The 3 Most Useful Video Surveillance Tips for Business Owners
Business Owners Need Protection, Security and Safety!
Meet Nuvico
Strand Security is proud to partner with Nuvico when clients need video surveillance equipment to protect their business.
Nuvico branded video surveillance equipment is ideal for any surveillance project and is regularly installed in the following markets :
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Nuvico Installation in South Carolina
here on the Grand Strand we have many hotels, marinas, medical offices, stores, malls, restaurants, gas stations, car dealerships and offices, just to name some of the local business facilities in Myrtle Beach and surrounding areas.
Strand Security is an official Nuvico dealer and installer of surveillance systems.
Here are 3 of the Most Useful Video Surveillance Tips for Business Owners
We know you want reasons to install security cameras and surveillance camera systems. In a previous article, we gave you “3 Ways Video Surveillance Can Help Control Large Facilities and Businesses”. Next up are 3 tips for business owners!
1) Stick with Trusted Brands and Professional Installation
Strand Security only works with the most trusted brands in the industry. We constantly make sure that whatever we install in your home or business, is equipment we stand behind and is equipment we want to install and use for ourselves and our families!
As far as professional installation, we advise you on the best
- strategic placement of any and all cameras
- products for your business
- and what you need! We never sell you anything you don’t need to stay relevant and protected!
2) Utilize the Cloud to Store Surveillance Video Footage
Our second tip for business owners who have surveillance cameras is to make sure your video footage is backing up to the cloud!
you are going to want remote access and continued access, storage, so make sure the Cloud is where the video footages goes. We can help you set up your storage if you aren’t sure where your video footage is currently being stored!
3) Secure your Surveillance System from Hackers
Last but not least, this tip is included because many security camera systems and surveillance systems are vulnerable to random attacks by hackers who want to gain access to your footage with intend for criminal activity!
Secure your system from hackers by doing any and all of the following:
- Updating the system password often.
- Securing your business network.
- Refraining from connecting your system and your cameras to a public network: use your own, secured network instead.
- Choosing surveillance cameras with encrypted signals.
Ready to Work with Strand Security to Install a Surveillance System?
Give us a call today! We are ready to serve you.
3 Ways Video Surveillance Can Help Control Large Facilities and Businesses
Meet Pelco.com, VideoXpert Video Management Platform
If you are an owner at a large facility or business, or in charge of the maintenance or management of a large facility, check out one of the newest brands we at Strand Security work with!
Pelco video surveillance is great for larger facilities like
- schools
- universities
- prisons
- hospitals
- laboratories
- restaurants
- office buildings
- industrial buildings
What Pelco Can Do For You in 2022!
A new era of video security!
NEW for 2022, Pelco’s VideoXpert Video Management Platform provides:
- Smart Analytics
- Anti-Ligature hardware Options
- Body Worn Cameras
- Surevision Technology
- Onvif® Compliant
- Easy-to-install and repair
How Can Video Surveillance Help Control Large Facilities and Businesses?
1) Liability Protection: Surveillance Cameras Record and Gather Evidence
Whether you are a school, university, prison, office building or anything in between, maintaining video records can be invaluable to help solve crimes or acts of vandalism or violence – in other words, when things go wrong on campus you’d better have content to back up your claims!
A surveillance video system like Pelco can take all your worries away. It’s liability protection for your business!
2) Real Time Monitoring: Surveillance Cameras Provide Instant Access to All Areas of the Building(s)
Unless you can afford to hire a multitude in security offers and staff, using surveillance cameras and a surveillance systems to keep eyes on things in real time can make the difference in life-and-death situations like fire, assault, break-ins, fights, medical emergencies and more.
It’s like having eyes in the back of your head and a 360 degree view!
3) Preventing Crime: Surveillance Cameras Act As a Deterrent to Criminals
Prevention of crime should always be the goal when your manage a large facility or business. How can you prevent crime and violence?
One way is by installing a surveillance system and adding notices and and signs throughout the facility, mentioning the cameras!
If you were to put yourself in the shoes of a criminal, wouldn’t you SKIP this facility and make way for one where there are no cameras and no system to record your crime? We think so!
Surveillance camera systems are one of the best ways to deter crime!
How To Pick the Right Surveillance Camera System?
The best way to pick the right system for your facility is to talk to an experienced installer.
We are happy to answer your questions and to come out and see your facility or business. Let us know what your needs are!
