Communicating the Value of IP Video Surveillance

Communicating the Value of IP Video Surveillance

  • By Kevin Saldanha
  • Aug 15, 2016

Video surveillance is a valuable tool leveraged by organizations worldwide to mitigate risk, enhance security and streamline operations. The value that IP video surveillance provides is well documented, but it’s hard to define the exact financial return. Often, security leaders try to determine the financial impact of a security event, the chances this event can occur and its effect over time.

Proving value of any security deployment is essential – especially as security efforts are top-of-mind to senior executives. Determining ways in which surveillance infrastructure provides value to the business demonstrates a security team’s commitment to ensuring organizational success. But how can organizations best measure the impact that IP video surveillance has on their businesses – today and into the future?

Protection of Critical Business Assets

Video surveillance is a critical force multiplier to help organizations protect property, employees and customers. A single security event can quickly bring to mind the potential for loss – in disruption of business, exposure to litigation, loss of property or worse. But what other assets can benefit from video data? Consider the positive implications of using video to ensure cyber security, data protection, intellectual property and brand reputation. By helping businesses protect these vital corporate assets, security managers can build a cohesive approach to risk management.

Evolving Use Cases

Once used solely to enhance security and safety plans, video surveillance is now a fundamental business tool. Video data is used to maximize employee productivity, measure marketing campaign success and make sure remote site operations are on target. An organization’s surveillance system can be leveraged to capture security data that is valuable to a broad number of stakeholders and therefore, budgeting for the system can be allocated across multiple departments.

Demonstrate ROI

Analyze your surveillance system’s total cost of ownership. Create a business case that shows how investigating liability claims with video results in a reduction of false slip-and-fall claims. Video can augment and dynamically enhance access control data, and operators can review video to determine whether an access alarm was valid or not, which can save manpower on false alarms. Without video evidence, these processes would not be possible.

In some instances, for a Safe City environment, the cost savings associated with crimes averted through camera systems in Chicago, for example, saved the city more than $4 for every dollar spent on the technology, according to the Urban Institute. In the same vein, the more robust a security program, the better it is at preventing and solving crimes – and the programs are most effective when the systems are monitored by trained staff, have enough cameras to detect crimes in progress and integrate the technology into all manner of law enforcement activities. A truly robust security program will be able to do all of these things, thereby demonstrating true ROI to security management teams or the C-suite.

Operational Excellence

Modern video surveillance systems can be accessed from remote locations through tablets, smartphones and thin clients. This feature reduces the need for security managers or guards to physically visit a site when an issue arises or alarm sounds. By tapping into video feeds, officers can determine what is happening and quickly determine the appropriate response. 

When summed together, determining ROI, utilizing video data for multiple uses and helping optimize business operations brings the investment in video surveillance technology to the forefront of discussions at the C-suite level. By implementing a robust IP video program that achieves all of these valuable goals, more and more businesses and organizations can have the opportunity to spend wisely on comprehensive solutions.

About the Author

Kevin Saldanha is the Director of Product Management at Pelco by Schneider Electric.

Featured

  • From Surveillance to Intelligence

    Years ago, it would have been significantly more expensive to run an analytic like that — requiring a custom-built solution with burdensome infrastructure demands — but modern edge devices have made it accessible to everyone. It also saves time, which is a critical factor if a missing child is involved. Video compression technology has played a critical role as well. Over the years, significant advancements have been made in video coding standards — including H.263, MPEG formats, and H.264—alongside compression optimization technologies developed by IP video manufacturers to improve efficiency without sacrificing quality. The open-source AV1 codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media—a consortium including Google, Netflix, Microsoft, Amazon and others — is already the preferred decoder for cloud-based applications, and is quickly becoming the standard for video compression of all types. Read Now

  • Cost: Reactive vs. Proactive Security

    Security breaches often happen despite the availability of tools to prevent them. To combat this problem, the industry is shifting from reactive correction to proactive protection. This article will examine why so many security leaders have realized they must “lead before the breach” – not after. Read Now

  • Achieving Clear Audio

    In today’s ever-changing world of security and risk management, effective communication via an intercom and door entry communication system is a critical communication tool to keep a facility’s staff, visitors and vendors safe. Read Now

  • Beyond Apps: Access Control for Today’s Residents

    The modern resident lives in an app-saturated world. From banking to grocery delivery, fitness tracking to ridesharing, nearly every service demands another download. But when it comes to accessing the place you live, most people do not want to clutter their phone with yet another app, especially if its only purpose is to open a door. Read Now

  • Survey: 48 Percent of Worshippers Feel Less Safe Attending In-Person Services

    Almost half (48%) of those who attend religious services say they feel less safe attending in-person due to rising acts of violence at places of worship. In fact, 39% report these safety concerns have led them to change how often they attend in-person services, according to new research from Verkada conducted online by The Harris Poll among 1,123 U.S. adults who attend a religious service or event at least once a month. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • Compact IP Video Intercom

    Viking’s X-205 Series of intercoms provide HD IP video and two-way voice communication - all wrapped up in an attractive compact chassis.

  • EasyGate SPT and SPD

    EasyGate SPT SPD

    Security solutions do not have to be ordinary, let alone unattractive. Having renewed their best-selling speed gates, Cominfo has once again demonstrated their Art of Security philosophy in practice — and confirmed their position as an industry-leading manufacturers of premium speed gates and turnstiles.

  • PE80 Series

    PE80 Series by SARGENT / ED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin

    ASSA ABLOY, a global leader in access solutions, has announced the launch of two next generation exit devices from long-standing leaders in the premium exit device market: the PE80 Series by SARGENT and the PED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin. These new exit devices boast industry-first features that are specifically designed to provide enhanced safety, security and convenience, setting new standards for exit solutions. The SARGENT PE80 and Corbin Russwin PED4000/PED5000 Series exit devices are engineered to meet the ever-evolving needs of modern buildings. Featuring the high strength, security and durability that ASSA ABLOY is known for, the new exit devices deliver several innovative, industry-first features in addition to elegant design finishes for every opening.