Exacq's Entry Level Start VMS Examined

In this note, we examine the new entry level VMS Version from Exacq named Start. Previously, Exacq had only one VMS version - ExacqVision. The new entry level version will be called ExacqVision Start and the existing 'full' version will be called ExacqVision Pro. Let's examine the key features and how Start compares to Milestone Essential.

Start is a license limited version of Exacq's VMS that can be software upgraded to the 'full' Pro version. The key restrictions for Start include:

• 30 Cameras maximum per server
• No enterprise management nor monitoring. Only one server can be connected to at a time
• No maps
• No 3rd party integration (access control, analytics, etc.)

Client side functionalities and IP camera support are essentially the same (with some niche differences in event handling, storage rules, etc.)

For Start, the licensing price range per camera is $42.50 - $49.95 USD MSRP. A software upgrade to Pro is available. Customers pay the difference (approximately $110 USD MSRP).

In addition to VMS software, Start will be available as a NVR appliance. For example, an EL-Mini NVR with 1TB and 8 IP cameras is $2,225 MSRP and an EL-Mini 2TB with 16 IP cameras is $2,975 MSRP.

Both the VMS software and the NVR appliance are competitively positioned relative to Milestone's entry level offerings. For instance, Milestone Essential's per camera MSRP is $49; Exacq's is slightly lower. Exacq's EL-Mini NVRs are about $600 - $1000 lower (MSRP) than the Milestone Essential NVR, depending on the camera count. Additionally, Exacq offers a free iPhone client while Milestone only has very expensive options. Both can be upgraded to higher end versions where Milestone has greater strength in 3rd party integrations.

We see Exacq's move as part of a broader trend of vendors responding (matching and often beating) Milestone's sharp entry level VMS price drop from Summer 2010.