When running a business, the importance of a Video Surveillance System or CCTV cannot be understated. With modern and advanced security systems, a CCTV camera allows you to significantly reduce the cost of protecting your business premise and your assets. The systems reliably provide quality and seamless monitoring. This gives you some peace of mind as you go about your daily operations.
Whether your business is a retail outlet or a commercial property, you need to make careful and well-thought considerations when it comes to your security. You need quality cameras bearing in mind that there are many CCTVs in the market today. With a quality CCTV system, you are assured of enhanced efficiency as well as increased productivity in your operations. At the same time, there are many advantages of CCTV installation in your business premise including;
- Reducing vandalism.
- Reducing the risk of break INS.
- Enhanced safety within your business premise.
- Reduced employee or staff incidents.
Before looking at the top ten benefits of having a video surveillance system in your business, it is imperative that you understand what a CCTV means and what it stands for.
What is CCTV?
A CCTV is a video surveillance system that is placed in security cameras to help record images and videos in a home, business property, and even on the roads. The camera works by monitoring, recording video images and transmitting them to a monitor.
A CCTV is therefore used primarily for security purposes. It monitors and offers round the clock surveillance in private and public property. It is also used in preventing and investigating a crime.
What does CCTV stand for?
CCTV stands for Closed Circuit Television. It is a closed circuit system since it’s signal transmission is not open like in the case of broadcast television. CCTV transmits footage to a different monitor, while the TV in the system transmits moving images to different monitors.
It is also imperative that you know what a CCTV system is. A CCTV system works by monitoring a premise on a 24 hr basis. It consists of a lens, monitor, a camera and a recorder. Therefore, the camera will continuously pick images. The captured images are then sent to a recording device; then to the different monitors.
CCTV its importance and benefits
Having a CCTV camera in your business is crucial. This is because the camera uses modern and highly advanced technologies to monitor different activities in your premise. It, therefore, allows you to prevent possible theft, and in the event of a break in, relevant authorities can investigate it with substantial evidence from the monitors. By installing a CCTV, you also reap different benefits including;
1. Crime Prevention
By installing a CCTV camera or cameras in strategic locations in your area of operation, you enhance security with the help of security company in the UK. You prevent acts of vandalism, serious crimes and break-ins. This is extremely vital in high crime areas.
If you are running a non-retail business, a security system helps you to prevent intellectual and property theft. In some cases, employees are often responsible for property theft. Therefore, a security system helps you to create a safer working environment.
2. Real-time surveillance
Real-time surveillance in a business is a major purpose of CCTV camera. It enables you to have a real-time recording of all happenings in a business premise. You do not need to hire a security person to keep an eye on all your operations. Monitoring with a CCTV camera is done from a remote computer, tablet, or mobile phone. Separate cameras can also use a single window to view the footage.
3. Enhanced employee productivity
For a retail business, factory, hotel or a supermarket, having CCTV surveillance enhances employee productivity. Your employees will work their best knowing that they are monitored with or without your presence.
4. Criminal evidence
In the event of a crime, CCTV offers evidence that an offence indeed took place. It also helps relevant authorities to track down criminals. Judges, on the other hand, will provide a just ruling based on the evidence in a CCTV footage.
5. Reduces employee related incidences
Employee-related incidences are common in workplaces, especially those without surveillance cameras. A CCTV however, helps to prevent sexual harassment, theft and workplace violence because all employees are aware of 24hr monitoring. What’s more, it prevents skimming behaviours amongst employees since as an employer or business owner, you can easily detect such when reviewing your monthly or weekly footage.
6. Handling disputes
Disputes are bound to occur between employees, managers and employees or different stakeholders. In such cases, it is always easy to determine the exact cause of a dispute before things get out of control. A surveillance system offers ample prove to help you handle disputes and reach a fair agreement.
7. Enhance customer experience
In a retail space, a surveillance system enhances a customer shopping experience. You can always monitor and observe the behaviours of different clients. As a result, it will be easier to create a shopping platform where clients feel valued, cared for, and confident when shopping. What’s more, you can enhance the quality of your products based on client conversations captured by the CCTV.
What’s more, installing a CCTV in your parking lot builds confidence amongst your clients. Remember, cars and different car accessories are often stolen in the parking lot. However, if the place is closely monitored, you can keep an eye on thieves who steal from shoppers. As a result, your clients will feel safe whenever they arrive, when they are shopping and when they are leaving your business premise.
8. Reduce Security costs
A camera business also comes with an added benefit of cutting down your security-related costs. Installing a CCTV means reducing the number of security personnel who would have manned your entire premise. With advanced cameras in the market today, you can go for high-end wireless cameras. They are reliable, highly functional, smaller in size, and are less obstructive.
The cameras are also very clear, and they come with night infrared support. For this reason, you can monitor all the activities in your business regardless of the time of the day or night. The beauty of advanced models is that they are cheap to maintain. Therefore, instead of having one CCTV camera in your business premise, you can get affordable full-scale CCTV.
9. Quality monitoring of High-Risk areas
The use of CCTV in high-risk areas comes with extra benefits. This is common in factories and businesses that deal with dangerous goods and chemicals. Therefore, if you feel that it is not safe for your personnel to monitor restricted areas, you can enhance its security using CCTV cameras in such locations. The cameras help you to monitor the areas in real time. To benefit from your system, identify accident-prone areas to be monitored so that you can enhance the security of your investment as well as that of your employees.
Furthermore, you can protect your clients using CCTV cameras installed in high-risk areas. A point to note is that new customers may not have a better understanding of your premise. Some may access unauthorised areas unknowingly. Therefore, with a security system, you can help to protect your employees and customers from accessing high-risk areas.
10. Full proof protection/coverage
An efficient CCTV system helps to provide full prove coverage to your business premise. In the past, many businesses would lose a lot of money due to bad vices amongst employees, such as giving out unnecessary discounts to their friends and families. However, a CCTV system offers a reliable security mesh that can be monitored and tracked down through different command systems.
Therefore, you will be able to keep an eye on all operations, vulnerable areas and ensure all activities are carried out as per company regulations. What’s more, you can prevent human errors during stocktaking and other unforeseen mistakes that can put the security of your business at risk.
It is equally important to note that even with CCTV cameras in your business, there are culprits that are likely to break in. In the event of such incidences, your surveillance system increases your chances of capturing culprits and having them face the law.