Find the CCTV Security Camera Designed to Fit Your Business Needs

Everyday we see an event that was captured by CCTV security cameras. Some make us laugh, some break our hearts with sadness. The truth is, as business owners, security solutions are becoming a hot topic and one that cannot be avoided for much longer.

Security solutions assist police with criminal capture, help new parents feel comfortable with day care facilities, and help schools keep an eye on who is on campus. Here are 3 options you should consider while searching for CCTV security cameras for your business.

Pelco - Evolution 360° IP Cameras

Pelco first introduced the Evolution camera about a year ago. Like many good products, it didn’t take off when first introduced, but now it’s a camera that is worth looking at.

For school application, here is a white page that is specific to the educational market and will help you understand why the 360 may just be the right camera for your office or school today.

Pelco - Thermal Imaging IP Camera with Sarix Technology

Coming from more of a military angle, the thermal imaging cameras are not always part of the conversation when looking for security solutions. While they’re still on the higher end of CCTV security cameras, they’re now available to all markets. Fog, smoke and total darkness are no longer a problem when you have thermal imaging.

Pelco - Sarix IL Series Micro Domes

Maybe your security budget is more of the 7-11 coffee variety. Pelco offers value lines of cameras too. You get the Pelco brand and workmanship at a value line price, offering a solution most businesses can afford. Security solutions do not have to break the bank, they only have to offer you protection.

Are you ready to start investing in security solutions? Not sure where to start?  At Gaynor, we provide FREE Design assistance for our customers who want to purchase CCTV security cameras.

About Us

Gaynor Telesystems Inc. has been proudly serving the North State Communities of Chico, Yuba City, Marysville, Eureka, Arcata, Sacramento, Davis, Woodland, Redding, and Red Bluff for more than 40 years. We hope the information you found in this blog was useful. To learn more about how Gaynor Telesystems Inc. can help you install, maintain or service business communication solutions, please contact us at 877-Gaynor1. 

How a Camera System Can Ease Your Concerns About Employee Safety

Given the recent events in the world and in our local areas, more businesses are starting to look at employee safety, both inside the office and in the outlying areas. With the high rise of criminal activity, business owners may jump into buying a CCTV solution without checking out all the facts. Here are some thoughts you may want to consider about camera and door access control systems when deciding on the best solution for you and your business.

Most companies have monthly or quarterly safety meetings, like we do at Gaynor. We recently watched a video like this one on how to handle active shooters. We then talked about how we would handle the situation, where to hide, and how to fight back (or not). But at the end of our discussions, we realized it's best for our safety to keep the back doors locked.

What if that isn't an option for you? Have you thought about having cameras in your parking lot and near the doors? The location of the cameras is vital. But the purpose of the cameras is what helps you determine the real placement. So ask yourself, what is the purpose of my camera system?

Outside Security

If outdoor security is your priority, then looking at camera placement outside is critical, keeping in mind the location of shrubs and the lighting. If you start to install a camera system in the winter when there are no leaves on the trees, how will that location look when the spring is here and the trees are in full bloom? 

Lighting is next. Do you have the right kind of lights? In the winter, staff will be leaving at dark, so it may be critical to have lights for them in the parking lot. During summer, it’s not a problem. It’s important to be thinking about the seasons. 

Areas to Watch

Are you a retail business that is concerned about theft, vandalism or slip and falls? These happen both inside your business and outside. Where are the “blind” spots that staff don’t see? Do you have displays that change and block views? Try inviting a business colleague over to look with a set of fresh eyes. 

Put yourself in the mind of a person doing harm to your business. We know that it's rotten to have to do this, but today we have to think like those who will cause us harm in order for us to prevent it.

Once you decide on the inside and outside areas to watch, are you monitoring the CCTV camera system at all times or will you just be looking at it when you have an incident? 

Network 

If you've been looking at the big box store CCTV systems, you may wonder why we’re talking about network. For business grade camera systems, we recommend the current IP technology. Not only do you get the best cameras, like the Pelco 360 degree camera, you have the ability to view your cameras whenever you're connected to the network. So when you’re sitting on a sunny beach in Maui, and the alarm company calls that a trigger happened, you can look at your camera system and see what's happening.

Still not sure what to do? Call a local vendor and have them come out and do a site survey to review your purpose for installing a camera system. At Gaynor we meet with clients at no charge to review your building, needs, network, and budget. We are your local Pelco dealer and will be happy to talk to you about all the options available with today’s camera systems.

