VCA, the retail analytics specialist, has introduced a new generation Public View monitor designed to help retailers achieve so much more than just deter would be thieves.
VCA has packed its Intelligent Public View Monitor (IPVM) with a long list of impressive features, which offer tangible benefits to retail marketing executives, as well as loss prevention managers.
Face detection
The IPVM takes advantage of high definition camera technology, supported by facial detection software, to record the faces of everyone entering a store. The face images captured by the built-in Full HD camera which is discretely located within the IPVM’s housing, can be used to verify where individuals have been within the store
Business intelligence
VCA refers to the IPVM as being ‘intelligent’ because the camera incorporates its highly acclaimed analytics technology. With its people counting and tracking capabilities, the analytics can be utilised to produce heat maps as well as data on how long each customer dwells in specific areas of a store or how long they have queued when used in conjunction with its Ucountit cloud based software. It therefore provides a very powerful multi-purpose business intelligence tool offering a high potential ROI when installed at individual shopping aisles, as well as at store entrances.
“Retailers have long understood the value of positioning a Public View monitor at a store entrance to make shoplifters aware that they are on camera,” said Kevin Waterhouse, Executive Vice President, Global Sales for VCA. “Our IPVM takes this concept to a much higher level, with built in powerful analytics to allow store management and marketing personnel to gain a greater understanding of customer behaviour.”
Reporting
The IPVM is supported by uCountit, VCA’s cloud based analytics reporting solution that can be accessed via a web browser such as Internet Explorer, Google Chrome or Firefox. As a cloud based solution, it offers users the convenience of access to the Dashboard from any location on the network. This presents the analysed metadata in the form of simple charts, heat maps and reports, allowing regional retail managers to monitor activity at individual stores and make comparisons with other stores, whilst they are on the move.
In-house promotions
The IPVM is also equipped with a built-in SD card slot for displaying welcome messages and advertisements in support of in-house promotions. The internal SD can hold the messages so each monitor can have different and specific message depending on the location in the store
Event detection
Using the built in camera and analytics, areas of particular interest can be set up as zones or tripwires and when events occur, the images can be recorded and or sent to a mobile for instant review. In addition, when an event does take place the monitor can instantly switch into live mode to show the real time activity.
