Vivotek releases new lineup of cameras for retailers

Editor / Provider: Vivotek | Updated: 12/28/2012 | Article type: Security 50

Vivotek has announced three new megapixel-class cameras tailored to the needs of retailers. The CC8130, IP8130/31, and IP8152/52-F4 join the PD8136 compact pan/tilt dome camera and the FD8136-the world's smallest fixed dome camera-to complete Vivotek's lineup of security cameras designed for the retail industry.

The CC8130 is a compact cube camera designed with a flat back-panel for easy mounting on walls or countertops, ideal for locations such as checkout stations. With a 180° viewing angle, the camera provides full coverage of monitored areas without blind spots, while a built-in microphone to record audio further enhances its value as a security tool.

Vivotek's IP8130/31 is a compact cube camera with an elegant physical design for mounting in more conventional locations. In addition, the IP8131 is equipped with infrared LEDs and a removable IR-cut filter, enabling it to provide clear video day and night.

An innovative new mini-box camera design distinguishes Vivotek's IP8152/52-F4. This extremely compact camera can fit into different types of enclosures and offer access to numerous lens options. In addition to a removable IR-cut filter, Supreme Night Visibility technology enables the IP8152/52-F4 to capture high-quality video in the visible spectrum even in low-light conditions.

All of Vivotek's new cameras targeted at retail environments support industry-standard H.264 compression, and come with the ST7501 32-channel recording software. Customers can also take advantage of the iViewer remote monitoring app for iOS and Android mobile devices.

UK stores clamp down on self-checkout shrinkage with IP surveillance and analytics

Editor / Provider: Axis Communications | Updated: 12/20/2012 | Article type: Commercial Markets

Axis Communications, the global market supplier in network video, is working with StopLift, a leading point of sale (POS) analytics developer whose technology is used in Tesco, to clamp down on self-checkout theft in stores across the UK.

The busy Christmas shopping period is well underway and stores are packed with shoppers buying gifts and stocking up on festive food and drink. However, with 30 percent of all shoppers admitting to theft using self-service tills, according to watchmywallet.co.uk, it's clear that unless retailers take positive steps to monitor and reduce shrinkage, they're not likely to have a very ‘merry' Christmas this year.

Atul Rajput, retail specialist at Axis Communications said: “The issue isn't just limited to self-service checkouts, this is happening right across the store. However, self-checkouts are on the rise and although the cost savings they bring still outweigh the losses, shoplifting from ‘canny' customers as well as genuine mistakes from others, continue to be a cause for concern for retailers.

“With long queues and frustrated shoppers at checkouts this December, it's impossible for staff to spot every type of theft as it happens and they will often override the checkout when they are notified of an unpaid item just to keep the queues flowing and the tills ringing.

“It's hardly surprising that research commissioned by Axis and undertaken by the Center for Retail Research, showed that over a third of UK retailers had plans in place to invest in the use of POS video analytic solutions such as StopLift to proactively flag incidents of scan avoidance and help banish the problem.”

StopLift Checkout Vision Systems' Scan-It-All video analytic technology works with Axis cameras mounted over manned and self-checkouts to detect scan avoidance. The system constantly monitors 100 percent of the security video and then flags any suspicious transactions. It then reports the incident, logging the cashier or customer and the date and time of the theft.

StopLift's technology is used in various stores including UK retail giant Tesco, which has already adopted the technology and has installed it in many of its stores in the UK and, to a lesser extent, across Europe. Worldwide, the system has detected more than 600,000 incidents of scan avoidance.

“Our technology has found that shoplifting is as much as five times more likely to happen at a self-checkout,” added Malay Kundu, founder and CEO of StopLift. “Some retailers are even re-examining the return on investment of self-checkouts.”

Kundu explains how footage from the system can also be used as a training aid: “Using the incidents detected from their own stores, retailers are now able to train staff on the signals, indicating when customers are either having problems using the self-checkout, or are exhibiting suspicious behavior.”

