Malls are popular social places where individuals go for buying of goods, meals as well as recreation. When many people are around, the safety of all the people is very essential. Shopping center Real-time video surveillance is what shopping center needs at the moment. Within this article the focus will be on the importance of real-time video surveillance in shopping centers. It describes the advantages when applying the method along with what one needs to understand while putting it into practice.
What Do You Understand By The Shopping Center Real-Time Video Surveillance?
Shopping center real-time video surveillance is also known as live video surveillance, which records video as they occur. They transmit real time video on monitors. This allows security staff to monitor the event in real time. They can easily act on any issues or instincts of a possible threat.
Traditional surveillance watch the videos once something happens. Real-time surveillance reveal events going on at that particular moment. Due to this reason, ensures that it is used as the primary in averting risk in shopping centres.
Why is Real Time video Surveillance crucial in shopping Centers?
Shopping centers are places which people often visit on a daily basis and therefore are accessible to a large population of the populace. Due to the fact that many workers often run their feet on these features and the fact that most of these areas are open and easily accessible, these areas can present themselves as high risk areas for security considerations. Such risks may be as minor as theft and break ins, or as major as acts of violence or Natural disasters. Shopping center Real-time video surveillance helps mitigate these risks in several key ways:Real-time video surveillance helps mitigate these risks in several key ways:
Deterrence of Crime
Visible surveillance cameras are a factor as they help deter crime since the disbelief is not high enough for it to be worth attempting a theft. Real-time monitoring and recording deter them because they get aware that they are always under surveillance, thus deterring them from committing a crime.
Quick Response
Security video monitoring ensures that security personnel monitor situations in real-time and may respond appropriately as necessary. It means that the system is always guarding against possible threats and is always ready to respond to incidences to prevent them from worsening and cut the effect of the threat.
Evidence Collection
In the event of an incident, it becomes easy for the law enforcement agencies or in the court to have tangible evidence which is in the video footage. This is especially so because the high-quality videos enable identification of suspects and give a clear description on the occurrence.
Monitoring High-Traffic Areas
Malls have zones that are vulnerable to regular traffic inclusive of entry ways, exit ways, the food court and around the car park areas. It makes the monitoring of these areas real time by allowing efficient provision of video keeping tabs on any stranger around.
The main ideas of real-time video surveillance of Shopping Center
When choosing the real time video surveillance for the shopping center some features should be taken into consideration which will help to make the system more efficient. These features include:
High-Definition Cameras
A high level of vision sharpness of the acquiesced video footage is also significant for individuals’ identification or further details detection. HD cameras offer enhanced image quality which enables one to distinguish individual features such as faces, plates among others.
Wide-Angle Lenses
The lenses offering a broad field of vision are wider and therefore enable one camera to pan a bigger area. This leads to the installation of fewer number of cameras in order to get a satisfactory coverage in a more cheaper way.
Night Vision Capabilities
Most shopping centers for instance open late at night or even at night and are 24-hour facilities. Night vision camaras means the cameras are capable of producing clear images even in the night and this means that the use of surveillance system is continued throughout the night.
Remote Access
Some forms of surveillance systems in the present day are designed with remote access features, and therefore security personnel is able to monitor live streams of feed from anywhere using their mobile phones, tablets or any other internet enabled devices. This flexibility improves on the capacity to respond to such incidences effectively.
Motion Detection
There are cameras that have got motion detection features, which help them send alarms once there is movement within observed areas. This option is prove[s] to be useful when patrolling in areas with little traffic since any activity may be as a result of the perpetrator.
Cloud Storage
The main advantages that can be derived from storing video footage in the cloud include; security and accessibility. The use of cloud storage is also beneficial because the footage will not be lost in case of physical damage or when there is an attempt to modify it, more so, only approved officials will have access to it irrespective of their location.
Audio Integration
Some of the surveillance systems that are fitted have the capability of recording sounds. This can be useful to the security agencies especially when scenarios need some extra information to accompany a video capturing of the event that is happening.
