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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Alarm…Alarm Checkpoint Security System Alarm…Now what?

August 31, 2010 by Leave a Comment

OK, your checkpoint security system at the front door goes into alarm. A customer that just left the point of sale is there with a package. They have stopped and are looking back at you. What do you do now?

How many time have you seen this happen and the sales clerk just waves the customer on? That is the worst thing that can happen. Several things have happened. You have allowed an employee to completely circumvent your anti shoplifting program. You have also sent a message to your customers that your people are not professional. And worst of all you tell shoplifters that they can defeat your checkpoint security system.

A lack of training and enforcement of that training is primarily at fault. Installing the system and believing that your shoplifting problems are over is short sighted. Your employees must know how to handle a checkpoint security system alarm properly and do it every time. Otherwise a person who is shoplifting in your store will simply view it as an inconvenience and create a situation where they can simply cause an alarm and be waved on.

Training is simple: Provide good customer service! Teach your employees that they are not to be afraid to approach a customer/alarm. Make a clear friendly statement like “excuse me sir we must have forgotten to remove or deactivate an inventory control device on your purchase. Let me take care of that for you”.

Anti theft devices like a checkpoint security system will tell you if a tag is present but your employees must resolve the situation. Check the packages for tags and labels. The easiest way is for the employee to ask the customer for their package, the employee then passes the package through the antennas themselves. They should then locate the checkpoint security tags and resolve the situation. If no tags are found in the package ask the customer to walk through the checkpoint security system antennas with out the package. If there is an alarm then again your stores training should tell them what to do next.

Want more information about anti theft devices or shoplifting? Contact us or call 1.770.426.0547

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Do you Know Whom you are Hiring?

August 31, 2010 by

Years ago, most employers had no use for pre-employment screening because they had a pretty good idea of who they were putting on the payroll.  The applicant might be personally acquainted, be a relative of a friend, or come highly recommended by a colleague.  Populations tended to remain static and close to home, and also stayed at one job much longer than they do today.  After a couple of phone calls or letters of reference, the employer was ready to make a decision.

Today’s employees are highly mobile, ready to move to almost any city for an opportunity.  Today’s workers also spend less time at a company before moving on to greener pastures.  The current economic environment has mad it much more likely that what you see is NOT what you get when it comes to applicants.

These facts have made pre-employment screening an indispensable part of the hiring process.

Whom do you eliminate with a good background check process?  Criminals, resume padders, unqualified and undereducated candidates, and those who live beyond their means, not to mention embellishers and underperformers. Plus those prone to violence and dangerous drivers.

Some may say that these things are none of the employer’s business, but you don’t have to let your potential employee’s past become your future.

Use pre-employment screening to help you make your hiring decisions.

Call 1-770-426-0547 for a free consultation with a background check expert.

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SECURITY TAGS ON CLOTHES…..WHAT’S OUT THERE?

August 31, 2010 by

Did it ever cross your mind while you are in the dressing room of a large department store, “I wonder what types of security tags on clothes  this store uses?”

Well purely for fun and trivia, we should talk about security tags.  OK, first the most unusual security device I have ever seen is a security tag for a liquor bottle!  Yes, I said a liquor bottle.  It has never occurred to me to steal a liquor bottle from a store so I guess that is why I never thought about theft prevention.  Take a look at the picture below.

Bottle Lock

Liquor bottle security device.  It fits right over the top of the bottle so even if you steal it, you gotta break the bottle to drink it!!

Ok, so let’s get back to the discussion of security tags on clothes.  What types are there?  Well, after investigation it seems there are LOTS!  Let’s start with delicate clothes.  If you have a pretty piece of lingerie or a silk blouse, you need a “delicate” type of security device.  The mini security tags work well for those types of garments.  See Below.

Mini  

Here are two different types of “mini” security tags.  Each of these is quite a bit smaller it seems than your traditional security tag.  Most retailers appear to sell these in lots of 1000.
What types of security tags on clothes do you use if you have belts or shoes, etc?  One type of anti-theft device used for those types of garments is a security tag with a lanyard for easily attaching to a belt or accessory.

 As you can see to the left, these types of tags attach and remove differently from traditional tags that attach with a pin through the garment.

