Storage and surveillance software covers licences and applications for recording, viewing and managing video from network cameras, plus software that runs on network storage. It suits small businesses, shops, offices and home labs that want to run their own security system. Our range comes from AXIS and Synology.
How to choose storage and surveillance software
Compatibility with your hardware. Check that the software supports your camera models and the server or NAS it will run on. AXIS software is built around AXIS network cameras, while Synology software runs on Synology NAS devices and supports many third-party cameras through the ONVIF standard. Confirm the exact model lists before ordering.
Licence type and camera count. Most surveillance software is licensed per camera or per device, so count the cameras you have now and add a few for later. Buying a licence pack that matches your plans is usually simpler than adding single licences one by one. Also check whether a licence is permanent or tied to a subscription.
Where the software runs. Some products install on a Windows server or PC, others run directly on a NAS. A NAS-based setup keeps recordings and software in one box, which is tidy for small sites. A separate server makes more sense when you expect many cameras or want to keep the recording workload away from file storage.
Storage and retention. Recording storage depends on the number of cameras, resolution, frame rate and how many days of footage you must keep. Continuous recording at high resolution needs far more disk space than motion-triggered recording. Work out your retention period first, then choose the drives to match.
Management and growth. If you plan to add sites or cameras, look for features such as multi-site viewing, user permissions, mobile apps and alerts. These matter more in offices and shops with several staff than in a single-camera home setup.
Brands we carry
- AXIS: a Swedish manufacturer known for network video cameras and its own video management software, AXIS Camera Station, which is designed to work closely with AXIS devices.
- Synology: best known for NAS storage and its DiskStation Manager operating system, which includes Surveillance Station for recording and managing camera feeds on the NAS itself.
Frequently asked questions
What is video surveillance software used for?
Video surveillance software receives the video streams from network cameras, records them to disk and lets you watch live or recorded footage. It also handles motion detection, alerts, user access and exporting clips. Without it, an IP camera can only store footage locally, if at all.
Do I need a licence for every camera?
In most cases, yes. Surveillance software is usually licensed per camera or per channel, and a basic number of licences may be included with some products. Check how many cameras the licence covers and whether you can add more later.
Can I use Synology software with AXIS cameras?
Often yes, because Synology Surveillance Station supports many ONVIF-compatible cameras, including a lot of AXIS models. Compatibility depends on the specific camera model and firmware, so check Synology's supported camera list before you buy. Features such as advanced analytics may differ from one camera to another.
How much storage do I need for camera recordings?
It depends on camera count, resolution, compression and retention time, so there is no single figure. As a general guide, a few cameras recording continuously for a month can need several terabytes, and motion-only recording reduces this considerably. Surveillance-rated hard drives are designed for constant writing and suit this job better than ordinary desktop drives.
