Start with the question: what must be proven?
Before placing cameras, decide what each camera is meant to prove. Is it for face capture, movement tracking, vehicle entry, cash counter visibility, stock area monitoring, perimeter coverage or staff safety? One camera cannot do every job perfectly.
Priority locations
- Main entrance and exit, with face-level coverage.
- Billing counter, cash desk or reception area.
- Gate, parking and loading points.
- Server room, store room and restricted areas.
- Corridors, staircases and common movement paths.
- DVR/NVR and network rack area.
Lighting and angle matter
Backlight from glass doors, headlights, strong sunlight and dark corners can reduce useful evidence. Test the view at day and night before final handover. If the subject is always seen from the top of the head, the camera is too high for identification.
Do not chase only wide angle
A very wide view may look impressive on screen but may not capture useful detail. For identification, you may need a narrower view aimed at an entrance, counter or gate. Use overview cameras for movement and focused cameras for evidence.
Checklist before handover
- Can faces be identified at the main entry?
- Can the cash counter activity be reviewed clearly?
- Are important areas visible at night?
- Is recording retention enough for the business requirement?
- Are camera names clear in the app and recorder?
- Are passwords and admin access documented securely?
Field rule
Camera count is less important than camera purpose. A smaller system with correct placement is often more useful than a larger system with random coverage.
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