And many retailers’ favorite type of security device is the infamous ink tag.  Ink tags have been around for a long time and the purpose is to guarantee that if someone does abscond with a garment, when they try to remove the tag it will spew ink all over the article.  Potential shoplifters are even warned that they are going to get “ink spew” but often it still does not deter them from attempting the theft.  See the example below:

 The picture depicts a typical ink tag.

For more information about security tags on clothes, please contact us or call 1.770.426.0547.

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Get control of retail shrinkage

August 31, 2010 by Leave a Comment

What puts many businesses out of business is the inability to get control of retail shrinkage.  There can be a stumbling block to recognizing the reality that all retailers experience employee theft.  Many retailers, especially boutique types, have “good repeat customers”.  They may be shocked to know how many of those “paying customers” are actually great actors and professional level shoplifters that are cleaning out the store bit by bit.

Other areas that are a problem smaller retailers have a hard time looking at is that there is a good potential that they are experiencing some retail shrinkage due to vendor fraud.  Long term trusted vendors are often waved by through the receiving line and invoices are signed blindly.  One shorted item per visit can add up to a significant side business for unscrupulous vendors.

So how does the retailer get control of retail shrinkage?  There are many ways to do that and they can be divided into two areas, installed solutions and consulting solutions.

Installed anti theft devices such as Checkpoint Systems will not only deter shoplifting and keep shoplifters out but will also actively watch for theft and alarm personnel in the event product is being stolen.

Loss Prevention consultants can survey your store, procedures and issues and offer a plan that can be scaled into phases or implemented all at once to knock out  retail shrinkage.  This method will provide a detailed look at what is going on and can help avoid investing in a good solution to a problem you do not have.

For more information go to: retail shrinkage solutions

 

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Realistic results from a Checkpoint Security System

August 30, 2010 by Leave a Comment

If you are experiencing inventory loss through shoplifting, you have probably considered installing a  checkpoint security system or similar product.  You may have asked yourself whether the investment is worth it wondering what the result would be.

checkpoint security systems corporate head quarters called in third party experts Price Waterhouse Coopers to conduct a study for a major supermarket chain.  Their findings are very interesting, here are a few tidbits…

Four locations tested, 98 sku’s in test

Four weeks pre  checkpoint security system installation observation

10 weeks post  checkpoint security system installation observation

Overall shrinkage on the 98 sku’s tested averaged out to a 69.79% reduction in shrinkage!

Since the shrinkage was reduced profits also increased for two reasons, first there is more product available to sell if not stolen and second less losses obviously means the cost of goods does not have to be recovered or absorbed into profits.

This resulted in a net increase in sales of 9.2%.

So with a  checkpoint security system installed the retailer not only lost less product due to theft they actually increased sales by having more product on the shelf for buyers.  The system had an average ROI of between 6 to 9 months.  Keep in mind supermarkets have very low net margins, usually below 2% so getting a ROI that quickly is significant.

To explore the type of results you could expect go to: checkpoint security system

Contact Loss Prevention Systems for a consultation today.

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Not All Clothing Security Tags Are Created Equal

August 30, 2010 by

Clothing security tags are a popular line of defense for retailers in the battle against shoplifters and there are many options available.  Not all clothing security tags are created equal though.

Checkpoint Systems is the world’s leading manufacturer of EAS (Electronic Article Surveillance) systems, which use radio frequency technology to detect security tags and labels on merchandise via sensors installed at doorways.  As with any industry the leader is always followed and there are many  clothing security tags and label copies manufactured overseas.

But buyers beware.  These slightly less expensive tags and labels do have negatives that need to be understood.  The most popular Checkpoint tags are the mini hard tags and the barcode labels:

 

The issues with the cheaper copies are something the average retailer would not really notice at first unless they did some extensive testing.  For example, 25% of the cheaper copies can be dead out of the box / will not set off the alarm.  The reason being there is no quality control on the imported cheapies…QC is an expensive process which affects the cost.  Checkpoint goes so far with their quality control that they actually test every label before it leaves the plant.  Any dead tags are marked with a red dot so that the customer knows to skip that label.  (All rolls of labels are guaranteed to have a minimum of 2,000 good labels).

The copycat mini hard tags are easy to spot.  First all Genuine Checkpoint products have their logo embossed on them.  Also, the fit and finish is very noticeably different.  The copies have a manufacturing seam that you can stick a small screwdriver or knife into and break open in seconds.  The Checkpoint seams are so tight they look like a molded one piece unit.

