Flexible, Expandable IP/Hybrid Camera & Recording Systems for Offices & Businesses

You can buy security cameras anywhere. But to have a truly functional, robust surveillance/recording/monitoring security camera system for your office in Woodridge, IL, you need system design, installation, programming, and integration with your data network from someone who truly understands both. Don't get sucked into contracting services from a "camera installer" for whom IT networks are just a sideline or vice versa.

For decades, Andromeda has served the IT/Security needs of small-to-medium sized organizations like yours in the greater Chicagoland IL/Indy area. We have cultivated expertise in both the data network "brains" as well as the camera/access control/alarm/communication "arms and legs" of office systems and have years of experience integrating these together for a diverse cross-section of businesses, municipalities, and other associations/organizations.

Your timing for creating or expanding a current security camera surveillance system could not be better. There is no longer a need for an expensive, dedicated system to monitor your premises. We also provide great options for expanding an older security camera system with better/newer analog and digital technology without scrapping what you might already have! By leveraging your existing IT network for your security camera system(s), Andromeda can save you time, money, and lots of headaches with efficient integrated systems that can do more than you probably imagined: real-time alerts, automated responses, and more.

Security Camera/Surveillance/Recording Systems -Woodridge, IL 60517

We are a certified Panasonic Network Camera Installer. We utilize the latest in IP Video Camera technology, which allows the cameras, DVR recording and viewing all to be performed on your existing computer data network. This allows you to use your existing investment in your data wiring and data systems and extend that network into the security camera/webcam arena.

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Panasonic Cameras and Recording Software

• Panasonic manufactures over 20 different types of network video cameras. The following are some of the features that are available:
  Wireless
• Outdoor
• Power-Over-Ethernet (PoE)
• Digital and Optical Zoom
• Very High Resolution
• Low Light, Night Viewing
• Motion and Thermal Activation
• Full Pan, Tilt, and Zoom with Scanning Presets
• 2-Way Audio with Microphone and Speaker

The ability to record and later playback is an important and necessary part of any video security system. There are many options available; from on-camera memory sticks to a full-blown, searchable recording system capable of storing months worth of video from all your cameras. The viewing software is very user-friendly and easy to use.

Andromeda Technology Solutions will work to understand all your needs and provide a solution that exactly fits those needs, and allows for future growth if necessary. Our attention to detail will ensure you receive a system that you will be 100% happy with.

Applications

There are many types of applications where it pays to see there, when you cannot be there. Here are just a few types of oranizations that have benefited from our security camera systems:

• Parking Lots
• Daycare / Nursery School
• Construction Sites
• Car Dealerships
• Retail Stores
• Restaurant / Franchise
• Self Storage
• Hotel / Motel
• Multi-unit Residential

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Flexible / Programmable / Expandable Surveillance Systems

You can start with just a few cameras and expand the system as you grow. It is very easy to add security cameras to the system, without throwing away any of your initial investment.

There are options to synchronize recordings with your POS receipts, so you can exactly match the video recording with an individual receipt transaction.

The wide variety of camera types and camera options make the system extremely flexible to fit almost any application.

We can also setup remote access for you to view live video or search through recorded video, from any remote location with Internet access. You can keep tabs on your business without having to be there.

Integration: Get The Most From Your Security Systems

How does Integrated Security work?

How does Integrated Security work?

Integrated Security works by allowing you to program a multitude of responses—both in the Cloud and as control back to external hardware—based on any number of triggers from external hardware regardless of origin/type (cameras, access sensors, alarm fault sensors, motion, smoke, temperature,...)

Why is Integrated Security better?

Why is Integrated Security better?

This allows the entire system and designated human responders to more accurately assess the detailed nature of a security event and respond in the most precise/appropriate manner, virtually eliminating undue responses to false alarms.

