Alpha Thunder Tags-3 WC blog 92
i-pad theft-4
Tablet theft-4
Protect Popular Mobile Medical Devices With Alpha Thunder Tags
Why are mobile medical devices so popular? Why does there seem to be such a proliferation of them in the medical profession? What kind of devices are being used for medical purposes and are there any risks associated with their use? Let me address the last question first. Mobile medical devices that I am referring to are tablets, i-pads, i-phones, etc. These devices are small, portable and easy for medical staff to carry with them while seeing patients. A far cry from the days of clipboards and file folders with patient information, these devices provide access to the same information but with the added benefit of being easier to navigate through information. Since the devices do carry patient data there is risk associated with them, but tablet theft and i-pad theft risk can be minimized with the use of Alpha Thunder Tags.
Alpha Thunder Tags are anti-theft devices attached directly to the item(s) that needs to be protected. They work with an electronic article surveillance system antenna that emits a loud alarm if someone tries to leave a building with a device. Flashing LED lights of an antenna also alert staff of a security breach. If someone attempts an i-pad theft by removing the anti-theft device, the tag has an internal tamper alarm that activates and alerts personnel of an incident as it happens.
Why the proliferation of mobile medical devices? There a couple of reasons for it, the first being a push by the federal government for medical providers to move to electronic medical records (EMR). The idea being, that digitalizing data and patient information would drive down health care costs. Medical providers are attempting to meet government requirements and therefore the use of mobile devices has increased. While there are medical professionals who are both pro and con on the program, the fact is there are more devices being used and any time there is an increase in something of value, there is always someone out there who would like to steal it. The reason may be simply to get hands on something of value and try to resell it or more concerning, steal it and try to hack information contained on it. In either situation a tablet theft or i-pad theft can be an expensive loss to a medical provider.
Another reason for the proliferation of the devices is that medical providers are finding there are many benefits to using mobile medical i-pads, i-phones and tablets. Patient information is easy to access. Doctors can consult with other physicians on patient diagnosis, medical history can show medications a patient may be on and help a doctor avoid prescribing a medication that may negatively interfere with a drug the patient is already taking. There are also a growing number of medical apps that are available to medical professionals. Some of the top apps available for medical i-phones according to the web site “Healthcare IT News” include:
1. Epocrates – The user can view continually updated clinical data
2. Skyscape Medical Resources – a collection of medical information and decision
3. Eyechart – used to measure visual acuity.
4. Taber’s Medical Dictionary – contains over 60,000 terms, 1,000 photos and 600 patient care statements
5. MedCalc – a medical calculator that provides access to medical formulas and scores.
The list of available apps for doctors and nurses goes on, from Neurology toolkits to Veterinarian tools. With so much information and information sharing available at the touch of a screen, it makes sense why transitioning to a mobile technology would be beneficial to hospitals, clinics and other healthcare providers. It is also understandable how a tablet theft could have negative impacts on a practice if medical data is on a device. The loss of access to these apps could also cause problems if a medical practitioner has come to rely on them for their day to day patient care.
Medical mobile devices have immeasurable value in the health care industry. The opportunities for reducing errors and improving care with new apps are boundless. But, we must not lose sight of the risks associated with mobile devices. They are small and can be easily misplaced or stolen and in the process, patient data may be at risk. Using Alpha Thunder tags is the sensible solution to prevent i-pad theft and tablet theft.
For more information on Alpha Thunder Tags, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
Why are mobile medical devices so popular? Why does there seem to be such a proliferation of them in the medical profession? What kind of devices are being used for medical purposes and are there any risks associated with their use? Let me address the last question first. Mobile medical devices that I am referring to are tablets, i-pads, i-phones, etc. These devices are small, portable and easy for medical staff to carry with them while seeing patients. A far cry from the days of clipboards and file folders with patient information, these devices provide access to the same information but with the added benefit of being easier to navigate through information. Since the devices do carry patient data there is risk associated with them, but tablet theft and i-pad theft risk can be minimized with the use of Alpha Thunder Tags.
Alpha Thunder Tags are anti-theft devices attached directly to the item(s) that needs to be protected. They work with an electronic article surveillance system antenna that emits a loud alarm if someone tries to leave a building with a device. Flashing LED lights of an antenna also alert staff of a security breach. If someone attempts an i-pad theft by removing the anti-theft device, the tag has an internal tamper alarm that activates and alerts personnel of an incident as it happens.
