PUBLISHER’S LETTER

Emerging Technologies

Everybody knows that we live in a rapidly changing technological world. It seems like the next-generation iPhone or tablet is released before you can replace all the out-of-date accessories. Loss prevention technologies may not change quite that fast, but we are entering a period where new technologies will be making a huge impact on the retail industry.

In the March-April issue our cover story on Sears Holdings’ digital journey talked about their distributing iPads to their LP organization with tools to better understand their business, make more informed decisions, and increase their field organization’s effectiveness.

Facial Recognition

In this issue, our cover story on page 15 examines what one retail executive calls a “game-changing” technology—facial recognition. When I read this article, I couldn’t help but think about the similarities with the 2002 Steven Spielberg movie Minority Report. It may have been science fiction a decade ago, but it’s in use by one retail organization today.

The facial recognition article was researched and written by Chris Trlica, a new contributor to LP Magazine. You might recognize the last name. Yes, Chris happens to be my older son, and an accomplished writer in his own right. He is a recent graduate of North Carolina State University with working experience in both botany and nano-technology research labs. His research and analytical skills make him an appropriate writer to cover some of the emerging technologies that will impact our industry. His current assignment is a deep dive into mobile POS that will likely generate a series of articles.

Mobile POS

Speaking of mobile POS, I sat in two sessions on the subject at the recent Retail Industry Leaders Association asset protection conference. The first one was presented by Mindy Rector, director of innovation at Walmart along with Brand Elverston representing the AP department. They discussed their 200-store test of mobile POS, offering some of their learnings as well as the ongoing challenges.

In a separate session, John Aloysius and Viswanath Venkatesh, professors of business and information systems from the University of Arkansas, presented results of a one-year research project focused on assessing the risks associated with mobile POS. Both sessions were packed, which indicates how hot this topic is.

Paradigm Shift

In his Academic Viewpoint column on page 26, Dr. Richard Hollinger also talks about both old and new LP technologies, posing the question, “Is it time for a paradigm shift in LP technology?” Dr. Hollinger’s rhetorical question follows a visit from two Swedish researchers from Lund University. Their research has led to a spin off company that is developing an innovative approach to product protection.

Incidentally, Lund University is one of Scandinavia’s largest research institutions that has generated numerous spin off entrepreneurial technology companies that have impacted our industry, including Axis Communications whose world headquarters remains in Lund, Sweden.

Industry Buzz

The emerging technologies mentioned above, along with subjects like RFID, touchless payment, omni-channel retailing, and others, have created a buzz across the retail industry for the past year or more. It’s exciting, yet also frightening, especially because some LP executives believe the technology adoption is moving faster than the loss prevention strategies, which could be disastrous for retail.

Expect to be hearing even more about the positives and negatives of these emerging technologies at almost every industry event. We’ll do our best to keep you informed inside the pages of this magazine as well as on our website. If you have insights you would like to share on the topic, please contact me at JackT@LPportal.com.

Jack Trlica Editor and Publisher

LossPrevention and LP Magazine are service marks owned by the publishers and their use is restricted. All editorial content is copyrighted. No article may be reproduced by any means without expressed, written permission from the publisher. Reprints or PDF versions of articles are available by contacting the publisher. Statements of fact or opinion are the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the opinion of the publishers. Advertising in the publication does not imply endorsement by the publishers. The editor reserves the right to accept or reject any article or advertisement.

MAGAZINE

700 matthews mint Hill rd, Ste c matthews, Nc 28105 704-365-5226 office, 704-365-1026 fax EDItor aND PuBLISHEr Jack trlica JackT@LPportal.com EXEcutIVE EDItor James Lee, LPc JimL@LPportal.com coNtrIButING EDItorS robert L. DiLonardo Walter E. Palmer, cFI, cPP, cFE amber Virgillo, LPQ coNtrIButorS read Hayes, Ph.D., cPP richard c. Hollinger, Ph.D. adam Paul Gene Smith, LPc Shane G. Sturman, cFI, cPP chris trlica David E. Zulawski, cFI, cFE DIGItaL EDItor John Selevitch JohnS@LPportal.com crEatIVE DIrEctor Larry Preslar ProoFrEaDEr amy trainor DESIGN & ProDuctIoN SParK Publications info@SPARKpublications.com 704-844-6080

a DVE rt ISING

aDVErtISING maNaGEr Bonnie Dodson 828-479-7472 office, 704-943-5797 fax BonnieD@LPportal.com

WESt coaSt rEPrESENtatIVE Ben Skidmore 972-587-9064 office, 972-692-8138 fax BenS@LPportal.com

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