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Lowering insurance premiums

Business: Café Intermezzo
Location: Atlanta
Surveillance system: DTT Surveillance
Cost: $124 per month for 16 cameras and all related fees.
Used since: 2003

Owner Brian Olson originally got video surveillance as a training tool, to see how his employees could better treat his customers. But when a worker claimed that she fell and hurt her leg three years ago, Olson was able to contest it when the tape showed she merely slipped and caught herself. The employee was unable to file a worker's complaint, thereby keeping his insurance premium from taking a hit.

Before, it was their word against yours," Olson says. "And most of the time, they won."

The technology also came in handy when he noticed $600 missing from the cash box. He went back to the tape and caught a dishwasher using a manager's keys to pocket the money.

"He was arrested and we were able to use the video in court against him," Olson explains. "So the system has really paid for itself."

NEXT: Getting more hours in the day

LAST UPDATE: Oct 08 2008 | 12:02 PM ET
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