Advantages of realtime video monitoring in shopping malls
It is quite evident that the operations of this shopping center can greatly be boosted by the real-time video surveillance system in the following ways.
Enhanced Security
The advancement that stands to benefit most from the use of real – time video surveillance is security. This means that security guards in a shopping center will be able to monitor the area on a consistent basis so as to detect any signs of threat in order to have the ability to act fast. Hence, this presents a preventive measure whereby the occurrence of criminal activities such as theft, vandalism and violence is minimized.
Increased Customer Confidence
A secured and guarded shopping center not only safeguard its properties and its stocks but also makes the customers safe and secure. Such ways make customers feel more at ease with the environment since they fully understand the premises is under surveillance most of the time. This positive perception means more traffic, longer visits, and hence more sales in the business’s total sales.
Better Emergency Response
With shopping center real-time video surveillance on the scene when there is fire, medical emergency, or a natural disaster, then the management of the situation will be very easy. Security as well as life officers can monitor the scene by using these real time videos to correctly direct rescuers to the exact place of the disaster. Such information is welcome when it is up to date as it can be used to prevent or reduce loss of lives.
Employee Safety
Real-time video surveillance is also useful to the employees of the shopping center. It also provides them with a particular sense of security that they cannot find elsewhere especially when they are around, during night hours or in areas that are not well lit in the center. This way they will know that they are under surveillance and no one will try to harm them or attack the establishment.
Reduction in Liability
This is the case because accident and or disputes are temporal issues of concern especially in many shopping complex. There’s also no denying that real-time video footage can be especially useful in establishing the truth about an occurrence, contributing to the emergence of a swift and favourable resolution of the issues that have occurred. Thus, having clear and indisputable proof, the shopping center relieves itself from the responsibility of a lawsuit and defends itself from fake lawsuits.
Operational Insights
Besides security issues, the use of real time video surveillance can be used to gain an insight of how the shopping center functions every day. In essence, a closer look at foot traffic allows store management to map out plans, the flow of customers as well as general efficiency effectively. Of course, these knowledge can help to improve the overall interaction with the customers and boost the number of sales.
To execute the Shopping Center Real-Time Video Surveillance project for shopping centers one should consider the following recommendations.
The process of deploying real time video surveillance system in a shopping center has some important steps that are explained below. It is therefore crucial that the planning and implementation is properly done to make sure that the system works as is expected and also caters for the security requirements of the center.
Assessing the Security Needs
Security assessment of the premises is the first process that has to be completed before starting the implementation of the surveillance system. Depending on that, this assessment should highlight specific areas of concern including entrants, exits, parking lots, cash registers and should also indicate certain security issues unique to the centres. This knowledge will help to define the number of cameras needed as well as where they should be placed and what functions they need to have.
The following factors can help to decide the right surveillance system:
The next step is to choose a surveillance system which will properly fulfill all the requirements that has been found out in the security assessment. The cameras to be implemented in the chosen system should have the correct resolution, field view and night vision. Other features that should be considered include the ability to detect motion, control remotely and cloud storage.
Installation by Professionals
Installation plays a major factor in the efficiency of the entire surveillance system that needs to be embarked on properly. Cameras should be installed in such a manner that they have maximum field of view, few or least blind zones. If the security system is to be installed professionally, this means that the system will be put in the right condition, and it does what it was designed to do.After installation of the software, it is also relevant to perform contents tests to ensure that all components are properly operating.
Training Security Personnel
Moreover, even using the most sophisticated technology is not useful if the persons using it are incompetent in some way or another. Security personnel requires to be trained on how to use the system through observation of live feed, alerts and lastly archiving of tapes in cases of legal use. Thus training sessions from time to time may be useful to alert the team with the new features and the new approaches.
Regular Maintenance
However, as for all the systems, the surveillance one also requires constant maintenance to ensure the best results are achieved. This entails confirming if the cameras have faults; the feed is quality and does not freeze and whether the storage device is working efficiently. Such measures also ensure that future failures are unlikely to take place and would increase the shelf-life of the equipment.
