Dedicated Micros systems have proven their worth in the Middle East, safeguarding some of the fashion world's top designer labels including Chanel, Dior, YSL, Burberry and Versace as part of a massive security overhaul at one of the United Arab Emirates' most prestigious department stores.
Paris Gallery operates 22 stores across the United Arab Emirates, Saudi and Qatar. High profile locations include the capital state Abu Dhabi and international state of Dubai. Having earned a reputation as providing the ultimate, luxury shopping experience, Paris Gallery depends on top level security to ensure the safety of shoppers and protection of their highly covetable merchandise
Mr Yassir El Sir, security manager for the Paris Gallery chain, consulted Eastern Link Information Technology (ELITE) for expert advice.
ELITE recommended the latest DS2 and BX2 digital video recorders (DVRs) from Dedicated Micros networked to a central point for phase one of the roll-out.
Saleh El_qasem at ELITE said: "For us the two main advantages of a digital system from Dedicated Micros; are inherent system stability due to a non-PC operating system, and its scalability in terms of storage allowing us to tailor the system cost-effectively to our client's precise specification."
"Phase two of the installation will include integration with Paris Gallery's existing burglar alarm system to provide event triggered recording out of hours."
El Sir said: "All the products we sell are of high value and easily portable, making them an attractive target for shoplifters, as well as in-house pilfering."
"The system has already paid for itself time and time again in terms of reducing shoplifting and stock shrinkage, major problems for all retailers, particularly in the luxury goods market."
"The digital system makes it extremely easy for images of any suspicious activity to be distributed instantly throughout all our stores - and to the police via e-mail."
El Sir says that there was an incident recently where a shoplifter was caught on camera. The images were e-mailed to all stores where they were immediately printed out and displayed on staff notice boards. "The next day, the same person entered another one of our stores and sales staff easily identified them as a known thief," he explains.
"Since we installed the new digital system, in-house pilfering, or shrinkage, has dropped dramatically. Staff are fully aware that the system covers the whole shop floor and stock areas and provides crystal clear images of every transaction."
"The system is also being used as a management tool to improve our customer service, something that we take great pride in."
"Management can use the system to monitor staff performance, particularly during busy periods, and use the information to redeploy staff as necessary."
"We can also monitor customer behaviour, recording the success of in-store or point-of-sale marketing displays."
"Because we can access any recorded images immediately, we have been able to settle any disputes with the minimum of fuss."
"The results achieved with the new system have far surpassed our expectations. The roll out will continue to all our stores across the UAE, with the second phase linking all systems to a central monitoring station located at head office," says El Sir.
