The latest <a href=”http://www.info4security.com/story.asp?sectioncode=10&storycode=4128265″>Global Retail Theft Barometer</a> revealed that UK retailers lost GB pound 4.9 billion to retail crime and error in 2011.
Atul Rajput – retail business development manager with IP surveillance solutions developer <a href=”http://www.info4security.com/story.asp?sectioncode=9&storycode=4128902″>Axis Communications</a> – has suggested that retailers looking to implement smarter loss prevention techniques should turn towards HD network cameras for their premises.
“This message really hits home when you consider the UK riots in 2011,” stated Rajput, “which majorly impacted on UK retailers. Members of the public were capturing HD quality video which vastly outperformed some of the footage from instore analogue CCTV.”
As well as the benefits of better image quality in identifying suspects, Rajput argues that HD cameras are a more cost-effective solution than their standard definition cousins. “A single camera could achieve the same coverage as multiple standard definition cameras,” he stated.
Inspiration from the consumer video space
Retailers looking to implement smarter loss prevention techniques should take inspiration from the consumer video market with the continued uptake in HD resolution TV’s and mobile devices.
Due to the rapidly increasing number of HD TV programmes and the standardisation of HD technology in mobile and tablet devices, coupled with falling costs and more cost-effective bandwidth connectivity, more and more consumers are now embracing HD technology.
This trend is beginning to have an impact on the surveillance market, as retailers come to expect and demand higher image quality.
Deploying network video with HDTV can also be very cost-effective. For example, a single HDTV network camera can achieve the same coverage as multiple standard definition cameras.
The total cost of ownership is further reduced through faster installation, lower software licensing costs, less cabling and power consumption and reduced ongoing maintenance.
Smarter use of surveillance
“Another way in which retailers can make smarter use of their surveillance systems,” continued Rajput, “is by using HDTV network video cameras to monitor shopping aisles. An HDTV network video system that supports the 90 degree rotation of a wide screen image creates an optimised field of view which is perfectly adapted for high shelving environments such as in DIY stores or supermarkets.”
As mentioned, the most recent findings from the Global Retail Theft Barometer revealed how retailers have experienced a significant increase in shrinkage despite a continued investment in video surveillance. “It’s more important than ever for retailers to harness solutions which can deliver tangible benefits and reduce costs,” explained Rajput.
“HDTV footage offers a minimum resolution three times greater than the analogue CCTV cameras used within many stores today, meaning that positive identification can be made faster and even the smallest of details can be picked up. Add to this lower cost of ownership and ease of installation and HDTV network video further becomes a compelling solution for many retailers.”
Watch the video below of Atul Rajput explaining the benefits of HD network camera surveillance
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