These days, security continues to be a growing concern for business owners of all sizes. And the unfortunate truth is that security is just as important during the daylight hours as it is at night. The FBI suggests that a break-in occurs in the U.S. every 26 seconds. 

Those occurrences are not reserved just for residences, either. Approximately 34% of these burglaries affect small businesses. So, if you aren’t taking the steps to protect your business, you could be opening your organization up to some sizable losses.

That said, how do you determine the best security system for your business needs? And between Avigilon Unity vs. Avigilon Alta, which solution is best? The team at EMCI Wireless has the answers. 

Choosing Between Avigilon Unity vs. Avigilon Alta Security Solutions

Avigilon has built a strong reputation in the security industry by providing reliable, advanced technology that helps businesses protect their assets. Known for their focus on innovation, Avigilon’s solutions are designed to meet the needs of a wide range of industries, from small businesses to large enterprises.

Two of their most popular security systems are Avigilon Unity and Avigilon Alta. Unity is an on-premise solution that requires a larger upfront investment, known as CapEx (capital expenditure). It gives companies full control over their security systems, with all data stored and managed on-site. In contrast, Alta is a cloud-based, subscription service, also known as an OpEx (operating expenditure) model. Alta offers the convenience of remote access and is more affordable upfront, with lower hardware costs.

Deciding between Unity and Alta depends on your business needs, budget, and how much control you want over your security setup.

What is Avigilon Unity?

Let’s start with discussing Avigilon Unity. Avigilon Unity is an on-premise security solution designed for businesses that need full control over their security infrastructure. Unlike cloud-based systems, Unity operates through in-house servers and dedicated hardware, giving organizations complete oversight of their data. This system with its CapEx model means companies make a larger upfront investment in hardware and installation but gain long-term ownership and control over their system.

Unity’s focus on dedicated hardware allows for a high level of customization. Businesses can build their security solution to fit their specific needs, choosing everything from camera placement to storage options. This makes Unity a great choice for organizations that require a tailored solution with maximum control over data storage and management.

Key Features of Avigilon Unity

• Scalable architecture: Avigilon Unity is built to grow with your business. Whether you have a small office or a large campus, the system can be expanded to meet increasing security needs. The local storage and management feature allows for easy upgrades as the business grows.
• Integration with existing infrastructure: One of Unity’s key strengths is its ability to integrate with existing systems. If a business already has some security hardware in place, Unity can work with those systems to provide a comprehensive security solution without needing to replace everything.
• Advanced video analytics and AI-powered functionality: Avigilon Unity uses AI technology to analyze video feeds in real-time, identifying potential security threats more efficiently. The system can detect unusual behavior or potential risks, allowing businesses to respond faster and with greater accuracy.

Ideal Use Cases for Avigilon Unity

Avigilon Unity is well-suited for businesses with large campuses or sensitive environments, such as government buildings, educational institutions, and healthcare facilities. These types of organizations often need complete control over their security data, making on-premise systems like Unity a smart choice. 

For example, a hospital may prefer to store video footage in-house due to privacy concerns, while a government building might need the added security of keeping all data on-site.

What is Avigilon Alta?

Now, let’s chat about Avigilon Alta. Avigilon Alta is a cloud-hosted security solution designed for businesses looking for simplicity, flexibility, and cost savings. Instead of relying on complex on-site hardware and infrastructure, Alta operates primarily through the cloud, allowing companies to manage their security systems remotely. This type of solution means there is no large upfront investment required for hardware. Instead, businesses pay a subscription fee that covers both software and services.

One of the biggest advantages of Avigilon Alta is its lower initial cost. Since there is minimal on-site hardware involved, companies don’t need to worry about installing or maintaining large systems. The cloud-based design makes it easy for businesses to get started with a simple plug-and-play setup, cutting down on installation time and technical difficulties. For businesses with limited IT resources, Alta offers a user-friendly experience that doesn’t require much technical expertise to manage.

