Exploring Arcules from Milestone

Arcules: The Future of Cloud-Based Video Surveillance as a Service (VSaaS)

Modern businesses require flexible, scalable, and cost-effective security solutions that can adapt to their evolving needs. Arcules, Milestone Systems’ cloud-native VSaaS solution, delivers a powerful, enterprise-grade surveillance platform that simplifies security operations, streamlines multi-site management, and enables AI-powered insights—all within a fully cloud-hosted or hybrid deployment model.

While Milestone originally rebranded Arcules as Milestone Kite, they ultimately chose to restore the original Arcules name, reinforcing its autonomy and reputation as a leading VSaaS platform. Today, Arcules represents one of the most advanced cloud-based security solutions available, offering seamless integration with existing cameras, access control systems, and business intelligence platforms.

With Arcules, businesses can:

• Monitor, record, and manage security footage remotely via a web-based or mobile interface.
• Store and process video securely in Google Cloud data centers for unmatched reliability and redundancy.
• Integrate seamlessly with existing security infrastructure, including XProtect VMS, IoT devices, and access control solutions.
• Choose between hybrid or fully cloud-hosted deployments, ensuring maximum flexibility.

Key Benefits of Arcules VSaaS

1. Cloud-Based Scalability & Centralized Security Management

Managing multiple locations, remote sites, and distributed security operations is effortless with Arcules. The system enables security teams to:

• Monitor all sites from a single dashboard.
• Receive real-time security alerts and notifications.
• Access live and recorded video feeds from any device.

Unlike traditional VMS solutions, which require expensive local servers and infrastructure, Arcules stores and processes video in the cloud, allowing businesses to scale security operations without adding complexity.

2. Flexible Deployment Options: Full Cloud or Hybrid

Not all businesses are ready to migrate fully to the cloud. Arcules supports multiple deployment models to meet different needs:

• Camera to Cloud – Cameras connect directly to the cloud for storage and processing.
• Gateway-Based Deployment – Cameras are linked to an Arcules Gateway, which securely transfers footage to the cloud while offering local storage options.
• Hybrid Integration with XProtect – Arcules can integrate with Milestone XProtect Corporate, allowing businesses to combine cloud and on-prem video management.

This flexibility makes Arcules an excellent choice for multi-site enterprises, distributed retail chains, and organizations transitioning to the cloud.

3. AI-Powered Video Analytics

Arcules transforms raw video data into actionable insights using built-in AI-powered analytics, including:

• People counting & occupancy tracking.
• Heatmaps & motion analysis.
• AI-powered forensic search for rapid video review.
• Anomaly detection & predictive trends.

Businesses can use these insights to improve security, optimize operations, and reduce costs without additional software or third-party tools.

4. No Proprietary Hardware Lock-In

Unlike some VSaaS providers that require exclusive, expensive camera systems, Arcules is fully ONVIF-compliant, meaning it works with over 25,000 IP cameras and IoT devices from major manufacturers, including:

• Axis Communications
• Bosch
• Hanwha Vision
• Pelco
• i-PRO
• Hikvision & more

This open architecture approach ensures that businesses can integrate Arcules into their existing security ecosystem, avoiding the high costs of ripping and replacing hardware.

5. Enhanced Cybersecurity & Data Privacy

Arcules leverages Google Cloud’s secure data infrastructure, ensuring that video data is encrypted, redundant, and protected against cyber threats. Key security features include:

• AES-256 encryption for video storage & transmission.
• Role-based user permissions & Single Sign-On (SSO) support.
• Automatic software updates to eliminate security vulnerabilities.
• Secure cloud access without the need for VPNs.

This enterprise-grade security model makes Arcules a trusted choice for businesses requiring high-level data protection and compliance.

How Arcules Compares to Traditional VMS

Feature	Arcules (VSaaS)	Traditional VMS
Deployment	Fully cloud-based or hybrid	On-premises, requires servers
Scalability	Unlimited, cloud-native scaling	Limited by hardware
Hardware	Uses existing ONVIF cameras	Requires specific hardware
Storage	Cloud, local, or hybrid	On-site storage required
IT Maintenance	Minimal, automatic updates	Manual updates & upkeep
Cost Model	OPEX (subscription-based)	CAPEX (high upfront investment)
Analytics	AI-powered video search, people counting, heatmaps	Often requires third-party software*
Remote Access	Yes, web & mobile apps	Limited, usually requires VPN
Cybersecurity	Google Cloud infrastructure, AES-256 encryption	Often reliant on local IT security

Bottom Line: Arcules eliminates the complexity of traditional VMS, making it easier to deploy, scale, and manage security operations across multiple locations.

