Cables have historically been the lifelines of surveillance cameras, supplying all-important connectivity and power while delivering video images from the far corners of a secured area. But cables have also limited the range of surveillance systems. Camera locations had to be within the reach of an existing cabling infrastructure or power source, or else an integrator faced expensive trenching and wire-pulling to position cameras farther afield.

Technology has changed all that. Now it’s possible to secure perimeters that extend thousands of feet beyond the reach of the cabling infrastructure. Wireless networks can relay camera images through thin air, and solar energy can provide electricity with no need for a separate power supply or outlet.

New innovations are making capabilities even more robust, including lower-power-usage cameras that leverage smaller solar panels and batteries that store enough power to ensure dependable operation at night and on cloudy days. The systems are also significantly less expensive to deploy. Let’s take a look at how expanding video surveillance applications to cover larger geographic areas provides a new, untapped source of business and revenue for security dealers and integrators.

Explain Expanded Uses of Video to the End User

The historic challenges of enabling video coverage from the distant areas of a site are the very reason it is so important to secure these areas. Securing just part of a facility – the easiest part – can drive undesirable activity to less-secure areas. There are also multiple opportunities of providing surveillance to these areas. Here are just some of the benefits associated with expanding the video footprint:

Better forensic video: How valuable is a legible license plate number or a clear face image compared to blurred video? The easiest way to get a clearer image is to put the camera nearer the target, where it is more likely to provide actionable information for law en-forcement. Nearby cameras can capture better image detail in all light conditions. In other words, distance to target matters for forensic value.

Enhanced crowd safety: Parking lots and open areas may be used for an event, and close-up video can help a security operation monitor crowd behavior and manage the visitor experience. Video can also monitor ingress/egress points to help manage traffic flow.

Insurance liability: Concerns about slip-and-fall accidents or potential liability fraud extend even to the farthest reaches of a facility, and a business owner is just as liable for a fall or other incidents in a parking lot as inside a facility.

Monitoring activity: Shopping center parking lots may become teen hangouts, or there may be other concerns about loitering, unauthorized carpooling or the sales of illegal substances. In addition to the obvious safety concerns these activities impact customer traffic to the tenants that ultimately impacts tenant revenue and therefore rental income for the property owner. 

Business operations: Video can also monitor nonsecurity business issues such as snow plowing, maintenance response or trash removal.

Seeing blind spots: Providing additional camera views looking toward a building (rather than away from it) can eliminate existing blind spots and contribute to better overall video coverage.

Installing security contractors can make a compelling case for their services if they are able to discuss these uses with their end clients.

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