10 Reasons To Love Working with Strand Security
Hi there, thank you for reading our blog!
This is our last installment of a year-long 12-part series of blog articles to celebrate our 10th business anniversary. The “10 Reasons to Love…” idea came to us long before this pandemic struck, yet has sustained us through it.
Positivity goes a long way when things seem dire.
Check out our previous 11 “10 Reasons to Love…” articles published this year!
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
With these articles, we’ve spread love about community, South Carolina, the Grand Strand, security cameras, security systems, home theatres and much much more!
It’s only fitting that we close out this year with this last article in this series, titled:
10 Reasons To Love Working with Strand Security
We love working with you, our customers! Our wish is to always strive for excellence through service and products choices. here are 10 reasons, you too will love working with Strand Security, now in 2020, or in the years to come!
1 We Serve Residential and Commercial Customers
No matter you security needs, we can meet them! Whether you own a home, a business, a boat or huge mall, no job is too big or too small. We will customize service to what your needs are. We only use brands we trust to protect our own families.
2 Strand Security Is Locally Owned and Locally Operated
We love where we live and we love where we work. We are not a large corporately-owned business, directed by someone who doesn’t understand the needs of our community. We live here, work here and play here. We know when hurricane season arrives, floods or other tragedies strike and where crimes happen. (spoiler alert: crime happens all over Horry County and Georgetown County!)
3 25+ years of Experience in the Security Industry
When you combine the experience of our staff we have a lot of years of experience under our belt in the security industry. We have seen huge changes, particularly in technology used. We started integrating smarthome technology years ago and are thrilled that so many local businesses on the Grand Strand have embraced that technology to further their business and to keep their staff and customers safe!
4 Experienced Smarthome Installation Crew!
We are so very proud of our growing crew of installers! They truly understand smarthome technology and do an excellent job of installing and servicing smarthome systems like the URC system. Their experience goes beyond installation – they are frequently seen helping homeowners and business owners get the most out of their systems! We are all for demos and education!
5 Strand Security Offers Superior Customer Service
Don’t take our word for it, check out our Google Reviews! Our customers love that we deliver what they’ve asked for and that we often go above and beyond. We take pride in serving our customers as your security is our business!
6 We Work With the Most Trusted Brands
If you’ve been an reader of this blog for the past few years, you have seen us recommend brands we trust and use. This is not just an endorsement due to our business relationships. We use these products and we stand by them; they protect the ones we love each and every day in our own homes! We only use the best and the most reliable products on the market!
7 Best value For Your Money!
Strand Security offers great value for your money. We only work with the best brands, the best monitoring system and hire only the best technician to install your systems. We offer the best value for your money on the Grand Strand.
8 The Fastest and Most Reliable Monitoring System
We continue to sing the praises of COPS monitoring for all our customers. Their response rate to emergency calls is one of the highest in the country. In an industry where every second matters, this is an important sign of reliability!
9 A Growing Team with Experienced Staff
Over the years, we added several staff members to our team. We are still growing as we take on more clients on the Grand Strand. No matter who comes into your home to install or service your security system, you will get the best service and care possible.
10 No Job is Too Big or Too Small!
Last but not least, let us repeat that no job is to big or too small for Strand Security! We are only a phone call away and we pride ourselves on excellent customer service. Our customers always come first.
Happy New Year from Our Crew to Yours!
Wherever you may be and whatever 2020 has brought you – good or bad – we wish you all the best in 2021 and beyond!
Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year!
What Makes a Powerful Surveillance Camera?
Surveillance Camera vs Security Camera
Is there a difference between a surveillance camera vs a security camera?
Sure, there is.
Today, we will explain the difference between these two so that it comes time for you to make a decision on which type of camera is best for your business you will be well informed to protect your employees and the investment you made in your business.
A surveillance camera is a security camera, but a security camera isn’t always a surveillance camera.
Surveillance cameras are often used by businesses but can be used for private property if the property is large and safety and security are of utmost importance at all times.
What Does a Surveillance Camera Do?
Here is the definition of a surveillance camera:
Connected to a central system, the surveillance cameras send footage back to a monitor that displays what the cameras see. Unlike traditional television broadcasting, CCTV sends a closed signal to the receiving monitor, allowing viewing to be strictly observed by the connected equipment, only.
