The Boring Lab

Milestone XProtect R1 2021: New Features, Insight, and Real-Life Applications

Milestone XProtect R1 2021 is solving more problems for VMS admins than any release before. We’re detailing all of the need-to-know updates, insights, and real-life applications of R1’s new features to ensure you can make the most out of your surveillance system.
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With Milestone R1 2021’s updated features, XProtect admins are able to get a clearer picture of just how secure their campus is.

Milestone XProtect R1 2021 is solving more problems for VMS admins than any release before. We’re detailing all of the need-to-know updates, insights, and real-life applications of R1’s new features to ensure you can make the most out of your surveillance system. 

With Milestone R1 2021’s updated features, XProtect admins are able to get a clearer picture of just how secure their campus is.

Situational Awareness

With Smart Map, admins can add alarms, microphones, and input devices to collect more precise information with trackable locations.

In previous versions of Smart Map for XProtect, the visualization functionality was present but limited. If an admin wanted to view alarms on a map, they would need to use an older map service. The inconvenience of switching between two different map layouts is no longer with Milestone XProtect R1 2021 Smart Map’s all-in-one feature integration.

Our favorite features of Smart Map for XProtect include:

  • Forget toggling screens and set alarms directly through in Smart Client to get notified when someone enters a no-trespassing zone on your property. 
  • Integrate microphones into Smart Map to listen in to specific zones in your facility. 
  • Add input devices to monitor door status and get notified when and where a door is left ajar. 
  • Utilize device clustering to up your visualization game and streamline your screen when cameras or devices are present.
  • Milestone Map Service is an all-in-one integrated map solution that provides no-cost, accurate geographic data so you can finally let go of Google Maps. 

Video Excellence & Cameras

One of the updates in this release that we’re especially excited about is reduced maintenance time for updating firmware in XProtect. A popular feature request made by Boring Toolbox users, this feature allows Milestone administrators to perform firmware updates from a single user interface when using supported device brands*.

AKA: less time spent on tedious updates and more time on urgent action items! Yay! 🎉

Additionally, with shorter recording server start-up and repair time in R1, that painful wait time is cut in half when unexpected server shut-downs occur. 

XProtect admins can now recover video databases faster than ever and get back to work in revolutionary time.

With an increased number of supported channels and devices, Milestone is building on its commitment to an open platform with ever-increasing usable hardware choices at your disposal. This breadth of choice allows Milestone to be unique in its ability to power video beyond surveillance.

** This feature supports devices from AXIS, Bosch, and Hanwha. It also supports devices connected through the ONVIF driver.

User Experience

Updated timeline navigation in XProtect Mobile and a new and improved licensing model only adds to the already notable user experience in Milestone Smart Client. 

The new recording timeline in XProtect Mobile displays a larger preview image when users scroll the timeline, unifying the mobile experience with the existing Smart Client.

With greater visibility and easier navigation, future admins will require less training to become proficient in utilizing the mobile interface effectively. 

Improved licensing model updates will allow developers to create new drivers for devices that have many more devices beneath them. 

For example, a developer working for a police department can create a driver for adding third party VMS to Milestone. Now, the department can access centralized viewing of non-Milestone cameras and systems, allowing easier integration with surveillance systems from other community members and agencies. 

In all, Milestone XProtect R1 2021 provides some major improvements that are sure to make all admins’ lives easier. 

With increased functionality and simplicity, you can respond more quickly to security threats, save time on tedious tasks, and expand your breadth of surveillance and safety across your organization with peace of mind.

Team Boring

Your go-to XProtect eXPerts. We learn the technical stuff that will save you time and make it less boring.

Team Boring

Your go-to XProtect eXPerts. We learn the technical stuff that will save you time and make it less boring.

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