Rajput concluded: “Too often surveillance is seen as the security department's responsibility and only useful to protect the premises, staff and customers and to help in the fight against theft. However, as the technology evolves, IP surveillance used in conjunction with systems such as StopLift is capable of so much more, offering business intelligence as well as flexibility in the way that footage can be accessed and analyzed to give retailers a real competitive advantage.”

London luxury residential development gets 360-degree protection

Editor / Provider: Oncam Grandeye | Updated: 12/18/2012 | Article type: Residential & Consumer

Oncam Grandeye announced an integration partnership with Milestone Systems giving customers around the world an interoperable surveillance solution and providing them access to the patented 360-degree technology.

Oncam has developed a plug-in using the Milestone integration SDK and has added its client-side dewarping into the Milestone XProtect Smart Client interface.

With the Oncam plug-In, customers are now able to get the 360-degree experience with their Evolution and Halocam IP cameras, from the Milestone XProtect Smart Client, for both live and recorded video.

Henrik Friborg Jacobsen, cofounder and Executive VP at Milestone Systems, said, "We've worked with Oncam for more than 10 years now as a Milestone Manufacturer Alliance partner, and we're excited about the growing partnership with them as they continue to drive 360-degree technology into the future."

The solution was installed at the London Landmark, where Oncam provides threat profiling and high-tech security solutions for this luxury residential development.

Greg Alcorn, Director of Sales for Oncam, said, “This is a leading solution for our customers. We already deployed the integration at the Landmark, and although there are other options out there, none of them provide the user with this kind of result. We have also been working with many large-box retailers in the U.S. that have wanted the Oncam experience, and we are now able to provide it for them with the Milestone open platform."

The Oncam plug-In is compatible with Milestone XProtect Smart Client 7.0b, running with XProtect Corporate 5.0, XProtec Enterprise 8.0, XProtect Professional 8.0, or XProtect Express 1.0 and later versions of these products.

Axis Camera Companion witnesses strong demand from Southern/Central Europe and the Americas

Editor / Provider: Axis Communications | Updated: 11/29/2012 | Article type: Security 50

There has been considerable interest from the market for Axis Camera Companion, a surveillance solution for smaller camera installations, since its release in March 2012. Strongest demand has been seen in Southern and Central Europe and in the Americas region.

Axis sees good growth potential with Axis Camera Companion for smaller systems. Small companies, gas stations, pharmacies and retail businesses, that are demanding professional easy-to-use systems for increased safety and security, have displayed considerable interest. Easy installation, superb HDTV image quality and access to video from the cameras via Internet are some appreciated features.

“Axis Camera Companion has received a very positive reception. We have seen strongest demand in Southern and Central Europe and in the Americas region. Generally speaking, we expect the global network video market to continue to develop in line with what has been communicated previously,” says Ray Mauritsson, President and CEO of Axis Communications.

Retail is one of the sectors where demand is strongest for a surveillance solution for small installations. For the retail trade, surveillance cameras generally mean reduced theft. In a recently conducted survey among retailers in the UK, Ireland, Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Norway 80 percent of the 700 traders, who own 40,000 stores, reported that cameras reduce shrinkage. The survey is carried out by the Center for Retail Research, a research and analysis company, on behalf of Axis Communications. Access to cameras via Internet, lower overall costs, and the fact that cameras may be used to enhance store processes, for instance when it comes to improved personnel planning and better exposure of goods, are some of the advantages that were mentioned.

Today the market for small installations mainly consists of analog cameras, but a technology shift towards network based surveillance is underway.

“With Axis Camera Companion we are driving the technology shift from analog to digital video surveillance in small installations. Axis Camera Companion is a good example of how we are the driving force in the network video market through our innovative products,” says Mauritsson.

2013 — Never a dull moment

Editor / Provider: Submitted by Johnson Controls | Updated: 11/26/2012 | Article type: Hot Topics

Security has become a rapidly evolving and highly complex industry. The cables connecting card readers have been cut in favor of wireless networks. Surveillance video no longer exists on film or tape, but is stored as a string of digital data. And marketers and human resource specialists have found uses for equipment once intended to solely secure people and property. As we complete another year, it is a good time to review some of the industry's changes, challenges and successes. Also, it is a time to reflect on what the new year may bring to the industry's manufacturers, solution providers, integrators and end users.

