At Computers Nationwide, it’s our goal to make sure our clients are using the best technology available today – whether your team is back in the office or continuing to work from home. Wherever you’re working from, let’s work together to ensure your SMB is utilizing all that our network partners to have to offer for success!
As you know, CN is your premier one stop shop for designing and installing sophisticated work environments where communications systems provide businesses the infrastructure for both safety and success. We can create a comprehensive IT infrastructure that supports your company’s specific needs and goals, as well as offer additional technical services based on your technology and security desires.
While many SMBs are reopening their physical location and welcoming employees back to work, some are opting for a more part-time hybrid workplace. Whichever situation your business prefers, we know one thing is certain: In order to protect the health and safety of your team and customers, you need to integrate smart video technology and install it properly!
In this blog, we share expert advice from our partners at Hikvision explaining why upgrading video technology is a MUST in your back-to-business security measures. The first step is to determine what your business needs and which technology will be the most useful!
Back-to-business video technology: creating a health and safety policy
“Organizations worldwide are witnessing the power of cutting-edge video to drive a return to business as (almost) usual. But while the technology itself is vital, it’s only one part of the process. In this blog, we explore the Health, Safety and Welfare Policy that businesses should operate alongside their technology investment.
Today’s intelligent AI-powered cameras provide vital screening services to organizations striving to get people back to business. These cameras can measure someone’s skin temperature and check if they’re wearing a mask or not; they can carefully monitor crowd density, flagging when there are too many people in a certain location; and they can accurately measure the distance between people, helping to uphold local social distancing regulations.
But for this technology to deliver its full potential, businesses should also consider key HR and legal matters that may affect all those coming into view of the cameras. These considerations can be woven into a custom Health, Safety and Welfare policy, which is understood and adhered to by all.
1. Make sure your staff are on hand and informed: First of all, you need to ensure there are staff available to support the screening process at your premises, and that they know exactly what they’re expected to do. Consider temperature screening, for instance. Who is going to be present to monitor temperature readings? And if someone does have a high temperature, what happens next? Moreover, what will you do if someone objects to having their temperature screened? Such things need careful consideration.
Equally, when it comes to mask detection, will you have members of staff on hand to guide people towards your mask detection cameras? And if the camera finds no mask, will you provide one? For flow control, it’s vital to consider how many people you can safely accommodate on your premises at any one time. You also need to have a policy for what happens if people still proceed to enter a location that has reached full safe capacity. And if the system sounds an alert to one or more individuals, asking them to maintain social distancing, one key question is: how will you go on to enforce this?
2. Consider employee consent and privacy: It’s also vital that staff fully understand that they are being screened, and that they agree to it before you do it. You should clearly inform employees of the video technology, the nature and extent of the monitoring, and its purpose, clarifying what has changed from your normal policies. It’s recommended to get official written employee consent for being screened.
If you decide to use facial recognition for employee access control, this technology will reveal ‘personal data’, which is defined as ‘processing personal data’, and privacy regulations apply (such as GDPR in the EU). Consent for processing facial images is essential, so you must obtain it from each employee, who should be clearly advised that this data will be used only for future access control/ time attendance. Employees should also be given the option to withdraw their consent in the future if they change their mind.
The data of a human subject’s body temperature generated during automated temperature measurement is not defined as a ‘personal data’ under certain data protection laws. However, it cannot be ruled out that data protection law does apply in the case that it’s possible (even subsequently) to identify the people passing the cameras.
3. Tailor your policy to your business: Of course, every business is different. So when devising your own health and safety procedures, it’s vital you tailor each element to your business, your environment and your policies. What’s more, it’s important to check changing guidance and requirements for your geography regularly. You may want to consider getting legal advice, so that you get this part of the process absolutely right.
At Hikvision, we have endeavored to optimize our products and help our customers reduce the compliance risks regarding data protection law. What’s more, we recognize that technology is only one part of the back-to-business story. That’s why we’ve produced a Back-to-Business eBook that overviews our camera portfolio, explains how to install them for the best results, and outlines the health and safety considerations for using them.”
Click here to read the original article.
