Video Surveillance
Commercial video surveillance systems designed for Colorado businesses
ESI Technologies designs and installs commercial video surveillance systems for businesses across the Colorado Front Range. Authorized for Axis, Avigilon, Hanwha Vision, and i-PRO, with VMS deployments on Genetec, Milestone, and Luxriot. 40+ years of integration experience and CJIS-certified technicians.
Commercial video surveillance, built around your facility
Commercial video surveillance is the combination of cameras, recording hardware or cloud storage, network infrastructure, and management software that captures and stores video of a facility. ESI installs commercial video surveillance systems ranging from single-building deployments to enterprise multi-site systems across Fort Collins, Colorado Springs, Castle Rock, and the broader Front Range.
The benchmark for a useful commercial video system has shifted. Image quality alone is no longer the differentiator. What separates a system that works for ten years from one that gets replaced in three is how usable the footage is when an incident occurs, how well the system integrates with access control and intrusion, and how the storage and bandwidth were specified at design.
IP cameras and edge devices
Indoor and outdoor IP cameras, fixed and PTZ configurations, multi-sensor and panoramic options, and edge analytics from Axis, Avigilon, Hanwha Vision, and i-PRO. Camera selection is driven by lighting conditions, mounting environment, retention requirements, and the analytics the facility needs, not by what’s on promotion.
- Indoor and outdoor IP cameras
- PTZ, fixed-lens, and multi-sensor configurations
- License plate recognition and analytics-ready cameras
- Thermal cameras for perimeter and industrial applications
- Edge analytics for motion, line crossing, loitering, and object detection
Video management systems
Enterprise VMS platforms for managing, searching, and analyzing video across single-site and multi-site deployments. ESI installs and configures Genetec Security Center, Axis Camera Station, Avigilon Control Center, Milestone XProtect, and Luxriot. Platform selection is based on scale, integration requirements, and budget, not a preferred vendor relationship.
- Genetec Security Center
- Axis Camera Station
- Avigilon Control Center (ACC and Unity)
- Milestone XProtect
- Luxriot EVO
- Cloud and on-premise deployment options
Storage and recording
Network video recorders, dedicated storage servers, and cloud video storage sized to retention requirements, camera count, resolution, and recording mode. Storage is the most commonly under-specified part of a commercial video surveillance system, and the place where the system fails when an investigation needs 45-day-old footage.
- On-premise NVR and dedicated storage servers
- Cloud video storage for distributed sites
- Hybrid configurations for retention and redundancy
- Storage sized to 30, 60, or 90-day retention targets
- Failover and redundant recording for high-availability environments
Integration with access control and intrusion
Camera footage tied to access events. Door-forced-open alarms pulling camera feeds automatically. Intrusion alarms triggering pre-event and post-event video capture. Reviewable in a single workflow rather than three separate systems. Genetec, Avigilon, and Gallagher all support tight video-to-access integration, and ESI is authorized for each.
- Access control event linking (door-forced-open, credential denials)
- Intrusion alarm video capture
- License plate recognition integration with access control
- Unified search across video, access, and intrusion events
- Mobile and remote viewing for facility managers and security teams
Manufacturer-authorized across the major commercial video surveillance platforms
Authorization is not a formality. Manufacturers like Axis, Avigilon, Genetec, and Milestone restrict who can buy direct, who receives factory training, and who can register warranties and software licenses. An unauthorized installer can mount cameras and configure recording. The support relationship, firmware update entitlements, warranty coverage, and platform licensing run through the authorized channel only.
For commercial buyers, this matters at two predictable moments: when a camera fails and needs warranty replacement, and when a firmware update introduces a feature or fixes a vulnerability that an unauthorized installation can’t access. ESI’s authorizations exist so the facility doesn’t end up at either of those moments without options.
ESI is authorized for:
- Axis Communications. The dominant brand in commercial IP surveillance globally. Strong fit for facilities prioritizing image quality, analytics, and platform openness. Wide camera lineup covering indoor, outdoor, low-light, thermal, and explosion-proof applications.
- Avigilon (Motorola Solutions). Enterprise commercial video surveillance with strong analytics, including appearance search and unusual activity detection. ACC and Unity platforms scale from single-building to enterprise multi-site.
- Hanwha Vision. Korean manufacturer with strong commercial and enterprise camera lineup. Good fit for facilities seeking high specification at competitive cost, with strong analytics built in.
- i-PRO. Spun out from Panasonic. Premium commercial cameras with strong low-light performance, used in healthcare, education, and government deployments.
- Genetec. Unified VMS platform. Security Center integrates video (Omnicast), access control (Synergis), and license plate recognition (AutoVu) on a single software platform. Strong fit for facilities consolidating multiple legacy systems.
- Milestone Systems. XProtect VMS, vendor-agnostic platform supporting the broadest range of cameras across manufacturers. Common in mixed-camera environments and large enterprise deployments.
Video surveillance for Colorado’s commercial, healthcare, and government facilities
Different industries have different video surveillance requirements. ESI’s experience across these sectors shapes how each system is designed.
Healthcare →
HIPAA-aware camera placement. Coverage of entrances, parking lots, controlled-substance storage, and clinical-administrative boundaries, with careful attention to patient privacy in clinical areas. Longer retention windows than typical commercial deployments, and tighter integration with access control at restricted zones.
Education →
Campus-wide camera coverage for K–12 and higher education. Coverage of entries, parking lots, athletic facilities, and common areas, with appropriate restrictions in classrooms and dormitories. Integration with visitor management and lockdown systems. ESI has installed video surveillance for school facilities across Northern and Southern Colorado.
