Glossary
What is a video management system (VMS)?
Definition
A video management system (VMS) is software that connects IP cameras and recorders, then lets operators watch live video, record and retain footage, search and play back events, manage user access and export evidence. Enterprise VMS platforms add multi-site management, alarm handling and integrations with video analytics, access control and other security systems.
Video management system (VMS) explained
A VMS sits above the cameras and recording hardware. Where an NVR is a single recording box, a VMS is the software layer that brings many cameras, recorders and sites into one operator console with shared users, permissions and event history.
Most modern VMS platforms connect to cameras using open standards such as ONVIF and RTSP, plus vendor SDKs for features a standard does not cover.
OrionAlerts
How OrionAlerts handles it
In OrionAlerts, video management is a built-in module of Nebula OS rather than a separate product to integrate. Operators get live walls and playback for every site in one console, set recording and retention per camera, zone or site, search incident timelines and export evidence, all within role-based access. Cameras connect over ONVIF, RTSP and vendor SDKs.
Explore Video Management System (VMS)FAQ
Video management system (VMS): common questions
Does a VMS run on site or in the cloud?
Traditionally a VMS runs on servers at the site or in a company data center and records to local storage. Some vendors now offer cloud-hosted or hybrid VMS, where management or recording moves to the cloud. The main trade-offs are upload bandwidth, where video is stored and who maintains the servers.
Does a VMS replace my cameras?
No. A VMS is software that connects to cameras rather than replacing them. Most platforms support ONVIF and RTSP, and many add vendor SDKs for brand-specific features, so cameras that are already installed can usually be brought in. Support should still be checked per camera model, because firmware and features vary.
Is the OrionAlerts VMS a separate product?
No. Video management is one of five modules of Nebula OS, the operating system underneath OrionAlerts. The others are AI video analytics, camera health monitoring, asset tracking and AMC management. Because the modules share one record of every camera, an alert, an outage and a service ticket all refer to the same device.
Related terms
NVR vs DVR vs VMS
A DVR records analog cameras, an NVR records IP cameras, and a VMS is software that manages cameras and recorders across sites.
Read moreVideo surveillance as a service (VSaaS)
A cloud delivery model where recording, viewing and management of surveillance video are provided as a hosted subscription service.
Read moreONVIF
An open industry standard that lets IP cameras, recorders and video software from different manufacturers discover and work with each other.
Read moreRTSP (Real Time Streaming Protocol)
A network protocol used to set up and control live video streams from IP cameras and recorders.
Read more
See it on your own cameras
Book a walkthrough of OrionAlerts on Nebula OS, from camera connection to alerts on the dashboard, mobile app and email.