Choosing CCTV for your business? 7 questions to answer before you get a quote.
The right system isn't the one with the most cameras. It's the one that records the faces, plates and moments you'll need, keeps them long enough, and stays on the right side of privacy law.
- Shops and showrooms
- Offices
- Warehouses and yards
"If something happened tonight, what would we need the footage to show?"
Answer that first. Camera choice, placement and storage all follow from it.
7 questions that shape the right system
Deter, watch or identify?
Seeing that someone came in is easy. Identifying who they were needs the right camera, close enough, at the right height.
Which spots matter most?
Entrances, counters, stock areas, the loading bay and the car park. Plan these first, then fill the gaps.
Faces and plates, or the big picture?
A wide view of a yard and a close view of a doorway need different lenses. One camera rarely does both well.
What does it look like at 2am?
Check how each camera performs in your actual lighting, not just in daylight.
How long must footage be kept?
Keep it longer than it would take you to notice a problem. Storage is sized to match the number of cameras and days.
Who can view it, and where?
Decide who gets phone access, who can export footage, and keep a record of it.
Are you following the Privacy Act?
Put up signs, tell staff what's recorded and why, and never film where people expect privacy, such as toilets and changing rooms.
Who keeps it working?
Firmware, storage health and camera angles drift over time. A maintenance plan catches it before you need the footage.
What a business system is made of
| Part | What it does | What to ask for |
|---|---|---|
| Cameras | Dome, turret or bullet styles, chosen for each spot. | The right lens and height for what that spot needs to show. |
| Recorder | Stores footage on site from every camera. | Enough storage for your retention period, with room to add cameras. |
| Cabling | One network cable powers each camera and carries its video. | Tested runs, labelled at both ends. |
| App and access | Live view, playback and alerts on phones and computers. | Separate logins for each person, not one shared password. |
| Signs | Tell people a camera is in use. | Signs at entrances, as the Privacy Commissioner recommends. |
Brands we install and service
Hikvision, HiLook and Bosch. We'll recommend the right fit for your site and budget.
Business CCTV questions
How many cameras does my business need?
It depends on your entrances, layout and what you need to identify. We walk the site, then show you a camera plan before you commit.
Can staff watch the cameras on their phones?
Yes. Each person gets their own login, and you choose what they can see and whether they can export footage.
Can you reuse our existing cameras or cabling?
Often, yes. We test what's there first and tell you what's worth keeping.
Do I need to tell staff and customers about the cameras?
Yes. The Privacy Commissioner's guidance is to use clear signs and tell staff what is recorded and why. We can help you place signs as part of the install.
Get a camera plan for your site
We'll walk the site, mark every camera and its view, and give you a fixed quote in writing within 24 hours.
We reply within 1 hour, 24/7.
Call before 12pm for a same-day response.