Understanding the Features of Your Avigilon System
Investing in a professional-grade security system like Avigilon sets a high standard for performance and capabilities. However, you might find yourself feeling that your system has limited features or doesn't perform a specific function you expected. This situation can be frustrating, but it's often a matter of understanding the system's structure, licensing, and integration potential rather than a true limitation of the platform itself.
This guide provides a professional and empathetic overview of why your Avigilon system might seem to have limited features and how you can explore unlocking its full potential.
## It's Not Always What You See: The Nature of Professional Systems
Unlike consumer-grade cameras that pack all features into a single app, professional systems like Avigilon are modular and highly scalable. This is a strength, not a weakness. It means the system is built for stability and can be tailored to the specific needs of any organisation, from a small office to a large-scale enterprise. The features you have access to are often determined by three key factors: software version, licensing, and hardware.
## Factor 1: Software Version and Tiers
Avigilon Control Center (ACC), the core software of the system, is released in different editions or tiers. These tiers are designed to match different operational needs and budgets.
- ACC Core: An entry-level edition designed for smaller businesses, offering essential high-definition video management, search, and export features.
- ACC Standard: A mid-tier solution that adds more advanced features, including more extensive event management and support for a larger number of cameras.
- ACC Enterprise: The most feature-rich edition, including advanced functionalities like multi-server site management, failover connections, and detailed activity logs.
Actionable Step: The first thing to do is identify which version of ACC you are running. If you are on Core or Standard, the feature you are looking for might be available by simply upgrading to a higher tier.
## Factor 2: Feature Licensing
Many of the most powerful features in the Avigilon ecosystem are enabled via software licenses. This à la carte approach ensures that you only pay for the advanced capabilities you truly need.
Common Licensed Features Include:
- Avigilon Appearance Search™: This powerful AI-driven feature allows you to search for a person or vehicle of interest across your entire site. This is almost always a licensed feature.
- License Plate Recognition (LPR): If you need to capture, read, and search for vehicle license plates, you will need the specific LPR analytics and software license.
- Advanced Video Analytics: While some cameras come with built-in analytics, more sophisticated capabilities and server-side analytics often require licensing.
- Point-of-Sale (POS) Integration: Linking transaction data with video requires a specific license to enable that connection.
Actionable Step: Make a list of the specific features you feel are missing. Then, consult with your official Avigilon installation partner. They can review your current system and tell you if these features can be enabled with a simple license key, which is a far more cost-effective solution than replacing hardware.
## Factor 3: Hardware Capabilities and Integrations
The features available to you are also dependent on the hardware you have installed.
- Camera Analytics: Many modern Avigilon cameras have powerful analytics built directly into the device (known as "edge analytics"). Older camera models may not have the processing power for these features, in which case you might need a server with analytics capabilities.
- Third-Party Integrations: Avigilon is designed to be the hub of a larger security solution. Its true power is often realised when integrated with other systems. For example, if you need advanced access control management, you would integrate an access control system with ACC. The feature isn't "missing" from Avigilon; it's designed to come from a specialised, integrated partner.
## Unlocking Your System's Potential
Feeling that your system has limited features is a common concern, but it's often solvable.
- Define Your Needs: Clearly write down what you want your system to do that it currently doesn't.
- Check Your Software Version: Find out if you are on ACC Core, Standard, or Enterprise.
- Consult Your Avigilon Partner: This is your most valuable resource. They are experts in the Avigilon ecosystem and can provide a clear roadmap. They can perform a system audit and recommend the most efficient path forward, whether it's a software upgrade, a new license, or a strategic integration.
Your Avigilon system is a powerful platform. By understanding its modular nature, you can work with your partner to tailor it precisely to your organisation's security needs.