The role of cloud-based services is being increasingly accepted and adopted by users in all parts of life. Cloud-based software is provided as a service over the Internet, typically on a subscription basis. It's an alternative to companies purchasing software programs to run on their own computers – and then having to update or purchase new software as new versions are released. With cloud-based Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), they can simply pay a monthly fee and get the full benefits of using the newest software.
In the realm of video surveillance, a cloud-based system might provide video management software and enable access to video views from any of the company's IP cameras, all connected securely to the system via Internet. Video storage is another cloud-based service useful to the surveillance industry. Archived video from a company's cameras is stored in the cloud; in actuality on a server in another location with access via Internet. This way, the end-user doesn't need to purchase and maintain their own physical data storage devices.