Ultimate Guide to Expert CCTV Business Installations
July 18, 2024
Commercial businesses can always be at risk of crimes, whether it’s property damage or property theft. According to a 2022 report, property crime offenses rose by 7.1%. Closed-circuit television is vital now more than ever for businesses within today’s security landscape. With the inclusion of CCTV installations as a part of security systems, there has been a 51% decrease in crime rates and a 65% decrease in shoplifting.
Five Key Benefits Installing a CCTV For Your Business
There are five major benefits to installing a CCTV camera for your commercial business. They include the following:
- Reducing crime and vandalism
- Increasing employee productivity
- Improving customer service
- Video evidence at your fingertips
- Reduces insurance premiums
Reduces Crime and Vandalism
When potential criminals see CCTV cameras on a property, they’ll be less likely to target your property as they will be afraid to get caught. Intruders often look for easy targets where there are no visible security measures put in place. However, when criminals see a CCTV system installed at your commercial property, they will be unlikely to break in, steal important property, cause fire alarms to go off, and vandalize the interior and exterior of your building. In addition, this can also protect theft from those inside the building.
Increases Employee Productivity
It’s always good for businesses to increase productivity and efficiency. One way to begin this process is to monitor employee activity. CCTV security systems use surveillance cameras to view employees. With these kinds of cameras, you identify whether there are any issues with staff members and have video evidence to prove it. In a scenario where you’re worried an employee is stealing from your business, CCTV security systems will investigate possible employee theft and other crimes.
Improves Customer Service & Safety
CCTV security systems can enhance a customer’s experience while ensuring their safety. For instance, in shopping retail businesses, these security cameras can measure shopper time and activity in the store. This can help you view common trends with your customers and how to tailor your business to their needs. These cameras can also help check on customers to make sure they are safe.
Available for Video Evidence
CCTV security systems can offer real-time footage at your fingertips. Technological advancements in CCTV cameras allow you to view footage from a remote computer, mobile phone, and even a tablet. Business owners and managers can monitor their operations, find areas for improvement, and efficiently boost security protocols. This also saves money since you won’t need to hire an extra person to keep an eye on footage on the premises.
Reduces Insurance Premiums
CCTV security systems are beneficial when dealing with insurance claims. Since this kind of security system will increase commercial business properties, your business will be seen as a lower security risk. Insurance companies could then reduce your insurance claims and premium costs.
“You can get more bang for your buck if you use a few cameras with large fields of view, rather than many individual cameras in different places with limited viewing angles.”
Best Types of CCTV Security Systems for Businesses
Having reliable security systems for your business can yield a high return on investment. Every security system comes with its benefits and complexities. Here are the five best types of CCTV security systems for commercial businesses.
- Dome cameras
- Bullet cameras
- PTZ cameras
- Turret cameras
- Fisheye cameras
Dome Cameras
Dome cameras are the best choice if you want a discreet surveillance system. These cameras are placed inside dome-shaped housings that make it difficult for people to notice. They provide wide-angle views, perfect for open sites where people don’t want to be reminded they are on camera. However, the biggest drawback is that they have trouble capturing high-quality footage of distant objects.
Bullet Cameras
Bullet cameras have long cylindrical shapes and kind of resemble a bullet. They are easy to install and cover a large distance. These CCTV security cameras would be best placed outside a business property. Bullet cameras can accommodate sharper zoom-ins than most security cameras, making them one of the most popular security systems.
PTZ (Pan-Tilt-Zoom) Cameras
PTZ cameras, also known as Pan-Tilt-Zoom Cameras are dynamically controlled, which allows operators to pan, tilt, and zoom in on one area. They provide comprehensive coverage, optical zooming capabilities, and great audio and video quality. Operators can remotely manage zoom levels and angles of view.
Turret Cameras
With turret cameras, you’ll find a tri-axis-style design. Because of this, they can rotate widely in socket-like-mounts. These cameras capture HD-resolution footage of subjects up close and at a distance. You’ll often find turret cameras outside for less intrusive surveillance.
Fisheye Cameras
Fisheye cameras are 360-degree cameras with ultra-wide-angle lenses that will produce full spherical images. These kinds of cameras are often used in open areas. Take note that fisheye cameras capture footage that can be distorted; this is because they monitor 360-degree views with a 2-dimensional shot. This can prevent high-resolution footage.
Considerations When Planning a CCTV Installation
There are several considerations properties need to have when planning a business CCTV installation. Commercial properties need to understand how large their business is and how a security camera can impact the layout of a business. It is also valuable to note whether a commercial business will benefit more from an indoor CCTV camera like a dome camera or an outside CCTV camera like a bullet camera. Are there lighting conditions, storage availability, and other environmental considerations that could affect the type of camera and placement?
When deciding the best type of CCTV camera for your commercial property, you should review your budget and how much you are willing to spend; different security systems can have different costs. Once you have an understanding of your business property layout, the coverage you need, and your budget constraints, your last step is to determine the point of interest (where your camera would be most beneficial).
How to Stay Up-To-Date on Maintenance & Upgrades
As a business owner or manager, your CCTV cameras will need to be regularly maintained and upgraded. This ensures that your business stays on top of their security. At SEM Security, we provide regular CCTV maintenance from regular system checks, cleaning and adjustment cameras, and software updates.
Professional CCTV Installation with SEM Security
When you are looking for a business to install a CCTV camera, it’s important to look for a company that has a strong knowledge of technology and security systems, has solid communication skills, and is proactive with installation services. Here are five important questions to ask a security company about CCTV installations.
- Is the equipment used suitable for my business needs?
- What are the additional costs associated with these CCTV installations?
- Is the company certified in security for your industry?
- How does the security system provider handle monitoring services?
- Can the CCTV camera be integrated with an existing security system?
SEM Security provides commercial businesses with professional CCTV installations. We have almost 50 years of experience providing business security. SEM Security understands the value of high-quality products and great customer service. That’s why we also offer after-sales support where we’ll provide same-day or next-day repair courage if your camera needs it.
