Whether you are a Colorado Springs homeowner or shopkeeper, the sound of jingle bells no doubt fills your heart with the joys of the season – and also reminds you that you need to take steps to prevent theft during the holidays. No matter how safe your neighborhood seems or how tight the security at your store may be, there are always opportunities for thieves to take what is not rightfully theirs. However, you can take steps to prevent theft during the holiday season. The secret is to utilize the best in security camera and surveillance systems.
If you are a home or retail owner looking for a powerful tool to keep thieves away from your home and shop, consider these benefits of a robust surveillance system.
Prevent Theft At During The Holidays – At Home
With the ease and convenience of online shopping and delivery, you may overlook the risks involved with leaving delivered packages on your doorstep while you are away from home. In addition, Colorado Springs homeowners who populate their yards with festive lawn decor have reported a rise in individuals stealing or vandalizing these expensive decorations. How can you protect your valuables from these crimes?
Find Your Weak Points
Take a moment and walk outside your front door. While we want our homes to be inviting to our friends and family, ask yourself if you are unwittingly inviting thieves to your doorstep. For instance, are your front door and any packages left there easily visible from the street? Do you have sufficient outdoor lighting to deter burglars from entering your property when the sun goes down? If you have a gate, do you keep it shut, especially at night? Giving close attention to these details will provide you with an idea of areas to start increasing your security and preventing theft during the holidays.
Change Your Delivery Method
Daytime theft from doorsteps has become more popular as more homeowners spend their days at work or otherwise away from their homes. Knowing this, many delivery companies allow homeowners and renters to leave confidential instructions on where to leave packages. Amazon, FedEx and UPS all have delivery notice services that you can personalize with where you would like your parcel left (behind the milk box, inside your gated porch, under a bush, etc.).
When placing online orders, be sure to check out what delivery options are available to you. From delivery instructions to holding packages for pick-up to changing your deliveries to your workplace instead of home, there are plenty of options to ensure that a Grinch does not ruin your Christmas.
Add Timers Indoors And Motion Sensor Lighting Outdoors
There is a reason why more burglaries happen at night. Darkness provides an enticing cover to thieves, especially when it is evident that the home is empty. If you plan to be away for the holidays, place timers on your lamps, set to come on at dusk.
To prevent burglary of your lawn decorations, consider installing motion-sensor lights in your yard. Very few thieves want to steal under the spotlight.
Install Security Cameras At Ingress Points To Your Yard And Home
There is a good reason why Colorado Springs homeowners utilize security camera surveillance systems to protect their homes, valuables and loved ones. Put simply, security cameras work. The sight of a hard-wired, and thus hard to tamper with, security camera is a significant deterrent to burglars. Additionally, many security cameras come standard with features like night-vision and smart options that make accessing video footage easy if needed.
Many Colorado Springs businesses rely on sales during the holiday season to bolster their yearly revenue and know first-hand how shoplifting affects your bottom line. Theft is one of the most significant factors that negatively influence retail businesses. If you own a retail shop in Colorado Springs, how can you reduce the risk of theft inside your store?
Identify Weak Points
The advice for homeowners above goes double for the diligent shopkeeper. The first thing you need to do is identify areas of your retail space that are most prone to shoplifting. These may be aisles that are not easily visible by employees at the register or displays close to the front door. If you are concerned that you are missing areas that might be incredibly tempting for the shopper looking for a “five-finger-discount,” ask for help from surveillance security camera experts like System Links. During your free on-site consultation, the experts can identify areas you may have missed while developing a comprehensive plan to prevent theft during the holidays and year-round.
Let’s be honest, as vigilant as you are, it is impossible to keep an eye on every corner of your store every moment you are open. At one time or another, you or your employees will be assisting another customer, ringing up a sale, or just taking a much-needed break. To ensure that you and your employees are on the same page, establish a written “no-tolerance” policy for handling shoplifters. If your plans include pressing charges against all shoplifters, post signs in conspicuous places so that potential thieves know the risks involved with stealing from your store.
Install Modern Security Camera Systems
The most effective way to prevent theft during the holidays is to install advanced security cameras and surveillance equipment in your store. Modern security camera systems enable retailers to monitor their stores through mobile devices. Whether you are away on vacations or at home, an advanced surveillance system lets you keep an eye on every spot in your retail store.
Installing a security camera system both inside and outside your store will consistently record the activities in and around your shop. This allows you to report suspicious activities to authorities immediately and protect your valuable items. If your shop does fall victim to theft, you can share the footage with the police to aid in the prosecution of the thief. And who knows? Maybe you even will get your stolen goods back.
