Technology keeps evolving, and CCTV systems for businesses have become increasingly high tech. Regardless of the technology you choose to implement, CCTV forms a vital component of your business’s security systems.
The purposes for which you use CCTV and their relative importance to your business help to indicate the best type of CCTV system for your business. So, this article begins by unpacking CCTV camera uses and benefits before moving on to explore the CCTV technologies themselves.
The Benefits of CCTV Systems
There are more benefits in store for businesses using CCTV systems nowadays than ever before. From the simple and obvious to the complex and subtle, here’s a sampling of what they can do for your business.
Crime prevention
No criminal wants to be caught in the act. Simply knowing they’re under surveillance is often enough to deter criminals. There are even fake CCTV cameras that have been created to act solely as deterrents. However, since you will want access to footage if your business falls victim to crime, we don’t recommend this approach.
Employee safety and access control
Even the oldest types of CCTV cameras can help to safeguard employees at work. But with AI-powered IP cameras, you don’t have to rely on continuous, alert monitoring of real-time footage. They can alert you to vital safety-related events like unauthorised access and anomalies that may indicate an impending workplace accident.
Remote monitoring
In a similar vein, IP cameras allow you to monitor footage in real time, regardless of where you are. With additional software to analyse recorded events as they unfold, you can automatically be alerted to incidents requiring your attention.
Collecting evidence
Whether a crime has occurred or a workplace accident has happened, CCTV footage allows you to examine visual evidence that can lead to actionable conclusions. For example, you can identify a criminal and press charges, or analyse the reasons for an accident or near-miss and take steps to reduce workplace risks.
Gathering data for analysis
Aside from safety and security, there are many other uses for the latest smart surveillance systems. For example, when coupled with the right software, they can analyse customer behaviour, traffic patterns and more. If there are conclusions to be drawn from visual data, modern surveillance systems can gather it, analyse it, and provide the conclusions you’re looking for.
Managing buildings
IP cameras that support analytics features can help you to manage buildings more effectively. For example, they can adjust HVAC systems and lighting based on occupancy. In large buildings, the cost savings can be very significant indeed.
Digital Transformation
Advanced IP cameras play a crucial role in driving digital transformation by providing real-time video monitoring, allowing for the quick detection of deviations in production processes, ultimately preventing costly downtimes. Utilising intelligent video analytics enables factories to gather and analyse production data effectively, identifying bottlenecks and areas for improvement to boost overall productivity. Visual verification through advanced video analytics ensures consistent product quality by detecting anomalies in real-time, minimising discrepancies during production. Additionally, by monitoring equipment conditions, predictive maintenance schedules can be developed, reducing unexpected downtimes and extending machinery lifespan.
Common Types of Business Surveillance Camera Systems
As you may have noticed from the above, technological advancements have improved the scope of benefits that business surveillance camera systems can offer. To clarify this, a look at technologies and terminology will be helpful.
Analog CCTV Cameras
For decades, businesses relied on analog security camera systems. You’ll still see them at work in small businesses. These cameras transmit footage through cables to a video recorder where they are stored. The amount of cabling required for installation and the lower image resolution of the footage are their primary disadvantages.
IP Security Cameras
IP stands for “internet protocol,” and IP security cameras transmit video over local networks or the internet. The main advantages of this are remote access to footage and enhanced image quality. However, they can do much more. When coupled with analytics software, they can perform sophisticated surveillance tasks that far exceed the capacity of human monitoring.
Wireless Security Cameras
As an addition to the range of IP security cameras out there, wireless security cameras fill the need for camera deployment in places where it would be difficult or costly to install cables.
Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) Cameras
These security cameras can pan along a horizontal plane, tilt vertically, and zoom in and out. They can be controlled manually, or they can be programmed to focus on specific zones and movements.
360-Degree Cameras (Fisheye Cameras)
As the name indicates, 360-degree cameras capture footage in a 360-degree panoramic view. This means that you need fewer cameras to monitor an area. The downsides are cost and reduced image quality owing to distortion.
Additional classifications of security cameras include whether they are designed for indoor or outdoor use, and terminologies related to the shape of the casing, for example, dome cameras and bullet cameras.
Important Security Camera Features
When seeking to identify what type of CCTV system is best for your business, you should consider several features other than the categories of cameras we’ve discussed above. Important features include:
- Image resolution
- Infra-red (IR) night vision capabilities
- Remote monitoring and mobile access
- Wide dynamic range (WDR) capabilities for enhanced image quality independent of lighting conditions
- Motion detection and alerts
- Storage capabilities and ease of retrieval
- Integration with other security systems and features
- Integration with intelligent video analytics
Types of CCTV Camera System: Why We Recommend IP Cameras
Your premises themselves will have a role to play in your choice of a CCTV system. Of course, your budget and the level of security you want to achieve will affect your choices too. The primary recommendation we can make is that you opt for IP security cameras.
Although they are more costly than traditional CCTV, you’ll benefit from better image quality, remote access and monitoring, and an easily scalable solution. There’s also potential for implementing advanced features like motion detection, facial recognition, and object tracking. In addition, they can be integrated with other security features such as alarms and access control systems.
Although the initial capital outlay may be higher, the long-term cost of IP cameras is lower than that of analog systems. For example, they are more reliable and it’s possible to implement remote diagnostics during maintenance. And since IP cameras are able to compress data without impacting video quality, data storage costs are lower too.
Our top tip for those investigating types of CCTV systems for their businesses is to get expert advice. Without it, you may miss important details that will prevent you from getting the best possible returns on your investment in a surveillance system.
Choosing IP Surveillance Cameras With Advantex
At Advantex, we offer cost-effective IP camera solutions and additional potential for cost-savings such as IP building management systems that optimise your building’s energy consumption.
We work with leading IP camera and VMS suppliers like Axis, Milestone, Paxton, and Gallagher. You’re assured of high quality hardware while you benefit from its effective deployment thanks to our technical expertise and experience.
From enhanced surveillance efficiency and improved security to realising cost savings, there’s much to be gained from implementing our IP Camera and access control systems. Of course, you’d like to know how that would look for your business. We’re here to help. Claim your free assessment today.
