Case Study: Hybrid CCTV Upgrade for a Liquor Store in Petersham
September 15, 2026
Modernising an Obsolete CCTV System with UniFi Protect
A liquor store in Petersham, Sydney, approached us with an outdated CCTV system that had become increasingly difficult and complex to manage.
Rather than replacing the entire surveillance infrastructure, we designed and implemented a hybrid CCTV solution using UniFi Protect, allowing the business to reuse existing infrastructure and selected cameras while introducing modern UniFi Protect technology.
The result was a more manageable, modern and scalable CCTV system without the unnecessary cost and disruption of completely replacing the existing installation.
The Challenge: An Outdated and Difficult-to-Manage CCTV System
The existing CCTV system had been installed using older technology and had become difficult for the business to administer.
The customer was dealing with a system that was:
- Outdated and difficult to manage
- Complex to administer
- Based on older CCTV recording technology
- Dependent on existing infrastructure that was still usable
- Not taking advantage of modern network-based surveillance features
A complete replacement of every component was not necessarily the most practical solution.
Our challenge was therefore to modernise the system while making the best possible use of the infrastructure already installed at the premises.
The Solution: A Hybrid UniFi Protect CCTV System
We designed a hybrid CCTV solution centred around UniFi Protect.
Instead of removing everything and starting from scratch, we assessed the existing infrastructure and identified which components could continue to be used.
The upgraded solution combined:
- UniFi Protect recording technology
- Existing cabling and network infrastructure
- Selected existing CCTV cameras
- New UniFi Protect cameras
- New network equipment where required
- Centralised CCTV management through UniFi Protect
This approach allowed us to modernise the surveillance system while significantly reducing unnecessary replacement of usable infrastructure.
Reusing Existing Infrastructure
One of the key advantages of this project was the ability to reuse part of the existing CCTV infrastructure.
Replacing an entire CCTV system can involve significant costs, particularly in a commercial environment where cabling has already been installed throughout the property.
After assessing the existing installation, we were able to retain suitable infrastructure and integrate it into the upgraded solution.
This provided the customer with a more cost-effective pathway to modernisation while avoiding unnecessary disruption to the business.
Why UniFi Protect?
- Centralised camera management
- Network-based video recording
- Easier video playback and review
- A scalable platform for future expansion
For a commercial business such as a liquor store, having a surveillance system that is easy to manage and review can make a significant difference to day-to-day operations.
Looking to Upgrade an Existing CCTV System?
A CCTV upgrade does not always require replacing every camera, cable and component.
Depending on the existing installation, it may be possible to reuse existing cabling, network infrastructure and selected cameras while introducing modern CCTV technology.
Our team can assess your existing CCTV system and determine whether a full replacement, partial upgrade or hybrid solution is the most appropriate option.
If your CCTV system is outdated, difficult to manage or no longer meets your business requirements, contact us to discuss a CCTV upgrade in Sydney.
