Understanding customer and visitor behavior and movement patterns has long been a key driven of revenue and customer experience. But, never has understanding these patterns been more important than today, as businesses need to also contend with distancing and capacity guidelines as movement restrictions that have been in place for more than two months begin to be lifted.
Businesses are instructed to reduce the capacity of people in their facilities well below their normal standards – 50% seems to be a common figure – and to continue to follow the 6-foot distancing standard.
Without technology, it becomes a nearly impossible task, and one that many companies, including Reveal Systems, are hoping to simplify for businesses. The company has enhanced its people flow technology to help businesses adapt to standards that are likely to be the new normal – like distancing and temperature screening.
“In anticipation of resolving some of the issues that businesses will face in the coming months we have developed a series of innovative solutions to provide an immediate response and help protect staff, customers and assets during these challenging times, whilst also adhering to the physical distancing and space occupancy guidelines.”
Russell Edwards, Owner & CEO Reveal Systems
The additions to Reveal Systems’ portfolio include:
Real-time people counting/occupancy reporting
With reduce occupancy requirements a key part of re-opening guidelines, it’s impractical for companies to use workers to manually count people coming in and out of facilities – especially in high-traffic areas. Sensors can track people coming and going, and can send automated messaging to digital displays with specific instructions for people as they approach a facility, such as welcoming them into the facility, informing them maximum capacity has been reached, and even informing of projected wait times.
Automated access gates
We have already seen that many people aren’t following safety protocols, even as they are being constantly emphasized by government officials. Physical gates can be added to facilities and controlled by people counting solutions. Gates can me automatically operated with the sensors and integrated software to more effectively manage occupancy. If needed, the gates can be manually overridden by management.
Temperature screening
Thermal imaging can help any business or public venue effectively screen people to temperature abnormalities. With high temperatures a common coronavirus symptom, identifying these individuals is an important step in reducing the spread of the virus within spaces.
These new solutions allow businesses, governments, and public officials to:
• Adhere to specified occupancy thresholds,
• Comply with social distancing guidelines,
• Measure real-time customer visits,
• Control access efficiently,
• Optimize traffic management,
• Accurately understand visitor flow information and shopper density,
• Restore customer confidence, and
• Ensure compliance with hygiene standards.
“Provision of systems is only part of the equation and I anticipate that additional business KPIs in the future will be enforcement and auditable reporting of performance against specified targets. We will be working closely with all industry sectors to develop new products and services as user requirements and future legislations and regulations become more defined.”
Russell Edwards
This has not been an easy journey, and is not likely to become much easier, even as stay-at-home restrictions are lifted. Common belief is we will see a second wave of the virus later in the year. In the absence of a vaccine, the best case scenario is the technology that is rapidly being developed to monitor conditions within facilities maximizes containment and limits the spread of the virus going forward. Unfortunately, so much is also dependent on individuals’ recognition that these new standards are necessary, and not merely a suggestion.