One of the hardest things to do for most small business owners is to leave the business in someone else’s care. This is one area where security camera systems really shine. Many advanced surveillance systems come with a wireless connection that enables you to monitor your property when you are away via a mobile application on your smartphone. This application allows you to check suspicious activities and provides mental peace that your property is secure.
Affordable Surveillance Solutions Can Prevent Theft During The Holidays
A few years ago, small businesses and homeowners found security cameras systems to be cost-prohibitive. Fortunately, times have changed, and security camera surveillance systems are affordable and come with advanced features that make it easy to prevent theft during the holidays. System Links is Southern Colorado’s premier choice for security camera system sales, installation, and service. Because we are locally and family-owned, our dedication to the safety and security of our neighbors is second to none. Contact us today for a free, on-site consultation at your home or business.
Access control systems are gaining popularity across Colorado. An access entry system controls who can and can’t enter a building, ensuring that those who enter a building are only those that have been authorized to do so. As the world around us evolves, the technology behind securing your property and data is evolving as well. Keep reading to find out the many benefits and features of modern access control systems for your Front Range business.
What is an access control system?
Put simply, an access control system is the best way to improve the security of your building. Modern access control system technology eliminates many of the issues that are normally associated with key-based access entry. Small businesses in Colorado Springs want to have control over who can get in and out of their properties, while also keeping track of those who do have access. Using an access control system is a convenient way of providing quick and easy access for any authorized personnel and denies entry for those who are unauthorized, without the hassle of issuing traditional keys and locks. It is also becoming normal to see employees using an app on their smartphone to gain entry to the workplace and different levels of access within their workplace. Cloud-based access control systems, like those provided by VIZPin, restrict access to rooms within buildings that may hold sensitive data, workstations, and essential hardware.
When an access control system is utilized in a building or property that is rented or requires different levels of access, those levels of access can be customized for each individual needing access. For instance, your receptionist may need access to only areas related to her job functions, whereas your CEO needs access to all areas of your property. Access control systems make it easy to assign each of these individuals access to the areas they need while securing sensitive or data-protected areas.
The Benefits of Modern Access Control Systems
Protecting your office, employees, owners, and tenants is the top priority of all Colorado business owners. A modern access entry system is a perfect solution to improve building security, whether it’s with a passcode, passcard, app-based, biometric or other keyless access control door entry system.
The Benefit of Being Able to Monitor All Activity
Utilizing a modern access control system helps small businesses and apartment buildings monitor who has accessed their facility or property. This modern technology can easily create an entry and exit log which will allow the security team to review data to determine those who have been accessing the building. The ability to track who enters a building is a great benefit because small businesses often hold valuable merchandise within their property, which makes them an appealing target for burglars. But the appeal to burglars can apply to any property, especially places like apartment buildings and churches which do not always have the proper security around the premises making the buildings easy targets for thieves. Having the ability to track who is entering the building and who enters different accessible areas helps prevent instances of burglary. If an instance of burglary does happen, security and authorities will be able to look at the entry log from the access control system and track who has been entering the premises.
The Benefit of Extra Security for Sensitive Information
Along with the concern of merchandise and other assets getting stolen, also consider the possibility of a data breach. Insider leaks, stolen hard drives, and personal property are common physical breaches. These particular data breaches for a business or apartment complex result in the loss of data, theft, and misuse of personal, employee or tenant info. This is why smart business owners and property managers should implement access control systems that are discretionary, meaning that only certain people have access to certain rooms or information, especially where data is stored or located. A system that provides the ability to have specific credentials for various levels of access control is imperative to help prevent this type of thievery and protect property and data.
The Benefit of Safety for Everyone in the Building
A keyless access control system greatly increases the safety of employees or tenants of a building because it protects them from potentially harmful intruders. A modern access control system that uses mobile credentials can also add an extra layer of security because that cannot be shared and/or copied with anyone. Some modern access control systems, like those provided by ENS, also have the ability to deny entry to employees or visitors who are not adhering to face-mask protocols, or who are feverish. In a post-pandemic world, this cutting-edge technology can provide you, your employees and your visitors with confidence that you value their health and safety.
