This CCTV POS Software solution provides the Journal feeds from virtually any Windows based EPOS terminal to the more advanced CCTV solutions such as Geovision for future interrogation. This software can be installed on up to 4 EPOS terminals from just a single licence and then intercept the Journal Feed’s from either the Customer Display or via a Virtual COM port and send it over the existing ethernet connection to your DVR. The simple installation process will ask either which COM port the customer display is on or offer you the ability to create a virtual (pretend) COM port for the EPOS system to send its journal data. This is then sent to the software that sits on the DVR end which will then feed the data to your DVR through a series of virtual COM ports thus persuading the system that there is a direct connection between the terminal and the DVR. This type of Module is already used in many convenience stores, bars, and restaurants but the costs of such devices have always been high. Now due to demand we have produced a cheaper easy to deploy software solution which requires minimal setup and configuration and no additional cabling.
Text Overlay solutions or Live Journal feeds are probably the only real way to match up CCTV footage of sales data accurately for comparison with the actual events of the sale. Until now, this could only be done by either putting in more expensive Text Overlay Modules or senders and in both cases, they usually require significant additional cabling.
Now with the CCTVPOS software we can offer you the means of sending this information directly from your EPOS system without running additional wires between the EPOS terminals and the DVR. This is done by installing software on the CCTV end to receive the data from the tills and to ensure compatibility, the system emulates a COM port, so any DVR software believes there is a direct connection (Hard Wired) between the Terminal and the DVR.
- Add EPOS journal text overlay function to your DVR.
- Run as many Journal Feeds as you want (Multiple licences necessary) to monitor your EPOS live.
- All transactions from the till are ‘overlayed’ onto your CCTV footage. When reviewing the CCTV you can see exactly what is going through the till !!
- Each licence can transmit up to 4 Journal Feeds and will transmit the data directly to your CCTV over a series of pretend (Virtual) COM ports.
- POS integration (or till Interfacing) provides the ability to extract the data from a till that prints on a customer display or receipt printer and overlay this data on a video picture of the check-out area. Most front-end cameras are positioned to see the cashier, the cash drawer, items purchased and the customer. With all these elements recorded on your CCTV, any owner can review this scene and with one view verify the check-out was legitimate.
- The till interface acts as an overt (clerks and customers know the interface is in place an how it works) security system can deter theft by the fear of being caught along with a permanent record. This system as a covert (hidden system) will not prevent the theft but will record the event for later prosecution.
- The till interface system will allow the recording of all transactions for later review for such thefts as sweethearting, substitute scanning, no rings, short-changing, short rings, and pilfering.
Some example types of POS Theft that can be caught with the Text Overlay Module
Sweethearting This requires an accomplice or sweetheart that loads up expensive items for check out. The clerk then either does not ring up certain items or rings up the items but charges a lower price than marked. This type of loss shows up later as inventory shrink.
Substitute Scanning This is usually a type of sweethearting that is done in stores that have scanning systems. The clerk fixes a scan tag of a low value item on their palm. When an item is scanned, the palm tag is read and not the actual item. Substitute scanning can also be done without a sweetheart. The correct value of the sale is collected from the customer and later pulled from the till near the end of the shift. This type of theft if viewed by a convention camera system looks like the clerk was ring correctly, but with the text overlay, the manager can instantly see the substitute scan.
No Rings This is where a clerk rings nothing up and makes change from an open cash drawer or from the top of the change drawer.
Short-changing This is where the clerk is actually cheating the customer by giving incorrect change.
Short Rings This is where a clerk rings up an incorrect amount for an item much lower than the actual value and either immediately pockets the extra money or pulls it from the till later. Usually, the clerk does not complete the sale until the customer leaves. This is because if the customer asks for a receipt or challenges the price, the clerk can cancel the entry and ring up the correct on.
Pilfering Is taking money directly from the till and leaving the till short. This usually occurs when more than one clerk uses the same cash drawer.
- As described above most of these theft practices require the ringing up of substitute or low value items or opening the drawer without a normal sale. These types of till transactions are called exceptions. A till interface can electronically watch for these types of questionable transactions and give a signal when detected. This signal can be in the form of an on-screen flag or alarm a DVR for later search or automatically turn on the camera watching that till and clerk. The most common type of exceptions monitored are no sale, voids, returns, refunds, cancels, purchases, pay-outs, low value sales and high value sales.
- No Sales – This is the most common exception. Some legitimate uses are making change or correcting change mistakes. The No Sale is always a questionable transaction. Towards the end of a shift, whether the clerk was doing short rings or any kind of pilfering, will have to remove the accumulated money for that shift. All No Sales should be exceptions, and all in the last hour of a shift should be reviewed.
- Voids – The void is used after the customer has left and the same transaction has been voided. The money is still in the till and will have to be removed either then or towards the end of the shift.
- Returns/Refunds – This is usually questionable when no exchange is being made and cash is paid out. Items are pulled from inventory and fictitious refunds are given to oneself, the clerk, or a sweetheart.
- Cancels – This is where a transaction is partially rung up. The clerk asks the customer for the money and if the customer does not ask for a receipt and leaves, the clerk cancels the sale. If the customer wants a receipt, then the clerk finishes the transactions and gives the receipt.
- Purchases or Pay-outs – This is usually in small convenience stores when they receive papers, or other non-account deliveries. The clerk rings a pay out and gives the vendor cash. The clerk can be in cahoots with the vendor and overpay and later collect or simply make the pay-out for more and keep the difference.
