The Essential Guide to Choosing a Surveillance System for Your Business

Jon Jones ● Dec 24 ● 16 min read

Surveillance systems have become an increasingly popular tool for businesses of all sizes looking to improve security and protect their assets. From small retail stores to large corporations, surveillance systems provide a range of benefits that can help improve efficiency, prevent theft and vandalism, and even deter crime. In this blog post, we will explore the various types of surveillance systems for businesses available, the benefits they offer, and some best practices for implementing a surveillance system in your business.

Whether you’re looking to upgrade your current security measures or are just starting to explore the options available, this guide will help you make an informed decision about the best surveillance system for your business.

The Types of Surveillance Systems for Businesses

There are a wide range of surveillance systems for businesses, each with its own unique features and benefits. Here are three types of surveillance systems that can help improve security and protect your business.

Cloud-Based Surveillance Camera Systems

Cloud-based surveillance systems use cameras that are connected to the internet and can be accessed remotely through a web-based interface. This allows business owners to view live footage and review recorded footage from anywhere with an internet connection.

Cloud-based systems are often easier to install and require less maintenance than traditional CCTV systems, and they also offer the added benefit of off-site storage of recorded footage.

Access Control

Access control systems are used to restrict access to certain areas of a business or building. These systems can include keyless entry systems, biometric scanners, or smart card readers.

Access control systems can help improve security by allowing only authorized personnel to enter certain areas, and they can also be used to track and record employee movement within the facility.

Environmental Sensors

Environmental sensors can be used to monitor various aspects of a business environment, such as temperature, humidity, and air quality. These sensors can alert business owners to potential problems or hazards, such as bathroom full of vape or dangerous air.

Environmental sensors can help protect businesses by alerting them to potential issues before they become major problems, and they can also help improve efficiency by ensuring that the business environment is optimal for employees and customers.

The Benefits of Surveillance Systems for Business

Surveillance systems for businesses of all sizes offer a range of benefits, including:

1. Improved Security and Crime Prevention: Surveillance systems for businesses can help deter crime by making it clear that the business is being monitored. They can also help identify and track potential suspects, which can assist law enforcement in investigating crimes that do occur.
2. Increased Efficiency and Productivity: By monitoring employee activity and identifying bottlenecks or inefficiencies, businesses can use surveillance systems to improve their operations and increase productivity.
3. Enhanced Customer Service: Surveillance systems can help businesses identify and resolve issues more quickly, leading to improved customer satisfaction. For example, if a customer has a complaint or issue, surveillance footage can be used to quickly identify and resolve the problem.
4. Asset Protection and Loss Prevention: Surveillance systems can help protect businesses from theft and vandalism, which can result in significant financial losses. By deterring would-be thieves and vandals, surveillance systems can help businesses avoid costly repairs and insurance claims.
5. Employee Safety: Surveillance systems can help ensure the safety of employees by monitoring for potential hazards and providing a record of incidents that may occur. They can also protect employees from inappropriate behavior by providing a record of events.

Overall, surveillance systems can help businesses improve security, increase efficiency, enhance customer service, protect assets, and ensure employee safety, making them a valuable investment for businesses of all sizes.

The Best Practices for Implementing a Surveillance System for Businesses

Implementing a surveillance system can be a complex process, but by following these best practices, businesses can ensure that their surveillance system is effective and meets their needs:

First, determine your security needs and goals. Consider factors such as the type of business you operate, the location, and any specific security concerns you may have. After all, there are many different types of surveillance systems for businesses available, and it’s important to choose the one that is best suited to your needs. Consider factors such as the size of your business, your budget, and the level of security you require. For example, if you own a bank or financial institution, consider a panic button.

Then, it’s important to carefully consider the costs associated with implementing a surveillance system for your business, including the initial purchase price, installation costs, and ongoing maintenance costs. It’s also important to consider the level of technical expertise required to install and maintain the system.

Finally, surveillance systems for businesses should be regularly reviewed and updated as needed to ensure that they are meeting the needs of the business. This may include upgrading to newer technology, adding additional cameras, or modifying existing camera locations.

By following these best practices, businesses can ensure that their surveillance system is effective and meets their security needs.

Surveillance Systems for Business: An Overview of Verkada

Here at Monarch, we will work with you to design a surveillance system for your business. Together, we will design, implement, and oversee a security infrastructure for both safety and convenience.

Verkada offers a wide range of security products, including facial recognition cameras, access control, intrusion sensors and professional monitoring. All Verkada devices integrate with each other and are managed from a single cloud dashboard. Consider the following features of all Verkada devices:

Simple to Use

• Solid-state Storage (SSD): No NVR, DVR, or server is required. This means you pay for what you use – and that’s all. This reduces any extra overhead operations and the associated expenses,
• Regular, Automatic Software Updates: No need to worry about if your devices are working properly or are up-to-date with our Verkada devices.
• Simple Plug-and-Play Install: Just a standard Ethernet cable is required for the cameras to be brought online and fully operational within minutes.
• Accessible Anywhere, Anytime: Access archived or live feed videos on any device or browser
• Time lapse: Watch a day of footage in under 30 seconds with timelapses.
• Floor Plan: Quickly respond to incidents with real-time motion plotting. 

