Envysion aims its managed video as a service video-monitoring and storage application at management, marketing, and loss prevention, but we found the service a valuable security tool beyond those applications.

The versatility of Envysion's digital video recorder and Web-streaming service means companies can use managed video as a service instead of investing time and money building or expanding an in-house closed-circuit television-DVR system, with all the attendant hardware, throughput, power, and storage problems.

In fact, the more we tinkered with the Envysion framework, both in our test area and in several real-world businesses, the more places we could picture it in use for secure, managed video.

Using Envysion's administration panel, the system subscriber can build user accounts and set up a variety of parameters for each DVR-camera combination from anywhere, via the Internet. In tests, the suite enabled us to connect from an office setting, a residence, an ice cream shop offering free Wi-Fi, and the waiting area at the local airport to monitor our locations.

The service includes powerful integration with point-of-sale terminals and a variety of configurable alarms and other triggers. Recording can be activated by alarm inputs, access card swipes, and other "triggers," including door security and building alarms.

The Envysion system does have some weak links--most notably, its Microsoft Internet Explorer-only requirement. The insistence on IE means that managers who live off their iPhones or the like are out of luck, even though these devices often handle other streaming video adequately. In addition, we couldn't hear what was going on because it lacks audio. Envysion says it's beta testing audio capabilities.

CUT TO THE CHASE
Of course, no one can stay glued to the stream waiting for something to happen. Fortunately, Envysion's DVR makes it easy to sort through recorded video. Users can view happenings via time and date go-to searches, or define an area of any display and search for motion in that zone over a defined time period. Clips can be bookmarked on the Web portal for easy access or downloaded to a local PC.

Installing the equipment is simple, and the Envysion DVR accommodates a variety of camera options. Any number of employees can use the system. The company manages user rights, but the process is quick. Prices range from $5,170 for a 320-GB DVR (roughly 30 days of storage per camera) and four cameras to $12,000 for 16 cameras and 750 GB of video. Prices include installation and a three-year software license. Sites also can opt for a three-year subscription plan starting at $160 per month for software and storage and a one-time installation fee of $875.

The company offers two tiers of DVR support: bronze, which sends e-mail alarms if service is interrupted, and gold, in which Envysion calls the subscriber.

For security, Envysion says it's compliant with Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards, and its ActiveX viewing plug-in uses a three-way handshake between Envysion's service and the local DVR, employing a one-time-use token that prevents replay (application layer) attacks on video.