Security, video, and access systems are often forgotten about while they are working in the background. As a fellow business owner, I like being able to have my system work for me, too. I enjoy having the ability to monitor the status of the office, company equipment, employees, and cash registers from the comfort of my phone. In order to access everything remotely like we do here, you only need one upgrade - your security system has to be connected to the cloud. By upgrading your security system from analog to digital, you will be able to monitor your business more efficiently with better storage space, an easy-to-use system, and easy monitoring from your phone. While security systems come in both analog and digital formats, you should understand their differences before choosing which system to monitor your business. You can gain a better understanding by asking these key questions:
What are the benefits of digital over analog?
Analog systems are installed directly onto your computer’s hard drive, and the footage the security system captures are also saved to the hard drive. This takes up storage space on the computer and can cause it to run more slowly. A slow computer at your company is the last thing you want!
With analog systems, you also need to make sure your computer’s software is consistently up to date so that it is compatible with the security system’s software. Sometimes this seems nearly impossible, as busy day-to-day life in the office takes priority. Because analog systems store data on your computer, if your computer crashes, you will lose all the information your analog security system has captured and saved unless you remembered to back the data up.
So what’s the alternative? Digital systems that function through the “cloud.” Cloud computing is an Internet-based model where users can store their documents, videos, and other electronic media and information online. With a cloud-based security system, your information is automatically stored online, meaning you do not have to worry about losing your information or installing new computer updates before your systems will function properly.
How long is my information stored and how good is the quality?
Many analog systems come with a small hard drive for storage. Some business owners who have these systems think that they do not need more storage space. Their video systems only store about three to seven days worth of footage before it is deleted. They think, “I don’t need footage dating back more than three days. If something is stolen, I’ll notice and I’ll review the cameras in time.” But what happens when you do not notice that something is missing? You may lose the footage you captured, and you may never know where your missing item went.
This is why we recommend a system that stores at least 30 days of footage. Digital systems can do this more easily. Using larger drives or storage on the cloud, you do not face the limitations of a minimal hard drive and can store much more footage.
You should also make sure that your business has high-quality cameras. Digital systems record better quality video than those on analog systems. If you need to blow up a photo in order to identify a vandal or thief who was caught on camera, you can more easily identify that person if you own a higher-quality digital camera.
How can I monitor my space while I’m away?
When you’re not in the office, how do you know who is entering your building? It can be difficult to know if you are out for the day. With remote access to the security systems in your building, you can have your eyes on the office even when you’re away. With remote monitoring your systems can send notifications to your phone throughout the day so that you can know when employees enter and exit, when the cleaning crew comes in, or even when the first person comes in and the last person leaves.
Through the cloud system, you can also control when someone has access to certain areas of your office. This makes the onboarding and offboarding of employees much easier and less risky so you don’t have to wait until they return their badge to know that they do not have access to sensitive areas of your business.
So how do you upgrade?
I understand that when implementing something new, it may not be about a large overhaul but strategic expansions. If you would like to learn about the first step you can take toward upgrading your system, give us a call at 512-280-1369 or visit us at hardtargetsystems.com. We’ll set up a time to visit your office and help you design a space that matches your business’ needs and makes you a hard target.