Differences between maps and smart maps

XProtect Smart Client includes map features that can help you visualize your surveillance system and quickly respond to incidents.

• Maps: this type of map is based on still images that do not contain geographical references. You can add devices such as cameras, microphones, and recording servers. You can also add alarms, events, and access controls that let you interact with your surveillance system directly from the map. You must manually position device and feature elements on the map. For more information, see Maps.
• Smart map: this type of map uses a geographic information system to accurately reflect geography in the real world. These advanced features can give you a more exact overview of your cameras in multiple locations.

  You can also:

  • Use the Bing Maps and the Google Maps services (available in XProtect® Corporate and XProtect Expert only).
  • Use the Milestone Map Service as geographic backgrounds.
  • Use the OpenStreetMap map project as geographic backgrounds.
  • Add computer-aided design (CAD) drawings, shapefiles, and images as overlays (CAD files are available in XProtect® Corporate and XProtect Expert only.)

Maps and smart maps are not interchangeable. If you are using maps, you can use the image file as a smart map, but you must add the devices again. You cannot transfer maps with devices to a smart map but you can link a smart map to maps. For more information, see Links on smart map.