Questions we actually get
People ask us things every day. On the phone, in a message, by email. Some are the questions you'd expect. Many are about one building, one awkward gate, one warehouse where the scanners drop out between the racks. We've collected them here, each with the short answer from the person in our team who took the question. Mostly that's Sander, Geoffrey, Gideon, Koen or Eline Klaver. We're CameraInstallatie.nl, a family business right in the middle of the Netherlands. We install cameras, alarms, intercoms, access control and networks across the country, in Dutch or in English, whichever suits you. Your question isn't here? Ask it. That's how most of these ended up on the list.
These questions come from real phone calls, messages and emails. We changed the details so nobody can be recognised, and many of the example questions are composites of several real enquiries.
Getting started
We need cameras for our business premises or warehouse. Where do we start?
How a customer put it
Good morning,
We have a warehouse with an outdoor yard, a staircase and three loading docks. We want cameras inside and outside, with two at each loading dock. I've taken photos of the spots I'd like covered and I'm sending them along with this message.
The thing is, I'm not sure those are the right spots. Should I work out the number of cameras myself, or do you come and look at where they'd be best placed? During loading and unloading I want to see who's at work, and at the entrance to the yard perhaps a number plate as well.
What's the easiest way to get started? Could you decide on the positions on site and then send a quote setting out what's needed?
A composite example drawn from several enquiries, not a message from one customer.
Start with a walk round, not a camera count. An adviser goes round the building and the site with you and asks, spot by spot, what you need to see there: a person, a number plate, or who's loading and unloading. Then you get a proposal, cable routes included. Every camera we fit runs on a network cable.
Geoffrey, adviser in our office team
Every supplier tells us something different. Who'll look at our situation first?
How a customer put it
Dear Marc,
We've now had a few quotes for cameras and an alarm system, but we're finding it hard to choose. One company recommends lots of cameras, another very few. And what we're told about wireless versus wired, brands and subscriptions doesn't add up either.
We're looking for someone who looks at our situation first and explains what we actually need. What do we want to prevent, which spots are vulnerable and what do we need to be able to see on the footage afterwards? That matters more to us than the number of megapixels or the name of the brand.
Could we book an advice call to go through this with you? Afterwards we'd like a proposal we understand: which option you recommend, what the alternatives are, and how they differ in daily use and total cost. If something adds little in our situation, we'd like to hear that too.
A composite example drawn from several enquiries, not a message from one customer.
Start with your situation, not with megapixels or brands. In an advice call we look at what you want to prevent, which spots are vulnerable and what you'll want to see on the footage afterwards. Then you get a proposal with our recommendation, the alternatives and the total cost. If something won't add much, we'll tell you.
Sander, adviser in our office team
Warehouses and large sites
How do we get usable footage in a warehouse with high racking, narrow aisles and a layout that keeps changing?
How a customer put it
Our warehouse has high pallet racking, forklifts on the move all day and separate zones for storage, order picking and packing. The cameras on the roof give us an overview, but down on the floor people and goods regularly disappear behind racks or pallets. On top of that, the layout changes whenever we take on new clients or product lines.
Could you design something that takes account of sight lines at different heights and of how work actually moves through the building? We'd like to decide together which events we need to be able to piece back together afterwards. And how do we avoid footage that looks complete, yet still doesn't tell us enough when there's damage, missing stock or an incident?
A composite example drawn from several enquiries, not a message from one customer.
Not by filming everything from the roof. A roof camera gives you an overview, but between high racking you mostly look down on pallets. We follow the route your goods take: goods-in, the aisles, pick zones, packing and the docks. That's where the cameras go, at the height and angle that match what you'll want to look back at.
Sander, adviser in our office team
Our warehouse stays operational. Can you replace the existing cameras without us losing sight of anything?
How a customer put it
We run a distribution centre that receives and ships goods six days a week. There are around 120 cameras of various ages and makes. Some of them don't give a usable picture, and tracking down incidents takes far too long. We want to modernise, but we can't simply switch the security off for a few days.
Could you put together a phased migration plan, with the old and new systems running side by side for a while where needed? We're looking for a company that agrees in advance which work can be done while we're operating and when a short interruption is unavoidable. We also need to be sure that no loading area or entrance quietly ends up unrecorded.
A composite example drawn from several enquiries, not a message from one customer.
Yes, zone by zone. We start with an overview of every existing camera: what it sees, where it records and how important that spot is. Then we swap them over, with old and new running side by side where needed. No zone switches over until we've checked that the new recording is actually running.
Gideon, technical services
How do we keep an overview of an animal shelter with several buildings, kennels and outdoor areas?
How a customer put it
Our site is made up of several buildings and outdoor enclosures. Staff and volunteers work all over the grounds, and not every spot can be seen from a central room. We'd like a view of the entrances and the main routes, and in some places we'd like to be able to check whether something needs attention.
Could you work out with our staff which images are genuinely useful? We need to allow for the animals, cleaning, damp, lighting and the distances between the buildings. It should also be clear which cameras are there to secure the site and which ones support the day-to-day work.
A composite example drawn from several enquiries, not a message from one customer.
By deciding with the staff, spot by spot, what each camera is for. Security at the entrances and along the routes, and supporting views of the kennels and pens where someone wants to keep an eye on things from a distance. Every camera is cabled, including between buildings, and chosen with damp and cleaning in mind.
Sander, adviser in our office team
How do we secure a site of several hectares with separate buildings, entrances and remote storage?
How a customer put it
We have a large business site with several warehouses, outdoor storage, car parks and entrances for staff, suppliers and lorries. There isn't power and network everywhere. In some places the distances are long, and the view is blocked by buildings, containers or stored materials.
