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Video Monitoring for Dealers: Getting Started with Platforms and RMR

Pick a video monitoring stack of bridge, AI filter, platform and central station, connect Axis, Avigilon, Genetec or Hanwha cameras, and sell it as monthly RMR.

Last verified Oct 25, 202624 sources
On this page1. Choose the service you will sell2. Understand the monitoring stack3. Compare the platforms4. Match the platforms to your camera lines5. Cut false alarms with analytics6. Prepare the site7. Contracts, insurance and licensing8. Price it as RMR9. Which stack to start with10. Your first monitored siteSourcesFAQs

Video monitoring for dealers means selling a monthly service in which a monitoring center watches your customer's cameras and acts on real events. You don't need your own operators to start. You plug the site into a stack: cameras, a bridge or AI filter, a monitoring platform, and a central station that runs it. (S1, S11, S20)

1. Choose the service you will sell

ServiceWhat the operator doesTrigger
Alarm-verified videoViews the clip and live video when an alarm fires, then dispatches or cancelsAlarm panel zone or camera analytic (S11, S12)
Proactive or live remote guardingReviews AI-detected activity live, talks down intruders over speakers, escalates to policeCamera analytics, filtered by AI (S20, S21)
Virtual guard tourRuns scheduled checks of the site on live video and PTZ presetsSchedule (S3)

Alarm-verified video is the simplest add-on to an existing alarm account. Remote guarding sells to commercial sites that are pricing out on-site guards. (S11, S20, S21)

2. Understand the monitoring stack

Every platform below sits somewhere in one chain:

  1. Camera or VMS. Axis, Avigilon, Hanwha, Mobotix or Genetec on site. (S2, S3, S5, S6, S18)
  2. Bridge or AI filter. A CHeKT Bridge sends the alarm plus video to the station; Calipsa checks each clip for people or vehicles before it reaches an operator. (S8, S11)
  3. Monitoring platform. Immix or SureView presents the video alarm, live view, PTZ and audio to the operator. (S1, S16)
  4. Central station automation and operator. Software such as Manitou, Sentinel, MicroKey, Stages or Dice holds the account and action plan. (S10, S11, S19)

3. Compare the platforms

PlatformRole in the chainDealer startCameras and VMSPublic pricing
ImmixMonitoring platform for central stations and SOCsThrough a central station that runs Immix (S1)Avigilon Unity and Alta, Axis, Axis Camera Station, Hanwha WAVE, Mobotix, Genetec Security Center and more (S2, S3, S4, S5, S6)Not published
CHeKTBridge plus VSaaS portal for dealers on a central stationDealer account; billed by CHeKT or through your monitoring center (S15)ONVIF cameras and recorders, or any RTSP stream; Axis has its own setup article (S12, S13)Bridge 4-zone $425.99, 8-zone $462.99, 12-zone $772.99; service plan per bridge connection, rates not published (S14, S15)
Calipsa (Pelco, Motorola Solutions)Cloud AI false-alarm filterSales team; free 14-day trial (S7)ONVIF cameras and analog on a DVR; plugs into Immix AI Link and Sentinel (S7, S8, S10)Per camera channel per month; quote only (S7)
SureViewMonitoring platform for stations and SOCsThrough the monitoring center or SOCAvigilon ACC, Axis, Genetec Security Center, Eagle Eye, Exacq and more (S16, S17, S18)Not published; Genetec needs a SureView connection license (S18)
Manitou (Bold Technologies)Central station automationThrough a central station on ManitouReceives SureView video alarms through a gateway service; launches CHeKT video (S11, S19)Not published

4. Match the platforms to your camera lines

BrandPathNotes
AxisImmix (cameras, Camera Station, Guardian), SureView, CHeKT BridgeCHeKT has Axis-specific setup steps (S2, S13, S16)
AvigilonImmix with Unity Video or Alta; SureView with ACCSureView connects through ACC Standard or Enterprise, not Core (S3, S4, S17)
HanwhaImmix with WAVELive, playback, PTZ, alarms and pre/post-alarm clips (S5)
MobotixImmix with MOBOTIX CLOUD VMSAlarm monitoring setup published by Mobotix (S6)
GenetecImmix; SureViewSureView supports Security Center 5.9 to 5.13 (S2, S18)