Key Features of Avigilon Alta

• Cloud-hosted video storage: All security footage is stored in the cloud, making it accessible from anywhere, at any time. This allows users to monitor and review security data remotely, whether on-site or off-site.
• Reduced need for on-site hardware: Alta operates primarily through the cloud, meaning fewer physical devices are needed. This lowers the upfront cost and reduces the need for maintenance.
• Plug-and-play setup: Alta’s simple installation process makes it easy for businesses to start using the system without the need for specialized technical knowledge. The focus on convenience and ease of use makes it accessible to a wide range of users.

Ideal Use Cases for Avigilon Alta

Avigilon Alta is a great choice for retail chains, office buildings, or any organization that doesn’t want to deal with the complexity and costs associated with traditional on-site systems. 

For example, a large retail chain with stores spread across multiple regions needs a security system that can be centrally managed without having to install extensive hardware at each location. Avigilon Alta is an ideal solution in this case. With cloud-hosted video storage, the security team at the company’s headquarters can remotely access and monitor footage from all stores, making sure of quick responses to any incidents or suspicious activity.

Additionally, since the system doesn’t require heavy on-site hardware, each store only needs minimal setup, reducing costs for installation and maintenance. The scalability of Avigilon Alta allows the chain to add new stores to the system as the business grows, without needing to overhaul their security infrastructure.

Comparing Avigilon Unity and Avigilon Alta

Now that you understand the key differences, let’s look at a side by side comparison so that you can better decide on the right security solution for your business. 

Comparison Factor	Avigilon Unity (On-premise, CapEx-focused)	Avigilon Alta (Cloud-based, OpEx-focused)
Infrastructure Requirements	Requires on-site servers, hardware, and storage	Minimal hardware required, primarily managed through the cloud
Cost Structure	Higher upfront CapEx with long-term ownership of hardware	Lower upfront cost, ongoing subscription-based OpEx model
Data Security and Privacy	Data stored on-premises, offering greater control over sensitive information	Cloud-hosted data with secure, encrypted access from anywhere
Customization and Control	Allows for high customization with control over hardware and software	Limited customization but easy to use and manage
Scalability	Scalable but may require additional hardware investment	Easily scalable with cloud infrastructure, no need for new hardware

Choosing the Right Solution for Your Business

Businesses must prioritize security to protect their employees, customers, and assets. According to a study published by the Journal of Injury & Violence Research, violent crime remains a serious public health issue, with over 19,000 homicides and more than 1.5 million non-fatal assaults requiring medical treatment each year. 

The study also revealed that, over a five-year period, 7,349 violent crimes occurred on commercial or public properties. Among these, 38.1% were aggravated assaults, 57.5% were robberies, 3.2% were rapes, and 1.2% were homicides.

Given these alarming statistics, it’s clear that businesses need to embrace effective security systems to safeguard their premises and the people within them. Whether you run a small retail store or manage a large corporate campus, choosing the right security solution is non-negotiable for preventing crime and creating a safe environment. 

Avigilon offers two primary solutions—Unity and Alta—that cater to different business needs. Selecting the best option depends on a variety of factors. Let’s dig into some of the biggest ones.

• Budget: Unity requires a higher upfront cost, while Alta offers lower initial costs with a subscription-based model.
• IT Resources: If you have an internal IT team, Unity’s more complex setup and management might be a good fit. Alta, on the other hand, is easier to manage with minimal IT support.
• Data Control: Unity provides complete control over where your data is stored, which can be important for businesses handling sensitive information. Alta stores data in the cloud, making it accessible from anywhere.
• Scalability: Businesses expecting to grow quickly may benefit from Alta’s easy-to-scale cloud infrastructure, while Unity works best for established companies with steady security needs.

EMCI Wireless is Your Go-To in Selecting the Right Avigilon Solution 

You don’t have to choose the best security solution in a vacuum. At EMCI Wireless, we’re here to help. Aside from our commitment in solving for safer communities and businesses, we have nearly 50 years of experience working with businesses across southern and central Florida for their two-way radio and security needs.

Contact us today for a free consultation. We’ll help provide you with the information you need to protect your business.