The Benefit of Not Having to Worry About Keys
It can be a hassle to have traditional keys because they are so easily lost and when a key is lost you have to make a new copy for whoever lost it. If there is an influx of new employees or tenants arriving or leaving, you have to collect the keys of people leaving to hand them to the new people or make entire new copies of the keys. If you are not able to gather all the keys from those exiting the company, or keys to sensitive areas have been lost, you may have to replace the entire key/lock system to ensure that unauthorized access to your business or property is not possible. This also leads to having to issue brand new keys to everyone who works or lives in the building that had to have the key and lock combination changed. With a modern access control system, you don’t have to worry about any of this. When a new person is hired at your company or moves into your apartment building, you give them access through the system. And when someone leaves, you can easily remove them from the ability to access the property without it affecting anyone else who still has access to the property.
Conclusion
Controlling access to your business or apartment complex has never been easier than now, with access control systems that eliminate the need for traditional keys. The technology behind these systems is secure and easy to maintain. If you are ready to explore an access control system to provide extra security to your valuable data, hardware, and the important people in your life, contact System Links today. We are Colorado Springs’ premier source for sales and installation of access control systems. We have the experience to address your access control questions and concerns, and our reputation for amazing sales and installation, customer service and longevity in the security industry is second to none. Contact us today to schedule your free on-site access control solution consultation.
In today’s world, one of the smartest decisions you can make for the security of your Southern Colorado business is to invest in a premises access control system. If you are looking for a feature-rich, high-tech access control solution then Vizpin Access Control Systems is one of the best, most user-friendly and secure options available.
Thirty years ago, it seemed like the only businesses with access control systems were Fortune 100 companies, high-tech developers and manufacturers, and government installations. But since then, controlling who has access to your premises and data, and exactly when this access is granted, has become an essential aspect of nearly every business, no matter the size.
With the plethora of options available, why should you choose to install a Vizpin Access Control System at your company’s premises? Here are five core features Vizpin technology provides to secure your company premises.
1. Vizpin Is Cloud-Based
With Vizpin Access Control Systems, security permissions do not need to be set up locally but are instead managed by the service provider via a remote server. All that is necessary on your (or your designated administrator’s) part is a mobile connection or a web browser. That is it. Your administrator will be able to set up and manage permissions from anywhere, at any time, all through an app on their smartphone.
This cloud-based approach allows for your administrator to manage access to multiple buildings, handle complex security requirements, collaborate with other individuals, and eliminate the need for training a local operator, for both service and maintenance.
2. Vizpin is Secure
The reality is that security is becoming more of an issue all the time. Whether you are most concerned with hackers hijacking your data or compromising your system, or the safety and security of your employees and visitors, any good access control system has to be flexible enough to allow for customization, but also be configurable for maximum security and safety. Vizpin is just such a flexible and configurable access control system.
The Vizpin access control reader is mounted in a secure area, well away from potential burglars, and safe from weather elements. The system can be customized to use two-factor authentication (TFA) or even multi-factor authentication (MFA), so as to handle all logical security requirements. This feature also enables you to use end-to-end data encryption when it is necessary to transmit data to other locations.
3. Network Requirements with Vizpin
Many traditional access control systems use the same network as business-critical systems. This means a conventional system is wired into a central panel and requires a local network to support it. In addition to extensive wiring, an ISP, and a number of routers, an IT professional will likely need to oversee and implement the entire network.
Vizpin Access Control Systems, on the other hand, do not require any network installation, which eliminates the possibility of your corporate network being compromised. You’ll also enjoy the benefits of a less expensive installation, as well as no need for maintenance personnel or for IT specialists. Vizpin is therefore a self-contained, protected access control system.
The ultramodern Vizpin Access Control System is easy to configure, use and manage. Because a Vizpin system eliminates the need for fobs, key cards, or physical badges, there is no need for extensive training of your administrator. The system is intuitive and very user-friendly and can be used easily right after installation.
And, if instant access is needed at any time, your administrator can easily navigate the cloud-based access control software to make the necessary updates.
5. Scalability With Vizpin
Vizpin is one of the most easily scalable access control systems on the market, so regardless of the kind of growth your company goes through, Vizpin can mirror that growth.
For instance, if you need to add an additional secure area in your workplace, or if your company undergoes significant expansion, your Vizpin Access Control System will grow right along with the company. Expansion is a breeze, and the cost is very affordable.
System Links Colorado: Your Local Expert Vizpin Access Control Systems Retailer And Installer
With so many great features and cutting-edge technology, Vizpin Access Control Systems are becoming increasingly popular with Southern Colorado companies. At System Links Colorado, we are proud to be premier retail sales and installers of this awesome technology. Contact us today for more information and to request a free quote.
