What is Milestone Kite and who is it for? 

If you think about the other software services that your organization uses (e.g., Salesforce), then you’ll also have a good idea of how Kite works. A monthly or annual fee is paid in exchange for operators having access to video monitoring via a web browser (we recommend Chrome) as well as Kite’s mobile application (available on iOS and Android devices). Kite can be accessed from the countries and regions listed in our terms of service. Currently, this list includes North America, the EU, Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, the UK, Asia Pacific and Latin America. Video security is stored in Google Cloud data centers, which ensures robust encryption.  

Cloud storage is one big difference in how VSaaS works in comparison to more traditional surveillance deployments where recorded footage tends to be stored with on-premises servers. Kite is managed and automatically upgraded by Milestone, meaning that less IT maintenance is needed compared to an on-prem system.  

Kite is actually the exact same product as Arcules’ renowned VSaaS. Arcules was spun off from Milestone in 2017 and, as of June 2024, the two companies have merged again. What this means for Kite customers is that VSaaS is here to stay. It will only get better as the two companies share expertise from decades of being in the video security business.  

With Kite, security operators and administrators can:  

• Watch recorded and live video playback  
• Easily export and share footage 
• Create rules to trigger specific actions (notifications, alarms, etc.) 
• Speed up video reviews with forensic search (motion, objects, etc.) 

Let’s look at an example of forensic search. First, from either the Views or Devices page, you’d click on a specific view. The next step is to click on the “Search” icon in the bottom right corner of the camera window: 

This brings you to the forensic search view, where you select the date range and filter for objects, people and/or people. In this example, we’ve searched for footage containing a white vehicle, within a given date range. The result is a list of videos all containing the specified object, which the interface highlights in green: 

Customers who store video in the cloud (as opposed to a gateway) get these cloud-based analytics at no additional cost: 

• Camera blur detection
• Camera rotation detection
• People counting/occupancy status
• People detection with custom regions
• Parked vehicle count with customer regions 
• Traffic heat maps

Kite also supports these camera-side analytics: 

• AXIS Communications: Fence Guard and People Count 
• BOSCH: People Count
• iPro: Cross line detection, Intruder, Loitering, Object detection and Scene change 

An administrator can assign different user roles depending on whether a colleague needs core operator access (video and analytics) or if they also need to be able to administrate account configurations and team members. Learn more about Kite user roles in this guide.  

Let’s look at two options for Kite deployment: gateway-based deployment and Camera to Cloud. In the illustration below, sites A and Z are both using gateways, and the Small Site is using Camera to Cloud.  

Gateway-based deployment 

A gateway is a physical appliance that safely sends video from your cameras directly to the cloud. Each gateway can handle multiple cameras, and you can install multiple gateways at any given location. Customers who opt for gateways can equip them with hard drives to store video locally, although they can also choose to save some or all video in the cloud. 

Pros: 

• Device flexibility: Not all security cameras are advanced enough to communicate directly with the cloud. However, if you connect any of your existing IP cameras to a gateway, they will work with Kite. Although you need to pay for any gateways, this choice can potentially save a lot of money by letting you use the cameras you already have.  
  
  
• Optional local storage: The benefits of storing video on the gateway can be financial and regulatory. Security operators who are on-site can retrieve video directly from the gateway, which helps conserve bandwidth. It also means paying less for Kite as you’re not storing all video on the cloud. For some of our customers, regulations require data to be kept on-site, and so using a gateway can also help tick that box.  

Cons: 

• Extra hardware: Some administrators prefer not to use on-site hardware. Fair enough, although it’s good to know that Kite gateways run on Linux rather than Windows. This means less work on admin, as you won’t need an SQL database.  
  
  
• Limited functionality: The gateway devices in Kite’s portfolio generally have less processing power than cloud-based systems. So, when storing video on a gateway, you won't have access to the cloud-based analytics that come with Kite. This changes once footage is offloaded from the gateway to the cloud. Of course, the more cloud storage you have, the higher the cost, so you’ll need to decide what’s a higher priority. 

