Complete guide to business security camera systems

When setting up the infrastructure for a new business, business security cameras are one of the first components that come to mind. However, your security cameras are only part of the needed security infrastructure. Focusing on the entire security camera system for business will result in both a higher level of security and a greater return on your security camera investment.

What is a business security camera system?

A business security camera system is the entire video security ecosystem. It includes not only your security cameras but also all the hardware and software components that help you maximize the value of your security cameras.

What are the components of a business security camera system?

A business security camera system has four main components:

• Business security cameras
• Data storage
• Internet connection
• Video analytics

This list is very specific to the components of a security camera system for businesses. However, this can also be a part of your loss prevention system, which includes many of the other pieces of hardware you might expect to see, such as your POS, RFID tags and gates, and so on.

Business security cameras

Security cameras are the basis of the system. Most commercial sites require some form of video surveillance. The same is true for offices, university and college campuses, and more. However, if you stop at simply buying security cameras, then you are left with an underutilized and incomplete infrastructure.

Data storage

Some cameras have data storage in them, but it is usually limited. Other cameras store directly to the cloud, which is great if you have the bandwidth and a good connection with zero downtime. Generally, you will need either a DVR (digital video recorder) or NVR (network video recorder) system to function as your data storage device. We briefly touch on DVR vs. NVR below, but you should take a look at our main comparison article for a complete breakdown of their similarities and differences.

Network attached storage (NAS) and cloud video storage are two more options. Solink provides a cloud-first hybrid video storage solution.

These systems can be customized to meet the specific video retention needs of your business. Whether you need 15, 30, 90, or more days of onsite video storage, Solink can accommodate your requirements.

Internet

Video analytics platform

Video analytics is critical in a modern business camera system. Cameras are rich data sources that go well beyond the security domain. Collecting and storing but not putting into action that data can make every business decision harder. Here are just some of the ways Solink’s video analytics platform can help you.

Security related:

• Match video clips to potentially suspicious transactions by integrating security cameras with your POS (voids, cash refunds, high discounts, zero-dollar transactions, etc.). Solink doesn’t require a text inserter box to do this.
• Use motion search to see all activities in an area to quickly track down an event.
• Use Solink’s Video Alarms feature to create time-based perimeter defenses, protecting your business when you aren’t there.
• Be alerted when specific transactions, items, or criteria are met.
• Receive a notification when individuals enter certain areas of your business.

Non-security related:

• Audit your stores for regulatory and company policy compliance (e.g., make sure emergency exits are cleared and stores are clean).
• Modify store layout based on customer heat maps so the best products are in the best locations.
• Ensure customer service expectations are being met (e.g., reducing wait times in queue) by identifying retraining opportunities.
• Monitor events such as slip-and-falls.
• Ensure brand standards and cleanliness.
• Determine store efficiency with guest counting.

To see how Solink can help you get the most out of your business security camera systems, request a demo today.

Why do you need a business security camera system?

Business security camera systems provide benefits to your business. Here are just a few of the things you can expect to get out of your system.

Reduce inventory shrinkage

Well placed cameras and a strong video analytics platform give you the ability to scan a full day worth of video footage in minutes. This can help you find inventory shrinkage in all of its forms, from employee theft at the POS to shoplifting, organized retail crime (ORC), and inventory not showing up or leaving out the loading dock.

Remote video monitoring

Enhance safety

With a recent trend of increased violent crime, ensuring the safety of your staff, customers, and premises is becoming a priority. However, safety doesn’t just mean from potentially violent encounters. A well-connected and monitored security camera system for your business will improve safety in other ways. By monitoring company and regulatory compliance, you can make sure emergency exits are clear, wet floor signs are out to prevent slip-and-falls, and visitors aren’t entering restricted areas such as kitchens or warehouse space.

Optimize operations

Receive alerts

Some events are just too high risk to search for after the fact. Setting up the Solink Video Alarms system means you will get alerts when motion is detected outside of normal business hours. Then, you have the ability to see what is happening in real time before deciding to dispatch emergency services.