Installing Costco security cameras and CCTV systems is not as easy as the store employees and the equipment packaging might lead you to believe. If you have purchased or are considering purchasing an off-the-shelf (OTS) security camera system at Costco then this post will give you valuable insights and tips to ensure your system is both installed correctly and cost-effectively.
Costco Security Cameras
Costco sells security camera systems that are cheap and lower-quality alternatives to the systems offered by commercial-grade security system suppliers. That being said, the OTS packages purchased at big-box stores are still decent security systems that can meet the needs of many homeowners and small businesses who need basic surveillance features on a tight budget. (For instance, baby or puppy monitoring, small areas, store entrances, etc.)
Quick plug – If you are in the greater Colorado Springs area and looking for a professional security camera installation company to take over the install of your Costco, Sam’s Club, Walmart, Home Depot, Best Buy or Amazon security camera then give System Links a call. We are happy to help you with installing your system, and the price might surprise you.
Costco sells security camera systems by Lorex, AvertX, Blink, Arlo, Swan, and Ring, among others.
Does Costco Install Security Cameras?
The short answer is no. Costco as a company does not install the security camera systems they sell. Rather, they are selling a do-it-yourself (DIY) security system. The customer service section of the Costco website will tell you to refer to the instruction manual (if one is included) and for further assistance, contact Costco Concierge Services at 866-861-0450. Please have your membership number and serial number available.
When you call the Costco customer service number, prepare yourself for a lengthy voice response menu. After responding to half a dozen menu choices, a friendly person will eventually come on the line. However, when you ask the Concierge Services member about how to get your security camera installed the reply is: “You can install it yourself, or you can go to Google and search for a local security camera installation service near me.”
The Concierge Services member might also mention that sometimes the member services desk at your local Costco might have a list of installers, but don’t count on it.
Factors to Consider When Attempting a DIY Install of Off-the-Shelf (OTS) Security Camera System
Yes, you can install your own security camera systems. The challenge is the camera wiring, which involves many factors that most DIY’ers don’t have the skills or experience to accomplish effectively. Here is an example of the types of factors you need to take into consideration when installing a wired security camera system yourself:
Planning where the camera should go for best effectiveness
Locating the camera recording system for power, security, and noise
Fishing and running wire through attics, walls, soffits, HVAC ducts
A significant variety of tools are needed which most homeowners do not have in their toolbox
Crawling around tight attics and spider-infested crawl spaces
Complex wiring connections
Quality of materials (OTS systems use cheap plastic that is not made to withstand harsh Colorado weather conditions)
Drilling through interior and exterior walls, ceilings, foundations
Configuring the recording system
How Much Does It Cost to Have Costco Security Cameras Installed?
Naturally, the answer to the question of how much does it cost to install security camera systems is “it depends.”
The expert installers at System Links install hundreds of security camera systems in the greater Colorado Springs area each year. On average, the installation of home security systems purchased at Costco will cost in a range between $500 and $2,500. The number of cameras, size of the home, number of rooms you wish to monitor, and outside surveillance requirements are the key cost drivers.
Business and commercial installations have a much bigger range and it is difficult to make a ballpark estimate. We install Costco security systems in small apartment buildings, retail operations, restaurants, commercial buildings, smaller hotels and motels, schools, churches, storage lots, etc. As in the case of home installation, the specific requirements of each installation affect the cost to install.
Commercial Grade Security Cameras Can Be as Cost-Effective
Yes, multi-camera surveillance systems sold at the likes of Costco can be cheap. But, like anything, you get what you pay for.
Buying CCTV security equipment is similar to any other purchase you will make, in the sense that cheaper equipment will do the job. But, how well do you want that job done? Do you need or want higher video quality, effective system design, security and reliability, user-friendliness, reliable warranty, integration with pre-existing equipment, and accessories? If so, then you really need to contact a professional security camera installer in Colorado Springs.
As we said above, at System Links, we are experts at installing Costco security cameras for our neighbors and local business owners. Click to schedule a free site visit and a reliable quote for an OTS CCTV security camera installation in Colorado Springs.
A lot of Colorado Springs business owners ask us what small business security camera system is best for their company. Security cameras vary greatly in terms of features, and that can make choosing the best cameras for your business a difficult task. The reason for such a large variety of features is because modern surveillance systems for businesses are built to meet certain, specific needs.
In this post, we’ll briefly explain 5 things you need to consider to ensure you get the best small business security camera system for your Colorado Springs company or organization.