Scalable

• Unlimited Storage on Camera and Cloud: Reduce your organizations’ liability risk with unlimited cloud archiving offered by Verkada cameras.
• Unlimited Users Allowed: You can easily authorize admins access to an unlimited number of users.
• Infinitely Scalable: No matter how large the facility is, we can help you keep everyone on the same page. 

Limitlessly Smart

• AI-Based Video Analytics – People and Vehicle: Face detection, person of interest detection, and license plate detection are all available.
• Smart Filters: Search for specific people, vehicles, and objects without having to spend too much time scrubbing through footage.
• Live Alerts: Receive instant alerts in any meaningful event
• Shareable Live Feeds: Share your live feed via SMS. This is useful as you can send it to first responders in case of an emergency for dramatically reduced response time.
• 10-Year Warranty: Rest assured that your money is well protected

Surveillance Systems for Business: Cloud-Based Verkada Cameras

Verkada offers a variety of hybrid cloud cameras for surveillance systems for businesses to meet your needs including: the Verkada Indoor Dome Series, the Verkada Outdoor Dome Series, the Verkada Bullet Series, the Verkada Mini Series, and Verkada Fisheye Series.

Verkada Indoor Dome Series

The Verkada Indoor Dome Camera is designed for indoor, high-traffic areas. It is the perfect general-purpose camera for surveillance systems for businesses. There are three models in the Indoor Dome Series: CD42, CD52, and C62.

The Verkada Outdoor Dome Series

The Verkada Outdoor Dome Series is both weather- and tamper-resistant. Its capabilities function well even in areas with limited bandwidth and connectivity. They are perfect for monitoring the parking lot and the exterior of buildings (e.g., to capture key license plates). There are three three models in the Outdoor Dome Series: CD42-E, CD52-E, and C62-E.

The Verkada Bullet Series

The Verkada Bullet Series is an ideal security camera for surveillance systems for businesses as it is built to withstand harsh environments. The Verkada Bullet camera is available in two lens types: wide angle and telephoto. There are four three models in the Bullet Series: CB51-E, CB61-E, CB51-TE, CB61-TE.

The Verkada Mini Series

The Verkada Mini Series offers flexibility and high resolution for crystal clear footage. The Mini Camera is a compact size that can fit any space, anywhere. There are three three models in the Mini Series: CM41-S, CM41, and CM41-E.

The ​Verkada Fisheye Camera

The ​Verkada Fisheye Camera provides a panoramic view of the entire property – for either indoor and outdoor settings. This security camera allows for total surveillance coverage, making it perfect for different surveillance systems for businesses.

The Verkada Fisheye Camera (CF81-E) is an ideal security camera for surveillance systems for businesses. With the option to switch between circle, ePTZ, 2-view, 3-view, or 4-view modes on the CF81-E, you can do away with the need for multiple camera installations. You can also take advantage of features like digital pan-tilt-zoom to increase coverage and lessen blind spots.

Three different view modes are supported by the CF81-E. You can customize the view mode to meet the requirements of the install location.

• 180° Panoramic: A wide-angle view that is ideal for an open area or a corridor.
• Four-way split: Use a single camera to watch four distinct fields of view.
• Pan-tilt-zoom (ePTZ): Provides a panoramic, all-encompassing view of your environment.

Surveillance Systems for Business: Access Control

One type of surveillance system for a business is access control. An access control system is a security measure that regulates who has access to certain premises. There are many different types of access control systems, but they all have one common goal: to keep unauthorized people out while allowing authorized people in. Additionally, access control allows staff to move around quickly with keycards to maximize efficiency.

There are numerous approaches to controlling access to a building, and Monarch can assist you in determining which approaches to use for your surveillance system.

Verkada’s AC41 Door Controller

With Verkada’s AC41 Door Controller, clients may bring plug-and-play ease to managing doors and access throughout their building. In other words, as soon as you install the AC41 Door Controller, it is ready to use within minutes! Our Access Controller can easily integrate with any existing door hardware and readers in your facility.

With our Command platform, you can easily manage your doors once they are connected to the network (e.g., create lock schedules for doors). On the Command platform, you can effortlessly manage building access, scheduling, and users. You also save time adding users on the platform since employees are seamlessly configured, onboarded, and offboarded. This is because of the integration with active directory platforms.

Additionally, you can easily connect your Access Controller with your cameras using Verkada Command to provide real-time video analytics on access-related events. Thus, you are able to not only view what is happening at the buildings’ points of entry, but also take proactive action for any significant occurrences. The door controller, then, is an essential for surveillance systems for businesses

Verkada’s AD32 Door Reader

The AD32 Door Reader allows individuals to enter doors if they have the appropriate credentials on their cards or mobile phone. This door reader supports low and high frequency card formats as well as mobile devices that have the Verkada Pass app. Furthermore, the AD32 Door Reader comes in two different options: the Mullion Mount Plate and the Single Gang Mount Plate. Both options allow for customized installs.

