Altronix: Enhancing retail security at the edge

Retailers across the US have been under siege over the last few years, subjected to more frequent and brazen criminal acts, writes Ronnie Pennington, Director of Sales for the Americas, Altronix.

According to the National Retail Federation, shrinkage reached a staggering $112b in 2022, signifying an upward trend in losses. This is driving the demand for more efficient and economical security systems built on the foundation of modern power and data transmission solutions.

From small shops in older strip malls to mega malls with multi-level entertainment complexes, retailers face unique challenges when deploying new advanced IP security solutions.

Distance limitations, legacy cabling, lack of localised power and harsh outdoor conditions demand specialised solutions.

Leveraging existing or new infrastructure to best support these systems makes their deployment easier, more cost-efficient and effective to help reduce shrinkage, enhance overall security and operations and safeguard personnel and customer safety.

The need for reliable power

Regardless of the type of security devices deployed at the edge, retail security systems depend on reliable power and consistent data connectivity to ensure operation, 24/7. 

Yet there is no blueprinted solution for retail security, as few (if any) installations have the same physical characteristics – even at franchised locations.

This requires a variety of power and data transmission solutions to meet the specific needs of each retail location. Consider three commonplace challenges facing different types of retail environments:

• Older buildings with legacy cabling
• Large properties with expansive perimeters and remote areas
• Lack of localised power at critical installation locations

Each of the above identifies a set of issues for security system designers and installers that can be remediated with cutting edge power and data transmission media converters and power supplies.

Protecting remote retail areas with fibre

Large retail facilities often need to monitor areas well beyond the conventional distance limitations of Ethernet cabling.

Areas such as parking lots, loading docks and remote storage facilities are common weak points for theft and safety incidents.

By running fibre cabling, IP cameras and other modern edge devices can be installed in remote locations that extend to the perimeter of the retailer’s property.

Fibre cabling also offers a host of benefits that make it a reliable solution for retailers.

It supports long data runs without signal degradation, is immune to electromagnetic interference and delivers the bandwidth needed for today’s high-resolution cameras with analytics at the edge.

Hardened PoE switches and fibre media converters with battery back-up allow various types of edge devices to be deployed at great distances with or without local power.

These versatile devices can be deployed with conventional single or multi-mode fibre, or hybrid cable which combines fibre with copper, to simultaneously deliver power and data.

The ability to extend security beyond a retail facility’s perimeter provided by these devices greatly enhances security and safety on a much larger scale than previously feasible.

Eliminate ‘rip-and-replace’ by repurposing existing cabling

While fibre is a great solution for extending range with unlimited bandwidth, many retailers are limited to using legacy infrastructure in older buildings.

Ripping and replacing old coaxial cabling with fibre or even Ethernet cabling may be mandatory by code, and is expensive, disruptive and often difficult, especially if the retailer is renting the space.

The ideal solution in many instances is to deploy Ethernet-over-Coax (EoC) technology. 

EoC media converters built to enhance and expand security transmit both IP data and power over existing coax cable.

These devices allow modern IP devices to be deployed without extensive rewiring, providing a simple and cost-effective solution to improve security.

It also allows property owners to make affordable, incremental upgrades at retail properties, while enabling retail business owners to upgrade their retail spaces using their landlord’s legacy infrastructure. 

Repurposed cabling extends retail security networks

Single Pair Ethernet (SPE) using two wires is another form of legacy infrastructure that retailers can now effectively repurpose to deploy new IP edge devices for myriad applications ranging from security systems to building automation.

A new SPE network standard referred to T1L allows legacy SPE cabling to be repurposed to accommodate IP devices with significant performance advantages without having to rip and replace cabling.

These benefits include data transmission at distances up to 1000m with power.

Long range Ethernet solutions are also available to deploy edge devices at distances up to 500m using structured cabling (4 wires).

Like EoC media converters, long range Ethernet adapters provide another highly efficient alternative for leveraging existing cabling infrastructure.

Localising power, remotely

There are numerous locations where local power is simply not available to accommodate power-hungry devices such as cameras with IR illuminators, heaters/blowers and electronic locks.

Such products typically require power supplies that take 115VAC / 220VAC input and reduce it to 12VDC or 24VDC output.

Most jurisdictions require that this power input be hardwired with a dedicated circuit, requiring installation by a certified electrician at the location where the devices are being deployed.

This can be a very expensive endeavour.

Recently developed PoE driven power supply/chargers with Lithium Iron Phosphate battery back-up allows 12VDC and 24VDC edge devices to be powered simultaneously via 802.3bt PoE input.

Using this low voltage installation solution reduces the need for an electrician and associated costs such as permits, electrical cabling and dedicated conduit.

For service and maintenance, the lack of high voltage inside the enclosure also eliminates the need for regulatory safety precautions since there is no voltage present on the cable until it is plugged into a powered device and a handshake occurs.

These new PoE devices provide yet another highly cost-efficient solution to further accelerate the deployment of smart edge devices in retail locations.

Ensuring security system health

Security systems that support IP devices provide another significant advantage – remote management and control. This added functionality helps retailers prevent financial losses by detecting potential issues before edge devices stop working.

This is especially important to help maintain security and compliance with insurance companies, property owners, unions and/or local municipalities.

The ability to detect and inform system administrators of an impending or active device or system failure also saves retail users and their servicing dealers time and money from unnecessary and unscheduled service calls.

More power and data for retail

Even the smartest new AI system technologies are of no value if they aren’t built on a strong foundation of power and data solutions that can adapt to existing building infrastructure limitations and/or fully leverage the potential of new infrastructure.

New and evolving power and data transmission solutions are helping to drive the deployment of new, advanced intelligent edge devices – helping to reduce the equipment and labour costs of both system upgrades and new installations. 

At Altronix, we continue to drive the deployment of new AI intelligence security solutions to the edge with new and evolving power and data solutions for any infrastructure.

To find out more information, please visit: www.altronix.com