Retailer Miniso Improves Loss Prevention & Boosts Efficiency at 117 Stores with a Reliable, Centrally-Managed Hikvision Security System

November 11, 2022

A combination of people-counting and fisheye cameras paired with the HikCentral VMS improved operations

 

 

International household goods, cosmetics, and food retailer Miniso deployed Hikvision cameras across 117 stores and multiple logistics locations across North America. The Hikvision solution helped the chain to increase the reliability and effectiveness of in-store security systems, while boosting efficiency through centralized security management.

 

Challenge: Improving Loss Prevention with Real-Time Alerts

Miniso needed to reduce inventory shrinkage and to improve operational efficiency. In addition, they wanted security staff to receive real-time alerts in the event of security incidents, as this enables stores to quickly take action to deter theft, and prevent customers leaving the store with items that weren’t paid for.  

In the past, Miniso worked with a mixed camera setup from multiple manufacturers. This meant that the performance and reliability of devices was variable across different store locations and could not be centrally managed. Additionally, the use of multi-brand cameras meant that maintenance and support was complex and expensive. In addition to these challenges, Miniso's multi-brand set of cameras meant devices could not be integrated into a centralized security system. Security had to be managed individually on a store-by-store basis.

Miniso also wanted to explore the benefits of video data analytics and business intelligence to improve their operational performance. In particular, the chain was interested in people-counting technology using thermal camera heat mapping, which provides visual color-coded image clarity for the areas of the store that are most visited. Using this data, the retailer can improve product placement and merchandising to enhance their bottom line.

Miniso decided to implement a highly reliable, fully-integrated security solution for better operational efficiency, centralized security management, and data-driven decision making.

 

Solution: Single Source Camera Manufacturer Centrally Managed Via HikCentral VMS

Miniso implemented a single-source camera system from Hikvision across their 117 North American store locations, as well as at several key logistics locations in multiple countries.  

All the security cameras from the new system are integrated into the single, centralized HikCentral Professional video management system (VMS) by Hikvision. This allows security staff to keep an eye on all stores, and other locations, from two security centers based in Vancouver and Los Angeles. These centers are staffed by Miniso employees who view video footage and send alerts to in-store staff in real-time in the event of a security incident.

The Hikvision solution is also able to provide a whole range of managerial insights thanks to its built-in Business Intelligence (BI) capabilities. For example, using a combination of people-counting cameras and fisheye cameras, store managers can visualize footfall across individual stores and identify the “hot zones” that are most visited by customers. They can also gain an important understanding of how long customers remain in the store (dwell time), and how long they typically wait at the checkouts. These intelligent business insights allow them to make decisions about promotions and merchandising based on real customer behavior.

 

Benefits: Heightened Efficiency, Better Business intelligence, Boosted Bottom Line

The new, comprehensive Hikvision security system has given Miniso the reliability and performance needed to identify and mitigate security risks during open hours with little or no unplanned downtime to in-store cameras. This has minimized losses from inventory due to shoplifting, boosting their bottom line.

The Hikvision system also augmented Miniso’s existing head count by offering better quality and automated video security that is easy to manage centrally so they can do more with less.

The new system is also extremely easy to maintain. Every camera in every store can now be checked, managed, and updated from a central location. This delivers major time and cost savings for the Miniso IT team.

The business intelligence capabilities of the system will make it possible for Miniso to evolve to more efficient, data-driven operations across their network of stores. Already, the new system is providing data insights to enhance the store’s operations, from product selection to placement and merchandising, store layouts, and staffing levels based on customer footfall throughout the day.

Miniso’s project manager, Mabon Zhang, spoke highly of the results: "Thanks to Hikvision, we now have a highly reliable, centralized, efficient security infrastructure that spans all 117 of our stores in North America. As well as helping us to enhance our security capabilities and respond to incidents faster and more effectively, the new solution is also easy to manage and support, delivering significant time and cost savings compared to our previous way of working."

If you’re ready to work with Hikvision on your project, contact your local U.S. representative here.

 

IMPORTANT! This model requires non-standard firmware. Do Not Install standard firmware (e.g. v.4.1.xx) on this model. Doing so will permanently damage your system. You must use custom firmware v.4.1.25 from the iDS-9632NXI-I8/16S product page.

View the most updated version of this document here:

https://techsupportca.freshdesk.com/en/support/solutions/articles/17000113531-i-series-nvr-firmware-upgrade-instructions

 

The I-series NVR (such as the DS-7716NI-I4) is one of Hikvision's most popular and feature-rich recorders. As such, many firmware revisions have been introduced over the years to continually ensure the product is compatible with the newest technology available. Due to the many revisions, we recommend that the user closely follows the instructions below in order to reduce the amount of time spent as well as the chance of failure.

 

Database Optimization and Repair

As more affordable IP cameras are introduced over time with greater video resolution and data sizes, more efficient database management also becomes necessary. The introduction of firmware v4.0 brought about a new database architecture in order to be futureproof.