Here is what security cameras do:
Most security cameras on the market today are standard analog security cameras connected directly to a digital video recorder. The cameras in this type of system consist of a lens, DSP chip (digital signal processing chip) and a housing. The cameras are simply the window used by the DVR (digital video recorder) to see.
To explain it simply, it is really the difference in the job each camera needs to perform.
Who Needs a Surveillance Camera?
- If you are a large company on a large piece of land with valuable assets, you might need surveillance cameras.
- If you have a large warehouse or a big store, you might need surveillance cameras.
- If you are a municipality and responsible for public safety, you might need surveillance cameras.
Check out this article on the use of CCTV cameras for businesses, which includes 10 tips for choosing the right security cameras for your business.
What Makes a Powerful Surveillance Camera?
There are a variety of different types of surveillance cameras which suit different situations or premises, and that selecting the proper camera for the right application really is vital.
This includes but isn’t limited to
- dome cameras for indoor or outdoor use
- bullet cameras with night vision
- c-mount cameras
- infrared cameras
Each camera chosen will be chosen for the specific job it needs to do. Your local security expert will recommend the best camera for your needs. Whatever you decide, we don’t recommend doing this.
What To Look for When Purchasing a Surveillance Camera?
We recommend you just pick up the phone and call your locally owned and locally operated small business who specializes in home and commercial security systems.
Chances are they know exactly what you need and will give you several options and several brands and systems to choose from.
Why do all this research and work ahead of time when that is all they do, all day long?
When you are ready, give us a call! We serve customers in both Horry County and Georgetown County.
Seven Solid Reasons You Need a Business Security System
Are You A Local Grand Strand Business Owner?
Whether your business is here in South Carolina on the Grand Strand or elsewhere if you are a business owner with a business with a physical location including
- warehouse
- store
- medical facility
- restaurant
- office suite
- office building
- shed
- trailer
or any other building – you are in need of a business security system!
To start any business takes an investment of time and money.
We know because we are business owners ourselves. If you have invested your hard-earned money and/or life savings into a new business venture, don’t you want to make sure this investment is protected against all sorts of crime and accidents?
Crime Statistics for Myrtle Beach, Horry County and Georgetown County.
The local crime statistics aren’t pretty.
The Myrtle Beach area is a fast-growing area with many transient families and individuals. We are also a tourist hot-spot; millions of non-residents come to visit our shore and golf courses every year. They not only bring their families and money to spend, they also attract criminals.
To learn more about daily Myrtle Beach criminal activity, or any city you live in, check this out.
You can also you NeighborhoodScout to check on crime near you.
To learn more about why Myrtle Beach was listed on ‘Most Dangerous City’ reports, read this.
Learn To Protect Your Investment!
When you start a business, there are many things to consider.
You have to
- write a business plan
- create a budget
- get funding
- purchase equipment
- hire staff
- market yourself
and much much more.
One of the most frequently dropped but important tasks is getting the right insurance coverage up front and installing a business security system.
And of course, always lock your doors!
You Need a Business Security System
If you own a business, you need a business security system.
If you own a business, your responsibility isn’t just for yourself, but also for those you employ.
The personal safety of your employees is now in your hands, is now your responsibility.
Just this one fact alone should have you pick up the phone and call us immediately. You can not go back and prevent a crime once it has happened. You can not go back and prevent someone from getting hurt once they’ve been hurt. You can not go back and give someone back their life if their life was taken during a robbery.
Equipment, buildings, inventory and your fleet can be replaced and if you’ve got the right insurance, without too much hassle. People lives is a whole different matter.
Let’s look at a few reasons to call Strand Security and get a business security system installed by the end of the year!
7 Reasons To Install a Commercial Security System
Here are 7 solid reasons to install a business security system!
- Deter crime before it happens
- Keep vandals and squatters out
- Protect your employees and customers
- Deter employee theft
- Save money on insurance
- Alert authorities in real time when a crime happens
- Gather evidence in case of a crime
We’d be happy to discuss any of these with you at any time. Let’s get you protection.
Give us a call today!
How to Prevent Inventory Loss in Your Business
Theft Can Cripple Your Business!
Whether you own a restaurant, a retail store, an accountancy or any other business, if you have employees and customers, you can lose inventory. Not all loss can be accounted for. Not all loss can be prevented. However, theft on a larger scale is mostly preventable and that’s what this article is all about!
