Milestone adds reporting & cloud storage in update
Milestone Systems has released XProtect 2026 R1 and updated its Arcules video surveillance-as-a-service platform, adding new reporting, broader device support, and more cloud storage options.
The update focuses on system management in XProtect and cloud-based video handling in Arcules. New XProtect Remote Manager reporting tools are designed to automate the presentation of technical system data, including health information, performance indicators, maintenance activity and inventory status.
The browser-based management tool is available to Milestone Care Plus customers. Its new reporting function can be customised and scheduled to produce structured visual reports for different users, rather than requiring administrators to compile information manually.
That is particularly relevant for organisations running large or multi-site security estates, where reporting often falls to system administrators who must translate technical metrics for managers, customers or service partners. The latest release is intended to reduce that manual work and give decision-makers a clearer view of system performance and compliance.
Andy Burnett, chief technology officer at Milestone Systems, outlined the company's broader direction for the update.
"XProtect 2026 R1 and the latest Arcules enhancements reflect two priorities central to where Milestone is headed: advancing our core platform to deliver greater operational intelligence and accelerating our cloud capabilities to give customers more flexible, scalable options for deploying and managing video security," Burnett said. "These updates create tangible value for everyone in the ecosystem, from operators in the field to the partners and decision-makers who depend on clear insight into system performance."
Platform changes
Elsewhere in XProtect 2026 R1, Milestone has updated its Log Server with a redesigned interface, centralised log visibility, new filtering and notifications, and workflow changes intended to speed up troubleshooting. The release also adds a "What's New Archive" to the mobile client, allowing operators to review feature updates after launch instead of relying on one-time notifications.
Device compatibility has also been extended. Device Pack 14.1 increases verified support to more than 16,300 devices, with 181 products from 15 technology partners added since the previous release.
That breadth of hardware support remains important in the video management market, where buyers often run mixed estates of cameras and related equipment from several suppliers. Wider compatibility can reduce the need for wholesale replacement when systems are upgraded or expanded.
Cloud expansion
On the cloud side, Arcules has expanded its camera-to-cloud support. Axis multi-sensor cameras can now be managed directly in the cloud, allowing users to handle multiple sensor views without additional on-premises hardware. Support has also been added for compatible i-PRO cameras, extending the range of devices that can connect to Arcules without on-site servers or gateways.
Milestone has also introduced long-term cloud video storage in Arcules. Archived video remains searchable and accessible, allowing customers to retain footage longer in the cloud rather than relying on physical storage infrastructure.
Retention periods are a central issue for many video system users, particularly in sectors such as transport, retail, manufacturing and public safety, where footage may be needed for investigations, operational reviews or internal policy requirements. Cloud retention also gives organisations another option as they weigh on-premises, hybrid and fully cloud-based deployments.
Additional Arcules changes include a WebSocket-based PTZ API for most ONVIF-connected cameras, allowing faster real-time pan-tilt-zoom control within automated workflows and third-party integrations. The platform also adds mobile alert thumbnails for iOS, giving users visual context alongside push notifications when events occur.
Hybrid demand
The changes reflect a broader pattern in the physical security sector, where suppliers are trying to serve customers operating older on-premises systems alongside newer cloud deployments. Many buyers are not shifting entirely to cloud models, but are instead adding cloud storage, remote administration and direct camera connectivity in stages.
Milestone, based in Copenhagen and part of the Canon group, sells video technology used across sectors including airports, manufacturing, law enforcement, retail and traffic management. Its portfolio includes XProtect video management software, BriefCam analytics and the Arcules cloud platform.
In this release, Milestone has focused on administrative automation, broader hardware coverage and cloud retention, while adding direct camera connectivity for more devices and refining monitoring tools for day-to-day operations. Verified compatibility now stands at more than 16,300 devices, with 181 new devices added from 15 technology partners since the previous release.