Retail ID cards combat crime

The new ID cards will provide an additional buffer to losses from both internal and external crime, and is in addition to the various CGCSA anti-crime initiatives that have been highly effective already.

Phase one saw the implementation of green cards in October 2004 for sales and merchandising staff. By 31 March 2005, it was extended to all promotional staff, security, drivers and assistant drivers to enable them to enter a store.

"From the beginning, this initiative was intended eventually to apply to all sectors of the FMCG sector," says Michael Broughton of the CGCSA which encouraged all retailers to participate. Over 1700 companies have adopted the system.

Second phase

The second phase converts these older technology green cards to new, updated access cards, printed on PVC board. "The design is unique to the CGCSA," comments Broughton, "and is a basic red with a yellow pattern bearing the CGCSA trolley."

Participating service provider companies were required to submit data such as names, photos and ERS reference numbers to the CGC electronically by mid-May. "These conversion cards will be produced in bulk at a cost which compares very favourably with the cost of most ID cards," explains Broughton.

It would appear, however, that technology requirements have defeated many members. "Of the approximately 1913 companies which were due to convert from the old green access cards to the new PVC cards, only 1064 (both new members and old) have so far responded," continues Broughton. "Of these, 82 supplied data that we couldn't process and had to reject."

Some of the reasons data has been rejected is that no Excel files were supplied, updated details forms were lacking, ERS references were being left out or were invalid, photos were not in jpeg format, the Excel format had been altered, ID numbers left out and the phone name column left blank. "Especially important was the fact that the photo name and the column in the Excel file for the photo name did not match 100%," says Broughton.

Send correct data

He is appealing to companies to send and/or correct data to meet the implementation date of 1 September 2006. "As from this date, all stores will insist on the new ID card," he pointed out, "No card, no access. It will apply to all non-store staff, cleaners, maintenance workers, market researchers, merchandisers, promoters, salesmen, samplers and the like."

Since notification of the new ID card system, over 165 new companies have registered. A dedicated team is on hand to deal with all requests. Additional information can be obtained from the Crime Prevention Programme website, www.cgccrime.org.za or on tel +27 (0)861 101 726.