According to Loss Prevention Media one sure way to limit your losses is to remove the opportunity for malicious loss
Individuals typically consider four questions before embarking on an act of theft.
First, what is the risk of being caught?
Second, how easy will it be to carry out the act?
Third, is the likely reward worthwhile?
Four, if I do get caught, what is the likely punishment?
Once we have a better understanding of how and why theft takes place, we can go about putting systems in place to prevent theft from happening.
How To Stop Thieves from Stealing From Your Business!
I would think you’d agree with me that preventing theft is better than catching a thief in the act.
Therefore the first tips deal with prevention:
- Install surveillance cameras. Make sure these cameras are located strategically throughout your place of business and trained upon places where theft is most likely to take place (cash register, back room, front door). Often, just seeing these cameras in your place of business will deter a thief.
- Install a security system. This system should be monitored during off hours as to keep the place of business secure while it’s closed.
- Put up signs. In prominent places around the workplace, display signs with security cameras and/or security monitoring. Again, if a potential thief sees these signs, they are more likely to skip your establishment and go somewhere else to steal.
- Train your employees. Sometime during the hiring process, talk about loss prevention and theft consequences. Make it clear there is a ‘no tolerance’ policy in place. In your newsletters and employees meetings, reiterate loss prevention techniques and tips and remind them of your surveillance cameras.
- Hire a loss prevention consultant. If you are losing inventory at an alarming rate, hire someone to find out where and how your inventory is disappearing. It’s not always obvious how and where thieves strike.
- Lock up! This might seem like an easy thing to do, but you’d be surprised how many business owners deal with (new) employees who forget to set the security alarm system at the end of the day or forget to lock up the business correctly after their shift.
The next tips deal with catching a thief in the act of stealing (in case your ‘warning signs’ didn’t work)
- Hire a loss prevention specialist. This person should be tasked with watching surveillance video in real time and thus should be able to catch thieves and employees in the act of shoplifting. If you have a large business, you might need to hire a team of loss prevention specialists.
- Electronically tag your products. Tag your (most expensive) products with electronic monitoring devices. Install gates at your exits to catch thieves.
- Train your employees. Every employee should recognize the signs of a shoplifter or thief and should know all steps involved in catching the thief in the act. This requires yearly training on your part – making sure everyone is on the same page and know how to handle any situation.
- Install panic buttons. In strategic places all throughout your place of business, install panic buttons for the safety of your employees and the security of your business.
Taking Action to Prevent Inventory Loss Will Save You Money!
Not all theft can be prevented.
Not all thieves can be caught.
However, having a clear plan in place on how to handle situations as they occur will help tremendously. Investing a bit of money into your business for a security system, surveillance cameras and loss prevention employees might in the end, save you money, and time and lots of headaches along the way.
Why You Need HD Cameras For Your Business and Home!
What is an HD Camera?
An HD camera, of High Def Camera as they are also called, sounds fancy but what is it, really?
“HD is a type of megapixel camera. All HD cameras are megapixel but not all megapixel cameras are HD.”
These cameras are slowly replacing the older SD cameras many people still have.
We found this article that explains it really well and instead of pulling out quotes, we recommend you read it in its entirety if you are interested in knowing the difference between an HD camera and a megapixel camera.
Why Do I Need Security Cameras?
This is a loaded question!
“We want you to be safe” is the standard answer but there is so much more to having security cameras than safety in your place of business and your home!
In ‘5 reasons why security cameras rock‘ we touched on the following 5 reasons.
» Signs of installed system deters would-be thieves
» Sound of active system deters would-be thieves
» Almost instant notification of authorities when needed
» Peace of mind knowing help is on the way
» Your home and/or business is protected and monitored even when you aren’t there
In ‘How to protect you home while you travel the world‘ we touched om installing security cameras wired into your security system to get a live feed of your home or business while you are away!
In ‘Don’t become a victim of holiday package thieves‘ we explore how security cameras capture crime and criminals in the act, in real time or on tape, aiding the police in capture of the criminals.
In ‘A mandatory evacuation leaves your home unattended, or does it?‘ we point out that security cameras can be your eyes and ears on your home and business when you are forced out of your home. Whether you neighborhood is evacuated due to a bomb threat, fire or a natural disaster, with security cameras in place you’d be able to check in on your home in real time!
Last but not least let us look at ‘3 ways camera surveillance protects your small business‘.
