Modernizing Retail Technology Operations to Improve Business Efficiency

As one of the world’s leading home improvement brands, Lowe’s Companies, Inc. operates over 1,700 stores nationwide.

Lowe’s is on a journey to become a world-class omnichannel retailer and continues to transform its operations, elevating experiences for both customers and associates. When determining it was time to modernize their security system, Lowe’s partnered with Axis on a four-year journey to convert its legacy analog security system, which utilized over 400 different camera models, to a streamlined best-in-class network system built with Axis cameras and Genetec™ video management system (VMS).  

“When we looked at replacing over 80,000 cameras, the task was very daunting,” shares Don James, Senior Manager of Technology Operations for Lowe’s Companies. “Especially when all the stores used different cameras and deployed them differently.”

So how did the Fortune 50 retailer accomplish such a daunting task? 

For example, the facilities department may log in to see that the plow drivers are arriving on time to remove snow from the parking lot.  Store managers might log on to see whether the checkout area is busy and they need to open another checkout lane. The merchandising department may also use it to gauge foot traffic around seasonal displays. For multi-unit managers, the cameras provide regional leaders an efficient way to observe and direct the operations of Lowe’s stores across a large geographic area.  “All of these operations can be viewed remotely to ensure seamless customer service and store operations,” reports James.

To help Lowe’s benefit even more from their technology investment, Axis conducted an onsite certified professional training program for Lowe’s Technical Operations team, of which James is a part. “We not only took a deep dive into the different cameras models, but we also learned best practices for designing a location’s camera layout based on the location’s needs,” shared James. “They even exposed us to how we could do further third-party integrations down the road. That level of partnership has been huge for us.”

In addition to learning how to use tools like AXIS Device Manager to help Lowe’s expedite configuration, installation and maintenance of its new network system, James says that learning how to leverage VAPIX®, an application programming interface developed by Axis, has proven extremely valuable.

“We’re using VAPIX® to write scripts that will allow us to pull up a camera view from one store and then automatically compile a folder of images of that same camera location in all the other stores across the company,” says James. “That way we can determine whether a problem – like new signage placement blocking a camera view– is systemic or limited to that one store.” In the past, the team would have had to log into over 1,700 store cameras one at a time, pull up the image, and take note of what the camera was seeing. “The scripts create huge time savings for the store staff,” said James.