A commercial CCTV installation provides many benefits to your company and your employees, but if you’re not careful, you can find yourself frustrated with the technology. To get the most out of your investment in this security system, follow these 10 tips to ensure that your cameras are used properly and that they give you everything they’re capable of providing.
1) Know where you want your cameras
It’s important to understand where you want your cameras to be and what kind of coverage you expect them to give. First, consider if you need pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) capabilities. These types of cameras can be remotely controlled and zoomed in or out depending on their viewing angle, which can come in handy if your business has a lot of smaller rooms or is made up of several levels.
2) What are your needs?
When you’re planning your security system, don’t skimp. Start by determining what sort of system will serve your needs best, and take into account how much crime happens in your neighborhood. Once you’ve determined how many cameras you need and where to install them, get a professional to help with any installation work—you want a system that can capture high-quality images of suspects.
3) Determine your budget
The first step towards getting a high-quality home security system is to establish a budget. What are you willing to spend? Determine what your most important features are and base your spending on that. If price is no object, then by all means, splurge on every bell and whistle available; but if money’s tight, it makes sense to prioritize certain features over others.
4) Make sure you have a reliable installer
To get started, you’ll need to find an expert who can install your cameras properly. This might seem like an obvious piece of advice, but it’s important to note that not all installers are created equal. You want someone who is familiar with commercial buildings and takes a consultative approach to surveillance systems rather than just sticking a few cameras on and leaving.
5) Think about maintenance requirements
One of your key considerations will be security. Are you installing a system to protect against theft, vandalism, and trespassing? If so, how often do you expect to need to monitor it? These are questions that will determine your requirements for equipment and maintenance. When choosing a company to install your CCTV system, ask about their maintenance packages. This could save you money in addition to protecting your business from possible damage caused by faulty equipment. Do not neglect regular upgrades: Home CCTV installation changes with time as technology advances.
6) Consider more than footage
While commercial CCTV installation is a critical aspect of your business’s security, it shouldn’t be your only focus. Many businesses rely on hiring professional CCTV installers to capture footage and have it professionally analyzed for alarms and specific information about what is being captured. But, if you are going to spend time and money on a system, you might as well take advantage of everything it has to offer. An audit from an experienced technician can help you learn how to make use of your system more effectively, giving you even more bang for your buck. Here are some ways to get more out of commercial CCTV installation
7) What type of footage do you need?
When you install a commercial security system, it’s important to think about what kind of footage you need before signing a contract. After all, you can always expand your system later on (should your needs change), but you can never get back what you already paid for. Here are some questions to ask yourself about which kind of footage would best serve your business: Do I want my cameras to record continuously? Or would I prefer that they only save video when motion is detected?
8) Live view and recording devices are different things
A lot of people confuse live view with recording. Think of it like a TV: Watching live footage is like watching a show you don’t own on your own television. Recording footage is more like recording it to your DVR so you can watch it again later. Businesses often want to be able to see what’s happening inside and outside their building, but may not need that footage permanently stored.
9) Choose quality equipment from reputable brands
Some cheap security cameras are not well-built and may break down more quickly than higher-end products. Using cheap equipment makes it impossible to take advantage of features like panning, zooming, and night vision. With fewer features and a lower level of quality, you’ll have trouble taking advantage of your security camera system. So don’t skimp on good quality cameras—it will be worth it in the long run.
10) Maintenance plans come with warranties
If you are not sure if your commercial security system will work properly, and how long it will last, most companies offering home CCTV installation plans provide maintenance plans for their systems. Keep in mind that these are meant to extend and fix any problems before they happen, especially with electrical issues. You should think about having a qualified professional look at your surveillance system once every couple of months to make sure everything is running smoothly and in working order. Keeping an eye on your business is just as important as keeping an eye on things at home because even though you may be close by, people still have to get into your office or workspace.
