Cloud & VMS platforms for retail - 2025 guide

In 2025, the retail sector faces a stark reality: traditional video management systems can no longer combat the billions lost annually to theft, shrinkage, and operational inefficiencies. With self-checkout theft rates now up to 65 percent higher than traditional lanes, retailers need more than passive recording devices (Source: Capital One Shopping). The modern retail environment demands a shift from reactive surveillance to proactive intelligence. Cloud & VMS Platforms deliver exactly that—transforming dormant cameras into active data sources and serving as a force multiplier for loss prevention and operations teams.

Cloud-based video management systems (VMS) are fundamentally changing how retailers secure assets and optimize store performance. By centralizing oversight and deploying Video AI Agents, these platforms enable teams to respond to incidents in real time across hundreds of locations. This guide analyzes the top seven Cloud & VMS solutions for retail, comparing their deployment models, integration capabilities, and ability to deliver measurable ROI. Whether you manage a single flagship or a nationwide chain, this comparison provides the data you need to select the right retail video surveillance platform.

At-a-glance: top 7 cloud & VMS platforms for retail

Retail monitoring showdown: deep dives on the leading cloud & VMS solutions

The following analysis breaks down the top seven platforms using consistent criteria: core technology, deployment speed, cost structure, and integration capabilities. This comparison focuses on how these systems function as a force multiplier for retail operations and security teams.

Spot AI

• Core technology capabilities and specifications
  Spot AI transforms existing camera infrastructure into a proactive intelligence network. The platform uses Video AI Agents to process video at the edge, enabling attribute search (e.g., "red truck," "person with backpack") and People Search with Faces. This approach turns raw video into actionable data, allowing operators to filter hours of footage down to specific incidents in minutes.

• Implementation requirements and timeline
  The system is camera-agnostic, supporting any ONVIF-compliant IP camera. This eliminates the need for rip-and-replace projects. Most deployments go live in under a week using plug-and-play Intelligent Video Recorders (IVR). Tidewater Fleet Supply unified 17 locations onto a single dashboard, avoiding estimated upgrade costs of $250–$500 per camera while gaining centralized visibility (Source: Spot AI).

• Total cost considerations
  Transparent, subscription-based pricing includes hardware, cloud storage, analytics, and support. The hybrid storage model significantly reduces bandwidth costs compared to pure cloud solutions—a critical factor for retailers with limited connectivity at remote sites.

• Integration capabilities with existing systems
  Spot AI offers open APIs for POS, access control, and IoT devices. This enables exception-based reporting workflows, where transaction data is visually verified against video evidence to detect internal theft and sweethearting.

• Target use cases and industry applications
  Ideal for retailers requiring standardized operations and safety across multiple locations. Key applications include reducing shrinkage through proactive deterrence, monitoring queue management systems, and tracking SOP adherence.

Verkada

• Core technology capabilities and specifications
  Verkada provides a unified security stack integrating cameras, access control, environmental sensors, and license plate recognition (LPR). The platform emphasizes a simplified user experience with a single cloud dashboard for all physical security devices.

• Implementation requirements and timeline
  Verkada operates as a closed ecosystem, requiring proprietary hardware. While this simplifies compatibility checks, it means replacing existing camera infrastructure. Deployments typically take one to two weeks depending on the scale of hardware installation.

• Total cost considerations
  Costs include upfront hardware purchases and per-device licensing fees. While the initial capital expenditure is higher due to proprietary hardware, the bundled pricing can simplify procurement for greenfield projects.

• Integration capabilities with existing systems
  The platform integrates tightly within its own product suite but has limited support for third-party cameras or legacy systems. This can constrain retailers with substantial existing investments in diverse hardware.

• Target use cases and industry applications
  Best suited for mid-market retailers building a security stack from scratch who prioritize a single-vendor relationship for cameras, access, and alarms.

Eagle Eye Networks

• Core technology capabilities and specifications
  Eagle Eye Networks offers a cloud-native VMS with a strong focus on API flexibility. It supports a vast library of camera manufacturers and provides robust retail video analytics, including line crossing and intrusion detection.

• Implementation requirements and timeline
  The platform uses a bridge appliance to connect on-premise cameras to the cloud. Deployment is flexible, allowing for pure cloud or hybrid configurations depending on bandwidth availability.

• Total cost considerations
  Pricing is subscription-based per camera, with costs varying based on resolution and retention period. The hybrid model helps manage bandwidth consumption, reducing operational expenses for multi-site chains.

• Integration capabilities with existing systems
  Eagle Eye is known for its open API platform, facilitating deep integrations with POS systems and other retail business intelligence tools.

• Target use cases and industry applications
  Ideal for Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs) and retailers who need to integrate video data into custom business applications or dashboards.

Genetec Stratocast

• Core technology capabilities and specifications
  Genetec Stratocast is an enterprise-grade, cloud-based VMS designed for complex environments. It supports advanced features like federated architecture, allowing central headquarters to manage regional systems independently while maintaining global oversight.

• Implementation requirements and timeline
  As an enterprise solution, implementation can be complex and may require certified integrators. Rollouts for large chains are typically phased over several weeks to ensure network stability and compliance.

• Total cost considerations
  The pricing model targets the enterprise sector, with volume licensing available. The primary ROI comes from operational efficiencies at scale and the reduction of local server maintenance.