Why the proliferation of mobile medical devices? There a couple of reasons for it, the first being a push by the federal government for medical providers to move to electronic medical records (EMR). The idea being, that digitalizing data and patient information would drive down health care costs. Medical providers are attempting to meet government requirements and therefore the use of mobile devices has increased. While there are medical professionals who are both pro and con on the program, the fact is there are more devices being used and any time there is an increase in something of value, there is always someone out there who would like to steal it. The reason may be simply to get hands on something of value and try to resell it or more concerning, steal it and try to hack information contained on it. In either situation a tablet theft or i-pad theft can be an expensive loss to a medical provider.
Another reason for the proliferation of the devices is that medical providers are finding there are many benefits to using mobile medical i-pads, i-phones and tablets. Patient information is easy to access. Doctors can consult with other physicians on patient diagnosis, medical history can show medications a patient may be on and help a doctor avoid prescribing a medication that may negatively interfere with a drug the patient is already taking. There are also a growing number of medical apps that are available to medical professionals. Some of the top apps available for medical i-phones according to the web site “Healthcare IT News” include:
1. Epocrates – The user can view continually updated clinical data
2. Skyscape Medical Resources – a collection of medical information and decision
3. Eyechart – used to measure visual acuity
4. Taber’s Medical Dictionary – contains over 60,000 terms, 1,000 photos and 600 patient care statements
5. MedCalc – a medical calculator that provides access to medical formulas and scores.
The list of available apps for doctors and nurses goes on, from Neurology toolkits to Veterinarian tools. With so much information and information sharing available at the touch of a screen, it makes sense why transitioning to a mobile technology would be beneficial to hospitals, clinics and other healthcare providers. It is also understandable how a tablet theft could have negative impacts on a practice if medical data is on a device. The loss of access to these apps could also cause problems if a medical practitioner has come to rely on them for their day to day patient care.
Medical mobile devices have immeasurable value in the health care industry. The opportunities for reducing errors and improving care with new apps are boundless. But, we must not lose sight of the risks associated with mobile devices. They are small and can be easily misplaced or stolen and in the process, patient data may be at risk. Using Alpha Thunder tags is the sensible solution to prevent i-pad theft and tablet theft.
For more information on Alpha Thunder Tags, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
Background Check Company-5 WC blog 62
Background Checks-4
Building A Better Team Is Easier When You Use A Background Check Company
You may not know this, but hiring the right people for your business is EASY! That’s right, everyone who applies will always fill in application information honestly. They never leave gaps in employment, they tell you their entire education background and obviously they will never lie about whether they are re-hirable for a previous job. Would they omit facts about a criminal history? Certainly not! They will tell you about that criminal record, because they know your business might do background checks and find out, right? While we are on the topic, resumes are just as trustworthy. Why would anyone embellish a resume just to get a job? Who is going to be creative about a job title, isn’t that kind of senseless? Awards they have received? Can’t you track down if they weren’t the school Valedictorian? I am being sarcastic in all of this for a reason. People DO lie on applications and on resumes in order to get a job. How pervasive is the problem? “According to a 2014 CareerBuilder survey, fifty-eight percent of hiring managers said they’ve caught a lie on an application; one-third (33 percent) of these employers have seen an increase in resume embellishments post-recession.” (Source; CareerBuilder.com) A professional background check company can provide you with the information on an applicant that he or she may fail to “remember” when completing that job application.
A background check company can uncover information that an applicant may fail to let you know about when they apply for a job with you. Do you require a certain type of degree or certification for a job? A pre-employment screening can validate that someone graduated with that particular diploma. Will the job require driving? It could be helpful to know if the applicant has a clean driving record. What about a credit history? Is the person you are considering for a position financially stable? It may be important for you to know that the person who is going to have access to client credit card information does not have potential credit problems himself. Conducting background checks will help to ensure you are hiring people who are honest in providing information you need to make intelligent hiring decisions.
Having experience in my previous position in retail as a Loss Prevention Manager and in my current position as a shift supervisor in a university library, I have combed through hundreds of applications. I have first-hand experience in seeing “embellishments” and “employment gaps”. I also know what it is to be in crunch time and you have to hire a new person, but you have to go through a lot of applications and resumes. It can be easy to give a benefit of a doubt to what may be an omission. This is especially true when you see an application or resume that at first glance looks very impressive. A background check company can help protect you when you may have been lulled into a false sense of security over a candidate’s application. As the saying goes, “Looks can be deceiving”. I recognize that even those who have had a checkered past need an opportunity to turn their life around. If someone is honest, even about their criminal history employee background checks can confirm a person’s honesty. While I applaud employers who are willing to hire someone who may have experienced problems in their lives, I still think it is prudent to place these new hires in a position that will not put a company at risk. I would not put someone with a prior DUI conviction in a position to drive a company vehicle, at least for a while. Someone that has been convicted of embezzlement would not work in my cash office or at a cash register. I might consider them for a freight stocking position or as a cart attendant to start off.