First, a quick caveat is in order. Any predictions are based on today's economic, social and political conditions. In our volatile, interconnected world, changes in one region of the globe can significantly impact others. That aside, here is Johnson Controls' look at the security industry as we enter 2013.

Despite an uncertain global economy, the industry held its ground over the last year. With slow construction growth forecast in Europe, North America and most of Asia, global industry sales are likely to remain fairly flat throughout 2013. While there certainly will be some major new projects, much of the business in these regions will focus on upgrades and retrofits of existing security systems.

Fortunately, there are some brighter spots. Demand for security products and services will grow in Latin America, particularly in Brazil, where a construction boom is underway in advance of the 2014 World Cup tournament and the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. That growth will mean more sales of surveillance cameras, card readers and turnstiles (to accommodate many new stadiums and arenas being built).

Also in Latin America, security directors now expect physical security information management (PSIM) software to be a part of each new project. They value the software solution's ability to collect and combine information from existing disparate security — and even building automation — systems into one integrated, intelligent system offering a single point of control.

The Middle East is another bright spot, as development is continuing at a strong pace with not only some of the world's tallest buildings, but in effect entirely new cities.

Growth Verticals
Growth in many vertical markets was slow throughout 2012. More of the same will likely take place in 2013, as most budgets are expected to remain tight. But, there are still exciting markets to follow.

Around the world, more children and young adults need to be kept secure on school and college campuses. As a result, the education market will continue its growth in 2013. Health care should be another growth area, particularly in the U.S., where government programs are pushing hospitals to provide better care for more people within the same facilities. The need to increase throughput while maintaining patient satisfaction will help drive increased sales of security products and services.

Securing utility sites can be vital to a region's or even a nation's economic health. As a result, they will require more cameras and card readers and also visitor management systems. The latter will allow security personnel to run Internet-based criminal and terrorist watch background checks on visitors before allowing them to enter a facility.

Retail is another interesting vertical. Probably more than any other market, retailers have found innovative ways to use security data, particularly video. For example, retailers review video to help determine staffing needs, product placement and customers' traffic patterns and shopping habits.

Hot Products
In video surveillance, DVRs will continue to give way to intuitively controlled video management systems and mass storage devices. Rather than review hours of video, a security team can now use software to provide a synopsis of user-defined important or critical events. Using retail as an example, the end user may want to review only the shopping habits of families of three or more people entering a store. Synopsis software can find and present only that video.

Access control will continue to grow closer to the door with smart, edge-based devices. Many will be wireless and operate from an existing or newly built Wi-Fi networks. There will be less hardware but the same or greater capacities. Wireless units will expand access control to remote sites that might have previously been impossible to protect.

Mass notification is primed for growth. It provides real-time information to all building occupants and those in the immediate vicinity during an emergency. Using a combination of interior and exterior speakers and strobe lights, many top mass notification systems will integrate with a building's fire alarm system.

And expect a continued proliferation of mobile phones and tablets apps, allowing security personnel to review live or recorded video, obtain access audit trails and receive alarms while in the field.

What's Trending
Don't anticipate many revolutionary breakthroughs in 2013, but instead expect small, incremental upgrades to existing products and solutions. There are still many inventive people working on the next great development, but until the global economy improves, manufacturers are not likely looking to add them along with the required sales and marketing efforts needed to grow a new product.

That, however, does not rule out some relatively new products and services continuing to gain traction. Remote storage of video and data will head for the clouds. Cloud-based services still face some bandwidth issues, especially for video, as well as skepticism among some security directors that want total control of their data. But that is changing as the cloud environment has proven to be a secure and cost-effective means of storing and accessing data. As the acceptance of the cloud concept grows, there will be greater demand for managed services. Integrators monitor and store an end user's security data and handle alarm situations. This provides monthly recurring revenue for the integrator and allows the end user to realign or eliminate manpower dedicated to security and focus more on an organization's core competencies.

