When you think of the type of business that has a video surveillance system, what comes to mind? Is it a large business, with vast facilities and many employees? If so, you aren’t the only one. Many people have a notion that video surveillance systems are best suited for large operations.
That is simply not the case; they can be extremely beneficial to small businesses like yours as well. If you are considering adding a video surveillance system to the security system protecting your small business, below are a few things to keep in mind while making the decision.
Where your business is located.
The location of your business can have quite an impact on how your video surveillance system is set up. For example, if your business is located in a busy area where there is a lot of foot traffic and you have only one front entrance, it might be a good idea to have more cameras set up to watch the front of your space.
Or if your business is located in a more remote area, and you have a parking lot and multiple entrances, it might be a good idea to have your cameras spread out, so they cover every corner of your property. It seems simple and obvious, but blind spots in your camera layout can lead to your system being easily defeated! Video layout and design is a critical component of even the smallest systems.
Your inventory or other assets.
Of course, we all think of security cameras and surveillance systems as being a crucial part of helping prevent theft in retail situations. While it’s true that they do a fantastic job of that, they can be used to protect the assets of other businesses including:
- Offices – to keep an eye on computers and other equipment after hours.
- Restaurants – to watch over food storage areas and keep an eye on how busy the kitchen may be or how many seats are full.
- Warehouses or store rooms – to ensure assets in low-traffic areas are safe from damages.
Your employees.
Take some time to consider another one of your most important assets, your employees. How many employees do you have in your space at a given time? Are there ever times where there would be employees in your space by themselves? If so, it’s important that they feel safe and know that someone is watching out for them, should anything happen.
Video surveillance systems can also help you keep an eye on employees and make sure they are staying on task, this is very important because employees performance directly impacts the performance of your business.
The opinions of your employees and customers.
Having a video surveillance system shows your employees and your customers that their safety and security is a top priority. Showing them that you’ve made the choice to be PROACTIVE than REACTIVE when it comes to safety can have a positive impact on their opinion of you and your business.
The types equipment your video surveillance system will need.
Years ago video surveillance technology was very expensive, so it wasn’t a very practical option for many small businesses. But times have changed, and technology has gotten much more affordable, so there are more options out there for small businesses with tighter budgets.
One example of this is cameras. IP cameras have replaced CCTV analog cameras as the preferred video solution. In the past, IP may have been too expensive and typically used for very specific or large scale systems. Now, for a modest budget, you can still get an IP camera that has:
- 1080p or higher quality
- increased frames-per-second for clear recording
- weather and vandal resistance
- IR illumination for optimal night vision
- options like wide-dynamic-range for optimal coverage
There are also more options when it comes to storing and then watching the footage that has been recorded. For many small businesses, a simple DVR recorder should meet your basic needs. However, if you want something a bit more high-tech, a network video recorder (NVR) with storage space that can be scaled according to your needs and watched remotely from a phone or tablet, might be a better fit.
Your own limitations as a business owner.
As a small business owner you are very busy, but at the same time, you want to keep an eye on your business 24/7/365. But that’s just not possible. That’s where video cameras that can be monitored remotely using an app (like Total Connect) and video doorbells (like Skybell) can be utilized can help you check in on your business periodically. Being able to check in like this can be very important if you are away from your business for days or weeks at a time.
EPS provides security solutions, like video surveillance systems, for businesses of all sizes. No matter your facility’s size or requirements, we can provide a sophisticated, comprehensive and customized surveillance system. Fill out the form below to learn more about what an EPS security solution can do for your business.