Considering the enormous amount of money they have shelled out in developing their business, these owners do their utmost to make sure their investment is safe. Indeed, business owners fear the loss of their investment through burglary. In minutes, cunning thieves can cart away thousand of dollars worth of valuable items. Unscrupulous employees can steal confidential company papers, download programs that are not supposed to be downloaded, or just doing something against the company rules while the superiors or the owner is not there.

To protect themselves from these possible transgressions, owners invest in surveillance systems to monitor and record activities, internal or external, that happen in their establishments. One of these methods is to install high-tech security devices in their edifices. This could range from motion sensors to infrared-beam-triggered alarms.

One of the most common surveillance systems is the security camera. And one of the most preferred types are security dome cameras. As the name implies, these cameras are shaped like domes. They are compact enough to fit into a large light socket.

All dome cameras are PTZ systems, initials for pan, tilt, and zoom. That means dome cameras can move, or pan, left and right, or tilt, which means, left and right movement, rendering full 360-degree movement. The camera can also zoom in or out on selected areas. Therefore, dome cameras can cover large areas (through wide-angle views) or can target smaller areas (through a narrow-angle view).

When connected to a computer system with a good-quality DVR card, dome cameras can be programmed to view an area or use alarm triggers to allow it to move. For example, dome cameras can be programmed to sweep a certain area every ten minutes.

Another interesting feature of dome cameras is their zoom mechanism. Zooming does not require the movement of parts or lens motion. The zoom is done electronically, a refined technology similar to that of camera phones. The absence of mechanical parts makes the entire package compact.

Their compact size is also an advantage; they can be placed on corners and small places. Thus they can unobtrusively do their work without people ever knowing their existence. The design of security dome cameras itself, the whole system enclosed in a sturdy, transparent or smoked plastic dome, adds to the unobtrusiveness.

The plastic dome also protects the sensitive camera systems from harsh elements, especially if placed outside, making it all-weather. Furthermore, some models have other features such as day-and-night capability or infrared.

Dome cameras can also have auto-flip features. Auto-flip means that they rotate automatically when someone or something passes underneath them. That means that the object or person remains upright when viewed on the monitor.

No wonder why they are a businessman's preferred security camera.