Supermarket chain Asda has selected IT software to provide real-time understanding and in-depth analysis of the security risks facing the business. The specialist arena software from Hicom has been rolled out across the retailerโs UK operations, to deal with shrinkage and risk and provide a safe retail environment for both staff and customers.
Asda was previously using another incident database to record security incidents within the business. However, the retail chainโs growth across a number of consumer sectors including grocery, clothing, e-commerce and financial services resulted in company growth. As such, Asda recognised it required a more sophisticated risk management system, to provide data analysis via a single, integrated data platform. Andrew Rees, Security Project Manager at Asda, says: โThe main objective that we are hoping to achieve with the arena system is to attain a real-time understanding of the risks affecting the company. Using arena we hope to be able to analyse the information and data collected from the various areas within the business in far greater detail and with more accuracy. Having the ability to analyse data more accurately will provide us with greater visibility of the entire company and will enable us to highlight the high risk areas of the business and put the necessary preventative measures in place to mitigate these risks. One of the key factors in selecting arena was the substantial time savings that the solution will bring to the business. The previous risk management system we had was time intensive and it would take colleagues a considerable amount of time to input the necessary data. However, because arena is intelligence-led the interface is far easier for colleagues to use, with a series of drop-down menus and tick boxes. This also means that our data is far more accurate as the user is only presented with the fields they need depending upon what information they have already entered.โ
Working with Hicom, Asda is also developing a case management module within arena. Rees adds: โThe case management module will enable us to keep all the various forms of information relevant to individual cases in one location. This includes relevant dockets, legal notes, investigation dossiers and other important documentation. We are also building a road map into this module to ensure that our standard operating procedures are adhered to with every investigation. This will enable anybody that takes over a particular case to view the road map and see the exact stage that the investigation is at. Although major incidents will always be investigated by the security team, people inevitably take holidays or are out of the business for various reasons, so this is a great way to ensure that investigations can continue with no interruptions or delays. I am very pleased with the service we have received from Hicom. I have worked closely with the Hicom team throughout the last year in developing the system to suit our needs, and their adaptability and professionalism has always been of the highest degree.โ
About Hicom
Hicom offers consultancy, project management and design, specialising in the risk and retail, HR administration and healthcare sectors; products include the arena system for enterprise risk management, NBIS crime management system and NSDR (National Staff Dismissal Register). Hicom is a certified Microsoft Partner for the provision of software and consultancy service.
