"Memory is always the first thing to go" as they say...

By Erik Stephens, CFI
Regional Director Loss Prevention
Bed Bath & Beyond

I find it interesting that this applies not only in life as we grow older but also in our technology. Depending how much memory you have left, you may remember when buying 1GB (gigabyte) of memory for a computer cost around $100 (1985ish). Today, you could probably find 1TB (terabyte=1000GB) for around the same $100 (or less).

Today, technology is rapidly growing, in fact, it is growing so fast in the video surveillance part of the industry that many manufacturers have competing technologies on the market at the same time. The down side is that our industry, Retail Loss Prevention, doesn't seem to be quickly adapting to and taking advantage of the technology. We seem to be in a waiting game to find out what is the next technology to adopt.

Reality is that nothing comes next if we don't use what is available, now. Or what comes next is designed for another user. We are currently in an era when we, Retail LP experts, can truly impact the technology and influence it to change where we want it to go. But we must embrace the technology that is here... Now...

IP camera systems have developed with the interest of Retail in mind but very few retailers have adopted them, even for new store construction although the pricing is very competitive to analog systems.

WHY?

The argument that I have heard around the industry is "Why should I have better camera equipment if I don't have anyone there to watch it?"
The answer is....That's why! There is no one there to watch it!

As many departments have been faced with 'workforce reductions' or 'departmental reorganization' we have found that our people are handling more and more territory and there is fewer staff in the buildings combating losses. Fewer loss prevention, fewer customer service & sales associates as well as fewer managers. Our cases are becoming more complex as our suspects are travelling to hit multiple stores and multiple retailers. Our LP teams are being stretched thinner & are being asked to review video for ORC cases, Policy compliance and to validate information identified from an exception report. In many of our environments, the camera shot is attempting to record as much as possible and hold the video for as long as possible. There is just not enough memory with old technology to have a good shot and a good history.

This is where having better technology comes in...IP / Mega Pixel cameras (HD quality) can give clearer pictures at a further distance than current 600 or 700TVL analog cameras. DVR, NVR, NAS or Cloud memory can easily and cost effectively be increased to accommodate long term storage (more memory = clearer pictures), IP cameras from many manufacturers have a 360 degree recording area. (More coverage = More of the crime on video). An IP camera system that incorporates 360 cameras, Fixed domes and the memory required to meet the expectations of your organization is probably the same cost, if not less expensive, than the OLD analog devices currently being used.

We need these devices in our business and we need the memory to support these devices.
As we all continue to share information on cases through ORC ties, I have seen some great video and some... lets just say "old" video...
We can't continue to chase the 'New' thief, the 'old' way. We need to adopt what is available and then mold what is next.