Milestone Vs FLIR VMS?

On FLIR, see: FLIR Latitude VMS Test. We have tested different versions and elements of Milestone (e.g., Milestone ONVIF Bridge Tested, Milestone Hardware Accelerated VMD Tested) but not the high end versions recently.

I don't know enough to take a strong position here. One thing I would advise is to look at recent and upcoming developments of the two. Milestone has been actively adding major new features while, post DVTel acquisition, FLIR Latitude VMS development has been notably slower.

Everybody will have a different opinion on what is 'better', so I suggest a different strategy.

Define what you want to be able to do in any VMS like a checklist.

Then look at the features listed for each VMS and check off those you find.

Ask here about those you can not find.

The IPVM members can fill in many gaps with respect to specific questions, and we will offer opinions along the way ;-).

Proper disclosure – I work for FLIR Security.

Here is some high-level feedback, happy to discuss in more details -

I would like to know detailed comparison of Milestone enterprise VMS with Flir Latitude enterprise VMS.

Which VMS is better?

Which VMS has better command and control center capabilities/features ?

A: FLIR offers full control center for command and control center that supports live, playback, smart search, advanced alarm management, maps and GIS maps, video wall and more

Which VMS has better integration capabilities with intrusion detection system , access control system for unified command and control center?

A: FLIR VMS integrates to many third party systems including various access control systems, fence detection systems, gunshot detection and more.

Which VMS vendor has better video analytics?

A: FLIR offers military grade video analytics for perimeter protection, both for visible and thermal cameras. FLIR also integrates to several server based VA systems

Which VMS can handle multi location CCTVs in better manner?

A: FLIR offers distributed architecture supporting different deployments, allowing central monitoring and control. The architecture allows for full failover and redundancy between archivers and systems

Do flir share their API/SDK for integration of third party analytics with latitude VMS?

A: FLIR offers full SDK allowing third party to easily develop integration

What are the pros and cons of the two VMS?

Lastly if a company has to choose between flir latitude enterprise VMS and Milestone enterprise VMS then whom should company shortlist/choose out of the two VMS?

A: FLIR VMS combined with FLIR cameras offers excellent user experience allowing ease of installation, discovery and setup

Here is a short summary of our main ‘enterprise capabilities’ -

• Complete End-to-End Solution with FLIR Enterprise visible and Thermal cameras, yet Open platform architecture, with native driver for main cameras vendors such as Axis, Bosch, Sony, Panasonic and more. Also has strong ONVIF driver support profile S and soon profile G.

• Advanced Cyber Security with Edge Devices – VMS v8.0 is able to secure connection with the cameras by loading a certificate on the camera. The VMS is able to apply policies such as blocking unsecured cameras.

• Strong server infrastructure supporting different types of deployments, centralized and distributed.  Unique offering by supporting up to 10,000 cameras with single directory.

• Adaptive streaming technology that saves network bandwidth and client workstation performance. Works only with FLIR Enterprise cameras.

• Cloud based health monitoring

• Backward compatibility of software updates - minimal interruptions to live and playback

• Global Administration Across Multiple Sites

• Innovative and modern html 5 web client that does not require any Active X or plugin. Patent pending technology for streaming H.264 with web client

One thing to note - Don't be confused by Milestone's software naming structure.  XProtect Corporate is actually Milestone's enterprise level software, not XProtect Enterprise.

Some things you should demand from any VMS based on negatives I have seen.

- Make sure video storage is easily scalable, and doesn't force you to use just one single volume to store video. Volumes need to be added and removed without affecting other storage volumes.

- Make sure web access, mobile and client access all uses encrypted logins.

- Make sure they have available SDK's. Ron with FLIR above confirmed that.

- Make sure they don't tie camera licenses to a MAC address. Doesn't matter how easy they make the process to change the license for a replacement camera, it's still a delay and unnecessary hassle.

- Make sure any NIC can be used for camera, client connections and storage at the same time in a pinch if needed.

- Make sure only one version of client viewing program is needed, and they are both backwards and forwards by at least a few software versions different from the server. Nothing is more annoying than being forced to need the same software version between a viewing client and the server whenever just one is upgraded.

I'm not saying either Milestone for FLIR VMS have these problems, just make sure in general they don't. It can be a real headache if they do.

If in doubt, always run a pilot of both softwares. Easy to do in today's IP world.

Disclosure:  I am a FLIR employee (I work with Ron G.)  : )

Kailash,

While I'm not sure that anyone can answer which VMS is 'best' without knowing your particular details (as mentioned by others above), I can certainly show you what FLIR's Latitude Enterprise VMS can do.

I am a technical trainer for FLIR Security and my primary duties include Latitude certification classes.  I and my Training team also do numerous online webinars where we cover many of the individual features within Latitude.

Contact me directly if you would like an online demo of Latitude - and I can also assist (along with Ron) in getting you a fully-functional trial license so you can test it out on your own.

firstname.lastname@flir.com

Marty Major