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 Dupage County, 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 -Dupage-County, IL 

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:

We’ve all seen professional security camera systems on sale online and at the big retailers. Systems with 10+ IP cameras on sale for less than 5K on Amazon or other large online retail databases.

And if you haven’t seen these systems, don’t go looking them up unless you are looking to install them at home – and even then, we’d suggest doing so with caution.

It is understandable that you might be tempted to purchase one and install it at the office. There are so many tempting options to choose from like wide angle, thermal, wired, wireless, smart, CCTV and also voice integrated cameras.

But while the price tag associated with these systems appeals to you, there are some big things to consider and reasons that these systems appear “too good to be true”.

Let’s dive in . . .

In some cases, you don’t really know where a professional security camera systems come from and if they might be infected.

Over the last few years, cyber criminals and hackers have gotten very creative in new ways to infiltrate your life and business.

There have been numerous incidents of professional security cameras purchased online preloaded with malware. This malware can be used to hack into a system and see what is going on in the business or even at your home.

That is some seriously creepy and scary stuff!

Even worse, since most of the systems sold online are IP based, they are connected to your network. If you install an infected system that is like giving a hacker or cybercriminal the keys to your server and saying, “have at it”.

A professional camera system purchased online probably won’t have the same warranty or manufacturer guarantees.

While an upfront investment in a professional camera system will surely be larger, you are also purchasing professional installation and in most cases a product with a professional quality warrantee as well.

For example, Andromeda is partnered with Honeywell and when we install a professional camera system for you it comes with a 60 day satisfaction guarantee (meaning we will come back to make minor adjustments if you find that your view is off or a piece of equipment is faulty), and a 3 year manufacturer warranty.

You are also offered a service agreement that includes all maintenance, cleaning, updating and any equipment swaps. This type of regular maintenance leads to a longer lasting and better functioning system all around.

When you buy a system online . . . you’re the one stuck installing it.

Now, we aren’t questioning whether you are handy or capable of doing it yourself, but installing professional security cameras can be a pretty big job.

Depending on what type, there may be wiring required, a power supply must be available, you have to mount the equipment, and you may need to program the system and many other details.

Andromeda staffs professional engineers and service technicians to take care of this for you and when it comes to your business, you want to have the peace of mind that comes with knowing things were properly installed.

On top of installation itself, the systems sold online are often manufactured by little known brands overseas. This means that if something goes wrong you are often on your own. Local service companies and professionals won’t be able to come out and trouble shoot for you.

With a lack of service available, the lifetime of your equipment tends to be much shorter than professional alternatives.

We understand that a camera system and installation may seem like a pretty big expense, but as with many other technologies and services, you want to make sure you aren’t putting good money into a bad solution.

You may save up front, but the risk of much larger costs down the line simply doesn’t outweigh the benefit.

The post 3 Reasons Not To Buy Professional Security Cameras Online appeared first on Andromeda Technology Solutions.

It’s that time of year again (finally)! Warm weather has returned to the Midwest and the snow has melted for good. Time to open the windows, let in the fresh air and get some spring cleaning done. It’s also a great time to tackle some annual security camera maintenance on your CCTV camera system.

Regular security camera maintenance and upkeep is a great way to make sure that your cameras are functioning properly this year and for many years to come.

So what do you want to make sure and check up on, clean or even adjust during your security camera spring cleanup?

Check out the CCTV Security Camera Maintenance checklist below:

Camera & Camera Mounting Equipment or Housing

1. Check the camera and camera lens for damage
   1. Is there any damage? Dings, Scratches or even cracks in lenses?
2. Check camera field of view
3. Is the camera monitoring the field of view you desire?
4. Clean camera, lens and mounting equipment
5. Dust camera lenses
6. If camera is enclosed inside of a dome or other housing, make sure to clean the enclosure and dry it fully

Wiring/Cabling

1. Visually check any exposed wiring
   1. Is there any wearing?
   2. All cables are firmly connected?
   3. All cable dressings are intact?
   4. All necessary insulation is still intact?
2. If you suspect any wiring issues – contact your CCTV Camera support company for maintenance

Recording Equipment

1. Viewing Permissions Audit
   1. Do all necessary personnel have access to remote viewing software on their PC, tablets or smartphones?
   2. Are there any personnel or devices that need to be disabled from remote viewing?
2. Confirm cameras are recording
   1. Are all cameras showing up on your recorder?
   2. Are cameras recording properly?
3. Check/Update Storage
   1. How much storage do you have for recordings? Do you need more?
4. Confirm Backups
5. Make sure viewing software and equipment are up to date
   1. If you are backing up your footage (we recommend it), test your backups to confirm they are functioning properly.

Ideally, we would suggest that you go through this security camera maintenance checklist quarterly. Far better to regularly check these things than to find that a camera, wire or other piece of equipment has been faulty for months and months. Additionally, today’s systems have updates and patches to their software that are important to maintain.

Andromeda can help you manage this process with ongoing security camera maintenance packages or regularly scheduled visits.

If you’d like to schedule some spring cleaning or get in touch with our team regarding your Security Camera needs you can call our office at (815) 836-0030 or email our team at Contact@WeNetwork.com.

Even Sweeter: Fill out the form below to get 10% OFF for a camera maintenance visit (if booked before 4/30/2019)!

The post SPRING CLEANING FOR YOUR CCTV CAMERAS! HERE’S YOUR ANNUAL SECURITY CAMERA MAINTENANCE CHECKLIST appeared first on Andromeda Technology Solutions.

Do you own a MacBook Pro, purchased between 2016 and 2017? Has the battery been acting up and refusing to hold a charge beyond 1 percent? If you've ruled out issues with the charger, you should know that Apple recently published a new support document outlining this very issue. While it only affects a tiny percentage of MacBook Pro users, if you're one of them, you may be able to get it fixed free of charge.

Based on the support document, the following are impacted:

• MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, two Thunderbolt 3 ports)
• MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, two Thunderbolt 3 ports)
• MacBook Pro (13�-inch, 2016, four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
• MacBook Pro (13-�inch, 2017, four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
• MacBook Pro (15-�inch, 2016)
• MacBook Pro (15�-inch, 2017)

If you're using macOS Big Sur, you can check your battery via the Apple menu, located in the top left-hand corner of the screen. Go to System Preferences, click 'Battery,' and then click on 'Battery Health.'

On the other hand, if you're using macOS Catalina or earlier, press and hold the 'Option' key and click the battery icon in the menu bar to show the battery status menu.

Either way, if you see the words "Service Recommended" then you know what to do. Get your machine to the nearest Apple service center and you're almost certainly on track for a free battery replacement.

If your battery is currently okay, then make sure you update to macOS Big Sur 11.2.1 or macOS Catalina 10.15.7. Both of those contain software upgrades that will keep the issue from happening in the first place.

Kudos to Apple to moving swiftly and correcting an issue like this. There are a number of big tech companies that would have handled the issue differently. After all, it only impacts a tiny slice of the company's massive user base, so there wasn't much incentive for them to make it a big priority. They chose to anyway, and that says good things about the company and the brand.

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