Having a video surveillance system is a great way to keep tabs on your property around the clock. But it’s important to remember that not every solution will be fool-proof. To really have peace of mind, you need to make sure that your DVR system checks off all the boxes on your own list of priorities. The features you need and want might not always match what’s being offered with a particular system or how it’s going to be installed. Here are some of the most important things to watch out for!

How to Make the Most of Your Company’s DVR System

Setting up a DVR (Digital Video Recorder) system has a lot of benefits for commercial security. The cameras alone can function as a deterrent for trespassers. And even in the case of a foul-play, you could have valuable footage to review or share with law enforcement.

To really make the most of DVR surveillance, though, you need to be aware of a few key details with your system’s design. These considerations can help you get an effective and reliable surveillance setup for just about any commercial establishment.

1. Have you clearly defined your security objectives?

The people in your organization who are responsible for security and leadership should all reach an agreement about what you are trying to protect and what the potential security risks might be. This could be something as general as guarding the premise entrances/exits, or include other factors, such as your company’s assets, employees, and customers.

2. Be aware of local laws and regulations.

Your organization’s surveillance system will need to adhere to the local governance, privacy laws, and retention requirements. Before you put it to use, ensure that your DVR system complies with the necessary regulations.

3. Are you using the right types of cameras?

Every site is different, and your vendor should be able to help you assess the layout and choose the right types of cameras for your needs. Different camera types are suitable for different applications, so it helps to be aware of your own options. For example, are you going with high-definition cameras for good image quality? Do you want PTZ (Pan-Tilt-Zoom) Cameras that can capture video from various angles? Or are you good to go with dome cameras?

4. Place a camera in every critical area.

Each camera will have its own location and coverage specifications. You don’t want to risk placing a camera in a “wasted” space. Check the views at your entrances, exits, parking lots, and other vulnerable points or areas where you require access control. Also, remember to check for both indoor and outdoor coverage.

5. Have you considered the lighting conditions?

Evaluate the lighting conditions in different areas of your property and consider factors like resolution, frame rate, and low-light performance for your image quality. In low-light or nighttime conditions, you might want to use cameras with infrared (IR) or other low-light capabilities. Otherwise, the video you’re collecting may not even provide the information you really need.

6. What type of storage capacity do you need?

The days of recording video to VHS are long behind us. So while you may not need to be thinking in terms of physical video files to store, it’s still important to decide how long you need to retain video footage. This will inform the size of your DVR storage capacity. Then, if you’re looking for long-term storage, you can look into using cloud storage for backup.

7. Can you integrate the DVR with your other systems?

You can make your security efforts even stronger by connecting all of your systems. Ideally, you can work with your solutions provider to have your cameras sync with your access control systems, alarms, or intercoms. The best solutions are always custom-designed!