TIP Blog

How do you manage 100, 500, or even 1,000 IP video surveillance cameras?

By planning and partnering with the right technology vendorWhen implementing a large scale of IP surveillance cameras it is key that the technology is appropriately connected, operated and strategically placed. Doing so is an integral part of setting your company up for long-term success in monitoring the daily activity of its facilities.

However, when partnering with a vendor inadequately suited for the job, you open your business up to risk of blind surveillance spots, inadequate coverage and malfunctioning connections.

Simply put, you’ll want to do your homework ahead of time to ensure that you embark on this process with a trusted security technology vendor.

Below, we outline five key questions to ask yourself and your vendor to ensure that you are setting yourself up for success in managing a large deployment of IP cameras:

1. Is Product Integration Important to Your Surveillance Needs?

An IP video surveillance solution should be one aspect of your business’ greater security plan. Consider all of the security technologies you currently use or plan to use; then, decide whether it is appropriate to integrate these technologies into your video surveillance plan.

For example, consider pairing your video surveillance process with access control technology for greater visibility into your facility’s day-to-day activities.

To best prepare for your large deployment of IP cameras, look for different ways to integrate technology before the implementation phase.

2. How Can You Ensure Scalability?

It can be difficult to properly forecast how your company will scale in the next two to 10 years; however, the more you plan now, the easier scalability will be when the time comes.

Think through your expansion plans. Will the process you are implementing now be able to scale with your company’s growth goals? Best vendors will work with you to ensure you can add the adequate number of cameras down the line when it comes time to grow.

3. How Can You Integrate Multiple Sites and Facilities?

Do you have a plan in place to standardize and integrate security across all of your sites and facilities? Doing so will promote greater security and safety across the board.

With IP video, centralizing surveillance has never been easier. Whether your facilities are all in the same state or spread across the continent, you can consolidate your monitoring efforts for a more efficient and effective surveillance process.

4. How Will You Want to Monitor Facility Cameras?

As touched upon in consideration three, IP video solutions allow for easy and consolidated monitoring. This, however, it just one way to keep tabs on the activity picked up by surveillance cameras.

Other ways to view video feeds include:

• Accessing a dedicated client machine.
• Dialing into the system via desktop.
• Viewing feeds remotely on a smartphone or tablet via an app.

5. What’s More Important: Price Vs. Quality

Some vendors will boast the ability to allow large quantities of cameras on one system. What they may not tell you is that this comes with a caveat; some vendors cut costs by delivering more cameras on a slower and lower grade quality system.

When it comes to the final decision, you need to weigh your options on what system comes in at the right price, with the expertise and technological capabilities your facilities need.