Choosing the Right IP Video Surveillance for Your Facility

When video surveillance was first introduced, it was run on analog systems which recorded videos onto tapes which were bulky to manage and archive. But as crooks became more sophisticated, so did surveillance equipment. Many establishments began to utilize general surveillance systems which required placement of several cameras throughout the premises, within and without, in order to have a complete view of the area of business. This is the more common surveillance set up in most establishments. It does not mean this could also work for you.

Whether your business is open or closed for the day, security is a prime concern. But surveillance systems are not one-size-fits-all. When choosing the best IP video surveillance software for your business, you will need to consider what type of system you need and what would be the best configuration that fits your place of business.

You have to decide the extent of surveillance you want to have, in order to choose the areas to be prioritized for surveillance. Will you be doing ground surveillance? How about gate security? This will tell how much equipment you will need to use—cameras, recording devices, as well as video monitors. Most importantly, you will have to determine whether you will be using an integrated system. These are some things which need to be considered.

Besides all that, you need to decide how often the system should be monitored. Is it to run the whole time? Will it only be checked when there is a problem? Are the cameras to be placed visibly or hidden from sight? You may pay more for using concealed cameras.

You have to know what the right surveillance setup is for you. The cost may not even be the most important, especially when software are no longer as expensive as they used to be. For IP-based surveillance, there is the advantage of being more convenient for businesses to use. The best thing about the system is that you can access it anywhere as long as there is Internet connection. Whether you are away from your business or right at your premises, you can access the surveillance videos showing in real time.

Video surveillance software is not difficult to install if your premises are small. But depending on how big and how complex your system will be, installation experts may be called upon to make sure the installation is done appropriately.

Such software can be set up though to send alerts by email, text messaging, or by phone. And any type of Internet connection may suffice to view the surveillance videos, but a high-speed connection is best.

Whatever your video surveillance needs, you will have to decide yourself what to get. Remember though that it must answer your specific needs and consider risks your type of business faces. Furthermore, try to explore the newest that technology has to offer, so that it will be sometime before it gets outdated and you have to upgrade it.