Also expect to see more end users move toward converging the security function with building automation, linking security with environment, lighting and other systems into a single point of control. This adds convenience, reduces manpower needs and enhances the value of an end user's facility.

Industry Issues
Finding ways to do more with less will be a challenge for end users. Security directors, faced with tight budgets, must be more selective in their choices of integrators and product manufacturers. They will look for innovation, features and service, while being very aware of price.

In many organizations, the security department is seen as a loss center. Showing ROI helps pave the way for a larger security budget. That requires security directors, integrators and manufacturers working together to prove security reduces the threat level, increases operational efficiencies and offers broad assistance to nonsecurity areas of a business.

And end users will continue to push for open standards as they seek to protect their legacy systems. As equipment fails, a security director wants the option of replacing it with units offering the feature sets and price they want — knowing it will integrate with existing systems.

Manufacturers face the challenge of making the products that end users want and need badly enough they will buy them. That requires closer communication with customers and integrators to be sure the cameras, card readers and other equipment meet the security needs of today and into the future.

For integrators, the new IT-centric world is changing the profile of a typical technician or even a salesperson. That means integrators will have to cast a broader net — searching telephony, IT, software development and other related industries — to find qualified employees.

And to shore up geographical areas where they lack a presence, larger integrators will continue to buy their smaller competitors. Manufacturers will continue to acquire small niche companies that can bring already marketed offerings at an attractive price.

2013 and Beyond
End users will no longer accept stand-alone technology. Even the standard definition of integration as linking access control, video surveillance and alarm points no longer applies.

Integration today means making security work with existing business applications, different databases and operating systems. This more complex integration means more available data, moving bidirectional between systems to create new opportunities and ways to solve end-user problems and concerns. The challenge for all industry segments will be to stay level or ahead of technology changes. The winners will be those that understand what to build and add value to their products, services and operations.

One thing that the new year will not be is dull.

IT departments play critical role in retail sector's adoption of IP surveillance

Editor / Provider: Axis Communications | Updated: 11/22/2012 | Article type: Security 50

Nearly 50 percent of UK retailers said that the IT department is the key to them being able to harness all the benefits of IP surveillance systems according to a recent survey by the Centre for Retail Research into current and future use of CCTV by retailers, commissioned by Axis Communications, the global market provider in network video.

The research revealed that a lack of collaboration with IT and a clear return on investment was preventing nearly three-quarters of UK retailers adopting IP cameras and replacing outdated closed circuit analog cameras. Axis believes that by adopting a new perspective on the role network video can play as a real time visual business intelligence tool, the logical step would be for IT to manage video as yet another networked application which provides strategic business value.

“Surveillance is usually seen as the security department's responsibility, used to protect the premises, staff and customers as well as against theft. However, as the technology evolves, IP surveillance is capable of so much more than security and safety, offering business intelligence as well as flexibility in the way that footage can be accessed and analyzed.” said Atul Rajput, Retail Specialist of Axis Communications.

The theory of cross functional application use is backed up by the research as:
- 37 percent of UK retailers said that networked video surveillance allows for integration with business intelligence applications
- There is high awareness among retailers that networked video offers more than just loss prevention with nearly 80 percent of those surveyed understanding the role of surveillance in people counting, 65 percent for dwell time analysis and over 60 percent for queue management.

“IT can play a pivotal role in facilitating cross department collaboration between security, marketing and operations, to unleash the true potential of IP surveillance systems and allow retailers to maximize the ROI on video surveillance spend.”

“With IT departments currently exploring cloud based applications and services, embracing network video today will also ease integration into any future deployments of VSaaS. Network video integrated with cloud based business intelligence analytics, for example to analyze consumer behavior and footfall in store, enables retailers to deploy video as a business tool and benefit from a hosted service to significantly reduce the upfront capital expenditure on deploying a system.”