5. Cut false alarms with analytics

  1. Use camera analytics for triggers. CHeKT can arm a zone on an ONVIF analytic event. Test each one, since not every event type is supported. (S13)
  2. Add a cloud filter. In Immix, enable AI Verification per alarm, pick Calipsa, choose Person and Vehicle, and set the confidence threshold. Unverified clips are auto-handled. (S9)
  3. Expect the gain. Pelco says Calipsa can filter up to 95% of nuisance alarms; G4S reported an 84% reduction. (S9, S10)
  4. Tune noisy cameras first. Calipsa recommends trialing your noisiest cameras. (S7)

6. Prepare the site

  • Bandwidth: plan about 400–500 Kbps per HD outdoor stream with motion, and 10–20 Kbps without (S23)
  • Placement: aim cameras at entry points and the paths intruders use; add PTZ presets for guard tours (S3)
  • Talk-down audio: an AXIS C1310-E Mk II horn speaker runs on PoE Class 3 (S24)
  • Audio support: confirm your platform passes audio to your camera brand; Immix lists audio per integration (S2)
  • Lighting: light the scene or use IR cameras so analytics can classify people at night
  • No power or wire: a solar camera trailer covers construction sites and lots

7. Contracts, insurance and licensing

  1. Pick the central station. Use the wholesale central stations guide to compare stations, UL 827B video listings and video platforms.
  2. Write the SLA. State the service type, hours, which events operators act on, the escalation list and what the customer must keep powered and online.
  3. Insure it. Monitoring adds errors and omissions exposure. See the low voltage insurance carriers guide.
  4. License it. Many states license alarm and monitoring work. Check yours in the licensing by state hub.

8. Price it as RMR

  1. Start from your wholesale cost. Add the platform or bridge service plan, any AI filtering per camera, and the central station's rate. (S7, S15)
  2. Add your labor. Price setup, tuning and service calls from your rate in the Cost Per Hour calculator.
  3. Charge hardware once. Bill bridges, speakers and cameras as install; bill monitoring monthly.
  4. Tier it. Offer alarm-verified video, then remote guarding hours, then guard tours as upgrades.

9. Which stack to start with

Your situationStart withWhy
Existing alarm accounts, any camera brandCHeKT Bridge through your central stationAdds video to the panel's alarm, works with ONVIF and RTSP cameras (S11, S12)
Commercial Avigilon, Axis, Hanwha or Genetec sitesA central station on Immix, with Calipsa AI LinkNative VMS integrations and AI filtering in one queue (S2, S8)
Enterprise SOC customersSureViewDeep VMS and access integrations for operations centers (S16, S18)
No operators, want remote guarding nowA wholesale remote guarding partnerTheir operators, your RMR (S21, S22)

10. Your first monitored site

  1. Pick the account. Choose a customer with cameras already up and an after-hours problem. (S20)
  2. Sign with a station. Confirm its video platform and your camera brand integration. (S2, S11)
  3. Install the bridge or integration. Register the CHeKT Bridge and add camera channels, or have the station add your VMS to Immix or SureView. (S13, S17)
  4. Set triggers and AI. Choose zones or analytics, then enable AI verification. (S9, S13)
  5. Add talk-down. Mount the horn speaker and test audio from the operator side. (S2, S24)
  6. Write the action plan. Contacts, hours and escalation, loaded at the station. (S11)
  7. Test. Walk the site armed and confirm the operator sees the clip, live video and audio.
  8. Bill it. Start the monthly charge after acceptance.

Sources

FAQs

How much does video monitoring cost a dealer?

Most platforms quote privately. CHeKT publishes bridge prices from $425.99, and Calipsa charges per camera channel per month. (S7, S14)

Can I add video monitoring to cameras already installed?

Yes. CHeKT and Calipsa both work with ONVIF cameras and many recorders already on site. (S7, S12)

Do I need my own monitoring center?

No. Partner with a central station or a wholesale remote guarding provider. (S20, S22)

Do I need a license to sell video monitoring?

Many states license alarm and monitoring work. Check your state in the LV Handbook licensing by state hub.

What is the difference between video verification and remote guarding?

Verification reviews video after an alarm. Remote guarding watches AI-detected activity live and talks down intruders. (S11, S21)

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