CCTV Systems Secure Your Business and Reduce Shrinkage

Retail businesses and restaurants often have issues with “shrinkage,” the innocuous euphemism for shoplifting and theft by both customers and employees. CCTV systems provide security footage and allow you to monitor your premises and prevent shrinkage by keeping a virtual eye on your store or restaurant even when you can’t do so. There are many types of CCTV systems for surveillance on the market, including those that are designed to be obvious and those that are designed for covert surveillance. You can choose from stationary security cameras, hidden surveillance cameras and cameras for indoors, outdoors and night surveillance, as well as from wired or wireless CCTV systems, whichever best suits your needs.

CCTV Systems Are More Affordable Than Ever

Many small store owners mistakenly believe that they can’t afford a CCTV system. In fact, the prices on security systems have come tumbling down over the past few years as technology has made it cheaper and easier than ever to install a surveillance camera just about anywhere you want – without having to break into your walls or run wires all over your stores. You can buy a security system that might have cost $1,500 to $2,500 just a few years ago for under $500 – and in some stores, you’ll recover that cost in just a month or two thanks to tighter security and the reduction in shrinkage.

Wireless CCTV Cameras Give You Incredible Flexibility

Wired security cameras can be awkward and expensive. You have to choose a configuration for your security system, hire someone to do the wiring and hope that you’ve got it all right, because once the security cameras are in place, you’re stuck with them. Wireless security cameras, on the other hand, can be placed just about anywhere you choose, as long as they can get a signal back to the DVR or PC you’re using as a receiver. Most wireless security cameras can transmit through one or more walls, so you can locate your surveillance cams in several rooms and out of doors without having to run wires.

Hidden Cameras for Surveillance, Visible for Deterrent

Today’s security systems offer you a choice between visible security cameras that can serve as a deterrent to thieves and shoplifters and hidden cameras that allow you to keep an eye on your premises without being obvious. No matter which you choose, you can configure them with a DVR or with a PC base station. If you choose a PC-based CCTV system, you can even check in on the premises from your home or office over the Internet.

If you thought that CCTV systems were too expensive for your operation, take another look. You’re likely to find that there’s a perfect security system available within your price range.

What to Know Before Shopping for Wireless Security CCTV Systems

CCTV systems are among the most important tools you can employ in your quest to provide for your family’s or business’ security and safety. Until recently, though, your access to CCTV security systems was hampered by the reach of wires and access to electrical outlets. But thanks to the great strides taken in wireless technology, your options for placing security cameras and receivers have expanded exponentially. In addition, advances in battery and power storage technology have also opened new vistas for battery-operated CCTV security cameras. Here’s what you should know before shopping for wireless CCTV systems.

Best Uses for Home Wireless CCTV Systems

Wireless CCTV systems and security cameras are the ideal solution for places where you can’t easily run a wire, but where you want to be able to keep an eye. Consider mounting a wireless security camera to monitor your driveway, front or back door, or the alley behind your house for security purposes. A wireless CCTV system is also ideal for keeping an eye on the baby sleeping in another room and monitoring kids at play out in the yard, as well as for monitoring and recording what happens in your backyard, garage or shed.

In short, if you’ve got a spot you want to watch but don’t want to run wires through the house or backyard, a wireless CCTV system is probably your best solution.

Considerations for Choosing CCTV Systems for Home Security

Before you start shopping for wireless cameras and recorders, you should know the answers to these questions. They’ll help you and the salesman figure out the best security camera solution, monitor and recording equipment for your needs.

How many indoor and outdoor areas do you want to monitor? How many cameras do you think you’ll need?

The general rule is that you’ll need one CCTV camera for each room you want to monitor, as well as one CCTV camera for each outdoor area – that is, one for the front of the house, one for the back, etc.

Will you need night vision cameras for any of your areas?

If you need to monitor an area after dark, night vision cameras are an important addition to your CCTV setup. Assess how much light comes from other sources in the area you want to monitor. It will help the tech person assess the best security camera for your use.

How many walls will the wireless signal have to penetrate?

Consider where you want to place your cameras and where your monitor will be placed so that you can figure out how far and through how many barriers the signal will have to travel. The further and more obstructed the signal will be, the more powerful your cameras will have to be.

Will you be recording or just monitoring? If you’re recording, do you have a PC for a DVR card, or will you use a separate DVR?

Going wireless gives you a lot of options for laying out CCTV systems, and allows you to move them when your needs change. If you’re looking at a wireless security system for your home, though, be sure to assess your needs before you buy so that you get the best wireless CCTV system for your needs.