For more than 12 years, Delta Group's eRemote® technology has transformed how insurance investigations are conducted. We sat down with Ray Gillis, co-founder of Delta Group, to discuss how this innovation came to be, why it matters, and where unmanned surveillance is headed.
Delta Group: Ray, let's start at the beginning. What led to the creation of eRemote®?
Ray Gillis: You know, innovation often comes from recognizing a problem that everyone else has accepted as "just the way it is." In traditional surveillance, especially in the days before desktop investigative using digital tools, we were sending investigators to sit in vehicles for hours—sometimes days—hoping to capture a few minutes of relevant activity. It could be inefficient, and savvy claimants could spot surveillance a mile away. Once they knew they were being watched, the investigation was essentially over.
We kept asking ourselves: There has to be a better way. What if we could monitor subjects continuously, discreetly, over extended periods, without the limitations of vehicle-based surveillance? That question led to eRemote®.
DG: This was over 15 years ago. What was the industry's reaction when you first introduced unmanned surveillance?
RG: (laughs) Let's just say there was skepticism. People were comfortable with traditional methods. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it," right? But we knew that traditional surveillance was broken—or at least limited. We'd seen too many cases where we missed critical activity because investigators couldn't maintain coverage 24/7, or where subjects changed behavior the moment they spotted a surveillance vehicle.
The breakthrough came when clients started seeing the results. Extended coverage windows. Clear footage of activity that would have been impossible to capture traditionally. Authentic behavior because subjects didn't know they were being monitored. Once the results spoke for themselves, the skepticism turned into demand.
DG: And now others have entered the unmanned surveillance space.
RG: They have, and that's actually validation that we were right about the need. But there's a significant difference between being first and being best. We didn't just create unmanned surveillance technology—we've spent 15 years perfecting it. We've completed over 21,000 cases. We've refined our deployment strategies, enhanced our camera capabilities, integrated AI-powered monitoring.
Delta Group pioneerede Remote®. Others followed. We still lead.
Proven in the Courtroom: The Gold Standard
DG: Let's talk about courtroom acceptance. You've supported over 2,000 depositions with a 100% acceptance rate. How did you achieve that?
RG: That statistic isn't an accident—it's the result of doing things right from the very beginning. When we developed eRemote®, we knew that the technology would only be valuable if the evidence it produced would stand up under legal scrutiny. So we built admissibility into every aspect of the process.
Chain of custody protocols. Proper documentation. Transparent methodology. Quality equipment that produces clear, defensible footage. We didn't cut corners, and we didn't take shortcuts. Every deployment follows the same rigorous standards.
DG: Delta Group is also the only provider with published federal case law in unmanned surveillance. Can you explain why that matters?
RG: Federal case law provides legal precedent—essentially, a court ruling that validates not just a single piece of evidence, but the entire methodology behind it. When we have published federal case law supporting eRemote® technology, it means that courts have examined our process, our equipment, our protocols, and determined that evidence obtained through our methods is reliable and admissible.
For our clients, that's huge.When you're making decisions about claim denials or preparing for litigation, you need absolute confidence that your evidence will withstand challenge. Published case law gives you that confidence. It's not just our word—it's legal validation from the federal court system.
DG: What does it mean to have that 100% courtroom acceptance rate?
RG: It means that when our clients need to deny a claim based on eRemote® evidence, they can do so with confidence. It means defense attorneys can use our footage without worrying about admissibility challenges. It means insurance companies can make faster, more confident claim decisions because they know the evidence is solid.
In this industry, credibility is everything. Our track record speaks for itself: trusted, tested, and proven in the courtroom.
Discreet Technology, Authentic Results
DG: One of the key advantages of eRemote® is the covert nature of the monitoring. Why is that so important?
RG: Because the moment a claimant knows they're being watched, their behavior changes. We call it the observer effect. Even the most skilled investigators are limited when subjects are wise to their surroundings. A claimant who spots a surveillance vehicle will suddenly minimize outdoor activity, avoid physical tasks, and present exactly the limited lifestyle they've claimed.
eRemote® eliminates that problem. Our camera systems are designed to blend into residential and rural environments. They're virtually undetectable. Subjects go about their normal routines—working in the yard, doing home improvement projects, engaging in physical activities—without knowing they're being documented.
DG: What types of activity does eRemote® capture that traditional surveillance might miss?
RG: Think about outdoor projects and home renovations. A claimant might spend an entire weekend building a deck, laying pavers, or doing roof work. With traditional surveillance, you'd need an investigator in a vehicle watching for hours or days—which isn't practical and isn't discreet. With eRemote®, we capture all of that activity continuously.
Yard work is another big one. Mowing lawns, trimming hedges, moving heavy landscaping materials—these activities demonstrate functional capacity that directly contradicts many injury claims. But they often happen at unpredictable times. eRemote® captures it all.
And then there's the timing issue. Late-night or early-morning activity falls outside typical surveillance windows. But with continuous monitoring, we capture everything—whether it's someone loading a truck at 6 AM or working on a car in their driveway at 10 PM.
Surveillance shouldn't disrupt—it should quietly deliver clarity. That's what eRemote® does.
Environmental Adaptability: From Rural to Residential
DG: eRemote® works in diverse environments. What engineering went into making that possible?
