How to Choose the Best CCTV Surveillance Cameras for Your Small Business

Nearly one in ten small businesses in the United States was a victim of robbery or assault last year. On average, this costs any small business owner approximately $8,000 in losses and repairs. In most cases, these incidents can be easily prevented with the right security cameras. If you have not yet taken the necessary steps to protect your business against theft or robbery, now is the time to do so by investing in security cameras for your business. The best security cameras include systems that can easily connect to your Wi-Fi to stream images directly to your phone, anytime, anywhere. In addition, they do not require professional installation. Here are some technical aspects to evaluate when choosing the best security system for business in the UK:

How to choose the best security system for business

1. Wired cameras or WiFi?

A good option is to implement an IP camera system, a technology capable of combining the possibilities of a camera with those of a computer that analyzes the images we observe. With these cameras, we can stay aware of everything that is happening in our facilities in real-time and remotely, through an Internet connection or a local network. The video quality of these cameras is high and details of the scene, people, and objects can be recognized, especially if we opt for one of the many existing models capable of recording and transmitting in high resolution. It would be best to choose cameras that offer 1080p resolution or higher to achieve higher image quality.

Wired IP camera systems can present a disadvantage at the time of installation, since the wiring tends to be difficult to mount in physical accesses that are not suitable or designed for it, in an open industrial area it will undoubtedly be easier to find those areas of cable passage. To minimize this problem and save on wiring and installation costs, the best security system for business are cameras with PoE technology that carry power and video through the same cable.

If the assembly is going to be carried out in a private office that has not been previously prepared for an installation of this type, the number and size of the wiring ducts will become a problem, which can only be solved by installations on the surface or with WiFi camera technology.

2. Visibility in low light environments?

If your greatest needs are focused on monitoring in light pool or night environments, whether indoors or outdoors, the best option is to incorporate cameras with infrared or thermal light into your surveillance system. Its operation, unlike conventional cameras, does not depend on lighting conditions, but on the heat emitted by a body or, in the case of IR, on the infrared radiation emitted, so that they can capture this light that is imperceptible to the human eye and form a clear image of the environment, detecting objects, animals and people minimizing false alarms.

3. Cameras for exterior or interior?

• Outdoor cameras:  For outdoor use, it is advisable that they have IP66 or IP67 certifications, a particularity that ensures that they will withstand challenging environments in the UK and will be resistant to all types of climates, tolerating in most cases from -30 ° to 60 ° centigrade. Other more specialized models can maintain optimal performance, even at higher temperature ranges.
• Interior cameras:  In most cases, they are intended to be discreet and smaller than an exterior camera, they do not require a high resistance to high and low temperatures. In general, they have a wide-angle lens that allows them to cover a wide field of view of the area to be monitored.

4. Ceiling or wall cameras?

Depending on the physical place of installation, whether on the wall or the ceiling, you can choose one of the two options as the best security system for business:

• Dome:  They are widely used to be installed on the ceiling, their discreet design makes them work optimally as a deterrent and adapt to any surface. Thanks to the design they are also used for surveillance on board buses, subways, and trains.
• Bullet:  They are usually installed on walls/poles and are very resistant to weather, knocks, and acts of vandalism due to their robust structure. Their installation is easier than the dome type. Bullet cameras have extensive features and functionalities, as they capture high-definition images with a long visual range, can include video analytics software, excellent sensitivity to light, and have multi-axis support to adjust the angle of the camera, so they are recommended for displaying large spaces such as car parks, warehouses, perimeter protection; or for interiors such as shops, museums, offices, car parks, among other environments.

5. Need for mobility in multiple positions?

If the need is to monitor wide perimeters or dynamic environments that require a high degree of object tracking, the best option is a PTZ (Pan, Tilt, Zoom) camera, which allows the dome to be manipulated horizontally, vertically, and in-depth. They also offer the option of multiple configurable positions for tracking objects and people with great precision.

Other considerations when choosing the best security system for business

The following guidelines will help you choose the best security system for business depending on your intended purpose:

• Consider the location of your cameras: Choose your business security cameras based on where you plan to install them. Do you want to monitor the entry points to your business? Will the cameras be placed indoors or outdoors? In the second case, make sure you select weatherproof cameras.
• Look for cameras that are wireless or Wi-Fi compatible: these types of security cameras connect to your Wi-Fi network, allowing you to monitor footage through any smart device anytime, anywhere.
• Consider the quality of the image: depending on the purpose of your security system, you must take into account things such as the distance and size of the images, their quality in low light, or the recording resolution that you need.

Conclusion 

Any business, large or small, is susceptible to robbery or assault. You don’t have to be in a high-crime area to decide to install the best security system for business. There are numerous benefits to having a security camera. There are cameras to fit any budget, and a small investment just can’t compare to the peace of mind it can give you, and the money you can save should the unexpected happen.