License Plate Cameras – They Recognize You
Filed under: CCTV Articles, CCTV Camera, General Technology, Security Camera, Security Camera Packages, Security Camera System
License Plate Recognition is opening a new chapter in law enforcement, turning street poles, stop lights, and squad cars into surveillance platforms. In the past most people would rush through a yellow light without a second thought. However, statistics over the last five years show that accidents caused by running red lights have dropped by as much as 36%. Results like these have led city officials to buckle down and put more focus safety for their communities.
At one time, when police officers needed to run a license plate they would have to call a dispatch officer and then wait for dispatch to respond to their request. As a result the process was slow and drawn out. Today, new technology allows officers to use a camera that can scan thousands of plates by capturing passing vehicles and reference back to a pre-loaded database. Great tool for the officer! Bad luck for the offender!
Another way that LPR is being put to use is at toll stations. Many of us have been too busy to stop and pay that 75 cent toll and decided to just drive through the booth. Well, city officials have started to crack down by placing LPR systems at tollbooths. Cities are now able to collect tolls by capturing license plate images and cross-referencing them with the toll authority’s database. Drivers then receive bills and fines at the address where their vehicle is registered.
As License Plate Recognition software and technologies advance, we will see many more of these systems being used on both private and public properties. Currently, there are several companies that pay employees to take down license plate information for a small fee. They ask workers to copy a certain number of plate numbers down per month and the details about the location of the vehicle at the time the information was recorded. This information is then sold to large companies who use the data to track down vehicles for various reasons, one in particular, auto loans in default. In the future we may see LPR being used in the same way to automatically record this type of data into a national database.
Tough Customers
Filed under: CCTV Articles, Security Camera, Security Camera Packages, Security Camera System
When I started work as a salesman in the security industry I prayed for the customer new to security to call and place his order while asking for my suggestions and opinions. I dreaded the thought of speaking with the so called expert. Often times when I did receive a call from a security veteran, I could not make the sale or even keep up with the lingo thrown at me. This customer always haggled over those few extra dollars and I was left feeling frustrated by the fact that I just got my tail whipped on the phone.
As a salesman we’ve all had a customer like this. My security knowledge has progressed immensely since those early days, but I still had to learn the hard way that it’s a “dog eat dog” type of industry and that you have to step up to the plate or you’re going to strike out.
I began by learning my product and my niche as it pertains to my market base. Coming from a company that has incredible pricing upfront and a strong customer support base I felt like that’s where I needed to make my stand. So many times salesmen forget to drive the value of their product and support, which can make a good sales call go south quickly. To avoid this situation, focus on what makes you or your company unique. Customers need you to tell them what separates you from the competitors and should close the conversation or deal feeling positive about what they are receiving.
We’ve all had the customer that haggles with us, beats us down, or complains about the few extra dollars they may be spending. We’ve also had the customer who I consider to be far too technical for their own good. With both types of customers, I have found qualifying these guys early in the conversation is a must.
Tips for identifying your customer:
1. Ask for their goals.
2. Test their knowledge.
3. Ask for prior experiences.
I have found that knowing your product, driving your value, and providing a twist that others don’t have can give you the upper hand when dealing with strong willed customers. Confidence is key.
Education Equals Loyalty
Filed under: CCTV Articles, CCTV Camera, CCTV Security Camera Lenses, CCTV Security DVR Cards, CCTV Training Videos, Security Camera, Security Camera Packages, Security Camera System, Security DVR
As a salesman in the CCTV and access control market, I have learned that educating the customer is the key to making the sale. Often I interact with resellers who are new to the security industry. I also have many customers who have never ordered, installed, or built a security system before. Both groups need to know where to begin and that’s where my expertise and ability to inform can make the difference.
Educating Yourself
What good is a musician if he cannot read music? An artist must master his craft and the same can be said in sales. Creating false impressions can sometimes lead to conflict. More often than not the problem starts with a lack of self education. Product and market knowledge are vital. You must know your product and the market in which you are selling.
From time to time, I speak with a customer who has his/her heart set on a particular security product, but that item has sold out or become discontinued. In this scenario, being well educated about your company’s product line can enable you to up-sale the customer on a better product or quickly find a similar model to fulfill their security needs.
In order to become an expert in your field, find a mentor and ask lots of questions. I have never met a child with more knowledge than his parents. In the same way, salesmen who are new to the industry have a lot to learn and should not hesitate to learn as much as possible from their peers.
Educating the Customer
Recently, a customer called me about a power supply issue they were having. He stated that he made his purchase with the intent of powering IR illumination cameras. With some investigating, I realized that the he was not providing enough power to the cameras. These types of incidents often occur when the customer is not properly educated. Educating the customer about the product creates a valued perception of not only the item but yourself.
Overview
Have you ever visited a restaurant for the first time and had horrible service or food? After that experience, did you find yourself unwilling to return? Bad experiences can lead to one time purchases. As the front line of the security industry, salesmen need to educate customers as well as create a friendly experience for them. By educating yourself and your client you will begin to build a relationship of trust and with trust comes loyalty.
Security System Recording Options
Filed under: CCTV Articles, CCTV Camera, CCTV Security DVR Cards, General Technology, Security Camera, Security Camera Packages, Security Camera System, Security DVR
Recent advancements in technology have created an explosion of surveillance possibilities. The ability to track and record cash transactions using POS (point of sale), capturing tag numbers with license plate cameras, storing photos in a database, networking with cell phones, and logging in remotely are just a few of the security benefits that have resulted from this technology boom. In this article, I’ll share and compare some of the surveillance features and options that are currently available in the marketplace.