This improves your perimeter security while reducing the risk of fines due to false alarms. You can also receive alerts when someone enters a sensitive area of your business even during working hours. If your business has valuable assets stored outdoors, such as a dealership or DIY center, then video alarms are more practical than standard panel alarms that only protect doors and windows.

Some transaction types have a higher risk of fraud. You can be notified when these transactions occur so you can view the related video immediately.

Document events

This is another reason video retention is a key component of business security camera systems. Being able to store video footage of specific events forever can help improve your case management process. On the Solink platform, you can send footage of events directly to managers, insurance companies, the police, or any email address you want.

For example, a bank can use Solink to capture evidence of an ATM attack. This can then be sent to police to follow up on the crime, while the insurance company can expedite payment to repair the wall around the ATM.

Saving events can help enhance many other aspects of your business. For example, video evidence of internal theft can be used as part of your loss prevention onboarding training. Conversely, you can capture footage of employees providing excellent customer service to praise them during your next staff meeting.

What are the main types of business security cameras?

There are many different types of business security cameras. Let’s break down all the specific definitions.

Here’s a helpful article from the Solink Help Center if you are unsure about what kind of security cameras you have.

While you may wish to direct your procurement department to make future security camera purchases digital, it doesn’t mean you need to replace current analog security cameras. Solink can work with most IP and analog cameras, so there’s no need to upgrade your entire business security camera infrastructure to work with our platform.

Some bullet cameras have varifocal lenses, allowing one to adjust the field of view of the camera without losing picture quality. However, you will need to make any adjustment on the camera manually.

Dome cameras

360 degree cameras (fisheye cameras)

However, using modern gaming technology, Solink stretches out this view to give you an immersive look at what is happening at your site. Here’s the 360 camera at work with Solink:

While the PTZ camera requires a loss prevention guard to be on duty watching the camera feed to change the view angle, 360 degree cameras show and record everything all the time. We’ve found that a single 360 degree security camera can replace four to six traditional security cameras in wide open areas.

Business security camera comparisons

Business security camera systems are complex. There are a lot of decisions to be made on the components. Here’s a list of common comparison points.

WiFi vs. Ethernet

However, PoE (power over Ethernet) provides energy and transmission in a single Cat 5 Ethernet cable. That means that WiFi and PoE security cameras are both still going to have one wired connection.

While WiFi is generally considered robust to noise, it is never going to be as fast, robust, or secure as Ethernet. Furthermore, WiFi has a limited range: usually about 50 feet before the signal becomes too weak for reliable video transmission; depending on the number and types of obstacles between the router and cameras, this distance can be reduced. Ethernet cables, used for IP cameras, can reliably be used at distances over 300 feet.

DVR vs. NVR

DVR and NVR find their distinction in how they receive video data. DVRs receive raw data captured from analog cameras. The signal is processed on the DVR before being recorded.

Conversely, NVRs do not process the signal they receive. The video signal is processed by the camera before being sent to the NVR.

Local storage vs. cloud storage

Local storage can generally be broken down into using an NVR/DVR appliance or built in camera storage.

Cloud-based storage requires a continuous, reliable Internet connection. This is not always feasible. However, the benefit of having data in the cloud is that you can access your video anywhere. Indeed, Solink provides both local storage and cloud access to the platform.

To see how Solink can help keep you connected to all of your locations remotely, sign up for a demo today.

SD vs. HD vs. 4K

Resolution at its core is how many pixels are recorded in an image. Here’s a summary of the different resolutions:

• SD usually refers to resolutions below 720×480 pixels
• HD usually refers to 1280 x 720 or 1920 x 1080 pixels.
• 4K refers to 3840 x 2160 to 4096 x 2160 pixels.

Pixels are little color dots, and more of them mean the dots are closer together and therefore you can see more details. This might lead you to believe that higher resolution is always better. However, there are several other considerations that should be included in your decision-making process.

Bandwidth

Bandwidth is basically the speed of your Internet. Higher video resolution requires more bandwidth to transmit. Here’s a chart showing the recommended bandwidth levels for different video resolutions:

If you have multiple cameras streaming to the cloud, the amount of bandwidth required for 4K adds up quickly. This is the major reason that Solink simultaneously records multiple resolution streams at once and stores the data locally.