Could you draw up one plan for the whole site, with fixed cameras, PTZ cameras where they make sense, camera masts and the connections needed? Zone by zone, we'd like to know what will be visible, where detection is possible and what has to be put in. We're also looking for someone who thinks with us about access for maintenance, future expansion and what happens if a connection or a power point fails.
A composite example drawn from several enquiries, not a message from one customer.
With a plan per zone, not per camera. For each zone we set out what needs to be visible, where detection makes sense and what it takes: power, cable, fibre, or a wireless link as transport. We also check you can reach everything for maintenance, and what happens if a connection or a power supply fails.
Sander, adviser in our office team
Containers and trailers move around our yard all the time. How do we stop the cameras becoming useless?
How a customer put it
Trailers, containers and tall stacks of material come and go on our site. A camera can have a clear view today and be largely blocked next week. So we're looking for more than a drawing with fixed camera positions.
Could you sit down with our site manager and look at the fixed traffic routes, the entrances and the areas that have to stay clear? We'd like to know which parts can be watched reliably, where extra cameras are needed and which agreements about the site layout should be part of the plan. We'd also like a way of checking, after any big change, that the coverage still holds up.
A composite example drawn from several enquiries, not a message from one customer.
Aim the cameras at what stays put: entrances, driving routes, fences and the lanes that must stay clear. We agree those zones with the site manager up front. Where stock moves about, we go higher or add a second angle. And after a big reshuffle, check what each camera sees.
Sander, adviser in our office team
There's no power and no internet on part of our site. Can a camera go there?
How a customer put it
Dear team,
We have a piece of land that we want to keep an eye on, but there's no power and no internet there. We'd like to be able to record, watch live and get an alert if someone is walking around outside working hours.
Online we see cameras on a solar panel and masts you can simply put up. That sounds easy, but we don't know whether it works all year round. A little further along there's a building with internet. On the spot itself there's a steel beam that a camera could perhaps be fixed to.
Can a camera work reliably there? Where would the power come from, and how does the picture get to us? What would you recommend, and what can we expect from it?
A composite example drawn from several enquiries, not a message from one customer.
It can, but you solve two things separately: power, and how the image gets out. A cable is still the safest option, and our advice is always wired. If that won't work, we look at solar with a battery, and we're honest about the limits. The image goes over a wireless link to a building with internet, or over 4G.
Geoffrey, adviser in our office team
Our handheld scanners keep dropping out between the racks. What's going on?
How a customer put it
Dear team,
In our warehouse, staff work with handheld scanners and mobile terminals. In certain spots they lose their connection, mostly between the racks and where the warehouse runs into the dispatch area.
It interrupts the work, and sometimes people have to log in again or redo what they were doing. How full the racks are seems to make a difference too. So we want an approach that starts from how the warehouse is really laid out.
Could you look into the WiFi on site while work is going on? We'd like to know whether there are gaps in coverage, whether the access points are set up wrongly or whether the devices aren't handing over properly from one point to the next. We'd appreciate an improvement plan, with a check once the work is done.
A composite example drawn from several enquiries, not a message from one customer.
Full racking blocks WiFi, and scanners don't always hop neatly from one access point to the next. So we measure on a normal working day, with the racks full, and look at coverage and how the access points pass a scanner along. Then you get a plan to fix it, and after the work we measure the same route again.
Gideon, technical services
Offices and access
How do we secure a business building with several tenants and shared entrances?
How a customer put it
Our building has several tenants, a shared entrance, a car park and shared plant rooms. Some of the businesses keep their own hours and have visitors outside office hours. We want central facilities for the whole building, with clear boundaries between what each tenant is allowed to do.
Could you draw up a plan for cameras, video intercom and access control? We want to know who can let visitors in, which doors each tenant can use and who is authorised to look back through the footage. It also has to stay manageable when a tenant moves out, a floor is split up or a new occupant wants something different.
A composite example drawn from several enquiries, not a message from one customer.
With shared systems for the building and rights per tenant. The intercom at the entrance calls the right tenant, who lets in their own visitors. Access is set per door and per time slot. The building manager reviews footage of the shared areas. When a tenant leaves, you switch off their rights in one go.
Geoffrey, adviser in our office team
We're moving into new premises in the Netherlands. Can one party handle the cabling, WiFi, cameras and intercom?
How customers put it
Good afternoon,
We're moving to a new office soon and are looking for a company that can design and install the network. It covers desks, meeting rooms, WiFi, printers and a few cameras.
There are already some network points, but we don't know if there are enough or whether the cabling is still up to the job. At the very least we want a tidy central patch cabinet and good WiFi throughout the building.
Could you come and see what's there and put forward a proposal for what needs adding? We'd also like the move to be coordinated with our IT supplier. On the first working day, staff need to be able to log in, make calls and print as normal. So please let us know what information and preparation you need from us.
Dear team,
We're fitting out new business premises and finding that a lot of the technical parts depend on each other. The cameras need network and power, the intercom has to open the door and the WiFi needs connecting in the right places.
We'd like to avoid several suppliers pointing at each other when something doesn't work. Could you handle the design, cabling and installation of all these parts together, and coordinate with our IT partner and the building contractor?
We'd like a proposal that sets out, part by part, what you supply, what others need to prepare and how the handover will be checked. We'd also like clear documentation of the connections, the equipment and the admin details. The aim is an installation that works properly at handover and is easy to maintain and extend later.
A composite example drawn from several enquiries, not a message from one customer.