About Us

Gaynor Telesystems Inc. has been proudly serving the North State Communities of Chico, Yuba City, Marysville, Eureka, Arcata, Sacramento, Davis, Woodland, Redding, and Red Bluff for more than 40 years. We hope the information you found in this blog was useful. To learn more about how Gaynor Telesystems Inc. can help you install, maintain or service business communication solutions, please contact us at 877-Gaynor1.

7 Reasons Not To Buy A CCTV Security Camera System At A Big Box Store

The ongoing debate of quality versus price, compounded with your expected level of customer service and support will be the determining factor in where you select to purchase your CCTV security camera system. 

How did you make the decision for your last mid-to-large size purchase? Was it a new copier for your business, a solar system or perhaps a new vehicle? Did you buy a well-known brand name or a lesser, unknown brand? Think about what you learned during that process before you start on the journey of a new security camera system purchase. 

You Should Avoid Purchasing A CCTV Security Camera System From A Big Box Store When:

1.  You do not have the time to do the research for the project. 

Many well-known brand names in CCTV security camera systems, such as Pelco, became forerunners because of their high quality and excellent customer service levels. Sure, there are probably some lesser known brands that have a good product and a smaller marketing budget, but how can you determine those from the poor quality brands? You need time and resources to spend researching these factors or you can choose to work with a trusted professional. We consistently get calls from businesses regretting their purchase and the unsuccessful attempt to have a handyman install a security camera system.

TIP: You have a business to run so think about the cost of you being pulled away for a dead camera or a glitchy DVR issue.
 

2.  You want a system that can grow with you. 

Most preset security camera packages come with a 4 channel DVR. This is what determines how many cameras you can have on your system. In our long experience in this industry we have seen many customers start with a few cameras to get a basic security system in place and gradually add cameras over the next 12 to 18 months as they see the value of security cameras. 

TIP: The minimum we recommend purchasing is an 8 – 16 channel DVR.
 

3.  The package is not a good fit. 

To keep the price low we have seen manufacturers prepackage decent cameras with a lower grade DVR or visa versa. Do you need only exterior weather proof cameras or a combination of indoor and outdoor rated cameras? What’s in the box? You should always purchase state of the art cameras and lenses. Buying last year’s model is not a good choice. Poor camera selection can result in latency, jittery screens, poor color and fuzzy images.   

TIP: Analog cameras are less expensive than IP Cameras but are more appropriate for residential than commercial installations.
 

4.  You want a professional design that will capture the camera views year round. 

Security cameras are getting better and better each year. When you are designing your system a qualified professional will take into account the current and projected landscaping (trees grow!), sun and headlight glare. and required privacy issues for your neighbors. A custom designed CCTV security camera system will meet your needs today and into the future.  

TIP: Don’t hang a camera that can view into your neighbor’s private space or windows! 
 

5.  You want excellent installation, support and local customer service. 

We have all gotten lost into the overseas help desk call centers and experienced that frustration. You want a local company that will respond to your calls, dispatch a tech to your site and facilitate any product warranty issues. We have seen people purchase a prepackaged CCTV security camera system and have it sit in the box for many months trying to find the time to learn and install it. 

TIP: Always check references and use a licensed, bonded low voltage contractor for your security system service.
 

6.  You want to protect your investment in a system that will last. 

You don’t want to throw away your investment. A good method to understand your purchase is to look at your budget and divide it by the years you expect the system to last.

TIP: Your CCTV camera system should last a minimum of 5 years, even with the speed of technological advances. It may actually run longer but who knows what cool apps and features will be around 5 years from now.
 

7.  You value the items you are seeking to protect. 

One of my father’s favorite sayings went something like this: “The sweetness of low price is quickly forgotten with the bitter bite of poor quality.” Think of the value of the assets you are seeking to protect and spend accordingly. If you have a tight budget choose quality over quantity. Buy less cameras; choose higher quality video. 

TIP: Buy 4 really good cameras instead of 6 mediocre cameras.
 

Bottom line, if you have no clue where to even start, call a professional! Otherwise our advice is to do your homework, research the brand and read the feedback on review websites and blogs that are not supported by the manufacturer. You need to fully understand the project you are undertaking. Only then will you know if you are the type of person who should rely on the professional or jump into a prepackaged self-installed CCTV security camera system.
 

