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 CCTV cameras for small business 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 do you choose the best CCTV cameras for small 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 analyses 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. You can also increase the security of your network by reading about the best network security tools.
The video quality of these cameras is high, and details of the scene, people, and objects can be recognised, 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 minimise this problem and save on wiring and installation costs, the best CCTV cameras for small business is cameras with PoE technology that carry power and video through the same cable.
Suppose the assembly is going to be carried out in a private office that has not been previously prepared for an installation of this type. In that case, 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. Thus, if you want to install a CCTV camera based on wifi technology, reading about the best outdoor wireless CCTV system can be essential!
2. Visibility in low-light environments?
When it comes to choosing the best CCTV cameras for small business, if your greatest needs are focused on monitoring in the 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, minimising false alarms.
3. Cameras for exterior or interior?
- Outdoor cameras: For outdoor use, they should 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 specialised 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. Therefore, the type of security camera placement plays a significant role in choosing the best CCTV cameras for small business.
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 CCTV cameras for small business:
- Dome: They are widely used to be installed on the ceiling; their discreet design makes them work optimally as deterrents 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, have 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, and 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.
6. Choose a CCD chip or CMOS chip?
When it comes to choosing the best CCTV cameras for small business, it is important to choose the type of chip. CCD chips mainly offer superior image quality that is quite robust and larger compared to the CMOS chips that tend to provide lower quality images making them less clear. Therefore, due to the clarity and high-quality video footage of CCD chips, they are more recommendable.
7. Looking for a reputable installation team
It is crucial to seek a professional installation team before purchasing a security system that offers decent service does the process of your CCTV installation as best as possible and considers your requirements and the specific circumstances of your property whether it is your home or an office for your small business. Furthermore, it is important to arrange a consultation meeting to not only visit the property but also discuss your requirements and preferences to meet what you expect from a security system, maybe you want to emphasise the coverage area of the CCTV and the key places to be under control. It is recommended to read about the best CCTV suppliers UK as well.
Installing security systems in the UK; Why a security system must be installed by a professional
Other considerations when choosing the best CCTV cameras for small business
The following guidelines will help you choose the best CCTV cameras for small 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, as you can watch Hikvision CCTV on the phone.
- 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 to choose the best CCTV cameras for small business.
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 your business. There are numerous benefits to having a security camera. There are cameras to fit any budget, and a small investment can’t compare to the peace of mind it can give you and the money you can save should the unexpected happen.
Moreover, when choosing a security system that is among the best CCTV cameras for small business, it is essential to pay attention to some criteria regarding the specific circumstance that you want to install which need to be considered before deciding on choosing your security system.
For instance, it is important to decide whether it should be wired or wireless, attached to the ceiling or the wall, installed outdoors or indoors, should be suitable for low-light environments or not, the type of CCTV chip and also choose an experienced installation team. These considerations make your choice more adaptable and matched to your specific needs and preferences for the security system for your small business.
