Many business owners decide against having CCTV, and that decision may very well work out fine for them. Maybe you are struggling with weighing the advantages and wonder if putting up the cash for a video security system is worth the money or hassle? The answer is definitely a YES.
Trantech is going to explain some of the advantages and benefits to your business that CCTV has to offer. In the end, you would have better decisions to make if purchasing or upgrading your security with CCTV is the right choice.
CCTV’s Advantages and Benefits in Business
Loss Prevention
Fraud, shoplifting, and employee theft, also known as retail shrinkage, cost Australian businesses some $2.7 billion a year.
Where do all these losses come from, and who is responsible for chipping away at retail businesses’ losses?
- Shoplifting is the most significant cause of losses to:
- Australian retail businesses at 39%
- Employee theft at 25% comes in second.
- Other causes are consumer, employee, and vendor fraud and breakage, expired goods, and vandalism.
- Although there are many ways to proactively fight inventory shrinkage, CCTV is a proven and reliable way to reduce losses.
- A thief is much more likely to shoplift if they believe nobody is watching. In many cases, the fact that the store has video surveillance is enough to detour a would-be thief into thinking twice before taking the risk of getting caught on camera pocketing your goods.
- Concerning employee theft, CCTV is a powerful way to enforce strict policies against such activity. As they say, good help is hard to find, but that doesn’t mean you can’t reduce the risk significantly by strengthening your security. Cameras installed in places employees are most tempted can only help to keep them honest. They can even help with employee performance and productivity.
Breaking, Entering and Robbing Deterrent
Even the boldest and trickiest of criminals know to avoid cameras. Most robberies occur after the store is closed and nobody is at the business to get in the thieves’ way of making away with what they came for.
CCTV cameras are your eyes when you’re away. Today’s sophisticated security systems not only record the action but sound alarms and alert police.
CCTV footage along with eyewitness accounts is the most powerful evidence used in courts to convict robbers.
But, any self-respecting thief knows this. They will avoid cameras and witnesses whenever possible when planning and carrying out their heists.
At the very least, having CCTV in your business will give these would-be thieves pause for thought.
Tool for Improving Business Effectiveness
CCTV surveillance has advantages beyond preventing criminal activity as well. Recording your day to day operations will give you valuable clues as to how to improve your business practices.
Let’s say you would like to improve your efficiency when it comes to the time it takes to receive and stock new inventory. Mindfully reviewing your CCTV footage on delivery dates and times will give you vital clues on how to go about doing that.
Furthermore, as you implement changes in policy your video coverage gives you the perfect means of gauging your progress.
What Type Of System Will Best Serve Your Business
Okay! You decided to get CCTV, and you are confident you know what type of system will best serve your business – now what?
Installation and Maintenance
Trantech wants you to know that although it is certainly possible to buy the equipment and install everything yourself, it may be best to hire a security expert to evaluate your security needs.
There is no substitute for experience. Security professionals take their clients’ need for the best CCTV possible very seriously. As experienced security consultants, they will help you from start to finish on the installation.
See Big Brands Surveillance Products for Security Cameras & CCTV Systems, AI Cameras, Alarm Systems, Smart Devices, Detectors and more at Trantech Professional Security Wholesaler.
How Many Cameras and Where to Position Them
- Outside the business:
- You should try to have little to no blind spots for the best security possible.
- Position cameras high and angled down to capture large areas.
- Cameras on the exterior should cover entrances and exits as well as parking areas.
- Inside the business:
- Security cameras are best positioned with angles of view in mind.
- For a hallway or aisle, cameras should face both directions giving a view from both wide angles.
- For large open area cameras in all four corners of the room will give you a good view of almost everything going on.
- Especially!:
- The place where money changes hands is normally the biggest security risk area after the building’s entrances and exits. Make sure to set up at least one camera for these hotspots. Generally speaking, security cameras work best when they are easily visible, so put them in plain view.
Where Not to Look and Listen
- CCTV for security reasons versus issues of privacy
It has been a hot topic of debate since the first recording devices were invented. Let’s discover why.
The law is complicated, and you are going to need to make sure your security system installation isn’t crossing any privacy lines. A good rule of thumb here is if there is a question of expectation of privacy, you should think twice before installing cameras there.
An obvious example of this would be in restrooms, but what about employee break rooms or private offices? There is not only security to consider, but the feelings of those that are constantly under surveillance. There are moral and ethical responsibilities that you take on where to set up cameras recording customers and employees at your business.
- What about recording sound? Is it legal and ethical to record conversations through your security cameras?
Almost every CCTV camera is capable of recording sound by either an internal microphone or an attached external one.
Privacy laws are rather strict about recording audio in public places, so you’re going to want to make sure you’re not breaking any laws doing so. When in doubt, ask your security expert to give all the relevant legal information concerning where you can capture video and/or audio.
System Maintenance
- CCTV systems need to be serviced by occasional repairs.
It is highly recommended that you test and inspect all of your equipment regularly.
Here is a good checklist to follow:
- Image coming from the camera(s) clear and focused
- Camera lenses are free from grime build-up or damage
- All cable connections are secure and wires undamaged
- The camera(s) have not been knocked off their viewing angles
- CCTV needs a security firm for regular system checks, servicing, and immediate repair of issues to keep your system always up and working at its full capacity. Read this article for answers to common questions about CCTV service and repair.
Relax! You’re on CCTV
The peace of mind you get from knowing you have eyes on your business interests 24/7 most definitely will make you smile.
Now that you know the ins and outs of CCTV for businesses, you are better able to confidently take steps towards preventing crime and have a better understanding of how your business is operating.
There is no need to wait for trouble that CCTV could prevent, and there is no obligation to contact us to discuss what Four Wall Security can do for all your business security concerns. Get a free quote today, and we would be happy to answer any question you may have.
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We feel these are a great addition to complete any security system and one of the best proactive solutions you can invest in. Trantech Security Wholesaler is proud of being the top wholesaler that provides useful knowledge to all readers, which bring benefits for both customers and the security community.
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Rocky Pham is experienced telecommunications and networking engineer with more than 5 years in the security industry. He is familiar with setting up, developing, and maintaining all electronic devices’ networks within an organisation or between organisations. During his working period, he has been researching and updating more knowledge of the latest security systems, CCTV, Access Control, Intercoms and Building Management Systems with a focus on Residential, Commercial, and Industrial and Aviation security. He would love to provide qualified project solutions with advanced technologies and updated features to maximise customers’ satisfaction.