AA blog 12
Loss Prevention Calculator: 5
Can loss prevention be free?: 3
A Loss Prevention Calculator is The Best Way to Justify the Security You Need
If you work in business in any way you are quite familiar with the term return on investment (ROI). As the manager of a security department I know ROI is discussed quite frequently in various functions of the company. Whether you are trying to substantiate funding for training, equipment, safety, security or other program, it is imperative to have the ability to articulate the cost benefit involved, in order to get approval. It is important that you have a good understanding of the product or program as well as a base knowledge of how it can provide a cost saving to the company. Sometimes this is difficult to do in the beginning because deterrence or mitigating risk can be difficult to measure. Sometimes this requires you conduct research on other similar industries to get a baseline on their failure or success in a particular area of interest. Regardless of your position within the company you should be familiar with this process so you can facilitate change, by presenting an idea, which can positively impact the company. I would venture to say that most companies, regardless of their product line, require some form of safety and security in order to protect their employees, their product, and the public; to varying degrees. If you are in any business that involves the sale of products of any kind, loss prevention is always a factor to consider. It doesn’t matter if you are selling vehicle parts, outdoor equipment, sporting goods, or any other item loss is inevitable. Regardless of your inventory type you will have to create and maintain a loss prevention program to protect your property. The loss prevention calculator, does a lot of the work for you by calculating your ROI. Can loss prevention be free? That is a question that deserves an answer, don’t you think?
A loss prevention calculator is a simple way to evaluate and calculate the cost of a Checkpoint System. It allows you to compare your net earnings and net loss to determine whether the cost of your loss prevention program is effectively reducing shrinkage and how that can result in a positive ROI. Every industry is different, therefore each individual company needs to evaluate their potential loss or risk, so they can determine which security measures are warranted. If you are in the retail industry and you want to justify beefing up your security to your store manager or owner, or maybe you are the owner and you want to know whether the cost of security will benefit your business, simply use the loss prevention calculator to evaluate your options. Can loss prevention be free? It can be with time and careful planning and consideration. The calculator allows you to simply input your annual sales and your security costs, at which time the calculator will automatically factor in average shrinkage and reductions, based on deterrence and detection. This will provide you with an immediate annual ROI calculation for your Checkpoint System. You can use the calculator to determine which security options will work best for you based on your potential return on investment. You can use this information to justify security funding, reduce shrinkage and increase profit.
To answer the question, can loss prevention be free, clearly it can be. In time, your return on investment can pay for your loss prevention program, many times over. I know it has for my company, and continues to be an investment, that I have no problem justifying. A strong loss prevention program can only benefit your bottom line, so why wait? Check out the loss prevention calculator for yourself. See how easy it is to evaluate your programs and determine how security will improve your loss prevention and reduce shrinkage so you can improve profits.
For more information about the loss prevention calculator, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547.
If you work in business in any way you are quite familiar with the term return on investment (ROI). As the manager of a security department I know ROI is discussed quite frequently in various functions of the company. Whether you are trying to substantiate funding for training, equipment, safety, security or other program, it is imperative to have the ability to articulate the cost benefit involved, in order to get approval. It is important that you have a good understanding of the product or program as well as a base knowledge of how it can provide a cost saving to the company. Sometimes this is difficult to do in the beginning because deterrence or mitigating risk can be difficult to measure. Sometimes this requires you conduct research on other similar industries to get a baseline on their failure or success in a particular area of interest. Regardless of your position within the company you should be familiar with this process so you can facilitate change, by presenting an idea, which can positively impact the company. I would venture to say that most companies, regardless of their product line, require some form of safety and security in order to protect their employees, their product, and the public; to varying degrees. If you are in any business that involves the sale of products of any kind, loss prevention is always a factor to consider. It doesn’t matter if you are selling vehicle parts, outdoor equipment, sporting goods, or any other item loss is inevitable. Regardless of your inventory type you will have to create and maintain a loss prevention program to protect your property. The loss prevention calculator, does a lot of the work for you by calculating your ROI. Can loss prevention be free? That is a question that deserves an answer, don’t you think?
