Start with coverage goals
Count views, not buildings. A front entrance, loading area, cash register, parking approach, and rear exit are separate evidence goals even when one camera can see more than one area.
Build a camera schedule
- List every entrance and exit.
- Mark transaction, inventory, vehicle, and people-identification areas.
- Separate overview views from identification views.
- Add future channels before choosing recorder size.
A useful first estimate
Small homes often begin with four to eight views. Small businesses commonly need eight to sixteen. Warehouses and multi-building properties should be counted by entrances, aisles, docks, yards, and critical rooms rather than square footage alone.