Owners of retail stores and restaurants typically focus on generating more profits by increasing the number of dollars coming in the door — which is definitely a valid tactic that should be the goal for any business.  Often, however, not enough attention is paid to the profitability of the dollars already coming in.

Several of our upcoming blog postings will give some recommendations of ways  to increase profits that don’t rely on an increase on sales.  Many of them tie in the technology of a retail POS or restaurant POS system to further increase efficiency and drive costs down further.

One great tool to introduce to your point of sale system ia a DVR-based camera security system.  These systems can store several hours of video, are usually web accessible, and can be used to review past events in your store.  A couple ways they can help out:

1 — Reduce theft.  Shoplifters are less prone to steal products from businesses that have visible cameras.  Review of past video clips helps identify, catch and prosecute shoplifters.

2 — Employee theft.  Cashiers have an even higher level of accountability if their activities at the cash register are monitored and recorded.  Claims such as miscounted cash or cash stolen from their till by someone else drop substantially with a camera security system.  In addition, some casheirs have been known to bar-code swap the items they ring up for a friend — for example, scanning a pack of gum for a friend buying a case of beer.  Security systems hold cashiers to a higher level of accountability for their actions, typically forcing a higher level of honesty.

The Cash Register Express and Restaurant Pro Express point of sale software packages export over 20 different cash register activites to DVR-based camera security solutions, including a live stream of items as they are rung up, payment accepted, change given, and almost every other action within the POS that effects money or accountability.

How have you saved money in your business by using a security system?  Share your stories with us to help other business owners!