Network IP Camera Applications

Security/Monitoring/Surveillance

Retail Businesses - According to the National Retail Security Survey, published in November 2002, Employee Theft cost retailers 15.1 billion and shoplifting cost an additional 9.7 billion in 2001. Network cameras placed throughout stores, including the sales floor, entries and exits, loading docks, stock rooms, bookkeeping offices, fitting room entrances and checkout lines can reduce such losses. Often the mere presence of cameras deters criminal activity and keeps workers honest. Network IP Cameras can be useful in almost any retail environment. Research indicates retail segments with higher than average shrink rates as a percent of sales include: Gifts (2.91%), Toys & Hobbies (2.82%), Optical (2.59%), Convenience Stores (2.23%), Discount Stores (2.01%), Sporting Goods (1.91%), Department Stores (1.89%), Drug Stores (1.82%) and Supermarkets (1.81%).

Warehouses - Can utilize Network IP Cameras to monitor loading and unloading operations, entrances and exits (including fire exits), shipping and storage areas, entry points and parking areas.

Construction Sites - Can use Network IP Cameras to check the progress of a new building remotely and monitor employees and materials.

Day Care Centers - Many day care centers and nurseries are allowing parents to check on their children from home or from the office via network cameras. Childcare centers also benefit from reduced telephone calls from parents who enjoy visual contact with their children over the Internet.

Supervise Children at Home - By placing Network IP Cameras at home entrances and exits, parents can use motion detection to see if children are coming and going to school on time and safely and see who is visiting their home while they are away.

Replace Time Clocks - Small business can replace time clocks by placing Network IP Cameras at employee entrances and using motion detection with notification to let supervisors, human resources and/or payroll staff confirm employee work activity.

Check Your Pets Remotely - Pet boarding facilities and kennels are installing Network IP Cameras so pet owners can watch their cat, dog or other pet even when they are on vacation or otherwise separated from the animal in their life.

ISPs and Web Hosting Companies - Can use Network IP Cameras with motion detection to guard the security of important web services and other related devices. Web hosting companies can also allow customers to see and monitor co-located servers.

Health/Medical Facilities - Including hospitals, skilled nursing centers, rehabilitation centers, physician group practices and assisted living facilities, often position Network IP Cameras in areas that provide a view of activity in high-risk areas such as, medical records, emergency rooms, behavioral health units, security offices, pharmacies, pediatric departments, and drug rooms Network IP Cameras can help prevent losses of drugs, linens, and computer equipment and prevent illegal access to medical records.

Home Security - Homes that utilize routers or switches to connect to a high-speed connection can utilize Network IP Cameras. Using Network IP Camera technology also allows use of multiple cameras to monitor different areas of the home without the need to connect a dedicated computer for each camera.

Banks and Financial Institutions - Network IP Cameras can be used to capture an image of a thief and alert officials when a crime is committed. Network IP Cameras are also used outside banks to monitor drive-thru tellers, parking lots, after-hours depositories and ATMs.

Parking Lots - Network IP Cameras allow parking lot customers to check on their cars during the day and when they travel.

Offices - Network IP Cameras allow companies to check to see if the meeting area or other facilities are available. Network IP Cameras can also be used to check attendance at meetings and enhance office security.

Religion - Many churches, synagogues and mosques can utilize network cameras to display services, activities and special events and to provide an additional level of security for worshippers.

Research Facilities - Scientists at leading research laboratories have used Network IP Cameras to monitor experiments using Intranets or the Internet.

School Security - In an example cited by American School and University magazine, “Canton High School in Canton, Mississippi, has 24 Network IP Cameras throughout the campus, enabling teachers, principals, security guards, police and remote security personnel to view campus activity 24 hours a day over the Internet. In addition, the security company that installed the system observes the school in real time via the Internet from the company's remote monitoring station during off-hours. This eliminates the need for a nighttime security guard.”

Special Event Security - The 2003 Super bowl will use Network IP Cameras to enhance security. “With this technology, for the first time, members of the FBI, NFL, San Diego Police Department, and stadium security will simultaneously have access to interactive video taken from more than 50 cameras setup throughout Qualcomm Stadium,” according to a Yahoo Finance article.

Tourism/Attraction Security - Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay, the infamous almost escape-proof American federal prison and now a historic tourist attraction, uses Network IP Cameras to cuts costs versus a traditional CCTV system. This allows its central processing unit (CPU) to obtain information from its various 'lenses' rather than having each individual camera send data on its own. All data is stored on removable hard drives.

Web Site Promotion

Network IP Cameras are also being used to help promote a wide variety of web sites and online businesses. Many hotels and tourist attractions use Network IP Cameras to show potential visitors beautiful shots of their attractions or to focus on weather conditions.

Internet Cafes are using Network IP Cameras to help promote their web sites and attract new customers.

Restaurants and restaurant chains have used Network IP Cameras to promote beautiful scenery, waterfront views and happy customers.

Hotels have used Network IP Cameras to display facilities and allow potential guests to check on weather conditions.

Trade Shows have used Network IP Cameras to display conference areas for exhibitors and attendees.