While there may be some types of clothing where one size fits all, that does not apply to surveillance systems. The first step, even before you start to research or consult a professional, is to decide what you want to accomplish with a surveillance system.
Consider the following industries.
Retail Stores
If you own or manage a retail store, do you want to discourage theft, or actually catch perpetrators in the act? This will determine whether you should look for a discreet or obvious camera.
Cameras may be mounted anywhere on the sales floor as well as above checkout counters, and at entrances and exits. Placing them at the checkout counter will not only give you details about a perpetrator should a robbery occur, but also help ensure your sales clerks remain honest at the till.
You might also elect to have your surveillance system perform double duty, monitoring the aisles and displays to discover shopper traffic patterns so you can determine where best to display seasonal or sales items and products meant to encourage spur-of-the-moment purchasing. Once you decide on product placement, a review of recorded video footage will determine whether it was a good choice or a poor one. As for camera selection, in this case, it’s not so much a matter of discreet or obvious, but of lens selection. Your best bet would be a wide-angle lens mounted on a bullet camera.
Food Establishments
If you own or manage a restaurant or deli you know all too well that a health department inspector could pop in at any time. Therefore, you want to make sure all the kitchen employees are following safety and hygiene practices. An obvious camera will remind food preparers to follow all the rules. A discreet one will let you weed out transgressors who could lower your ratings or even shut down your business.
Health Care Facilities
If you’re in charge of security in a health care facility, you’re undoubtedly under pressure to comply with HIPAA regulations to ensure patient privacy. You might want to consider monitoring secure areas where medical records are housed. Surveillance cameras can be worth their weight in gold, since they can provide not only real-time viewing, but paired with motion detectors and video management software, can activate recording so you can save the footage should an issue arise. The same can be said for placing cameras in any room or area where narcotics and other drugs are dispensed or stored.
It is also a good preventative measure to place surveillance cameras in hospital emergency rooms and areas where stress levels tend to be high so unpleasant and/or dangerous situations can be prevented.
Customer Service
Surveillance cameras can be used to monitor employee interactions with customers or clients no matter what your type of business. However, sometimes video can be misleading and only provide one side of the story. In order to get the full story, you may want to consider cameras with audio capability. There is one caveat however: Be aware that it is illegal to record conversations without the knowledge and permission of either party. In some states it’s permissible if both parties are warned and give their consent, while in others no recording is allowed at all. If you go with audio, play it safe and just listen in, take notes and discuss any matters that come up with the particular employee. It’s also a good idea to let employees know their conversations may be subject to random audio audits.
Parking Areas and Walkways
Mounting surveillance cameras outdoors — whether on the side of the building, a wall, parapet or pole — serves many purposes. They not only optimize the safety of your employees and visitors, but can also deter break-ins and vandalism. Should an incident occur, the recorded footage will serve as first-hand evidence for criminal proceedings or insurance hearings.
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