The camera brands that matter for an Edmonton commercial building are the ones built for business use: Avigilon, Axis, Bosch and Uniview for cameras, and Milestone or Genetec for the video software that records and searches them. The right choice depends on how many cameras you need, how you want to search video and who will support the system after installation.
Commercial camera brands we install and support
- Avigilon: cameras and video software from one company, with strong search tools that find a person or vehicle across cameras.
- Axis: a wide range of network cameras, including specialty and outdoor models, that work with most major video software.
- Bosch: cameras and intrusion alarms, often chosen where video and alarm systems are planned together.
- Uniview: practical IP cameras and recorders for buildings that need solid coverage on a sensible budget.
- Milestone: open video management software that runs cameras from many manufacturers on one system.
- Genetec: a unified platform that can run video, access control and plate recognition together.
How to compare them
Start with the building, not the brand. A condo parkade, a downtown office and a fenced industrial yard need different cameras and different search tools. Then compare platforms on the things you will use every day: how fast you can find a clip, how easy it is to export for police or insurers, how many sites the software can manage, and whether it works with your access control.
- Open or single-brand: open platforms such as Milestone and Genetec run many camera brands; single-brand systems keep everything from one manufacturer.
- On-site or cloud: on-site recorders keep video in the building; cloud and hybrid systems make remote viewing and multi-site management simpler.
- Analytics: people and vehicle detection, plate recognition and smart search reduce time spent reviewing video.
- Support: ask who you will call when a camera fails, and make sure you receive admin access and documentation.
Built for Edmonton conditions
Edmonton winters are long and dark, so outdoor cameras need good low-light performance, housings rated for deep cold and mounts that will not ice up. Snow and blowing ice can trigger false motion alerts, so detection that recognises people and vehicles matters more here than in milder climates.
Comparisons on this site
For a closer look at specific platforms, read our comparisons of Avigilon vs Genetec, Milestone vs Genetec, Avigilon vs Axis and Uniview vs Axis. Each one explains where a platform fits best, from each maker's public product lines.
Hightower installs and fully supports all of these brands for commercial buildings across Alberta and BC. We can also take over and repair a camera system another company installed, and add remote video monitoring through our monitoring partner.
What to specify on a commercial camera job
Decide what each camera must show (a face, a plate, or only activity), how many days of video you need, and who can view it. Outdoor cameras in Alberta and BC need housings and mounts that handle cold, wind and hail. Keep cameras on their own network, and plan power and cable before the walls close.
Recording, viewing and live monitoring
Phone viewing is part of a normal install. Live 24/7 monitoring is separate: our monitoring partner reviews alerts, can warn people off through a speaker and calls police or your contact when it is real. We do not run an in-house monitoring centre.
Related on this site
Read more: security cameras, security cameras in Edmonton, security systems in Edmonton, remote video monitoring, Avigilon vs Genetec, brands we install, all services.
Security cameras near you: Edmonton · Calgary · Red Deer · Kelowna.
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Need this for a commercial building? Request a quote, or call 587-920-1610 in Alberta or 236-473-1610 in BC.
Questions
Does Hightower work on this for commercial buildings only?
Yes. We design, install and support systems for commercial buildings only, including condos and apartments, offices, retail, industrial sites, schools and automotive businesses across Alberta and BC.
Can you take over an existing system like the one in this article?
Yes. System rescue is a core service. We regain admin access to systems you own, repair what we can, document everything and support it. See system rescue.
Where should I start if this is the system I need?
Start with our security cameras page, or request a quote. We have offices in Edmonton, Calgary, Red Deer and Kelowna.