Today’s market offers a wide range of CCTV products, including IP cameras, PoE injectors, networking equipment, software, and more. Still, it’s possible to find these products with specifications restricted to a particular type of project, and all these variations impact the final cost of a CCTV budget. But with all these variables, how does the consumer’s wallet fare?

Acquisition Cost vs. Maintenance Cost

The acquisition cost is the value paid when purchasing a product. In the case of CCTV products, this value can vary significantly depending on the brand, model, and purpose—especially if the consumer is a company looking to acquire products in bulk.

Maintenance cost, on the other hand, is the value incurred after project implementation. Just like the acquisition cost, maintenance expenses must be factored into a budget and are often more critical, as poor product or maintenance quality can lead to substantial losses.

The Cheapest Option Can End Up Costing More

To illustrate this point, let’s consider a project involving the installation of 5 outdoor IP dome cameras. In this case, the consumer prioritized the lowest price in the category, spending R$300.00 per camera, totaling R$1,500.00.

To complete the installation, the consumer had to rent a truck, a ladder, installation equipment, and hire a professional, incurring an additional R$1,200.00. The total project cost was R$2,700.00.

However, three months after installation, a storm caused two cameras to stop functioning, requiring an additional R$1,000.00 for maintenance. This issue has recurred over the past two years, with an average of R$1,000.00 spent on maintenance four times a year. By the end of the second year, the total spent on installation and maintenance reached R$10,700.00.

Pay Attention to Product Quality

In a second scenario, the consumer opted for high-quality products to reduce maintenance costs. They purchased 5 outdoor IP dome cameras for R$1,200.00 each, totaling R$6,000.00. Including the installation fee, the total became R$7,200.00. However, due to their durability and design for outdoor environments, the consumer only needed to perform one preventive maintenance over two years. The total costs for installation and maintenance over two years amounted to R$8,200.00.