Triggers:
• Motion in ...more

I.S. Responses:
• Discontinue ...more

Triggers:
• Door opening ...more

I.S. Responses:
• Selective lock ...more

Triggers:
• Zone fault ...more

I.S. Responses:
• Set/Reset ...more

Triggers:
• Manual Pan/Tilt/Zoom signals to designated cameras
• Overrides of any current Access Control statuses
• Set/reset Alarm status

I.S. Programmable Responses:
• Alert Central Station
• Email/text alert to owner/designated responders
• Pop appropriate camera feed(s) to all responders
• Release of appropriate cameras to manual control

Integrated Security works by allowing you to program a multitude of responses—both in the Cloud and as control back to external hardware—based on any number of triggers from external hardware regardless of origin/type (cameras, access sensors, alarm fault sensors, motion, smoke, temperature,...). This allows the entire system to more accurately assess the detailed nature of a security event and respond in the most precise/appropriate manner, virtually eliminating undue responses to false alarms.

AndroPedia Tech Library

As part of our service, it is important to keep our client-partners well informed on Security Camera system developments, news, and best practices. Here is just a sampling of typical items from our AndroPedia^SM library archive:

Whether you have a camera system already or you’re looking into installing some professional security cameras at your offices, there are some common areas that you’ll want to consider.

Additionally, you’ll want to consider the different purposes/reasons for your cameras. Things like:

• Safety
• Loss Prevention
• Monitor Traffic
• Quality Assurance

An Integrated Security Company like Andromeda can help you set your system up with these purposes in mind. There are also opportunities to integrate your professional security cameras with other technologies at your business like your phone system or access control solution. Make sure to discuss this with your security vendor or give us a call.

Without further ado – here are the top 5 areas you’ll want to think about for the CCTV Camera System at your office.

1. Parking Lot

Parking lots see a lot of activity every day. Your employees come and go, clients, vendors and more. With all of this traffic the risk of an accident increases and you’ll want to think about whether that risk impacts your business.

By monitoring your parking lot you will have recordings and evidence for things related to deliveries, car accidents, slips & falls, visitors and also any suspicious activity during off hours. This will help you avoid false claims, deter criminal activity and more.

2. Major Entrances / Exits

Monitoring traffic in and out of your buildings is one of the first items most business owners and property managers discuss when looking for a camera system. You want to know who comes and goes at your offices.

By monitoring entrances and exits to the building, you’ll deter wrong doers from bad behaviors or criminal behaviors

It is important to consider entrances and exits within your building as well for this type of surveillance. Do you need to record activity in a server closet? An area with confidential records? What about different zones at your facility? These are all things to consider.

3. Storage Areas

Depending on your business and services, you may have a storage area where you keep supplies, ingredients, parts or more. It is important to address what security solutions you need to make sure that things are organized and secure at the same time.

Setting up a security camera to monitor activity in a storage area can help with loss prevention but it will also protect you in the event of an accident.

4. Break Room

The break room is often an afterthought for professional security cameras but this is a space many businesses are beginning to consider as a part of their security vulnerabilities. Break rooms are an area where employees hang out. This means that there is opportunity for disagreements and disputes. Setting up a camera creates record in case this occurs.

Also, break rooms are places where accidents are likely to happen. Spilled drinks, food etc. can increase the chances of slips and falls. Setting up a camera in this space helps you protect the business and the employees from risks like these. Plus . . . with cameras, employees really think twice about grabbing drinks, snacks and food that aren’t theirs.

5. Staging Areas

Depending on your business, you may also have an area where product is staged for shipment, delivery or installation. If that is the case you will certainly want to have a camera monitoring activity here. Setting up a camera solution in this spot will deter employees, drivers, vendors and all other visitors from suspicious activity.

Beyond criminal or suspicious activity, monitoring a staging area allows you to collect important data.

A delivery driver says they never picked up a shipment – you’ve got footage.

An employee believes they forgot to include an item or items – you’ve got footage

You need to know the exact time a shipment left your facility and the paperwork on it went missing – you’ve got footage

There are other areas and things you’ll want to consider for your CCTV camera system but if you are just getting started, these five spaces are a great first step.

