Subscriber Discussion

Upcoming Mobile App Shootout - What Criteria Should Be Considered?

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Sean Patton
Sep 20, 2018

We are currently testing multiple VMSes Mobile Apps, and are evaluating what are the best features or capabilities to base our evaluation on.

The initial list of parameters / criteria we are starting out with are:

  • Number of Simultaneous Viewable Streams: Multiple Camera Streaming support is a strength.
  • Alarm Received/Acknowledgement/Forwarding: Receiving alarms as notifications on the app, and being able to acknowledge and potentially forward the alarm are strong points.
  • Video/System Event Support (Motion, Analytics, etc): In commercial/Enterprise environments using mobile apps as a primary video search tool might be limited, but being able to search through motion or analytic events in the app is a strength.
  • Streaming the Smartphone Camera back to the VMS Support: If a security officer has the app running in the field, they can trigger the phone to record back to the VMS.
  • Exporting/Downloading/Marking Video For Download: Being able to export or download a full quality version to the mobile device is a strength.
  • Snapshot Capture: Being able to capture a quick snapshot of an individual or vehicle to email/send to authorities is a strength.
  • HTTPS Support, 2 Factor Authentication, Security Features: Considering the mobility and potential dynamic network use (4G, public wifi, home wifi, etc), any/all data security features are a strength.
  • Cloud Connection Services: Related to the concerns in the above criteria, a secure cloud connection rather than port forwarding or firewall compromises is a strength.
  • Tablet Version of App: If the phone/small screen version of the app does not scale well to a 8-10+" tablet, having a tablet version is a strength. If the standard app scales properly, not having a tablet app won't necessarily be a weakness.
  • Stream Quality Settings: Streaming 1080P or 4K video over a 4G connection to a mobile device can cause data limitation concerns. Being able to adjust downscaling of live video at the server or at the device level is a strength.

What other criteria or aspects should we be considering for our evaluation? Let us know in the comments.

Thanks!

DG
Donald Gordon
Sep 20, 2018
IPVMU Certified

Sean,

Edge storage support.  Recording video locally on the tablet and uploading video to VMS when wireless network connection re-established.  Not sure if anyone has that capability yet in mobile apps...IP cameras certainly do though.

(1)
UI
Undisclosed Integrator #1
Sep 20, 2018

Intuitive GUI.

I know rating a GUI is somewhat subjective but given that most users using mobile apps are likely not to be highly trained on a product or have high interest in learning it, its really important that the plethora of features loaded into these apps be accessible and understood with a reasonably low learning curve. I think that should be part of the criteria.

(3)
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Sean Patton
Sep 21, 2018

Thanks UI1, for all of our VMS-related tests we review the software with a UX developer consultant for feedback. It can be hard given the subjective nature, but we do comment on obvious poor UX design choices.

(1)
UM
Undisclosed Manufacturer #2
Sep 20, 2018

Support for Android and iOS and if there is feature/functionality differences between them.

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Sean Patton
Sep 21, 2018

Great point UM2, thanks!

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John Bazyk
Sep 21, 2018
Command Corporation • IPVMU Certified

How quickly cameras load and how easy it is to playback. The more advanced function should be if you can share the video or download to your phone. I would be really interested in seeing Ring and Arlo vs real VMS apps. 

UD
Undisclosed Distributor #3
Sep 21, 2018

audio support (2-way?)

creating bookmarks 

support for other integrated parts of the system like access control, output (door) triggering, intercom

activating flashlight of the phone, directly from the app

using map (on tablet)

 

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Mike Dotson
Sep 21, 2018
Formerly of Seneca • IPVMU Certified

One aspect to consider is where the transcoding to support the mobile function is being done.

Depending on the design of the VMS, this can have some severe performance impacts on a recording server. 

(3)
(1)
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Lasse Sørensen
Sep 21, 2018

I really like a visible timeline when using playback mode. I hate that Milestone dont have that. But I would really like to know others who have.

//Lasse

UM
Undisclosed Manufacturer #4
Sep 22, 2018

Integration support - does the video mobile app integrate to other systems, particularly access control?

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