5 Steps to Protect Your Business Against Retail Theft
3. Re-evaluate your camera systems. Do you have adequate hard drive space? Are cameras in the right locations? Minor upgrades to system hard drives and ensuring that cameras are providing usable video is a worthwhile investment. Many times this is discovered after an incident happens and valuable video isn't available. Also, inventory your equipment to ensure it’s in working order. Your system is only effective if it’s set up correctly and functional at all times.
4. Analyze your design. Proper system design is critical. The right cameras for their intended purpose — DVR/NVR hybrid units, system integration — all have value. If not designed correctly, the image or event that's crucial to you may be missed and thus no return on investment. The layout of your cameras, motion detectors, etc. is critical to the success of your system.
If someone breaks in through the front door but there’s no camera to take an image, you lose an opportunity to identify the criminal. System integration is simple and extremely helpful. It’s easy to configure an alarm, motion-trigger camera or glass smash sensor to catch people in the act. You need to know who’s stealing from you.
5. Futureproof. Get cozy with your IT department. They control the network, bandwidth, approvals and data transfer within your company. To use space on a video server, you’ll need the IT department’s approval and cooperation. Ask for a product evaluation so that your IT team can test the technology. Do a lab test and evaluate products before you roll anything out to your locations. Ensure that a security system will do the job you need it to do before you buy.
Once you've determined who is stealing from you, what they're stealing and when they're stealing it, you can determine your best course of action. Remember, no matter how much of an investment in security you decide to make, it should either save you money, decrease your shrink or both.