That way you can see the SD stream instantly, the HD one with a short buffering delay. Furthermore, you don’t need to send all of your security camera feeds to the cloud at once.

However, you still have access to all of your video remotely, and Solink can easily accommodate higher resolutions. The dual feed is a really nice quality–function tradeoff. In fact, there is no tradeoff as you get both fast-loading SD and better-quality HD.

Field of view

A camera’s field of view is the angle width (and height) that it is recording. Business security cameras have a wide range of fields of view. They can be as low as 40° for zoomed-in smaller cameras and go up to 360° by 180° for a 360 degree business security camera.

The FOV/resolution combination of your cameras dictates the final quality of the video. With the same resolution, a lower field of view will show more details than a larger angle. For this reason, 360 cameras usually have a much higher resolution than other regular cameras

Plug-in cameras vs. battery-powered cameras

Battery-powered security cameras that only function when triggered, for example by a motion sensor, can last several months on a single charge depending on the level of motion happening in their field of view, so in remote locations with lower security needs they could be useful, but in most situations they are not recommended.

IP camera vs. analog cameras

Resolution

Analog security cameras tend to be SD or HD (e.g., TVI security cameras), whereas IP security cameras are at least HD and are also available in very high resolution.

Video analytics

Solink can provide VSaaS solutions to companies using both analog and IP security cameras. IP security cameras can provide richer data, but analog cameras are not yet completely obsolete. Working with your existing business security camera system infrastructure is a major benefit of Solink as it lowers your startup costs.

Power over Ethernet (PoE)

PoE eliminates the need for separate power and data cabling. This is a major benefit of IP security cameras over analog ones.

System cost

IP security cameras are on average more expensive than analog ones. In addition, IP cameras are easier and cheaper to install since they only need an Ethernet cable where analog cameras require a power supply cable and a coaxial cable for the signal. These features combined mean that, when buying a new business security camera system, purchasing IP security cameras is generally comparable to or even cheaper than buying an analog security camera system and also future proofing your system for upcoming improvements.

What should you consider before purchasing a business security camera system?

There are many decisions that need to be made when building or expanding your business security camera system. Let’s look at some of the major ones.

Installation and camera sourcing

Many companies will force their customers to purchase a whole new set of security cameras to integrate with their data analytics platform. This is not the case with Solink. We want to have a low startup cost and no contracts.

We want customers to stick with us because we exceed your expectations and not because you’ve been forced into a long contract with a massive sunk cost buying proprietary cameras.

While we can help you procure any type of security camera at a great price and have them installed, we are also compatible with your existing cameras. Furthermore, you are free to source your own cameras, as well as do any installation yourself or use a trusted local installer.

That freedom guarantees savings.

Type of camera

First, you need to decide between analog and IP security cameras. For new purchases, IP cameras are the better option. Next, you’ll need to consider the different types of security cameras and their coverage. Finally, some cameras are only recommended for indoor installation, while others can be placed indoors or outdoors.

There’s a great example coming up that shows you where to place each camera and why a little bit later in this article. This camera placement use case is for a quick serve restaurant (QSR), but the principles are the same for other retail locations.

Type of storage

Analog cameras use a DVR, IP cameras use an NVR, and there are hybrid solutions as well. Furthermore, these solutions are on premises, whereas cloud storage is also an option. The recorder is usually the most expensive part of the system.

Generally, bandwidth will become an issue if you stream footage directly to the cloud, but having a cloud backup of your data is an added level of protection. Cloud video surveillance is quickly becoming the standard because it brings so much value.

Remember, cloud access to Solink’s platform and real-time remote video monitoring are possible regardless of where your video is stored.

Amount of storage

Do you want 30, 60, or 90 days of video retention? Do you need 4K or is HD sufficient? These questions will help you decide on the size of appliance you need for local video storage. Solink can provide solutions no matter the answer.

