Security teams can now locate visually similar people or vehicles across massive video archives in seconds using AI-powered similarity search, all within the video management software they already use. Hanwha Vision has released an upgraded plug-in for Milestone Xprotect, an open-platform video management system used by organizations worldwide, that integrates advanced AI analytics directly into the monitoring interface operators rely on daily.

What Computer Vision Capabilities Does the New Plug-in Add?

The updated plug-in introduces Similarity Search, a computer vision feature that lets security operators select a person or vehicle from recorded footage and automatically locate visually similar subjects across all archived video. Available on cameras powered by Hanwha's Wisenet 9 chipset, this feature accelerates investigations by helping users find relevant footage in seconds rather than requiring hours of manual review.

The plug-in acts as a bridge between Hanwha Vision's AI-enabled cameras and Milestone Xprotect, allowing organizations to access advanced analytics without purchasing additional hardware or learning a separate system. Many security operations already run both systems in parallel; the plug-in simply brings the camera's built-in intelligence into the monitoring interface operators already trust.

How Does the AI Search Work Across Different Investigation Types?

The system supports multiple types of visual searches beyond similarity matching. Operators can search footage using specific attributes and specialized detection capabilities across different security scenarios:

• Person and Vehicle Searches: Locate individuals and vehicles by face, license plate, make, model, color, and country of registration across recorded video.
• Application-Specific Detection: Access specialized searches for retail loss prevention, industrial safety incidents, and other use cases, alongside barcode recognition for inventory tracking.
• Best Shot Identification: Each search result includes a "Best Shot," the most representative image of the detected subject, allowing operators to quickly confirm the correct person or vehicle without reviewing multiple frames.

For vehicle investigations specifically, the Road AI and Vehicle Management features enable searches using make, model, color, and country of registration. This granular search capability means security teams can narrow investigations from hundreds of hours of footage to a handful of relevant clips in minutes.

What Additional Features Extend Beyond Video Search?

The plug-in goes beyond search functionality to create a unified security operations interface. Operators can control cameras directly from the monitoring screen, accessing standard camera controls, pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) functions, and thermal camera features all within Xprotect. The latest version adds support for IP audio and intercom integration, allowing security teams to communicate with people on site and respond immediately to incidents without leaving their monitoring interface.

Real-time visual analytics also overlay AI object bounding boxes, Intelligent Video Analytics (IVA) events, and virtual line detections on live video streams, giving operators immediate visual confirmation of activity within configured detection zones. This real-time feedback helps security teams identify threats as they develop rather than discovering them during post-incident review.

"Many of our customers already run Xprotect alongside Hanwha's AI cameras. This plug-in brings camera analytics directly into the systems they already rely on, making advanced investigation faster without adding hardware. It's a strong example of how an open platform lets partners like Hanwha Vision bring innovation to market and turn it into practical value for everyday operations," said Thomas Bille.

Thomas Bille, Vice President for Product and Partner Marketing at Milestone Systems

Why Does Open-Platform Integration Matter for Security Operations?

The broader context reflects a shift in how security technology architecture works. Rather than forcing organizations to replace their entire video management system to access advanced AI features, the plug-in approach lets teams leverage the intelligence already built into their cameras while staying within their existing workflow. This reduces training time, minimizes operational disruption, and eliminates the need for additional servers or infrastructure investment.

For security operations managing large video archives, the efficiency gain is measurable. A typical investigation that once required hours of manual review can now be completed in minutes using visual similarity matching. This efficiency translates directly into faster incident response and improved case resolution rates. The integration also means security teams don't need to become experts in multiple software platforms; they work within the interface they already know, making adoption faster and more reliable.

"This update strengthens the integration between Hanwha Vision's AI-powered cameras and Milestone's Xprotect. It enables customers to take full advantage of advanced AI analytics, including the new Similarity Search feature, helping them to respond faster and improve operational efficiency, all from a single interface," explained John Lutz Boorman.

John Lutz Boorman, Head of Product and Marketing for Hanwha Vision Europe