With People Counters, there are several Things to Consider
When looking to add a people counter to your store, office, or commercial space, there are a number of things to consider before you make your investment. For a quick overview of the people counter, you can learn more here.
With obvious benefits and a wide variety of technology options and applications, the decision to enhance your operations with people counters should be an easy one. Still, there are things to consider.
Objectives - Setting clear objectives as to what you’re trying to capture is the first and most crucial step to making the most of your people counter data. There are of course a number of objectives you can choose to reach, and don’t be afraid to choose just one. Here are just a few examples:
Understanding baseline entry or engagement numbers
Comparing zones, stores, days, and more
Running tests of new designs, marketing, products
Capturing data to determine changes in resource allocation
Metrics - Different people counter technology will deliver different metrics at varying levels of granularity. With your objectives set, you should choose a technology that can deliver the data that matters most to you.
Entries into a building, store, or space
Visits to a specific location in your space
Engagement time within that space
Occupancy at a given time
Events triggered
Space - Again, different people counter technologies will deliver different metrics, and will also be reliant on the capabilities and applicability of your space. Here are a few things to consider:
Outlets or power sources near your counter
Internet of WiFi strength and availability
Mounting or install in the spaces you want to monitor
Physical coverage limitations of your technology
Budget - For many, a simple beam counter can deliver applicable data, but more in-depth and accurate systems might be required depending on your goals. The price of your technology will depend on some of the following.
Combination of your goals, metrics, and space limitations
Needs for accuracy
Data delivering requirements - live or reported
Purchase or subscription service
Temporary or permanent installation
Other - There are of course other things to consider when it comes to the hardware, software, and data of your people counting technology. Here are a few more:
Durability of your hardware (indoor vs. outdoor)
Accuracy of the data and its importance in your changes
Privacy concerns from your visitors, shoppers, or employees
Installation limitations separate from availability of power and connectivity
Don’t just immediately jump to the cheapest option or most common technology. Shop, ask questions, and find the best solution for your operation. Different technologies provide different capabilities and data, and can go a long way to helping you improve the performance of your space.