1. Indoor vs Outdoor Security Camera Systems
The primary distinction between an indoor and outdoor small business security camera system is the types of external factors each camera has to be able to withstand.
Indoor cameras can be smaller, more lightweight and are usually less intrusive than bulkier outdoor cameras. An indoor security camera cannot be used outside because it is not weatherproof.
An outdoor small business security camera system has to resist a wide range of outdoor weather conditions. The cameras and wiring are waterproof and tamper-resistant. Colorado is famous for brutal winter storms, so depending on your requirements, an outdoor surveillance camera may even need a heater.
2. High-Definition
As the name suggests, high-definition security cameras can record video in 720p, 1080p or better definition. High definition cameras worked best with wired camera systems and higher-capacity Digital Video Recorders (DVRs) or Network Video Recorders (NVRs).
Many business owners want high-definition cameras because they need to see the details of what is happening in the surveillance videos. For example, if you need to positively identify faces in your security videos then you need to look into higher quality cameras and recording devices.
Many small business security camera systems available at retail stores like Costco or Home Depot claim to offer high resolution but figuring out what clarity you are actually getting can be confusing. If you want surveillance videos with very high resolution and clarity then we recommend you speak with a security camera expert to match your needs with the right equipment.
When researching small business security camera systems you will frequently come across the terms “bullet security camera” and “dome security camera.” Both are designed for surveillance but the design of each is specialized.
Bullet cameras are typically used for long-range surveillance where video is needed far away from the physical location of the camera, such as in long hallways and parking lots. Bullet cameras are tube-shaped and point in the direction of the surveillance requirement.
Dome cameras are used for short-range where video surveillance is needed close up. Dome cameras are often wide-angle to monitor a large area that is close to the physical placement of the camera and are commonly used in retail areas and indoor storage rooms.
4. Wired vs Wireless
Small business security camera systems need to communicate with a video recorder which is usually centrally located in a secure location. Wireless cameras connect over wi-fi to record your security camera video footage. Wired security camera systems connect using coax cables to the recording device. Wired vs wireless cameras is a large topic that we will cover in a future blog. For this post, here are the key features and benefits of each type of camera to recorder connection solutions.
Wireless Small Business Security Camera Systems
Simple and cheaper installation is the primary advantage of wireless security camera systems. You need to provide wifi but there is no need to purchase, install and protect wires. The second key benefit of wifi cameras is that placement of the camera is flexible and possible where a wire is just not feasible, for instance outside on a pole or in a tree. Wireless systems are also easy to take down if you need a temporary solution (such as a rental property).
Wired Security Camera Systems
Reliability and performance are the main reasons business owners choose wired security camera systems. Unlike wifi, wired connections are not susceptible to wifi signal interference or outages. Wired solutions can be larger with more cameras and more features than wifi. If you want high-definition video footage from multiple locations then wired is the way to go. Naturally, since wired systems require the purchase and installation of physical cables the cost of wired systems is higher than wireless solutions.
At System Links, we almost always recommend a wired small business security camera system for office, warehouse, apartment, retail and home surveillance systems.
5. Night Vision
What are the lighting conditions of your surveillance requirement? Do you have indoor rooms that need to be monitored even if the lights are off? Do you need to monitor outdoor areas at night? If so, then you will need to consider night vision cameras.
Night vision security cameras are equipped with infrared (IR) illuminators that light up the area to be surveilled with invisible IR light. This enables the IR cameras to literally see in the dark and capture the video you need.
Night vision surveillance equipment comes in many different levels of capability and quality. For example, if the area you need to monitor has varying levels of light and dark, you should consider systems with “Smart IR,” which is a technology that adjusts IR brightness to accommodate varying levels of light. This is just one example of many options to consider in night vision camera systems.
Conclusion
There are many things to consider when choosing a small business security camera system. In this post, we just explored 5 of the key considerations for choosing a security camera system for your company. There are all sorts of security camera elements that you may have never heard or thought about before. System Links recommends that you speak with our security camera experts to help you determine the best security camera for your business needs. We offer free consultations, site visits and quotes to Colorado Springs area businesses that are researching security camera solutions.
Read More From Our People And Property Protection Essentials Blog:
The Benefit of Not Having to Worry About Keys
Many traditional access control systems use the same network as business-critical systems. This means a conventional system is wired into a central panel and requires a local network to support it. In addition to extensive wiring, an ISP, and a number of routers, an IT professional will likely need to oversee and implement the entire network.