Standalone
Standalone DVR units were the first to break out in the industry and before the digital age, VCRs were the standard for archiving footage. Standalone units have been made popular with security consumers because they conveniently include preconfigured hardware and software. Most units come pre-built and carry many of the same functions of a PC-based system. Standalone DVRs are an ideal choice for the user who isn’t tech savvy and is looking for a plug-in-play experience. Unfortunately, these DVRs leave no room for expansion. This means that an 8 channel standalone DVR can have a max of 8 cameras connected for recording.
PC-based
With the limitations of standalone DVRs, PC-based solutions have become more popular among consumers. With their flexible hybrid capability, PC-based recorders allow you to integrate both IP and analog security feeds with the unit. These units can be expanded by simply upgrading or adding additional capture cards. Companies like AVerMedia also offer expansion cards that allow you to add more channels as needed. When compared to standalone recorders, PC-based units have several additional options such as printing snapshots, better integration with POS systems, and they are easier overall to repair if a component fails. Many PC-based systems are capable of handling thousands of user accounts, which makes them ideal for large applications where several users will need to monitor security footage.
Summary
Standalone DVRs will always be beneficial to smaller businesses and low-tech customers. While, PC-based systems can handle the security needs of many different sized companies. No matter the system you choose, you’ll enjoy the peace of mind in knowing your most precious assets are more secure.
Security Cameras and Law Enforcement
Filed under: CCTV Articles, CCTV Camera, CCTV Security DVR Cards, Security Camera, Security Camera Packages, Security Camera System, Security DVR
Too often when we turn on our televisions, we find another news broadcast about a murder or a robbery at a public business. More often than not the transgressor is able to hit the streets and cause more trouble before they are caught. A lot of business owners invest their time and money into a surveillance system that may not able to capture an image with high enough quality to be useful in an investigation. In this article, I’ll share some key factors that can help both the victim and law enforcement increase the odds of apprehending a suspect.
Recording Quality Starts With The DVR
The brain behind any security system is the digital video recorder. The importance of a great unit is a necessity and often end users will purchase an inexpensive recording device expecting high end results. Price isn’t always a factor in purchasing a quality DVR, but inexpensive can sometimes mean cheap. One thing that I always stress to my customers when purchasing a DVR is to start with the FPS (frames per second). For example an 8 channel DVR that has 60 FPS will provide a lower quality video than an 8 channel DVR with 240 FPS playback. A good rule of thumb is to add the number of cameras and divide the sum by the total amount of FPS offered by the DVR. The goal is a minimum of 30 FPS for each camera in the security system. Please note that high resolution cameras or megapixel cameras will cause some channels to record at a slower frame rate than others.
When working with law enforcement you need to be able to obtain to your footage fast, while having the ability to back up your information. Recorders that have built-in DVD recorders are always a great choice. Keep in mind that you will need a recorder that offers a watermark on the captured file in order for the video to be permissible in court. Two well-known manufactures, GeoVision and AverMedia, offer this feature.
Camera Strategy
It’s always important to match the best camera to its application. Camera position, lighting, and image detail should play an important role in the selection process. When looking at the setting of the scene you’ll want to consider your camera position. Is this camera going to be located in a corner? You will also want to consider the background light in conjunction with the angle of the camera. Will there be any obstructions, perhaps shelves or light fixtures? Ultimately, you’ll want to obtain the best line of sight to capture a clear facial shot. Lighting plays the most important role in camera selection. This is due to the fact that direct light without an auto-iris lens can cause too much noise to obtain a picture. Can the camera capture shots at night? Will the camera be located in a low light or no light environment? In this case, the AP-148z would be suitable choice for the application.
Picture quality is what you are after when trying to obtain details. This is directly affected by the recorder you purchased. IP cameras have the ability to provide megapixel quality which is always an option when paired with an NVR (network Video Recorder) or a PC-based DVR. However, if analog is your preference, then evaluate the chipset in the security camera you are considering. A 1/3 HAD CCD is suitable for most situations. Typically, CMOS chips have a lower picture quality than that of an HAD. Another factor to be aware of is the TVL (television lines). Higher TVL means you’ll enjoy better picture quality from your security footage.
Overview
Building the right system can make the difference between protecting your assets and losing them. Remember the initial investment on a security camera system takes proper planning and skill. Don’t hesitate to contact a security expert who can walk you through a step-by-step process and provide you with the tools necessary to get the job done right the first time.
Speed Domes Making the Difference
Filed under: CCTV Camera, Security Camera, Security Camera Packages, Security Camera System
The speed dome camera is quickly making its role felt in the security camera market. With powerful a zoom lens and its ability to rotate 360 degrees, the speed dome camera is an asset in any application. From homes to city-wide surveillance, speed domes can be utilized in a variety of environments.
You may be asking yourself, “When would I need a speed dome?” Speed domes can be applied to any setting when panning or covering large traffic areas are a concern. We have seen that they are getting a lot of play in banks and schools. Zooming in on a transaction or monitoring teacher activity are just a few of the popular uses for these cameras. Demand for speed domes has also increased with Casino customers as these cameras are an improvement to current security systems.
The ability to fully control speed dome cameras make these “bad boys” very desirable. Something to keep in mind when purchasing speed domes is to evaluate the operating system to ensure that the recording device can handle the desired product. Some systems such as GeoVision and Avermedia need network cards to operate the zoom and pan functions. However, these parts are usually less expensive compared to the initial investment.
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