Why Have Your Security Cameras Integrated With Your POS System?

 Unlike in most business settings retail, bar and restaurants - where registers or computer-based POS systems are utilized - video surveillance alone may not be enough.

Why?  Because the cash register and POS system can introduce ways of theft not easily identifiable, if at all, by video cameras. 

Here are some of the most common avenues of theft and fraud via POS systems/registers:

·       Short rings – goods are charged out (to an accomplice) at a much lower charge than the correct one

·       Sweetheart Deals – Similar to short rings but where goods are charged out in fewer quantities than actual

·       Substitute Scanning – Scanning a tag of much lower value than the actual goods being sold

·       Short Changing – Providing less change than is correct

·       Voids – Voiding a sale after the customer has left

·       Returns/Refunds – Refunding cash on a non-existent return

·       Cancels – A transaction is partially rang in and if the customer does not ask for a receipt, is cancelled after the customer has left

·       No Sale – A dishonest sales clerk using some of the methods above must remove the accumulated cash from the cash drawer before shift end.  The most common way to achieve this is to ring in a “No Sale” just before the shift end and remove all the extra cash at one time.  “No Sales” can also be used simply to take cash out of the till, without other forms of fraud being used. 

***Through POS Integration, 911 Security Cameras offers a means to identify this fraud in conjunction with your surveillance system. 

POS integration creates a searchable database of transactions, essentially adding loss prevention to the surveillance system.  Now, exceptions – any suspicious transactions – can be defined and examined; along with accompanying video. 

In addition, the data from the POS integration can be imported into inventory control and bookkeeping programs (Quickbooks, etc) for further analysis…

Because of all of this detection, the POS Integration will normally pay for itself in a matter of months.

In order for the integration of a POS with Video Surveillance to be effective there are several items that must be taken into account:

1. Transaction text overlay - the integration should allow for a text overlay to be printed into the video as each transaction is completed. This text should include a record of the entire bill including the date, time, and items ordered and total amount. When closing a bill the text should show the final bill in total. This is critical in order to properly review transactions for undercharging, overcharging or failing to charge for some items. It is not only important that the individual order be identified but also that it can be proven that the item was not added to the final bill later.

2. Abnormal transaction alarm/alert - the video software should be able to track alerts based on predefined transaction types such as “no sale” transactions. This will cause the software to record the transaction and create an “event” in the log file so that all of these transactions can be easily reviewed.

3. Event Log - the video software needs an event log that has multiple filter and search capabilities. This log will show the date, time and short description of each event that occurred. By clicking on the event the user will be taken directly to that portion of the video. An “event” is defined as each transaction that is recorded or identified to be recorded by an alarm/alert.

4. Storage and security - the video software must provide for proper storage of at least 30 days of video plus it must be properly secured to prevent tampering. In general, the video storage should not be on the same computer as the POS software and access to editing functions should be limited to only the key management staff that need this ability.

A 911 Security Cameras consultant can make sure that all of these items are taken into account, en route to making sure you’re getting the most out of your surveillance system and POS system integration.

POS integration with video surveillance has many benefits and can help prevent a variety of issues.  With the proper system retail business owners will enjoy a quick return on their investment along with increased control over business activities.  However, the implementation has to be properly designed and implemented; the following are necessities:

a. Select POS software that is not restricted when it comes to integration with a video surveillance system. Specifically ask this question of your vendor in order to avoid any surprises.

b. Select a video surveillance system that has a built in POS interface with the functionality you want. At a minimum the system should be able to provide a text overlay of all transaction and all final checks, have and event log and have an alert system to monitor pre-determined transactions.

c. Ensure that the video surveillance system has proper storage and security functionality.

d. Work with an experienced integrator who can ensure your system is properly functioning, provide technical support and can remotely monitor the system to ensure it is fully functional.

911 Stands Out In POS Integration and Exception Reporting

Through diligent research and extensive experience, 911 SC continues to be innovative and successful in finding new ways to help its clients protect and control their businesses. 

Recently, 911 SC partnered with Agilence, Inc - a retail loss prevention software company that develops a solution enabling retailers to identify and reduce shrink at the point-of-sale.

Agilence’s software allows 911 SC customers to take their POS System and video surveillance integration to another level; giving them the ability to control much more and giving them access to a whole new set of analytics.  Agilence software marries the data from the point-of-sale to the CCTV video in real-time to enable loss prevention analysts to identify shrink caused by:  cashier fraud, external theft, systemic errors, operational inefficiencies, and poor promotion execution.

As sophisticated as the video surveillance systems are that have been implemented in retail settings, and as much exception reporting is needed and done, the two still are not integrated together.  That creates a situation in which the identification process is slow and ineffective.

The following features are unique to the Agilence/911 SC partnership and demonstrate the added benefit over traditional exception reporting.

·                  Raw Transaction Logs – Agilence pulls data directly from the point-of-sale systems rather than reading the transaction logs (tlogs). Transaction logs miss critical data when looking for signs of fraud or theft.   For example, transaction logs do not capture price checks or scan gaps.

·                  Synchronized Video Integration – Exception reporting tools are not fully integrated with video. In many cases, the systems are not even linked. But, in the cases were they are linked, the connection is rudimentary. In almost every case, the video does not match the exception exactly causing investigators to search through more video than necessary. 

·                  Item-Level Synchronization – The patented item-level synchronization within the Agilence solution means that the line item within the transaction in question is directly tied to the video. Exception reporting tools that are integrated with video are only tagged at the macro transaction level, and therefore must scan an entire receipt to find the corresponding video in question. With Agilence, the video for the suspect line-item is instantly visible.

·                  Image Capture – Further, Agilence creates a static image for each and every line in the transaction. This means that the investigator is simply scrolling through small, 10k images. This means a faster response from the system and a limited impact on network resources. In most cases, a full investigation can be completed based on the images alone. However, by simply pressing <PLAY>, the full video is immediately available at the exact spot that image was taken.

Contact an 911 Security Consultant today to maximize your POS and Camera integration. 

To learn more about POS System Integration with your video surveillance system, you can also reach a 911 SC Consultant at 1-866-618-CAMS (2267).