STEP 1 — Identify the Customer’s Security Needs
Ask the customer these questions:
- Property type
- Home
- Apartment
- Small business
- Warehouse
- Restaurant
- Office building
- Coverage areas
- Front door
- Back yard
- Driveway
- Side gates
- Parking lot
- Office interior
- Warehouse aisles
- Cash register or POS area
- Main concerns
- Theft prevention
- Break ins
- Vandalism
- Employee monitoring
- Package theft
- Nighttime coverage
- Vehicle monitoring
- Special requirements
- Audio recording
- License plate clarity
- Long distance views
- Color night vision
- Wireless cameras
- Remote access
- Motion alerts
STEP 2 — Choose Between DVR or NVR
Choose NVR if the customer wants:
- Higher video quality
- Remote access
- Audio capability
- Color night vision
- Easy future expansion
Choose DVR if the customer has:
- Existing coaxial cables
- A very limited budget
- Basic video needs and no advanced features required
STEP 3 — Recommend Camera Quantity and Type
General guidelines:
Homes
- 4 to 6 cameras: front door, garage, driveway, backyard, side gate
- 2K or 4K resolution recommended
- PoE NVR system preferred if the budget allows
Small Business
- 6 to 8 cameras: entrances, cash register area, back door, parking area
- 4K resolution recommended
- NVR system with PoE for reliability
Warehouse or Large Commercial Property
- 8 to 16 cameras depending on size
- Combination of bullet cameras for distance and dome or turret cameras indoors
- Consider varifocal lenses for adjustable zoom
- 4K resolution or higher
- Use a 16 channel NVR for future expansion
STEP 4 — Match the System to the Customer’s Budget
Low Budget (500 to 900 dollars)
Recommended Setup:
- Basic DVR system with 4 to 6 analog cameras
- 1080p to 2K video quality
- Limited smart features
- Suitable for basic home protection
Medium Budget (900 to 1800 dollars)
Recommended Setup:
- NVR system with 4 to 8 IP cameras
- 4K resolution
- Remote access
- Color night vision
- Optional audio on one or two cameras
High Budget (1800 to 4000 dollars or more)
Recommended Setup:
- NVR system with 8 to 16 cameras
- Mixed lenses for long distance and wide angle coverage
- AI motion detection if needed
- License plate capture cameras for entrances
- Larger storage capacity such as 6TB to 12TB
- UPS battery backup for power protection
Quick Decision Guide
- If high video quality is important, choose NVR
- If lowest price is required, choose DVR
- If future expansion is important, choose NVR
- If the customer already has coax cables, choose DVR
- If remote access is needed, choose NVR or a DVR with network support
- If audio is needed, NVR is the best option