Yes. We design and install the cabling, and put the WiFi, cameras, intercom, access control and alarm on top of it. The plan sets out what we supply, what your IT partner and the contractor prepare, and how we hand over together. You keep an overview of every connection and device. And we can coordinate the lot in English.
Geoffrey, adviser in our office team
We have two gates. Can reception see which one a visitor is ringing at?
How a customer put it
Good afternoon,
Our site has a main entrance and a separate entrance for suppliers. We want an intercom at both gates, but the calls need to be easy to tell apart.
At reception we want to see where the visitor is standing and open only the right gate. Outside opening hours, a call may need to go to another member of staff. Can all of this be done with one system?
At the moment staff use remote controls and access tags. We'd like to know whether we can keep those or bring them into the new setup. Could you put together a proposal for both entrances, including the connections, how it's operated and the arrangements for visitors outside opening hours?
A composite example drawn from several enquiries, not a message from one customer.
Yes. Both gates get an outdoor station in one system. The screen at reception shows which gate is calling, with video, and the button opens only that gate. Out of hours the call goes to a colleague or to a phone. The remotes and tags you already have keep working.
Geoffrey, adviser in our office team
Video intercom plus access by tag or phone on the same door: how does that work?
How a customer put it
Good afternoon,
We want to renew the entrance to our business. Visitors should be able to ring through a video intercom. Staff should be able to let themselves in with a tag or their phone.
We're looking for one company to make it all fit together. At the moment we have an ordinary door with a mechanical lock, and we don't know what changes the door, the frame and the cabling will need.
Could you take a look and put together a complete proposal? We'd also like to talk about how the door opens from the inside, what happens in a power cut and who gets to manage access. Please say which work you'd do yourselves, and whether a locksmith or anyone else needs to be involved for certain changes.
A composite example drawn from several enquiries, not a message from one customer.
As one set-up: the intercom for visitors, a reader for staff, and one lock that both can open. A standard door with a mechanical lock gets an electric lock or an electric strike. We do the lock, the cabling and the set-up. If the frame or the door itself needs replacing, a door supplier comes in as well.
Geoffrey, adviser in our office team
We want a smart front door as part of our refurbishment. What does our IT person do, and what do you do?
How a customer put it
Hello,
We're about to refurbish our office and want to get rid of keys at the same time. At the moment everyone has a key to the front door, and when someone leaves we're never quite sure they'll hand it back.
In the office we already use UniFi for the network and the WiFi. Our IT person set that up. He says UniFi also has something for doors, but he doesn't know what has to go in the door itself.
What would you do, and what would our IT person do? Can the front door be opened with a card or with a phone? What happens if the power goes off? And can the cleaners be let in only in the evening? The builder starts in a few weeks and can lay a conduit if we tell him where.
A composite example drawn from several enquiries, not a message from one customer.
The front door can run on UniFi Access, with a card, a code or your phone. We do the door: the lock, the reader, the cable and connecting it all. Your IT person handles the network it sits on. And don't leave it till later. The cable has to go in before the builders close up the wall.
Koen, security adviser
We want cameras in our shop or business. What about our staff?
How a customer put it
Hello,
I have a small shop with a bakery at the back, five members of staff and a few school pupils on Saturdays. It's a good team and I'd like to keep it that way.
A while ago someone got in through the back door at night. And the till didn't add up a few times, although that could just be a counting mistake. I want cameras at the till, in the shop and at the back entrance, but done properly.
Am I allowed to film my staff, and how do I tell them? Can a camera go in the room at the back where they take their breaks and get changed? The safe is in there too. And can I watch from home? Please explain in plain language, and ideally before the busy month of December.
A composite example drawn from several enquiries, not a message from one customer.
Cameras at the till, on the shop floor and at the back entrance are allowed if you have a good reason, such as theft or burglary, and your staff know about them beforehand. Secret filming is in principle not allowed. No camera in the room where staff take breaks or change. Not inside the toilets; near the toilets is fine.
Koen, security adviser
Networks and WiFi
We're having a large site cabled. Where do the switches and technical cabinets go?
How a customer put it
Hello,
New cabling is going in on our site shortly. We want cameras in various places, but the distances between the buildings, the gates and the far corners are quite large.
The company laying the cables wants to know where everything needs to go. We'd been thinking of one central point, but we don't know if that's technically possible. Could you tell us where intermediate points or technical cabinets are needed, and whether some links would be better done in fibre?
We'd like to settle this before any digging starts. Could you make a drawing showing the cameras, cable routes and connection points? Please also set out who supplies which materials and does which work, so we don't find out afterwards that power, a cabinet or a connection is missing.
A composite example drawn from several enquiries, not a message from one customer.
You settle that on a drawing, before anyone starts digging. A network cable reaches roughly a hundred metres. Is a camera further away? Then you need an intermediate point: a switch in an outdoor cabinet, with fibre running to it. The drawing shows cameras, cable routes, cabinets and who supplies what, power included.
Geoffrey, adviser in our office team
Can you sort out the WiFi, the cabling and the patch cabinet in one go?
How a customer put it
Good afternoon,
We're refurbishing our office and want to get the technical side right while we're at it. At the moment there are loose switches dotted around, the WiFi isn't reliable everywhere and we don't know which network cable goes to which socket.
As well as better WiFi, we want connections for desks, cameras, an intercom and possibly access control. Could you design and install all of this as one job? We'd like to avoid different companies each putting in a piece that later doesn't work properly with the rest.
We'd welcome advice on cable routes, the number of points, where the access points should go and how to set up a tidy patch cabinet. Could you also tell us what power supplies are needed and who does that work? Ideally we'd have the cabling tested and clearly labelled, so that expanding and fixing faults is easier later on.
