When making the decision to install security cameras at your place of business, you need to consider whether you will use an analogue or digital IP CCTV system. As the name suggests, digital IP CCTV cameras use the latest technology to deliver the highest quality results. While analogue systems can offer a more cost-effective solution, there are far fewer benefits to be gained in the long term.
Savvy business owners are recognising the ability of IP CCTV security to reduce theft, fraud, collusion and other criminal activity more effectively than ever before. With the opportunity to lead to reduced insurance rates and maximise commercial profits, IP CCTV is proving to be a rewarding investment.
Here are some of the reasons why Perth businesses are opting to install or upgrade to IP CCTV cameras.
Live Streaming
Digital IP CCTV security systems broadcast a live stream over a secure, encrypted network, allowing you to check in from anywhere at any time. If unwanted activity is detected by an alarm, it will generate an alert and send you a direct notification.
Analogue security cameras, on the other hand, send recordings to a DVR located at your place of business. After a crime has already been committed, you can then access the footage and play it back.
With the flexibility of an IP system, there’s also no need to hire security guards to sit and watch CCTV screens 24/7.
Image Clarity
It’s all well and good to capture a shoplifter on camera, but if the picture quality is too blurry to make out the facial features of the offender, it’s not going to be of too much assistance to you or the police.
IP CCTV security cameras are up to 25x clearer than analogue and provide much wider coverage. While the best resolution you can hope for on an analogue camera is 0.5 megapixels, IP CCTV can replicate DVD 720p quality at 1.3 megapixels and Blu-Ray 1080p clarity at 2 megapixels.
With more detailed imagery, you’ll be able to zoom in on your footage and pick out details that analogue systems will miss.
Automatic Number Plate Recognition
As a digital security system operates on a network, you can integrate IP CCTV with various other forms of technology.
You can use automatic number plate recognition to instantaneously identify all of the vehicles entering, exiting and parking on your commercial property. Using the same technology as red-light cameras at traffic intersections, each license plate is identified and either added to or compared to a list. Following the cross-referencing with the list, appropriate action can be taken, such as tripping an alarm, opening a boom gate and more.
There is also capability to use an invisible Infra-red illumination so that drivers will be unaware that their vehicle is being monitored.
Point of Sale Integration
Following a dubious point of sale transaction, you’ll need to find out exactly what happened to prevent repeat offences and take disciplinary action. However, it’s highly unreliable to depend on what he said, or she said, or to squint at fuzzy CCTV footage to uncover who’s ultimately responsible.
With an IP security camera, you can combine digital video with information from your POS system. As you play back the footage, you’ll be able to see what tasks were performed on the till. It enables you to identify what transpired between the cashier and the customer so that you can accurately monitor unauthorised discounting, mishandling of change, the quantity of stock that was processed and more.
IP CCTV Installation
If you’re starting to think that IP CCTV camera systems will be the right security move for your business, contact Tecsec Security Solutions today. Our friendly team of experts can chat to you about your specific requirements and determine what’s going to work best within your budget. With a proven track record for supporting the security needs of Perth businesses, you’ll be in safe hands with us.