When it comes to selecting a physical security solution within the retail environment, one factor seems to be more critical than ever before: vendor integrity[1]. Businesses need to be sure of the integrity of the systems deployed and the pedigree of the vendors behind those technologies. Increasingly, retailers are proactively looking to source equipment from reliable, trustworthy manufacturers whose values better fit their sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR) agendas.
Solution transparency
And this is where Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) plays a part, offering buyers a mechanism to consider all of the aspects involved when purchasing, setting up and operating a new system, and in doing so, revealing its true value over its lifetime. TCO enables customers to evaluate many hidden elements of a prospective solution including considerations around its integration with existing systems as well as requirements for ongoing maintenance. TCO evaluation helps buyers make a fully informed decision before entering into a long-term commitment.
Additionally, information about factors such as power consumption and the ability to scale to meet the objectives of a challenging retail climate are key to sourcing a solution that can provide ongoing support, whatever hurdles the business encounters along the way. A detailed overview of the life span of the entire system enables a customer to scrutinize price and guarantee the best return on investment.
Ongoing vendor partnership and support, and other additional elements that make up the full offering, are also to be considered. With Axis own solutions, a 5-year warranty is standard, while free tools such as AXIS Device Manager and licenses for AXIS Camera Station, which is free for the lifetime of the system, add to a full package that’s designed to help managers and security teams get the most from the technology.
Cybersecurity considerations
Of the industries most under threat from cybercrime, retail ranks as one of the most targeted. The volume of credit card data stored presents an enticing target for cyber criminals[2], whether that data is stored on-premise or in the cloud. Unsecured IoT devices, such as a network surveillance camera, can prove to be an easy target, becoming a weak link in any system and providing a backdoor through which a criminal could gain access to the network.
The cybersecurity of retail systems is of critical importance and should be a major consideration in any TCO evaluation if the financial impact and damage to business and brand, caused by a data breach, is to be avoided. Buyers should be looking for companies that hold cybersecurity credentials and can demonstrate a commitment to the highest cybersecurity principles. An ongoing rollout of software updates and firmware upgrades will provide assurances that a product is covered for its entire lifecycle from a cybersecurity perspective. In addition, checking that a provider is NDAA compliant[3] provides assurance that they do not appear on a list of currently blacklisted companies, and are therefore not affected by a prohibition which has been placed upon certain telecommunications and video surveillance services and equipment.
Innovative solutions unlock greater value
Taking ownership of a smart and innovative solution will place the business in good stead for years to come. Innovations, such as edge computing, can also help to keep costs down. Axis network cameras can run analytics that process data on the edge of the network, removing the need to send video data back and forth across a network to a server for analysis. This saves energy and reduces the requirement for additional bandwidth and increased storage. And, as the volume of video data grows, solutions such as Axis Zipstream, which preserves important forensic detail while lowering bandwidth and storage requirements by an average of 50%, will be key.
TCO will offer assurances and peace of mind that the technologies selected will deliver optimal ROI throughout their lifetime. While the temptation is always there to look for cheaper off-the-shelf technology, this represents a ‘false economy’ and offers no guarantees as to its effectiveness nor transparency into the real costs associated with ongoing operation and maintenance. TCO is about accurately meeting customer expectations, satisfying demand, and delivering a high-quality solution to help retailers operate smarter and safer.
By Graham Swallow, Retail Lead, Northern Europe at Axis Communications
[1] https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/378/digital-culture-media-and-sport-committee/news/173422/dcms-committee-to-examine-cybersecurity-threat-to-connected-technology/
[2] https://www2.deloitte.com/ba/en/pages/risk/articles/retail.html
[3] https://www.axis.com/en-us/national-defense-authorization-act-compliance
