4 Reasons To Upgrade Your Security Cameras From Analog To IP
Crime is a major concern for all types of businesses. Retail stores have to worry about shoplifting, convenience stores and fast food restaurants are common targets for armed robbers, and offices that handle financial and legal documents have to be concerned with data theft. Ensuring that the security system at your place of business is up-to-date can go a long way toward protecting your employees, your customers, and your product or service. One change that you should consider making, if you haven't already, is the change from analog cameras to newer, IP network CCTV cameras. Take a look at a few reasons why it's time for you to make the switch.
Better Picture
Put simply, IP cameras provide a better picture than analog cameras do. That's because they provide a much higher resolution picture than an analog camera. You can purchase an IP camera with a resolution as high as 29 megapixels, considerably more than you'll get from even a very good analog camera.
What this means for you is that you won't be left looking at fuzzy pictures of indistinct faces. Instead, the picture will be sharp and clear, allowing easier identification. Many people don't realize that this increase resolution means that you can even enlarge and zoom in on a picture after the fact without causing the picture to blur. The result is that even an image captured from a distance can be enlarged to provide you with an accurate identification.
Additional Analytics
The processors that come onboard an IP camera can analyze data in real time, allowing you to take instant action where needed. For example, if you choose a camera with motion sensors, the camera will know to begin sending video and other information to the network server when it detects motion. It may even be able to set off an alarm at the monitor, alerting you to pay attention to the camera.
This feature reduces the amount of bandwidth the camera uses, since it's only sending video and data when there's something happening that needs to be captured. It also ensures that the person monitoring the camera will be more alert, since the alarms will only go off when there's something that needs to be watched.
Remote Access
The ability to monitor the cameras from anywhere at any time is one of the biggest advantages offered by an IP camera. Not only do you not need to be on the premises to connect with an IP camera, you don't even need to be at a computer. You'll be able to monitor your business even from mobile devices like a smartphone or a tablet.
This allows you to monitor employee activity, as well as that of customers or potential intruders. This allows you to respond to anything you observe immediately by phone or electronic correspondence, rather than waiting until you return to the office and view the videotape to find out what's been going on, as you would have to do with an analog camera. The ability to monitor remotely also allows you to contact emergency services from your location if needed – for example, if you logged in and witnessed an armed robbery in progress, your employee might not be able to reach an alarm button, but you could still summon help from a distance.
Wireless Options
Space is at a premium in any business place. You want people to be able to move around safely, and bulky wires can be an impediment to movement. They're also generally not aesthetically pleasing. When you opt for IP cameras in your place of business, you can choose from wireless options and options requiring minimal wiring, improving your aesthetics and reducing clutter.
If you're considering an upgrade to IP security cameras, a local commercial security service provider can help. They can tell you about your options for commercial security systems and help you find the right system to meet your needs.
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