Most sawmills have a video monitoring system today. From security and safety to operations monitoring and process improvement, the applications and benefits of sawmill cameras are undeniable. 

However, randomly adding cameras to your facility doesn’t mean you’ll improve your operations or that you’ll get any ROI from your investment. Let’s take a look at how to maximize your investment in a sawmill camera system. 

How to Set Up a Sawmill Video Monitoring System in 4 Steps

The quality of your monitoring system and its ROI are decided long before you install the cameras or even make the purchase. It all starts with clearly assessing your needs and your goals.

1. Set Clear Goals for Your Sawmill Camera System

It may sound counter-intuitive, but this is where the video monitoring system setup process really begins. Before you even look at a camera’s features, answer this question:

What is your primary goal? Security, surveillance, process monitoring, something else?

The answer to this question will also determine where you install your cameras and how you access the feeds: in an operator booth, on-site, off-site, and so on.

We are now one step closer to deciding what kind of cameras you need and where you should install them.

2. How Many Cameras Does Your Sawmill Need?

Again, the answer to this question depends on what you want to monitor. If improving security is your main focus, you need to install cameras next to all the entrances and exits to your sawmill and make sure that you cover all angles.

Operations monitoring, the goal that brings the biggest ROI, is a bit trickier. You need to cover the equipment so operators can make informed decisions in the cab.

We’ve been installing camera systems in sawmills for more than five decades and the biggest mistake we see operators make is budgeting for fewer cameras than they need. 

If this is your first time installing cameras in a sawmill, plan for 20% more units than you initially think you need. 

3. Is IP the Right Choice for Your System?

This is one of the questions we get asked most frequently and the answer is usually “yes.”

IP rugged cameras are the ideal fit in industrial settings like sawmills. 

Why?

Because they send image data via an IP network. This allows for more flexibility. For instance, you can have an operator monitor the feed from a distance. Or you can review the footage wherever you are, without having to travel to the sawmill.

However, some sawmills are more comfortable using analog, and that’s OK. What really matters is the durability of your cameras. An Opticom camera survived a direct hit in a sawmill and continued working as expected. This wouldn’t have happened with an off-the-shelf commercial camera. 

4. Work with Your IT Department or Contractors to Set Up the Camera Network

You will ALWAYS set your video monitoring system up on a separate network from both your process network and your business network. It’s imperative that your video network not interfere with your process network, and most mills don’t require access to the camera systems offsite. 

Moreover, there are countless ways for a hacker to penetrate your business network and you don’t want them to have access to your video feed as well. The Opticom monitoring systems are highly secure and NDAA-compliant, so a direct breach is very unlikely.

We recommend working with our tech team to determine your network requirements to add or expand a network system. Then you can work with your local IT specialists to set up the network properly and make sure you have all the connectivity options you need.

Final Thoughts on Successful Video Monitoring System Installation in Sawmills

Installing a video monitoring system in a sawmill is the final piece of the puzzle. If you know exactly what your goals are, we can help you choose the right cameras for the right locations, with the right mounts for you to achieve what you’re looking to do.

Not sure where to begin your quest of installing a new camera system in your sawmill?

You don’t have to tackle it alone! At Opticom, we’ve been helping sawmills improve their security and their operations for more than 50 years. Get in touch with our consultants and we’ll help you answer all the questions above and many others.

Let’s install a camera system that your sawmill can rely on for years to come.