Shop Security Technology

How It Works

Many factors influence the suitability of a security solution, including the type of merchandise stocked, the store’s interior design and the allocated budget. Designed not only for the reduction of shoplifting, a comprehensive retail loss prevention strategy can increase sales and maximise customer service. 

Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) is considered the most successful and effective anti-shoplifting tool available.  Over the last decade its popularity has soared, with reports indicating over one million EAS systems have been installed globally, primarily within the retail sector. After implementing an EAS system, retailers can expect an estimated 60-80 per cent decrease in external theft.     

No matter which EAS technology is used, all incorporate either a Security Tag or Adhesive Label which is attached to the merchandise. If a hard tag or label is used, a sales assistant will deactivate or remove it at the point of purchase, making it ineffective. In the event that a ‘live’ label or tag passes through a Detection System, an alarm will sound, alerting staff to a possible theft.       

In a thorough consultation, Secure A Tag assess and develop a solution to significantly reduce shrinkage in your store. A suitable EAS solution is advised, taking into account your store’s environmental factors and which technology it’s best suited to. Features such as System Type , Detection Width , Detection Range , Security Level and Release Speed significantly affect the outcome and success of this small yet vital retail investment. 

Can I use Secure A Tag products with other suppliers’ systems?

Secure A Tag’s products are compatible with those of other suppliers allowing easy integration between different products to extend or enhance your existing system. All you need to do is match the AM or RF frequency amongst different brands in the market. More than likely, a detection system and its tags are either one frequency or the other. All Secure A Tag’s security tags & labels are available in both AM and RF frequencies.

How does it work?

The EAS system operates from a simple principle regardless of the manufacturer or the specific type of technology used. A transmitter sends a signal at defined frequencies to a receiver. This creates a surveillance area, usually at a checkout aisle or an exit in the case of retail stores. Upon entering the surveillance area, a tag or label with special characteristics creates a disturbance, which is detected by the receiver. A microcomputer checks the tag signal detected by the receiver to ensure it is at the right frequency, occurs in time synchronized to the transmitter, at the proper level, and at the correct repetition rate. If the criteria are met, an alarm occurs. With this in mind Secure A Tag’s 58KHz Acousto Magnetic & 8.2 MHz RF security tags and detection equipment is compatible with other suppliers who’s systems use the same frequency.

If you’re not sure about your system’s integration with Secure A Tag’s products, or have a question about cross-brand systems, feel free to contact us

Hardware

Radio-Frequency (RF)

Swept-RF uses a transmitter to create a detection zone where tags are detected. The transmitter sends a signal that varies between 7.4 and 8.8 MHz (millions of cycles per second), which is why it is called swept; it sweeps over a range of frequencies. The tag responds by emitting a signal that is detected by a wideband receiver, meaning a receiver that monitors for signals over a wide frequency range; for swept-RF systems the bandwidth is typically about 1,400,000 Hz. By detecting a phase difference between these two signals, the receiver recognizes the presence of a tag, and it alarms.

Acousto-Magnetic (AM)

Acousto-Magnetic systems transmit a radio frequency signal at 58 kHz in a pulsed pattern. The transmit signal energizes an Acoustic-Magnetic tag in the detection zone. When the transmit signal pulse ends, the tag responds, emitting a very distinctive frequency signal, like a tuning fork.  While the transmitter is off between pulses the tag signal is detected by the receiver. A microcomputer checks the tag signal detected by the receiver to ensure it is at 58 kHz frequency, is time-synchronized to the transmitter, at the proper level and at the correct repetition rate. If all these criteria are met, the system alarm will occur.  This unique process provides immunity from false alarms.

Tags, Labels & Pins

Disposable Labels AM

The AM disposable label is a 3 dimensional label made of a styrene cavity that encompasses either two (single resonator used in 3’ systems) or three (dual resonator used for wider exits) pieces of metal and is backed with adhesive film. These AM labels have the smallest foot print out of all EAS labels and are available in Plain White, Barcode, and Black.

Disposable RF

Paper tags and labels are available in many different types and sizes -- pressure-sensitive labels with simulated bar codes, tags or labels that can be imprinted with price, inventory, promotional or bar-code information, and tags specially designed for products such as earrings, compact discs and cosmetics, which are all items easily pocketed by shoplifters. These thin, adhesive-backed labels can be as small as a paper clip and can be easily disguised to look like standard retail tags.

Reusable Hard Tags

Probably the most familiar EAS system tag is the reusable hard plastic tag found attached mostly to apparel. – These hard tags come in many different shapes, sizes and colours and have one of 3 detaching mechanisms (see below)

Benefit Denial Tags

This is a tag which can be used with and without an EAS system as it prevents the thief from enjoying the stolen product either by being a fluid tag that is designed to break and release fluid -- usually coloured indelible inks -- onto the garment and on you if you try to forcibly remove it. Alternatively with a product such as Easicap, a tag encapsulates the bottle opening thus the thief cannot open the bottle. The idea is that a shoplifter is being denied any benefit from his/her crime and will not be able to use or sell the item because it has now been ruined.

Deactivators and detachers

Deactivators

Desirable qualities in deactivators include a large deactivation zone and 100 percent deactivation with no false alarms. The type of electronic deactivator depends upon the kind of EAS system and tags used by the store. We're all familiar with hand-held scanners and flat scanner pads used to swipe and deactivate merchandise tags. Traditionally, scanners must touch a label directly to use specific frequency to deactivate it. But with the growing use of source tagging (hiding identification tags somewhere on an item or in its packaging) proximity deactivators, or verifiers that don't require contact with a label, are becoming more important.

Detachers

To remove most hard tags, a detacher is necessary. There are three basic version of detachers: a clutch mechanism that utilises ball bearings to secure the pin and is detached magnetically by pulling the ball bearings open and away from the pin, the second is a channel mechanism that is detached by using a lever that inserts into the channel and releases the pin and the third is a clamp mechanism that clamps around the pin and is released by two pressure points when depressed release the clamp away from the pin.