BTX (Bridge to Milestone XProtect)

Transform Third-party Data Streams into Milestone XProtect Events and Alarms

 

BTX (Bridge to Milestone XProtect) is a middleware application. It monitors real-time event and alarm data streams from third-party systems such as Video Analytics, Access Control, Security and Building Automation.

 

BTX analyzes incoming data, and based on user-defined rules and schedules, transforms that data into XProtect to ...

 

• Associate third-party devices with XProtect cameras / devices.
• Generate Alarms with Video Bookmarks.
• Generate Events with Video Bookmarks.
• Trigger XProtect User-defined Events. (for Text and Email Notifications, Relays and Digital Outputs, and other functions)
• Trigger Smart Client Matrix Views.
• Trigger PTZ Commands. (for any camera, even for those from which a given event did not originate)

 

BTX receives incoming alarms from any number of third-party devices. It integrates with multiple third-party systems simultaneously. Quickly and easily map third-party devices with XProtect cameras and other devices.

 

Improve the security profile of your XProtect Video Management System by combining with other useful devices, including video analytics, emergency kiosks, laser scanners and beam breaks, security panels, gunshot detectors, access control, audio analytics.

 

Bring true situational awareness to your security network by viewing events and alarms of interest from multiple systems on your XProtect cameras.

 

 

 

 

BTX Data Flow Diagram

 

 

 

 

WATCH BTX IN ACTION

 

WATCH live-action demo videos featuring BTX integrating
third-party devices with Milestone XProtect.

 

 

 

 

BTX is a verified Milestone Marketplace
product.

 

 

XProtect Integrations with BTX

Below is a partial list of available integrations. App-Techs regularly develops new integrations for Milestone XProtect, so this list is subject to update. Contact us to discuss integrating your third-party device, software or system with Milestone XProtect.

BTX System Requirements

The BTX system requirements are conventional and lightweight:

• Windows 10. *Windows 7 version available for older versions of XProtect.
• BTX is lightweight software - low disk usage / low RAM consumption / minimal CPU usage.
• 350MB disk space.
• 50MB RAM.
• Typically install on the same server as the Milestone XProtect Management Service.
• Run as desktop application during configuration phase, then switch to Windows service version for production.
• Supplemental Upgrade Protection (SUP) available to keep current with latest versions of XProtect.

BTX Advanced Features

BTX stores and tags the originating event and alarm data into the XProtect database. As such, Smart Client users can search and filter reports by Event and Alarm Keywords, external / third-party Device Name, originating Date and Time, and even the raw Incoming Message String.

BTX device-specific configuration options include:

• Counters - to debounce high event and alarm rates, and reduce false-positives.
• Timers - to throttle over-frequent event alarm rates, and reduce false-positives.
• Schedules - to define specific time periods within which incoming events and alarms should be processed.

BTX "double-knock" configuration options include:

• Groups - combine events and alarms for any combination of devices, to produce a single event or alarm. (Instead of generating many single events. This function is important, because it facilitates validation of any single alarm, and eliminates false alarms.)
• Double-knock Timers - to specify time periods within which all devices in a given group must generate an alarm in order to produce a single master alarm.

BTX Pricing - Software Pricing, Installation and Support

App-Techs will work with you to deliver the right amount of BTX installation service and ongoing software support. Choose to receive BTX training for a self-directed integration, or enlist App-Techs' Milestone-certified technicians to deliver a fully completed integration. App-Techs will work with you to develop an integration plan that fits your project goals, budget, and the technical capabilities of your security/IT staff.

Software Pricing

Labor Pricing - Three typical installation scenarios

BTX Support

In the interest of aligning expections, we often encounter situations where BTX integrations necessitate the troubleshooting of issues beyond the scope of BTX.

Such issues can include: network connectivity, authorization, Windows/domain privileges, firewall & other security-related issues; XProtect setup & configuration optimization; the configuration & debugging of third-party systems.

App-Techs is familiar with these systems, and we are happy to provide support to make sure the entirety of your system is running smoothly and efficiently. Support hours may be purchased as Time & Materials (T&M) or bundled in blocks as part of a quote.

Quotes for Installation

BTX installation labor is provisioned for installation, configuration and training of BTX, to ensure it performs integration tasks as intended.

The labor provisioned in your quote assumes XProtect and your third-party system(s) are properly networked and capable of connecting with BTX.

Beyond incidental adjustments, this time does not include diagnostics and debugging of XProtect and third-party systems being bridged by BTX. Installation labor does not cover network connectivity, authentication, Windows/domain privileges, or hardware performance issues.

We are familiar with XProtect and given third-party systems, and we are glad to assist with diagnostics and debugging of those systems. However, such work may become more than incidental and so it may become necessary for a change-order (for additional labor) to be issued. We will work together with you to make this determination.

Likewise, although we welcome requests for adjustments to the implementation plan, significant changes to the scope might also trigger a change-order. We will work together with you to make this determination.

Note - This section is simply a by-product of some system deployments in which we became support personnel for problems with networks, Windows, XProtect and/or third-party systems. We are glad to provide these services, but we must also cover our costs. We are merely trying to maintain aligned expectations among all parties.

System Integrations to XProtect that are Facilitated by BTX

Bridge to XProtect ("BTX") is a middleware application that receives events and alarms from third-party systems, software, and devices and integrates them into Milestone XProtect, creating Alarms and events according to user-defined settings. App-Techs has worked with a variety of industry partners to provide seamless integrations with Milestone XProtect. BTX integration partners include:

App-Tech's specializes in third-party integrations with Milestone. If you are a security company looking to integrate your products with Milestone, contact us to see how BTX can serve as your "bridge" to the Milestone XProtect platform

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