Business security questions, answered plainly
Short answers to the questions we hear on site walks. Each one links to a longer article when there is one. Can’t find yours? Ask at the bottom and we’ll answer it here.
Price
What does a security system cost?
Cameras from $1,775, alarms from $2,150, door access from $4,400, monitoring from $32 a month, installed in southern Manitoba. All starting prices and what moves them are on the pricing page. See the pricing page.
Security cameras
Can I watch my cameras from my phone?
Yes. Live and recorded video, anywhere with a connection.
How many cameras does a small business need?
Usually four to eight: one per way in, one over the till or office, one over the yard or lot. Placement matters more than count. Full answer: How many security cameras does a small business need?
Should I record on site or in the cloud?
On site if you want no monthly fee and the recorder is somewhere safe. Cloud if the footage must survive a break-in or you have several sites. Some use both. Full answer: Should I record on site or in the cloud?
How long is footage kept?
Typically two to four weeks on site. Cloud plans vary. We set it to what you need.
Do security cameras work in Manitoba winters?
Yes. Rated outdoor cameras run well below minus 40. The cable entry, the housing, and the power supply matter more than the camera, and we choose all three for our climate. Full answer: Why do security cameras fail in Manitoba winters?
Can cameras read licence plates?
Yes, with a camera set up for it at the gate or lot entrance. A general-view camera usually can’t. Full answer: What's the best security camera setup for a shop with a yard?
Can cameras tell a person from an animal?
Yes. Modern cameras flag people and vehicles so you’re not woken by a raccoon.
Do you work with the cameras I already have?
Often. Show us what you’ve got and we’ll tell you what can stay.
Is a store-bought kit good enough?
Sometimes, for one door or a small space you check yourself. For a yard, several entries, or footage you may need to hand to police or an insurer, a designed system holds up better. If a kit would do, we’ll say so. Full answer: Is an installed security system worth it over a store-bought kit?
Do security cameras deter theft?
Visible cameras deter opportunists and give you evidence on everyone else. Placement and alerts do more than camera count. Full answer: Do security cameras actually deter theft?
Alarms
Do I need alarm monitoring, or just alerts to my phone?
Either works. Alerts to your phone if someone on your team will always answer at 3 a.m. Monitoring if they won’t. You can start with one and add the other. Full answer: Do I need alarm monitoring, or just alerts to my phone?
Will the police come when my alarm goes off?
A monitoring operator can ask for police. How they respond depends on your local police service and whether there’s a verified alarm. Ask them how they handle alarm calls.
Do I need a permit for an alarm system?
Some municipalities require alarm permits, monitored or not. We check your town’s rules and handle the paperwork where required.
Does a business alarm need a phone line?
No. Most use the internet, a cellular connection, or both.
Can I add to an alarm later?
Yes. We size the panel so it has room.
Why do business alarms get ignored?
Too many false alerts going to one person who stopped looking. Fewer, better alerts to more than one person fixes it. Full answer: Why do business alarms get ignored?
Door access control
What happens when an employee leaves?
You remove their credential in minutes. No rekeying, no wondering who still has a key. Full answer: What happens to your keys when an employee leaves?
Can I use my phone instead of a fob?
Yes. We install systems that take fobs, cards, or phone credentials. Full answer: Fob, card, or phone: which door credential should a business use?
Can people still get out in an emergency?
Yes. Access control governs who comes in. Exit doors must always open from inside, and the hardware is chosen to make sure they do.
Can I give a contractor or cleaner access for one week only?
Yes. Credentials can be limited to days and hours and set to expire.
Can I keep my existing locks?
Sometimes. It depends on the door and the lock. We check on the site walk.
What does it cost to replace a lost fob?
Very little. Fobs and cards are inexpensive, and a lost one is switched off in a minute.
Monitoring
Is alarm monitoring the same as someone watching my cameras?
No. Alarm monitoring responds to alarm signals. Nobody watches your video all day.
Can I cancel monitoring and keep the alarm?
With our systems, yes. Ask before signing with anyone; some systems lose their app without a service plan. Full answer: What to check before you renew your alarm contract
Is monitoring cheaper on a longer contract?
Often, but work out the total over the whole term before you choose. We don’t require a long-term contract.
Privacy and rules
Can I record my employees or customers in Manitoba?
Yes, with limits. Private businesses in Manitoba follow federal privacy law (PIPEDA). You need a real security reason, visible signage, no cameras in washrooms or change rooms, and a rule for who can view footage. This is general information, not legal advice. Full answer: Can I record my employees or customers in Manitoba?
Do I need signs saying there are cameras?
Yes. Visible signage is part of recording lawfully, and it’s also part of the deterrent.
Can I record audio?
Audio has stricter rules than video. Most businesses don’t record it. Ask us on the site walk if you think you need it.
The process
What is a site walk?
A free visit of about an hour. We walk your property with you, ask how your day runs, and tell you what we’d do. No obligation. Full answer: What is a site walk, and what should I have ready?
What should I have ready for a site walk?
Nothing is required. It helps to know your hours, who holds keys or codes now, anything that’s gone missing, and anything your insurer has asked for.
How long does an install take?
Most small to mid-size sites are done in a sample number of days. You get a timeline with the quote. Full answer: What happens on a security camera install day?
Who does the install?
Our own technicians. No subcontractors.
Who do I call afterward?
The same number and the same team. Most fixes happen remotely.
Will my insurance go down with a security system?
Often. Many insurers discount monitored alarm systems, and some commercial policies ask for proof of cameras or access control. We give you the paperwork after install.
About Foresight
Is Foresight part of SolutionsIT?
Yes. One company, one team. Foresight is the part of SolutionsIT that only does security, so the people who design and install your system do this every day.
Where do you install?
Anywhere within about two hours of Winkler, and if you’re not sure you’re in range, ask us. Full answer: Where we work
Do you install home security systems?
No. We focus on businesses, farms, and municipalities. For a house, a residential alarm company will serve you better.
What brands do you install?
Alarm.com, Luminys, and Videoloft, chosen for how they work together and how well they’re supported here.
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If it’s a good one, we’ll add it here with the answer.