For years, a burglar alarm was the standard way to protect a business after hours. Today, more owners are switching to, or adding, live remote video monitoring. Both have a place, but they work in very different ways. This guide compares them so you can choose the right protection for your property.
How a traditional alarm system works
A traditional alarm uses door and window contacts, glass-break sensors and indoor motion detectors. When a sensor is triggered, a siren sounds and an alarm company receives a signal. They will usually try to call you or your keyholders.
The weakness is timing and information. The alarm only triggers after someone has already broken in, and the alarm company often has no way to see what is actually happening.
How live remote video monitoring works
With live video monitoring, cameras watch the outside of your property, including fences, gates, parking areas and entrances. AI analytics detect people and vehicles, and a trained agent views the live video within seconds.
If the threat is real, the agent alerts you instantly with video of exactly what is happening, often before the intruder reaches a door.
Side by side comparison
- When it detects: alarms detect entry; video monitoring can detect people at the perimeter before entry.
- Verification: alarms are usually unverified; video monitoring is verified by a person watching live.
- Response: alarms rely on a siren; video monitoring puts a real person on the case who alerts you with live video.
- What you are told: an alarm tells you a zone was triggered; video monitoring shows you who is there and what they are doing.
- Outdoor areas: alarms rarely protect open yards, lots and sites; cameras are built for them.
- Evidence: alarms provide a log entry; video monitoring provides clips and an incident report.
The false alarm problem
Traditional alarms are known for false alarms caused by staff errors, pets, drafts, faulty sensors and weather. Every false alarm wastes time, and frequent ones can lead to fines in some areas and to people simply ignoring the alarm.
Live video monitoring reduces this problem because every event is checked by a human before anyone is contacted. If it is a cat, a plastic bag or a delivery driver, there is no need to wake you up.
Which properties benefit most from video monitoring?
- Construction sites with open perimeters and no building to alarm
- Car dealerships with valuable vehicles parked outside
- Warehouses and truck yards with large outdoor areas
- Parking lots, self-storage and remote sites
- Any business that has had repeated break-ins or vandalism
Can you use both together?
Yes, and many businesses do. The alarm protects the inside of the building, while live video monitoring protects the outside and stops intruders before they reach the door. Together they give layered protection and much better information when something happens.
Frequently asked questions
Is video monitoring better than an alarm system?
For outdoor areas and for stopping crime before entry, yes. Alarms are still useful inside buildings, so many businesses combine both.
Will video monitoring cause fewer false alarms?
Yes. AI analytics filter out most non-human motion, and a person verifies every event before you are contacted.
Can I keep my current alarm and add monitoring?
Yes. Live video monitoring works alongside your existing alarm and usually with your existing cameras.
Upgrade from reactive to proactive security
If your alarm only tells you about a break-in after the damage is done, it may be time to add eyes on your cameras. Get a free quote from TSX Monitoring and see how live monitoring would work for your property.
