As with most things in life, the quality of the answers your get, depends on the quality of the questions you ask!

1. Have an expert create a formal scope of work, after establishing the OC’s needs.
Imagine if I asked 3 people to quote on buying me a car. I might be thinking about a Holden Sedan but they quote me on a Ferrari, a Toyota 4WD and a stretch Hummer. How do I compare these quotes against each other? Especially if I know nothing about cars? Worse still, no one quoted me on the Holden Sedan that I had in my mind?

If someone had sat with me and asked a pile of questions and then documented my needs, I would have had 3 quotes on a Blue 2020 Holden Commodore with 6cyl diesel that I could have compared.

2. Be specific in what you want to achieve
Differently designed systems and therefore the costs differ greatly. Do you want to detect some motion, or be able to recognise people? At what distance? In what light Conditions? Recognition quality CCTV enables Police to identify perpetrators using the Police’s Face recognition software.

 Are there areas that you specifically want to protect, e.g. mailboxes, storage cages or entrances?

What problems has the OC encountered over the last few years that lead to the request to install CCTV?  Do you have budget constraints?  Should we plan to increase CCTV coverage over time – what is the end goal?

3. Please indicate the following in your quote request:

1. 1. NVR or VMS? And of course, DORI requirements.
   2. Do you want a 4G internet connection to remotely view CCTV?
   3. Do you need to integrate with an access control system, now or in the future?
   4. Do you want it installed in a comms cabinet?
   5. Will you need to add more cameras in future?
   6. How far back in time do you need to search?
   7. Nominate a secure place for the recording unit (NVR or VMS) to be installed
   8. Do we allow for UPS (uninterrupted power supply) so it keeps recording during power outages? For how long should it last without power?
   9. Is remote viewing required? By Police,  Committee Members, By Building or OC Manager.
   10. Is face or number plate recognition required?
   11. Do you need any other artificial intelligence features? (E.g. people counting, automation of lights or air conditioning)
   12. Would you like the system to be maintained and the warranty extended?

These are only some of the questions that a good system integrator will help you with.