subject: Why Use Hosted Video Surveillance? [print this page] Companies today struggle more than ever due to economy issues, staffing problems, and growing competition. It is said that half of all new businesses fail, so providing cost-effective security is very important.
With a standard security system (one that's strictly onsite), any sort of break in or theft can potentially go undetected from a very simple act - the removal of the tape. A hosted video surveillance system bypasses this entire issue by storing the video recordings in a secure location. Not only does this protect them from being taken, but access for viewing is far easier. In the case of the standard system, you have to go to your business to rewind and view the tape. The hosted video surveillance system allows you to access and view any tape - or even the real time feed from the cameras - from anywhere you want. This makes for tremendous ease and convenience in keepings tabs on your business. You can literally do it from anywhere on Earth!
There's also the whole issue of maintenance and storage. With a video tape system, you can to switch out the takes, label them, and then store them somewhere. Over time, this can amount to a sizeable storage issue - even if you record the video feed on DVDs. Also, if you store the recordings onsite - even if they're in a secure location - they can end up being lost. All it takes is a fire or other natural disaster to wipe them all out. Again, a hosted video surveillance company will backup your recordings to various servers (none of which are anywhere near your business), and this you can be sure of them remaining safe for future access. In these litigious times, you often need to keep such recordings for years.
Then there are the costs - initial and long term. With any sort of camera, cabling, and monitoring station, you either buy or rent them. Next, you have to maintain the equipment and upgrade it periodically. A hosted video surveillance system simply installs the digital cameras and the system for transmitting the video to the central location. There's very little in the way of equipment - most is software - and thus upgrades are easy and quick, and the host company handles all of that.
Hosted video surveillance is a good way to let everyone know that they should not even bother trying to get in your business; they'll be recorded, and there's no way for them to get to the tape. Making that simple fact known will be the single best deterrent to crime.
Also, by using a hosted video surveillance company, your costs for security are also lowered; less staff is needed onsite, and there is no need to train them in switching out tapes/DVDs, storing them etc. If you look at an average chain of stores, say twelve, as an example, a standard security system would require upwards of sixty cameras, twelve storage units, twelve storage connections, and maybe two dozen docking stations. All of these pieces of equipment are vulnerable to damage, a blown fuse etc, and they have to be repaired or replaced. All of this takes time, money, and effort. With a hosted video surveillance security company, all of that burden falls to them.