RG: Every location presents unique challenges. In residential neighborhoods, you need systems that blend in and don't draw attention from neighbors. In rural settings, you're dealing with distance, property layouts, challenging sight lines. We engineered eRemote® to adapt to all of it.
Our cameras have pan, tilt, and zoom capabilities, so we can monitor from multiple angles and adjust coverage as needed. We use AI-powered smart scheduling and intelligent motion detection to ensure we're capturing activity when it matters most. And our systems work day and night, in various weather conditions, delivering clear HD footage regardless of environmental factors.
DG: Can you give an example of a challenging environment where eRemote® excelled?
RG: I remember a case involving a rural property with a long driveway and extensive acreage. The claimant had a workers' compensation injury and was claiming severe mobility limitations. Traditional surveillance would have been nearly impossible—there was no way to position a vehicle with a clear view, and any vehicle presence would have been immediately obvious on that rural road.
We deployed eRemote® and captured the claimant operating heavy equipment, performing farm work, and engaging in physically demanding activities over multiple days. The footage was crystal clear, completely documented his actual capabilities, and he never knew the cameras were there. That claim was denied, and the evidence held up without question.
That's the power of technology that adapts to the environment rather than requiring the environment to adapt to it.
The Numbers That Tell the Story
DG: Let's talk results. In 90% of cases, eRemote® delivers 60% more impactful video evidence than standard surveillance methods. How do you achieve that?
RG: It comes down to three factors: coverage duration, behavioral authenticity, and strategic positioning.
First, coverage duration. Traditional surveillance might capture a few hours of footage over one or two days. eRemote® can monitor continuously for extended periods—days or weeks if needed. More coverage means more opportunities to capture relevant activity.
Second, behavioral authenticity. Because subjects don't know they're being monitored, we're capturing their actual lifestyle and capabilities, not a modified version they present when they think someone's watching.
Third, strategic positioning. We deploy cameras based on property layout and investigative goals. We're not limited by where we can park a vehicle or what's visible from the street. We position cameras to capture the most relevant areas—the driveway, the yard, the garage, outdoor work areas.
When you combine those three factors, you get significantly more impactful evidence. And in 90% of cases, that's exactly what happens.
The Technology Behind the Results
DG: What features makee Remote® so effective?
RG: We've built flexibility into every aspect of the system. Clients can choose HD live streaming for time-sensitive cases—you get continuous feed access when you need real-time monitoring. We provide next-day video link updates as standard, with same-day links available when situations require immediate review.
One of the most valuable features is the ability to extend surveillance based on observed activity. If we're capturing significant evidence, we can adapt the monitoring duration in real-time. You're not locked into a predetermined timeline—the surveillance evolves based on what we're actually seeing.
The AI integration has been a game-changer. Smart scheduling and intelligent motion detection mean we're maximizing coverage efficiency. The system learns patterns and focuses on the most productive monitoring windows.
DG: How does this translate to cost savings for clients?
RG: Extended monitoring at a fraction of traditional surveillance costs. Think about it: instead of paying for investigators to sit in vehicles for hours, possibly across multiple days, you get continuous coverage that runs 24/7 if needed. The ROI is substantial. Clients get better evidence, more comprehensive documentation, and faster case resolution—all at lower cost.
Looking Forward: The Future of Surveillance
DG: You've been doing this for 15 years. How has eRemote® evolved?
RG: The core concept remains the same—discreet, continuous monitoring that captures authentic behavior. But the technology has advanced significantly. Our cameras produce higher-resolution footage. Our AI capabilities are more sophisticated. Our deployment strategies are refined from 21,000+ cases worth of experience.
We're constantly innovating. Not because we have to keep up with competitors, but because we're committed to staying ahead. That's what industry leadership means—setting the pace, not following it.
DG: Where do you see unmanned surveillance headed?
RG: I think we'll see continued integration with other investigative tools. Imagine combining eRemote® footage with mobile forensics data, vehicle sightings intelligence, and social media analysis. That comprehensive approach gives you a complete picture of a claimant's actual lifestyle and capabilities.
I also think we'll see broader adoption across different claim types. We started with workers' compensation and disability claims, but we're seeing eRemote® used effectively for property damage documentation, liability investigations, even in complex fraud schemes.
The fundamental value proposition won't change: discreet, continuous, reliable surveillance that produces courtroom-ready evidence. But the applications will continue to expand.
Why Delta Group?
DG: Ray, we have to ask: What would you say to an insurance professional considering unmanned surveillance for the first time?
RG: I'd say there's a reason Delta Group pioneered this technology and remains the industry leader 15 years later. We didn't just create a product—we created a process. A methodology. A standard of excellence that's been validated in over 2,000 depositions and published federal case law.
When you choose eRemote®, you're not just getting cameras. You're getting 15 years of refinement. Over 21,000 cases worth of experience. A 100% courtroom acceptance rate. And a team that understands not just the technology, but the investigative strategy that makes it effective.
The future of surveillance is here. It's been here for 15 years. It's called eRemote®, and it's only available from Delta Group.
Ready to experience the eRemote® advantage? Contact Delta Group to deploy an eRemote® unit for your next case, or to determine if unmanned surveillance is viable for a specific address.
Email: referrals@deltagroup.net | Phone: (800) 329-4143 | Learn more: www.deltagroup.net/eremote
Delta Group: Pioneeringsurveillance innovation since our founding. Setting the standard others follow. Delivering results you can trust.
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