Video Surveillance for Manufacturing and Factory Sites
Factories and other manufacturing facilities can benefit from the security provided by video surveillance. Theft of raw materials like lumber, copper and steel is at an all-time high, and thieves are targeting factories and other storage facilities with higher frequencies. Many factories also rely on highly guarded trade secrets to remain competitive. A comprehensive system of security cameras can help protect your building, employees, and materials, as well as help you remain competitive in a growing market.
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Benefits of Video Surveillance in Factories
- Prevent theft – Security cameras have been shown to discourage theft when prominently displayed, and in the event your factory is robbed, a modern surveillance camera will help you identify the thief and prosecute them.
- Quality control – Advances in digital camera technology have made quality control through video surveillance possible. Video surveillance cameras can help you make your quality control process faster and more efficient.
- Remote monitoring – An NVR (Network Video Recorder) added to a surveillance system allows you to broadcast your security footage over the internet; making it easy to check up on any of your cameras at any time. This is especially helpful if you manage a large factory or multiple locations.NVRs also allow your current security staff to perform more active security duties (such as foot patrols) instead of staring at a video monitor for hours at a time.
- Workplace safety – Surveillance cameras can be placed near dangerous machinery to monitor automated processes safely, or to protect employees from harm. This has been a popular use for video surveillance cameras for years, and has grown more efficient as technology has advanced.
- Easy to install – A surveillance system with IP (Internet Protocol) cameras is easy to install and maintain. Unlike their analog counterparts which require power tools and technicians, all you need to do is mount the cameras and connect them to your video recorder or a computer.
Risks for Manufacturing Security Cameras
- Privacy – Protect the privacy of your employees by keeping cameras in public areas like manufacturing and administrative areas, and out of break rooms and restrooms.
- Damage – Cameras that monitor manufacturing processes or heavy machinery can be damaged by falling parts or malfunctioning machinery.
- Outages – Disruptions in power or electrical surges can damage your system or interrupt your recording, and may leave your factory vulnerable to theft or other damages. While this type of damage is rare, it's important to have a backup form of security to protect your employees and building should this type of disruption occur.
Configuration Guide for Factory Security Cameras
Factories can vary widely in type and manufacturing capabilities. Your factory's security camera needs will depend on a number of important factors. Consider each of the following when purchasing and installing your video surveillance system:
- Can you think of anything that you wish you could have caught on camera?
- Theft, liability issues (employee injuries, etc), mechanical failures.
- Is there a high demand for the type of products you manufacture?
- What kind of security do you currently have in place?
- What do you see as your most pressing security threat?
- Have you ever experienced problems with theft?
- How big is your manufacturing capacity?
- Do you make one specific item or do you do several different items in shifts?
- Different types of products may require heightened security or a more flexible system of cameras.
How to Install Surveillance Cameras in a Manufacturing Facility
- Place cameras in entryways and exits to offices, manufacturing areas, and shipping/receiving areas to capture a good shot of each visitor who enters your factory.
- Make sure cameras in open areas like work floors and storage areas are covered comprehensively by cameras in each corner, or by dome cameras mounted on the ceiling.
- More sensitive areas (e.g. dangerous machinery, valuable raw materials, etc) can be covered by fixed cameras
- If you handle multiple types of manufacturing, manage a very large factory or multiple locations; consider an NVR (network video recorder) to make monitoring all your facilities easier.