A loss prevention calculator is a simple way to evaluate and calculate the cost of a Checkpoint System. It allows you to compare your net earnings and net loss to determine whether the cost of your loss prevention program is effectively reducing shrinkage and how that can result in a positive ROI. Every industry is different, therefore each individual company needs to evaluate their potential loss or risk, so they can determine which security measures are warranted. If you are in the retail industry and you want to justify beefing up your security to your store manager or owner, or maybe you are the owner and you want to know whether the cost of security will benefit your business, simply use the loss prevention calculator to evaluate your options. Can loss prevention be free? It can be with time and careful planning and consideration. The calculator allows you to simply input your annual sales and your security costs, at which time the calculator will automatically factor in average shrinkage and reductions, based on deterrence and detection. This will provide you with an immediate annual ROI calculation for your Checkpoint System. You can use the calculator to determine which security options will work best for you based on your potential return on investment. You can use this information to justify security funding, reduce shrinkage and increase profit.
To answer the question, can loss prevention be free, clearly it can be. In time, your return on investment can pay for your loss prevention program, many times over. I know it has for my company, and continues to be an investment, that I have no problem justifying. A strong loss prevention program can only benefit your bottom line, so why wait? Check out the loss prevention calculator for yourself. See how easy it is to evaluate your programs and determine how security will improve your loss prevention and reduce shrinkage so you can improve profits.
For more information about the loss prevention calculator, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547.
Bug Tag -5 WC Blog 329
Classic N10-4
i-pad Theft-4
An Increase In i-pads In Hospitals Could Mean More i-pad Thefts; The Alpha Bug Tags Prevent Pilfering and Protect Patient Information
Apple is eyeing the prospects of becoming more involved in the growing healthcare market. The computer giant already has a number of medical apps available on the i-pad for health care professionals and even medical students. Additionally i-pads and tablets have been found to be useful in “remote viewing of medical imaging scans”, “Mobile devices have been proven to improve contact between HCP’s (Health Care Providers) and their colleagues”, “Mobile devices are invaluable tools for HCP’s to use to search or access medical literature, as other informational sources.” P&T, May 2014, 39(5): 356-364, “Mobile Devices and Apps for Health Care Professionals: Uses and Benefits”, C. Lee Ventola, MS, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4029126/ In a story in fastcompany.com titled, “ipads in Every Hospital: Apple’s Plan to Crack the $3 Trillion Health Care Sector, by Christina Farr, 03/18/17, “For Apple, the $3 trillion health care sector offers a lot of potential for growth for its ipad.” The article adds, “iPhones and iPads have been used by some hospitals for more than five years, but it is only recently the company went public about its interest in healthcare.” https://www.fastcompany.com/3068773/ipads-in-every-hospital-apples-plan-to-crack-the-3-trillion-health-care-se With this anticipated growth of more i-pads in the healthcare market, there has to be an increased concern over the protection of these devices. i-pad theft has already taken place in medical facilities. Just recently an incident took place in Leamington, Ontario, a thief stole “several” ipads from the Leamington District Memorial Hospital’s main lobby. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/leamington-hospital-ipads-1.3973889 . i-pad theft is going to balloon as a result of this increased footprint but it can be curtailed if hospitals take the time to install Classic N10 towers at the entry/exit doors and places a Bug Tag 2 on each mobile device.
The Bug Tag 2 by Alpha Security is an electronic article surveillance (EAS) tag that is attached directly to mobile devices. The tags are a two-piece design, part is an adhesive that holds the tag on the item to be protected and the other is the housing unit held in place by the adhesive. The housing unit has the alarm and radio frequency (rf) coil that is the heart of the device. The tag emits a rf signal that can be picked up by a Checkpoint Classic N10 EAS tower when carried within the detection range of the tower. When that happens, the tower sounds an alarm and flashes LED lights that serve to warn employees a tagged mobile device has been detected. Employees responding to the alarm determine the cause of the alarm and recover the unit. You might be wondering what would prevent a determined thief from simply pulling a Bug Tag off and conducting an i-pad theft that way. First, the rounded edges of the tag ensure the device fits flush with the i-pad making it difficult for a thief to pry it off. Second, there is a tamper alarm built into the tag that causes it to activate an internal alarm if a person were to attempt to pry it off of a mobile device.