Although the survey revealed that only 21 percent of respondents were considering deploying cloud-based video solutions, as the respondents were primarily from loss prevention, it perhaps reinforces the view that collaboration with IT is the key to unlocking the full potential of IP video surveillance.”

With nearly 60 percent of UK retailers planning to adopt IP systems it is clear that these barriers will need to be overcome. Professor Joshua Bamfield, CRR, added “The role that business intelligence plays in improving customer service and therefore driving retail sales is key. For this reason, retailers are turning to technologies to make improvements and gain competitive edge. This survey has highlighted how retailers are embracing technology and recognize the role that surveillance can play, but there is still some resistance, due to collaboration between departments, that is hampering the adoption of IP surveillance technologies.”

Sprint service dealer enhances customer experience with MVaaS

Editor / Provider: Envysion | Updated: 11/15/2012 | Article type: Commercial Markets

Envysion, a Managed Video as a Service (MVaaS) provider, announced that CCT Wireless has selected Envysion as its exclusive video provider and has begun an enterprise deployment of Envysion’s video-driven business intelligenceT. CCT Wireless, a Sprint preferred retailer with locations throughout Colorado and Wyoming, will use Envysion to improve sales and the customer experience.

“Envysion enables us to see and hear any customer interaction at any of our stores, so we understand exactly what occurred and what sales tactics were employed to maximize that customer contact,” said Chase Elmore, Director of Sales at CCT Wireless. “We’ve used secret shoppers in the past, but their evaluations are subjective. Envysion gives us a better way of identifying issues and coaching our team more effectively.”

Envysion transforms video surveillance from an insurance policy to a strategic management tool that provides actionable insight to improve marketing, sales, customer service and store operations. Through Envysion’s integration with iQmetrix’s RQ4 retail management system, wireless dealers gain the video and audio context behind all of their sales data and can identify opportunities to drive more sales. For example, CCT Wireless can easily flag new phone activations without accessory sales to determine employees who may need more coaching on upselling.

“We’re excited to be selected by CCT Wireless,” said Carlos Perez, VP of Product and Marketing at Envysion. “CCT Wireless’ selection of Envysion further demonstrates the significant impact of video-driven business intelligence for wireless dealers.”

Nedap releases invisible retail anti-theft tags

Editor / Provider: Nedap | Updated: 11/15/2012 | Article type: Security 50

Nedap Retail, a developer and supplier of innovative solutions for the retail market, in partnership with Kovi, a worldwide printed silicon electronics technology, unveiled a new category of Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) tags for the retail and fashion industry that can be invisibly embedded into clothing, shoes and other products, and can be deactivated permanently at point of sale.

!FaST, an "invisible" EAS solution, secures products, such as clothing and shoes, with anti-theft tags that are completely invisible and undetected by consumers, redefining the consumer experience and overall brand interaction within the retail industry. Unlike traditional EAS labels, after having been deactivated, !FaST will not reactivate due to the wearing or cleaning of garments or wearing of shoes. As a result, consumers will no longer face the embarrassment of triggering the anti-theft alarm systems of retail stores long after a product has been purchased. In addition, because !FaST is embedded into the lining of the clothing or the shoe upon manufacturing, it eliminates the need for bulky plastic "hard tags" that limit a consumer's ability to properly try on clothing or shoes, and that often damage the product when it is removed from the retail item. !FaST preserves the aesthetic visual impression of branded products that traditional hard tags impact negatively.

"!FaST is a technological breakthrough in the retail industry that allows for the true integration of EAS with the garment or shoe without the risk of consumer manipulation, while still having the benefits of applying it at the manufacturing level," said Rob Schuurman, Director and GM at Nedap Retail. "With !FaST, consumers do not notice products that are secured, thus leading to a better overall shopping experience, and at the same time lowering shrinkage. This exciting integration gives retailers access to a powerful solution that will increase customer satisfaction, brand loyalty, and buyer confidence."

