5 Trends Shaping the Future of Video Surveillance for Businesses

From traffic cameras to doorbell cameras, video surveillance has become an integral part of our daily lives. As we move toward the future, it’s no secret that technology will continue to evolve, and the video surveillance industry will be no exception in Canada.

So, what does the future of video surveillance hold for us?

From AI-powered cameras to cloud-based storage, the upcoming trends in video surveillance are set to revolutionize the way we monitor our homes and businesses.

In this article, we will discuss five trends that are shaping the future of video surveillance for businesses and how they can benefit from these emerging technologies. Join us as we take a glimpse into the crystal ball and explore the most exciting video surveillance trends of 2023.

Today we will offer valuable insights into the imminent changes that will impact the video surveillance industry. Our team of experts at Spotter Security will also predict the upcoming trends and recommend strategies that business leaders can use to leverage these changes and improve their operations.

Businesses are increasingly recognizing the importance of video surveillance systems that are AI-ready and future-proof. In the past, video surveillance systems were primarily used for security purposes. However, with the dynamic shifts in the business landscape, companies are now looking for video surveillance systems that can help optimize their operations.

Over 50% of businesses are already using AI, and more than 25% have adopted it extensively, according to a 2022 AI business survey by PriceWaterhouseCoopers. This highlights the growing importance of AI in business operations. Businesses that are not currently using AI know that they will need to automate their systems and processes in the future and are budgeting for the infrastructure now.

An AI-ready video surveillance system can help businesses scale their ability to analyze and act on data. It can automatically detect security threats in real-time and provide useful information such as peak foot traffic or customer wait times. These advanced features can help businesses improve their operations and make better decisions.

Cloud computing is the most future-proof option for advanced system-wide features. The cloud provides scalability, flexibility, and reliability, and allows businesses to add AI-powered features without investing in, maintaining, and upgrading their own hardware and software. By investing in cloud-based AI solutions, businesses can reduce costs in the long run while improving their security and operations.

Businesses today are facing increasing costs due to inflation, supply chain issues, and a tight labor market. In this uncertain economic environment, companies are looking for ways to reduce operational costs, including their video surveillance systems.

Costs related to video surveillance technology ownership, including operational expenses that are not always visible, can add up over time. However, businesses can achieve significant cost savings by moving their computing and video storage infrastructure to the cloud. In fact, the lifetime savings typically range from 20-50% compared to hosting the VMS applications in a corporate data center.

To further incentivize cost savings, some VSaaS providers offer multiyear subscriptions with discounts and protection from future inflationary price increases. While some businesses prefer monthly billing for its flexibility, many prefer to pay once a year for services that have already been budgeted.

Businesses are also investing in higher-resolution cameras, which have become more affordable over time. As resolution improves, so does the capacity to implement video analytics tools, making video surveillance systems more effective. According to Security Today, in the past five years, there has been a three-fold increase in high-resolution IP security cameras.

Investing in higher-resolution cameras can also improve the effectiveness of video surveillance systems.

Improving the safety of Canadian school campuses is a top priority. Schools are experimenting with advanced security technologies to help make campuses safer. These security systems are being adopted using funding from bonds or government initiatives. However, there is no one solution that can solve all the safety and security issues in schools. Compatible systems that work together are the best option for Canadian schools.

Video surveillance is an important part of school security. It should integrate easily with other security applications to extend the power of the system. The ability to combine access control applications with video surveillance will distinguish systems in the education market.

School administrators and IT teams require a system that is easy to use and reduces the amount of onsite equipment and maintenance. Cloud video surveillance provides an ideal platform, allowing for centralized management of all facilities from one single dashboard.

School districts are also looking for advanced options such as video analytics that can send automatic alerts when people enter campus properties like parking lots or fields during off-hours. Districts also want a convenient way to access and share video surveillance with first responder agencies during critical incidents. Some video surveillance systems allow administrators to pre-assign access to first responders so that live video can be immediately accessed in an emergency.

Overall, Canadian school districts are in the market for upgraded security systems that can provide advanced features beyond what a traditional surveillance system offers. These features will help schools to be considered over competing technologies.

To stand out among competing technologies, security systems need to offer advanced features that go beyond what traditional surveillance systems provide.

Automated parking systems are experiencing tremendous growth, as businesses seek convenient solutions for managing parking in multifamily housing, business parks, commercial buildings, medical complexes, and other facilities. According to a 2022 report by Emergen Research, the automated parking system market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 15.1% through 2030, with a predicted increase in the market value of $3 billion. Contributing to this growth are an increase in vehicles on the road, land scarcity, and consumer convenience.

In a survey conducted 50% of security integrators’ prospective customers inquired about improving security and operations for their parking areas. While 27% asked about security for their parking areas specifically, 23% did not mention parking.

However, many businesses find implementing automated parking systems expensive, so adapting existing video surveillance systems to include automated parking is a marketable solution. Video surveillance systems integrated with parking applications can use camera infrastructure to monitor traffic flow and guide drivers to available parking spaces.

Video analytics data can also be used by business owners and operators to make informed decisions about parking areas, such as when to limit entry, raise prices, or ready staff. Therefore, the right video surveillance system can provide a viable solution for parking automation.

Businesses seeking parking automation solutions should consider integrating their video surveillance system with parking applications, which can improve security and operations while providing valuable data for informed decision-making.

Many businesses are recognizing the importance of customer support and training services in their purchasing decisions. Nowadays, customers expect immediate and accessible 24/7 customer service, and this has become a key factor when choosing security solutions in Ontario, Canada.

Most businesses are now using cloud technology, including email, phone, backup, applications, and video surveillance. As businesses transition to cloud-based systems and software as a service (SaaS) models, they also consider the support and training that comes with it as part of their investment.

IT leaders are making more SaaS purchasing decisions, and customer service solutions can impact staffing needs. With cloud-based systems, technical support can access and remotely solve problems, eliminating the need for businesses to have their own experts on staff and saving on operational overhead.

Cloud video surveillance, and SaaS products in general, have higher customer retention rates than traditional surveillance systems. Convenient and effective technical support is essential in keeping customers happy and loyal.

Poor customer support, such as phone trees, outsourced call centers, and ineffective support, can damage a service provider’s reputation. On the other hand, easy access to support through in-app chats and SMS support can enhance reputation and customer appreciation.

Providing continuous customer support and robust training services can help businesses save on operational overhead.