The Changing Face of CCTV for Retailers

October 2007

Last year's crime survey from the British Retail Consortium found that crime cost the UK Retail industry £2.10 billion in 2006. It is therefore no surprise that the world of security and surveillance has changed dramatically over the last few years and the options available to retailers are more sophisticated than ever.

CCTV systems can and should increasingly form part of a tailored and integrated surveillance system designed to match the specific requirements of each individual site or store.

Systems need to be integrated and more sophisticated to reap the full benefits. Doing so can improve employee satisfaction, decrease the level of crime, help in prosecutions and bring significant cost savings on a number of levels.

Integration is the key:
The traditional notion of CCTV being a grudge purchase and simply a monitoring and deterrent tool is now becoming extinct. Today, nearly all retailers have converted to digital recording, the era of live real time imagery and digital video recording has already begun, and some of the smarter retailers have already started to reap some of the added benefits that a CCTV system can now bring to their operations.

Retailers no longer want just to have a CCTV system installed because it is standard practice. Security providers have to prove that their systems can reduce shrinkage levels and offer real return on investment. Electronic monitoring and control systems have to be cost-effective and beneficial at an operational level.

Memory is becoming cheaper by the day, so installing a live digital video stream which records straight onto the central hard drive is standard practice. Recorded and live images are now TV quality at minimal cost.

Fighting crime:
The majority of CCTV is used for prosecution purposes as evidence of a criminal activity. Clear, unobstructed footage is the most effective way of doing that. However, to keep one step ahead, technology has had to dramatically advance. Criminals often know where cameras are situated and will instead go to a blind spot and pocket an item there. As a response, retailers are now using the latest PTZ (Pan, Tilt and Zoom) domes and even mobile PTZs which can give up to 96% coverage of the store from one single camera. In addition, cameras are now able to record and store audio as well as images. This is particularly a popular good feature in relation to criminal prosecutions. In the past it was difficult to prove if a customer had verbally abused staff but now employees can simply trigger the audio recording feature by the touch of a button.

Integrated systems, such as EAS and alarms, are the future for retailers. When a tagging gate goes off, CCTV systems can be synchronised to follow a particular action or person so retailers can get the whole entirety of the event even before it has happened – a so called Tracker. The system will also record and store the whole sequence of events, including customer and staff reactions, for any potential prosecutions or training purposes.

The next step for retailers and off licensees is to create a ‘virtual cage’ in the CCTV system. This essentially means creating one or more areas in either your store or the back of the shop which the 360 degree surveillance system will consider a designated ‘high risk’ area. Anyone entering this area will trigger the cameras which will then focus in on the area, take a snap shot image of the person in it and/or record a brief sequence. The same can be arranged for when a tag triggers the alarm. This information can then be stored centrally for analysis, staffing and training purposes.

Tracker systems use advanced software to allow PTZ cameras to automatically cover ‘hotspots’ without operator intervention or management. Tracker can also ensure that these hotspots can be prioritised, so the highest risk items or areas within your stores are covered constantly.

Cost savings and marketing:
Integrating departments - thus spreading costs across the business and away from the security department – is the next step. Remote access from a separate location anywhere in the world allows the manager to check the story from his laptop in his hotel room, cutting travel time dramatically. It also allows for example the marketing department to check that promotions are being displayed properly and that the store is laid out as requested. Integrating departments can be used with ID-media, which is a programmable audio visual system that is used in conjunction with public display video monitors and specialised detectors. This information can be displayed permanently; can periodically interrupt the normally screened material or even work interactively to mix the two when a customer is in a certain aisle/area.

The Technology:
Some of the new equipment available today includes systems which can count the amount of people entering and leaving the store with almost 100% accuracy. Also on the market is a newly developed technology which can detect the likes of tinfoil-lined jackets and similar ‘professional’ shoplifting devises - supplementing existing tagging systems.

Electronic monitoring systems are more sophisticated than ever and, if integrated throughout, can be used for marketing, counter fraud, training and of course security purposes with cost savings.

Security on a Super Scale

September 2007

With 5km of powered conveyor belts, three million units of stock and a 1,200-strong workforce, Dixon Store Group International’s (DSGi) distribution site at Newark is anything but small scale.

The UK’s largest digital distribution centre, which provides the majority of DSGi’s supply chain needs to the UK, was officially opened in May.

The distribution centre is a critical part of the DSGi infrastructure, as it is the sole distribution point for all Currys and Currys.digital stores across the UK. Spanning 100 acres, the site has the capacity to handle 500 deliveries each day to and from its 181 loading docks.

With the sale of an MP3 player occurring every 15 seconds, and a flat screen TV every 27 seconds, it should come as no surprise then that the task of securing such a vast site, its contents and workforce was given to leading security solutions specialist, ID Technology Group.

The Manchester-based company, which supplies and maintains all CCTV and electronic article surveillance (EAS) to DSGi’s PC World and Currys.digital stores across the UK and Ireland, has been able to use its extensive experience within supply chain management, distribution centres and logistics to design the largest ever fully integrated security solution to a distribution centre, incorporating CCTV and access control.

