Beyond Surveillance, Turning Cameras Into Business Intelligence | (2/5)
By Ryan O’Donnell & Sadie Stiles
Your Cameras Are Smarter Than You Think
When most people think of surveillance cameras, they imagine theft prevention and basic video recording. But today’s security systems, especially when integrated with other business tools, have the power to do so much more.
At Chimera, we help retailers transform their camera systems into powerful business intelligence tools. Instead of being just a security measure, cameras become part of your decision-making process, giving you real-time insights that can improve operations, boost sales, and streamline staffing.
From Watchdog to Analyst, How Cameras Power Better Decisions
Modern camera systems do far more than record footage. They track movement, measure foot traffic, identify patterns, and can even learn what "normal" looks like inside your store.
Ryan O’Donnell summed it up perfectly:
“What if I could utilize that camera to provide you with an entry count... Now, you can compare that to register data and know what your conversion rates are.”
When connected to your point-of-sale system, your surveillance setup turns into a dynamic business tool. You get answers to important questions like: Are we converting walk-ins to sales? Are certain times of day more profitable? Where do we lose people in the shopping experience?
Real-Time Alerts Help You Stay Ahead
Traditional security systems focus on watching what already happened. Today’s smart systems tell you when something is going wrong, while it’s happening.
If someone lingers near an emergency exit, if a customer waits too long at a service counter, or if a shelf stays empty for too long, your system can alert you immediately. These notifications help you fix problems before they impact safety, satisfaction, or your bottom line.
Ryan explained it like this:
“If someone’s dwelling for more than 30 seconds, maybe we can integrate it with a light that turns on, or trigger an alert to staff.”
This kind of real-time response turns passive cameras into active team members that help you run a more responsive, service-oriented store.
From Data to Action, Making Smarter Moves
We use analytics to solve real-world problems. We want to know how your store works, and then help you make it work better.
Smart camera systems can tell you:
Where customers gather and how long they stay
Whether staff are engaging with customers
Where bottlenecks happen on the sales floor
Which displays are drawing attention and which are being ignored
These insights let you optimize store layout, improve team performance, and enhance the overall customer experience. And because the data comes from your existing security infrastructure, you're getting more value without needing new tools.
Conclusion: Cameras That Work Smarter So You Can Too
Surveillance used to be about looking back. Today, it’s about looking ahead. With the right tools and integrations, your cameras become one of your most valuable business assets.
At Chimera, we don’t just help you record what’s happening. We help you understand why it’s happening, what to do about it, and how to make better choices moving forward.
If you’re ready to start using your cameras for more than just security, we’d love to show you how.