Due to the risk of reactivation of integrated labels during consumer use, many shoe retailers have typically chosen not to deploy integrated EAS source tagging. In addition, to avoid theft, many retailers only display one shoe on the sales floor, requiring staff to leave the store floor to retrieve the second shoe in the backroom, while customers wait. As an alternative, retailers have punched hard tags through the leather of the shoe, restricting the ability of the consumer to assess the fit of the shoe, and causing permanent damage to the item. !FaST is the first solution that truly allows shoe retailers to embed fail-safe EAS technology into the sole of the shoe, allowing them to place both shoes safely on the showroom floor and providing consumers with a more comfortable shopping experience.

"We are proud that Kovio's unique printed silicon electronics technology is enabling Nedap Retail to create an entirely new class of EAS tags for applications in shoes and apparel," said Amir Mashkoori, CEO of Kovio. "The launch of this breakthrough EAS product demonstrates the significant potential for Kovio's printed silicon electronics platform technology in the retail industry."

EAS source tagging in the fashion and retail sectors offers many operational and cost advantages. By moving EAS tagging back into the supply chain, to the garment or shoe manufacturer level, retailers are able to eliminate the labor intensive application of hard tags in-store. In addition, iFaST technology is compatible with existing legacy 8.2MHz EAS detection and deactivation systems, which are used worldwide by a majority of retailers. This precludes the need for many retailers to change EAS technology, thereby substantially improving the ROI for retailers and brands.

Several world-class retailers have already decided to trial the !FaST technology throughout their store locations.

Taking a leap beyond loss prevention

Editor / Provider: Submitted by Catalyst Communications | Updated: 11/9/2012 | Article type: Commercial Markets

With the introduction of 360-degree fisheye cameras with built-in “track-‘n-trace” capability in combination with video analytics applied to recorded footage, the retail sector has discovered that in-store surveillance can do much more than merely finding, tracking and identifying shoplifters, by analyzing and enhancing the shopper's experience.

It is no surprise that large supermarket chains, department stores and others who offer loyalty and bonus cards use the data from receipts to analyze shopping patterns. Not only do they calculate your bonus points accordingly, they also tailor special offers on certain items based on your previous purchase. What they have not been able to — until now — is analyze, for example, which products you also looked at but did not buy, or how many times you visited a store without buying anything at all.

The stumbling block has been the relative inability to work efficiently with “big data” — such as surveillance footage — in terms of analyzing it for business intelligence purposes. But with an efficient marriage of sophisticated 360-degree technology and video data management, AMG-Panogenics and i3 have now demonstrated that a new world of applications are available to the benefit of many industry sectors.

With its long tradition for using business intelligence to analyze shopping patterns, average basket value and more, retailers are now fast discovering that a 360-degree in-store video surveillance solution can help deliver a wealth of additional information. Until now, in-store video has predominantly been used for finding, tracking, identifying and documenting (potential) shoplifters, but the leap to using the footage for analyzing behavior and movement patterns, performance monitoring at PoS, customers waiting in lines for service and much more is now in full progress.

Turning 360
David Meyers, CTO of AMG-Panogenics, explained the camera technology which facilitates multiple ways of using and analyzing video footage, and how this helps increase the overall ROI. “It was always our intention to bring to market a product range with technical innovations that offer the users real benefits. We provide up to 14 live, simultaneous, panoramic and digital PTZ streams while still recording the full scene at a rate of 12.5 fps. A certain amount of zoom is then available on playback; up to 10x optical zoom equivalent, from fully zoomed-out, when compared with SD cameras. All you need for live viewing is a standard Web browser. We also designed the cameras to work on open-platform software which makes it very easy to integrate into third-party NVRs, through our SDK. Onboard dewarping is another feature which we have found that customers are very keen on. It reduces network bandwidth and image processing loads on NVRs and promises much better storage optimization. When correctly placed, 360-degree cameras can significantly reduce camera counts and transmission infrastructure. No moving parts also mean no maintenance costs.”