The next step is making sure your video equipment is installed professionally and correctly! Here’s why…
Why expert installation is vital for back-to-business video
“For intelligent video cameras to truly help organizations get back to business, they must be expertly installed according to specific instructions. In this blog, we explore four key areas that need to be adhered to for an optimal product installation.
As businesses have reopened in the course of the pandemic, there’s been a race against the clock to install supporting technologies – such as AI-powered video – to help people return to work and public life safely. It’s easy to see why back-to-business video is so valuable. These cutting-edge cameras can effectively detect people’s skin temperatures and check for masks, help to ensure social distancing, and monitor the flow of people through busy locations.
But in spite of the understandable urgency, organizations must observe due diligence when it comes to product installation – or their investment simply won’t work effectively. While every device should be installed to its own specific guidelines, below we explore four critical considerations for an optimal installation of all AI-powered video security products.
1. Camera positioning and height: First of all, it’s essential that cameras are mounted appropriately to avoid loss of accuracy and performance. For example, the installation height of every camera must be adjusted according to the camera’s resolution and focal length, or the camera will not be able to ‘see’ its target at all.
People-counting cameras, specifically, must always be mounted vertically – with the flow of people passing beneath the camera in a vertical, up-and-down direction – and the width of the passageway beneath should be set as the camera’s counting width. It sounds simple, but all cameras must also be installed firmly, in a stable location (ideally, directly on a wall or a ceiling), to avoid errors caused by shaking.
2. Ambient conditions: The local environment is also very important: avoid installing devices in hot or changeable conditions. Always choose indoor environments with calm air and consistent temperature, and then you’ll get the optimal results. For thermal cameras especially, avoid installation in semi-open locations that may be prone to changes in temperature, such as doorways.
Local lighting is also very important. There should be enough stable, visible light, but no direct sunlight in front of the camera. In addition, try as far as possible to avoid backlighting, high temperature targets, and reflections in the field of view.
3. The detection area: A key part of the installation process is determining how people will move into view of the cameras. When installing Hikvision cameras, our expert technicians often advise our clients to use a rope or barriers to set out a specific route that people should follow. This route must go in one direction and be in clear view of the cameras, to ensure they capture the full faces of everyone passing or stopping by.
For flow control cameras, the installer must make sure the detection area is flat: no uneven ground, slopes or steps. And for all devices, avoid obstacles in the field of view (even transparent ones such as glass doors) as this can block the camera.
4. Device start-up and usage: Assuming your cameras are installed in a perfect location with ideal ambient conditions and no obstacles in view, there are still some key rules to observe after you switch them on.
When using temperature screening devices, the preheating phase is very important. We advise all those using Hikvision thermal cameras to wait at least 90 minutes after initial start-up for the device to preheat, to ensure an accurate thermal reading. Equally, you need to give your visitors some cooling time! Before conducting a thermal scan, give people three to five minutes to allow their body temperature to stabilize.
While Hikvision cameras can offer efficient group screening, we do advise our clients to screen individuals one at a time for optimal results. When using the MinMoe terminal, this is essential: people must stand at a fixed distance, pass one by one, make a short stop, and face directly to the camera for an accurate reading.”
Click here to read the original article.
Not sure which video technology is the best solution for your SMB? Worried about installing it incorrectly? Leave it to the professionals!
Are you interested in learning more about integrating video surveillance into your return-to-work strategy? Call the IT experts at Computers Nationwide to find the right solution for your workplace and begin the installation process: (847) 419-9900
Read our recent blogs to learn more about video technology for back-to-business solutions:
-
Selecting the Best Temperature Screening System for Your Organization
-
GeoVision Introduces a Touchless Access Control Solution
-
Fighting COVID-19 with Temperature Screening Technology
-
Business Security Cameras are Preventing the Spread of COVID-19
-
Video Surveillance Helps Businesses Reopen with Temperature Screenings
*Hikvision’s temperature screening products are designed for the detection of skin-surface temperatures so as to achieve rapid preliminary screening in public areas. Actual core body temperatures should be further confirmed using clinical measurement devices. Under any circumstances, it is highly recommended to use Hikvision’s temperature screening products in accordance with local laws and regulations.
