Choosing the Right CCTV System for Your Commercial Premises

With so many different types of security cameras on offer, choosing a commercial CCTV system that suits your business is no easy task. The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all option, with each business premises having different vulnerabilities and assets within it.

In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of choosing a commercial CCTV system, highlighting the main factors you should consider.

Why install CCTV for your commercial premises?

Installing a CCTV system for your commercial properties is vital, for multiple reasons. It provides a highly effective deterrent against potential criminals, as they will be more likely to avoid your property if they know they’re being watched. If someone does break in, a CCTV system will be able to capture evidence which will help in subsequent police investigations.

Having a CCTV system installed can also bring down your insurance premiums. This is because you’ll be able to prove to insurers that you’re taking steps to prevent criminal activity from taking place.

Finally, having a CCTV system installed will give your employees the peace of mind that measures have been taken to ensure their safety. This will boost morale and often lead to an increase in productivity.

How to choose the right commercial CCTV system for your business

There are plenty of steps to take when choosing the right commercial CCTV system for your premises. Before you get to the fun part of selecting your cameras, you’ll need to assess the exterior of your building.

Assess your building

Security assessments and audits are important as they will give you a strategy to base your system around. When assessing your building in preparation for CCTV installation, identify the main areas of vulnerability. These include:

Entry points: Always cover your entry points. Note down each window, door, loading dock, and opening in your premises’ perimeter.

Storage areas: Your premises’ storage area is a gold mine for burglars, especially if it holds high-value inventory. It will require extensive surveillance for maximum protection.

Your store: It goes without saying, if your business sells products directly to customers in a store, it will require surveillance. This can help to prevent shoplifting and identify culprits.

Busy areas: High-traffic areas such as hallways and lobbies will require CCTV surveillance.

Once you’ve assessed the areas of your building that require surveillance, you can move onto identifying the types of cameras you need. Security assessments should be carried out by an industry professional for maximum effectiveness.

Choosing the right security cameras

Security cameras come in multiple forms, serving a range of purposes. Here are the most common types:

Bullet cameras: These are the types of cameras that most people associate with the term ‘CCTV’. They are ideal for outdoor areas, as they are extremely weather resistant.

Dome cameras: Dome cameras are discreet, often fixed to ceilings so they can’t be tampered with. They have 360-degree rotation capabilities, and work well in retail areas.

PTZ cameras: PTZ (Pan, Tilt, Zoom) cameras can watch over large areas, thanks to their dynamism. They can shift their view from side to side, up and down, and can zoom in on a target.

Night vision cameras: Businesses with outdoor areas containing equipment or machinery will require night vision cameras. These will work flawlessly in the dark, helping you to identify any perpetrators in low-light situations.

Thermal imaging cameras: With special sensors to detect infrared radiation, thermal imaging cameras can detect motion up to 300 metres away. The cameras will highlight the intruder’s body heat, showing it in a different colour on the images it records. This makes it easy to spot criminals both at night and in broad daylight.

ANPR cameras: Standing for Automatic Number Plate Recognition, ANPR cameras can be fitted in car parks to identify incomers and outgoers.

Selecting the right camera type for each different area of your premises is important. For example, a stationary bullet camera in an expansive area is likely to open up blind spots. Also, a night vision camera in a well-lit space is unlikely to provide the same crisp imagery as a different variant.

Equipment quality and pricing

Business owners will be well aware of the financial compromises you have to make to keep profits up. It can be tempting to cut corners and opt for a cheaper security system, although it’s far from wise to do so.

With good quality equipment, you’re ensuring that your setup will be fully operational for years to come. You’ll be saving yourself a fortune in repair costs, while not experiencing temporary security blackouts that leave your business exposed.

Expanding your security budget will also give you access to better image quality, replacing pixelated footage with crisp 4k resolution. This can be the difference between identifying an intruder and having insufficient evidence for an investigation.

There are of course ways to save a bit of money on security running costs. For example, solar-powered commercial CCTV setups will help you to drive down electricity bills.

Integration with your system

A commercial property’s security system isn’t limited to a selection of CCTV cameras. There’s also alarms and motion detection systems to add into the mix, ensuring the property is entirely protected.

Therefore, you need to make sure that the CCTV system you curate will integrate with your other forms of security.

It’s also worthwhile to create a scalable system that will allow for the introduction of new devices in the future. It’s very difficult to introduce upgraded cameras into a fully wired setup, meaning that future upgrades will likely involve a complete system overhaul. This will ultimately cost you more in the long run.

Choose the right commercial CCTV system with Incognito Systems

You can own a variety of high-end CCTV cameras, but if they don’t suit the layout and requirements of your building, they are of little value. For your commercial CCTV system to be effective, it needs to be strategically planned.

At Incognito Systems, we’ve been installing bespoke security systems for businesses across Northamptonshire since 2017. With industry-leading expertise and access to the very best security equipment, we’ll develop a security plan that meets your business’ exact requirements.