- Monitor customers – This is especially true if you own a store, showroom or restaurant. By having cameras installed, not only can you monitor your customers’ behavior (theft prevention), you can also protect yourself from any (potential) lawsuits by having video proof of unfortunate events, if that ever were to happen.
- Monitor staff – The same way your use cameras to monitor your customers, you can also use surveillance cameras to monitor your own staff! In a town like Myrtle Beach, there are a lot of seasonal jobs available. Many small business owners rely on seasonal staff who might just be looking for short-term employment. It will be imperative to monitor newly hired recruits for theft and proper, professional conduct. If you suspect an employee of theft, surveillance tapes can offer the proof to help prosecute and convict them.
- Monitor your property – We know business owners need sleep. You can’t be at your place of business 24/7, even if you live where you work, you still need to meet with suppliers, customers and go out every once in a while. With installed cameras, you can monitor from afar and see happens when you aren’t there. Lots of things can happen and do. Break-ins, fires, vandalism, and more.
What Can An HD Camera Do For You?
Let’s look a this quote:
In the correct application HD and megapixel cameras can be of great advantage as well as cost effective. Because of the pixel density in this technology it is possible to look at large areas while maintaining the detail that would require multiple SD cameras. This pixel density can allow the ability to zoom into the scene live or for forensic review, giving the system greater flexibility and performance. How much you can zoom into the scene is determined by the area being viewed and the pixel density.
Now let’s look at the application
To illustrate this, consider the application of wanting to view license plates within a scene. This typically requires 50 pixels per horizontal foot for a clear, readable image. With a SD camera the largest viewable area that maintains 50 pixels per foot is 10 ft. wide. Compare that with a 1.3MP or 720p camera at 25 ft., a 2MP or 1080p at 30 ft., 41 ft. with a 3MP and 51 ft. with a 5MP. In this example it is possible to replace as many as five SD cameras with one megapixel camera. Not only is this a savings on cameras but also cable, labor and any accessories needed for the camera installation. Instead of five cable pulls there is one — and only one time up the ladder, one camera to focus, one camera to maintain. The savings can add up quickly.
Installing HD Cameras Saves You Money!
There you have it!
Besides being able to get a clearer image off of the footage, replacing (or installing) SD security cameras with HD cameras saves you money because you need fewer cameras to do the same job and that also means you save money on installation, maintenance and up keep!
Talk to Chuck at Strand Security today to get yours installed!
5 Reasons Why Security Cameras Rock!
Do I Need Security Cameras?
We hear this question all the time. “Do I really need security cameras?” and “Is having my security alarm system not enough on its own?” The answer might surprise you. Having a security system is a huge deterrent to would-be thieves so yes, in theory, it’s all you’ll need. However, and of course there’s a however, security cameras add additional value to your system and once you understand what that value is, we guarantee you’ll want them!
Security System Value
A security system linked to a monitoring station gives you the following value
» Signs of installed system deters would-be thieves
» Sound of active system deters would-be thieves
» Almost instant notification of authorities when needed
» Peace of mind knowing help is on the way
» Your home and/or business is protected and monitored even when you aren’t there
I should go without saying that your security is only as safe and your system only as good as the company you are working with. If you are new to security systems, read this article on how to find a good security company to work with and the signs to look for when you interact with different companies to see if it’s a good fit.
Security Camera Added Value
By installing security cameras along with your system, they can add this value to your existing system. Here are 5 reasons why security cameras rock and once you have them, we know you’ll never want to live without ever again!
They
» Help determine false alarms
» Record video stream of what’s happening outside of your home to catch would-be thieves
» Aid Law Enforcement with identifying and arresting a suspect if a break-in did happen
» Live stream video of your pet (or petsitter) while you aren’t home
» Live stream video of your kids and babysitter to ensure their safety and monitor behavior
Security Cameras for Business
It goes without saying that adding security cameras to your business provides another whole level of security!
Security cameras at your place of business can help you monitor
• cash registers
• employee behavior
• customer behavior
• merchandise
• stockroom
• staff lunch room
• parking lots
and much much more, leaving you with either live streaming and recordings, or recordings of each feed.
In the end, security cameras will most likely pay for themselves and save you money by identifying thieves, problem areas and prevent loss.
Talk to us at Strand Security if you are in need of security cameras in the Myrtle beach or Maryland areas!
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