Solution Topics

Network Camera Video Surveillance for Convenience Stores

Topic: Convenience Stores

Everyone loves a convenience store. Places to go for quick purchases of basic goods, mini-marts provide a valuable service to the community. Unfortunately, they are also a prime target for petty theft and vandalism. A video surveillance system using network cameras can make your convenience store safer both for your employees and your customers.

Benefits of a Video Surveillance System

Video surveillance systems have long been in use in convenience stores. Convenience stores� vulnerability to robbery and other crimes, particularly in high crime areas, makes strong security a necessity.

Simply having video cameras visible on the premises can be helpful in deterring crime. Many criminals will be scared off by the mere knowledge that their activities are being monitored. Small-time criminals do not want to get caught, and video surveillance enhances their chances of getting caught for their actions.

Should a crime take place, video surveillance gives you a video record of everything that happened. This can alert you to the robbery when it occurs, giving you time to contact the proper authorities. It also provides evidence which the police can use in attempting to catch the criminal and bring them to justice.

The Benefits of Network Cameras

The power of video surveillance can be greatly enhanced through the use of network cameras. Traditional video surveillance uses analog CCTV (Closed Circuit Television) video cameras. Setup can be difficult, and monitoring options are limited, as monitors must be hooked up directly to the cameras unless a third-party device is used. Network cameras, on the other hand, are simple to install and come with built-in web servers. This means that once that video feeds from these cameras can be viewed from any location with network access: either a local network or the Internet.

With network cameras, advanced event management software can also be used. Such software can include things such as video motion detection, audio detection, object recognition and more. These software applications can deeply analyze video in real-time, catching even minor changes in the video being monitored and activate alarms, automatic e-mail notifications to you or your employees and much more.

Another option with this type of camera is the wireless camera. These are the simplest to install, and can be put virtually anywhere, as long as a power outlet is present. Video signals are sent wirelessly to a router and your network with no physical cabling required at all.

Placement of Network Cameras in Convenience Stores

One of the most important things for any video surveillance system is the placement of the video cameras. Generally convenience stores are fairly small, so you will not need too many cameras. The primary places of interest in a convenience store are: the entrance, the cash register, and areas containing restricted merchandise such as alcohol. If the convenience store is attached to a gas station, cameras will also be needed in prime locations at the pumps to be able to catch license plates.

If you are in a high-risk area, or have had trouble with vandals in the past, you will also want to focus on the exterior of the store. Cameras around the perimeter can assist in identifying anyone who would attempt to vandalize the outside of the store. Cameras placed by parking stalls can also be used to catch license plates, along with pump cameras. Even if you are not going to cover the entire perimeter, you might consider placing an exterior entrance camera, so you can see everyone who is entering the store before they get inside.