Electronic Article Surveillance or EAS for short is a cost effective anti-shoplifting system that permits staff to focus on customers and not worry about theft. Often called shrinkage in the retail industry, preventing shoplifting can be one of the biggest drivers for increasing profits by a retailer.
EAS systems work by attaching an electronic device, called a “tag” or “label”, to the displayed merchandise. If merchandise bearing the electronic device passes by an antenna installed at the store entrance/exit, an alarm sounds alerting your staff that unpaid merchandise is leaving the store.
Three Types of EAS Systems
Radio Frequency (RF) Systems
RF systems work by installing an antenna at the store entrance/exit which creates a narrow, low-frequency, electro-magnetic radio field around itself. When a tag or label enters this field, it causes the antenna to alarm. The systems are offered in a variety of frequencies in the RF spectrum with 8.2MHz being the most popular. Other frequencies are 1.81, 1.95, 2.0, 3.25 and 4.7.
Acoustic Magnetic (AM) Systems
AM EAS works similar to the RF EAS System, but when the tag or label enters the field, it vibrates. It is this vibration which generates a signal that is picked up by the antenna. AM systems use a 58KHz frequency and are a nice option in environments that have a lot of radio noise from other sources.
Electro Magnetic (EM) Systems
EM EAS System also works in a manner similar to the RF EAS System, but uses a different part of the electro-magnetic spectrum to communicate. The transmitting antenna sends a signal at a specific frequency and the receiving antenna waits and listens for a tag of specific frequency to enter the range of detection. If an active tag comes into the range of detection, it sends a signal to the receiving antenna which identifies a different frequency and sounds the alarm.
Delivering next-generation store performance.
The Sensormatic Synergy 2.5 Self-Contained Pedestal provides superior Sensormatic AM EAS anti-theft protection with up to 2.5m (8.2ft) of coverage between pedestals. The on-board electronics are mounted in the primary pedestal, eliminating the need for an external controller. The integrated audio and visual alarms notify store personnel if protected merchandise passes through the detection zone. The multiple audio and visual alarms can be customized for different event types, mapping the audio and ambient lighting options to reflect the source of the alert such as foil-lined bags and jammer devices. The pedestal features embedded, multiple-beam people-counting sensors designed for optimal accuracy. With the Synergy network card, these sensors enable Traffic Intelligence reports that provide visibility into shopper traffic to enhance store performance and increaseconversion rates. Integrating directional traffic information with EAS alarm events allows the sensors to discern between inbound and outbound traffic, virtually eliminating unintended alarms triggered by shoppers carrying protected merchandise near the pedestals. Peoplecounting sensors also enable a “poweron-demand” feature that puts the system into low-power standby mode during periods of low or no traffic activity to reduce power consumption up to 90%.
The onboard controller can be enhanced with the optional integrated Metal-Foil Detection plug-in card to effectively combat Organized Retail Crime, or the network plug-in card to deliver remote management, EAS and Traffic Intelligence. Through system configuration, “tags-too-close” is an offered feature developed to help retailers maximize valuable selling floor space near the pedestals. This feature decreases nuisance alarms to enhance the shopper experience and reduce unnecessary and costly service calls. Another system-configured feature is Jammer Detection, which triggers a pedestal alarm as soon as an electronic signal from a jammer device is detected, helping eliminate the threat of would-be thieves using this method.everages valuable pedestal real estate at the store entrance to reach a large number of shoppers on-the-move. The easy-to-install poster helps draw shoppers into the retail environment with advertisements, modern designs or simple, low-cost printed graphics. This add-on also provides an opportunity to generate additional marketing co-op profit by bidding out this valuable advertising space to vendors.
Affordable anti-theft protection in a modern,durable design
The new Ultra 1.8 ABS self-contained AM EAS system offers retailers an affordable and reliable anti-theft solution.The pedestal’s sleek open frame blends seamlessly into any retail setting while providing a visual deterrent against theft and delivering superior pick rates in all environments, even noisy ones.
The on-board electronics are contained within the base cover of the primary pedestal, eliminating the need for an external controller and reducing installation and maintenance costs. The coverage area is 0.9m (3 ft) for a single door and 1.8m (6 ft) for double doors. The integrated alarm located in the base of the primary pedestal uses a distinguished audible alarm to notify store personnel if protected merchandise passes through the detection zone and also illuminates red for visual notification
Through system configuration, “Tags-tooClose” is an offered feature developed to help store associates better manage merchandising of tagged goods at the front of the store. This feature helps reduce unnecessary and costly service calls and decreases nuisance alarms to enhance the shopper experience