Track-‘n-Trace in Practice
“The latest feature track-‘n-trace' detects and tracks motion in preset areas; our tracking camera streams can follow persons around within the 360-degree view of the camera. We currently have up to two tracking streams in the camera, and the main intention of the feature is to act as a deterrent to would-be shoplifters by displaying them on the in-store screen and tracking them as if they were being followed. Usually, surveillance cameras are seen only as an after-the-fact forensic tool; however, PanoCam360 provides an active loss prevention feature at the same time. The monitor can show both tracking streams in separate windows while the NVR is also recording the entire 360-degree scene from the same camera. We can work with up to 10 different views or area sectors with different ‘trigger points,' which we can predetermine. The triggers are set by simply pointing and clicking to define the relevant area. Once the area is entered by the shopper, the camera is triggered, and the tracking automatically starts.”

Footage Mining for Business Intelligence
Footage analysis is where i3 comes in, providing advanced VCA for users to get the most information out of their video. The software has now been integrated with the PanoCam360 and Vy Hoang, i3's Executive VP of Sales and Marketing, is excited about the application of the integrated solution in the retail sector. “Our CMS is a centralized server that delivers the ability to collect important customer data from the security video system and then combine with operational data in order to push real-time business intelligence to employees within an organization. The data is delivered in the form of reports that quickly identify lost opportunities, operational inefficiencies and areas of risk, without waiting for trends to appear. The fact that we deliver data in real time means that there is a possibility to apply corrective measures instantly, often for the benefit of better profitability. Say, for example, that you have a display of expensive sunglasses as a shop-in-shop function. It may be located adjacent to the cosmetics department or next to a custom jewellery counter. Not only do you want to ensure that visitors to the store area do not help themselves to a pair of shades from a loss prevention point of view, you may also want to track and analyze which brands and designs attract most customers, as this could prompt you to rearrange the display. There is a lot a psychology involved in how goods are presented for optimizing the sales and small changes in the display and use of the real estate can generate immediate impact on the bottom line. Further, you may want to track customers who bought sunglasses around the adjacent shop area to identify which goods they also sampled or bought in cosmetics and jewellery, thus investigating if certain behavior or movement patterns apply to certain categories of customers. Reports will include information on view time in front of a display, walking patterns within and around the area, as well as traffic counts within the area.”

In-store video footage can be analyzed in real time to provide valuable business intelligence and key performance indicators.

It is, however, important to note that traffic counters and analytics alone do not automatically increase sales. The information provided must drive strategic decisions and actions, Hoang stressed.

Focus
“It is also important to be aware that there are things you can actively influence and control, and others which you will not be able to influence,” Hoang said. “Noncontrollable events include things like weather, lunch groups, family groups, church rush, free store delivery (pick up at store from online ordering), unscheduled trucks and customer ‘loitering,' which can all inflict impact on numbers. Things you can control and work with to improve the customer experience include managing staff breaks, scheduling for coverage, clearing the DVR/NVR entry zone (removing items from an area that might affect the accuracy of people count or region count), managing cart return, managing morning sidewalk setup, customers using exit to enter, multiple trips for shop opportunities, manager-on-duty performance, evaluating associate performance and so on.”

Knowing how long customers look at a particular display can help decide where to place goods in the real estate or prompt changes to the way goods are displayed and highlighted.

The sample report shows overall customer traffic, comparing two different outlets in different geographical regions

Touch and Go
“Looking into the future, one of the immediate new applications — especially in the U.S. — is the requirement to have full-person image logging for identification and documentation of wireless/mobile/NFC transactions,” Meyers said. “Retailers are looking for better and faster ways to process purchases. The next step will be a payment facility where the customer simply touches his/her credit card to the nearest payment ‘pad.' When we move into ‘touch-and-go' on credit cards, the criteria for being able to document that it is the rightful owner of the card who is using it will increase dramatically. The ability to spot fraudulent cards and identify theft will also be very significant.”

There is little doubt that the pleasurable concept of “retail therapy” is about to see a remarkable change, as retailers increasingly mine/mind the new business intelligence capabilities from in-store video capture.

Saudi Arabian supermarket chain minimizes shrinkage with surveillance and PA systems

Editor / Provider: Bosch Security Systems | Updated: 11/6/2012 | Article type: Security 50