Of key importance was the role the new system would play in monitoring health and safety practices in high risk areas and potential accident hot spots. Heavy machinery coupled with the fact that the site is open 24 hours a day made it essential that staff had the ability to network and use the system as and when needed..

Because the site is split into two warehouses located apart from one another, ID was faced with a challenging brief. The existing site had to first be upgraded, and then this needed to be integrated into the new system on the new site which incorporated a full cathexis system and a UTP hub infrastructure. ID utilised as much of the existing equipment as possible, removing 7 DVR units from the existing site, but re-using them within the existing DSGi Estate infrastructure on the retail side; providing substantial cost savings on future works.

ID Group installed its specialist ‘Campus System’, meaning that each of the two sites now feature their own monitoring stations which whilst linked, are effectively working independently of each other. By adopting this system, the future sale of either site would be of no detriment to the overall security infrastructure.

With 12 terabytes of storage, the new system features real time matrix video meaning that the site can be monitored live with no delays. From a maintenance perspective ‘one’ system will also be far easier to monitor and maintain both locally and remotely

Protecting three miles of perimeter was also a massive challenge which was resolved by using a combination of infra-red detectors via static and PTZ cameras. By using ID’s unique ‘Tracker’ system, any movement on the perimeter is automatically picked up without human intervention, and when the infra red alarm barrier is breached, staff are automatically alerted using the CAT-Sight alarm monitoring software

Ron Boucher, Facilities Manager at Newark, comments on the system: “When it came to securing a site of this size, we were looking for a fully integrated approach to our security needs, and called upon the expertise of ID Technology Group in these areas to ensure we had the level of monitoring required.

“We knew that we needed something far more sophisticated than traditional cameras, and we were looking for a solution that took into account all areas of the building and its grounds. ID Technology Group was able to devise a bespoke solution that met the brief perfectly.”

Terry Baker, Technical Director at ID Technology Group, added: “The contract to secure such a huge site was a challenge we were delighted to be able to meet, and one which provides DSG with the highest level of internal and external monitoring for their security and site requirements.

“We have tailor-made a complete package which we are certain will assist DSGi in the areas of health and safety, intruder and unauthorised access control, site monitoring and stock loss. The site is completely expandable and gives fantastic versatility for future works. Most recently, we have added an additional 70 cameras were added to its high value stock area at minimal cost, as there was no need to upgrade any of the software or storage to accommodate the cameras.”

ID ensures a Glorious day at Goodwood

August 2007

ID was at the heart of the racing at Glorious Goodwood this year, sponsoring The Company of Security Professionals 4th Annual Race day held at Glorious Goodwood Racecourse.

In temperatures that rose above the 25 Degree Celsius mark, Members of the Company who represents the Security Industry had a day of fine racing, food and champagne at one of the most high profile events on the racing calendar.

The Company of Security Professionals is a charitable body that promotes standards of excellence, integrity and honourable practice within the profession of security, and supports societies and other organisations connected to the security industry.

Andrew Gillies, Managing Director at ID comments on the successful day, "The aim of the day was to ensure that all of the Company's Professionals had an enjoyable experience, and most importantly the Company raised a substantial sum for charity."

"From the feedback gathered from the attendees, this was definitely achieved and we look forward to sponsoring the event for next year."

The event organiser, Colin Culleton said, "On behalf of the Company of Security Professionals, I am indebted to ID Technology and Andrew in particular for their generous sponsorship and for the superb organisation on the day from Alex Vincent and Gill Collins. This was undoubtedly our most successful and enjoyable race day and I’m thrilled that ID have confirmed their sponsorship for next years event"

ID Technology Secures £500m Antiques Fair

July 2007

Specialist security company, ID Technology Group, has been tasked with keeping a watchful eye over some of the world’s most prestigious and sought- after antiques worth in excess of £500m at the 74th Grosvenor House Art & Antiques Fair in London.

For the fifth year running, the Manchester-based company has been drafted in to design and install a temporary CCTV system and monitoring station at the hotel, to ensure 24-hour surveillance of the artefacts for the duration of the event.

A 39 piece camera system, incorporating high resolution P29 Colour Bullet Cameras and day/night infra-red lighting cameras for low lighting areas and night time security was installed for the eight day fair.

Work started nine days before the private preview, and was completed on schedule for the opening ceremony, performed by Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Pavlos and Crown Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece, on June 12.

While obviously providing protection for theft, the system is also a vital tool to investigate possible damage to any of the exhibition pieces, offering reassurance to the hotel and art dealers in the event of accidental damage.

Nicola Winwood, Assistant Fair Director said: “The use of electronic surveillance allows us to receive a high level of security whilst being discreet. The physical security we receive from our guarding company is made more effective by the use of CCTV in terms of their ability to monitor the entire fair and respond to any concerns covertly and in a measured manner.”

Dave Brock, ID Technology Project Manager, commented: “The camera system was designed to be rapidly deployed as the entire fair was constructed and ready within a week. ID had to ensure that the cameras were unobtrusive and low profile, while still giving comprehensive coverage, and that they could be taken down quickly once the event had drawn to a close.

“We have been working for The Grosvenor House Art & Antiques Fair for the past five years, and in that time we have built up a strong partnership with the Hotel and the Fair, and understand their needs and requirements.”