A composite example drawn from several enquiries, not a message from one customer.
Yes, as one design. We start with a drawing of the office: workstations, cameras, intercom, doors and the spots for the access points. On that drawing we set the cable routes and the number of connections. Everything comes together in one tidy patch cabinet, and every cable gets a label. A test report per connection is up to you.
Geoffrey, adviser in our office team
Our office network has grown without anyone keeping track. How do we get it back in order?
How customers put it
Hello,
Our staff often complain about the WiFi. Their laptops and phones show full bars, but websites load slowly and online meetings sometimes drop out. At other times everything works fine.
We don't know whether the problem lies with the internet connection, the WiFi, our switches or the settings. Various devices have been added over the years and nobody has a full overview any more.
Could you first find out where the problem starts? We'd like measurements and an explanation we can follow, so we can make targeted improvements. If new equipment is needed, we'd like to know why. We'd also like to know whether you can document the network afterwards and take over its management.
Hello,
Over the years all sorts of equipment and cables have been added to our patch cabinet. The cables aren't labelled, some of the doors barely shut and we don't know which socket goes to which desk.
We'd like it sorted out without the whole business being left without a network for long. Could you first work out what's actually in use and which equipment or cabling can go?
After that we'd like a tidy layout with proper cable management, clear labels and an overview of the connections. Could you also look at ventilation, power and space for expansion? We'd like to hear how you'd plan the work and what interruptions we should expect.
A composite example drawn from several enquiries, not a message from one customer.
Map it first, tidy it after. We find out what equipment there is, what's active and what can go, the cameras, recorder and intercom included. Then we rebuild the patch cabinet, with labels and an overview that you keep. We plan the switchover so you're offline for as little time as possible.
Gideon, technical services
There's already network cabling in the building. Can you test it before anything goes on it?
How a customer put it
Good afternoon,
We've moved into a building with existing data cabling. The sockets look neat, but at some desks we're not getting the speed we expect. Some devices also lose their connection now and then.
Could you test the cabling and check whether the points have been terminated properly? We'd like to know which links pass, where the faults are and whether any cables need replacing.
We're after more than a check that there's a connection. We want a report that lets us judge whether the infrastructure is fit for how we use it. Could you explain beforehand which test you'll carry out and what result we'll get? We'd also like the points to be numbered consistently once you're done.
A composite example drawn from several enquiries, not a message from one customer.
Yes. Before cameras, access points or an intercom go on existing cables, we test every connection we use. Want a test report per connection as well? That's a certification test, an option we quote separately. We explain beforehand which test you're getting.
Gideon, technical services
Connecting two floors or two buildings: do we need fibre?
How a customer put it
Good afternoon,
We want to extend our network to another floor and possibly to the building next door. There's an existing link, but we don't know if it has enough capacity for the extra desks and equipment.
We've been advised to use fibre. Could you judge whether that's necessary or sensible in our case? We'd like to know what's needed at both ends and whether our current switches are suitable.
We'd welcome a complete proposal for the route, the cable, terminating and testing. Please also say whether you can use existing ducts, and what extra work would be needed if the route turns out to be inaccessible. We'd like the link clearly labelled and documented straight away.
A composite example drawn from several enquiries, not a message from one customer.
Not always. Up to a hundred metres a network cable can do it, and for workstations and WiFi that's often enough. Is the distance longer, does the cable run underground outside, or will a lot more go over it later? Then fibre is the sensible choice. At each end we fit a switch that takes fibre.
Geoffrey, adviser in our office team
Guests, staff and cameras each on their own network: how do you do that?
How customers put it
Hello,
We regularly have visitors at our office who want to get online. At the moment we sometimes give them the password to our normal WiFi, which doesn't feel right.
We'd like a separate guest network, so visitors can get online easily without any access to printers, files, cameras or other business equipment. Staff should keep their own secure connection as well.
Can this be set up on our existing equipment, or do we need something new? We'd like to hear the options for a separate password, temporary access or a welcome page. It needs to stay simple for our reception to manage. We'd also like to know how changes and updates are handled afterwards.
Dear team,
I work from home and want my home network set up more professionally. The connection often stutters during online meetings. I also use work equipment and would like to know whether that can be kept separate from the rest of the family's devices.
The fibre connection comes in at the meter cupboard. My study is on the other side of the house, and I'd like wired points there for my computer, docking station and possibly a printer. Good WiFi in the rest of the house still matters too.
Could you advise on the cabling and equipment needed? I'd like to understand what's needed alongside my provider's router. Ideally I'd get a complete proposal covering installation, settings and a clear explanation of everyday use.
A composite example drawn from several enquiries, not a message from one customer.
On one set of equipment we build separate networks: one for guests, one for staff, and one for the cameras, recorder and intercom. Guests get internet, but not your printers, files or footage. At home it works the same way: work, family and cameras, each on their own.
Gideon, technical services
Reliable WiFi in every hotel room, while the hotel stays open?
How a customer put it
Good afternoon,
We're looking for a company to improve the WiFi in our hotel. Guests tell us the connection is good in some rooms and keeps dropping in others. Most complaints come in the evening, when a lot of guests are online at once.
There are already access points in the corridors. We don't know if they're in the right places or whether the walls block too much signal. It's also unclear how many devices the network can handle at the same time.
Could you carry out a survey with measurements? We want a proposal that takes account of the rooms, the public areas and use by staff. The guest networks and business systems need to be kept properly apart. Please also explain how a replacement could be done in phases while the hotel stays open.
