A video management system (VMS) helps you record, store, manage and view your security camera footage. It also gives you the ability to monitor your cameras in real-time, receive alerts when something happens and review footage to see what happened.

There are many different types of VMS systems available, from simple software that you can install on your computer to complex, enterprise-level systems. The type of system you need will depend on the number of cameras you have and how you want to be able to access your footage.

If you have a small number of cameras, you may be able to get by with a free or low-cost VMS. For more cameras, or if you need certain features like remote access or advanced search options, you’ll need to invest in a more robust system.