Video surveillance: guide to software, cameras and video kits

Video surveillance is becoming more and more common: outdoor cameras, indoor cameras, remote camera management software, video surveillance kits, video surveillance recorders, alarm management via mobile applications, etc. Find out all about video surveillance solutions in our article!

What is video surveillance?

Video surveillance is a process that consists of watching over a place and/or property using surveillance cameras to deter and identify offenders. In other words, it is a process of transmitting images set up in a public or private place to remotely monitor the flow of people and their actions.

The aim of video surveillance is to record the images obtained by the cameras and then process them to detect suspicious behaviour. The recorded images must then be destroyed, in compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation of 2018, which governs the use of video surveillance and any use of recording cameras.

What are the benefits of video surveillance systems?

Retail shops are where the most thieves are most active. According to studies, a large quantity of goods is lost every day to shoplifting. This leads to considerable losses of money over time. That's why it's essential to install surveillance cameras in retail outlets, as the benefits are numerous.

Preventing shoplifting

Shoplifting involves taking goods from a shop without intending to pay for them. This can be achieved by concealing items, exchanging or changing the price of products, etc. There are a multitude of theft techniques.

The Nation Retail Federation estimates that 35% of shops' annual losses are due to theft. Theft is therefore a crime that has an impact on shop profitability.

Each year, shrinkage (the difference between theoretical and actual stock) can account for up to 3% of a company's turnover. ¾ of this shrinkage is due to theft.

Installing a video surveillance system not only deters thieves, but if the deterrent effect has not worked, it can identify the thief and arrest him if he is still in the shop, or even prevent him from entering the shop the next time he visits.

Preventing employee theft

It can also happen that a member of staff takes products from the shop where they work without intending to pay for them. They may help themselves to the shop's stock before the products are put on the shelves, plan to pay later but never do so, scan only part of their items, abuse their discounts, etc.

Employee theft accounts for 33% of retail shrinkage.

Although a video surveillance system cannot be installed in the direction of workstations, break and rest areas or toilets, it does have the same deterrent effect as it does for customers. The CCTV images can then be used to detect employees who have robbed the shop and take appropriate action.

Reduce insurance costs

Insurance costs vary according to the risk to be covered. Retail shops are particularly prone to theft, so insurance premiums are particularly high. However, by implementing systems that provide a higher level of security, the risk is reduced and insurance premiums also fall.

Reducing the need to hire additional security staff

One way of combating theft is to hire security guards to control and monitor customers in shops. Human surveillance can be a considerable asset in the fight against theft. However, the human eye is not infallible and is expensive: almost €20 per hour, including tax, or €80,000 per year.

A video surveillance system not only makes it possible to keep an eye on everything, it's also less expensive. It does, however, require security guards to view the images, but the number of guards needed for this task is less than if there were no video surveillance system.

Monitor customer behaviour remotely

The presence of video surveillance cameras in shops is a way of having a view of the entire shop from a single location. This makes it possible to see every aisle and corner of the shop and detect where customers are to check that they are not stealing or making suspicious gestures.

Digital storage

When the video surveillance system is based on a recording camera, all the images collected will have a time limit for storage. After 30 days, the data collected and processed must be destroyed. During this period, they are stored by the system installer.

In the case of digital video surveillance systems, the data is stored on a computer, providing greater storage capacity. More generally, shops are equipped with a complete pack of video recorders that keep the images filmed for 30 days.

What are the different types of video surveillance camera?

There are several types of video surveillance system, depending on the choice of cameras: spy cameras, WiFi wireless cameras and wired cameras:

Spy camera

A spy camera is a small device capable of capturing video images without the subject's knowledge. They are mainly used for surveillance purposes. These cameras are installed without the knowledge of the people likely to be filmed. They can be disguised as ordinary, everyday objects so that their presence is not noticed.

WiFi wireless surveillance camera

A WiFi camera is a security device to which you can connect remotely using a mobile application, in order to view the images transmitted. It's a wireless camera with a digital recorder that uses the network shared by a router to connect to the internet, even wirelessly. A WiFi camera system saves time and money, because installing this type of video surveillance kit is relatively straightforward. A type of surveillance camera suitable for all uses, private or professional.

Wired camera

A wired camera has the same purpose as a WiFi surveillance camera: it's a security camera. The difference: a wired camera kit requires cables to transmit information from the camera to the surveillance centre. Another difference is that the rate at which information is sent is higher and more stable. This means you can enjoy video recordings of optimum quality.

What is video surveillance software?

Video surveillance software is responsible for meeting the security needs of businesses in terms of managing alerts, viewing and archiving recordings. Video surveillance software is at the heart of any digital video surveillance system.

The video surveillance software processes the images produced by the cameras to which it is connected and controls the operation of these cameras.

What is a video surveillance kit?

A video surveillance kit is a set of equipment needed to install a video surveillance system. In other words, it's security equipment based on a video surveillance system that allows you to see what's going on in the shop 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.

Thanks to this surveillance system, we can control and access the shop remotely, view and record images when we're not on site, and protect the people in the shop as well as the goods. This remote access can also be used to sound the alarm in the event of theft.

In simple terms, a video surveillance kit consists of cameras, a video recorder, cables and adapters. In other words, everything you need to install and operate a video surveillance system.

Veesion: a video surveillance company based on motion detection

Veesion is a start-up specialising in artificial intelligence and security. Launched in 2018, its aim is to detect suspicious movement in real time. The Veesion algorithm is based on the latest advances in Deep Learning and is implemented on the pre-existing video surveillance system. Compatible with all types of video surveillance camera, whether analogue or digital, our solution enables continuous analysis for optimum protection.

We were the first to use gesture recognition to prevent theft using motion detection. Our solution brings the best of artificial intelligence to your security system to prevent theft.

Our technology, based on the detection of customer movement, offers you maximum security.

Veesion simply requires an existing video surveillance system. We connect our video server and synchronise it with the cameras in your shop. Less than 30 minutes later, you'll receive your first theft alerts.

Our solution is connected to a tablet and/or a phone equipped with our application for remote access, enabling you to receive theft alerts. It's never been easier to identify suspicious behaviour and take action in real time.