Insights
Practical notes on security and building systems
Written for the people who buy, specify and run these systems. No product promotion, just the decisions that matter.
8 common CCTV installation mistakes
Buying by count, uncalculated storage, open passwords: read these before you pay.
ReadINSIGHTWhy recordings vanish when you need them
Six known causes of lost CCTV footage, and how to make sure it is there.
ReadINSIGHT7 smart home promises that don't hold
What the market promises, what actually happens, and how to ask for a system that works.
ReadINSIGHTSecuring your cameras and smart home
What to ask for before you sign: passwords, network, updates, privacy.
ReadINSIGHTTypes of access control systems
Card, PIN, fingerprint, face and mobile; standalone, networked and cloud: what suits each place.
ReadINSIGHTHow much does a CCTV system cost?
The seven factors that set the price, three rough tiers, and how to cut cost without losing quality.
ReadINSIGHTNVR vs DVR
Which recorder suits your cameras: cable, resolution, expansion and storage.
ReadINSIGHTTypes of CCTV cameras: choosing the right one
Home, outdoor, wireless, small and solar cameras, plus recorders: which suits your site.
Read
How to specify CCTV so the footage is usable
Pixel density, DORI and why camera count is the wrong metric.
Read
Your access cards can probably be copied
125 kHz, MIFARE Classic, DESFire and what to migrate to.
Read
What a maintenance contract should contain
A checklist for PPM scopes, SLAs and reports.
Read
Fail-safe or fail-secure? Deciding door by door
Locks, power loss and fire alarm release.
ReadINSIGHTSmart door locks for villas and offices
Lock types, power, fail modes, integration with access control and the smart home, and installation points.
ReadINSIGHTHow to size a solar power system
Energy audit, panels, inverter, batteries and payback, with a worked example for Saudi conditions.
Read