Retail Store Security Equipment
Here is a list of security equipment designed to limit access to restricted areas.

Wire Partitions and Security Cages
If you have a separate unit or storage area for inventory, this may be secured with security cages and wire partitions. Generally, these are used for properties with complete or partial outdoor areas.

Folding Security Gates
An ordinary door can be easily broken so you need to fortify it with additional barriers. Consider, for instance, the use of folding security gates.

The next set of security equipment you need is those that may deter pilferage, theft, and vandalism without the use of surveillance systems. That’s a different category altogether and shall be discussed later.

Security Mirrors
Attach these above locations leading into hallways, around corners, and those that aren’t completely visible from your location. Security mirrors come in a variety of shapes and sizes and come with vandal-proof designs.
Locks

Normally, nothing would beat the security of locks. Compared to all security tools, locks are one of the most affordable. Buy the best you can get your hands on. The bigger and thicker they are the better as they can’t be broken with a few thuds from a hammer.

Last, we come to security equipment that offers surveillance for remote and real-time monitoring and immediate detection of threat.

Security Cameras
There is a wide variety of security cameras sold today and each and every one of them serves a special purpose. Pinhole cameras are smaller than most security cameras, allowing you to hide them inside other objects like tissue boxes and stuffed toys. Of course, many of these are sold with predesigned casings for covert use such as cameras hidden in soda cans, air purifiers, and even desktop speakers.

Outdoor cameras are more expensive than indoor cameras because of their weatherproof design. This will allow them to continue recording footage even during snow and rainstorms.

Motion-Detecting Sensors
If incorporated with your security system, motion detecting sensors will trigger cameras into zooming to the area where movement has been detected. You can also have your security floodlights activated when your sensors detect movement. It all depends on your configuration.

Monitor and DVR
Finally, and this will depend on your security system, you can use a single monitor and have its screens divided according to the number of areas under surveillance, consequently allowing simultaneous surveillance.

Mind the Store Layout
Security should always be taken into utmost consideration when you are designing the layout of your store. Display counters must be as far away as possible from the main entry and exit points of the store. The distance between these two points is equivalent to the time you can buy for yourself in order to apprehend the thief or other necessary courses of action.

Never put the cash register or booth in a location that will have you facing away from the door. You must always see people coming in and going out of the store because their appearance and movement might alert you ahead of time regarding potential trouble.

Secure Entry and Exit Points
During operating hours, do ensure that your entry and exit points lead through metal detecting archways. This will discourage potential thieves from carrying the usual array of weapons with them. At night, these must be additionally secured with alarms that are connected to your security insurance provider or local police station.

Surveillance Systems
Your jewelry store will be more secure if it is armed with a surveillance system. Surveillance cameras with motion detecting sensors and floodlights must be installed not only within the store premises but outside as well to detect possible signs of trouble. The best locations for your cameras are those that can get a bird’s eye view of the area without being easily reachable and prone to attacks of vandalism.

Surveillance cameras must allow for remote control or operation as well as web-based access. It must also be connected to a DVR system for remote monitoring. The best DVR systems will have sufficient disk space for your needs and save files in formats that are easily playable in your desk PC or laptop.

Manned Security
While automated security equipment is undeniably helpful, it is never a sufficient replacement for manned security. Always have your business guarded by professional and experienced security personnel.

Access Restriction
First and foremost, make it a strict store policy to keep all jewelry display cases locked. If you are taking out a sample for a client’s perusal, be sure to lock the display case immediately. It’s a cumbersome process but it could save you thousands of dollars in terms of theft and loss.

Selecting the Best Professional for Surveillance Equipment Maintenance
You need someone that can be trusted to make a professional evaluation of your surveillance equipment and perform a regular maintenance check from thereon. Such professional usually has a background in law enforcement or in the security industry. If you find professionals who can offer both then so much the better!

Ask the System Manufacturers
Usually, the most reliable professional to perform a surveillance equipment maintenance check on your system will be the guys who are sent by the system manufacturer themselves. This, however, may cost you quite some money and, depending on where you are currently located, it may take the company a bit of time before they can out their crew to your area.

Consider Years of Experience
If you do not have the time to wait for the service crew from your system manufacturer then you’ll have to rely on a third party service provider instead. The first thing you should consider is the number of years they’ve been in business. Avoid dealing with little-known and not-so-reputable companies. Remember, this is the security system of your home that you’re asking them to check. If you allow untrustworthy individuals to access your system, you might as well have given them leave to target your home for robbery or other undesirable crimes.

