Central Monitoring Software Features

• Manage large number of DVRs from central location
• Connect and manage all Cameras, Sensors, Relays connected to DVRs
• Monitor and record various events
• Various interactive functions with incoming events
  • Event view, Live popup, Search popup, E-Map, Beep, E-Mail
• Fast connection to the DVR by Drag & Drop feature
• Easy & Convenient E-Map support
• CMS Server available to manage large volume of event data
• Support multi monitor view (2 or 3 monitor)
• Customizable graphic user interface
  • Window resize, Docking toolbar, Popup window

If you have additional questions about this software, please contact us and one our staff will be glad to assist you.

My question is when will homeowners embrace surveillance systems as they do home security systems?   Where will these customers look for fulfillment?  Do they go to the traditional security companies or surveillance integrators?  I have talked to several surveillance integrators who want nothing to do with this piece of the business. They are saying that jobs are too small, there are more headaches, that customers “tinker” with the systems, and there is constant maintenance.  I personally agree that the residential market is not where I would want to concentrate my personal business.  However if you are a company that currently provides residential security, why not start to educate your customers on the benefits and the cost of a basic system?

There are several ways to approach this market.  The first would be to offer a DVR System with analog cameras.  The second would be an NVR solution with IP cameras allowing for better video.  The third and final option would be to go with a wireless solution, using a transceiver along with IP cameras, this being the most expensive, but the easiest to install.

I would love to get your feedback on how you see this market evolving over the next 3 years and whether or not you are incorporating this segment into your future business plans.

Are you offering your customer a system with functionality? I know that customers say they want the cheapest Surveillance System on the market, but rarely do they purchase the cheapest system. Ask your customer what they want their Surveillance System to accomplish. I know this is hard for all of us, but just take a moment to listen!

Ok, now that you have heard what your customer wants, let’s create some additional interest on their part. Ask them if they would like their Surveillance System and Access Control System to function together as one (without a separate module to translate information). Ask them if they would like to receive an email or phone call when an alarm is set off, and be able to view video to verify that there is a break in. Explain to them that 95% of alarm notifications are false and that cities are passing ordinances to fine business owners anywhere from $40-$100 per occurrence (most cities give 1-3 warnings before issuing a Citation).

PCSurveillance has the ability, through our existing DVS DVR cards and pre-built DVS DVR systems, to offer access control and surveillance capability integrated into a single system. No more having an access control system and a separate surveillance system. We are able to offer a rackmount unit that operates on a single software package, and allows complete integration of your access control and surveillance system. To find out more about this system please contact us at 330-637-0499 or email ryan@pcsurveillance.net.

• Franchise Companies. Franchise Companies can offer a great stream of income due to networking between franchise owners, but are hard to initially penetrate. Don’t plan on a quick return on your initial time investment; it could take months or years depending on the franchise and the specific pre-arranged agreements with the franchisor. However, the reward could be well worth it.
• Schools. Schools are large purchasers, and they will continue to need product due to growth and continued maintenance. Depending on how the school is organized, you may find that the biggest challenge is finding out who the purchaser is. We have seen situations as simple as the maintenance guy calling in from the jobsite ordering cameras and equipment. We have experienced two-month purchase order processes, where the PO had five different signers! Schools make great accounts, but be prepared to wait longer than normal for payment.
• Government/Institutional. Government and institutional buyers are similar to schools. They are larger purchasers, and may or may not want installation expertise. The purchasing process in most of these environments will require sign offs/approval by several people. Again, like schools, the challenge is to find out who the purchasing agent is. Likewise, these make great accounts, but be prepared to wait longer than normal for payment.
• Specialty/Niche Companies. Specialty and niche companies can be a great business segment. They are looking for something slightly customized, and are usually willing to pay a premium. They understand that not everyone can offer them the same level of customization, and in the big picture, our product is only a small piece of their business. Surveillance systems and cameras can go anywhere and everywhere! Such customers are PI’s, ATM installers, specialty camera manufacturers, scientists, etc. I personally find this group the most rewarding, because I have the opportunity to help another entrepreneur cultivate and grow a business!!!
• Individual Business Owners. Individual business owners will continue to be a large part of many security companies’ revenue. These customers will come from referrals, advertising, and word of mouth. Join the local chamber of commerce, describe to your circle of friends your ideal client, get involved in a local charity, or join a club/group that in which you have an interest. Personally, the bulk of my advertising budget goes toward buying breakfast and lunch for my contacts! I get more business by networking with community leaders than any advertising can buy.