A composite example drawn from several enquiries, not a message from one customer.
We start by measuring in the rooms, the corridors and the public areas, at a busy moment. Often the access points are simply too far from the beds. We roll out the new plan floor by floor, so the rooms stay bookable. Guests, staff, tills and cameras each get their own network.
Geoffrey, adviser in our office team
We're switching internet provider. What needs to change for the cameras, alarm and intercom?
How a customer put it
Good afternoon,
We'll be switching to a different internet provider soon. Last time we switched, we had problems with the cameras and the phones. So this time we want the changeover properly prepared in advance.
Various systems are connected to our network, including cameras, an alarm connection, printers and workstations. Fixed addresses or settings may have been used, but we don't have a clear overview of them.
Could you work out what needs changing for the switch? We'd like a plan for the changeover and then a check of all the important services. We'd also like to know whether we still need the provider's equipment, or whether our own router would be easier to manage in our situation.
A composite example drawn from several enquiries, not a message from one customer.
Make a list beforehand of everything that relies on the internet: cameras, recorder, alarm, intercom, phones and the card terminal. With your own router behind the provider's modem, almost nothing changes for those devices. We plan the switchover and then check everything in the app.
Gideon, technical services
What's a sensible backup connection for when the internet goes down?
How a customer put it
Hello,
Our organisation relies heavily on the internet. When the connection drops, we can't make calls, take card payments or work in our online systems properly. So we want a backup connection set up.
Could you advise on a second fixed line or a mobile backup? We'd like to know whether the network can switch over automatically and whether staff will notice. We'd also like to understand which services might need to reconnect during a switchover.
We'd welcome a proposal based on the applications that matter most to us. Please include the equipment, subscriptions, any data limits and management. We'd also like to agree how the backup is tested regularly, so we know it's there when a real outage happens.
A composite example drawn from several enquiries, not a message from one customer.
A second connection next to your fixed line, over 4G, 5G or satellite, with a router that switches over by itself. Calls, card payments and checking the cameras remotely carry on. The cameras keep recording on the recorder anyway, internet or not. And your alarm often has its own SIM card already.
Geoffrey, adviser in our office team
What do we need in terms of network and PoE, and can it run on our UniFi network?
How a customer put it
Good afternoon,
At home we already have a UniFi network with a router and a few access points. Now we'd like cameras around the house and a video doorbell, and we're wondering whether they can simply be added to it.
I keep reading about PoE, but I don't really know what I need for it. Do power and picture really run over one cable, and how long can that cable be? Do we need a separate recorder next to the router for the recordings, or can that go on what we already have?
The network was set up by the previous owner of the house, so I don't know all the settings. Could you look at what's needed and get everything working in one app?
A composite example drawn from several enquiries, not a message from one customer.
Every camera gets its own network cable to a PoE switch. Power and image go over that one cable, up to a hundred metres. The switch needs enough power for all the cameras together. Already on UniFi? Then the cameras and a doorbell can join it. Whether your router can also handle the recording depends on the model.
Gideon, technical services
Alarms and monitoring
Can we have a business alarm our staff can actually work with?
How a customer put it
Good afternoon,
We have a business premises with an office at the front and a workshop and storeroom behind it. Around fifteen people work there on varying shifts, sometimes with agency staff. The current alarm is old and the code hasn't been changed in years, so nobody knows exactly who has it.
We want something new that works for the people on the floor. Not everyone wants a work app on their phone. The last person out has to be able to set the alarm without it going off because a door at the back is still open. Our insurer mentioned something about a monitoring centre, but my business partner knows the details.
How do you make sure everyone finds it easy to use? And can the old alarm keep working until the new one is in place?
A composite example drawn from several enquiries, not a message from one customer.
Yes. Every employee gets their own tag or code, no app needed, and you can see who set and unset the alarm, and when. Whoever leaves last gets a nudge if a door is still open, instead of a siren. But I always start with your insurer. What they require decides what the system has to look like.
Eline Klaver, security adviser
There's been a burglary in our neighbourhood. What do we need: cameras, an alarm, or both?
How a customer put it
Dear team,
We'd like some advice on securing our home. There was a break-in in our neighbourhood recently, and it's made us look at our own situation differently. We live in a semi-detached house with a drive, a back garden and a detached shed. A path runs behind the houses, and you can get into our garden from it.
We'd been thinking of a camera by the front door, one on the drive and possibly one at the back. We're also unsure about an alarm system. Do we need both, or would one of the two be enough for us? We want to do this properly, but we don't want to buy more than we need either.
Could you come round, have a look and explain where we're vulnerable? We'd like a proposal that sets out clearly what you recommend, why, and what it costs in total.
A composite example drawn from several enquiries, not a message from one customer.
That depends on what you're after. An alarm reacts the moment someone gets in. Cameras let you see what happens outside, and who it was. Put them together and you'll feel safest. In an advice call we go through your home with you, weak spots first, and then you'll hear what we'd do and why.
Geoffrey, adviser in our office team
What happens if our alarm goes off while we're away on holiday?
How a customer put it
Dear team,
We'd like an alarm system, but our main question is what happens when we can't respond. A notification on the phone is handy, but we might miss it during a flight, in a meeting or at night.
How exactly does follow-up through a monitoring centre work? Who gets called, how do they judge whether something is really wrong, and when does someone come out to the property? Do we have to name keyholders ourselves, or can that be arranged another way?
We'd like to understand which arrangements are needed and what they cost. Could you explain the options: receiving alerts ourselves only, a connection to a monitoring centre, and someone going out to the property? We're looking for something that suits the fact that we're often away for longer periods.
