Running a retail store in Los Angeles means dealing with theft, break-ins, and employee safety concerns. A good security camera system is not optional anymore. But what a lot of store owners do not realize is that modern security cameras are basically IT devices that need proper network setup to work right.
We have installed and configured camera systems for retail locations from the Fairfax District to Long Beach, and there are a few things you should know before you invest.
IP Cameras vs Analog Cameras
Forget about the old analog cameras with those clunky DVR boxes. IP cameras give you much better image quality, remote viewing from your phone, and smarter features like motion detection zones and facial recognition.
IP cameras connect to your network just like computers do. That means they need proper network configuration, enough bandwidth, and security settings to prevent unauthorized access. We have seen business owners install IP cameras and leave them with default passwords, basically giving anyone on the internet a view inside their store.
How Many Cameras Do You Need
For a typical retail store in LA, you want cameras covering every entrance and exit, the cash register area, the stockroom, and the sales floor. Most stores need between six and twelve cameras depending on the layout.
Do not skimp on camera resolution. At minimum you want 4K cameras at your entrances so you can clearly identify faces. For general floor coverage, 1080p works fine. If you are trying to save money by buying cheap cameras with blurry footage, you are wasting your money because the footage will be useless when you actually need it.
Storage and Remote Access
You need enough storage to keep at least 30 days of footage. Most retail thefts are not discovered immediately, so if your system only stores a week of video, the evidence might be gone before you realize something happened.
Network video recorders store everything locally, but you should also have cloud backup for critical cameras. If someone steals your NVR along with your merchandise, you still have the footage.
Remote access lets you check in on your store from anywhere. Most of our retail clients in LA love being able to pull up their cameras on their phone and see what is happening in real time.
Falcon Pros installs and manages security camera systems integrated with your business network for retail stores across Los Angeles. We handle everything from camera selection to network configuration to remote access setup. Call (323) 441-6834 to protect your store.