Category: Commercial security systems

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Buying A Video Surveillance System For Your Business

Having a video surveillance system is critical if you want to keep your business secure. Before you sign a contract or start ordering equipment, you need to consider what you want to do with a commercial video surveillance system. There are many things to consider including what you want to monitor, resolution types, how you will monitor the video, and what types of cameras you will use.

What do you want to monitor?

Think about the reason you want a commercial video surveillance system in the first place. Do you want to monitor who is coming and going out the front door? Do you need to see who and what is going in and out of the back door or monitor customers and employees? Do you want exterior cameras to help deter potential criminal activity?

What type of resolution do you need?

You can get cameras for your commercial video surveillance system in a wide range of resolutions. The lowest resolution cameras will record basic shapes and colors, but not the details that would help you identify a license number or a face. The highest resolution cameras give you enough detail to read the smallest lettering on a shirt logo and there are plenty of options in between.

How will the video be monitored?

The standard option for monitoring a commercial video surveillance system is to feed the video to a recording device and review it when needed. Another video surveillance option is to have live feeds that an employee or security contractor can monitor. You can even have a live feed that is sent across the internet that you can watch on a cellular device. This option allows you to connect with your video surveillance system and see who is coming and going and what might be happening in the background.

What type of cameras do you need?

To monitor the outside of your business, you will need cameras that are built to be weatherproof. Indoor and outdoor cameras for your commercial video surveillance system also need to be hardened to prevent vandalism.

Infrared cameras offer you the ability to monitor what is going on at night or in dim conditions. This type uses infrared light to illuminate the area so it can capture the action. Day or night security cameras work well in low-light situations and have chips that are extremely light sensitive. While this type does not work in absolute darkness, it does work in low-light conditions like moonlight or street lighting.

Another type for your commercial video surveillance system is the bullet camera, which is small and compact. This camera is perfect for monitoring areas in secret and is lower in cost than many others. The bullet camera is easy to install and manage. Even smaller than the bullet camera is the mini security camera. This type can be smaller than a matchbook but still have good resolution and is easy to hide.

Dome cameras are standard in the video surveillance systems of many retail establishments and are professional and streamlined in appearance. This type can blend into any color ceiling for unobtrusive observation and can be hardened to prevent vandalism.

There are many options available when it comes to adding a video surveillance system to your business. If you want to learn more, contact us here at 1st Alarm. You can call us at 1(800) 276-5559 or send us a message via email. We have locations in the following Texas cities: Midland, Odessa, Amarillo, Lubbock, Abilene, El Paso, and San Angelo.

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Top 3 Benefits For Installing A Commercial Security System

Commercial buildings are a prime target for those up to criminal mischief. Installing a commercial security system is the first step to securing your company assets. Commercial security systems protect your business from burglars and shoplifters while also protecting your store and your employees 24/7. Commercial security systems also protect your business from fire with built-in smoke detectors. This feature could end up saving your business and livelihood.

Commercial security systems protect your business from burglars and shoplifters

Overnight and on weekends, your business is vulnerable to break-ins. Burglars love the fact that many businesses are deserted during those times, giving them plenty of time to break in and get anything of value. A commercial security system will stop burglars in their tracks. This system will detect their presence, call the authorities, and notify you that something is happening. Adding an audible commercial security system will help get them out of the building without them taking anything.

However, some thieves do not use the dark of night to steal things. Shoplifters steal right under your nose during the light of day. You can install a commercial security system that will let you monitor several areas of your store using closed circuit TV monitors. You can also add access control to prevent unauthorized people from accessing your store room or offices.

Commercial security systems protect your store and your employees 24/7

Some businesses are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Robbers love these spots because there are very few people around to stop them from trying to rob the store. Having an easy to see commercial security system can deter these criminals from even trying it. You need to give your employees easy to access panic buttons in case someone pulls a gun or makes a threat. You also need cameras in place to capture what is going on to give police a face to look for.

Commercial security systems protect your business from fire

It takes just minutes for a raging fire to reduce a building to rubble. If that building houses your business, you are in trouble. Most commercial security systems have built-in smoke detectors. That way, if a fire starts, the 24-hour monitoring service can get the fire department on its way in seconds. This monitoring service could save your business and your livelihood.

If your business is not currently protected with a commercial security system, don’t wait any longer to add one. Call 1st Alarm today at 1(800) 276-5559 or contact us via email. We have locations in the following Texas cities: Midland, Odessa, Amarillo, Lubbock, Abilene, El Paso, and San Angelo. We look forward to providing you with the best commercial security system available.