Municipal and government →
CJIS-compliant deployments for law enforcement, corrections, and court facilities. Multi-facility VMS management across city and county operations. Audit trail and chain-of-custody documentation for video evidence. ESI is CJIS certified and has installed video surveillance systems for Larimer County, the City of Fort Collins, and other Colorado municipalities.
Manufacturing and industrial →
Yard coverage, dock activity verification, shipping and receiving documentation, and license plate recognition at gates. Thermal cameras for hot-work areas and perimeter detection in low-light environments. Integration with access control at controlled zones.
Property management →
Shared common-area coverage, tenant-controlled interior coverage where appropriate, and clean technical and administrative separation between tenants. The multi-tenant video surveillance design is one of the most common places these systems fall short, and one of the easiest to get right when planned correctly.
Corporate →
Multi-site video surveillance for corporate campuses, office buildings, and data centers. Centralized VMS management with role-based access for security teams, facilities, and HR. Integration with access control for unified incident investigation.
How an ESI video surveillance project works
ESI doesn’t sell a catalog of cameras. We design a system that fits the facility, the lighting conditions, the network, and the retention requirements, then install and support it.
1. Site walk and security assessment
An ESI project manager walks the facility to document coverage gaps, lighting conditions, mounting options, existing infrastructure, and network capacity. The site walk identifies what cameras the facility needs based on coverage requirements, not what fits the initial budget. Camera count specified to budget instead of coverage produces gaps the building owner finds out about during an incident.
2. System design and proposal
A camera-by-camera placement diagram with sightlines, mounting heights, camera type and resolution specifications, VMS platform recommendation, network and storage requirements, and a clear scope of work. The proposal explains why each camera was specified, not just what it costs.
3. Professional installation
ESI’s licensed technicians handle camera installation, cable runs (PoE and fiber where required), NVR or storage server installation, VMS configuration, and analytics setup. We coordinate with the customer’s IT team on network requirements and bandwidth, with facilities or the GC on conduit and power, and with door hardware and access control teams where systems integrate.
4. Training and handoff
When the system is commissioned, ESI trains the customer’s administrator on VMS use, search functions, user management, and reporting. Security and operations teams get training on day-to-day operation, including how to retrieve footage for an incident. We don’t hand over a manual and leave.
5. Ongoing support
A commercial video surveillance system needs maintenance to stay useful. Storage fills up. Firmware needs updating. Camera enclosures need cleaning. Lenses fog or get covered. ESI offers maintenance agreements and Managed Sites to keep the system performing: scheduled maintenance visits, firmware updates, storage management, and priority response when something needs attention.
Frequently asked questions about commercial video surveillance
How much does commercial video surveillance cost in Colorado?
Cost depends on camera count, camera type, storage requirements, and network infrastructure. A small commercial system with 8 to 12 cameras typically runs in the low five figures including installation. A multi-building campus or warehouse complex can run six figures. The two biggest cost drivers are the camera count and whether structured cabling needs to be installed as part of the project.
What’s the difference between IP and analog video surveillance?
IP cameras send digital video over a network, support higher resolutions, and integrate with software-based VMS platforms. Analog cameras send video over coaxial cable to a DVR. Analog systems are simpler and cheaper per camera but max out at lower resolutions and don’t support most modern features like analytics, remote viewing, or access control integration. For new commercial installations in Colorado, IP is the standard.
Should we choose cloud-based or on-premise video storage?
Cloud-based video storage is easier to manage across multiple sites, requires less IT infrastructure, and scales without on-site hardware investment. On-premise storage offers more control over data residency, doesn’t depend on internet bandwidth for continuous recording, and has lower long-term cost at higher camera counts. For most commercial facilities, hybrid configurations make the most sense: on-premise primary recording with cloud backup for redundancy and remote access.
How long should video footage be retained?
Retention depends on policy, insurance requirements, and compliance obligations. Most commercial policies call for 30 to 90 days. Healthcare and financial facilities often require longer. Government and CJIS-adjacent facilities have specific requirements that vary by jurisdiction. Storage is sized to the retention target, camera count, resolution, and recording mode at design.
Can video surveillance integrate with our access control system?
Yes, and this is one of the highest-value features in a modern commercial system. When the surveillance platform and the access control platform are integrated, events on one trigger context on the other. A forced-door event automatically pulls the relevant camera feed. Credential activity is reviewable alongside video in a single workflow. Genetec, Avigilon, AMAG, and Gallagher all support this integration. ESI is authorized for all four platforms.
Does ESI service video surveillance systems we didn’t install?
In most cases, yes. ESI services existing commercial video surveillance systems across Northern and Southern Colorado, including Axis, Avigilon, Hanwha, i-PRO, and other commonly installed platforms. A site visit to assess the current system is the starting point. The answer depends on the platform, the age of the equipment, and what condition the network and storage are in.
What manufacturers does ESI install for video surveillance?
ESI is an authorized partner for Axis, Avigilon, Hanwha Vision, i-PRO, Genetec, and Milestone Systems. Manufacturer selection on any project depends on facility size, lighting conditions, integration requirements, and budget. ESI is vendor-agnostic in the selection process: we recommend the right platform for the facility, not the one with the highest dealer margin.
Start with a free site walk
An ESI project manager walks your facility, identifies coverage gaps and lighting conditions, and delivers a system design built for your specific requirements, at no cost and no obligation. Serving Fort Collins, Colorado Springs, Castle Rock, Denver Metro, and businesses across the Colorado Front Range.
Fort Collins: (970) 999-1681 | Colorado Springs: (719) 602-7336