PitCrew vs. the Competition: You Don't Need Expensive New Cameras for AI Analytics

If you’ve been pricing out a new camera system to integrate AI-powered analytics into your automotive service center, you may have encountered some sticker shock. Some solutions require new hardware at a cost of $1,000+ per camera, recurring license fees, and extra charges to connect non-native devices. A 6-bay location could face startup costs upwards of $10,000 in hardware costs and installation fees alone, before analytics even start.

The good news? You don’t actually need pricey new cameras to get modern AI analytics that deliver real-time bay utilization and service time metrics. PitCrew works with your existing camera infrastructure to deliver up-to-the-second bay intelligence, such as throughput monitoring, staffing optimization, and instant bottleneck alerts, without the chaos or expense of a hardware overhaul.

Here’s a rundown of how PitCrew compares to competitors in a few key areas.

Infrastructure Costs

Competitors: Expect to pay $500-$1,000 for new cameras and an even higher Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). You’ll have to pay installation costs up front, plus mandatory, annual per-camera license fees to stay up and running. If you opt to integrate any of your existing hardware, you’ll also need additional licensed hardware. And those fees aren’t fixed—many providers reserve the right to increase them at any time, leaving you with unpredictable OPEX and vendor lock-in.

Pitcrew: Pitcrew plugs into your existing camera infrastructure – no new hardware, no hidden license fees, and no disruption. Already have cameras? With PitCrew, you can get up and running fast, with zero install costs. Don’t have cameras yet? Stay in control with flexible install packages that use hardware you own, so there are no surprises.

Vendor Lock-In

Competitors: Closed platforms don’t just cost more, they trap you. Everything becomes proprietary: the cameras, the licenses, the analytics, even support. Want to make a change later? You’ll need a whole new system—hardware, software, workflows, and staff training. The vendor stays in control. You stay stuck.

PitCrew: The value of PitCrew-enabled service bays is immediately apparent and the ROI is compelling, like up to 8 additional services per day and a 10-20% reduction in wait and service times across the board. PitCrew is built to be flexible: It can integrate with your existing hardware and Point of Sale (PoS) system, and doesn’t lock you into proprietary cameras or siloed ecosystems. You stay in control of your infrastructure, your data, and your roadmap.

Security & Privacy

Competitors: Many cloud-based camera systems store sensitive footage on devices or in external servers you don’t control, raising the risk of breaches or misuse. On top of that, some vendors rely on facial recognition or biometric analytics. Not only does this create major privacy concerns for both customers and staff, it may also put you at risk of compliance issues as privacy regulations continue to expand across the U.S. and abroad.

Pitcrew: Because PitCrew taps into your existing infrastructure, all your well-considered data protections and procedures stay in place and under your control. Leverege is SOC 2 Type II certified and PitCrew adheres to the highest industry standards for data security. Its privacy-first features, like facial and body blurring at the edge and in the cloud, let you track performance and staffing in real time—without compromising individual identities.

Focus and Expertise

Competitors: General-purpose security systems are built to serve a wide range of applications, from education to healthcare. Their broad capabilities and minimal auto service features only scratch the service of what’s possible. Because they’re not purpose-built for high-throughput service centers, these systems don’t understand your operations, your KPIs, or your workflows. And it shows.

Pitcrew: PitCrew was purpose built for automotive service centers. The AI isn’t generic – it’s trained specifically to track technician activity, bay utilization, service durations, and KPIs that matter in your world. That means faster insights, more accurate forecasting, and smarter decisions—without manual guesswork. 

Ready for Bay Intelligence on Your Terms?

At the end of the day, most modern AI camera systems come with strings attached: expensive hardware, recurring licenses, limited flexibility, and the loss of control over your own data.

PitCrew is different.  

It integrates with the cameras you already have, keeps your footage under your control, and delivers real-time, purpose-built bay intelligence to boost throughput, reduce wait times, and add services per day—without adding staff or hours. 

Why pay more to get less? 

Stop losing services to idle bays and expensive black-box systems. See how PitCrew can unlock more revenue per tech—book a demo now. 

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