A composite example drawn from several enquiries, not a message from one customer.
Without a monitoring centre, the alert comes to you, and if you're on a plane, you'll miss it. With a monitoring centre someone keeps watch: they assess the alert, call your contacts and can help get the police involved. A monitoring centre is your choice, on an annual contract. Nobody can guarantee the police will come.
Geoffrey, adviser in our office team
Does our alarm need a SIM card, and what if the power goes?
How a customer put it
Good afternoon,
We've received the quote for the alarm, thank you. I have one more question that I forgot to ask during our conversation. The quote mentions a SIM card. Do I have to buy that myself? And why is it needed when we already have WiFi?
My worry is what happens if the power goes off, or if someone cuts the cable to our modem. Last year the internet here was down for a whole day because of roadworks in the street. I thought at the time: if something had happened that day, I wouldn't have known.
Do I need to arrange the SIM card myself? What does the alarm do without internet or power? And does the SIM card cost something extra every month? I'd appreciate an honest answer before we sign.
A composite example drawn from several enquiries, not a message from one customer.
A SIM card is your second connection. If the internet drops or someone cuts the cable, the control panel sends its alerts over the mobile network. If the power fails, the panel keeps running on its built-in battery, and the detectors run on batteries anyway. You don't need to buy the SIM yourself. We arrange it.
Geoffrey, adviser in our office team
Can we buy the alarm and cameras outright, without a subscription?
How a customer put it
Good afternoon,
We're looking for an alarm system and a few cameras, without a subscription. Just buy it once and then it's ours.
Our house has an old wired alarm that was already there when we bought it. It can't be controlled from a phone. We'd like sensors on the doors and a few windows, and if possible we'd like to reuse the motion detectors that are already on the ground floor. You'd have to look at that on site.
We'd also like two or three outdoor cameras that we can play back on our phones, ideally in the same app as the alarm. What does that cost as a one-off? And do we have to be signed up to anything? We're often away for a week with the caravan, so we're in two minds.
A composite example drawn from several enquiries, not a message from one customer.
Yes. You buy the alarm and the cameras, and after that they're yours. The app is included, with no monthly fee. Whether your old motion detectors can stay, I check on site; often that works with an interface module. Connecting to a monitoring centre isn't required. That's your call, now or later.
Eline Klaver, security adviser
I've put together my alarm in the Ajax planner. Can you install it?
How a customer put it
Good afternoon,
I went through our house in the Ajax planner and made a list: the number of rooms, door contacts, glass break detectors, motion detectors and a siren. I'm sending that list along with this message.
The thing is, I don't know whether I've judged it all correctly. Have I chosen too many detectors, or too few? And does it matter for the motion detectors that we have pets wandering around?
Could you install this alarm for us, and what would it cost including installation? Can it be done without a monthly subscription, or would we be tied to something? We'd like to hear how you'd go about it and when you could come and take a look.
A composite example drawn from several enquiries, not a message from one customer.
Yes. Your list from the planner is a good starting point. In the advice call we go through it together: does each part suit your doors, windows and pets, and is anything missing? We recommend Ajax Superior. Up to and including grade 2, we can deliver the alarm fully wireless and certified, certificate included.
Sander, adviser in our office team
Several sites and long-term plans
We run several sites. How do we set them all up the same way?
How a customer put it
Good afternoon,
We have several animal shelters, with indoor accommodation, outdoor areas, storage and public entrances. Some sites already have cameras, but the quality and the way they're operated vary quite a bit.
We'd like things to hang together better, so staff don't have to work with a different system at every site. At the same time the buildings differ, and we'd like to keep equipment that's still usable. We also need to be careful with footage that shows staff, visitors and volunteers.
Could you first take stock of what's there and then suggest a shared approach? We're thinking of fixed agreements on image quality, access to recordings, storage and maintenance. We'd also welcome advice on doing this in phases, so not every site has to be refitted at once.
A composite example drawn from several enquiries, not a message from one customer.
Start with what's there. An inventory per site: what's installed, what works, and who's watching. Then you agree one standard for image quality, who can access recordings, how long you keep them and who does the maintenance. Equipment that works stays. We roll it out site by site, in phases, so the work carries on.
Eline Klaver, security adviser
How do we connect two branches securely, cameras included?
How a customer put it
Good afternoon,
We have two branches and want a secure connection between them. Staff need to reach certain systems and files at the other site. We'd also like to make managing the network simpler.
There's network equipment at both sites already, but we don't know if it can be used to set up the link. The internet routers were installed by different companies, and we'd like to avoid replacing equipment unnecessarily.
Could you look into what's possible with what we have? We'd like to hear how access is limited to the parts people really need, and what happens if one site goes offline. We also want documentation and clear agreements about management, so the connection doesn't end up depending on one person.
A composite example drawn from several enquiries, not a message from one customer.
With a secure tunnel between the routers at both branches. So staff at one branch can reach systems and files at the other, and you see the cameras of both in one app. We set who can reach what per group. If one location drops out, the other just keeps working.
Gideon, technical services
Can you draw up a multi-year security plan, so each investment fits the one before?
How a customer put it
We can't replace every site and system at once. There's budget now for the most urgent problems, but extensions and renovations will follow over the next few years. We want to stop buying one-off fixes that have to be replaced again later.
Could you draw up a multi-year plan with one technical direction, clear priorities and sensible phases? We'd like to know which existing parts will do for now, what groundwork is worth putting in already and which decisions can wait. We're looking for a partner who keeps the whole picture in view as buildings, processes and requirements change.
