Installing Costco security cameras and CCTV systems is not as easy as the store employees and the equipment packaging might lead you to believe. If you have purchased or are considering purchasing an off-the-shelf (OTS) security camera system at Costco then this post will give you valuable insights and tips to ensure your system is both installed correctly and cost-effectively.
Costco Security Cameras
Costco sells security camera systems that are cheap and lower-quality alternatives to the systems offered by commercial-grade security system suppliers. That being said, the OTS packages purchased at big-box stores are still decent security systems that can meet the needs of many homeowners and small businesses who need basic surveillance features on a tight budget. (For instance, baby or puppy monitoring, small areas, store entrances, etc.)
Quick plug – If you are in the greater Colorado Springs area and looking for a professional security camera installation company to take over the install of your Costco, Sam’s Club, Walmart, Home Depot, Best Buy or Amazon security camera then give System Links a call. We are happy to help you with installing your system, and the price might surprise you.
Costco sells security camera systems by Lorex, AvertX, Blink, Arlo, Swan, and Ring, among others.
Does Costco Install Security Cameras?
The short answer is no. Costco as a company does not install the security camera systems they sell. Rather, they are selling a do-it-yourself (DIY) security system. The customer service section of the Costco website will tell you to refer to the instruction manual (if one is included) and for further assistance, contact Costco Concierge Services at 866-861-0450. Please have your membership number and serial number available.
When you call the Costco customer service number, prepare yourself for a lengthy voice response menu. After responding to half a dozen menu choices, a friendly person will eventually come on the line. However, when you ask the Concierge Services member about how to get your security camera installed the reply is: “You can install it yourself, or you can go to Google and search for a local security camera installation service near me.”
The Concierge Services member might also mention that sometimes the member services desk at your local Costco might have a list of installers, but don’t count on it.
Factors to Consider When Attempting a DIY Install of Off-the-Shelf (OTS) Security Camera System
Yes, you can install your own security camera systems. The challenge is the camera wiring, which involves many factors that most DIY’ers don’t have the skills or experience to accomplish effectively. Here is an example of the types of factors you need to take into consideration when installing a wired security camera system yourself:
Planning where the camera should go for best effectiveness
Locating the camera recording system for power, security, and noise
Fishing and running wire through attics, walls, soffits, HVAC ducts
A significant variety of tools are needed which most homeowners do not have in their toolbox
Crawling around tight attics and spider-infested crawl spaces
Complex wiring connections
Quality of materials (OTS systems use cheap plastic that is not made to withstand harsh Colorado weather conditions)
Drilling through interior and exterior walls, ceilings, foundations
Configuring the recording system
How Much Does It Cost to Have Costco Security Cameras Installed?
Naturally, the answer to the question of how much does it cost to install security camera systems is “it depends.”
The expert installers at System Links install hundreds of security camera systems in the greater Colorado Springs area each year. On average, the installation of home security systems purchased at Costco will cost in a range between $500 and $2,500. The number of cameras, size of the home, number of rooms you wish to monitor, and outside surveillance requirements are the key cost drivers.
Business and commercial installations have a much bigger range and it is difficult to make a ballpark estimate. We install Costco security systems in small apartment buildings, retail operations, restaurants, commercial buildings, smaller hotels and motels, schools, churches, storage lots, etc. As in the case of home installation, the specific requirements of each installation affect the cost to install.
Commercial Grade Security Cameras Can Be as Cost-Effective
Yes, multi-camera surveillance systems sold at the likes of Costco can be cheap. But, like anything, you get what you pay for.
Buying CCTV security equipment is similar to any other purchase you will make, in the sense that cheaper equipment will do the job. But, how well do you want that job done? Do you need or want higher video quality, effective system design, security and reliability, user-friendliness, reliable warranty, integration with pre-existing equipment, and accessories? If so, then you really need to contact a professional security camera installer in Colorado Springs.
As we said above, at System Links, we are experts at installing Costco security cameras for our neighbors and local business owners. Click to schedule a free site visit and a reliable quote for an OTS CCTV security camera installation in Colorado Springs.
A lot of Colorado Springs business owners ask us what small business security camera system is best for their company. Security cameras vary greatly in terms of features, and that can make choosing the best cameras for your business a difficult task. The reason for such a large variety of features is because modern surveillance systems for businesses are built to meet certain, specific needs.
In this post, we’ll briefly explain 5 things you need to consider to ensure you get the best small business security camera system for your Colorado Springs company or organization.
1. Indoor vs Outdoor Security Camera Systems
The primary distinction between an indoor and outdoor small business security camera system is the types of external factors each camera has to be able to withstand.
Indoor cameras can be smaller, more lightweight and are usually less intrusive than bulkier outdoor cameras. An indoor security camera cannot be used outside because it is not weatherproof.
An outdoor small business security camera system has to resist a wide range of outdoor weather conditions. The cameras and wiring are waterproof and tamper-resistant. Colorado is famous for brutal winter storms, so depending on your requirements, an outdoor surveillance camera may even need a heater.
2. High-Definition
As the name suggests, high-definition security cameras can record video in 720p, 1080p or better definition. High definition cameras worked best with wired camera systems and higher-capacity Digital Video Recorders (DVRs) or Network Video Recorders (NVRs).
Many business owners want high-definition cameras because they need to see the details of what is happening in the surveillance videos. For example, if you need to positively identify faces in your security videos then you need to look into higher quality cameras and recording devices.
