What type of security system do I need for my store?

What type of security system do I need for my store... is the most asked question we get.  The answer depends upon the type of store, the width and location of the doorway and the amount of money you have for a security budget.  New Sensormatic towers run around $8000 each, while new Checkpont towers are around $4000 each and good refurbished towers with a warranty around $2000 (making it now very affordable for the smaller retailer to have good security against shoplifters.)

The type of tower may depend upon if you have a single door, a double door or a mall entrance.  Some type of towers are best suited for single doorways while others lend themselves to double doorways or in multiples for a Mall entrance.  2 pillar checkpoint styles usually go across a 3 ft entrance while a 3 pillar will cover a double doorway.  Newer single pillar styles work differently and can be put in the middle of a double doorway to cover 3 feet in both directions. 

The type of tag needed will also affect what type of tower is best.  Radio frequency 8.2 mhz is the common Checkpoint security tower device frequency and works well for both paper labels and hard tags.  They also make a 9.5 mhz for video rental stores, a 1.8 mhz low freq system, and similar eas rf systems like knogo are 2.o mhz or 3.25 mhz.  Sensormatic units run off of 58 khz or are EM electro magnetic strips.  The older microwave frequency is no longer made.  EM is used in video rental while the 58 khz is the standard retail frequency for Sensormatic tags.

Why do I need to know the frequency of the tag?  Well some tags can not be made in paper labels and only the right frequency tag will ring the same frequency tower.  So you can not order 58 khz tags for an 8.2Mhz tower and expect them to work.  This is why it is always a good idea to double check before buying compatability.  Some tags are also slightly off frequency making them only work part of the time on your system.  Someone who deals in used tags as a business will have a meter to check for this before they sell them to you.  Some one who is just selling something from a store that went out of business is selling you a bit in the dark as they do not know.

Why is it important to have a warranty.  Many systems need minor adjustments at least once a year.  Checkpoint and Sensormatic charge $250 per hour with usually a 3 hr minimum to come to your location and make these minor adjustments.  That is $750 per year it will cost you for adjustments.  If you have a system with a tech support package included it will save you a bundle of money.  As long as you have a knowledgable person on the other end of the phone and you are willing to use a small screwdriver and follow some simple instructions....you are a winner!

Why is a parts warranty important?  Electronic boards for towers can run $350-$800 each to replace....but the good news is that it is generally the power supply that goes out 1st -- a $75 to $199 problem to fix.  Many of the more professional suppliers of refurbished eas systems will put a disconnect between the tower and the power supply to make this job easy for you to do yourself.

Keep up with the many new ideas in stop shoplifting retail loss prevention and security tags by following my blog.  Thanks for reading & if you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask 812-878-1930 or post a question.  sensortags2 on ebay.  Look for my many auctions about security devices.