System Architecture
Overview
Arvist Stack is an on-premises computer vision and safety platform designed for industrial environments. The system provides real-time monitoring, AI-powered analytics, and automated safety detection capabilities through a containerized microservices architecture.
All services run on edge devices deployed at customer facilities, with selective cloud integration for storage and remote access. The web application is accessible on port 80 within the local network.
Architecture Diagram
System Components
Core Platform Features
The Arvist Stack provides three main categories of functionality:
🛡️ Safety & Compliance
- Configurable Safety Monitoring: Track, detect, save, and alert for safety incidents throughout your warehouse
- Existing Camera Infrastructure: Works with your current camera setup - no new camera installation required
- Incident Management: Automatic capture and storage of safety events with real-time notifications
- Compliance Reporting: Historical data and analytics for safety compliance
📦 Quality & Inventory
- PalletScan: Automated pallet and shipment inspection using computer vision
- Damage Detection: AI-powered quality checks for identifying damaged goods (uses External AI API)
- On-Device Processing: OCR, detection, and most processing happens locally on the edge device
- Inventory Tracking: Visual verification of shipment contents and conditions
📊 Productivity
- Worker Tracking: Monitor worker movement and productivity throughout the facility
- Analytics Dashboard: Real-time metrics and historical reporting
Technical Components
| Component | Purpose | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Web Application | User interface and control panel | Accessible via browser on your network (WiFi or wired) |
| Arvist NVR | Video recording and camera management | Connects to your existing NVR system |
| AI/ML Services | Computer vision and object detection | Runs locally on edge device |
| Database | Event storage and historical data | PostgreSQL for structured data |
| Local Storage | Video files, images, and logs | Configurable retention policies |
External Services (Optional)
| Service | Purpose | When Required |
|---|---|---|
| Cloudflare R2 | Cloud backup of media files | Optional - can store locally only |
| Cloudflare Zero Trust | Secure remote access for Arvist team | Optional - alternative VPN solutions supported, or on-premises monitoring |
| External AI API | Advanced damage detection for quality checks | Required only for PalletScan damage detection feature |
Network Access
The Arvist system integrates into your existing network infrastructure with minimal configuration.
Local Network Access
- Web application accessible on port 80 (HTTP) on your local network
- Users access the dashboard via standard web browsers on any network-connected device
- Works over WiFi or wired connections - accessible from phones, tablets, computers, etc.
- Edge device connects to your network to enable wireless access throughout your facility
- No special firewall rules required for internal operation
- Supports standard IP camera protocols (RTSP very highly recommended)
- Integrates with your existing Network Video Recorder (NVR)
Remote Access (Optional)
- Remote Maintenance Options:
- Cloudflare Zero Trust VPN (preferred by Arvist team)
- Alternative VPN solutions supported
- On-premises monitoring (customer-provided or Arvist on-site support)
- Used by Arvist team for maintenance, updates, and support
- Encrypted connections without exposing services to the public internet
- SSH access for system maintenance and diagnostics
Network Requirements
- Gigabit Ethernet recommended for optimal video streaming performance
- Static IP addresses recommended for:
- Edge device (highly recommended)
- All IP cameras (recommended)
- Network access for cameras, edge device, and user workstations
- WiFi or wired connectivity for user devices accessing the web dashboard
- Bandwidth Requirements:
- Safety/Productivity cameras: 2-4 Mbps mainstream (1080p), 0.5-1 Mbps substream
- Quality cameras: 8-12 Mbps mainstream (4K), 0.5-1 Mbps substream
- Example: 10 cameras at 1080p = ~30-40 Mbps total
- Local network traffic only; camera streams don't traverse the internet
- Internet connection required for:
- Damage detection in quality inspections (External AI API)
- Cloud storage backup (optional)
- Remote access by Arvist team for maintenance and support (optional - can use on-prem monitoring)
Data Flow
Safety & Productivity Workflow
Quality Inspection Workflow
Flow Characteristics
Safety & Productivity:
- Fully operates on-premises without internet dependency
- Real-time processing with low latency
- All data stored locally on the edge device
- Optional cloud backup for long-term storage
Quality Inspection:
- Most processing (detection, OCR) happens on-device
- External AI API used only for damage detection/quality assessment
- Media uploaded to cloud storage (optional, can store locally)
- Detailed inspection reports and historical tracking
Technology Stack
Deployment Model
Deployment Characteristics
- Edge-First Architecture: All core processing happens locally on customer premises
- Low Latency Processing: Video analysis and ML inference run on-device for real-time response
- Partial Offline Operation:
- Safety and productivity features work without internet
- Quality inspection detection and OCR work offline; damage detection requires External AI API
- Cloud storage is optional (can operate with local storage only)
- Flexible Storage Options:
- Local storage with configurable retention policies
- Optional cloud backup to Cloudflare R2
- Secure Remote Management: Remote access via VPN (Cloudflare Zero Trust or alternatives) for Arvist team maintenance and support, or on-premises monitoring if remote access is not permitted
- Containerized Deployment: All services run as Docker containers for easy updates and management
- Scalable Architecture: Modular design supports adding new features and capabilities
Security & Access
Local Access
- Web application accessible on port 80 within local network
- Direct LAN access for on-site workers and administrators
- No external firewall rules required for basic operation
Remote Access
- Cloudflare Zero Trust provides secure VPN and SSH tunneling
- Used by Arvist team for maintenance, updates, and support
- Alternative VPN solutions can be used if preferred
- On-premises monitoring available if remote access is not permitted (customer-provided or Arvist on-site support)
- Encrypted connections for remote administration
- No need to expose services directly to the internet
Container Security
- Services run in isolated Docker containers with network segmentation
- Separation between application services, database, and external access
- Resource limits and security constraints per container
Data Security
- Local-First Storage: Sensitive operational data stays on customer premises
- Encrypted Cloud Backups: Files encrypted during optional sync to Cloudflare R2
- Database Security: Isolated database access with role-based permissions
- Access Control: Role-based access control (RBAC) in web application
- Audit Logging: Comprehensive activity logs for compliance and troubleshooting
Performance Considerations
Hardware Requirements
- GPU Acceleration:
- Intel GPU: Sufficient for Safety-only deployments
- NVIDIA GPU: Required for Quality features and/or warehouses with 40+ cameras
- Memory: Minimum 16GB RAM for ML workloads and video processing
- Storage: SSD recommended for video storage and database performance
- Network: Gigabit Ethernet for IP camera streams and smooth video playback
Performance Features
- Optimized ML Models: Computer vision models optimized for edge inference
- Efficient Processing: Background processing for non-critical tasks
- Resource Management: Docker resource constraints ensure system stability
- Caching: Smart caching for faster model loading and response times
Monitoring & Operations
System Monitoring
- Real-time system health monitoring via web dashboard
- Service status indicators and alerts
- Resource utilization tracking (CPU, memory, storage)
Logging & Diagnostics
- Centralized logging for troubleshooting
- Configurable log retention policies
- Remote log access via Cloudflare Zero Trust VPN
Maintenance & Updates
- Software Updates: Docker-based updates for easy deployment
- Backup & Recovery: Automated and manual backup options
- Configuration Management: Web-based configuration interface
- Health Checks: Automatic service restart on failures
Future Extensibility
The modular architecture of Arvist Stack supports continuous evolution:
- New Detection Models: Add custom computer vision models for specific use cases
- Custom Plugins: Develop safety or productivity plugins tailored to your operations
- API Integration: Connect to existing warehouse management or ERP systems
- Multi-site Management: Potential for centralized management of multiple installations
- Advanced Analytics: Expand reporting and analytics capabilities