Many small business security camera systems available at retail stores like Costco or Home Depot claim to offer high resolution but figuring out what clarity you are actually getting can be confusing. If you want surveillance videos with very high resolution and clarity then we recommend you speak with a security camera expert to match your needs with the right equipment.
When researching small business security camera systems you will frequently come across the terms “bullet security camera” and “dome security camera.” Both are designed for surveillance but the design of each is specialized.
Bullet cameras are typically used for long-range surveillance where video is needed far away from the physical location of the camera, such as in long hallways and parking lots. Bullet cameras are tube-shaped and point in the direction of the surveillance requirement.
Dome cameras are used for short-range where video surveillance is needed close up. Dome cameras are often wide-angle to monitor a large area that is close to the physical placement of the camera and are commonly used in retail areas and indoor storage rooms.
4. Wired vs Wireless
Small business security camera systems need to communicate with a video recorder which is usually centrally located in a secure location. Wireless cameras connect over wi-fi to record your security camera video footage. Wired security camera systems connect using coax cables to the recording device. Wired vs wireless cameras is a large topic that we will cover in a future blog. For this post, here are the key features and benefits of each type of camera to recorder connection solutions.
Wireless Small Business Security Camera Systems
Simple and cheaper installation is the primary advantage of wireless security camera systems. You need to provide wifi but there is no need to purchase, install and protect wires. The second key benefit of wifi cameras is that placement of the camera is flexible and possible where a wire is just not feasible, for instance outside on a pole or in a tree. Wireless systems are also easy to take down if you need a temporary solution (such as a rental property).
Wired Security Camera Systems
Reliability and performance are the main reasons business owners choose wired security camera systems. Unlike wifi, wired connections are not susceptible to wifi signal interference or outages. Wired solutions can be larger with more cameras and more features than wifi. If you want high-definition video footage from multiple locations then wired is the way to go. Naturally, since wired systems require the purchase and installation of physical cables the cost of wired systems is higher than wireless solutions.
At System Links, we almost always recommend a wired small business security camera system for office, warehouse, apartment, retail and home surveillance systems.
5. Night Vision
What are the lighting conditions of your surveillance requirement? Do you have indoor rooms that need to be monitored even if the lights are off? Do you need to monitor outdoor areas at night? If so, then you will need to consider night vision cameras.
Night vision security cameras are equipped with infrared (IR) illuminators that light up the area to be surveilled with invisible IR light. This enables the IR cameras to literally see in the dark and capture the video you need.
Night vision surveillance equipment comes in many different levels of capability and quality. For example, if the area you need to monitor has varying levels of light and dark, you should consider systems with “Smart IR,” which is a technology that adjusts IR brightness to accommodate varying levels of light. This is just one example of many options to consider in night vision camera systems.
Conclusion
There are many things to consider when choosing a small business security camera system. In this post, we just explored 5 of the key considerations for choosing a security camera system for your company. There are all sorts of security camera elements that you may have never heard or thought about before. System Links recommends that you speak with our security camera experts to help you determine the best security camera for your business needs. We offer free consultations, site visits and quotes to Colorado Springs area businesses that are researching security camera solutions.
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A lot of Colorado Springs small business owners ask us what are the reasons to install security cameras in their small businesses. In today’s world, security cameras offer a large variety of features and related benefits, and surveillance systems are built to meet certain, specific needs.
In this post, we’ll briefly explain the key reasons to install security cameras and some benefits for your small business.
Security Cameras Deter Crime
The most popular reasons to install security cameras in local businesses are to protect from shoplifting and various forms of theft and vandalism. Thieves want easy targets. Just the presence of security cameras can discourage criminals from targeting your property, encouraging them to move on to easier scores instead.
Use Security Cameras To Gather Intel
After deterring crime, one of the most popular reasons to install security cameras for many businesses is to collect info on what is going on at the businesses with employees, customers, and yes – even management. Why? Because, when you know you are being recorded you avoid many potentially negative interactions in the workplace. So, if you are concerned about employee productivity, customer service, premise liability, in-house property theft or even workplace harassment and violence, installing a surveillance system will alleviate those concerns.
Improve Retail Processes
Closely related to the above step of gathering evidence, another of the many reasons to install security cameras is to discover inefficiencies in your business processes or even the physical layout of your office, production floor or store. Many of our Colorado Springs area retail customers tell us they analyze security camera surveillance videos to improve business practices related to parking, greeting customers, high-interest product placement, aisle and shelving layouts, gauging customer interest in sales displays, register processes and more.
Security Cameras Provide You With Convenience
Many Pikes Peak region business owners discover this happy reason to install security cameras – security cameras can let you be in two places at once. For example, if your business has multiple locations you can save trips to each location by checking the video feed. You can use the security feed to make sure employees are showing up and providing great customer service, the store or office is clean and products are displayed correctly or that deliveries are being made and handled correctly.
Lower Your Insurance Costs With Security Cameras
Many Colorado Springs insurance companies offer discounts to public-facing businesses that install security camera systems. For example, you can often save on liability insurance premiums. Speak with a local insurance agent for more info.
Conclusion – There Are Plenty Of Great Reasons To Install Security Cameras
In this post, we shared the many great reasons to install security cameras at your Colorado Springs business. Many business owners only think in terms of reducing shoplifting or monitoring employees and customers. However, there are many benefits beyond these including process improvement, customer service enhancements, and saving time and money on travel and insurance.
As a locally and family-owned small business, System Links is committed to the safety, security and values of our community. If you are curious how a surveillance system may help your Colorado Springs area business, we offer free site visits and estimates for security camera installation. We are happy to help you determine the best security camera for your needs.
