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Just like with any other unfamiliar topic, being a beginner and working alone when picking out a surveillance system can be difficult. With so many options on the internet, referrals from friends, and ads in the phone book, it can be hard to get started, and even harder to figure out what equipment is needed. Finding a good, trustworthy designer and installer is key, however beyond that even a little bit of thought about what you generally want your system to do can be just as important.
One of the first things to examine is what is making you want the system in the first place as that will help define your priorities. In some unfortunate cases this can be an easy question to answer, especially if there has been a break in or vandalism that’s prompting the consideration of cameras. If the purpose of the system is general security and there haven’t been any specific incidents prompting the purchase, though, the reasons why cameras are needed might be a little vaguer, but it is important to understand the underlying reasons that a surveillance system is needed so you can communicate that information to your designers and put them on the same page as you right from the start. Why are you considering a system? What happened, or what are you concerned might happen?
Once that basic question is answered, everything else quickly falls into place, especially in terms of camera placement, one of the most difficult things for a beginner to figure out. When in doubt, the best strategy is to fall back upon the reasons why a system is being considered in the first place: if something might happen, where will that be? What specific areas or objects need to be monitored? Having an idea in advance doesn’t just help your designer put together the right system for you, it also helps him or her understand what it is you’re trying to accomplish, and thereby work toward getting you the right equipment. Even if it’s just an extremely general idea (for instance, just knowing you want a camera to watch your front and back doors) thinking in advance about where you want your cameras to be placed will help a great deal when they’re being installed. Your designer can help you determine and work with factors such as distance or lighting, but only you can make the final call as to where your cameras are going to go and what they will monitor.
Aside from the general scope of placement, though, there are some other points that can make your design and installation go much smoother. One great tool you can provide your installation team with is some sort of blueprint-style layout, even if it’s just hand-drawn on a piece of paper. This is especially critical in retail locations, especially convenience stores, clothing boutiques, or anywhere that there might be freestanding racks of merchandise out over the main floor. Since those tend to create a lot of blind spots for cameras to deal with, having the ability to see a bird’s eye view of the location (even if it’s just a general idea) will not only help the designer visualize where cameras need to be placed, it also provides a handy reference for you: the designer can mark down where the cameras and cable lines were installed, so you always have a map to fall back on if you’re getting other work done or need to install more equipment. Going a step beyond that, if it’s possible, it’s always a good idea to have a copy of the blueprints for your building handy during the actual installation (so the work crew can review where existing studs and wiring is located) can help make sure there are no surprises or last-minute revisions that need to be done while cable is being run. It’s very rarely a major issue if the blueprints aren’t available, however the more information you can offer your installers, the better they’ll be able to do their job.
To be clear, though, none of the above is absolutely necessary. Any good system designer and installer should be able to give you the right system even if the only thing you know is that you want a set of cameras; he and the installer will accomplish this by asking you questions about what you’ve experienced, what your aims are, and what you ultimately hope to accomplish. In that respect, it’s important to remember that there’s nothing in the world wrong with not being sure about the details, or having to ask the designer for recommendations. Remember, any installer or designer who gets impatient or doesn’t fully answer your questions is one who is probably not worth your business. If you find yourself in a scenario like that, move along immediately. The most important step you can take is to pick a team that you feel comfortable with and whose advice you can trust.
