Installing CCTV cameras on commercial property is not as simple as buying a number of cameras. Camera positioning, the size of the area that each camera is able to capture (the field of view), the method of footage retention, and the technology with which other security components will be integrated all need to be considered.
Surveillance requirements will most likely differ between a retail shop, warehouse and office. This is why it is important to understand the client’s security requirements during the design and planning stage, before selecting specific camera models and specifications.
What Does a Commercial CCTV System Need to Do?
A business CCTV system will include multiple components rather than just a group of cameras.
According to your security requirements, your system may include:
- CCTV cameras
- Video Management System
- Network Video Recorders
- Video storage
- Monitoring displays
- Networking infrastructure
- Remote monitoring
- Access control integration
- Video analytics
- ANPR/LPR, as required
The final setup will depend on how the business intends to use this system.
As an example, the surveillance setup at the entrance of an office will be very different from that of a warehouse loading bay, where people and vehicles are moving throughout the day.
Therefore, the system should be designed holistically.
Where Are Commercial CCTV Systems Used in Dubai?
Commercially available CCTV systems are used in a variety of business settings.
Retail: Entrances and exits, sales areas, checkout areas and other customer contact areas.
Office: Entrances, reception areas, and selected common areas.
Warehouse: Loading areas, storage areas, operational areas, and selected areas of the warehouse.
Hospitality: Selected areas of hotels and other hospitality services.
Commercial Buildings: Common areas and other selected monitoring areas.
Different approaches to camera type, lens, position, image, networking, and storage would be required for each of these areas.
Start With Coverage, Not the Number of Cameras
The most common question is: What is the minimum number of CCTV cameras required?
Before answering that, another question needs to be considered: What do we need to monitor?
Initially we identify the main points of entry and exit, the reception area, corridors, storage areas, loading areas and other areas relevant to the business.
Ten cameras incorrectly placed may not cover the area as accurately as a smaller number of cameras placed to correspond to the site’s required monitoring.
Consider the Purpose of Monitoring and Positioning
The quality of the required images is determined by the environment.
An office typically has lights that can be controlled and movement along a predictable path. At a warehouse, you need to capture both people and vehicles under potentially difficult conditions.
Camera position, focal length, angle of view, and representation of depth can result in different compositions of an image.
Businesses should determine the coverage needed in different areas of the premises to make their decisions regarding the surveillance system.
Component selection must take into account the required storage period, access requirements, recording requirements as well as camera specifications.
Cameras only make up one component of the entire commercial CCTV solution.
The Video Management System (VMS) is often selected as part of the solution and can help with the management of and access to retained footage.
Storage will be impacted by the number of cameras, retention periods, frequency of recording and camera resolution.
Network capacity is an important consideration when designing a system that allows video recordings to be accessed and monitored across multiple sites.
When designing larger CCTV installations, the network hosting the CCTV system will need to be designed at the same time as the physical components to ensure the network is not going to be congested by the recording devices and remote CCTV viewing functionality. The recording devices, CCTV remote viewing, and the quality of the recording settings are all factors that could require additional network resources and storage.
Integration With Other Security Systems
Surveillance systems are often integrated with other building systems.
Depending on your needs, integrations for access control systems, video analytics systems, ANPR/LPR systems or other systems may be needed.
Integration with access control can be used to provide surveillance around controlled entry points. Recognition of vehicle number plates may also be required to support access control and vehicle entry.
Video analytics can be employed by a business with a need for a specific monitoring solution. An example of this is a commercial property that wants notifications for specific areas, while ANPR/LPR can help with vehicle identification for access control at specific access points. The analytics should be defined according to the specific scenario and not added as an additional feature to the system.
Integration is easier to plan during system design than to add through post-installation changes.
CCTV Planning and SIRA Requirements in Dubai
Commercial CCTV planning in Dubai needs to consider the security regulations and standards set by SIRA. A number of aspects of the CCTV system, including design, placement of cameras, recording, and storage, will be defined by these considerations.
For all applicable cases involving SIRA requirements, businesses should embed compliance requirements in the planning stages and should not consider them after-the-fact add-ons once the system has been designed.
As a SIRA-certified company, Jacky’s Business Solutions can support businesses with CCTV planning, system design, installation and integration while taking applicable SIRA requirements into account.
Consider Ongoing Support and Future System Needs
A reliable CCTV system is the major functional requirement after installation.
Things a company needs to consider after installing their CCTV system include:
- Maintenance and technical support
- Future camera requirements
- Extra storage needs
- Network capacity
- New areas requiring surveillance
- Integration with other security systems
A company may add to or expand one of its facilities. These new additions will require additional systems, including surveillance. Anticipating the need for more storage, higher-speed networks, and more cameras will reduce the amount of substantial additional work required in well-planned systems.
Why Jacky’s Business Solutions for Commercial CCTV Solutions in Dubai?
Jacky’s Business Solutions looks at CCTV as a business security solution rather than simply an equipment sale.
The location of the surveillance system and both what is to be monitored and the surrounding business conditions are the first things to consider. With this information, cameras, VMS, storage, networking, and system integration can be selected.
Jacky’s Business Solutions offers end-to-end solution design, integration, installation, and ongoing support for businesses that are looking at Commercial CCTV Solutions in Dubai.
Jacky’s Business Solutions is SIRA certified, reinforcing our ability to support commercial CCTV projects in Dubai with compliance requirements considered from the planning stage.
Talk Jacky’s Business Solutions about a site assessment and consultation to understand the CCTV coverage, system design, integration and support requirements for your commercial property.