It should be said as well that installing professional security cameras will not prevent accidents, crime or other bad things from taking place. Security cameras capture evidence for you and serve as a deterrent for bad behavior. Most criminals will think twice if they know they are on candid camera after all.

Cameras also serve to protect BOTH your business AND your employees.

When it comes to putting together a strong security solution for your business, you’ll also want to consider things like access control (keyless entry), burglar alarms, integrated solutions and more. When you tie these systems together you can do some truly amazing things – just ask our team!

If you have any questions or comments you’d like to share please reach our team at (815) 836–0030 or send us an email at Contact@WeNetwork.com.

The post 5 Areas Every Chicagoland Business Should Consider For Their Professional Security System & CCTV Cameras appeared first on Andromeda Technology Solutions.

If you are looking to add a security camera system to your technology mix, here is a simple and overriding factor that you shouldn’t ignore.  Like many things in life, you get what you pay for and CCTV cameras are no exception.

There is a vast difference in a $59 security camera purchased from Costco or Amazon, and a professional grade, $300 camera.  The differences show up in picture quality, reliability, and longevity.

How To Tell If A Security Camera System Is The Right Choice?

Picture Quality

Imagine the unimaginable. A break-in occurs at our business. You did everything you could to prevent this (i.e. a functional burglar system, cameras and even access control at specific entrances). Now, you go to look at footage the security camera caught so you can catch the culprit and the image shows a grainy blob. Now, imagine poor quality mixed with weather or poor lighting . . . you get the picture (or lack thereof).

Reliability ­

Fast forward a few months after you install your system. Two employees get into a fender bender in the parking lot. When the police/employees request footage of the incident you don’t sweat it. You head directly to your DVR and prepare to play back footage . . . but wait . . . looks like your system is malfunctioning and a quarter of your cameras within your security camera system haven’t been recording like you thought they were. Bummer!

Longevity

When spending money on technology, it is important to see it as an investment. Sure, things come and go but investing in a quality system from a reputable vendor ensures that your system will last. Systems installed by professionals typically last years with proper maintenance and system care. That system on sale at Costco is lucky to last you a few months over warranty without some sort of failure.

The one constant with cameras – they need to work. They need to capture what you need; whether that be a parking lot, office space, warehouse or any other number of critical areas in your facility.

If you cut corners here, you’ll get cut corner results.

We’d suggest instead, invest that money into a quality system that will perform when you need it and for years to come.

The post What To Consider When Buying A New Security Camera System appeared first on Andromeda Technology Solutions.

Do you have any network-attached storage (NAS) devices attached to your home or corporate network? If so, be advised that they've become the new favorite inroad for hackers around the world. According to a report recently published by researchers at 360 Netlab, hacking groups are increasingly exploiting weaknesses in some NAS devices running a variety of QNAP firmware versions that suffer from command injection vulnerabilities.

The good news is that this vulnerability has already been addressed by QNAP with their release of firmware version 4.3.3. The better news is that the company addressed this back in July of 2017.

Unfortunately, not many people are good about keeping their firmware up to date, so you may have one or more vulnerable devices and not even realize it. Both QNAP and the researchers at 360 Netlab recommend checking the version number of the firmware you're using, and upgrading immediately if you are at risk.

If you're looking for additional technical details about what caused the problem and how it was addressed, see below.

QNAP had this to say about version 4.3.3 of their firmware:

"This release replaced the system function with qnap_exec, and the qnap_exec function is defined in the /usr/lib/libuLinux_Util.so.0," 360 Netlab said. By using the execv to execute custom command, command injection has been avoided."

Sadly, this isn't the first time QNAP has been the target of hackers. In fact, there's an ongoing ransomware campaign that utilizes eChoraix ransomware to encrypt NAS devices. Just last month, the US's CISA and the UK's NCSC issued a joint malware alert about a malware strain called QSnatch that also targets QNAP NAS devices.

In any event, although this issue has long been resolved, it's clear that there are a great number of vulnerable devices out there, both on home and office networks. Kudos to 360 Netlab for shining a light on them, and to QNAP for moving swiftly to correct the issue.

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