with other users or authorities
- Virtual joystick control – previously, PTZ control was limited to a “click to centre” method of control. With Smart Client 7.0 a crosshair is superimposed at the centre of a PTZ camera and you can drag the mouse from the centre point, like a virtual joystick. Of course, actual joysticks are still supported
- Advanced export options allow for batch exporting of content across multiple formats simultaneously with the option for direct to optical storage included
- New system monitoring tools provide valuable information on system storage and performance and instant access to log files
We will take a thorough look at it as soon as we get it. You’ll be able to see our evaluation on our IP Camera Learning Blog later.
In the meantime read more about XProtect Smart Client.
Milestone PMA Amnesty Promotion offers great savings
Great news for Milestone Xprotect IP video surveillance software users – if you are running Milestone without a valid PMA (Product Maintenance Agreement), you can now buy a PMA without having to pay for backdating the agreement. This means great savings for Milestone users who bought Milestone without a PMA or whose PMA has expired.
The Milestone PMA Amnesty Promotion is a very attractive offer if you are looking to update your installation to the latest version. The offer prolongs the protection of the investment you made in the past.
Furthermore, Milestone will soon be introducing their new Software Upgrade Plan (SUP), which is to replace the current PMA structure. Milestone users with a valid PMA will automatically be transferred to the new SUP system.
The Milestone PMA Amnesty Promotion runs until the 31st July 2012. Call us now to make use of this offer: +44(0)151 633 2111.
Milestone releases XProtect Mobile
Milestone have released their XProtect Mobile application, allowing users of Milestone video management software to access their CCTV system while on the move. In this first release, support is available for Android-based phones and tablets with iPhone and iPad compatibility expected to follow in spring 2012 [update May 2012 - iPhone and iPad versions now available].
