The Rise of Vision-Enabled Operations

Video Data Is No Longer Just About Security

For decades, physical security has meant alarms, guards and maybe a wall of CCTV monitors.

Cameras recorded a ton of video, but it was only ever reviewed after an incident, if at all. All those hours of footage were essentially left to waste, regardless of the secrets they had to tell.

But today, security infrastructure is being reimagined as a source of continuous operational insight. Cameras that were once passive recorders are now becoming active sensors in enterprise ecosystems.

This transformation marks the beginning of a new era, unveiling vision-enabled operations. This refers to the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and video intelligence to transform everyday video into a source of real-time business insight. These systems do not just see, they understand context and detect anomalies and surface trends that were previously invisible.

Rather than treating video systems as standalone tools for loss prevention or perimeter monitoring, forward-looking organizations are integrating video with operational data to drive improvements in efficiency, compliance, staffing and customer experience. The result is a unified business operation in which video and data infrastructure move in sync with real-time activity across departments and locations.

Old Model: Fragmented and Reactive Systems

Traditional physical security has relied on hardware-heavy and siloed tools like motion sensors, door contacts, and DVRs. This add-as-you-go approach fails to scale. It becomes bulky and expensive, opens a wide attack surface for bad actors, and most importantly, lacks any ability to generate actionable insights from the vast amounts of video data being collected.

Focusing too closely on tactical physical security wins can result in massive missed opportunities for operational excellence. Whether identifying bottlenecks on the floor, spotting repeat fraud tactics or learning from customer behavior, legacy systems simply were not built to capture the full value of what cameras can see.

In an era where data is currency, relying on video without intelligence leaves organizations blind to what is happening in their own environments.

Cameras Become the Primary Sensor

Across industries, businesses are repositioning video infrastructure as a foundational data source. Cameras are one of the most powerful sensors when connected to the right tools. They can fuel insights for loss prevention, operations, security, compliance, finance, HR, IT and even marketing.

High-definition, cloud-connected cameras are no longer just passive observers. When layered with metadata from access control, point of sale or Internet of Things systems, they become a powerful platform for insights.

This is the core of vision-enabled operations: Using video cameras as smart sensors and sources of active intelligence, not just a recording tool.

Vision-Enabled Operations Beyond Security

The power of camera-based systems lies in their versatility. While they still play a critical role in theft deterrence and incident review, their reach now spans across departments.

• Operations teams use video to identify inefficiencies, monitor workflows and optimize staffing based on real-time activity.
• Compliance teams automate audits and ensure policies are followed, reducing in-person checks and reporting time.
• Marketing leaders analyze foot traffic, dwell times, and customer interactions to improve merchandising and campaign performance.
• IT teams benefit from fewer maintenance incidents and faster time to resolution because of remote diagnostics and cloud-managed systems.
• HR and finance teams use video to verify workplace incidents, monitor cash handling and support shrink prevention.

AI, Automation and the Future of Security Operations

As environments grow more connected, cameras are uniquely positioned to act as the digital eyes of the business. The next evolution will be driven by even more advanced technologies. AI agents will monitor hundreds of feeds for defined events, anomalies or policy violations and take action on incidents like:

• Long service lines causing potential customers to drop off
• Unauthorized parties breaching the property or loitering in a specified zone
• A sequence of high-risk transactions linked to a specific employee or location
• New in-store merchandising displays changing customer traffic flows
• Vehicles or people on watchlists entering the area 

Cross-functional access to video data will enable every department to extract relevant insights without needing a security analyst to interpret it.

The rise of vision-enabled operations means that physical security leaders are no longer just gatekeepers. They are becoming data stewards, enabling faster, smarter decisions across the enterprise.

Real-World Use Cases

• Paradies Lagardère is leveraging AI-driven camera analytics to customize airport shopping experiences. By tracking real-time foot traffic and monitoring peak hours, they aim to better understand conversion rates and average revenue per guest, thereby enhancing customer satisfaction and optimizing operations.
• Yum Brands, the parent company of Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, KFC and Habit Burger Grill, is integrating AI technologies to enhance their operations. This includes voice-activated order-taking AI to improve drive-thru efficiency and computer vision tools to optimize restaurant workflows through real-time insights.
• DHL is utilizing AI and computer vision to monitor and analyze movements within their logistics facilities. This technology helps detect issues like speeding, incorrect movements and parking violations, leading to improved workplace safety and compliance.