Introduction

What do Starbucks, Amazon Warehouses, and Walmart have in common? They all manage hundreds—or even thousands—of physical locations. And each location needs security. Not just any security, but scalable, intelligent, always-on surveillance. That’s where cloud-based surveillance systems change the game.

Multi-location enterprises—from retailers to telecoms, banks to cannabis chains—have outgrown legacy NVRs, on-premise servers, and static guard post monitoring. Modern threats require smart video monitoring software that scales, adapts, and integrates across sites in real time.

This post compares the major players in VMS (Video Management Systems), VSaaS (Video Surveillance as a Service), CCTV (Closed Circuit Television), and monitoring vendors. We'll benchmark big names like Genetec, Milestone, Eagle Eye Networks, Verkada, Avigilon, Hanwha, Axis, Motorola Solutions, Rhombus, and ArcadianAI. We’ll evaluate camera compatibility, AI capabilities, guard automation, telecom partnerships, false alarm rates, integration strength, and more.

If you're managing security across 10, 100, or 1,000 sites—this guide is for you.

Quick Summary / Key Takeaways

• Cloud-native surveillance is essential for scaling secure operations across multiple locations.

• ArcadianAI outperforms legacy VMS vendors with camera-agnostic, AI-first solutions.

• Legacy brands like Genetec, Milestone, and Avigilon struggle with cloud scalability and analytics.

• Most VSaaS offerings are locked to hardware (Verkada, Rhombus), limiting flexibility.

• Guard monitoring costs can be cut by up to 60% with intelligent cloud surveillance.

Background & Relevance

Security teams are dealing with:

• A 65% increase in organized retail crime across North America (National Retail Federation, 2024).

• Over 40% of traditional NVRs failing under cyber audits due to outdated firmware (Forbes Tech Council).

• Rising labor costs for human guards—averaging $20–30/hour/site.

Legacy systems were built for single buildings, not distributed retail, manufacturing, hospitality, or telecom networks. Today, cloud video surveillance must:

• Work with any camera, old or new.

• Enable remote access without VPNs.

• Detect threats, not just record them.

• Be centrally managed and infinitely scalable.

Let’s explore how the current players stack up—and why ArcadianAI redefines the standard.

Core Topic Exploration

Understanding the Landscape: VMS, VSaaS, and CCTV

Traditional VMS: Still Hanging On

Genetec, Milestone, and Avigilon dominate the VMS market, with feature-rich platforms like Genetec Security Center and Milestone XProtect. However, they rely heavily on:

• On-premise hardware

• Complex setup

• Limited AI features

Strengths:

• Mature platforms with many integration partners.

• Trusted in enterprise, education, and government sectors.

Weaknesses:

• Not cloud-native.

• Complex licensing.

• Poor remote management.

• Limited support for newer AI-driven analytics.

VSaaS: The Cloud-Only Revolution

Verkada, Rhombus, and Eagle Eye Networks are leading the VSaaS category. Their promise: no NVRs, no servers, all-cloud.

Verkada

• All-in-one cameras with storage, AI, and cloud streaming.

• Strong UI, but locked to proprietary hardware.

Rhombus Systems

• Mid-market focus.

• Good environmental sensors and integrations.

Eagle Eye Networks

• More flexible; supports 3rd-party cameras.

• Better for franchise or SMB use cases.

Drawbacks of VSaaS leaders:

• Hardware lock-in: Most require you to buy their cameras.

• Cost creep: Monthly fees per camera/site.

• AI accuracy: Questionable under real-world conditions (weather, lighting, obstructions).

Camera Vendors: Hardware-Centric Limitations

Hanwha, Axis, Hikvision, and Dahua are hardware giants with basic software layers. Most have rudimentary analytics and are sold via distributors.

Common issues:

• Analytics limited to line crossing, motion, and basic people counting.

• No advanced object detection or behavior analysis.

• Poor support for multi-site remote management.

The ArcadianAI Approach: Cloud-Native, Camera-Agnostic, AI-First

ArcadianAI isn't a hardware company. We’re a software-first, cloud-native platform designed for smart, scalable video monitoring.

Advantages:

• Works with any RTSP/ONVIF-compatible camera.

• Built-in AI assistant (Ranger) reduces false alarms by 85%.

• Unified dashboard for 1 or 10,000 locations.

• Integrates with telecom, alarms, and guard dispatch platforms like Immix.

• No NVRs. No lock-in.

Core Features Comparison

⚠️ = Partial/limited capabilities

Comparisons & Use Cases

Use Cases Across Industries

Retail

• Problem: ORC gangs hit multiple stores across cities.

• Legacy struggle: Retailers like Macy’s and Target using NVRs can’t track patterns.

• ArcadianAI win: Pattern recognition, shared alerts, license plate tracking.

Cannabis Chains

• Problem: Sites need 24/7 surveillance and audit compliance.

• Legacy struggle: Static cameras fail in grow rooms or outdoor lots.

• ArcadianAI win: Real-time AI detects movement anomalies, fog/humidity compensation.

Telecom Facilities

• Problem: Remote towers and base stations vulnerable.

• Legacy struggle: No eyes on them, no real-time alerts.

• ArcadianAI win: Motion detection, battery backup, cellular failover, dispatch integration.

Manufacturing

• Problem: Downtime, liability, intrusion.

• Legacy struggle: Blind spots and playback-only.

• ArcadianAI win: Real-time zone monitoring, safety compliance detection.

Comparison: Legacy vs. Modern

Common Questions (FAQ)

What’s the difference between VMS and VSaaS?

• VMS is usually on-premise and requires servers.

• VSaaS is cloud-hosted and typically managed through a web dashboard.

Can ArcadianAI work with Hikvision or Axis cameras?

Yes. ArcadianAI is camera-agnostic and supports any ONVIF/RTSP-compatible device.

How does ArcadianAI reduce false alarms?

Ranger, the built-in AI assistant, uses contextual scene awareness—combining object detection, weather overlays, time-of-day data, and motion vectors.

Is VSaaS secure?

Depends on the provider. ArcadianAI uses end-to-end encryption, cloud isolation per customer, and zero-trust access control.

What’s the cost difference?

ArcadianAI eliminates the need for NVRs and costly guards, saving 30–60% compared to legacy stacks.

Conclusion & CTA

Legacy surveillance was built for static threats and single buildings. Today’s security risks are dynamic, distributed, and data-driven. Whether you manage 10 storefronts, 100 telecom facilities, or 1,000 warehouses, your surveillance must scale—and think.

ArcadianAI redefines what’s possible with a camera-agnostic, AI-powered, cloud-native platform that adapts to conditions, connects with guards, and drives ROI.

Ready to rethink your surveillance strategy?

👉 Get a Demo of ArcadianAI

Internal Links:

• AI surveillance for retail shrink

• Reduce false alarms with AI

• Camera-agnostic cloud video monitoring

• Surveillance ROI calculator

External Links:

• National Retail Federation – ORC Report 2024

• Forbes Tech Council: Surveillance Cyber Risk