Hiring the right person for the job should always be a priority. Really knowing who that person is that you are considering for a job can be difficult. A background check company will give you the confidence that your candidate would truly be a good fit for your team. Let employee background checks help you hire the right people to staff your business,
For more information on a background check company, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
You may not know this, but hiring the right people for your business is EASY! That’s right, everyone who applies will always fill in application information honestly. They never leave gaps in employment, they tell you their entire education background and obviously they will never lie about whether they are re-hirable for a previous job. Would they omit facts about a criminal history? Certainly not! They will tell you about that criminal record, because they know your business might do background checks and find out, right? While we are on the topic, resumes are just as trustworthy. Why would anyone embellish a resume just to get a job? Who is going to be creative about a job title, isn’t that kind of senseless? Awards they have received? Can’t you track down if they weren’t the school Valedictorian? I am being sarcastic in all of this for a reason. People DO lie on applications and on resumes in order to get a job. How pervasive is the problem? “According to a 2014 CareerBuilder survey, fifty-eight percent of hiring managers said they’ve caught a lie on an application; one-third (33 percent) of these employers have seen an increase in resume embellishments post-recession.” (Source; CareerBuilder.com) A professional background check company can provide you with the information on an applicant that he or she may fail to “remember” when completing that job application.
A background check company can uncover information that an applicant may fail to let you know about when they apply for a job with you. Do you require a certain type of degree or certification for a job? A pre-employment screening can validate that someone graduated with that particular diploma. Will the job require driving? It could be helpful to know if the applicant has a clean driving record. What about a credit history? Is the person you are considering for a position financially stable? It may be important for you to know that the person who is going to have access to client credit card information does not have potential credit problems himself. Conducting background checks will help to ensure you are hiring people who are honest in providing information you need to make intelligent hiring decisions.
Having experience in my previous position in retail as a Loss Prevention Manager and in my current position as a shift supervisor in a university library, I have combed through hundreds of applications. I have first-hand experience in seeing “embellishments” and “employment gaps”. I also know what it is to be in crunch time and you have to hire a new person, but you have to go through a lot of applications and resumes. It can be easy to give a benefit of a doubt to what may be an omission. This is especially true when you see an application or resume that at first glance looks very impressive. A background check company can help protect you when you may have been lulled into a false sense of security over a candidate’s application. As the saying goes, “Looks can be deceiving”. I recognize that even those who have had a checkered past need an opportunity to turn their life around. If someone is honest, even about their criminal history employee background checks can confirm a person’s honesty. While I applaud employers who are willing to hire someone who may have experienced problems in their lives, I still think it is prudent to place these new hires in a position that will not put a company at risk. I would not put someone with a prior DUI conviction in a position to drive a company vehicle, at least for a while. Someone that has been convicted of embezzlement would not work in my cash office or at a cash register. I might consider them for a freight stocking position or as a cart attendant to start off.
Hiring the right person for the job should always be a priority. Really knowing who that person is that you are considering for a job can be difficult. A background check company will give you the confidence that your candidate would truly be a good fit for your team. Let employee background checks help you hire the right people to staff your business.
For more information on a background check company, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
Checkpoint Tags-5 WC blog 72
Clothing Security Tags-4
Clothing Shortage Climbs When Stores Fail To Use Clothing Security Tags
Do you run or own a clothing store or sell clothing as part of your product line? When you complete your inventories, do you have shortage for which you can’t account? You may not be familiar with all the clever ways thieves are stealing from you. There are obvious methods of clothing theft such as wearing items out of the store or hiding them in purses and not paying. But there are other methods you may not be as familiar with when it comes to shortage and theft. Shortage may be the result of employee’s passing merchandise to friends, failing to ring it through the register. It may be theft by the employees themselves. It can be unintentional shortage as a result of not carefully looking at a shopping cart for stray items before the customer leaves the store. The merchandise is overlooked and once the customer is out the door, they may or may not realize the merchandise was not scanned at the register and so they simply take it with them. However it may happen, when merchandise is not paid for, it becomes shortage. Many small business owners do not feel clothing security tags are necessary for their stores. I would like to suggest that even small business owners can benefit by using Checkpoint tags on the products they sell.
