As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to transform security operations, businesses are eager to harness its power to help safeguard inventory, property and people, and to make operations more efficient. However, the question on the minds of many is this: Can AI be effectively implemented without having to discard the existing loss prevention infrastructure?

The Challenge: Balancing AI Benefits with Existing Investments

“Companies want to make use of the benefits that AI can bring, but they’re concerned about the large investments they’ve already made in existing loss prevention infrastructure,” says Joe Hinrichs, VP of IT and Product Development for Bailiwick. Upgrading security systems can be a complex and costly endeavor, and many businesses hesitate to overhaul their technology for the sake of AI. However, AI integration does not necessarily mean starting from scratch. 

Many security cameras deployed in the last five years already have the capability to support AI applications. “For example, many security IP cameras purchased in the last 5 years have the capability to have AI integrated into their systems. These IP cameras have the capability to support Real-Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP),” explains Hinrichs. 

RTSP is a crucial component in AI-driven security enhancements. It allows AI-powered analytics to access video streams in real-time, enabling capabilities such as facial recognition, object detection, and behavioral analysis. By leveraging RTSP-compatible cameras, businesses can enhance their security infrastructure with AI while minimizing the need for costly hardware replacements. 

Aside from assessing security risks, RTSP technology can also be used to analyze the demographics of people visiting a store. This can be a valuable marketing tool to access if their advertising messages are reaching the gender and age that are being targeted.  

Assessing Hardware for AI Readiness

Before integrating AI, a thorough assessment of existing infrastructure is essential. “What we do see commonly is hardware that appears to be a good fit with AI with some upgrades. However, sometimes those upgrades might be as expensive as buying new equipment,” says Hinrichs. AI applications often require more processing power, which can strain outdated servers and network resources. 

“Network servers are typical upgrades we do to accommodate AI solutions. This is required to accommodate the additional overhead AI generates. In its purest form, AI pulls and processes large amounts of data,” notes Hinrichs. Upgrading servers, adding virtual machines, or enhancing network bandwidth can make a substantial difference in AI performance and reliability. 

A Strategic Approach to AI Integration

At Bailiwick, we take a strategic approach to AI deployment by evaluating existing security infrastructure and identifying the most cost-effective path forward. By leveraging RTSP-compatible cameras, upgrading necessary hardware, and ensuring the network can handle AI-driven data loads, businesses can enhance their security posture without unnecessary spending.

AI is revolutionizing loss prevention, and with the right implementation strategy, organizations can capitalize on its benefits while preserving their existing investments. Bailiwick’s expertise in managed IT services ensures that businesses can integrate AI smoothly, efficiently, and with minimal disruption, transforming security systems for the future.

Interested in upgrading your existing loss prevention infrastructure with AI? Connect with a Bailiwick account executive to arrange a review of your loss prevention technology.