Checkpoint Systems-3 WC Blog 264
Checkpoint Security System-5
Checkpoint Tags-5
Stop Shoplifting-3
Checkpoint Security Systems Are Key To Your Inventory Control: Part 2
In Part 1 of this series on Inventory Control, I discussed my definition of what Inventory Control is and how it can be confused with the different strategies used by stores to keep control over inventory. I examined how the use of Checkpoint Tags are a strategy to exert control as soon as merchandise is received by a store and can stop shoplifting and deter internal and vendor theft. In Part 2 I will be going over other parts of a Checkpoint Security System that play a role in retail theft prevention and inventory control.
A Checkpoint Security System includes the Checkpoint Tags and labels as I mentioned, but aside from deterrence without the other components of the system, Checkpoint Tags are not extremely helpful. A primary component of Checkpoint Systems is the electronic article surveillance (EAS) antennas. Antennas are usually placed near the main entry and exit points of a store in order to detect merchandise that is protected with Checkpoint Tags that have not been deactivated or removed at a point of sale. The tags and labels are structured so that they transmit a specific radio frequency. When the antennas detect this radio frequency an alarm built into the antennas activates and warns staff that merchandise not yet paid for is leaving the store. This means an item has a Checkpoint Tag that has not been detuned at the register or a hard tag that has not been removed by a cashier. When employees are alerted by the alarm they respond to the doors to conduct a receipt check and determine the cause for the activation. Usually the alarm will result in recovered merchandise as a result of the check, such as a customer carrying out merchandise they “forgot” they had with them. An alarm may stop shoplifting when a criminal panics and drops the goods they were attempting to steal, a result I frequently witnessed as a Loss Prevention Manager.
When a Checkpoint Security System is installed, there are a variety of EAS antennas that a store owner can choose from to stop shoplifting, internal theft and vendor theft. Checkpoint systems include antennas that can be installed in the floor during store construction, antennas that can help showcase merchandise with advertising panels (the Evolve iRange P30) and smaller antennas that take up minimal space at doorways, like the Classic N10 antenna. No matter which type of antenna is chosen, the inventory control strategy is making sure merchandise is accounted for through the point of sales or proper execution of vendor return processes or vendor credit/destroy processes.
If a store owner wants to be serious about inventory control and theft prevention, it would be wise to consider putting Checkpoint Security System antennas in other areas and not limited to just the front doors. EAS antennas can be placed at employee entrances and vendor/receiving doors. Antennas located at front doors stop shoplifting and may deter some employee theft and vendor theft, but if there are alternate exits employees and vendors may take advantage of those doors to avoid the detection of Checkpoint tags and labels. In rare instances I have observed Checkpoint Systems antennas located at a hallway entrance leading to store restrooms. I applaud this step. I can recall several employee theft investigations I conducted that involved the employee taking concealed merchandise into a restroom and later I would find the empty packaging. Again, I stress that inventory control is control over the movement of product in the building. Well placed antennas can control the areas people are able to carry merchandise into.
Make inventory control a reality by implementing effective merchandise protection strategies that limit the ability of customer, employees or vendors to steal. Control what happens within your building by installing a Checkpoint Security System.
Get more information on Checkpoint Security Systems, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.
In Part 1 of this series on Inventory Control, I discussed my definition of what Inventory Control is and how it can be confused with the different strategies used by stores to keep control over inventory. I examined how the use of Checkpoint Tags are a strategy to exert control as soon as merchandise is received by a store and can stop shoplifting and deter internal and vendor theft. In Part 2 I will be going over other parts of a Checkpoint Security System that play a role in retail theft prevention and inventory control.
A Checkpoint Security System includes the Checkpoint Tags and labels as I mentioned, but aside from deterrence without the other components of the system, Checkpoint Tags are not extremely helpful. A primary component of Checkpoint Systems is the electronic article surveillance (EAS) antennas. Antennas are usually placed near the main entry and exit points of a store in order to detect merchandise that is protected with Checkpoint Tags that have not been deactivated or removed at a point of sale. The tags and labels are structured so that they transmit a specific radio frequency. When the antennas detect this radio frequency an alarm built into the antennas activates and warns staff that merchandise not yet paid for is leaving the store. This means an item has a Checkpoint Tag that has not been detuned at the register or a hard tag that has not been removed by a cashier. When employees are alerted by the alarm they respond to the doors to conduct a receipt check and determine the cause for the activation. Usually the alarm will result in recovered merchandise as a result of the check, such as a customer carrying out merchandise they “forgot” they had with them. An alarm may stop shoplifting when a criminal panics and drops the goods they were attempting to steal, a result I frequently witnessed as a Loss Prevention Manager.
When a Checkpoint Security System is installed, there are a variety of EAS antennas that a store owner can choose from to stop shoplifting, internal theft and vendor theft. Checkpoint systems include antennas that can be installed in the floor during store construction, antennas that can help showcase merchandise with advertising panels (the Evolve iRange P30) and smaller antennas that take up minimal space at doorways, like the Classic N10 antenna. No matter which type of antenna is chosen, the inventory control strategy is making sure merchandise is accounted for through the point of sales or proper execution of vendor return processes or vendor credit/destroy processes.
If a store owner wants to be serious about inventory control and theft prevention, it would be wise to consider putting Checkpoint Security System antennas in other areas and not limited to just the front doors. EAS antennas can be placed at employee entrances and vendor/receiving doors. Antennas located at front doors stop shoplifting and may deter some employee theft and vendor theft, but if there are alternate exits employees and vendors may take advantage of those doors to avoid the detection of Checkpoint tags and labels. In rare instances I have observed Checkpoint Systems antennas located at a hallway entrance leading to store restrooms. I applaud this step. I can recall several employee theft investigations I conducted that involved the employee taking concealed merchandise into a restroom and later I would find the empty packaging. Again, I stress that inventory control is control over the movement of product in the building. Well placed antennas can control the areas people are able to carry merchandise into.
Make inventory control a reality by implementing effective merchandise protection strategies that limit the ability of customer, employees or vendors to steal. Control what happens within your building by installing a Checkpoint Security System.
Get more information on Checkpoint Security Systems, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.