A composite example drawn from several enquiries, not a message from one customer.
Yes. We start with what's there now and what stays usable. Then we pick a technical direction together, so each step builds on the last. The plan puts the urgent points first, names the cabling and other groundwork worth doing now, and shows which decisions can wait.
Eline Klaver, security adviser
Camera image and recording
In daylight we see everything, but at night we can't recognise anyone at the entrance or on the drive. Why?
How a customer put it
Dear team,
We already have a camera system, but we're not happy with the picture at night. In daylight it looks sharp on the phone. As soon as it gets dark, though, faces become unclear and anything moving turns into a smear. Number plates can't be read at all.
The cameras are mounted under the eaves and look out over our drive and the street. There's outdoor lighting, but it may be in the wrong place relative to the cameras. We don't know whether the problem is the settings, the mounting height, the lighting or the cameras themselves.
Could you take a look? We'd rather not replace everything if part of it is still perfectly usable. Our main aim is that anyone who comes onto the drive is recognisable at night too. We'd welcome advice on what that would take.
A composite example drawn from several enquiries, not a message from one customer.
It's not necessarily the cameras. Often it's the height, the angle, the light or the settings. We first look at what your cameras record now, and then at the spot itself. Replacing the cameras first is the expensive way to find out.
Sander, adviser in our office team
How much storage do we need, and how do we keep an important clip?
How a customer put it
Good afternoon,
We want cameras put in at our shop and warehouse. We'd like to be able to look back at footage, but we have no idea how much storage that takes. One supplier quotes a number of days, another only mentions the size of the hard drive.
Could you explain what the retention time depends on? We'd like to know the difference between recording all the time and recording only when something happens. And what happens when the storage fills up?
If there's an incident, we need to be able to save a clip easily and hand it to the police. Can that be done from a phone, or do we need a computer? We'd welcome a proposal with a storage capacity that's properly worked out, and an explanation of how to keep important footage safe.
A composite example drawn from several enquiries, not a message from one customer.
How many days you can look back depends on the number of cameras, the image quality and whether you record all day or only when something happens. When the disk is full, the oldest footage goes first. So an important clip is something you set aside and export, the same way every time.
Geoffrey, adviser in our office team
There are cameras in our car park, but when something happens the footage is of little use. What now?
How a customer put it
Dear team,
We manage a car park where damage and unwanted visitors are a regular problem. There are cameras already, but when we look back we often find that people are too small in the picture or can walk between the cameras without being caught.
At the speed gate, the difference between the daylight outside and the dark car park is huge. In the evening and at night the picture is actually too dark in some places. So we're not sure whether we need different cameras or should improve the lighting first.
Could you assess the existing footage and camera positions? Above all we'd like to know where we need an overview and where someone has to be recognisable. We'd also like to hear whether targeted alerts are possible when someone walks in through the entrance at night. Ideally we'd get an improvement plan that keeps whatever is still usable.
A composite example drawn from several enquiries, not a message from one customer.
Start with the footage you have, not with new cameras. We look per camera at what it should show: an overview, or enough detail to recognise someone. Often it's the position, the angle and the light at the entrance, more than the camera itself. Whatever's usable stays up.
Geoffrey, adviser in our office team
One PTZ camera or several fixed cameras for a large site?
How a customer put it
Good afternoon,
We have a large outdoor site and are thinking about a camera that can pan and has a powerful zoom. From the office we could then look at different parts of the site. Watching a large area with one good camera sounds appealing.
At the same time, we wonder what happens at the other end of the site while the camera is zoomed in somewhere. Does it only record that one part? And does someone have to sit at the controls all the time, or can the camera follow people and vehicles by itself?
Could you explain when a camera like that is a good choice, and when several fixed cameras give more certainty? We'd like a proposal that allows for daily use and for incidents we only find out about afterwards.
A composite example drawn from several enquiries, not a message from one customer.
For anything you want to look back at, choose fixed cameras: each one keeps its own patch in view, all the time. A PTZ camera with zoom is an extra for someone watching live. While it's zoomed in on the gate, it doesn't see or record the rest of the site. Handy, but no substitute.
Sander, adviser in our office team
Which camera brand suits us, and how do we avoid choosing the wrong one?
How a customer put it
Good afternoon,
We're looking into camera security, and with all the brands and models out there we can no longer tell them apart. We keep coming across names such as Dahua, Hikvision, Axis, UniFi and VIGI. On paper a lot of cameras have the same resolution, yet the prices vary quite a bit.
What should we look out for in practice? For us, a good picture at night, reliability, a simple app and support matter more than having as many features as possible. We'd also like to know how updates work and whether we can expand later.
Could you explain which system you'd choose for our situation, and why? We don't need a list of technical specifications. We'd like advice we can follow about the difference we'd actually notice. If more than one option would suit us, we'd welcome a comparison.
A composite example drawn from several enquiries, not a message from one customer.
Don't choose on resolution; on paper it's almost the same everywhere. Look at the night image, an app you like using, updates, and whether you can expand later. For most homes and businesses we recommend Dahua or VIGI. Already running a UniFi network? Then UniFi.
Geoffrey, adviser in our office team
Can our cameras work together with the alarm, the lighting and the access control?
How a customer put it
Hello,
We want to find out whether our cameras, lighting, alarm and access control can work together better. For example, when the alarm goes off, the right camera opens straight away, or certain outside lights come on.
We already use several systems and want to avoid everything running through separate apps and manual steps. Our own IT company may be able to help with the links, but they'd need information on the interfaces available.
