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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.
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.
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