There may also be concern by some that EAS pedestals would be too big for the entrances and exits of hospitals and clinics that want to use Bug Tags to protect i-pads. Most people are familiar with the large pedestals that are encountered in retail store doorways. The solution to that problem is to install the Checkpoint Classic N10 pedestal. This tower has a small profile that was first designed with very small retail stores in mind that have limited space. The tower provides practically the same power and detection range as the bigger units while taking up a fraction of the floor and entryway space.
So why am I concerned about i-pad theft or any other mobile medical device, for that matter? Because the use of any medical device that stores patient information must be protected. Whether the device is used for check-ins in a hospital waiting room or registration at a pharmacy minute-clinic, patient information has to be protected from addresses to date of births. Theft of such devices exposes the patient to identity theft or it can lead to prescription fraud and insurance fraud. Significant breaches of patient information can also lead to massive fines from the Department of Health and Human Services.
We’ve all seen the contributions that Apple products have made in our society, so it is exciting to think about what they may add to medical advancements in the future. As hospitals increase the number of i-pads in their facilities it is important that appropriate security measures be taken to keep them safe. The Alpha Bug Tag 2 and Classic N10 pedestals offer the optimal security benefits to protect patients and property.
Need information on Bug Tags? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.
Apple is eyeing the prospects of becoming more involved in the growing healthcare market. The computer giant already has a number of medical apps available on the i-pad for health care professionals and even medical students. Additionally i-pads and tablets have been found to be useful in “remote viewing of medical imaging scans”, “Mobile devices have been proven to improve contact between HCP’s (Health Care Providers) and their colleagues”, “Mobile devices are invaluable tools for HCP’s to use to search or access medical literature, as other informational sources.” P&T, May 2014, 39(5): 356-364, “Mobile Devices and Apps for Health Care Professionals: Uses and Benefits”, C. Lee Ventola, MS, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4029126/ In a story in fastcompany.com titled, “ipads in Every Hospital: Apple’s Plan to Crack the $3 Trillion Health Care Sector, by Christina Farr, 03/18/17, “For Apple, the $3 trillion health care sector offers a lot of potential for growth for its ipad.” The article adds, “iPhones and iPads have been used by some hospitals for more than five years, but it is only recently the company went public about its interest in healthcare.” https://www.fastcompany.com/3068773/ipads-in-every-hospital-apples-plan-to-crack-the-3-trillion-health-care-se With this anticipated growth of more i-pads in the healthcare market, there has to be an increased concern over the protection of these devices. i-pad theft has already taken place in medical facilities. Just recently an incident took place in Leamington, Ontario, a thief stole “several” ipads from the Leamington District Memorial Hospital’s main lobby. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/leamington-hospital-ipads-1.3973889 . i-pad theft is going to balloon as a result of this increased footprint but it can be curtailed if hospitals take the time to install Classic N10 towers at the entry/exit doors and places a Bug Tag 2 on each mobile device.
The Bug Tag 2 by Alpha Security is an electronic article surveillance (EAS) tag that is attached directly to mobile devices. The tags are a two-piece design, part is an adhesive that holds the tag on the item to be protected and the other is the housing unit held in place by the adhesive. The housing unit has the alarm and radio frequency (rf) coil that is the heart of the device. The tag emits a rf signal that can be picked up by a Checkpoint Classic N10 EAS tower when carried within the detection range of the tower. When that happens, the tower sounds an alarm and flashes LED lights that serve to warn employees a tagged mobile device has been detected. Employees responding to the alarm determine the cause of the alarm and recover the unit. You might be wondering what would prevent a determined thief from simply pulling a Bug Tag off and conducting an i-pad theft that way. First, the rounded edges of the tag ensure the device fits flush with the i-pad making it difficult for a thief to pry it off. Second, there is a tamper alarm built into the tag that causes it to activate an internal alarm if a person were to attempt to pry it off of a mobile device.