How do I know that using Checkpoint tags on clothing make a difference for a store? According to the 2015 Global Retail Theft Barometer shrinkage rates for apparel specialist retailers (in North America) that spent 0.15 percentage points less on loss prevention strategies from 2014 to 2015 saw an increase of 1.68 percentage points in year on year shrinkage rates. Clothing security tags make up a significant part of apparel protection, in addition to other strategies. Checkpoint tags are the hard tags that are pinned to clothing and will activate electronic article surveillance (EAS) antennas at the store entrance or exit when someone attempts to leave the store with merchandise that is still tagged. The tags are reusable so they don’t have to be ordered over and over again. They are also large enough that they provide a visual deterrent to would-be thieves.
By using Checkpoint tags, even if a piece of clothing is put on under another garment, such as a swim suit worn under street clothes or a shirt being worn under a customer’s coat, the clothing security tag will still activate the store EAS antennas. Other methods I have seen shoplifters use to steal clothes are hiding them in a baby stroller, under the baby, under the baby blanket and I have even seen baby strollers brought in with only a doll and blanket. I have dealt with shoplifters who have taken items out of large boxes and stuffed them with hundreds of dollars of clothing. It makes no difference if the items are concealed, if protected with Checkpoint tags, the alarm will sound and alert store staff that something is going through the antenna that is activating the alarm. If an employee is attempting to leave with unpaid merchandise that has security tags on them, they too will trigger the alarm. Having the tags on clothing is often enough to discourage employees from even attempting to steal from their employer. In a situation where a customer forgets merchandise left in a buggy, or it may have fallen on the bottom of a shopping cart, the EAS alarm will still sound when the clothing is about to leave the store. A responding employee can verify it has not been paid for and either, return the item to the sales floor or the customer can choose to purchase the garment.
Don’t allow your store shrinkage rate to climb because you think you can do without protection. Remember that shortage has been shown to increase in stores that have cut back on clothing security expenditures. Reduce your shortage and increase profits with clothing security tags.
For more information on Checkpoint Tags, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
Do you run or own a clothing store or sell clothing as part of your product line? When you complete your inventories, do you have shortage for which you can’t account? You may not be familiar with all the clever ways thieves are stealing from you. There are obvious methods of clothing theft such as wearing items out of the store or hiding them in purses and not paying. But there are other methods you may not be as familiar with when it comes to shortage and theft. Shortage may be the result of employee’s passing merchandise to friends, failing to ring it through the register. It may be theft by the employees themselves. It can be unintentional shortage as a result of not carefully looking at a shopping cart for stray items before the customer leaves the store. The merchandise is overlooked and once the customer is out the door, they may or may not realize the merchandise was not scanned at the register and so they simply take it with them. However it may happen, when merchandise is not paid for, it becomes shortage. Many small business owners do not feel clothing security tags are necessary for their stores. I would like to suggest that even small business owners can benefit by using Checkpoint tags on the products they sell.
How do I know that using Checkpoint tags on clothing make a difference for a store? According to the 2015 Global Retail Theft Barometer shrinkage rates for apparel specialist retailers (in North America) that spent 0.15 percentage points less on loss prevention strategies from 2014 to 2015 saw an increase of 1.68 percentage points in year on year shrinkage rates. Clothing security tags make up a significant part of apparel protection, in addition to other strategies. Checkpoint tags are the hard tags that are pinned to clothing and will activate electronic article surveillance (EAS) antennas at the store entrance or exit when someone attempts to leave the store with merchandise that is still tagged. The tags are reusable so they don’t have to be ordered over and over again. They are also large enough that they provide a visual deterrent to would-be thieves.
By using Checkpoint tags, even if a piece of clothing is put on under another garment, such as a swim suit worn under street clothes or a shirt being worn under a customer’s coat, the clothing security tag will still activate the store EAS antennas. Other methods I have seen shoplifters use to steal clothes are hiding them in a baby stroller, under the baby, under the baby blanket and I have even seen baby strollers brought in with only a doll and blanket. I have dealt with shoplifters who have taken items out of large boxes and stuffed them with hundreds of dollars of clothing. t makes no difference if the items are concealed, if protected with Checkpoint tags, the alarm will sound and alert store staff that something is going through the antenna that is activating the alarm. If an employee is attempting to leave with unpaid merchandise that has security tags on them, they too will trigger the alarm. Having the tags on clothing is often enough to discourage employees from even attempting to steal from their employer. In a situation where a customer forgets merchandise left in a buggy, or it may have fallen on the bottom of a shopping cart, the EAS alarm will still sound when the clothing is about to leave the store. A responding employee can verify it has not been paid for and either, return the item to the sales floor or the customer can choose to purchase the garment.