The Single Gang Mount Plate is a common card reader format that can replace existing reader mounts or be used on traditional installations. The thinner Mullion form factor has a sleek design and can be used in smaller spaces such as door frames.

The Uses of Access Control for Surveillance Systems for Businesses

You can feel secure knowing that your interests are safeguarded with any Verkada device. Consider the following benefits of implementing an access control system as part of your surveillance systems for your business.

Insight on Building Access Activity

• Our access control system handles visitor credentials and ensures that visitors like maintenance workers only have access to specific areas.
• Track where and when individuals enter and exit certain areas. 

Intrusion Detection

• Deter deter potential crime with safety door locks after business hours. 
• Identify intrusions when they do occur. With Verkada’s devices, you can filter for door events like tailgating, holding the door open, forcing the door open, and people of interest.

Asset Protection

• Prevent some employees and visitors from entering restricted areas with door lock systems that require authorized credentials.
• Protect your company’s critical equipment, information, and assets with controlled access door locks. With these door locks, only authorized individuals will have access to these areas.

Managing Access Credentials

So, how does Verkada’s access control work? You can manage access control on the Verkada Command platform which is where you can monitor all of your devices. There are many different features that you may use to secure access control.

First, you can specify the user groups or access levels on Verkada Command. Then, you can design badge templates for each user group or access level. Next, you can print the badges and issue credentials either in bulk or individually. Finally, you can maintain users and permissions up to date in real time.

What else can be done on Verkada Command to manage building access control? Consider the following features:

• Synchronize Profiles: Synchronize users from SSO systems such as Okta and Azure Active Directory, and natively capture access levels and groups.
• Provisioning with a Single Click: With a single click, employees can be issued bluetooth credentials or a physical ID card.
• Log of Badge Events: On Verkada Command, access a log of badge events to ensure that only authorized individuals have access to secure areas.
• Unlock Doors from Anywhere, Anytime: Users can remotely unlock authorized doors using either the Verkada Pass and Command Mobile apps
• One-Tap Instant Lockdown: Create custom Lockdown scenarios that can be activated with a single tap to immediately secure buildings in the event of an emergency.

Surveillance Systems for Business: The SV11 Environmental Sensor

The Verkada SV11 all-in-one environmental sensor can monitor the health and safety of buildings. The SV11 environmental sensor monitors 8 different aspects of the environment: the total volatile organic compounds (TVOCS), the air quality index (AQI), particulate matter 2.5 (PM 2.5), the temperature and relative humidity, noise levels, vaping, and motion. Overall, the automated situational awareness provided by the SV11 is key for surveillance systems for businesses.

You can purchase the SV11 Environmental Sensor here.

Design and Features of the SV11

The SV11 is unique in not only its ability to monitor the overall environment, but also in its design and features, making it the perfect addition to your commercial security system installation. Its outer layer is a photochemically stainless steel etch and it is followed by several different sensors that measure and report data. Verkada’s SV11 works by using the onboard sensors to detect changes in the breakdown of chemicals in the air.

Furthermore, the SV11 has many different features that make it one of the most appealing environmental sensors. Consider the following unique attributes:

• Command Platform: Access all sensor data from the Command platform and view it against a timeline to get a full picture of when these events occurred. Compare environmental between any number of sensors or locations.
• Customize Your Dashboard: Determine which exact sensor data you’d like monitored and displayed on your dashboard
• Integration with other Verkada Devices: The SV11 Environmental Sensor is natively integrated with all other Verkada devices.
• Link Sensor-Based Data to Video: Link any sensor with a Verkada camera, correlating video with sensor-based data. 
• Custom Threshold: Configure custom alert thresholds to receive real-time notifications via SMS and email.
• Alert Settings: Customize alerts for your team to cut down on unnecessary notifications during the weekend and after work. Our platform allows each user to set what hours and days of the week that they’d like to receive alerts for sensor-based anomalies.

Explore The SV11

Monarch: Your Trusted Vendor of Surveillance Systems for Business

All in all, surveillance systems can offer a wide range of benefits for businesses of all sizes, including improved security, increased efficiency and productivity, enhanced customer service, asset protection, and employee safety. There are many different types of surveillance systems available, and it’s important to choose the one that is best suited to your business’s needs.

By carefully considering factors such as cost, installation, and maintenance, and following privacy laws and best practices, businesses can effectively implement a surveillance system that meets their security needs. Regular review and updates can help ensure that the system remains effective over time. Overall, surveillance systems can be a valuable investment for businesses looking to improve security and protect their assets.

That’s why Monarch is here to help you choose the best surveillance system for your business. Contact our security experts today to learn more about how Verkada can help keep your property, assets, and people safe.