Camera to Cloud deployment 

With Camera to Cloud, the only security system hardware you need is your cameras, and they communicate directly with the cloud. Video is stored locally on your cameras and is only called up to the cloud when you want to view specific footage. The cameras are always recording, so there’s no on-motion activity. But you can still do certain actions based on specific object analytics (e.g., a person appears where they shouldn’t be) and create rules based on that.  

Kite’s Camera to Cloud currently supports the following AXIS ARTPEC-8 models:  

• AXIS P3267 Series
• AXIS P3268 Series
• AXIS Q1656 Series
• AXIS P1467 Series
• AXIS P1468 Series
• AXIS Q3528 Series

Pros: 

• Simplicity: This model only requires IP cameras on-site. All that’s needed is to install the gateway software on the cameras themselves. 
   
• Lower bandwidth usage: Video is only uploaded to the cloud when it needs to be viewed, which conserves bandwidth. Additionally, analytics can be performed directly on the camera, which also helps reduce usage. 
  
  
• Advanced analytics: Camera to Cloud customers get access to object detection and classification, occupancy monitoring and heat mapping, all at no extra cost. Kite will eventually support the full list of AXIS object analytics (AOA). 

Cons: 

• Limited camera support: The Camera to Cloud model is supported by a limited range of models. This makes it a better fit for new, small locations where cameras haven’t been installed yet.  
  
  
• Limited on-camera storage: AXIS Artpec 8 cameras have a microSD card slot for on-board video storage. So, you may be limited in how much retention time you have available for each camera. There are many factors that affect your retention time, including video frames per second and resolution. 

Combining gateway and Camera to Cloud deployment 

If you have a combination of deployment needs, you might want to use gateways for established sites and Camera to Cloud for new locations. This gives you an opportunity to use your existing cameras by connecting to a gateway at established sites. If you are installing new cameras, using a cloud-connected camera will help you save hardware cost since the gateway isn’t necessary. All of the cameras and video feeds are accessed together in Kite, regardless of deployment type. When you select the “Devices” tab in the Kite, you’ll see all gateway-connected cameras have a cloud icon next to them. Camera to Cloud connections appear with a camera+cloud icon.  

Choosing your preferred storage method and retention time 

If you go to the “Devices” page in Kite and click on a specific camera, the “Storage” tab will show you whether gateway, cloud or hybrid storage has been selected. In the case of hybrid, you’ll see options for gateway retention time as well as how long you want videos in the cloud after they’re moved over: 

Q: What does Kite cost?  

A: Milestone sells Kite via a channel of resellers, and so it’s up to the reseller to set the price. Resellers can find the full price list (including Kite) in the partner portal. For customers, it’s good to know that the monthly or yearly subscription you pay will depend on: 

• Number of channels: While 1 camera often = 1 channel, that’s not always the case. For example, is a 4-sensor camera one or four channels? The answer is that if it’s a stitched image, it’s one channel. If it’s four different video streams, then it’s four channels.  
• Resolution: There are different price tiers for videos up to 1080p, 4MP and 4K, respectively.  
• Retention time: As with resolution, there is a sliding scale depending on if you choose a 14, 30 or 90-day retention period for video to be stored in the cloud.  

Q: Does Kite support single sign on (SSO)? 

A: Yes, Kite supports SAML 2.0 which generally means support for identity providers like Okta, Microsoft Azure AD and others. 

Q: Does Kite support ONVIF cameras?  

A: If you’re using a gateway, then ONVIF is a good indication that a camera will work with Kite. For Camera to Cloud, however, we currently support the AXIS models previously mentioned. 

Q: What ports do we need to open to use Kite? 

A: Kite operates on ports 80 or 443, which are typically already open.  

Q: Is Kite safe? 

A: Yes. With Kite, your data is hosted in Google Data Centers, offering world-class security, uptime and cyber-resilience. With Camera to Cloud, video data is encrypted with AES-256. 