Just like anything else, you get what you pay for and  clothing security tags are no different.  For more information go to: clothing security tags or visit Loss Prevention Systems for continental US systems installations.

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Checkpoint Labels great primary and secondary lines of defense

August 29, 2010 by Leave a Comment

Those who use a  checkpoint security system may think of  checkpoint labels as a primary line of defense against shoplifting but often overlook the secondary protection possibilities.  They offer many styles and shapes as seen below:

They are often used as care labels, warning labels, sale info, store info and can be printed as price tags.

There are custom solutions designed for food, health and beauty, drugstore and pharmacy, apparel, electronics and more.  This takes the guess work out of what label to choose for any application.

But few users are taking advantage of the secondary line of defense possibilities.  If you are using a  checkpoint security system and only using hard tags (re-usable rigid tags that are pinned or hung from merchandise), you may want to consider adding checkpoint labels if nothing else as a secondary line of defense.

By applying a hidden label in or on your merchandise in addition to a hard tag you are protecting yourself against the more professional shoplifters who may be able to remove the hard tag you are using.  These hidden  checkpoint labels  will set off your  checkpoint security system when the product approaches the exit surprising the thief who thought they had the system beat. And the labels are very inexpensive to use, just a few cents each.

To learn more go here: checkpoint labels

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New Checkpoint Security Tags

August 28, 2010 by Leave a Comment

Checkpoint has released new, dynamic clothing security tags that complement the checkpoint security tags line.

This new tag is the “3G Hard Tag With Super Lock”; it is gray and white in color. Size-wise the 3G’ is about the same as the standard mini-hard tag.

This new tag is revolutionary and will deal with a host of issues that have developed since the mini-hard tag was introduced. There have been quite a few cheap knock-offs that have been made to look like Checkpoint security tags . Because they look like Checkpoint does not mean that they perform as well as genuine Checkpoint. Many of the knock-offs have rough edges at the seam from poor construction techniques. This snags clothing. They also have poor locking mechanisms that do not function smoothly. At check-out this can be a problem when the cashier cannot get the tag off quickly.

3G’s have the same great feature of the mini hard tag in that it has a hole located close to the clutch that will take a flex string. Flex strings can be used to attach the tag to larger and more diverse items.

To remove the 3G’s you will need a super detacher by Checkpoint security systems . Shoplifters cannot use a knockoff detacher on the 3G clothing security tags. Store associates attach the 3G exactly like the older mini-hard tag. Using the pin to place them on seams, top rear yoke of a shirt below the collar, swimsuit seam, etc.

Remember, you can always drop Checkpoint security tags (the paper type) into a in a pocket doubling your protection for just a couple of cents.

For more information:  checkpoint security tags, visit Loss Prevention Systems, Inc. or call 1.770.426.0547

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SECURITY TAGS ON CLOTHES….MY AMAZEMENT

August 28, 2010 by

There are all kinds of security tags on clothes that prevent shoplifters from helping themselves.  Some tags beep, some that spew ink on the garment and some tags that are just plain inconvenient to remove.  And yes, I do realize this is irritating when you make a purchase, get home, put on the garment and wham you have a big pretty ink security tag on your new purchase that the store forgot to remove.

But consider this everyone, without those security tags on clothes to try and prevent people from stealing, it would increase every consumer’s cost of purchasing any type of retail item.  So yes, tags can be frustrating but very necessary.

Imagine my amazement when I goggled “security tags on clothes” this week and found at least 100 websites, instruction videos, photographs and blogs on “how to remove security tags on clothes.”  My goodness consumers, these things are here to help you.  We should not be teaching criminals how to go into a dressing room and remove the stupid things so they can steal stuff!

One website, which will remain nameless of course, even outlined what tools to purchase and took step by step instructional video on how to take security tags on clothes OFF the clothes!!

Here is my thought.  If you purchase something, look at the garment before you leave the store.  Don’t get all mad because the security tag is still attached when you get home.  You were there when you purchased it.  You were there when they DIDN’T remove the security tag.  So take just a smidge of responsibility for the mistake, and just by chance, if the retail outlet you frequent does leave the security device on the clothes, GO BACK TO THE STORE AND GET IT REMOVED.

For information on where and how to use security tags on clothes for your store our retail outlet, contact us or call  1.770.426.0547.

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