Installing commercial surveillance equipment is a powerful tool small business can use to guard against theft. Large office buildings and big businesses have had the benefit of surveillance for many years, but small businesses sometimes left vulnerable, due to their size and budget. Most everyone is familiar with the types of cameras ensconced in black domes in the ceiling of big-box stores, from which loss-prevention personnel track customers’ every move. Takeout restaurants and convenience stores, both often open into the wee hours of the morning, are also well-known for their tiny ceiling-mounted cameras pointed at the registers.

But what about boutique clothing stores, sole-proprietor restaurants and other, more modest operations? As a small business owner, you may not have the funding to hire a security guard, and low-budget video equipment might not be adequate for your needs. What are your options?

Options to Suit Your Budget

The surveillance equipment you purchase for your small business can be basic and straightforward, or high-tech and sophisticated — it all depends on your wants and needs. Your first determination should be what types of incidents you want to guard against. Some business owners want a camera trained on their front door to monitor the comings and goings of customers. This can help cut down not only on shoplifting, but on many other types of suspicious or dangerous activity as well.

Another common use of surveillance cameras is to monitor exchanges at the register. Hopefully your business will never be the target of a robbery, but keeping an eye on monetary transactions is also helpful in remedying fraudulent transactions. Reliable surveillance equipment can provide you with the proof you need when facing losses due to stolen credit cards, bad checks, counterfeit currency, employee theft and other types of collusion.

Installation can be complicated, so you want a professional to do it to make sure it’s done right and works properly. To avoid the unkempt appearance of wires and electrical outlets to operate your equipment, you can opt to have it installed within your walls or ceiling, or you can even purchase wireless equipment. Some ceiling-mounted cameras contain several lenses, allowing you to monitor multiple areas from one central location. Color recording, varying focus and tamper-proof domes are also available features with some systems.

Live Tracking

Various recording options are available as well. Your video equipment re-record each day, or you can have your daily records stored for the period of time you feel is sufficient for your business. You can also opt for live, remote surveillance of your property through a security contract, if you have concerns about the safety of your customers or employees. You can also use your smartphone or another device to log on and monitor your business remotely at any time.

Theatron installs surveillance equipment for large and small businesses in the Greater Washington DC Metro area. Protect your employees and customers, and guard against theft and other crimes by calling the experts at Theatron to find out what type of commercial surveillance equipment will best fit the needs of your business.