Features

The video analytics platform provided by Solink is loaded with features, and more features are coming out with each automatic update. If you haven’t looked at our feature page yet, please take a look at everything Solink has to offer.

What should you consider before purchasing a business security camera system?

Business security cameras can be a big investment. They also provide some of the richest data you can find. Simply put, if you aren’t using a video analytics platform to search, sort, and see that data, then you aren’t getting the most out of your investment—and you aren’t getting all the information you need to make the best possible decisions.

While loss prevention, reduced shrinkage, and improved security for your customers, visitors, and employees are obvious benefits, there are less obvious ones too. You’ve probably built your business security camera system around these benefits, but some of the biggest cost reductions are from reduced liability.

Monitoring your premise with remote video surveillance allows you to make sure that company policies and regulatory requirements are being met. Here are just two examples:

• Your company policy states that all wet spots need to be mopped up and a wet floor sign be placed. The weather report says rain across the northeast. Solink shows you all the cameras facing front doors at all your locations so you can confirm that wet floor signs are being used. This reduces your liability under potential slip-and-falls. In fact, Veterans of America-Michigan uses Solink to do just that.
• The labor shortage is making it harder to hire and retain employees. Reduced hours means that some locations are cutting corners. Stockrooms are not being kept as clean as they should be, which has led to some emergency exits being blocked by merchandise. You’ve received some Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) fines recently and are looking for an efficient way to monitor all of your locations. Solink shows you a folder with all cameras pointing at the emergency exits of your locations so you can scroll through hundreds of sites in minutes every day to confirm those doors are being kept clear.

Solink offers Blocked Exit Detection. With health and safety fines on the rise, Solink uses advanced AI to make sure your emergency doors remain clear. Now, when an employee inadvertently leaves boxes near the egress, you’ll receive an alert. This handy product can save organizations thousands of dollars per year.

What should you consider when choosing a business security camera?

The following are some of the main features to consider when choosing your security cameras:

• Resolution: The resolution of a camera indicates how much detail will be recorded. If you are filming in close range on a small area, then low resolution shouldn’t be a concern. However, higher resolutions are usually recommended for modern video surveillance.
• Frame rate: The frame rate is the number of frames per second that your camera records. Having a low frame rate (e.g., 5) will severely diminish your ability to track people across your facilities. In addition, depending on the industry in which you operate, you may be required to record with a minimum frame rate. Traditionally surveillance systems record at 10 frames per second, as it is a good balance between lower storage needs and good quality.
• Camera type: Different cameras are best suited for different environments. A bullet or turret camera can record a smaller area than a 360 degree security camera. So the former is best used to monitor a hallway or entrance, while the latter is better suited for monitoring an open area, such as a dining hall or a department store section.
• Indoor/outdoor: Generally speaking, all security cameras can work indoors, but not all security cameras are appropriate outdoors. If you need both indoor and outdoor video surveillance, then you should make sure any cameras placed outdoors or in harsh environments such as freezers are able to function in your local climate.
• Lighting: Some cameras are designed to operate in the dark. If this is important for you, then consider buying cameras with IR capabilities.
• Audio: Not all business security cameras record audio. If this is something you might need, then be sure to choose cameras that also record audio.

Where should you place your security cameras?

Placing the cameras in your facilities is a key step in building a strong business security system. We’ve discussed some of the issues you need to keep in mind when doing this in a restaurant previously, but now we share with you a complete business security camera floor plan.

Take a look at the business security camera floor plan below. Note that, if you click on it, you can see a much higher resolution version.

The following table summarizes the camera type, location, and reason for the coverage. The full reasoning behind this business security camera floor plan can be found here.

While a single reason for the placement of each camera is listed in the table, the truth is that all of these cameras are performing multiple functions. Please view the complete report to see just how much value beyond security that your surveillance cameras could be providing. Notice that turret or bullet cameras are used outdoors because they are designed to endure harsh environments. Indoors, a combination of dome and 360 degree cameras are used. The domes provide a similar field of view to turrets or bullets, but the direction the camera is facing is hidden, which adds a bit more security value. The 360 degree cameras are placed in the most open areas to monitor the whole lobby and kitchen.