Don’t allow your store shrinkage rate to climb because you think you can do without protection. Remember that shortage has been shown to increase in stores that have cut back on clothing security expenditures. Reduce your shortage and increase profits with clothing security tags.
For more information on Checkpoint Tags, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
Alpha Shark Tags-5 , Wardrobing-4 , Return Fraud-4
Shark Tags Help Balance Return Policy With Customer Service
Returns are a necessary evil when it comes to the retail business. There is a fine line between being a pushover and being too strict on customers that need to make a return. Businesses have to fight return fraud, but they have to maintain exemplary service in order to keep loyal customers. Wardrobing is the one particular type of return fraud that is considered to be the most heinous. That is where people purchase an item with the full intention of returning it. Basically, they want to “rent” what they want or need for free. Then they use the store’s return policy against them by having all the requirements like the original receipts, packaging, and price tags with the item. But of course, the store cannot resell the merchandise because it has been clearly used.
I am an avid online shopper. (I am excitedly waiting for a pair of shoes I just ordered a few days ago.) I have seen all kinds of return policies, and some are pretty stuff. I have seen restocking fees that range from 10% all the way up to 20% of the original purchase price for a return. Some stores require the customer to request a return authorization number within a certain number of days after receiving the item. Many times the customer has to pay for the return shipping if they bought the item online. I was looking at dresses for my daughter at a couple online dealers and most of them have posted they do not accept returns under any circumstances. That seems a little harsh. If I buy a dress online, I expect to be able to return it if it gets here and the sizing isn’t correct! But I get where these business are coming from. Wardrobing is a huge problem for retailers that sell formal wear. Many surveys put return fraud as one of the top of theft issues clothing retailers face.
Not to sound too cliché, but someone had to take a bite out of this type of crime. That problem is probably one reason the Alpha Shark Tag was invented. This is a nifty little tag that clips directly to an item or can be attached via lanyard. Many retailers that utilize the Alpha Shark Tag also use it to clip on a small copy of the return policy. The problem with wardrobing is the customer comes back with a wrinkled, soiled, smelly, spotted and stained garment they wore to go out on the town and they are now standing at the counter expecting a full refund. The store can no longer sell this item so they lose the original sale and the inventory. The purpose of the Alpha Shark Tag is to dissuade the buyer from attempting wardrobing. They are informed at the time of purchase that the tag must remain on the dress or other garment. It will not be removed by the clerk like most other tags on clothing. It is designed to be removed at home with a simple pair of household scissors. Once removed, however, the item is no longer eligible for any type of refund. It is important to note that the Alpha Shark Tag is meant to be clipped onto a very prominent area of the garment in order to discourage the customer from trying to wear it anyway. Instead of changing your return policy to a bunch of strict rules that punishes your loyal customers, try Alpha Shark Tags instead. Your customers will appreciate it.
For more information on how to stop Alpha Shark Tags, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
Returns are a necessary evil when it comes to the retail business. There is a fine line between being a pushover and being too strict on customers that need to make a return. Businesses have to fight return fraud, but they have to maintain exemplary service in order to keep loyal customers. Wardrobing is the one particular type of return fraud that is considered to be the most heinous. That is where people purchase an item with the full intention of returning it. Basically, they want to “rent” what they want or need for free. Then they use the store’s return policy against them by having all the requirements like the original receipts, packaging, and price tags with the item. But of course, the store cannot resell the merchandise because it has been clearly used.
I am an avid online shopper. (I am excitedly waiting for a pair of shoes I just ordered a few days ago.) I have seen all kinds of return policies, and some are pretty stuff. I have seen restocking fees that range from 10% all the way up to 20% of the original purchase price for a return. Some stores require the customer to request a return authorization number within a certain number of days after receiving the item. Many times the customer has to pay for the return shipping if they bought the item online. I was looking at dresses for my daughter at a couple online dealers and most of them have posted they do not accept returns under any circumstances. That seems a little harsh. If I buy a dress online, I expect to be able to return it if it gets here and the sizing isn’t correct! But I get where these business are coming from. Wardrobing is a huge problem for retailers that sell formal wear. Many surveys put return fraud as one of the top of theft issues clothing retailers face.