If our team can assist you, give us a call 1-877-GAYNOR-1

3 Reasons To Use An Expert To Design & Install Security Cameras

We like to think we live in a world where our person and property will be kept safe. In reality we hear almost daily about robberies or break-ins. Even car thefts that are happening in and around our small business. We might worry about that last employee who has to walk to their car. We worry that our office will be closed for a few days during the holiday season and that leaves a giant window for thieves to come and break-in. At Gaynor we understand these concerns. Maybe you have considered a security camera system before, or maybe the news of the latest break-in has you rethinking. Before you head to your local Costco to buy that $1,995 special, check out these reasons for using an expert.

1.  Placement of Cameras

Installing a security camera system is not just buying cameras and hanging them where you can easily reach. By using an expert, they will do a walk around with you and determine the best locations for the camera placement. A security system is not good if the cameras are vandalized or stolen. So placement in discreet ways or even out of reach of tall people with baseball bats is important. If you only look at how high you can get with a 6 foot ladder, it may not be the best for the picture or for the safety of the camera.

The placement of the cameras on your security system also determines the quality of the video. Many factors like lighting, trees, and even overhangs and doors can affect the video quality. When using an expert for the design, companies like Gaynor will review your lighting, review the location of the trees and make sure your placement is optimal for the video you want.

2.  What’s Being Watched & Recorded

When working with an expert you will be asked about what you are wanting to see. If a client says the entrance of the door for example, we ask, “To see people coming in or going out? Are you wanting to see if they lock/unlock the door? What is your intent?” Intent is the big question. Are you having people sleep in your doorway at night? Are you just wanting basic security? If there is an overhang near the door, it may be recommended to place two cameras at the door to make sure you get the correct angles of what you are looking for. 

3.  Quality Video

If you have an event happen at your small business, the critical step would be to export the video and show the local police department. The police department will want to make sure the video was not tampered with and is a high enough quality you can actually see and identify the people in the video. Many people are looking at video on TV Shows like NCIS and wanting that quality of video. That is possible with the right budget and the right placement.

Still not sure what to do? At Gaynor Telesystems we offer a Site Survey at NO CHARGE to help you determine the best security camera system for your needs. Give us a call today 1-877-GAYNOR-1

3 Essential Questions To Ask When Doing CCTV Security Research

Hindsight is 20-20 – You start to think: I wish I would have, I never thought I would need, I should have listened. These are all statements we might make when we realize we long to put in a CCTV security system.

Chances are if you are saying these things, you had an incident. It is okay to say and admit you had a break-in or a slip and fall, or an internal employee theft. You are not alone, it happens to businesses each and every day. Now that you know you are vulnerable, let’s takes a look at purchasing a CCTV system.

At Gaynor we pride ourselves on aligning with high quality products. We want to work with companies that offer not just good warranties, but great warranties. We have chosen to sell the IC Realtime and Pelco brands of CCTV security systems. We chose them because they are high quality business grade CCTV systems. With Pelco we are able to sell via our CMAS contract as well. 

Both of these companies offer warranties of over 3 years, giving us even more reason to love their products.

We tell you about the products we carry because when you start looking for a CCTV security system you will find hundreds of makes and models. Some are literally consumable products. They will have a 12 month life and then you throw them out and start over.
 

When you start your research ask these questions:

How long does the average system last?

Good quality business-grade systems should last 5+ years, if not longer. As long as they are maintained on a regular basis.

Will I be able to adjust programming?

Many times the cookie cutter systems are plug and play. That may sound good at the beginning, but professional camera systems are interactive. You should be able to make changes, download images and upgrade software.

How much storage will I get?

A professional installer will not just say 2 weeks. They will talk about frames per second, how many cameras, recording on motion etc. All of these things take up resources and impact your storage capacity. If you are not being told about these, you may want to get a second opinion.

Maybe you saw the break-in happen at a neighbor’s business and it caused you to start the process of looking yourself. Whatever the reason, a CCTV system should not be an impulse buy. As a CCTV installation and design company we work with our clients and ask them about their needs and expectations. We look at the differences between IC Realtime and Pelco.

There is not one solution for everyone. So before it is a have to, start looking for a CCTV security system now. By taking your time, you can get the right solution at the right price and at the right time.

To learn more about CCTV, give us a call 1-877-GAYNOR-1