Business security camera systems FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about business security camera systems.

What does CCTV stand for?

CCTV stands for closed-circuit television. CCTV is often used to refer to security cameras, as unlike broadcast TV the footage is not distributed widely. Note that some people only use CCTV to refer to analog cameras, while others refer to all security cameras as CCTV cameras.

What are the best security cameras for a business?

Solink can work with a variety of camera types and brands. Hanwha and Axis cameras are two well-regarded brands.

How much does a business security camera system cost?

The price of a business security camera system will depend on how many cameras are required, the types of cameras deployed, how long the video needs to be retained, and several other factors.

What are the top types of CCTV cameras?

There are many different types of security cameras. Some of the commonly used types of security cameras are the following:

• Bullet cameras
• Turret cameras
• Dome cameras
• PTZ cameras
• 360 cameras

How much does it cost to install cameras in a business?

The price of installing security cameras will depend on the types of cameras used. Wireless battery-powered cameras can be installed easily by the user, whereas Power over Ethernet (PoE) cameras may require running new wires. Solink can install cameras or work with a preferred local installer, which reduces the cost of installing security cameras.

How many security cameras do I need for my business?

The type of business and the local risks will dictate how many cameras your business requires. Before deciding on a camera layout, it is recommended that you have a professional walk through your business and advise on the types of cameras you need and where they should be placed.

Can security cameras be a business expense?

Yes. Security cameras are definitely a business expense.

Which is better, wireless or wired CCTV cameras?

Wireless CCTV cameras are easier to install, but wired CCTV cameras tend to be more reliable and require less maintenance. In most cases, Solink recommends wired CCTV cameras.

What is the difference between CCTV and surveillance cameras?

Closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera is another way of saying surveillance camera or security camera. Closed-circuit in this case indicates the opposite of broadcast, as surveillance camera footage is not widely distributed.

Which CCTV camera is better, HD or IP?

Internet protocol (IP) cameras use a local WiFi or Ethernet network to transmit video digitally. High-definition (HD) video refers to the quality of the video feed measure in the number of pixels. Most IP cameras can record in HD quality or better.

What is the best surveillance system for the money?

It’s important to go beyond security cameras and have a complete surveillance system. This includes an integrated video analytics system that can pair video with other data, such as point of sale (POS) transactions or motion events. This saves the operator time, makes it easy to share evidence with law enforcement, and increases the likelihood that theft events will be found, generating greater return on investment (ROI).

Do security cameras use a lot of electricity?

The average security camera consumes 2–10 W of power, which is about 1.5–7 kWh per month. The American national average price of energy is $0.18/kWh, which means the average security camera costs about $0.25–1.35 in energy per month.

Does having security cameras lower business insurance?

Security cameras can reduce the risk profile of a company. If a company has fewer claims by minimizing theft events, then they will likely experience lower overall insurance costs. In addition, security cameras can prevent fraudulent injury or damage claims by recording evidence, which can again reduce insurance costs.

What is NVR vs DVR?

DVR (digital video recorder) and NVR (network video recorder) find their distinction in how they receive video data. DVRs receive raw data captured from analog cameras. The signal is processed on the DVR before being recorded. Conversely, NVRs do not process the signal they receive. The video signal is processed by the camera before being sent to the NVR.

Can wireless cameras work without the Internet?

Wireless cameras need to broadcast their video over the local WiFi network. If you have local video storage, or the camera has local storage, then a wireless camera should continue to record during an Internet outage.

Is there a security camera that records continuously?

Most security cameras are able to record continuously provided you have sufficient storage space. Solink also provides the option of time-based recording if you need to pause recording on a schedule due to privacy concerns. This is especially important for businesses that share their space, for example a daycare inside of a community center.

Is there a security camera that will record if WiFi goes out?

Power over Ethernet (PoE) provides both power and a direct wired connection to security cameras. Since they transmit video over Ethernet, they can continue to record video even when the WiFi goes out.

How long do business security cameras keep footage?