• Integration capabilities with existing systems
  Genetec offers extensive SDKs and supports a wide range of edge devices, POS systems, and access control hardware, making it a powerful hub for unified security operations.

• Target use cases and industry applications
  Best for large-scale retailers and big-box stores requiring granular user permissions, complex event linking, and federated management across regions.

Rhombus Systems

• Core technology capabilities and specifications
  Rhombus Systems focuses on operational intelligence through IoT integration. Their cameras act as sensors, providing data on occupancy, environmental conditions, and retail heatmaps alongside video footage.

• Implementation requirements and timeline
  The system uses proprietary cameras with onboard storage, simplifying the network architecture by removing the need for NVRs. Deployment is rapid, often completed in days for smaller footprints.

• Total cost considerations
  The subscription covers cloud management and analytics. However, the reliance on cameras with onboard storage can increase the per-unit hardware cost compared to standard IP cameras.

• Integration capabilities with existing systems
  Rhombus emphasizes integration with modern SaaS tools and IoT sensors, enabling workflows that connect physical security events with digital notifications.

• Target use cases and industry applications
  Suitable for retailers who view video as part of a broader IoT strategy, particularly those interested in environmental monitoring and space utilization.

Hanwha Vision

• Core technology capabilities and specifications
  Hanwha Vision leverages edge computing with AI embedded directly into the camera. This allows for high-performance analytics like object classification and sound detection (e.g., glass breaking) without heavy bandwidth usage.

• Implementation requirements and timeline
  Full analytical capabilities require Hanwha's specific camera models. Deployment follows a traditional installation timeline, often involving professional integrators for optimal camera placement and configuration.

• Total cost considerations
  The model is capital-intensive upfront for hardware, with optional recurring costs for cloud services. Edge-based analytics can reduce server costs by processing data on the camera itself.

• Integration capabilities with existing systems
  Hanwha cameras are ONVIF compliant and integrate well with most major VMS platforms, though their proprietary edge features work best within their own ecosystem.

• Target use cases and industry applications
  Retailers with high-security needs requiring specific edge detection capabilities, such as luxury goods stores or locations with high theft risk.

Axis Cloud Connect

• Core technology capabilities and specifications
  Axis Cloud Connect provides a managed cloud platform for Axis devices, emphasizing cybersecurity and device lifecycle management. It enables "one-click" cloud connectivity for Axis cameras, simplifying remote access and maintenance.

• Implementation requirements and timeline
  Designed for global scale, the platform streamlines the onboarding of Axis devices. It is particularly effective for organizations already standardized on Axis hardware.

• Total cost considerations
  Axis hardware commands a premium in the market. The cloud services add a recurring operational cost, but the longevity and reliability of the hardware contribute to a favorable total cost of ownership over time.

• Integration capabilities with existing systems
  Axis maintains a strong commitment to open standards and APIs, ensuring their devices and cloud services can integrate with a broad ecosystem of security and operational software.

• Target use cases and industry applications
  Global retailers and enterprises that prioritize hardware quality, sustainability, and long-term vendor stability.

Ready to transform retail security?

Selecting a Cloud & VMS platform is a strategic decision that impacts profitability, safety, and operational speed. The right system does more than record crime—it actively detects threats and streamlines operations. Spot AI delivers a camera-agnostic, AI-driven platform that empowers frontline teams to standardize best practices and reduce shrinkage.

"When we figure out the correct placement of our Kobe jersey within the store, that typically increases sales by 5 percent to 15 percent because we're able to pull traffic into other areas and get ideas on other products that pair with it."
— Andrew Gonzalez, Corporate Director of Loss Prevention and Safety, All Star Elite

Book a demo to see how Spot AI can help you reduce theft, boost operational efficiency, and prepare your business for future needs.

Frequently asked questions

What are the main benefits of cloud & VMS platforms for retail?

Cloud & VMS platforms centralize oversight across distributed locations, turning fragmented video into a unified data source. They enable Video AI Agents to automate threat detection, reduce IT maintenance by eliminating complex on-premise servers, and provide operational insights like dwell time analytics and conversion tracking.

How do these platforms improve industrial security and manufacturing plant security?

In industrial settings, VMS solutions use AI to monitor safety compliance (e.g., PPE detection) and operational bottlenecks. Features like smart store monitoring translate to factory floors by tracking vehicle movement and identifying unauthorized access in hazardous zones.

Can I use my existing cameras with these systems?

Platforms like Spot AI are camera-agnostic and compatible with ONVIF-compliant hardware, allowing retailers to unlock AI capabilities on existing infrastructure without a rip-and-replace overhaul. Other providers, such as Verkada, require proprietary cameras.

What is the total cost of ownership compared to traditional systems?

Hybrid cloud platforms typically offer a lower total cost of ownership by reducing bandwidth consumption and eliminating the need for expensive, localized servers. Research indicates that hybrid approaches can reduce cloud storage and data transfer costs by 40–60 percent compared to cloud-only architectures.

How secure is my video data in the cloud?

Leading providers employ encryption for data in transit and at rest, along with role-based access controls. Hybrid models offer an added layer of resilience, buffering footage locally during internet outages to ensure no critical evidence is lost.

About the author

Amrish Kapoor is VP of Engineering at Spot AI, leading platform and product engineering teams that build the scalable edge-cloud and AI infrastructure behind Spot AI's video AI—powering operations, safety, and security use cases.