Also, please consider the relevance of their experience. Yes, they’re in the security business but have they had experience performing security system checks? More specifically, do they have expert knowledge of the exact type of surveillance equipment you are using at home?

Check with the Better Business Bureau
One of the ways to ensure that you are dealing with a legitimate company is to contact the Better Business Bureau.  Look for one that hasn’t been a target of criticism and suspected of malpractice.

Factor In Rates and Extra Services
If there is a wide array of companies to choose from, then of course, go with the company that offers you the most comprehensive array of services for the best rates! Remember, system checks must be done constantly so it’s best to stick with a company that you can afford to hire long-term.

DIY Surveillance Equipment Maintenance Check
If you want to maintain your surveillance equipment all by yourself, that won’t be a problem if you have the know-hows. You need to make sure, however, that you remain methodical and thorough with your job.

Switchboard Checking
All surveillance systems have main switchboards or control panels. You need to check that every switch and button on it works. If you don’t recall the function of a particular button, get your manual out or call the customer support department of your system manufacturer.

Batteries
Always check both your main and backup battery supply. Backup batteries, whether used regularly or not, must be replaced at least every five years. As for your main batteries, just make sure that they are still responding quickly and able to perform at optimum level. If there has been any rewiring done in the past, be sure to double check that your batteries are still plugged at the appropriate voltage.

Alarms
It is high time to activate your surveillance system and see if every alarm is working. But before doing this, you might want to inform your neighbors about your plans. That way, they’ll know they won’t have anything to worry about when they hear your surveillance system blare out an alarm nonstop. Also, it’s good practice to inform them about the expected noise you’ll create with your system maintenance check.

Sensors
Sensors should be maintained the way alarms should be. Check if every sensor is working and if it’s still able to operate at its designated range. See if it works at every possible location within the specified area it’s supposed to monitor.

Camera Cleaning
Your surveillance system’s lenses must be cleaned daily with proper the right materials or tools. Avoid using any abrasive fabric. Test its camera and video-recording function and double check the quality of its photos and videos. If the camera can change viewing angles, be sure to test that, too. Lastly, check how much disk space you have remaining. Is it time to buy an external memory card or perhaps you’d like to transfer recorded data to another storage device?

Wireless or Remote Control
Finally, always check if the remote or wireless control is properly functioning. Again, double-check the range and make sure it’s still working up to its maximum distance.

Maintenance checks will not take more than an hour of your time. If you perform them weekly, you can be sure that your surveillance system will remain to be your toughest bodyguard!

Where Will You Use It?
As surveillance systems differ depending on whether you’re going to use them for indoor and outdoor use, it’s important to determine where you plan to have it operating. Surveillance systems for indoor use are usually a bit more affordable, but if you want complete protection then you should consider investing in an outdoor surveillance system. With an outdoor surveillance system, burglars, vandals, and criminals in general may be apprehended even before they can start scaling your walls or gates.

When shopping for outdoor surveillance systems, be sure that all equipment comes with weatherproof and shockproof casing.

Daytime or Nighttime?
Surveillance systems also differ according to time of use. The basic difference lies in its surveillance camera; day cameras can take pictures in color while night cameras can only take black and white photos with the use of infrared technology.

Today, homeowners can avail of using a single surveillance system for daytime and night use. Cameras will automatically switch to IR lighting when light levels in the monitored area, artificial or natural, have diminished. Light-sensing floodlights outdoors will also automatically switch on and off for the same reason.

Recording Options
Complete surveillance systems are also now available in a wide variety of recording options when it comes to the image or video format and storage locations. The best systems are those using files that are immediately playable in PCs and DVD players as well as having built-in and external memories for increased storage capacity.

Control Options
These surveillance systems must offer you at least three types of control. All equipment used should allow direct, physical operation or through a main control panel. Remote control and operation must also be provided with an IP-based system. With the latter, you will be given login details and a URL to visit in order to view past and real-time footages from your surveillance system.

What Components of a Surveillance System to Check
A complete surveillance system will have all of the equipment listed below.

Alarms
These should be attached to your doors, windows, and all other possible entry points to your home, whether located within or outside it. Motion sensing alarms must also be used as a deterrent.

Cameras
There must be an adequate number of them to capture every essential angle. Hidden and decoy cameras must also be used.

Lights
Motion-sensing floodlights must be used outdoors. They must also be used inside and configured to operate when any alarm inside the house has been triggered.