An intelligent camera surveillance system is a great solution for any business. Whether you work in healthcare, education, manufacturing, or any corporation – security is an integral part of a safe and productive workplace. From monitoring employee work hours to keeping unwanted visitors out, there are many reasons why camera surveillance systems are important. However, selecting the right camera surveillance system for your office may seem difficult or overwhelming at first glance with so many options available on the market today. In this blog post, we will explore 3 questions you should ask yourself when selecting a new camera surveillance system for your facility!
1 – What Do I Want to Record and Capture?
It’s important to take a minute to consider what kind of visual information you would like to capture using a new camera surveillance system. Identify all of the interior and exterior locations that need to be monitored. If monitoring parking lots, note if it’s important to capture license plate information or facial recognition. Consider capturing targeted areas or 360-degree visual coverage to maximize your system’s effectiveness.
Consider what kind of features are critical to your business security needs today and what they will be in the future. No matter how well you plan, it’s always a good idea to be prepared and envision your future surveillance needs as your business grows.
2- How Much Hardware and Software Do I Need?
There are many factors that you need to take into consideration when it comes time for camera surveillance coverage, but the first step should be identifying how many cameras are necessary and which ones work best. Old hardware may not support newer technologies, so make sure any new location(s) have the appropriate technological capabilities before buying more equipment later down the line!
You should also take into account whether you want video surveillance that requires purchasing and maintaining software, or if you would like an on-premise management solution that can be accessed from a computer or a mobile device. There is also the question of electrical wiring for cameras and built-in software analytics for more advanced coverage that captures and alerts you to:
Line Crossing (crossing a perimeter/fence line)
Loitering (groups of people hanging around in certain areas)
Crowd Control (managing occupancy limits in certain areas of a building)
Once your needs have been established, then choosing between an indoor and an outdoor location should help narrow down what type of camera might work best!
You will also need to ask yourself when selecting a camera surveillance system whether you require hardware or software. Hardware requirements for camera surveillance systems usually involve physical cameras that will be placed in your office. These cameras can either be connected to a digital video recorder (DVR), network video recorder (NVR), or cloud account to capture video footage. If you have an existing security system in your office that uses hardwired cameras, you may only require new software to run your camera surveillance system.
Software components for camera surveillance systems allow you to view, record, and monitor activity. Recorded footage files can be accessed at any time and stored on DVR and NVR devices or a secure cloud account. If you do not have a security camera system already in place, then your camera surveillance system will need to include both hardware and software components – be sure to discuss these requirements before making any purchases!
3- What Do I Need to Consider Before Implementing a New Camera Surveillance System?
Your installation support depends on how comprehensive you need your system configured. If it’s just camera placement and wiring, basic support should be enough. But if there are other services like software configuration or integration with hardware – those require an expert technical staff member to get your system running efficiently.
Once you determine your camera surveillance needs, cost and efficiency are important factors to consider, especially if you have a deadline to meet.
After determining your camera surveillance needs, you want to ensure you are prepared for any issues that may arise. You should consider the user and staff training from your installation provider to make sure your staff is equipped to effectively operate your system and utilize the features available. For anything requiring more technical expertise, you should consider whether your installation company has a help desk to answer and solve the questions after or during implementation. In addition, you should consider the level of maintenance available to you and your business.
In terms of how long it takes to install a camera surveillance system, the installation of camera surveillance systems can vary greatly depending on which type of camera is being used and if there are existing cameras to integrate with the new software currently set up around the office space. Usually, installing new hardware like pan tilt zoom (PTZ) cameras may take just as much time as setting up software programs that monitor recorded footage from different locations.
To ensure you select a camera system that fits within your timeline for implementation, be sure to inquire about how long it will take before making any final decisions.
Find the Perfect Camera Surveillance System For Your Needs With Elliott Data Systems
As mentioned, there are many things to consider when selecting a camera surveillance solution for your place of business. Luckily, Elliott Data Systems is here to help with all of your camera surveillance needs! Our products are designed for small businesses, large enterprises, and everything in between. Our professional services make the entire process stress-free with free site surveys to take inventory and identify what pre-existing hardware can be leveraged with a new system as well as a certified technical support team who will work hand-in-hand with your staff to ensure a smooth transition. Elliott Data’s customers receive quality, integrated solutions that exceed expectations and are left capable of managing their video surveillance system with ease. For more information about our security camera systems and other solutions, contact us today!
