Page 36 - Security Today, April 2021

bottlenecks, test new store designs or compare the effectiveness of in-store campaigns.
With video analytics, brick and mortar stores can turn their security cameras into powerful business intelligence tools to en- hance customer experience, and maximize sales.
INTEGRATE POS WITH VIDEO
TO UNEARTH BUSINESS INSIGHTS
POS exception reporting is widely used by asset protection teams to combat shrink. A typical POS exception reporting so- lution comprises a platform that analyzes POS transactions and searches for common scenarios that indicate potential problems for follow-up investigation such as employees doing false returns.
By extracting a feed from the POS and integrating it with the video system to automatically pull and store video clips sur- rounding the time of the exceptions, the time spent on these in- vestigations can be dramatically shortened. That is the case when they are both made available in a simple dashboard where the video clip can be played alongside the transactions on the same screen. Investigators can improve their efficiency multifold.
Combining the POS feed with other data sources can also of- fer businesses the ability to track and improve multiple facets of their operations at every location. These include people develop- ment, comparing business location performance across an orga- nization, optimizing store efficiencies, tracking cash and ascer- taining popular buying/selling trends.
Store managers can review transaction data, identify training opportunities for employees, and track and analyze store/loca- tion performance.
Time card information can be included to analyze and opti- mize store efficiency and a business can quickly assess how many people are working per hour, calculate total profitable transac- tions and revenue generated daily, weekly and monthly. Pulling in the data from the intrusion alarm system enables management to view intrusion data, closely monitor when stores are opened and closed, deliveries are made, cleaning is done, and whether the store is being remotely armed and disarmed at appropriate times.
Once the key data is pulled and correlated, the information can be viewed in visual dashboards to more easily understand rela- tionships between the data and to drive focus on key performance metrics. These dashboards can be configured for visualizations that compare performance across all regions, uncover insights pertaining to campaigns, and track performance improvements mapped to training interventions.
LEVERAGE INTERACTIVE VIDEO
MONITORING IN A POST-PANDEMIC WORLD
As many retailers, restaurants and public venues strive to stay open, the need to enforce physical distancing and food safety measures has never been more critical.
Video surveillance solutions that may already be available for security can be leveraged and enhanced to monitor and enforce occupancy levels, social distancing or cleanliness routines. By im- plementing an interactive monitoring solution with microphones and speakers installed in addition to security cameras, remote se- curity teams can see, hear and speak to employees and customers. This capability can be used in several ways.
Overhead announcements can be automatically triggered re- minding customers and employees about social distancing norms. Monitoring teams can also initiate specific live voice downs when they see overcrowding or people failing to observe social distanc- ing norms or not wearing masks.
Boosting Operations at Panda Express with Security Technology
Interface helps Panda Express save thousands of dollars per month per store in reduced shrink at the POS
With more than 2,200 locations and 41,000 associates, Panda Express is America’s largest family-owned and operated Asian dining concept. Challenged with losses at the point of sale (POS), the company turned to Interface Security Systems, to help them dra- matically decrease shrink.
Panda had implemented a customized, exception-based POS reporting system, which notifies Panda management whenever a suspicious transaction takes place at the register. Interface took the tool a step further by integrating it with the video surveillance and alarm systems at each of the Panda locations, allowing management to immediately connect to the video of any problematic transaction.
The solution enables loss prevention professionals to quickly identify anomalies and prevent shrink. Top offenders from thousands of em- ployees doing millions of transactions can easily be bubbled up to the top. The combination of business intelligence and video surveillance re- sulted in a massive reduction in shrink and cash shortage at the register.
In fact, Panda reports saving thousands of dollars per month per store in reduced shrink at the point of sale. The business in- telligence provided allows for focused tracking and improved store operations, including people development, store performance data comparison, optimized store efficiencies, monitored intrusion data and cash tracking. Panda and Interface have successfully partnered to create a potent security, loss prevention and business intelligence tool for the industry.
The same system can be used for employee training and moni- toring for operational procedures. Messages can be played for employees before and after store hours. Cleanliness routines can be monitored and violations can be documented with video evi- dence for training or corrective actions. Inventory handling pro- cesses, food handling, waste management, and safety practices for delivery and a drive through can be monitored and enforced remotely. Key procedures can be monitored for violations and real-time intervention or documentation for later follow-up.
Interface is actively innovating, identifying and beginning to de- ploy the next set of advanced solutions that can be integrated with the interactive monitoring systems we already offer our customers. Our new technologies are addressing some of today’s greatest con- cerns and we continue to look for ways to best leverage the infor- mation that our security platforms are gathering
every day. Our goal is to equip companies with
accurate insights so they in turn are empowered
to make the best business decisions.
Tom Hesterman is the senior vice president of products and system engineering at Interface Security Systems.
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APRIL 2021 | SECURITY TODAY
PERIMETER SECURITY