With such a fragmented market, it can sometimes feel overwhelming. Where do I start? When will I see a return? The answers vary from segment to segment and from individual to individual. However, if you understand different business segments and how they make decisions, you will be better able formulate an appropriate plan.

There are companies out there who want to charge consumers an arm and a leg to install a state-of-the-art CCTV or digital surveillance system in the home. But fortunately, you don’t have to be one of those people who get taken advantage of. By installing your own digital surveillance system, you can save yourself thousands of dollars, and end up just as secure as your neighbor who paid handsomely for the privilege.

Installing a home surveillance system is a good weekend project. While there will be some manual labor involved, if planned out properly, your project will go smoothly and you will be on your way in no time! Here are some tips to get you started.

1. Identify what you need to watch. Maybe you need a camera to watch your driveway, your back yard, your pool, and your front door. Maybe you just need to watch your baby’s nursery. The point is, identify how many areas you need to keep an eye on. This will give you the approximate number of surveillance cameras that will be required for your system.
2. Identify where you need to position your cameras. Now that you know how many cameras you will need, you have to identify where you are going to mount them. This can be accomplished using a floorplan or drawing of your property layout, and perhaps a ladder and digital camera to take some photos of where cameras will go, and what you would like them to see/cover. This should also give you an idea as to what materials will be needed to perform the installation, such as mounting hardware, cabling, etc.
3. Identify what kind of cameras you need. Now that you know how many cameras you need and where you intend to put them, you need to put that info to use in identifying the kind of cameras you need. Is the camera being placed indoors or out? If you are placing the camera outside, it needs to be able to withstand the elements, so you need a camera that is weatherproof, or you will need a weatherproof camera housing to protect the camera.Is the area being covered always well lit, or is there little or no light available at times, and do you even need coverage during those times? If you need coverage in near or complete darkness, you will need a camera that is either low-light sensitive or an infrared/night-vision camera.
4. Identify what type of viewing and recording system you need. Now that you know how many cameras you need, you already know how many channels are required on your recording/viewing device. Further, you need to identify about how long you need to store recorded video. For example, is this your permanent residence, or a vacation home or cabin, where you might not be there but once every few weeks? These will all be important when buying your system.
5. Identify where the viewing/recording unit will go. Once you know where you want to place your DVR or other recording device, you can easily decide how much wiring you will need to install the system, and get an idea where and how the wiring will be run.
6. Decide which installation materials, hardware, and accessories you will need to install. How long are your wire runs going to be? Will you need to run your power separately, or together with the cable? If you run them together, you can save a great deal of headache by using Siamese coaxial cable, which consists of a shielded coaxial cable, bonded to a two-conductor power line.If you run your own cable, you may need BNC or RCA video connectors and power connectors for the cameras. Also, depending upon how many cameras you need, you may use individual power transformers (similar to a cellular phone charger), or go for a distributed power box instead.On the mounting side of things, you may need mounting brackets, housings, and other additional hardware (screws, nails, etc).

Once you have accurately identified what you need, it’s just a matter of calling our friendly and helpful sales team for help choosing the right product, or making a visit to our online store to place your order, anytime day or night. You’ll have your product in just a few days, and be ready to move forward with your project.

At this point you should have a pile of information and hardware at your disposal. Here is a quick checklist of everything you should have:

• Cameras
• A Viewing/Recording System
• Power Transformer(s) for the Cameras
• Cable(s) (Video and Power)
• Connectors (unless you purchased pre-made cables)
• Camera Mounting Hardware and/or Housings
• Instruction Manuals for all of the above.
• Spare parts (in case you make a mistake)

Additionally, it can be a big help to have a “field monitor” on hand when installing your cameras. A “field monitor” is a handheld video screen that you can connect directly to the camera while on the ladder, and will help you get the camera in just the right position before you come down. This will save you tons of headache and hassle as you install your equipment, and will help ensure a good install on the first try.

Before you install, here are a few other things to know:

1. Know the laws regarding surveillance in your jurisdiction. For example, it is illegal in some jurisdictions to record video AND audio. In others, it is necessary to post that surveillance is taking place. If you don’t already know what the laws regarding surveillance are, consult your attorney or your local law enforcement agency for more information.
2. Know the building and fire codes for your jurisdiction. Some states require special types of cabling to be used (such as PLENUM), where others require such installations to be handled by a licensed electrician or installer. Other areas may require you to have some type of building permit to install surveillance on your property. It’s best to check with your local building inspector to find out for sure.
3. Know that all your equipment works before permanently installing it. Some folks make the mistake of not testing the equipment right out of the box, only to find that they installed a camera that was damaged in transit on the peak of their roof, and it takes several hours more to take down the bad camera, and again to reinstall it after a replacement is received.