There may also be concern by some that EAS pedestals would be too big for the entrances and exits of hospitals and clinics that want to use Bug Tags to protect i-pads. Most people are familiar with the large pedestals that are encountered in retail store doorways. The solution to that problem is to install the Checkpoint Classic N10 pedestal. This tower has a small profile that was first designed with very small retail stores in mind that have limited space. The tower provides practically the same power and detection range as the bigger units while taking up a fraction of the floor and entryway space.
So why am I concerned about i-pad theft or any other mobile medical device, for that matter? Because the use of any medical device that stores patient information must be protected. Whether the device is used for check-ins in a hospital waiting room or registration at a pharmacy minute-clinic, patient information has to be protected from addresses to date of births. Theft of such devices exposes the patient to identity theft or it can lead to prescription fraud and insurance fraud. Significant breaches of patient information can also lead to massive fines from the Department of Health and Human Services.
We’ve all seen the contributions that Apple products have made in our society, so it is exciting to think about what they may add to medical advancements in the future. As hospitals increase the number of i-pads in their facilities it is important that appropriate security measures be taken to keep them safe. The Alpha Bug Tag 2 and Classic N10 pedestals offer the optimal security benefits to protect patients and property.
Need information on Bug Tags? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.
Alpha Bug Tag 2 -4 WC Blog 322
Retail Anti-Theft Devices-5
Prevent shoplifting-3
ORC Groups Are Becoming More Sophisticated But So Are Retail Anti-Theft Devices That Prevent Shoplifting
Organized Retail Crime rings seem to be a growing problem. While they used to be limited to selling out of flea markets, pawn shops and “mom and pop” stores, these criminals now also sell over the internet. Of course this adds a new wrinkle in the effort to catch the perpetrators and shut down their operations. On top of the difficulty of tracking online activity there is an added sophistication in the technologies these groups are using to steal from retailers. Those of us in Loss Prevention used to see the occasional foil lined booster bags or coats with extra pockets sewn on the inside and once in a while someone would have a portable electronic article surveillance detachment device with them. Today, more than ever it is imperative that retailers are doing all they can to prevent shoplifting by using retail anti-theft devices such as the Alpha Bug Tag 2 on merchandise.
Retail anti-theft devices make shoplifting more difficult. First, many of them have the ability to self-activate if tampered with, the Alpha Bug Tag 2 being one of them. They all work with electronic article surveillance (EAS) towers to create an alarm if a breach takes place. The Bug Tag is also an improvement over some devices because they are designed with smooth, rounded edges which allow them to sit flush against the packaging. This improvement makes them more difficult to pry apart from the item they are protecting. Some devices come in a 3 alarm style that has an extended range alarm that sounds in the tag itself if the tagged merchandise is carried out in spite of the pedestal alarm. The professional shoplifter would prefer not to have to risk an alarm if possible and will take time to look for merchandise that is not protected reducing the risk of being caught. Even when booster bags are used there have been improvements in many EAS towers to such an extent that certain towers can even detect foil lined bags and discreetly alert store employees.
In the course of preparing for this article I came across stories of theft rings using stolen two-way radios or short wave radios to intercept store security calls. In one story it was reported, “When departing stores, the crews used “kryptonite” devices to deactivate security alarms at store exits…”, “ Staten Island woman, 28, busted in organized retail theft ring”, silive.com, by Mira Wassef, March 15, 2017, http://www.silive.com/news/index.ssf/2017/03/staten_island_woman_28_busted.html
The same story also reported the location where a search warrant was executed had retail anti-theft devices such as Alpha Keys, and Spider Wraps that were found by investigators.
