Tech Corner: Micro Market Security

There is a lot of talk and interest in Micro Markets these days. They are a fantastic alternative to vending or cafeterias that provide 24-hour convenience solutions for a list of items that can be overwhelming. Often paired with free coffee services or water coolers, they can be very good business whether it is a new account or converting existing a current customer to increase sales and most importantly keep them satisfied. Micro markets are an easy sell until the inevitable question comes up: theft. How do you know if people are stealing? How much do other customers steal? This used to be a tough question to answer… prospective clients don’t like to hear “well the industry average is 3%, but if you’re over, you pay.” That just doesn’t cut it.

 Micro market security used to be difficult. Most operators would purchase the camera kit that was on special at Costco. They came as a decently equipped kit with a DVR and multiple cameras as well as an array of features. The time stamp motion features were helpful in cutting down the footage that we may have to look through, such as looking for the night cleaner that may be treating themselves to a free Oh Henry occasionally. As time goes on, these basic features become a challenge. More markets and rotating camera availability meant multiple camera back-end systems, more usernames and passwords, and combing through more and more footage; stuff a busy operator doesn’t have time to deal with.  The more relaxed customers were satisfied with the fact that there were cameras, and assuming they would deter anyone from helping themselves to a complimentary snack now and then. The tough prospective clients couldn’t be convinced with the unknown, there must be a better way.

This is by no means a sales pitch and is not sponsored, just a rave for a product that has saved time and helped the selling process tremendously. At Quality, we’ve started to use Panoptyc software on the Rhombus R120 camera. This is a smart detective software that integrates with your kiosk data to help catch micro market thieves. The software automatically detects suspicious activity. Those activities are screened, edited, and a small clip is sent to you for review. These cases can be shared with the client where their internal theft policies / investigation will be carried out.

In our experience, the thieves are caught the first time and are terminated. Once the rest of the employees know it works, that is the last time it happens.

One camera, one back end, and a more successful selling process. That is a win in our books!

A short video of the system can be seen here.

Written by David Jackson, Director of Business Development, Quality Vending & Coffee Services