Surveillance in retail has a primary role in preventing theft and ensuring safety among staff and customers. However, as retailers make the switch from analog to IP camera systems, a multitude of new features are at their fingertips and can help provide advanced business insight.
While retail analytics are available and being used in some stores already, the potential for improving these technologies promises benefits for both the retail and security industry. Network cameras are being manufactured with intelligent analytics and video management systems can take these analytics further.
Things like hotspot detection and facial recognition give retailers data about the age range and in-store behavior of their customers. This information can help to improve the store layout and target promotions to maximize sales.
The solutions are ready to be applied, but there is hesitation for rollout. Marketing, IT, and security will need to understand how these technologies will benefit them before they decide to invest.
Because the systems are fairly scalable, retail analytics can appeal to various types of businesses. Companies can take a “build your own” approach by investing in the individual components and evaluate its value over time. From there, they can decide to potentially build out their system. For example, simply monitoring foot traffic can produce great benefits. Retailers can tailor events, promotions and new product displays to high traffic periods. This can also help with staffing, allowing more workers on the floor at busier times, and potentially improving customer service.
This can assist small business, as budgets may not allow for large scale retail analytics systems. And larger retailers can build from basic systems, adding any advanced features as they see fit. Things like heat mapping and inventory alerts enable managers to understand which areas attract customers for longer periods of time as well as how often products need to be restocked.
The most important detail is to ensure that all components can work together seamlessly. Manufacturers realize this and are working across industries to ensure compatibility. For example, Canon and NETAVIS have partnered to provide comprehensive and compatible surveillance cameras and video management software.
Since online stores have somewhat of an upper hand when it comes to customer data, retail analytics play an important role in keeping brick and mortar stores alive. In your opinion, how do you think retail analytics will help the customer experience? If you own a business, have you considered employing retail analytics? Share your thoughts with us on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, and Pinterest. You can find us on Vine, too!
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Often times, businesses don’t realize the importance of security camera systems until it’s too late. Rather than installing them prior to opening, they tend to invest in them after a burglary or incident occurs. This may happen because businesses believe that they cannot afford it, or they think the task is too overwhelming and complicated. Luckily, we’ve got some tips and tricks to help you choose the best security camera system for your business.
Before you shop, it would benefit you to really take some time to evaluate what you want and need when it comes to a security system.
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It used to be common to see security guards monitoring public areas such as parking lots or building entrances, but, these days, the prevalence of security cameras is growing. Our means of surveillance is transitioning from human surveillance to networked devices. While some areas have added security cameras to complement their guards, others rely on comprehensive security systems.
There are numerous reasons why network security cameras are becoming more widespread. Aside from the covert nature of security cameras, technology allows us to do more with fewer risks. Rather than potentially putting a person’s life in danger, you can monitor your surveillance feed remotely and be aware of what is going on in various places. This will enable you to react in a timely manner and as safely as possible.
Some may oppose the implementation of security cameras for fear of an invasion of privacy, but they fail to acknowledge that other platforms that are seen as more acceptable can pose a threat. For example, loyalty programs often track and record your purchasing history and can be linked to your image through facial recognition technology. And think about how ads are becoming more tailored to the viewer’s interests. Common things like mobile phones, social media, credit cards, and more can offer data and insight about a person.
In comparison, surveillance cameras would simply be used to monitor public areas to improve safety. When crimes occur, footage can provide evidence, as well as paint the picture of events leading up to the incident.
Mass CCTV coverage has been achieved in cities like London and Melbourne. In some British cities, traffic light operation has been used to prevent criminals from escaping by car. This shows that networked devices can work together to increase safety and security.
There are obvious risks and benefits when it comes to networked devices and data collection. What are your thoughts on the use of connected devices and the Internet of Things in terms of security and surveillance? Do you think more cities will follow London and Melbourne’s lead and adopt a mass surveillance system? Share your thoughts with us on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, Vine, and Pinterest.
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It’s true – surveillance footage can provide beneficial evidence when trying to prosecute and charge criminals. However, a better way to utilize security camera resources is to actively monitor the live feeds, which, in turn, can lead to improved response times and increased safety.
That is precisely what a new security operations control center (SOCC) in Washington is aiming to do. Opened in November of last year, the Metro Transit Police Department (MTPD) is using this new center to solve and prevent crime within the public transportation system.
Within the SOCC, surveillance footage is displayed from a large projector onto the front wall. Suspects’ photos are displayed on flat-screen televisions around the room and there is a police bubble that overlooks the floor. In the police bubble are dispatchers and call takers who log emergency complaints and text tips and relay the information to officers in the system.
The same operations were previously offered, however, not housed in the same room. Now that all teams are gathered together into one area, communications are faster and more efficient than before. And with a price tag of $3.6 million, this fruitful investment is proving its worth.
With a comprehensive security camera system, authorities are able to effectively monitor all areas public areas. When crimes occur, witness statements can be corroborated with surveillance video, providing a solid case against criminals.
What are your thoughts on this new surveillance hub? Should it be adopted in other states? Share your thoughts with us on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, or Pinterest.
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When it comes to security and surveillance, facial recognition technology can greatly improve effectiveness. Aside from this advanced technology, did you know that there are a few people in the world who are deemed “super-recognizers”? Super-recognizers have superior abilities in recognizing faces, even after seeing a face for a fleeting moment. For example, a super-recognizer can catch a glimpse of a person’s face and still be able to identify the person years later. These people are very rare, making up less than 1% of the population.
According to scientists, we have brain regions solely dedicated to face recognition. We also look at faces as a whole, taking note of different features and characteristics, unlike the way we look at other objects. Should you damage a face recognition area of your brain, you could develop prosopagnosia, or face blindness. A look at how the brain of a super recognizer versus someone with prosopagnosia versus an average person gives us insight to how the brain works and what sets these individuals apart in terms of recognition and processing.
With the use of eye tracking technology, psychologists have found that when looking at faces, most people typically focus on the eyes. This suggests that they eyes may carry important information for facial identity. Interestingly enough, some people with prosopagnosia tend to avoid the eye area and look at the mouth instead. Super-recognizers, however, tend to spend more time looking at noses. This challenges the previous belief that the eye region is the most important for facial recognition, shifting the focus to the center of the face instead. It is likely that more studies will be done or recreated to test the theory of the center of the face being the optimal region for facial recognition.
Because of their exceptional identifying abilities, super-recognizers are valuable for law enforcement and security. For example, London’s Metropolitan Police have a super-recognizer unit which works to spot suspects in crowds or on CCTV surveillance footage. This unit has proved successful thus far, showing that there is a promising future for super-recognizers.
What are your thoughts on the future of facial recognition technology? How will super-recognizers influence our surveillance practices? Share your thoughts with us on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, and Pinterest. Want to test your face recognition abilities? Take this test to find out.
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