Could you tell us which integrations are possible and what they require? We'd like to hear whether this can be done directly or through extra software. We'd also like to know who's responsible for looking after it and what happens after updates. We'd prefer to start with a few specific functions that really add something in daily use.
A composite example drawn from several enquiries, not a message from one customer.
Partly, and it depends on the brands you have. Staying within one brand is usually easiest: with Ajax you see the cameras in the same app as the alarm, and with UniFi the cameras and access control work in one environment. Between different brands, we look per situation at what's possible.
Geoffrey, adviser in our office team
Existing systems and support
Repair or replace? We'd rather not buy everything new straight away.
How a customer put it
Good afternoon,
Our camera system has been giving us trouble lately. A few cameras drop out now and then, and when we look back, recordings are missing at certain times. We've already done a reset once, but that didn't fix it for good.
First we'd like to know what's causing it. The system isn't new any more, but it isn't so old that replacing everything is the obvious answer either. Could you find out whether the problem lies in the power supply, the cables, the network equipment, the recorder or the hard drive?
After that we'd like honest advice on repair versus replacement. If repairing still makes sense, we'd like to know what it costs and what we can expect from it. If replacing is the wiser choice, we'd like to hear which parts are still usable and why you'd renew certain parts.
A composite example drawn from several enquiries, not a message from one customer.
First the cause, then the advice. If the same camera keeps dropping out, it's often the cable, the power supply or a connection. If recordings are missing, we look at the recorder and the hard drive. Only then will you hear whether repairing it makes sense.
Geoffrey, adviser in our office team
Our system wasn't installed by you. Will you still help?
How a customer put it
Good morning,
We have four cameras and a recorder in the loft, put in a few years ago by another company. We're no longer in touch with that company. For a week now the two cameras at the back have shown as offline in the app. The two at the front are still working.
I saw on your website that you install the same make. There's a sticker with a name on the recorder, but I don't know whether that's the make or the model.
Can you help us, even though you didn't install it yourselves? Or would everything have to be replaced? I'd like to know in advance what something like this costs, before anyone comes out. Above all I want the cameras at the back working again quickly.
A composite example drawn from several enquiries, not a message from one customer.
Yes, we'll help, even though we didn't install it. We start by taking a look remotely, per quarter of an hour, agreed in advance. Often that solves it. If someone needs to come over, we agree the cost beforehand, including for the case where it can't be fixed on site. You usually don't need to replace everything.
Our office team,
We got a new router, and now we can't see our cameras any more.
How a customer put it
Hello,
Last week we switched to a different internet provider. A new modem was put in, and since then all the cameras show as offline in the app. On the screen in the meter cupboard I can still see a picture, so they seem to be working.
I've already switched the recorder off and on again. After that one camera came back in the app, the rest didn't. Then I reinstalled the app, but I can't remember the password. My son set it up at the time, and he lives elsewhere now.
Can I sort this out myself, or does someone need to come round? Is it the cameras? I'm not very technical, but with a bit of explanation I might manage. We're away for a weekend in two weeks and I'd like to be able to check in then.
A composite example drawn from several enquiries, not a message from one customer.
Probably nothing's broken. Your recorder and cameras are working; you can see that on the monitor by the recorder. They've just lost their way out, because the new router hands out different addresses on the network. We can usually fix that remotely. You type the password in yourself while we watch.
Gideon, technical services
There's been a break-in at our home or premises. What should we do now?
How a customer put it
Good afternoon,
Last night we had a break-in, and we're still quite shaken. The police have been round and asked whether we have camera footage. We do have cameras, but I can't easily get to the recordings and I don't know how to pull out the right part.
The neighbours have a camera too, and on the neighbourhood app people are already asking whether anyone saw anything. I don't know whether I'm allowed to share footage there.
What should we do first? How do I make sure last night's footage doesn't disappear, and how do I get it to the police? And once things have calmed down: what would a good system have done differently here? We'd like to talk that through with you at some point.
A composite example drawn from several enquiries, not a message from one customer.
Make sure you're safe first. If you have cameras, set the footage aside straight away, before the disk overwrites it. No cameras? Ask the owner of a camera nearby whether anything was recorded. Footage goes to the police, not to a neighbourhood chat group. After that, we look at what a system would have done.
Gideon, technical services
Quick answers
Can we work with you entirely in English?
Yes. We talk, write, plan, coordinate and guide projects in English. Our engineers and our office staff speak Dutch and English, so nobody on your side needs a translator. Where a Dutch rule matters for your building, we'll explain it in plain English.
We're based abroad and opening a site in the Netherlands. Can you be our local partner?
Yes. You tell us what the site needs. We design and install the cabling and put the WiFi, cameras, intercom, access control and alarm on top of it. The plan says what we supply, what your IT partner and the contractor prepare, and how we hand over together. We coordinate it with your project team in English, from the first drawing to the handover. And we're easy to reach: our office in Almere is right in the middle of the country, roughly 15 minutes from Amsterdam, 40 from Utrecht and 50 from The Hague.
Are these real questions?
Yes, they come from real calls, messages and emails. We changed the details so nobody can be recognised, and many of the example questions are composites of several real enquiries. The answers are ours.
Who answers the questions?
The person in our team who usually gets that question: advisers from our office team, our technical services team and our security advisers. You'll see their name with every answer.
How do we get an answer for our own building or site?
Book a no-obligation advice call. We look at your building or site and at what's already there. After that you'll get a proposal that sets out how we'd go about it. Prefer to start in writing? Email us your question.
Want to talk it through?
Book a no-obligation advice call. We speak, write and plan in English, and our fitters and office team speak both Dutch and English.