How to Use Motion Events in Security Center SaaS
Last updated: January 2026
Scenario:
This guide explains how to use Motion Events for cameras registered in Genetec Security Center SaaS.
Motion Events are based on the camera’s VMD (Video Motion Detection) integration, and the detection area must be configured in advance on the camera under [Setup] > [Alarm] > [VMD Area].
The operation procedures differ between the Genetec™ Operation Web and the Genetec™ Operation Desktop.
If you are using the Genetec™ Operation Desktop, please download it beforehand.
Note:
Please click [Desktop] at the bottom of the Security Center SaaS screen to download the Genetec™ Operation Desktop.
2. Security Center SaaS
2.1 Genetec™ Operation Desktop
2.1.1 Activating Camera Analytics Events
2.1.2 Receiving Events
2.1.3 View the Camera Event Report
2.2 Genetec™ Operation Web
2.2.1 Activating Camera Analytics Events
2.2.2 Monitoring Events Using the Watchlist
2.2.3 View the Camera Event Report
1. Camera Settings
1. Click the [Setup] icon.
2. Click [Alarm] > [VMD alarm].
3. When using a PTZ camera, select [except the preset positions] under [Select a preset position], and click [Start].
4. Use the mouse operations on the live screen to define the area, and click [Set].
Confirm the [Status] is set to [ON].
2. Security Center SaaS
The operation procedures differ between the Genetec™ Operation Web and the Genetec™ Operation Desktop.
Depending on the features you want to use, please refer to the procedures for either Genetec™ Operation Web or Genetec™ Operation Desktop.
2.1 Genetec™ Operation Desktop
2.1.1 Activating Camera Analytics Events
1. Open [Configuration].
2. Select [Tasks] > [Administration] > [Area view] in that order.
3. Select the target camera and click the [Properties] tab.
4. Click [Overview].
5. Ensure that the [Time zone] setting matches the camera’s [Time zone].
6. Click [Settings].
7. In the [Events and metadata] section, enable [Activate camera analytics events].
8. After completing the configuration, click [Save].
2.1.2 Receiving Events
1. Open [Operation].
2. Click [Operation] > [Options].
3. In the [Options] screen, click [Events].
4. In [Event options], check [Motion] and [Motion on].
5. After completing the configuration, click [Save].
6. In [Operation], navigate to [Tasks] > [Operation], then click [Monitoring].
7. Click [Monitoring] at the bottom of the screen.
8. On the [Event monitoring] screen that opens, click the ＋ [Add] icon.
9. Select the target camera and click [Add].
10. When an event is received, it will appear in the history.
2.1.3 Viewing the Camera Event Report
1. Click the [Camera events] icon on [Operation] > [Tasks].
2. Check the target camera and [Motion].
3. Click [Generate report].
4. Click [Generate report].
5. Click the event you want to check, and the video will play when you click it.
2.2 Genetec™ Operation Web
2.2.1 Activating Camera Analytics Events
1. Open the [Configuration] page.
2. Select [Devices] and click the target camera.
3. Click the [Settings] tab.
4. In the [Events and metadata] section, enable [Activate camera analytics events].
2.2.2 Monitoring Events Using the Watchlist
1. Click the icon in the upper-left corner of the [Configuration] screen.
2. Click anywhere other than [Configuration] to open the [Operation] screen. (e.g. Click [Tiles].)
3. Click [Options].
4. Select [Events], then open [Video].
5. Select the [Motion] and [Motion on] checkboxes.
6. Click the [Watchlist] icon.
7. Click [Add items].
8. Select the target camera, then click [Add].
9. Select the [Flag] checkbox.
10. When an alarm is received, it will appear in the Watchlist.
11. Click an event in the Watchlist to view its details.
2.2.3 Viewing the Camera Event Report
1. Click the [Genetec] icon in the upper-left corner of the screen.
2. Click [Reports].
3. Click [What] and select [Camera events].
4. Configure [When], [Cameras], and [Media type] as needed.
5. Click [Event], then select [Motion] and [Motion on].
6. Click [Generate].
7. Click the event you want to check, and the video will be displayed on the right side of the screen.
Note:
The time displayed in the SC SaaS event list indicates when the event was received by SC SaaS, so it may slightly differ from the actual trigger time recorded by the camera.
Genetec™ Operation Desktop 5.13.3.0