Different businesses have different video retention needs. Solink offers a customizable retention period. Most businesses choose 30, 60, or 90 days, but some regulated industries can mandate a full year of video retention.

What is the longest distance for a security camera?

The type and quality of the lens will dictate how far away can be clearly recorded by a camera. Some 4K turret cameras can clearly see a license plate in ideal lighting at several hundred feet.

The transmission limit from the camera to the video storage device is determined by the type of transmission. Ethernet can transmit the data the farthest, coaxial cables have a shorter transmission capability, while WiFi has the shortest transmission range.

What is the difference between security cameras and surveillance cameras?

Security cameras and surveillance cameras are the same thing. People will use the names depending on what they want to emphasize.

Do security cameras record in the dark?

Some security cameras have built in infrared LED lights that allow them to record in the dark. More infrared LED lights is an indication of better nighttime recording capability.

Do motion sensor cameras record all the time?

Some DIY security systems can be set to only record when motion is detected. Business security cameras generally record all the time.

Do you need WiFi for a security camera?

There are WiFi security cameras. However, most security cameras use Power over Ethernet (PoE) connections to both power the camera and transmit the video to the local storage system. PoE security cameras are more reliable than WiFi security cameras, so Solink recommends you use them wherever possible.

Are white or black security cameras better?

The color you choose for your security cameras has no impact on their capabilities. You may choose a particular color to make the security blend into the background or make it stand out more, depending on your preference.

How do I choose a good security camera?

It can be difficult to choose good security cameras. One thing you may want to consider is whether the cameras are able to integrate with your other systems.

How much area can a CCTV camera cover?

How much area that a security camera can cover will depend on the type of lens. For example, a 360 camera can cover as much area as 4–6 bullet cameras.

Do security cameras record audio?

Not all security cameras record audio, but there are models that do record sound if this is important for your business.

Are security cameras recording if they have no lights?

It can be difficult to tell if a security camera is recording from looking at it. This helps the deterrence value of security cameras as would-be thieves assume they are recording all the time.

How do you tell where a security camera is aimed?

It is easy to see where bullet cameras are pointing. Dome cameras obfuscate this information, so people can’t tell where the camera is pointing. Fisheye cameras are actually recording in all directions at all times.

Are security cameras an invasion of privacy?

No. People should not expect privacy in public places, so security cameras may be placed freely in businesses. However, bathrooms, changerooms, and some other areas do have assumed privacy, so security cameras cannot be placed in these locations.

What type of security cameras do businesses use?

Businesses use many different types of security cameras depending on the type of area that needs to be surveilled. Bullet, turret, dome, PTZ, and 360 cameras are the most commonly used types of security cameras.

What is the best security camera 2022?

There are many great security camera brands. Hanwha and Axis cameras, for example, are considered very reliable.

What security cameras cannot be hacked?

Unfortunately, all devices connected to the Internet, sometimes collectively known as the Internet of Things (IoT), could be hacked. That’s why cybersecurity must be part of physical security.

How much is a security system for a restaurant?

Every restaurant is different, so the number and type of cameras required will also be different. Here’s a great guide to restaurant security cameras.

What are the two types of security cameras?

The two main types of security cameras are analog and Internet protocol (IP) security cameras. While IP cameras are the better technology, analog cameras can still have value and do not necessarily need to be replaced before they reach a natural end of life (EoL).

Is 4K or 1080p better for security cameras?

4K cameras offer sharper images than 1080p or 720p cameras. However, that leads to higher data usage. The best security camera is the one that fits the needs of the business, which might be high-quality 4K cameras or standard definition ones.

Why are 360 cameras sometimes called fisheye cameras?

Some people refer to 360 cameras as fisheye cameras because the video has a distorted look like a fisheye lens. However, Solink uses advanced gaming technology to stretch out the view and provide an immersive experience.

Solink completes your business security camera system

To get the most out of your security cameras, you need to connect them to a complete video surveillance ecosystem. That includes Solink’s video analytics.

To find out how Solink gets the most out of your surveillance system, sign up for a demo today.