Did you know that the average salary of a security guard in Canada is $17 per hour! Imagine an auto dealership paying $33,150 annually on security and waking up to stolen cars and auto parts!
Businesses across Canada are now shifting to remote video surveillance as a security guard alternative to dealerships’ security issues. Remote operators spring into action with sirens, lights, and voice interventions before incidents escalate.
This proactive detection and swift action provide comprehensive security to auto dealerships. Because advanced AI analytics swiftly detect intrusions, smoke, and loiterers before any harm is escalated.
Don’t worry. We are here to help you make sense of all this information. In this article, we’ll focus on how remote video monitoring is an alternative to security guards. We will also discuss the features and benefits of remote monitoring.
After reading, you’ll know which best suits your auto dealership security needs!
Ready? Let’s go.
Evaluation of pros and cons of security guards at auto dealerships:
Pros of hiring security guards:
- Powerful deterrence.
- Medical emergencies requiring swift human intervention.
Cons of hiring security guards:
- Expensive.
- High turnover.
- Limited surveillance coverage.
- Risk of human error
Challenges faced by auto dealerships due to security guards:
Hiring security guards is expensive.
Valuable inventory and high dollar transactions take place at auto dealerships but employing security guards proves to be even more expensive.
It’s not just about salaries! Consider the lost security equipment, uniform maintenance, and sick days. Above all, training costs are the most significant. This includes extensive training in crisis management, emergency response, conflict resolution, and more!
- Related: What’s the Best Way to Protect a Business: Security Guards or Remote Video Surveillance?
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Immediate response constraints.
Guards often encounter difficulties in promptly reacting to security incidents, particularly when positioned far from the incident’s location.
Detecting specific scenarios, like recognizing unusual activities and assessing their significance, can demand considerable time.
Their response strategy might involve moving closer to the situation or working together with teammates to manage it effectively.
Risk of human error.
The surveillance offered by security guards is sometimes limited by human innate needs such as hunger or tiredness.
The inability to provide extended surveillance hours is the largest security challenge faced by security guards. They face monotony and boredom.
Sometimes, due to personal problems or emotional stress, they may be unable to perform up to the mark. This results in errors in judgment, attention lapses, or misinterpretations of situations.
High turnover of security guards.
Security guards usually work on contracts. When these contracts end, they often leave the company.
They might leave for better jobs and pay, or sometimes suddenly, leaving you short-staffed.
Then, you have to train new people, if you can find anyone, given the current shortage of workers.
Limited surveillance coverage.
Auto dealerships are extensive, and the transition between different areas may consume a significant amount of time, leaving the previous region unmonitored.
A security gap can happen during breaks and shift changes, presenting an opportunity for criminals to exploit or plan illicit activities.
Pros of a security guards at your auto dealership:
Deterrence.
There is no doubt that a security guard patrolling acts as a visual deterrent for potential criminals. Small thieves may think twice before making a move on the dealership, especially when an armed security guard is on patrol!
In addition to vehicles, auto dealerships often have valuable equipment and infrastructure. Security guards help protect these assets from theft, vandalism, and other forms of damage.
Medical emergencies requiring swift physical intervention.
Medical emergencies sometimes require physical presence such as in the event of an accident on the dealership lot.
A security guard is trained to respond quickly, providing initial aid, managing the situation, and calling medical assistance if necessary.
Specifically during special events or promotions, a security guard helps maintain order and control crowds, preventing potential conflicts among customers and ensuring a safe environment.
Innovative auto dealership security solutions beyond traditional guards:
Remote video monitoring is an automotive dealership security guard alternative! This innovative security solution can proactively detect and quickly act on security threats.
The criminals are getting smart, targeting not only luxury cars but just about any car they can get their hands on.
Then what? Once they steal, they don’t always resell it. They just open the car and sell every part for double the price, whether it’s the catalytic converter, batteries, mirrors- anything!! According to Staebler insurance, there is less than 50 % chance you get your car back!!
A top-notch remote video monitoring center offers a suite of solutions to tackle not only theft but also vandalism, and other adverse events at car dealerships.
You may wonder now how they do it? Let’s find out!
How remote video surveillance secures auto dealerships?
Remote video surveillance uses CCTV security cameras that are topped up with AI-driven object detection that immediately detect intrusions.
These CCTV surveillance cameras are placed at all strategic locations:
- Around the perimeter.
- In the parking lot.
- Inside the dealership.
Activation of alarms upon AI detection of intrusions.
As soon as the camera AI detects an intrusion by a vehicle or an individual on the dealership’s protected property, the alarm is triggered at the remote live video monitoring center where the devices are connected.
Rapid reaction of operators at the central monitoring center.
The remote operators spring into action. First, they access live video feeds and assess the situation.
Proactive intervention techniques.
Upon confirmation of the intrusion, they follow the standard procedures established by the dealership which could include performing voice interventions to prompt the intruder to leave the premises, calling the police, or dispatching on-site security agents.
This quick detection and prompt action stops crime and criminals before the situation escalates.
If you’re still here, we recommend a good read – our latest blog provides comprehensive details on securing your auto dealership in 2024. It guides you on how to assess security needs and explores a suite of advanced AI security solutions customized for auto dealerships.