Finally, remember, SAFETY FIRST!! Don’t get into an install that you are not physically capable of, or that you lack adequate knowledge or experience to perform. Be especially cautious working around other electrical wiring and utility connections. Having great security is worthless if you’re dead.

Thanks for reading. We hope this handy guide will give you the headstart you need to your next big project. Be sure to check back in the future for other helpful tips in securing your home!

If you have any questions about what you’ve just read, feel free to call our helpful and friendly sales and support staff at (330) 637-0499.

Article written by:

Jason Rister
Website Administrator & Sales/Support Rep
PCSurveillance.net

One of the trends that has been happening over the last 5 years is companies “going deeper” with their existing customers. If you are unfamiliar with the phrase “going deeper”, I am referring to the idea of offering more products and services to existing customers. Companies are finding out that the cost of acquiring new customers is rising!! It is easier to do more business with customers you already have a relationship with, than to court a potential customer.

So ask your customers, “Is there any product/service that you are not happy with? Are there any additional products and services that we can offer you?” You can’t do everything for your customer, but I will bet there are $’s you are not currently receiving. People deal with people they like, and they might even pay you more for the convenience! Don’t get me wrong, you still need a plan to acquire new business, profitably. However, don’t pass on the customers you already serve.

For example, we had several customers that were only purchasing DVR cards. They were purchasing other items (cameras, coaxial cable, and connectors) from several additional vendors. I had a couple of conversations with them and found out that between the additional shipping and time to order from four different vendors, we could offer them a complete package for the same price! Now they can concentrate on their business and not ordering material. At PCSurveillance.net, we are trying to get away from the classic customer/vendor relationship. We are looking for long term partners!

I hope you enjoyed this article. I am off to the ISC West show in Las Vegas the first week of April. If you are interested in meeting with us, give us a call at (330) 637-0499 as soon as possible and get on our schedule. I am sure my next piece will be strongly influenced by my first visit to the Security Show.

It is with great pleasure that I introduce the new, official PCSurveillance.net company blog. Because this is my first posting, I thought I would take the opportunity to introduce myself and the way that I operate in the business environment. I am looking forward to an on-going and open dialog with you, our customer!

My name is Ryan Temple, and I am the new owner of PCSurveillance.net. The company was originally established in 2002 by Stephan Karchut, and I acquired the company last month. I joined PCSurveillance.net after operating several construction service companies in Northeast Ohio for the last ten years. I have a bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University in Personal Financial Planning and a MBA from Cleveland State University. I am also a 2002 graduate of Cleveland Bridge Builders (www.clevelandbridgebuilders.org). I currently sit on the board of Cornucopia/Nature’s Bin (www.cornucopia-inc.org) and am a Committee Member for The Cleveland Foundation’s Scholarship Committee (www.clevelandfoundation.org).

The fact is that I am an Entrepreneur, which could mean that I am really not that smart (which I am not, that is why you always hire people that are smarter than yourself), or that I thrive on the challenge of operating and growing a business. Honestly, the answer is both! Today I am “knee deep” in the Surveillance Industry. Not that I have any experience in this industry, but that I am quite literally “knee deep” in magazines, news articles, blogs, and any other source that will help increase my knowledge of this industry.

So, you may ask yourself, what do I bring to the table? How will I help grow this company? That is a Great Question! What I bring is the ability to communicate an organized plan with accountability, in order to help achieve a specific goal. This is accomplished by listening to the ideas of every stakeholder in the organization. Individuals in an organization need to feel that their opinion is being heard (not always right or wrong, but heard), allowing them to become part of the process. Companies that succeed empower people to make decisions; companies that fail make decisions from the top looking down.

How are we going to sell more DVR’s, cameras, and surveillance accessories? There is no single, simple answer. We are currently in the process of implementing several different strategies for our website that will allow us to reach additional customers. To our existing customers, we are looking to offer additional products along with improved and more efficient customer service. Also, look for our upcoming monthly e-zine and be sure to check back here often for updates and information (for your convenience, an RSS feed is available so you can get the latest updates in your favorite news reader.)

Thank you for taking the time to read this introduction. I hope that you will find my ramblings informative, useful, and occasionally humorous!

Ryan Temple, Director of Operations

PCSurveillance
330-637-0499 ext. 201
Fax: 330-637-3499

http://www.pcsurveillance.net