Plan coverage before you buy
A camera is only useful if it sees what matters. We start by walking the site with you to identify entries, cash areas, parking, loading docks and anywhere with higher risk. Then we place cameras for clear views of faces, plates or activity, as needed.
Lighting matters. A camera in a dark parking lot will not help, so our electricians check lighting at the same time.
System components
- Fixed, dome and pan-tilt-zoom cameras
- Cabling back to a switch or recorder
- Power over Ethernet, which sends power and data on one cable
- Network video recorders or cloud storage
- Monitors and software for viewing
- Weatherproof and cold-rated equipment for outdoor locations
Retention, privacy and the law
How long video is kept depends on storage size and your needs. Privacy law applies to recording, particularly in spaces where people have an expectation of privacy, and in workplaces. Signage and policy are part of a good installation. We can point out issues to raise with your legal adviser.
Access to recordings should be limited and logged. We set up user accounts and passwords with you.
Installation and winter
Alberta cold affects outdoor equipment. Cameras need cold-rated housings, heaters in some cases, and cabling that handles temperature swings. Frost and snow on lenses are real concerns, and mounting height and angle make a difference.
Because our team shares the site with our electricians and carpenters, conduit, backing and power are placed during construction. That avoids cutting finished walls and leaves cleaner results.
Cameras connect to the network, which creates a security risk if not set up properly. Our team segments camera traffic, changes default passwords and keeps firmware current. We can also tie cameras to access control and intrusion alarms, so an event can be viewed with one click. After handover, our maintenance service covers cleaning, checks and repairs, and we can expand the system as your needs grow.