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- The most common security cameras for business monitoring include dome, bullet, pan-tilt-zoom, wireless, internet protocol, thermal, and 360-degree cameras.
- Choosing the right security camera will depend on whether you want one that is discreet or highly visible, has long-range capabilities, motion detection, infrared night vision, flexibility, heat detection, panoramic views, or integrates with existing internet protocol networks.
- Cameras can be leveraged to optimize other aspects of your business, as well, when incorporated with an automated business analytics system. This includes boosting customer satisfaction, enhancing inventory management and loss prevention, and improving safety and risk reduction.
Types of Commercial Security Cameras
Selecting the proper security camera solution for your business depends on several factors, including your budget, the design and lighting of the monitored area, integration with networks, and how visible you want cameras to be, to name a few.
Fortunately, an experienced security system provider will help you understand each of those factors and the most effective setup for your business situation.
As you look for the right security system partner, here are some of the most common types of cameras to consider:
Dome Cameras
Discreet and typically mounted on ceilings, dome cameras are less noticeable than other alternatives. They offer a wide field of view and are vandal-resistant due to their round design. Some models are also equipped with infrared (IR) night vision.
On the other hand, they may not be as weather-resistant as other security cameras, and their low visibility may not deter potential criminals as effectively as more conspicuous cameras.
Bullet Cameras
Bullet cameras are designed for outdoor use and have the comparative advantage of a long-range view. Their visibility acts as a deterrent to criminals and other unwanted behaviors. Many models feature infrared (IR) night vision and can be easily adjusted.
However, it’s worth noting that their high visibility can be intimidating to some people, which may not be ideal for all business environments. Just imagine being a worker with a bullet-shaped camera aimed directly at you all day.
PTZ (Pan-Tilt-Zoom) Cameras
Offering remote control capabilities, PTZ cameras enable operators to focus on specific areas or objects. The greatest advantage they provide is excellent flexibility when monitoring and tracking your business.
PTZ cameras tend to be more expensive than fixed cameras, however, and may require skilled personnel to operate effectively. Plus, they may not continuously monitor an area when you or a team member is not actively controlling them.
Wireless Cameras
Easy to install without the need for extensive cabling, wireless cameras can be placed in locations where wiring is challenging, providing you greater flexibility in camera placement.
This agility, however, makes them susceptible to interference and grants limited monitoring range compared to wired cameras.
An experienced security system provider will help you understand each of those factors and the most effective setup for your business situation.
IP (Internet Protocol) Cameras
Offering your business high-resolution video quality, IP cameras can be easily integrated into existing IP networks. They accommodate remote monitoring and often have advanced features like motion detection and other business activity analytics.
On the downside, they may be more expensive than analog cameras, and their network vulnerabilities can be exploited by hackers if not properly secured.
Thermal Cameras
Naturally, thermal cameras detect heat signatures, making them suitable for low-light or no-light conditions. Think of dark parking garages or dim alleyways. They are also effective for perimeter security and can detect intruders even during adverse weather conditions.
Thermal cameras are also more expensive than traditional ones and provide limited details since they rely on heat signatures rather than visible light.
360-Degree Cameras
360-degree cameras offer a panoramic view, eliminating all blind spots, a huge advantage when compared with bullet cameras. They are suitable for monitoring large areas with a single camera.
Notably, they may require specialized software for de-warping and managing the 360-degree video feed, which can get messy at times. Image quality at specific points within the view may be lower than with traditional cameras, as well.
Notably, you don’t have to use a single camera type in your business, after all. Combining different types and employing professional installation and monitoring services can provide the comprehensive security coverage you need to retain peace of mind and keep your business safe.
But this isn’t all security cameras can offer your business.
Leveraging Security Cameras for Other Business Monitoring Needs
By integrating security cameras with automated business analytics, you can also boost customer satisfaction, enhance inventory management and loss prevention, and improve safety and risk reduction.
The benefits of commercial security cameras are boundless.
Boost Customer Satisfaction
In addition to watching for criminal activity—from visitors or employees—security cameras empower you to monitor traffic flow patterns, identifying bottlenecks and poor staffing levels. They can even give you insight into where to place products to increase sales.
Coupled with queue monitoring technology, security cameras can track wait times at checkouts and service counters, giving you precise numbers without the hassle of error-prone counting done manually—all in real time.
Automated security systems integrated with other monitoring software will project how many staff you need based on previous valleys and peaks in foot traffic for specific days or times of the year.
Put simply, shorter waits mean happier customers. Plus, you no longer have to worry about the overhead losses due to overstaffing.
By installing cameras, you can better ensure employees abide by safety regulations, including wearing protective gear or use of dangerous equipment.
Strengthen Inventory Management & Loss Prevention
For retailers, automated security camera systems can assist in tracking product movement in and out of stockrooms or shelves and identifying potential theft or shrinkage issues.
Advanced business analytics systems detect suspicious activity at checkout, preventing fraud and errors. Plus, it can handle asset tracking and monitoring the movement of products or valuable equipment, strengthening your ability to protect against theft or unauthorized use.
Improve Safety & Risk Reduction
Security cameras are already keeping an eye on theft, but they can also alert you to potential safety risks, identifying unsafe practices or equipment malfunctions, so you can address them promptly.
By installing cameras, you can better ensure employees abide by safety regulations, including wearing protective gear or use of dangerous equipment.
And if an incident happens, recorded footage will prove beneficial in determining the cause and preventing future occurrences.
So, when selecting the right security camera system for your business monitoring needs, it's essential to consider your specific security priorities, budget, and the environments in which these cameras will be deployed.
Where are your greatest threats or vulnerabilities? Do you need your camera to multitask alongside other business analytics functions? How constrained is your budget? How will employees or customers react to a particular type of camera in a given place? How often can you fit security camera maintenance into your business operations?
These are all questions you’ll want to keep in mind when reaching out to a security system provider to install and configure your security needs.
General Security installs business security cameras and provides other business monitoring solutions including occupancy tracking, heat mapping, people counting, access control, and crowd management systems powered by business activity analytics. An industry-leading smart security systems provider, we can support businesses of any size. Request your free quote today!
