The important functions of video security cameras

Posted: Fri May 21, 2010 3:27 am     Post subject: The important functions of video security cameras

Video security cameras are not just for traditional security uses — they also play an important role on employee productivity, quality assurance and traffic flow. By having these cameras in the right locations, company managers can make better decisions about safety, compliance and serve their customers better.

Video monitoring technology has also kept pace with the increasing video surveillance demands since many video systems are moving away from analog CCTV systems and towards wireless IP and digital security cameras, which require less monitoring (the camera operator can view the cameras on his/her laptop from a remote location, rather than in a centralized monitoring room) and can be routed onto a LAN. These cameras also have PTZ technology, and the panning and tilting can also be directed from a remote location.

The following is the top seven important functions of video monitoring technologies:

Employee monitoring — The Electronic Monitoring & Surveillance Survey found that an increase in the amount of employers using video monitoring to monitor employees’ on-the-job performance. And 85% of employers tell their employees that they are under surveillance. Monitoring helps companies to know how employees are using their work time and it checks for efficient transaction processing at banks, high-tech companies, or in securities exchange businesses. Video monitoring can determine customer traffic patterns, which can help managers maximize their scheduling hours.

Gaining customer service information — Without video monitoring, managers would not gain the proper amount of feedback from customers. For example, in a department store, security cameras help managers know whether the customer is greeted properly, whether the customer’s question is answered completely, and whether the customer is thanked by name and also offered a credit card or not. These cameras provide valuable feedback to improve the customer service, which will ultimately bring customers back, build brand loyalty, and increase the customer’s confidence in the product or service. What’s more, from these security cameras can assist with the training of new employees.

Compliance monitoring — Video monitoring helps managers know if employees are using proper sanitation techniques, which is vital for the food and hotel industry. Compliance monitoring can also show if the appropriate methods for packing and processing are being used, such as in the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries. These PTZ security cameras can optimally capture the images from different angles.

Construction monitoring — Video cameras are also used at construction sites for asset protection and the best choice would be ones that use infrared and lowlight technology, in order to capture nighttime images. The security cameras should also be weatherproof because of the harsh environments. Managers use these cameras to show the construction’s progress to stakeholders, clients, and executive management. IP-based cameras work very well for construction monitoring since the user can view the images from a remote location.

Cameras for marketing — Security cameras are very useful for compiling demographic data at malls, resorts, amusement parks, and tourist attractions. They can also be used for traffic pattern analysis. For example, the British bed superstore, Dreams, uses video surveillance to track their foot traffic so that they can position their merchandise in key zones. To lure vacation travelers to their destination, popular beach resorts and other vacation hot spots are now showing live webcam images of their locations, which can easily be accessed over the Internet.

Remote telepresence — These cameras are remote-controlled and are positioned in locations that are often not physically accessible to us, such as the ocean, on desert landscapes, and inside of the human body. The data from these images allows viewers to save endangered species, solve medical problems, and investigate natural resource issues.

Live traffic cameras for transportation system monitoring, management, and safety — Video surveillance technology measures traffic flow and congestion, is used for red light cameras, and helps emergency service vehicles reach hospitals faster. Some cities and towns display their camera images on their websites, so that drivers can anticipate any traffic problems before they head out in the morning. More and more local governments attach importance to this technology because it does achieve tangible results. Red light cameras reduce speeding and help prevent accidents, and more important is their presence helps improve safety.
Security cameras will keep up the success

Security cameras aren’t just for crime prevention anymore. They have a multitude of business and government applications since they have been proven to increase profits and improve efficiency. However, as this technology grows more popular, people need to be aware of privacy issues, especially in public and employee’s areas. Security cameras are never allowed in dressing rooms or bathrooms and when they are placed in public areas, adequate notification is very necessary. The development trends tell us that as this monitoring technology is redefined for the twenty-first century, more businesses will invest in IP-based cameras to replace their old CCTV systems.

Article from http://www.ixbay.com

Posted: Mon May 31, 2010 8:09 pm     Post subject:

pity they can't cut down the queue in shops - i hate queues.

pity they can't make that somalian assistant understand you so you get the right product.

pity they can't stop road rage when it happens.

never mind... no ones perfect!!!