|
This year, according to a recent National Retail Security Survey, you'll lose 5% of your revenue to employee theft and shoplifting. So if you have $500,000 in annual sales,
that's a $25,000 loss.
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 article 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.
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…
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.
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.
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. Be sure to purchase equipment that has been developed to easily integrate and upgrade with other
equipment.
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.
We recommend cameras with an
adjustable focal length of at least 8mm. This allows you
flexibility in setting up your cameras to capture the image area you want.
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…
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.
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. Make sure that your sales consultant matches a system to your floor plan and walks you
through the set-up process.
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…
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.
|
