The new generation of IP video platforms are transforming the humble retail CCTV into systems with real ‘intelligence’, writes Robert Wint of Verint Systems.
High street CCTV generally is installed and managed at store level with little input or monitoring thereafter from a central headquarters. Some still use what might be considered traditional VCR technology for storage, but most have now migrated to digital hard disks with all the acknowledged benefits this technology brings. Digital hard disk storage systems, however, are far from a panacea. Although DVRs remove the issues related to VCR reliability and image quality, they generally deliver no ‘intelligence’ over that provided by the VCR. The challenge over the last few years, therefore, has been in delivering these added-value features, notably ‘intelligence’ in the form of analytics. Adding ‘intelligence’ to recording technologies means taking the video images from CCTV, analysing them, interpreting them, and then acting upon them in a way that hasn’t been possible. Integration of such technology with other devices – in-store EPOS (electronic point of sale) systems for example – is leading to the delivery of real-time information that can have an immediate and significant impact on the business. Loss prevention suddenly becomes profit maximisation.
Other staff
With IP video, images can be made available to other staff outside the traditional security and loss prevention management teams; marketeers, store and asset management teams, IT departments and head office staff are now becoming involved. This spreads the cost of procurement through usage of the CCTV images.
Extending remit
Existing CCTV installations tend to be primarily designed with the needs of the security team in mind. Their purpose is both to deter, and in the event of an incident to ‘capture’ and record images for possible prosecution. However, due to the fact that the DVR is ‘local’ to the store:
1) DVRs can be physically damaged during a break-in, resulting in loss of stored images.
2) Retrieval of images from the hard drive is performed locally, at some time after the incident. This often involves a regional loss prevention person having to travel to the store.
3) Systems are open to misuse and manipulation at local level, which could lead to a reduction in quality of recorded images and their potential for analysis and evidential use.
4) There are potential compromises in quantity of images. DVRs store in time-lapse format; although they can switch into higher frame-rate recording in the instance of an alarm, they are not usually able to record multiple cameras at high individual frame rates without compromising the overall duration of recording. Again, this could lead to a reduction in the quality of images available for analysis.
Country-wide
For many retailers the current use of DVRs is perfectly matched to their requirements; however for larger retailers (those with multiple country-wide stores, or large camera counts in stores) there can be improvements by looking at digital recording from a different, IP perspective. What does IP video, and Verint’s Nextiva range of enterprise-class video management and analytics platforms in particular, bring to the party?
Analytical platforms
Fundamentally, Nextiva facilitates the distribution of real-time CCTV images, to the right people, at the right time, independent of their location. The system is now centrally administered, optimising performance and quality. Image storage – rather than being local – is now network based; it can therefore be situated where the retailer wants it, using IT-standard storage mediums of larger capacity (with significant savings in cost). It also means the footage itself is more secure should a major incident occur. Image retrieval is similarly network based, so can be executed centrally by a dedicated team. This reduces any travelling time to remote stores and ensures that images can be retrieved quickly after any incident, in a common and useable format. But arguably its greatest benefit is the opportunity of integrating what has always been thought of essentially as being only a security device into the much wider retail environment. By linking Nextiva to EPOS systems, for example, transaction data from the till can now be provided with the relevant video footage. This instantly alerts the retailer to potential issues of fraud, particularly amongst staff.
On a more positive note, video’ can now help with footfall and people counting, providing essential management data in terms of how many people are entering the stores during the day and week, and at what times. This enables the store to identify peak periods, and provide the number of staff accordingly.
Intelligent tracking
Intelligent motion tracking within the store will tell the retailer who goes where when they come through the front door. This is particularly useful in assessing the success (or otherwise) of specific marketing initiatives, posters and point of sale. Similar tracking can also monitor the lengths of queues at the checkout – and the traffic through these checkouts – so that again staff numbers can be optimised, and customer service levels maintained. Outside, traffic flow within the car park can be watched, and any suspicious activity reported.
Intelligent analysis of video means that the density of product on shelves can be closely monitored and the retailer can instantly see whether there is adequate stock available to the customer. This helps ensure they maximise revenues. Anyone seen loitering in an aisle may be up to no good; or, they may simply be having trouble locating a specific item on the shelf in which case it becomes (once again) a matter of good customer service. And in an age of litigation and ambulance chasing, any spillages in the aisles or other factors that may impinge on health and safety can also be identified and remedial action taken.
All of this data can be intelligently analysed in real-time and, if classed as significant and worthy of action, be then delivered anywhere across the retailer’s IT infrastructure. Such technology is far from vapourware. Home Depot – one of the world’s largest DIY retailers – uses Verint technology in 1,600 of its stores across more than 40,000 cameras to centrally and locally manage its operations and ensure a safe and secure environment for its employees and customers. Its purpose was not simply one of security; it was also a matter of reducing shrinkage and generating business intelligence that can be used to improve merchandising. It also achieved system payback in less than 18 months! Current practice is an evolution; IP video is a revolution that is already taking place.
