In a recent series of aricles, Bill Turner, contributing writer, has looked at the evolution of loss prevention since the inception of LP Magazine in 2001. (See Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 of “Fifteen Years of Loss Prevention.”) In the May–June 2017 issue, Turner concludes the series by looking at major subjects influencing loss prevention today—including security cameras and video analytics—and making predictions about where they may be headed in the future.
[text_ad use_post=”2383″]
Technology used within the retail loss prevention profession continues to grow and change alongside the industry itself. The activities and insights made possible by security cameras especially have seen major advancements in recent years. In “An Update on Major Subjects Affecting Retail LP,” Turner examines the shift:
In the “old days,” use of security cameras by LP involved banks of monitors observed real-time by in-store LP personnel. Then came pan-tilt-zoom cameras enabling LP to follow prospective shoplifters throughout the store. Later, the ability to easily record made video review after the fact possible. But some of those processes are things of the past. Now, the ability to remotely monitor and record over IT networks is a reality. Digital and IP (internet protocol) cameras are replacing old analog cameras and CCTV systems.
One challenge for LP switching to IP cameras is that they use up system bandwidth, which most of us know is the private domain of the IT department. Or so they claim. Thus, very often, that domain is hard to penetrate. In addition, since IP cameras operate on the network, hacking can become an issue. And IP cameras and video monitoring systems can be expensive.
Check out “An Update on Major Subjects Affecting Retail LP” to learn more about how the advancement of security cameras and video technology can help LP with efforts even beyond shrink reduction. You can also visit the Table of Contents for the May–June 2017 issue or register for a free subscription to the magazine.