Not to sound too cliché, but someone had to take a bite out of this type of crime. That problem is probably one reason the Alpha Shark Tag was invented. This is a nifty little tag that clips directly to an item or can be attached via lanyard. Many retailers that utilize the Alpha Shark Tag also use it to clip on a small copy of the return policy. The problem with wardrobing is the customer comes back with a wrinkled, soiled, smelly, spotted and stained garment they wore to go out on the town and they are now standing at the counter expecting a full refund. The store can no longer sell this item so they lose the original sale and the inventory. The purpose of the Alpha Shark Tag is to dissuade the buyer from attempting wardrobing. They are informed at the time of purchase that the tag must remain on the dress or other garment. It will not be removed by the clerk like most other tags on clothing. It is designed to be removed at home with a simple pair of household scissors. Once removed, however, the item is no longer eligible for any type of refund. It is important to note that the Alpha Shark Tag is meant to be clipped onto a very prominent area of the garment in order to discourage the customer from trying to wear it anyway. Instead of changing your return policy to a bunch of strict rules that punishes your loyal customers, try Alpha Shark Tags instead. Your customers will appreciate it.
For more information on how to stop Alpha Shark Tags, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
Alpha Security – 5 WC blog 70
Retail Anti-Theft Devices – 4
Prevent Shoplifting -3
Alpha Spider Wrap-3
Alpha 3 Alarm-3
One Size May Not Fit All, But Alpha Security Has The Right Anti-Theft Device For You!
How many times do we hear the term “One Size Fits All”? I don’t know about you but I am usually hesitant to purchase anything that is sold as “One Size Fits All” or “Universal” because it rarely seems to work out for me. For example, I recently purchased a bathtub hardware kit for some plumbing work I had to do. I dropped about $45 or so into a “Universal” kit. Let me tell you this, I am not sure WHICH universe the kit was designed for but apparently it was not mine. After several trips to the hardware store I was able to get all the parts together and fix my problem (thank you ‘You Tube’!) I share this adventure because the same sort of issues can arise when looking for products that will help you prevent shoplifting. There are a lot of retail anti-theft devices on the market, but knowing what will or won’t be the right solution for your store can be a tricky problem. I am going to provide some information on Alpha Security products that will help you in your decision making process.
Before I get into a discussion of specific products, it should be understood that in order to prevent shoplifting or even employee theft, one crucial component a store needs to have is an electronic article surveillance system (EAS). This is the antenna system that detects retail anti-theft devices such as Alpha Security products and sounds an alarm as someone attempts to exit the store with an Alpha device on it. Checkpoint Systems would be one such company that could provide you with more information on installing an EAS system.
As for merchandise protection, Alpha Security has solutions to prevent shoplifting for everything from clothing to electronics. One product is not going to work for all of the categories of product you may sell. Alpha Spider Wrap, for example, is great for protecting boxed merchandise like computers and LCD televisions but it won’t do you any good for protecting suits or dresses. Likewise, Alpha 3-Alarm clothing tags will not be any help to you in the video game section of your store. Each retail anti-theft device has a type of merchandise or packaging design it is developed to protect. Even in these categories there are variations. For instance, Alpha Spider Wrap can be ordered in several sizes for protecting small boxes such as headphone sets to an extra- large wrap that will cover a television. Try to place an extra-large wrap on a small box and the wrap slips off, not a great idea.
If it is clothing you are trying to protect Alpha products provide a selection of devices to choose from, but you may have to consider what type of protection you need. An Alpha 3-Alarm tag may be great for designer jeans but not so useful for a brassier. The delicate fabrics and need for proper fitting may require an alternative anti-theft solution offered by Alpha Security. Finding the right solution for your product lines will prevent theft and offer your customer a pleasant shopping experience.
Alpha Security products offer the best line of defense against shoplifting because they are designed to fit specific needs. While one size fits all may sound good, having a product that fits a specific requirement is often the best solution. Whether it is an Alpha 3-Alarm tag for your soft line merchandise or Alpha Spider Wrap for electronics, Alpha’s retail anti-shoplifting product line can fit any need you may have.
