Using digital technology, retail managers, supervisors and operations staff can remotely access their stores, dialing in from virtually anywhere, at any time to monitor and supervise operations. This paradigm shift is still in its infancy, according to retailers, CCTV vendors and security researchers. But no one doubts that CCTV can offer multiple benefits beyond security and LP, not the least of which is in increasing returns on investment. The increased functionality allowed by digital technology, however, is likely to add to the burgeoning privacy debate. As a result, experts urge retailers using remote digital CCTV to keep a watchful eye not only on their store operations, but also on the policies and procedures regarding the system's use.
Digital applications are really unique, especially for transmission purposes.
Muzzi's sentiment is echoed by Brian Remington, director of sales and marketing at Corporate Security Management, an Altamonte Springs, Fla., firm that works with retailers in providing electronic security needs. Stores are using CCTV more and more. We have clients that have never used CCTV, and it's now reaching a price point where they find they can get a return on investment. At the heart of CCTV's expanding application is digital video and its ease of use, transportability and high quality output. Digital video allows for quick searches by date and time, so that LP staff can locate incidents in minutes, compared with the hours it sometimes took with analog.