How to Pick the Best CCTV System for Your Business
The first step in getting a CCTV system for your business is understanding which type of system will work best for you, based on your security needs and budget. There are many different types of cameras to choose from, including bullet cameras and dome cameras.
You’ll also need to determine what type of video recorder you’d like to use with the system. To help you out with all of this, we’ve put together a simple guide.
Understand your Security Needs
Before you begin shopping for a Business CCTV system, it is important to understand your security needs. This will help you define what features and specifications are most important to you as well as how many cameras are needed.
- What are the assets of your business? For example: cash registers, inventory items (furniture, electronics), vehicles, or equipment that need protection from theft.
- What are the threats to those assets? Are there known criminals in the area who have been targeting similar establishments? Are there rival companies or gangs operating in or near your location that may attempt an assault on one of their competitors? Or is there a chance that employees might steal from their employers if they’re not watched carefully enough?
- How many cameras do I need? While it’s ideal to have multiple vantage points covering every possible entrance and exit point into a building, this may not be feasible depending on budget constraints or physical limitations like walls blocking access points between rooms. You’ll want enough coverage so that no matter where someone enters (or attempts entry) they can be caught on camera but also don’t spend too much money getting unnecessary extras like wide-angle lenses which aren’t necessary unless there happens to be something outside such as construction equipment parked nearby.
Determine your Budget
The first thing you need to do is figure out how much you want to spend on your CCTV system. This can be a tricky subject, because the cost of a CCTV system is more than what you pay for it. You’ll also have costs related to installation, maintenance, upgrades, and storage, which are higher when compared to home CCTV systems.
Choose the Right Type of Cameras
Choosing the right type of camera for your system is an important step. There are many different types, but you should consider the following things when making your selection:
- Indoor/outdoor cameras: These can be used inside or outside, depending on their design and weatherproofing.
- Bullet cameras: These are small, cylindrical cameras with a wide-angle lens that’s often used in retail stores because they can be discreetly placed high up on walls or ceilings without being noticed by customers.
They’re also good for monitoring entrances and exits to businesses where there may be a lot of foot traffic at times when employees don’t want people noticing them watching customers (for example, if you’re selling alcohol). Bullet cams are easy to install as well; all it takes is drilling holes through drywall (or even wood), fastening brackets into those holes using screws provided by your CCTV system manufacturer, then slipping the bullet cam into its bracket until it clicks into place—that’s it! You’re done!
- Dome cameras: This type has a dome-like cover over its lens so that no one can see what kind of camera is being used at first glance; however, dome cams do not offer as much coverage as other options available today due to their limited field-of-view compared with pan/tilt/zoom models which allow operators to view live feeds from multiple locations simultaneously.
Pick the Right Type of Installation
The type of installation is important for long-term success, and professional installation will ensure that your system works effectively. You should consider the location of the cameras, and whether or not you need different types of cameras or DVRs (digital video recorders).
For example, if there are two doors in your business that need to be monitored, it’s better to install one camera per door than three cameras for both doors.
Select the Right Digital Video Recorder
Once you’ve selected your cameras, it’s time to pick the right digital video recorder (DVR). The DVR is the central hub of a CCTV system and is responsible for recording and storing video footage. You should look for one that can allow you playback recordings on demand, as well as record live footage from multiple cameras at once. It should also be accessible remotely so that you can monitor your business from anywhere in the world.
The DVR should also support a variety of resolutions so that it can work with both analog and high-resolution digital cameras. Depending on how many cameras you plan to use in your business, you may need multiple DVR units—one per camera—to maximize storage capacity without having to switch out hard drives often.
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Consider a Professional Installation
- A professional installation will cost you more money up front, but it’s a one-time expense that will save you money in the long run. You’ll only have to pay for the installation once, and then if your system does malfunction or break down (which happens with all technology), you won’t have to pay another technician to come out and fix it.
- A professional installer is trained on how to avoid problems in advance by using proper cabling techniques, mounting hardware, and other precautions. This means they’ll be able to install your system properly so that there are no issues later on down the line.
- If an issue arises with your system after it’s been installed by a professional technician: don’t worry! Having a skilled technician who knows how everything works can help diagnose what went wrong and fix it quickly without having any downtime at all!
Conclusion
It is important that you consider the factors discussed in this article as they will help you choose the best CCTV system for your business. A good security system can be a valuable asset to any business, but it is not something that should be taken lightly or rushed into buying without considering all of these factors first.
By keeping these points in mind when shopping around for CCTV systems for your business, you’ll find yourself with peace of mind knowing that your business is protected from potential threats and future problems that could arise from lack of adequate surveillance equipment.