Combining Video Surveillance & Analytics in Retail Settings

Classic Surveillance

In a world where criminals are becoming smarter, security systems need to be one step ahead of potential thieves. A functional surveillance installation helps protect your business from all threats, internal and external. An Optiview surveillance solution can give you peace of mind, allowing you to keep a steady eye on your facilities, products, customers, and employees. We understand that all businesses have unique needs. Optiview is ready to help you develop a customized solution to perfectly fit those needs. Our modular solutions can fit any sized business, from small Mom and Pop bakeries, to sprawling outdoor retail centers. Our diverse catalog of cameras and interchangeable DVR / NVR systems allows you to pick the surveillance package that directly suits you and your business.

CHOOSING YOUR CAMERA TYPE

No matter the application, the largest variable in any surveillance system it the kind of camera to be installed. With so many different types of cameras to choose from, we aim to make it a little bit easier for you to use exactly the right camera that you need for each unique job. Take a look at the summaries below to get you started. To learn more about each or want help designing your specific job, our sales team has the knowledge and experience to help you get the systems needed.

HDCAD5M-312M - Transparent

ARMOR DOME

These cameras are housed in an IK10 rated vandal proof housing in which the entire unit is protected by an aluminum base and acrylic dome. Armor dome cameras typically contain varifocal lenses between 2.7mm ~ 13.5mm and can be manual or motorized. Armor dome cameras can come in a variety of sizes. The larger the camera, the more added features it typically has. Advanced models are known to feature alarm inputs/outputs or built-in audio.

View Armor Dome Cameras
IP4MIAB-212-ZS - Transparent

ARMOR BALL

Also known as a turret camera, these cameras have a ball-and-socket form factor and typically come with a fixed lens (2.8mm / 3.6mm / 4mm / etc.). A general rule of thumb is that the smaller the lens size, the wider the viewing angle. 2.8mm lenses will give you an ultra wide viewing angle of 110°. Armor ball cameras have always been the simplest cameras, feature wise, but are now starting to become available with added features such as wide dynamic range (better light – dark compensation), infrared sensors, and built-in audio.

View Armor Ball Cameras
hdcb2m-564m - Transparent

BULLET

Bullet cameras are tubular in shape and come in a variety of sizes. Much like the armor dome cameras, the size and functionality of the lens will determine the size of the unit. Smaller units will have fixed lenses, while larger models will integrate varifocal lenses and other technologies.

View Bullet Cameras
ip4mptz-30 - Transparent

PTZ

Pan / Tilt / Zoom cameras give the user far greater control than stationary cameras. These cameras can be programmed to navigate a predetermined path (a tour), auto-track motion, or be operated manually. These cameras will have a large amount of optical zoom (such as 20, 25 or 30 times), meaning that they can survey a much larger area than a standard stationary camera.

View PTZ Cameras
ip12f - Transparent

SPECIALTY CAMERAS

With numerous unique applications, the need for a specialty cameras is ever present. A few of the most popular kinds include: Fisheye, Panoramic, LPR, and Thermal. Fisheye and Panoramic cameras record access to huge amount of data recording 360° or 180° respectively and are primarily used on a storefront or over a register (POS systems). LPR cameras or License Plate Recognition is usually installed at the entrance of HoA’s or Parking Lot Management protecting gated communities. Thermal / Human Temperature Detection & Notification Systems helps keep your business open with fast, accurate, and contactless human temperature detection with accuracy of 0.54° F for the IPTHTD and 0.9° F for the IPTHK.

View Panoramic Cameras View LPR Cameras View Thermal Cameras

PROFESSIONAL, EXPANDABLE SURVEILLANCE SOFTWARE


Optiview offers multiple software platforms for remote viewing and analytics. All of the software platforms integrate easily and seamlessly both together and with the surveillance hardware offered by Optiview. View all of our Software solutions here.

MERGING CCTV & RETAIL CUSTOMER ANALYTICS

In any brick-and-mortar retail environment, understanding your consumer’s behaviors and protecting your investment (people and inventory) remains critical. In the past these functions were only able to be done separately and were virtually impossible to compile into a real-time report. With the advent of intelligent video surveillance, these items are easier to manage, in real-time, over one device.

Optiview Adds Intelligent Surveillance Cameras to Product Line

Optiview is continually testing new “intelligent video” surveillance cameras such as cameras that provide heat maps, facial detection and people counting and has brought several on-board. The latest model that has been officially added to the product card is the IP6F, a 6 megapixel network fisheye multi-purpose camera which supports Heat Mapping.

What is “Heat Mapping” and how is it relevant?

There are several different terms out in the surveillance today that can easily be misrepresented or confused with one another. In this article we’re talking about Heat Mapping, not thermal, which is a completely different technology.

A heat map (or heatmap) is a graphical representation of data where the individual values contained in a matrix are represented as colors.

Retail video analytics - Heat Mapping

In this context, it means a 2D overlay on the screen which shows the lowest to highest amount of change in pixels that are then “mapped” in blues/greens – oranges/reds. Blues represent the “cooler” areas with the least amount of pixel change over time and red represents the “hottest” areas where the largest amount of pixel change over time was registered.

Heat Map video analytics is huge in the retail industry as it helps store managers analyze customer traffic flow through the retail space, and analyze customer behavior (what parts of a display table are being visited or ignored). Store managers and marketers can also gather marketing insights such as making changes to determine if it is the product or the product placement that has a higher pull with the consumers. The “heat map” report can be viewed over the web browser or via the Optiview VMS.

People Counting

Retail stores have always been interested in tracking not just how many people are entering and exiting the store, but what times are peaks and lulls in foot traffic. Optiview is completing R&D on a new “People Counter” that is expected to be available for sale sometime in the 4th quarter of 2018. The report can be viewed over either a web browser or the Optiview VMS 2018.

Retail Video Analytics - People Counting
Remotely monitoring Retail Space with HD Surveillance System

Remotely Monitoring your Retail Space

The term “remote viewing” refers to viewing the video on a machine that is NOT the local recorder that the cameras are plugged into. Optiview offers free a mobile app and free desktop software program that can be installed for remote viewing from on-site (offices) or off-site locations (home offices or while on the road). The Optiview VMS 2018 allows the user to view up to 256 channels at one time, over 4 monitors and will also integrate add-on security features such as access control, and attendance. Users can also utilize new search functions such as People Counting and Heat Map, which requires multi-use cameras that have those intelligent video analytics built in (such as the IP6F).

Custom Design Support from Optiview

Optiview employs highly experienced Account Managers who will happily assist in building your custom system based on your individual needs. Contact us today at (904) 805-1581 to ensure that you get the right system in place.

Become a part of the Team

Follow us on Social Media or sign up for our informative newsletters to stay up to date on the latest product releases, custom built solutions, and day-to-day support offered by Optiview.