The landscape of manufacturing today is competitive and success hinges not just on the quality of products or speed of production—but on a company’s ability to operate with maximum efficiency. Increasingly, forward-thinking manufacturers are discovering that one of the most underutilized tools in their operational toolkit is video surveillance. Long seen solely as a security measure, modern video systems are now being repurposed as powerful engines of insight, driving improvements in safety, productivity, and cost-efficiency.
The capabilities of today’s systems, enhanced by AI-driven analytics and cloud connectivity, offer much more than physical security. Video surveillance gives manufacturers 24/7 eyes on their operations. It allows them to offload the need for physical oversight and rely instead on visual data that is always available, accurate, and audit-ready.
Rather than relying on anecdotal reports or biased observations from the floor, managers can now reference “game tape”—real-time or recorded footage, to assess performance, verify safety compliance, and pinpoint inefficiencies. Whether it’s tracking whether workers are wearing PPE, identifying zones where foot traffic creates bottlenecks, or reviewing how often forklifts enter high-risk areas, video is transforming how facilities understand and optimize daily operations.
Manufacturers are also beginning to take a page from the retail industry, using heat maps and motion tracking analytics to visualize activity patterns on the production floor. Manufacturing clients can use camera data to identify where people or equipment are moving unnecessarily for example. And by analyzing those patterns, manufacturers can reconfigure plant or floor layouts to reduce the number of steps workers take, minimizing fatigue and maximizing throughput.”
These types of insights are particularly valuable when labor shortages are pressing plant leaders to do more with fewer people. AI tools that automatically detect inefficiencies or potential hazards can fill the gap by serving as a virtual assistant, alerting managers to problems before they lead to downtime or injury.
Despite these benefits, many manufacturers still view video systems narrowly. It’s still common upon meeting with executives, to find that they see video as a reactive tool—something used to investigate theft or validate past incidents. It is incumbent on the video surveillance expert to help them reframe that perspective and see the system as a proactive business intelligence asset.
A key barrier is education. Many companies already have the infrastructure in place but haven’t been trained on how to use it for more than traditional surveillance. Others mistakenly believe they need to replace all their cameras to access modern capabilities. In reality, overlay analytics and open-platform video management systems like Salient’s allow companies to layer intelligence over their existing hardware—eliminating the need for costly upgrades.
Although awareness of “video as data” is growing, many organizations still struggle to translate this concept into action. There’s often an assumption that having IP cameras is enough. But unless you have the tools—and the people—to analyze that video, it’s just stored data.
Forward-thinking manufacturers are overcoming this by investing not only in technology, but in teams capable of using it. Whether it’s business analysts, software developers, or quality assurance professionals, successful operations dedicate resources to mining video data and converting it into actionable insights.
The value of video surveillance increases exponentially when it’s integrated with other operational systems. Access control, machine sensors, environmental monitoring devices, and inventory management platforms can all feed into a centralized video platform, enabling more sophisticated oversight.
One manufacturer, used an integration between their video system and a weight-sensing inventory tool to flag shipping discrepancies. If a box labeled “t-shirts” registered as the same weight as a box of ammunition , the system alerted management of a discrepancy. This deep integration saved the company hundreds of thousands of dollars in misclassified shipping fees over time.
Integration also enhances safety protocols. Facilities that integrate access control with video can implement “mustering” procedures, tracking exactly who is in a building and where they go during emergencies. Video can validate whether employees are entering safely, avoiding forklift paths, or adhering to restricted access zones—improving compliance and reducing liability.
Manufacturers today face a convergence of challenges: labor shortages, increased safety mandates, and tighter margins. These pressures demand new levels of agility and oversight. Whilehile regulatory enforcement from agencies like OSHA may fluctuate due to budget constraints, companies still own the responsibility for ensuring workplace safety. Video systems help them automate risk assessments and demonstrate compliance even with fewer inspectors on-site.
Similarly, amid labor gaps—especially those exacerbated by shifting immigration patterns—plants must find ways to maintain output with fewer workers. Video tools that reduce manual oversight, automate investigations, and streamline workflows are becoming indispensable.
Beyond efficiency, video plays a critical role in reducing legal risk. Manufacturers are increasingly using surveillance footage to protect themselves from frivolous liability claims. If someone alleges a slip and fall or unsafe working condition, video provides objective evidence,.that can prevent expensive lawsuits and free up funds for growth.”
Video is also being used proactively in employee training. For example, managers can identify patterns of unsafe behavior and use footage as a teaching tool—correcting poor habits before they result in accidents. Alerts can even be configured to flag violations like piggybacking at access points, where one person badges in and multiple people follow—a major safety and accountability risk.
So how can manufacturers justify investing in video intelligence when budgets are tight? The answer lies in understanding what leaders are really measured on. The question to the leaders needs to be “what are you bonused on?” If it’s reducing downtime, increasing output, or improving safety scores, then the system can be aligned to support those goals. .
When viewed as an operations multiplier rather than a cost center, video infrastructure becomes a strategic investment. It can reduce investigation times, cut training costs, prevent fines, and enable smarter decisions, all of which contribute directly to the bottom line. Finally, remember to include the manufacturer’s operations leaders—not just IT and security—in video planning conversations. These are the people who understand where bottlenecks occur, which KPIs matter most, and where visual data can have the greatest impact. Reframe the traditional question of ‘Where do you want cameras?’ and start asking, ‘What information would help you and your business improve?’”
When operational efficiency, safety, and data-driven decision-making come together, video surveillance transforms from a static observer into a powerful force for continuous improvement, helping manufacturers do more with less, and do it better.
