07/ 25/ 2007
by Heather Larson
How to use video surveillance to protect your employees, your customers and your business
When Cash from employees' purses started disappearing, along with a lockbox, Cristal Newell, owner of Denver-based Mile High Mutts Doggie Day Care, turned the focus on the thief by installing a video surveillance system.
"Once the system was in, the stealing stopped," says Newell, who suspected an employee all along.
She soon discovered the surveillance system had other benefits besides protecting her employees and her business. "I can watch the daycare from any location, and if a dog gets hurt, I know how and when," Newell says. "If an altercation occurs between a customer and an employee when I'm not there, I can determine who's at fault by observing body language and how long the interaction lasts."
Small-business owners typically use video surveillance to monitor employees, deter theft and stop vandalism, says Peter Quintas, executive vice president of surveillance and security solutions at Winston-Salem, N.C.-based Interact Public Safety Systems. But there are other purposes for it, too.
Restaurants rely on video surveillance to nix slip-and-fall insurance claims, and retail stores depend on it to staff up or down, according to the traffic recorded.
"In recent years, we've also seen businesses using their systems as marketing tools," Quintas says. Potential customers can move a Web camera around a furniture store to browse the selection before coming in. Out-of-town homeowners can remotely watch the construction of their new home. Resorts can showcase amenities.
Though the cost of installing video surveillance varies, depending on the system and number of cameras used, the base price has dropped, and the flexibility is greater than it was when the service was introduced. "A basic surveillance solution with four cameras costs about $2,000 now," Quintas says.
With a four-camera system, experts recommend placing cameras above the cash register, near the back door and in the front reception area as well as the production area.
Ethically speaking, employers should always tell employees they are being filmed. Because video-surveillance laws vary from state to state, you should contact local law enforcement or an attorney to find out what you legally can and can't do.
Newell notified her employees about her cameras. While they often forget they are there, the system has increased accountability. It also simplifies management for Newell, who often works from home. When her system's glass sensor goes off, she immediately knows if the culprit is an intruder or a barking dog. "The peace of mind it gives me is worth it," she says.
Surveillance Shopping
Look for these qualities when searching for a video-surveillance service.
Expertise. Getting a good deal is important since cameras can get pricey, but weigh cost with experience. Choosing a cheaper but less reputable service will cost you more down the road if the company neglects safeguards like firewalls.
Follow-up. Don't hire someone who will disappear after installing your system. Pick a service that will check in periodically, especially as you adjust to the system.
Trust. Invest in a service that will keep you informed about any hardware or software glitches. If your cameras go down, you shouldn't have to call to find out what happened; you should be notified—and assured that someone is fixing the problem.
NFIB.com
Learn more about making technology work for your business in "Equipment" in the "Office" section at www.NFIB.com/toolsandtips.