For more information on Alpha Security, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
How many times do we hear the term “One Size Fits All”? I don’t know about you but I am usually hesitant to purchase anything that is sold as “One Size Fits All” or “Universal” because it rarely seems to work out for me. For example, I recently purchased a bathtub hardware kit for some plumbing work I had to do. I dropped about $45 or so into a “Universal” kit. Let me tell you this, I am not sure WHICH universe the kit was designed for but apparently it was not mine. After several trips to the hardware store I was able to get all the parts together and fix my problem (thank you ‘You Tube’!) I share this adventure because the same sort of issues can arise when looking for products that will help you prevent shoplifting. There are a lot of retail anti-theft devices on the market, but knowing what will or won’t be the right solution for your store can be a tricky problem. I am going to provide some information on Alpha Security products that will help you in your decision making process.
Before I get into a discussion of specific products, it should be understood that in order to prevent shoplifting or even employee theft, one crucial component a store needs to have is an electronic article surveillance system (EAS). This is the antenna system that detects retail anti-theft devices such as Alpha Security products and sounds an alarm as someone attempts to exit the store with an Alpha device on it. Checkpoint Systems would be one such company that could provide you with more information on installing an EAS system.
As for merchandise protection, Alpha Security has solutions to prevent shoplifting for everything from clothing to electronics. One product is not going to work for all of the categories of product you may sell. Alpha Spider Wrap, for example, is great for protecting boxed merchandise like computers and LCD televisions but it won’t do you any good for protecting suits or dresses. Likewise, Alpha 3-Alarm clothing tags will not be any help to you in the video game section of your store. Each retail anti-theft device has a type of merchandise or packaging design it is developed to protect. Even in these categories there are variations. For instance, Alpha Spider Wrap can be ordered in several sizes for protecting small boxes such as headphone sets to an extra- large wrap that will cover a television. Try to place an extra-large wrap on a small box and the wrap slips off, not a great idea.
If it is clothing you are trying to protect Alpha products provide a selection of devices to choose from, but you may have to consider what type of protection you need. An Alpha 3-Alarm tag may be great for designer jeans but not so useful for a brassier. The delicate fabrics and need for proper fitting may require an alternative anti-theft solution offered by Alpha Security. Finding the right solution for your product lines will prevent theft and offer your customer a pleasant shopping experience.
Alpha Security products offer the best line of defense against shoplifting because they are designed to fit specific needs. While one size fits all may sound good, having a product that fits a specific requirement is often the best solution. Whether it is an Alpha 3-Alarm tag for your soft line merchandise or Alpha Spider Wrap for electronics, Alpha’s retail anti-shoplifting product line can fit any need you may have.
For more information on Alpha Security, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
Bottle Locks -5 WC blog 83
Liquor bottle security -4
Lack of Locks Lead To Looted Bottles- Bottle Locks Stump Shoplifters
I am reading reports on recent wine thefts from grocery stores and some I find rather amusing for example one headline reads, “Police: Man guzzles stolen wine in grocery store bathroom, steals sushi in pants”; another headline reads, “Woman stole wine to follow boyfriend to jail”. On the other hand there are some headlines that make me nearly choke as I read them, “More than $250,000 worth of wine stolen from Branford distributer” and “Thief steals $2k-worth of rare wine from N.J. store, cops say”. As I continued to look at videos of shoplifters stealing wine and liquor, I noticed that where I could see clear images of the bottles I did not notice bottle locks on the merchandise! One video from November 2015, was from a news team interviewing a liquor store owner about a shoplifter who has been stealing from his store. The store owner points to a $119.99 bottle of Patron liquor (the shelf label was clearly visible) and describes how the shoplifters are stealing from his store. Absolutely no liquor bottle security measures, aside from cameras, were visible from what I was seeing.
Though these are not my stores, and I am no longer actively in the Loss Prevention field, I get frustrated when I see these types of reports and I know that there are steps these owners could be taking to prevent these types of thefts. The simple addition of bottle locks would prevent a large amount of the theft these stores are experiencing. Bottle locks are placed over the bottle cap and lock in place so a thief can’t open the bottle. These locks are secure enough that if someone were to attempt to pry one off of a bottle they are likely to break the bottle. If a liquor store owner installs an electronic article surveillance system (EAS) at all store entrances, bottles with locks on them passing through the antenna will activate the EAS alarm system. Liquor bottle security doesn’t have to be a complicated endeavor and it can save big bucks in shortage.
