Checkpoint Security Systems – Alarm Handling

October 5, 2010 by Leave a Comment

Checkpoint security systems are one of the most effective anti shoplifting tools in the market. Some retail employees are unsure how to handle tag alarms. We have put this guide together to assist you in training your employees how to handle a tag alarm.

Both an incoming and outgoing tag alarm are handled by asking a series of questions.

INCOMING ALARMS:

1.  “Do you have a security access card?”

Some security access cards can on occasion can cause a tag alarm. (although this is rare).

2.  “Have you purchased something in another store with a system like this?”

Other retailers use Checkpoint security systems and may not properly deactivate the purchase.

3. “Are you returning an item for exchange or refund?”

Recent purchase may not have been deactivated.

4.  “Is there any reason you can think of for our inventory system to alarm?”

This lets the customer offer input as to why your Checkpoint security systems are alarming.

OUTGOING ALARMS:

1.  “Excuse me sir/ma’am, our Inventory Control System has been activated, we may not have checked out your purchase properly.”

This approach is Customer Service orientated and most customers are glad to help fix the situation.

2.  “Do you have a security access card?”

Same as incoming alarms.

3.  “Have you purchased something in another store with a system like this?”

Same as incoming alarms.

4.  “Is there any reason you can think of for our inventory system to alarm?”

Same as incoming alarms.

What should be recorded in your Checkpoint security systems log?

(If you do not have a log please contact Loss Prevention Systems. We will provide you one free of charge.)

  • Daily testing of the system
    Insures the system is operating correctly.
  • Failure to deactivate
    Can help identify system issues or employees that may need training.
  • Access Cards
    May be system issues that require tuning.
  • Returned merchandise
    Can also help identify system/retraining issues.
  • Other Store Merchandise
    Identify retailers in the area that my not be deactivating product.
  • All shoplifting attempts
    Help identify local trends. You can use this information to insure that you’re anti shoplifting program changes with new threats.

Management should review the logs on a periodic basis to insure tests, alarms and other issues regarding your Checkpoint security systems are being logged.

Remember an effective anti shoplifting program can only be attained with your internal employee training.

For more information on anti shoplifting programs or Checkpoint security systems contact us or call 1.770.426.0547

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Retail Theft: The Scourge Of Business

September 10, 2010 by Leave a Comment

Shoplifters and employees that steal are about the lowest forms of life. They cause retail businesses billions of dollars in retail theft. There are several entire industries devoted to anti shoplifting and employee theft. Still these people cause us headaches. As a former Director of Loss Prevention for several major companies I have found that much of the problem of anti shoplifting and employee theft falls with the retailers themselves.

Theses types of retail theft must be attacked daily. You cannot let your guard down. You must have loss prevention program than focuses on prevention. Take shoplifting as an example. Anti shoplifting programs such as Checkpoint security tags do little if the employees are not supporting the program. Seek out employees that are enthusiastic about prevention and their jobs. Use incentives such as bonuses or contests. Make those employees the core of your retail theft prevention effort. If they are into it then others will come along.

One of the key issues that retailers must keep in the forefront of their over all plan is training. Training that is focused on prevention pays dividends beyond just shoplifting prevention. One of the key prevention tactics in anti shoplifting is customer service. Shoplifters hate customer service. They want to blend into your “normal” customer base. They do not want to stand out in any way. If your employees emphasize customer contact and follow up this in itself will shut off a portion of your retail theft. This in turn benefits your overall sales because your good customers like the attention. To stop more hard-core shoplifters you need to practice stronger  anti shoplifting techniques.

Another area that is often overlooked is the use of a tag alarm system such as Checkpoint security tags. Again, it goes back to training and management’s enforcement. How many times have you see a tag alarm go off at the front door and the employee simply waves the customer through? Do you think that this is company policy? Very unlikely. The employee is thinking that they just rang up the customer. They know that they got everything the customer put on the POS. So it must just be the Checkpoint security tags that did not get deactivated right? Wrong, what the employee did not think about is the item that the “customer” had concealed on their person. The tag alarm caught it, the employee didn’t. Training, training and more training. Then hold employees to the standard!

For more information: shoplifting or call 1.770.426.0547

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Why choose a Checkpoint security system over a sensormatic system

August 31, 2010 by Leave a Comment

The two top anti theft devices for retail are a Checkpoint security system or a sensormatic system and although they may appear to be very similar retailers are surprised to learn that they are completely different in how they work.

The checkpoint security system utilizes RF or radio frequency signals to detect the checkpoint labels and checkpoint tags whereas the sensormatic system utilizes AM or accousto magnetic signals to detect the sensormatic tags.  In both cases the tags vibrate when between the antennas at the entry and exit doors which will set of the tag alarm system.  But that is where the similarities end.

Let’s look at the advantages  checkpoint systems has over sensormatic:

Checkpoint’s RF technology is the latest technology and can incorporate RFID.  Here is an excerpt from an article about Walmart:

Beginning August 1, men’s blue jeans and underwear sold at Walmart will carry electronic radio identification tags. The company, the world’s largest retailer, insists the devices are crucial to improving the logistics of inventory management, while critics point to the privacy concerns associated with the tags.

The markers in question, called radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags, are implanted in the garments and can be read by hand-held scanners. Wal-Mart officials praise the portability of the tags and the boost in speed and accuracy they bring to inventory control. “This ability to wave the wand and have a sense of all the products that are on the floor or in the back room in seconds is something that we feel can really transform our business,” crows Raul Vasquez, Wal-Mart’s representative for its stores in the western states.

The AM technology is not a “SMART” technology and it can only do what it currently does…no integration capability. So the Checkpoint RF technology has fantastic future development potential that the Sensormatic AM does not.

This is just one of many reasons.  Go here to learn more:  checkpoint security system

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Anti Theft Devices Boost Profits and Keep Shoplifters Out

August 26, 2010 by Leave a Comment

It is a proven fact that installing anti theft devices in retail applications will deter shoplifters sending them on to unprotected stores.  Retailers frustrated by theft often overlook how less inventory loss translates to more profits.  Lost inventory ends up affecting operating costs.  Just stating the obvious, higher costs means lower profits.  Lower costs mean higher profits.  You can make more money without having to sell more product.

The most effective solution that keeps the riff raff out of store is the installation of an Electronic Article Surveillance (or EAS) system.   Checkpoint security systems is the market leader in EAS systems.  The system includes installing pedestal mounted antennas at the entry/ exit ways.  These antennas are visible from just outside the door so shoplifters scoping out a potential target can see them before entering the store, and at that time will move on to another target.

The presence of anti shoplifting technology such as checkpoint security tags on clothes and merchandise in the store will deter the amateur shoplifter and the impulse shoplifter from stealing.  The checkpoint security tags are detected by the antennas at the doorways and will set off a loud alarm and flashing light alerting staff to attend to the situation.

The tag alarm on merchandise can only be removed by a specific tool that is mounted behind the cash out counter.  The tag alarm is highly visible and is a great visual deterrent.

To learn more about checkpoint security systems  anti shoplifting solutions visit here: anti theft devices or contact: Loss Prevention Systems, Inc., a national installation company.

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