A panel discussion on how integrated security systems with CCTV are helping retail businesses thrive
We sat down with three security experts to discuss the latest trends in video surveillance in the retail industry. Read on to hear what the following leaders in the field have to say: Mr. Doug Sales, Senior Director, Commercial Systems Sales at GardaWorld Ontario and West, Mr. Patrick Soo, Director of Sales, Canada at Alarm.com, and Mr. Gordon Hebb, Director, Canadian Intrusion Sales at DSC/Qolsys/Sur-Gard.
How does GardaWorld approach securing retail environments from a technology perspective?
Mr. Doug Sales: Ultimately, we take a layered approach to retail security since it requires the integration of several technologies. And there is no single silver bullet; each store requires its own specific solution. We are a systems integrator, so GardaWorld Security Systems partners with software companies and manufacturers that complement what we offer, and take everybody’s services whether it’s alarm monitoring, video monitoring, video verification, or access control. We then integrate whatever is needed to deliver holistic solutions to help our clients thrive. All the technologies have to work together and talk to each other.
When it comes to CCTV and retail stores, is it just about shrink and preventing theft?
Mr. Sales: Shrink is always top of mind within any retail environment and how to manage it. But the latest camera analytics and software technologies allow us to do so much more. For example, hot spotting and traffic counting to determine where to place merchandise in the store to help increase profitability. And an increase in sales reduces your shrink, so it’s a bit of an art and a bit of a science.
Mr. Patrick Soo: Exactly. It’s not just about shrinkage, reducing crime, and protecting assets and employees. It’s also looking at business optimization using heat mapping, people counting, queue monitoring, and enhancing the customer experience.
We’re using video analytics to increase operational efficiencies. Store owners are getting answers to big questions, such as: When do you need to increase your staffing? When are your peak times? What are customers looking at? Where do you want to drive sales? All those things are really becoming a part of the video system, and it’s becoming more than just protecting people and assets; it’s about optimizing efficiency.
Let’s talk about video analytics and what that means for the retail industry.
Mr. Soo: Video analytics, artificial intelligence and machine learning are certainly real buzzwords within our industry right now. And I think more than just trends; these technologies are really shaping the future of video surveillance and technology, and the companies that provide the richest video analytics will win.
How do intrusion devices integrate with CCTV systems and video analytics?
Mr. Gordon Hebb: A lot of people don’t realize the synergy between intrusion devices and video. When you start mapping things together, you have a verified activity that you know needs attention. Incorporating additional devices like water and temperature detection take the security solution to the next level.
What are your thoughts on business owners wondering how to justify spending the money on an integrated retail security system?
Mr. Sales: It was always difficult only through shrink to justify a new store operation with the whole package, including intrusion devices, CCTV and access control. But now that other business units within the retail community, such as the marketing team and operations teams, are deriving benefits from the installation of these technologies, it’s an easier sell within a retail solution. That speaks to the capabilities of CCTV now compared to 10 years ago and that speaks to the industry looking for assistance in managing their businesses through the technologies.
Mr. Soo: Video adoption has always been very high on the commercial side. But recently with the advent of machine learning and video analytics, it’s just become a lot more affordable and a lot more user friendly. It just works. You’ve filtered out all these false positives. Now we’re providing the very meaningful and important data that our customers are looking for.
Mr. Sales spoke earlier about how GardaWorld integrates different systems and technologies to deliver optimal solutions for clients. How do retail clients respond once they discover the benefits of these integrated systems?
Mr. Hebb: Very few business owners realize the potential of putting all the products together until they experience it. Once you do one retail store properly, as soon as the business manager or the business owner who owns multiple, they want to see it in every one of their units after that because they’re saving money and cutting costs. They know that their buildings are open on time. Visual verification allows the business owners and managers to know exactly who opened the business during and outside of regular business hours. They know if there’s any unusual activity that needs attention. Essentially, they’re in touch with their business, whereas before they probably had no idea that people were coming in in the middle of the night or something odd was happening. So there are a lot of benefits that come together that make people want to ask, “Can you do that in my other 50 sites?”
Mr. Soo: The future is really exciting right now in terms of technology, and the explosion of AI and machine learning. And it’s just the beginning.
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