Store owners who rely on closed circuit television for security fail to realize that these are passive tools unless monitored by security personnel or store staff. When looking through videos posted online, most of them refer to shoplifters caught on camera. This is because someone noticed, after the fact that merchandise was missing and they went back and reviewed video to look for footage of possible suspects. The downside is the shoplifters are usually long gone and police are seeking assistance from the community to identify suspects. Using bottle locks does two things for the store owner/manager, first if an alarm is triggered when a locked bottle gets to the door, someone can respond to the alarm immediately and possibly recover merchandise. Second, if a shoplifter were to activate the alarm and run, even if they get away police can be called right away and video review can take place immediately, not hours or days later. The ability to respond as soon as a theft or attempted theft takes place gives police a much better chance of catching a thief.
The question arises, why bother with liquor bottle security and locks if someone can still steal a bottle or bottles? From my own experience and from reviewing these online incidents, I can tell you that many of the high dollar shoplifting cases are the result of repeat shoplifters. These thieves hit the same stores over and over because the opportunity is available to them. Merchandise is readily available, no measures are in place to deter them and I would speculate that there are not enough employees available to give the level of service needed to remove the opportunity to steal. The bad guys don’t want attention, so as long as nothing will set off an alarm or alert employees that a theft is taking place, they are comfortable returning to the same stores.
Bottle Locks and an EAS system as part of a security system that incorporates EAS antennas and closed circuit television will drive theft down. Don’t be an easy target for shoplifters, invest in liquor bottle security, and see your profits grow.
For more information on Bottle Locks, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
I am reading reports on recent wine thefts from grocery stores and some I find rather amusing for example one headline reads, “Police: Man guzzles stolen wine in grocery store bathroom, steals sushi in pants”; another headline reads, “Woman stole wine to follow boyfriend to jail”. On the other hand there are some headlines that make me nearly choke as I read them, “More than $250,000 worth of wine stolen from Branford distributer” and “Thief steals $2k-worth of rare wine from N.J. store, cops say”. As I continued to look at videos of shoplifters stealing wine and liquor, I noticed that where I could see clear images of the bottles I did not notice bottle locks on the merchandise! One video from November 2015, was from a news team interviewing a liquor store owner about a shoplifter who has been stealing from his store. The store owner points to a $119.99 bottle of Patron liquor (the shelf label was clearly visible) and describes how the shoplifters are stealing from his store. Absolutely no liquor bottle security measures, aside from cameras, were visible from what I was seeing.
Though these are not my stores, and I am no longer actively in the Loss Prevention field, I get frustrated when I see these types of reports and I know that there are steps these owners could be taking to prevent these types of thefts. The simple addition of bottle locks would prevent a large amount of the theft these stores are experiencing. Bottle locks are placed over the bottle cap and lock in place so a thief can’t open the bottle. These locks are secure enough that if someone were to attempt to pry one off of a bottle they are likely to break the bottle. If a liquor store owner installs an electronic article surveillance system (EAS) at all store entrances, bottles with locks on them passing through the antenna will activate the EAS alarm system. Liquor bottle security doesn’t have to be a complicated endeavor and it can save big bucks in shortage.
Store owners who rely on closed circuit television for security fail to realize that these are passive tools unless monitored by security personnel or store staff. When looking through videos posted online, most of them refer to shoplifters caught on camera. This is because someone noticed, after the fact that merchandise was missing and they went back and reviewed video to look for footage of possible suspects. he downside is the shoplifters are usually long gone and police are seeking assistance from the community to identify suspects. Using bottle locks does two things for the store owner/manager, first if an alarm is triggered when a locked bottle gets to the door, someone can respond to the alarm immediately and possibly recover merchandise. Second, if a shoplifter were to activate the alarm and run, even if they get away police can be called right away and video review can take place immediately, not hours or days later. The ability to respond as soon as a theft or attempted theft takes place gives police a much better chance of catching a thief.
The question arises, why bother with liquor bottle security and locks if someone can still steal a bottle or bottles? From my own experience and from reviewing these online incidents, I can tell you that many of the high dollar shoplifting cases are the result of repeat shoplifters. These thieves hit the same stores over and over because the opportunity is available to them. Merchandise is readily available, no measures are in place to deter them and I would speculate that there are not enough employees available to give the level of service needed to remove the opportunity to steal. The bad guys don’t want attention, so as long as nothing will set off an alarm or alert employees that a theft is taking place, they are comfortable returning to the same stores.
Bottle Locks, EAS system and closed circuit televisions will drive theft down. Don’t be an easy target for shoplifters, invest in liquor bottle security, and see your profits grow.
For more information on Bottle Locks, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
