Which Method is Best for Your Interview Recordings?
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This is a question that IT administrators need to address. Cloud storage is becoming the norm, but is it really the best solution for law enforcement? Let us compare both solutions with their pros and cons in order to determine which solution is best for you.
To start, there are no differences, software and application-wise, between an on-premises and cloud-based solution. Both solutions offer the same metadata information, the same media files compatibility, the same annotation features, and the same security characteristics. So, what is the difference between the two? Cost-wise, based on a five-year period, both solutions are very similar. The on-premises solution will cost more to start, but after five years, the cloud solution will become more expensive.
On-Premises Video Library
An on-premises video library is an application installed at your location. It involves your computers and hardware storage. Normally, your Information Technology specialist (IT) will install a “Virtual Server” on your existing hardware including an SQL application and video library application. Subsequently, if your IT specialist configures the library correctly, it becomes a corporate cloud application. Cost-wise, normally on-premises applications are purchased and owned, with ongoing annual fees for updates and maintenance.
The Pros
The pros mainly concern security. Many law enforcement entities are reluctant to have sensitive information outside of their physical control. Cloud applications are secure, but there are ongoing fees to consider. In the long term, an in-house facility is less expensive.
The Cons
The short term is more expensive as all hardware and software needs to be procured as well as ongoing maintenance costs. Finally, there is a question of Internet access. If you always access the library from your internal Ethernet network, all is good. But if you require investigators to access the database from outside your internal network, the Internet connection will need updating to a much higher upload speed, to allow many users access to the video library at the same time.
Cloud Video Library
The cloud has the same features as an on-premises installation except the application is based outside your locations in a “Data Center”. The Data Center is not your provider, it is a service purchased by your provider. Your provider rents rack space in the Data Center where the hardware is installed. The provider also rents a huge upload Internet connection allowing them to service many customers at the same time. The benefits of the Data Center are the enormous pipeline of data it can provide, and the high levels of security to access the environment.
The cloud service is generally offered on a monthly payment program. Naturally, the provider will require a signed contract and will charge for configuration and installation.
The Pros
Short term it is less expensive, as there is no need to purchase equipment and staff-time to implement the solution. The connection to the library will be much faster and accessible worldwide by many users simultaneously.
The Cons
The solution will cost more on a long-term basis. Even though the solution is very safe, there is a security issue perception, due to the fact that people other than your own staff are in charge of the hardware.
Did you know our VEOTEK Media Library offers both on-premise and cloud-based storage options?
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