*This does not apply to many of MCA’s alternative VMS and VSaaS offerings: Our other partners platforms like Avigilon Alta, Milestone XProtect, and Genetec VSaaS are all capable of delivering high-level analytics.

Ideal Use Cases for Arcules

Arcules is best suited for organizations that:

• Manage multiple sites with minimal IT resources – Arcules simplifies security management for retail chains, quick-service restaurants (QSRs), healthcare clinics, and distributed offices by allowing centralized remote monitoring with minimal on-site infrastructure.
• Need to rapidly scale security across locations – With its cloud-native architecture, Arcules allows businesses to add new locations in minutes without the need for local servers or complex network configurations.
• Prefer a low-maintenance solution – Arcules eliminates the burden of managing on-premises security infrastructure, offering automatic software updates, cloud-based storage, and a hassle-free user experience.
• Want a cost-effective OPEX model – Unlike traditional VMS deployments that require high upfront capital expenditure (CAPEX) investments in servers and storage, Arcules offers predictable subscription pricing that can be scaled up or down as business needs evolve.
• Require AI-powered insights without added costs – Arcules provides built-in AI analytics, object detection, and motion tracking at no additional charge, making it a powerful tool for business intelligence, loss prevention, and security monitoring.
• Have limited bandwidth or IT support – Unlike fully cloud-based VMS solutions that require constant high-bandwidth connections, Arcules only uploads video when it needs to be viewed, reducing bandwidth consumption and enabling remote sites with limited network infrastructure to remain connected.

Where Arcules is Less Ideal

While Arcules is an excellent fit for many distributed organizations, there are some key limitations to consider when determining whether it is the right solution:

• Not ideal for large-scale, single-site deployments – If your organization operates a single facility with high-security needs and extensive camera coverage, an on-premises enterprise-grade VMS like Milestone XProtect or Genetec Security Center may be a better fit.
• Limited camera compatibility in Camera to Cloud mode – The Camera to Cloud model is currently supported only on a select range of Axis Artpec 8 cameras. This means existing legacy cameras may require a gateway device, or Camera to Cloud may not be an option for certain installations.
• Limited on-camera storage capacity – Arcules’ Camera to Cloud model relies on microSD card storage within the camera, meaning that long retention periods may require additional cloud storage, increasing operational costs.
• Organizations requiring extensive on-prem storage – Businesses that must retain security footage on-premises for regulatory or compliance reasons may find hybrid models with on-prem storage better suited to their needs.

Who Should Consider Arcules?

Arcules is an ideal solution for small to mid-sized businesses, multi-site enterprises, and organizations looking for cloud-based security with minimal on-prem infrastructure. It is especially well-suited for:

• Retail & Quick-Service Restaurants (QSRs) – Centralized multi-store monitoring, POS integration, and people counting analytics help businesses reduce theft, improve operations, and enhance customer experiences.
• Corporate & Multi-Site Enterprises – Organizations with regional offices, branch locations, or dispersed operations benefit from unified security monitoring and easy remote access.
• Healthcare & Life Sciences – Arcules simplifies compliance with HIPAA and GDPR while ensuring secure patient and facility monitoring without requiring extensive IT support.
• Financial Services & Banking – Banks and financial institutions can use Arcules to monitor ATMs, branch offices, and corporate campuses with AI-powered forensic search capabilities.
• Logistics & Warehousing – Cloud-based security helps monitor vehicle access, track inventory theft, and improve safety compliance across multiple distribution centers.
• Education & Higher Learning Institutions – Schools and universities benefit from secure campus-wide video monitoring, automated threat detection, and remote security oversight.
• Smart Cities & Municipalities – Government agencies can improve public safety, enhance traffic management, and reduce crime using AI-driven license plate recognition, object detection, and forensic search tools.

Bottom Line: Arcules is the perfect solution for organizations that need a flexible, scalable, and cost-effective security system that eliminates IT overhead, reduces on-site hardware, and delivers AI-powered insights in the cloud. However, organizations requiring long-term on-camera storage, specialized hardware integrations, or high-camera-count single-site deployments may need to explore hybrid or on-prem alternatives.

MCA: Your Trusted Arcules Integration Partner

As a leading security integrator, MCA partners with Arcules, Milestone Systems, and other industry leaders to provide cutting-edge security solutions tailored to your needs.

Unlike other providers who only sell cloud-based solutions, MCA helps you evaluate whether Arcules, Milestone XProtect, or another VSaaS solution is the best fit for your organization. We assess your security infrastructure, budget, and operational goals to ensure you implement the right video surveillance strategy.