1. Who Needs Camera Access?
One of the first questions to answer when evaluating a camera system is, “Who needs access to the system?” Access may need to extend beyond the IT department to other teams such as security, HR, and operations.
For example:
- IT might use the system for compliance and incident resolution.
- Operations might review footage to ensure processes are running smoothly.
Once you determine which departments need access, you can ensure the system has the necessary features to support their specific needs.
Key Features for Camera Access:
- Workflow Enablement
- Simplify viewing of live footage across multiple security cameras.
- Ensure users can quickly find and share video clips.
- Collaboration
- Allow users to annotate and comment on video footage.
- Ensure footage can be securely shared with external stakeholders when necessary.
- Role-Based Access Control
- Easily provision users and control access to relevant cameras and features.
2. Where Will Users Access Video Footage?
When selecting your next camera system, consider whether users need access to local, remote, or both types of cameras. With an increasingly distributed workforce, remote access is often essential.
Key Considerations for Video Access:
- User Location: Where are users physically located?
- Site Access: Which specific locations does each user need access to?
- Mobile Access: Do users need to view footage from mobile devices?
- Unified Dashboard: Does the system offer a single interface that displays camera feeds from all locations?
Choosing a system that supports both on-site and remote access will help future-proof your organization’s video surveillance capabilities.
3. How Often Will Users Access Video Footage?
Understanding how frequently users need to access video footage is crucial when selecting the right camera system.
Important Questions to Ask:
- On average, how many hours per week does each user spend using the system?
- How often do they access it, and for what purposes?
- What tasks do they complete in the system, and how long do these tasks take?
- What other work could be completed if less time was spent on video tasks?
Conducting this analysis can reveal inefficiencies and help streamline operations. A more efficient camera system can reduce the time it takes to complete tasks like finding and sharing footage, allowing users to focus on higher-priority work.
4. How Time-Critical Are Your Organization’s Use Cases?
Some use cases demand immediate attention, while others can wait. For instance, a manufacturing company may need real-time alerts for line productivity, while a school may need immediate responses to ensure student safety.
Key Questions for Time-Critical Use Cases:
- Can workflows wait until after an event has occurred, or must they be executed in real-time?
- How much time is available to respond to an incident after it begins?
- Would proactive measures reduce the urgency or prevent incidents?
For time-sensitive use cases, a system that enables instant detection and response is invaluable. For example, preventing a thief from leaving the premises or identifying a manufacturing line issue as soon as it occurs can significantly reduce operational downtime or financial loss.
5. How Much Video Footage Needs to Be Stored?
Each organization has unique storage needs based on their workflows and legal obligations. When determining your video retention policies, consider how much footage you need to store and for how long.
Important Considerations for Storage:
- How far back do users need to go when reviewing footage?
- What resolution does the footage need to be stored at?
- Do you need continuous recording or motion-triggered storage?
- Is redundant storage necessary to prevent data loss?
- Are there legal or compliance requirements for video retention?
- Will your storage needs change over time?
Depending on these factors, different storage architectures will offer varying levels of flexibility and capacity to accommodate your organization’s evolving requirements.