Map the operational paths
A warehouse network must support work where it happens, including receiving, picking, packing and dispatch. This example is a planning aid, not a site survey. Mark handheld device routes and fixed equipment on a current floor plan. Note rack heights, doors, high-bay ceilings and places where vehicles or stock change the environment.
Determine whether each application needs continuous connectivity or can safely queue work during an outage. Confirm this behaviour with the application supplier. A Wi-Fi icon does not prove that a scanner can complete a transaction, so test the actual workflow at operational times.
Survey before specifying coverage
Metal racking, stock density and mounting height affect radio conditions. Ask a qualified network provider to assess the space and document coverage targets. A design based only on square metres can miss aisles and create unreliable handovers between access points. Agree a practical acceptance test using the same device models the team will use.
Check wired backhaul, switch capacity and power for access points and cameras. A PoE switch supplies power over suitable network cabling, but available power and cable runs must be checked against equipment requirements. Ask the installer to label ports and provide a network map.
Define the evidence you need
A wide view can show activity across a loading area without revealing a face or a shipping label. Write separate requirements for overview and identification. Check distance, field of view, shutter behaviour, available light and how the view changes when doors open. Vehicle number plate capture may require a dedicated design and on-site testing.
Do not place cameras solely where power is convenient. Work backwards from the outcome, then decide cabling, mounting and safe maintenance access. Consider whether stacked goods or parked vehicles will block the view. Keep staff and privacy obligations in the design process rather than adding them after installation.
Size retention and access
Use realistic average bitrates and recording hours in the storage tool. A large view with constant movement can behave differently from a quiet office. Allow for usable capacity, service reserves and the risk that configured bitrates change. After installation, compare measured consumption against the estimate and adjust before expected retention falls short.
Assign people who may view, export and delete footage. Keep an evidence export process that preserves time accuracy and the original recording as appropriate. Test remote access without exposing recorder administration directly to the public internet. Get the installer to document the approved method.
Acceptance checklist
- Scanners complete transactions in receiving, picking and dispatch areas.
- Staff can move between agreed areas without unacceptable session failure.
- Camera sample footage answers the written requirement in working and low light conditions.
- Storage usage is checked after a representative trading period.
- Changes to racking or stock layout trigger a network and camera review.
The next step is a written brief shared with suppliers. Require them to identify exclusions, survey assumptions, lifting access, cabling and maintenance costs. A cheap equipment quote can leave the expensive parts of a warehouse installation unstated.