By now, you must have understood the following main points:
Main points:
- Security guards face challenges in responding immediately, especially when stationed at a distance from the incident. Remote operators swiftly respond to incidents triggered by AI analytics.
- Security guards offer limited surveillance coverage during transitions, breaks, or shift changes. Remote monitoring offers comprehensive coverage with AI-driven analytics, reducing the likelihood of security gaps.
- Security guard’s high operational costs, including salaries, training, and equipment, contribute to financial strain. Remote monitoring benefits outweigh its cost, granted the thorough security it provides and potential time and money it will save you in the future.
Ready to boost your dealership's security?
When you explore our summaries on the advantages of remote monitoring for your auto dealership, we believe you’ll see even more value. Let’s take a closer look:
Benefits of remote video surveillance for automotive dealership
- Video analytics and human intelligence.
- Professional way of dealing with security issues.
- Lower insurance claims.
- Highly trained remote operators.
- The highest possible level of security.
Video analytics and human intelligence:
Advanced video analytics has made the detection of security breaches at auto dealerships easier. These video analytics enable security cameras to understand and interpret what they see, transforming traditional cameras into “smart” devices.
It enables the cameras to scan the live video feeds for security breaches and trigger an alarm.
Then, the human intelligence of remote operators checks the situation by viewing all the cameras to confirm the alarms.
This enhances the integrity of the alarms triggered and also saves you from false alarm penalties.
Professional way of dealing with security issues:
When a security breach is detected, a security guard may face havoc. Despite their training, each scenario is completely different and may require instant attention. They may lack complete information about the situation.
As opposed to this, suppose the camera AI notices someone trying to jump over the gate. The strobe light and sirens may serve as a deterrent once the alarm is set off.
To have a comprehensive picture of who entered, what transpired, and how many people were there, the remote operators quickly access all of the cameras. They can then swiftly intervene with audio interventions.
These audio talk-downs are sufficient to deter would-be offenders. Otherwise, the remote operators carry out preset SOPs such as calling the required emergency person, or the local authorities.
Lower insurance claims:
According to the Equite Association report, thieves stole 2689 Honda CRVs from Quebec and 2684 from Ontario. Insurance rates have a direct impact on car dealerships in these high-risk areas because auto thefts contribute to higher premiums for everyone.
If car dealerships use remote video monitoring to protect their premises, there’s a possibility of reducing insurance costs.
Indeed, this security approach has proven to be one of the best to minimize theft, vandalism, and other crimes. Therefore, car dealerships equipped with remote video monitoring often can get insurance premium reduction.
Related: What were the most stolen vehicles in Canada 2023?
Related: Top 10 ways to prevent motor vehicle theft in Canada in 2024.
Quick detection of criminals:
Criminals and thieves are knowledgeable about various techniques used in the market to steal auto parts and break into cars. They use relay attacks to hack into car systems and unlock vehicles without requiring keys.
Remote monitoring acts as a preventive measure by identifying these loiterers before they attempt any criminal activity. When individuals linger around the auto dealership premises for extended periods, the camera’s AI detects their attempt to break in and triggers an alarm.
The highest possible level of security:
A report by MyChoice shocks us by revealing that 5,990 searches on Google.ca were related to breaking into cars and car theft in the first quarter of 2023, a 27% increase since 2020.
So buckle up for a higher level of security!
The rapid identification of intruders or unauthorized individuals around the auto dealership’s perimeter is made possible through the seamless integration of artificial intelligence and remote video monitoring.
Additionally, as the video feeds are stored in cloud storage, you can conveniently access these feeds from your mobile device from anywhere and use saved footage to help police investigation.
Comparison of security guards vs remote video monitoring
| Aspect | Security Guards | Remote Video Monitoring |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Expensive, with high ongoing operational expenses | Initial installation cost, monthly expenses |
| Deterrence | Strong visual deterrent, especially with a patrolling guard | Swift response with sirens, lights, and interventions |
| Surveillance Coverage | Limited surveillance during transitions, breaks, or shift changes | Comprehensive coverage with AI-driven analytics |
| Response Time | Challenges in immediate response, especially at a distance | Swift response to AI-triggered incidents |
| Human Error | Prone to errors due to innate needs and distractions | Enhanced by AI analytics, minimizing false alarms |
| Turnover | High turnover with contract-based employment | Stable, with continuous monitoring capabilities |
| Emergency Response | Trained for physical presence during medical emergencies | Swift intervention with AI detection and alarms |
| Insurance Claims | Potential for higher claims due to limited surveillance | Reduced claims with efficient detection and response |
| Level of Security | Standard deterrence and response | Advanced technologies for proactive threat identification |
Conclusion:
Remote monitoring offers a cost-effective alternative to security guards by addressing factors such as better surveillance coverage and quick response time. Essentially, remote video monitoring offers a comprehensive security solution for your dealership.
The CCTV cameras, equipped with advanced AI capabilities, swiftly identify security threats and suspicious activities, preventing their escalation.
Remote video monitoring is advanced AI along with human confirmation, which in turn boosts the overall level of security.
Contact us for a customized security solution for your dealership.
