For a long time, many business-owners have objected to installing business surveillance systems. These systems, they say, are expensive, intrusive, and do little to protect their business from criminals intent on harming it. In fact, nothing could be farther from the truth. Today, surveillance technology had advanced to such a degree that it is cheap, effective, and does not have to be intrusive in the least. In fact, businesses that choose not to install such surveillance systems are missing out on something that could also increase employee productivity.
The first myth to debunk is that of cost. There are surveillance systems that are expensive, but those are mostly ones that are installed outside, as these cameras have to be weatherproof and typically have other features such as night-vision and motion detection. Those cameras can cost upwards of $100. Business surveillance systems, by contrast, are typically installed inside and therefore each camera costs less than $50. Additional hardware that is required for any surveillance system adds little to the cost, especially since the requisite bolting and wiring is already right there inside of the walls. Even a multi-camera system is likely to cost less than $1000.
The next myth to debunk is that the systems are ineffective. It has been proven that even dummy cameras, which do nothing but look and act like real cameras, are extremely effective at preventing crime. Even signs that say that closed-circuit cameras are in use prevent a very large portion of the crime that would otherwise occur. Why else would large retailers, such as WalMart and Target, display their closed-circuit camera systems in prominent positions at the entrance to every store? This is a fact and one can be sure that if crime is a problem in a business, even a single camera will reduce it dramatically. This is particularly true of stores where purchases are typically in cash or large amounts of money is held.
Furthermore, business surveillance systems need not be intrusive. Employees do sometimes complain about this, but the technology had advanced to such a degree, that in many cases employees don’t even know they are being watched. Cameras can be as small as a button and still catch all of what is necessary. Also, sometimes a little bit of intrusion is a good tradeoff for the dramatic increase in employee efficiency that typically results from a business surveillance system. If employees don’t know if or when they are being watched, they are far more likely to act productively at all times. This “fear of god” can even be instilled with dummy cameras.
Finally, business surveillance systems simply look professional to potential customers. An honest customer who walks into a business and sees a camera will immediately know that this business is serious about what they do. This is particularly true of businesses that handle money, such as banks and insurance agencies, but is also true of grocery stores or anything else. Cameras simply seem professional to customers, and in today’s environment many people even expect them. At such low cost, isn’t it worth it to at least buy a dummy camera for that purpose?
The truth is that business surveillance systems are far underrated. Today, mostly only agencies that handle money or businesses in very dangerous areas have them. This is a big problem and it needs to be remedied. Every business that hopes to look professional, keep employees on task, and simply protect their assets should have a business surveillance system. The cost is low, the benefits high, and there are really no negatives to getting one at all.
Related Articles