Real-time Is Always Challenging: Case of Video Surveillance
This paper, therefore, established that real-time video surveillance is beneficial but comes with challenges that the management of shopping centers need to consider in order to achieve success in the implementation of the system.
Privacy Concerns
This is probably the hardest test to overcome since it involves the juggling of such vital aspects as security and privacy. This is because customers and employees have a feeling that they are under the observation and scrutiny most of the time. Cameras should be installed in obvious places and not in obvious blind spots such as rest rooms or dressing rooms. Erstad (2007) observed that informing the audience about the intended use of the surveillance and the purpose behind it also goes a long way in eliminating privacy related concerns.
High Costs
The adoption and further deployment of the shopping center real-time video surveillance is known to be costly. The initial costs relate to the cost of the cameras, installation of the cameras and any modification that may be necessary on the infrastructure. Other costs could be the cost of hosting in the cloud, cost of maintenance of the system and updates from time to time. However, again, most shopping centres realize that the high security and low risks of loss make the expense worth it.
Technical Issues
As with any other technology, it is expected that video surveillance systems are not immune to technical problems. Cameras can break down, video feeds can lose connection and storage systems can become ineffective. One needs to take measures that would ensure these are dealt with in the shortest time possible. It may involve the integration of system checkups that have a thick of how the system has to function at all times, the establishment of standby systems, and availability of technical assistance.
Trends for Future in Real Time Video Surveillance in Shopping Centres
Along these advances in technology and as more development is seen in this field, new trends surface when it comes to video surveillance. These trends are expected to further contribute to the security and operations efficiency of shopping centres.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
It is however important to notice that artificial intelligence is also being incorporated into video surveillance systems. Specifically, modern cameras can be equipped with AI that helps to analyze video stream in real time thereby indicating unusual activities, people faces and even predicting possible security threats. This capability enables better preemptive measures to be taken and it is less of burden for the operators.
Facial Recognition Technology
Dreams of harmless, ubiquitous surveillance cam has recently come closer to reality and might become an intentional and standard part of many shopping center protection systems. This technology can assist to recognise known criminals, find lost persons, as well as to offer customers personal services in shops. Nevertheless, its application is made with certain risks regarding users’ privacy, so it is crucial to employ it properly.
Interconnection with Other Security Systems
More and more video surveillance systems are being incorporated with other security systems including; doors and gates, security alarms, and fire protection systems. This integration results into a clustered security framework whereby the systems coordinate and enhance security with improved responsiveness.
Cloud-Based Surveillance Systems
Since deployment of cloud technology continues to advance, a number of shopping centers are shifting to adopt cloud based security systems. Cloud storage is more convenient and safer compare to other forms of storage and any video footage will not be easily destroyed. These systems also enable the expansion of the surveillance system as the shopping centre expands since the systems exist in the cloud.
Advanced Analytics
Hight tech video analytics are used in security systems more and more. It is possible to use these tools for example, to determine the number and flow of people that are going in and outside the shopping center, the flow chart of the traffic at different times of the day, and other instances of security threats. All of this information can be used to enhance safety as well as better manage the shopping centres.
Conclusion
Real time video surveillance of shopping centers is a complementary necessity to guarantee the safety of the customers and employees. Real-time surveillance enables security persons to respond to incidences as they occur hence reduce criminal activities and may be used to provide clear evidence in the case of a heist at the shopping center.
Despite such problems as invasion of privacy, high cost of installing cameras and other related problems, it is evident that good surveillance systems bring out more advantages than disadvantages. This simply means that as technology evolves, much more improved surveillance solutions will be seen in shopping centers in the future.
Having a quality and efficient real-time video surveillance is not only an investment in the property it is an investment in people that can go out shopping, go to do their job, or to have some leisure time without having to look over our shoulder. Thus, higher security, customers’ trust, and operational performance are the benefits that make real-time video surveillance a worthy investment for any shopping center.
