Reducing Company Losses with Smarter Security and Access Control

Inventory shrinkage isn’t just a retail problem—though we often think of it in that limited sphere. What’s more, it’s rarely caused by a single issue. You might be concerned about shoplifting, but then there could also be the issue of employee theft or unauthorized access. When this happens, losses can add up. It’s true across many industries.

Over time, shrinkage eats into your margins and disrupts operations. You have to compensate for the losses both in time and money. Businesses simply can’t afford to ignore the problem, because it can only get worse.

Fortunately, smarter security and access control solutions can help organizations protect against loss prevention. When you combine video surveillance with controlled access, you get the power of visibility and accountability, along with peace of mind.

Understanding Shrinkage Risks Across Industries

Retail is often the first industry that comes to mind when we’re thinking about inventory shrinkage. And that makes sense! Retail spaces are high-traffic environments. There’s valuable merchandise all around, and the hustle and bustle create opportunities for both shoplifting and internal theft. This is why video surveillance plays a critical role. It not only works to document incidents, it also serves as a visible deterrent to would-be criminals. When customers and employees know they’re being monitored, they’re less likely to risk an act of theft.

That being said, shrinkage goes beyond storefronts. We see warehouses and distribution centers face losses too. There might be poorly monitored storage areas, or even limited accountability. Those off-hours are key. Even traditional office spaces can experience losses related to their valuable electronics. They also need to protect their standard supplies and proprietary assets.

Healthcare is another important sphere. Here, the “inventory” isn’t retail merchandise, but pharmaceuticals and other sensitive materials. Without proper surveillance and access control, these sites might have to face significant losses that can impact patient care and compliance.

Across all types of industries today, the common thread for product loss is visibility. But with a robust video surveillance system, businesses can monitor their vulnerable areas 24/7. From there, they’ll be able to review incidents after the fact and pursue justice.

Limiting Loss with Access Control Solutions

Cameras help you see what’s happening. But with access control, you get even more protection, because these solutions help prevent problems from happening in the first place. Restricting who can enter certain areas—and when—dramatically reduces opportunities for theft or other inventory issues.

In retail and warehouse environments, access control works to limit employee entry to stockrooms and cash offices. You can also use these solutions to add an extra layer of security on your high-ticket storage areas. This is even more important in healthcare, where access control secures medication rooms, equipment storage, and administrative areas containing sensitive records.

Modern access control systems also give you flexibility. With a user-friendly system, it’s easy to customize permissions by role, schedule, or location. You even have the option to establish temporary access to contractors or vendors without compromising security. Plus, credentials can be immediately revoked whenever roles change.

Whether with keycards or PINs, access control gives businesses clear audit trails that show who accessed what—and when. It’s best when access control and surveillance can work together. That way, businesses don’t just respond to shrinkage. They’re able to actively reduce risk because they have a comprehensive system design.

Call on Enhanced Telecommunications for Smarter Integrations

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to reducing inventory shrinkage. But there are best practices. The most effective solutions are built around your facility layout and industry requirements. That’s where Enhanced Telecommunications comes in. We can help you consider all of the factors in play to develop a solution that truly has you covered.

We take the time to analyze your site and identify risk areas so we can design a holistic security and access control strategy that will protect your assets without disrupting your workflow. From video surveillance and access control, to integrated systems that grow with your business, our team helps organizations across Idaho and eastern Oregon stay one step ahead of loss. Let us help you protect what matters most!