This begs the question, if ORC groups can jam towers, gain access to detachment keys or use foil lined bags can I really prevent shoplifting by using protective devices? The answer is a resounding YES! Bear in mind, not all shoplifters are part of organized crime rings. In fact the majority of your shoplifters are the opportunists. They come in and decide to steal for the thrill of it, some may say for the addiction of it and a few out of a perceived need (I am thinking of food theft and perhaps some clothing). Most people would recognize an Alpha Bug Tag 2 or other retail anti-theft device for what they are and are deterred by them. They may like the “thrill” associated with stealing but not the consequences and would rather avoid riskier actions. I would also refer back to the point I made about advances in EAS systems. Towers are available that detect metals and foil lined bags, software exists that can identify jammers used by thieves to interfere with radio frequency tags and pedestals, and 3 alarm tags all create a barrier to professional thieves. Yes, you can prevent shoplifting and deter internal theft with the use of retail anti-theft devices including the Alpha Bug Tag 2.
Need information on Alpha Bug Tag 2? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.
Organized Retail Crime rings seem to be a growing problem. While they used to be limited to selling out of flea markets, pawn shops and “mom and pop” stores, these criminals now also sell over the internet. Of course this adds a new wrinkle in the effort to catch the perpetrators and shut down their operations. On top of the difficulty of tracking online activity there is an added sophistication in the technologies these groups are using to steal from retailers. Those of us in Loss Prevention used to see the occasional foil lined booster bags or coats with extra pockets sewn on the inside and once in a while someone would have a portable electronic article surveillance detachment device with them. Today, more than ever it is imperative that retailers are doing all they can to prevent shoplifting by using retail anti-theft devices such as the Alpha Bug Tag 2 on merchandise.
Retail anti-theft devices make shoplifting more difficult. First, many of them have the ability to self-activate if tampered with, the Alpha Bug Tag 2 being one of them. They all work with electronic article surveillance (EAS) towers to create an alarm if a breach takes place. The Bug Tag is also an improvement over some devices because they are designed with smooth, rounded edges which allow them to sit flush against the packaging. This improvement makes them more difficult to pry apart from the item they are protecting. Some devices come in a 3 alarm style that has an extended range alarm that sounds in the tag itself if the tagged merchandise is carried out in spite of the pedestal alarm. The professional shoplifter would prefer not to have to risk an alarm if possible and will take time to look for merchandise that is not protected reducing the risk of being caught. Even when booster bags are used there have been improvements in many EAS towers to such an extent that certain towers can even detect foil lined bags and discreetly alert store employees.
In the course of preparing for this article I came across stories of theft rings using stolen two-way radios or short wave radios to intercept store security calls. In one story it was reported, “When departing stores, the crews used “kryptonite” devices to deactivate security alarms at store exits…”, “ Staten Island woman, 28, busted in organized retail theft ring”, silive.com, by Mira Wassef, March 15, 2017, http://www.silive.com/news/index.ssf/2017/03/staten_island_woman_28_busted.html The same story also reported the location where a search warrant was executed had retail anti-theft devices such as Alpha Keys, and Spider Wraps that were found by investigators.
This begs the question, if ORC groups can jam towers, gain access to detachment keys or use foil lined bags can I really prevent shoplifting by using protective devices? The answer is a resounding YES! Bear in mind, not all shoplifters are part of organized crime rings. In fact the majority of your shoplifters are the opportunists. They come in and decide to steal for the thrill of it, some may say for the addiction of it and a few out of a perceived need (I am thinking of food theft and perhaps some clothing). Most people would recognize an Alpha Bug Tag 2 or other retail anti-theft device for what they are and are deterred by them. They may like the “thrill” associated with stealing but not the consequences and would rather avoid riskier actions. I would also refer back to the point I made about advances in EAS systems. Towers are available that detect metals and foil lined bags, software exists that can identify jammers used by thieves to interfere with radio frequency tags and pedestals, and 3 alarm tags all create a barrier to professional thieves. Yes, you can prevent shoplifting and deter internal theft with the use of retail anti-theft devices including the Alpha Bug Tag 2.
Need information on Alpha Bug Tag 2? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.
