Milestone Systems, the open platform company in IP video management software (VMS), is expanding its product line-up yet again, this time with a pre-loaded and easy-to-configure solution called XProtect® Essential NVR.  Powered by the HP Z200 Workstation, the solution delivers Milestone XProtect Essential video management software preinstalled. It is designed for the small business market, providing fast setup and ease-of-use, proven reliability, and guaranteed support. 

IP network technology is continuing to take hold in the physical security market, and to help people who are using analog systems move to a network approach faster, Milestone will now offer their globally leading XProtect video management software in the easiest possible way: already installed on a computer workstation.  

“Milestone is living up to its vision of driving the convergence to IP video surveillance: we are leaving no reason for people to buy analog systems anymore. For small businesses, the choice couldn’t be easier with this guaranteed best-of-breed combination from two world leaders,” says Lars Gudbrandsson, Head of Product Management at Milestone Systems.  “With our pre-loaded software, automatic camera detection, and video configuration wizards, the surveillance is up and running in no time at all.” 

The cost and time of setting up the entire installation is minimal since the software is pre-loaded with all of the storage and technical IT configurations required. All that is left to do is camera configuration, which is a snap with the built-in wizards to guide swiftly through the process.  In addition to the effortless setup, XProtect Essential NVR is very user friendly with a consolidated single-management interface and search tools that make the daily operations of video surveillance easier than ever.   

The HP Z200 Workstation comes pre-loaded with Microsoft® Windows® 7 Professional and Milestone XProtect Essential VMS, ready to operate with 8 or 16 video channels and up to 5 concurrent users. XProtect supports the widest choice in network video camera and encoder brands and models, allowing a mix to fit different needs. Customers can efficiently transition from analog to IP, continuing to use existing devices while blending IP security technology over time.   

Outstanding Milestone and HP reliability and support will be delivered from the following: 

• Performance validated with rigorous testing
• Three-year on-site hardware support from HP worldwide
• Three-year hardware limited warranty from HP
• Software support from Milestone Systems 

General availability and shipment to the European Union (EU) and European Free Trade Association (EFTA) member countries is scheduled for April 14th, with global availability rolling out in 2011. 

Milestone will continue to offer its entire line-up of software-only XProtect solutions, while this bundled hardware product represents the company’s focus on reaching analog users in the industry who are interested in moving to IP.  Market analysts report that around 75% of surveillance system purchases were still analog through 2009, and that IP solutions will increase to 50% by 2014.