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IP Video Surveillance Systems for Car Dealerships

Topic: Car Dealerships

Any retailer needs to worry about security; ensure that none of its merchandise is stolen or vandalized. This is very important - especially for car dealerships. Valuable merchandise often stored out doors are especially susceptible to theft and/or vandalism such as a car dealership's cars. An IP (Internet Protocol) video surveillance system can be the solution to your car dealership's security needs.

The Need for Security at a Car Dealership

Whether you are a new or a used car dealership, the fact of the matter is that your merchandise is very expensive. With prices ranging from the thousands to the tens of thousands (or perhaps even more) on a single vehicle, the loss or destruction of even a single vehicle can be very damaging. Considering that most dealers keep their vehicles outdoors, the possibility of theft or vandalism becomes even greater.

The question becomes then, how do you keep the car lot secure? It is unfeasible to provide a strong security detail at the lot 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Unfortunately, criminals do work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so you need a security system that is working round the clock, and can alert you any time trouble arises.

IP Video Surveillance for Car Dealerships

A video surveillance system is a vital piece of any security system. Properly placed cameras can give you a full view of the entire establishment, with video feeds running around the clock. This gives you constant information on exactly who is at your dealership, when they are there and what they are doing.

With an IP video surveillance system, remote monitoring of surveillance footage is made easier than ever. IP cameras record a digital signal, and the cameras themselves contain built in web servers, designed to transmit video feeds over a network. This can be a small-scale, local area network (LAN), or the Internet. With feeds broadcast over the Internet, you can view footage from your car dealership from anywhere in the world as long as you have Internet access.

IP camera technology is constantly developing, making them better and more efficient all the time. Many IP cameras also include advanced features such as built-in motion and audio detection, object recognition and more! This puts more power in your hands when developing your video surveillance system and ensuring safety and security for your lot.

Things to Consider for Installing an IP Video Surveillance System

When installing an IP video system for the first time on your car lot, or even replacing an old one, there are several questions that you ought to keep in mind.

How safe is the neighborhood in which your dealership is located? Have there been reported thefts in the last year?
Which areas of your property do you feel to be the most vulnerable to a security breach? For what reasons do you believe this?
What is your current security system? How would a video surveillance system work in concert with the system you already have in place?
How many people traverse your dealership on a regular day, and how long do they stay?

Placing IP Video Surveillance Cameras

Once you have gone through the process of determining your exact security needs, it is time to place your cameras. This is particularly crucial. When placing your cameras on your outdoor lot, you want to make sure that the entire area is covered. You may also want to use various types of cameras (wide view cameras, cameras with a more targeted focus, PTZ cameras, etc.) to get a more comprehensive view of the entire lot and ensure you don't miss a thing. Cameras should also be placed indoors, particularly at entrances/exits.