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This year you'll lose
5% of your revenue to
employee theft and
shoplifting according to the recent
National Retail Security Survey.
So if you have $500,000 in
annual sales, that's a $25,000 loss.
But you can avoid losing a big
portion of it by equipping your
store with a state-of-the-art video
security system.
With the latest advances
in surveillance systems, small
retail stores, service stations and
mom-and-pop stores can take
advantage of the same level of
video security you might find in
banks, casinos or government
offices.
But that doesn't mean all
surveillance systems are alike.
What's more, it's important to
have a good technical support
team behind you to walk you
through placement, set-up and
the latest upgrades.
In this issue of Business
Security Update, we'll explore
the latest advances in video
security as well as costly
blunders. Here are 9 mistakes
many retailers make when
choosing a system.
Mistake #1:
Buying a security system
out of a box
These days you can walk
into a lot of retailers and find
a "complete" security system
all in one box. It seems simple,
but it can lead to a number of
problems.
First, these systems
are not really designed
to meet the needs
of most retail businesses.
Often they come
with low-end, low-resolution
cameras.
So, you may not get the
sharp, in-focus picture quality
you need to clearly identify a
suspect.
Additionally, they typically
have cameras designed for a
single purpose. And that brings
us to the second mistake…
Mistake #2:
Buying too few cameras…
or the wrong ones
Before buying equipment, take
a careful look at your floor plan.
Look at vulnerable blind spots and
high-traffic areas. Consider where
you'll need coverage.
Finding the right kind of
cameras and knowing where
to place them is perhaps one of
the most important tasks when
planning your security system.
That's why I recommend
the security consultants at
Supercircuits, one of America's
leading suppliers of video
security equipment. They can
help you plan for the right
amount of coverage in the critical
areas of your store, warehouse or
garage.
Too often, first-time buyers
purchase a four-camera boxed
system and then discover they
really needed more cameras.
But they're stuck because the
video recorder that came with
the system can only handle four
cameras.
Plus, a good system will
include a variety of cameras.
Depending on your business, you
may want indoor cameras, all weather
cameras, even infrared
cameras to cover dark areas.
Buy too few or the wrong
cameras and you may have to
purchase a second system to get
the coverage you needed in the
first place.
Mistake #3:
Buying "proprietary"
equipment
Picture this. You've got a
system in place. But a camera
breaks. Or you decide to add an
infrared camera. It should be
easy, right?
Think again. Many system
manufacturers, especially those
that make all-in-one boxed
systems, make equipment
that's not compatible with other
manufacturers' components.
So if you purchase the wrong
equipment, you may not be
able to upgrade simply because
you started with proprietary
equipment.
You'll find that all the
equipment highlighted in this
issue of Business Security
Update has been developed to
easily integrate and upgrade with
other equipment.
Mistake #4:
Buying cameras with
a fixed focal length
Fixed focus means that the
camera lens can only produce a
focused image from one distance
length.
Adjustable focus lenses allow
you to adjust the focus within a
range of distances. So you can
identify a suspicious character up
close or a license plate from far
away.
The security consultants
at Supercircuits recommend
cameras with an adjustable focal
length of at least 4–8mm. This
allows you flexibility in setting
up your cameras to capture the
image area you want.
Mistake #5:
Buying a system with a VCR
Stay away from surveillance
systems that use old-fashioned
VCR technology to record your
video.
First, VCRs have a lot of
moving parts that commonly
wear out. Second, videotapes
can get stuck or break. And
lastly, armed robbers look for
videotapes that have recorded
their actions.
Avoid these hassles and go
digital with a digital video recorder.
DVRs won't wear out like a
VCR. They're far more reliable and
there are no tapes to break or steal.
You have to take care that
you are buying technology that
meets your needs. DVRs are top
technology but don't be guilty of…
Mistake #6:
Buying the wrong DVR
Recorders for security systems
are designed to give the ability to
view multiple cameras at once. But
they are limited to the number of
cameras they can handle.
So again, buy a DVR capable
of handling the number of
cameras you need. If you think
you'll add cameras in the future,
consider buying a DVR that's able
to manage the additional cameras
so you won't have to replace the
entire system when you expand.
Mistake #7:
Poor or no technical support
Camera placement is key
to the overall effectiveness of
your system. So you'll want the
support of people who know how
to install a system properly.
This does not mean you have
to hire an expensive security firm
that could cost an arm and a leg.
The consultants at Supercircuits will help match a system
to your floor plan and walk you
through the set-up process.
Mistake #8:
Spending too much
for low quality
There's a lot of equipment
on the market today. Some of it's
good and some you should avoid.
Make sure you're dealing with
a video security company that
stands behind their equipment.
Do they offer a price
guarantee? Do they provide fast
delivery? Are their products
backed by a money-back
guarantee? Do they provide free
technical support? So with all this
in mind, don't make this final
mistake…
Mistake #9:
Not buying because you
"can't" afford a system
If you think that equipping
your retail store or warehouse with
a top-quality surveillance system
is expensive…it's even more
expensive and dangerous not to.
Losses from theft start from
day one. Too many retailers
wait until they've been stung
by shoplifters, employees or by
an armed robber, to make the
decision to put in a system.
However, the time to do it
is now, before you lose more
money to theft. It is an expense
of doing business. What's more,
you'll appreciate readily available
financing like you'll find at
Supercircuits.
The staff at Business
Security Update have put
together what we consider to be
ideal systems for a variety of retail
businesses. Take a few minutes to
look over these advanced systems
and weigh their advantages. Keep
in mind these systems are made
up of customizable components.
Any of these systems can be
easily changed to meet the
requirements of your business.
When you find a system that
works for you, or if you have any
questions, call Supercircuits Toll-
Free at 1-866-542-3436, 7am–
7pm M–F (CT) 9am–5pm Sat (CT).
One of their security consultants
will be happy to help you.
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