Q: Does Kite work with access control? 

A: Kite has a native integration with Genea’s access control. Additional systems and software will be necessary to use access control with Kite. 

Q: How many releases does Kite have per year? Is it two or three, like with XProtect? 

A: Updates are constantly being released, on an almost daily basis. Because the improvements go live automatically, customers get the continuous improvements without having to do anything.  

Q: Does Kite have a software development kit (SDK)? 

A: There isn't an SDK, but there is API documentation. 

Q: Is there a web client and local computer app (like XProtect’s Smart Client)? 

A: The Kite application is solely web based. We recommend using Chrome. That said, we have a mobile application for iOS and Android.  

Q: Is it possible to use Kite alongside XProtect? 

A: Yes. This is currently supported by XProtect Corporate. If you’re using a different variant of XProtect and would be interested in a hybrid Kite setup, please send us a message.  

If one or more of these characteristics apply to your organization, then Kite is for you: 

• Single-site organizations with up to 50 cameras: Small to mid-sized businesses often favor the simplicity of Kite over advanced VMS solutions. The 50-camera limit isn’t a hard and fast number, but if you have a lot more than that, bandwidth limitations might eliminate Kite as a viable option.
    
• Multi-site organizations with a few cameras per site (e.g., gas stations, retail chains, health clinics): Having central management over many small installations is the kind of setup that Kite can handle technically. In addition, if you have limited space for network hardware, Kite might help you accomplish a simple surveillance deployment. 
  
  
• Organizations that want 24/7 connectivity: With security footage stored in the cloud, Kite gives you 24/7 access without needing to VPN into your network. You can securely view camera feeds, receive alerts and manage your system from anywhere, even on your phone. It's a simple, secure solution for staying connected to your cameras without worrying about network vulnerabilities. 
  
  
• Organizations looking to outsource IT resources: Most IT teams are bootstrapped, and video surveillance can be a good candidate for applications that can be outsourced to the cloud. Kite is for organizations who would rather pay someone else to host it, maintain and upgrade the system.  
  
  
• Organizations moving capital expenditure (CapEx) to operational expenditure (OpEx): If you need a flexible spending model with recurring monthly expenses instead of large upfront investments, Kite could be a good fit for you. The hardware you purchase and the video and data you capture is owned by you. The recurring subscription fee is for the VSaaS service. Some VSaaS companies won't release the video and data if you cancel your subscription. Kite is not like this. 

• Device agnosticism: When used with a gateway, Kite is compatible with any ONVIF Profile S devices. In other words, over 25,000 IP cameras, access control, IoT and analog cameras (when paired with an IP video encoder). If this list matches what you already have, you can use Kite without having to purchase new hardware. In contrast, some VSaaS alternatives require proprietary cameras. Not only is this a bigger up-front cost. It also means that, if you choose to end your subscription, your cameras become unusable.  
  
  
• No additional cost for analytics: Kite includes built-in analytics at no extra charge, empowering users with intelligent video insights without the need for additional software or costly upgrades. Other providers may charge extra for video analytics with their VSaaS. 
  
  
• Strong R&D: Milestone is a global leader in video security with more than 25 years’ experience. Arcules has been a strong player in the VSaaS market since 2017. Now that our two companies are reuniting, the result will be even better support and features for Kite customers as we’ll have combined R&D resources. 
  
  
• XProtect compatibility: Kite can integrate with Milestone’s XProtect Corporate video management software (VMS). Monitoring footage and alarms from VMS and VSaaS on the same screen is a new option that many operators are excited about. Learn more about why organizations are expanding their VMS projects with VSaaS.
   
• Vendor reputation: Kite benefits from the strong industry reputation of Milestone and Arcules, both leaders in the video surveillance industry known for their reliability. In the more than 25 years that Milestone has been around, we’ve built ties with resellers and system integrators all around the world. Our customers get a product that has the R&D resources of a global company while enjoying local support through an incredible network of partners. 

If you’d like to see Kite in action, please book a one-on-one demo!