Smart Isn’t Always Smart
Subscription based business models with advertised free installs are becoming a popular choice among small business owners. Often the entry pricing for a subscription-based SMART camera system is enticing and can lure a buyer into feeling as if they are able to free up money otherwise spent on a traditional camera system installation. The promises made by these business models leaves buyers assuming they’re getting a cutting edge, continuously updated software and support service to secure their assets. The reality is that subscription-based camera systems will not save money in the long run. Often the subscription-based company will offer free installs. When they’re done and the installer leaves you will never hear from them again. Good luck contacting their accounting team to cancel your service or report a dead camera for repair. You’ll quickly find out it’s near impossible. The ugliest part is they often hire sub contracted installers with very little experience in commercial building structures, and codes who get paid by the job who have no clue what general safe practices are among industry leaders. The last thing any business owner wants is their inner wiring butchered by these types of faceless businesses that are nowhere to be found when you need them. There is a reason subscriptions offer free installation.
Why Choose a Local Reputable Security Camera Installer Over a Subscription Service?
It’s safe to blame the change in approach to getting a security system installed partially on the rapid change in pace in storage technologies such as micro-SD cards becoming increasingly popular and less expensive to produce. This method relies on every single camera to be its own NVR DVR server and stream the playback to you over wireless network or ethernet. Pueblo Tech’s real world experience no matter what access points or cameras used is that WiFi and bundled “smart cameras” whether wired or wireless from the leading subscription-based service providers are notoriously known for failing and behaving in an unexpected way. Interference, obstacles changing behavior create unreliable security camera solutions when you need it the most.
Premise Security vs AI
So where’s the problem? Too many companies are merging security services and over promising features leaving you with mediocre equipment and monthly service fees with no easy way out in case you want to upgrade or want a new camera and generally the camera’s sensors and overall electronic components are inferior to industrial designs. They often lock you down into their camera technology and forbid the use of adding anything with universal protocols used in the security industry such as ONVIF.
Subscription based all in one systems are the #1 types of systems Pueblo Tech, LLC replaces. Subscription based camera and security packages offering free installation and superior smart features are generally inferior to the tradition security systems. You’re nine times of out ten better off investing in a medium quality traditional camera system installed that you own out right. Traditional in the sense of independent wired cameras to a central recording unit NVR or DVR. Camera systems are not and should not be used as reliable intrusion prevention systems no matter the brand. Although many manufacturers offer smart features and smart AI motion alerts this should never be used to secure your assets as a fool proof solution. The latest generation name brand NVR systems and power over ethernet cameras are becoming more powerful increasing computing power to provide smart features aiding and assisting in loss prevention or unusual human behaviors without subscriptions.
Surveillance systems sold with smart features should only be used as a backup solution to verify the situation should there be question of false alarms raised by intrusion devices like glass break sensors and motion detectors connected to a proper security panel. Intrusion prevention sensors, fire, water, and (CO) sensors from a company like 2Gig are the industry standard when it comes to reliability and predictability. Systems connected to sensors control panels often use 4G 5G backup networks to alert monitoring centers and dispatch the proper authorities or fire department because internet networks are often not reliable in emergency situations.
Camera Companies used to compete based on the reliability of the software and hardware out of the box while offering a reasonable service life providing updates and support. Reliability is a critical part of any camera system that is supposed to run 24/7 365 days a year uninterrupted for years to come. The good news is that newer NVR systems using Power over Ethernet combined with the latest sensors can analyze real time video comparable to many of the smart features the subscriptions services offer. It’s up to the installer to set up these features or show you where to set the rules through self-service method.
Experience is Everything
The purpose of this article is to inform you, the savvy business owner who wants the best investment to protect their business. Hopefully this article has done its job informing you on critical decision you will need to make when moving forward with upgrading or installing a brand-new security system. If you’re already an established business, it may be easier to absorb the costs with cancelling a subscription-based camera system early or paying for the hardware after cancelling only to get the system replaced a short time after. New businesses may be looking at ways to save money up front to free up capital. When your business takes off and you’re a success do you really want to be stuck with monthly fees for years to come? One and done do it right the first time. Get the proper guidance and education and consulting is the message. Cheaper is often not better but nobody wants to overpay for installation services. That’s where Pueblo Tech excels in the fast-paced world of security camera solutions.
