Surveillance as a service supplies cameras, recording and support as an ongoing subscription rather than a one-time purchase. The provider typically hosts recordings, monitors device health and handles updates, and the site pays for capacity and service instead of owning the full stack.
The model shifts cost from capital to operating expense and moves maintenance to someone else. It also moves where the footage lives, which is the part worth negotiating carefully.
What the subscription covers
Hardware, hosted storage, health monitoring and support are the usual components, with retention tiers changing the price. Confirm response expectations and what happens to the hardware at the end of the term.
Data and exit terms
Ask where recordings are stored, who can export them and how quickly, and what format is provided on exit. A service that holds footage in a proprietary portal makes leaving expensive.