 

After upgrading to v4.X, the recorder database will need to be converted and optimized. If you are experiencing issues where playback is expected but not found, make sure "Database Repair" is performed as indicated in the procedures and scenarios below.

 

Preparing the Upgrade

Before proceeding with upgrade, it is recommended that NVR configuration file is exported from the NVR over the network or on to a local USB drive.

 

Upgrading from v3.4.92 build 170518 or Older

  1. All recorders must reach v3.4.92 before proceeding further. Upgrading from versions before v3.4.92 directly to any version of v4.X will likely cause the recorder to fail.
  2. If the recorder is already at v3.4.92, a full factory default is highly recommended before upgrading to any version of v4.X. There is a high chance of unit failure (requiring RMA) if the unit is not defaulted before upgrade.
  3. After reaching v3.4.92 and performing a full factory default, an upgrade directly to v4.50.00 is acceptable.
  4. After the upgrade is completed and the recorder is reprogrammed, it may be beneficial to perform a Database Repair. For details, refer to the section "Database Optimization and Repair" above.
  5. To verify repair progress, you may refer to the HDD status, or search the recorder log for repair started and stopped entries. Note that while the HDD is repairing, new recordings are still being made, but some existing recordings may not be searchable until repair is complete.
  6. If you continue to observe playback issues after database repair, ensure there are no power, network, or motion detection issues. Should the problem persist, contact technical support.

 

Upgrading from Any v4.X Build to v4.50.00.

  1. Any v4.X build can be upgraded directly to v4.50.00.
  2. Export configuration is highly recommended before performing the upgrade.
  3. If upgrading from any v4.X version that was not v4.22.005, a Database Repair is recommended. Refer to Step 4 and onwards in the previous section.

 

Downgrading

Downgrading is not recommended. Due to new features and parameters constantly being added, downgrading may cause the NVR to factory default itself or require a manual default to operate properly.

View the most updated version of this document here:
K-Series DVR upgrade instruction
The Turbo 4 Hybrid DVR K series has multiple models and across different platform and chipset. It also has similar firmware development of other recording product line; DVR K series has also introduced the GUI4.0 to ensure the series to be compatible to the newest technology available. The new database architecture is also brought into the DVR firmware v4.0 to be future proof and for better recording search experience. 
 


Database Optimization and Repair

As more affordable cameras introduced over time with greater video resolution and data sizes, more efficient database management also becomes necessary. The introduction of firmware v4.0 brought about a new database architecture in order to be futureproof.
After upgrading to v4.X, the recorder database will need to be converted and optimize. If you are experiencing issues, where playback is expected but not found, please make sure to perform "Database Rebuild" as indicated in the procedures and scenarios below.
 


Preparing the Upgrade

Before proceeding with upgrade, it is recommend exporting DVR configuration file from the DVR over the network or on to a local USB drive.

 

Action after firmware upgraded 

1. Upgrade the DVR according to the chart above. 

2. Reconfirming Channel's Recording Schedule 

    - Confirm channel's recording schedule is enable. 

    - Check if the channel is on correct recording schedule.

3. Double Check Storage Setting

    - Make sure all channel are assigned to record on its HDD group when the Storage setting is under Group Mode. 

4. Perform Database Rebuild locally. 

    • Some version above support Database Rebuild via web access - K51 and K72

    • Perform Database Rebuild regardless if system is having any database issue symptom. 

    • Database Rebuild process is average ~30 to 60min per TB. The process may still varies depends recording data.

    • After Database Rebuild - Check log to confirm Database Rebuild has went thru properly. 

    • If Database Rebuild Started and Stopped log has been log only within few minutes. Database rebuild may not has been completed properly. It is strongly recommend performing the Database Rebuild again.

    • To check log > System > Log > Information > Database Rebuild Started and Stopped.

    • If the log option is not available - access system via SSH can also obtain similar result.

5. Recording Data is still missing after database rebuild process. 

If the data has not been recorded or has been overwritten, Database rebuild process is not able retrieve those lost data. Have the system upgraded to the latest available firmware version above to prevent any future data lost is strongly recommended for all application.

 

 

 

 

In light of the global semiconductor shortage, Hikvision has made some hardware changes to the DS-76xxNI-Q1(2)/P NVRs, also known as “Q series.”

 

These changes do not have any effect on the performance, specifications, or the user interface of the NVRs. For the ease of reference, these modified units are known as “C-Version” units. This is clearly indicated on the NVR label and on the box by the serial number.

 

The only difference between the “C-Version” and “non-C-Version” is the firmware. The firmware is not interchangeable:

 

  • The C-Version NVRs must use firmware version v4.31.102 or higher.
  • The non-C-Version (Q series) NVRs must use firmware version v4.30.085 or older.

 

Please do not be alarmed if a “Firmware Mismatch” message pops up on the screen during the firmware upgrade. This simply means that the firmware does not match the NVR’s hardware. Simply download the correct firmware and the upgrade will go through without any issue.

In light of the global semiconductor shortage, Hikvision has made some hardware changes to the Value Express Series NVRs

These changes do not have any effect on the performance and specification of the recorders. For ease of reference, these modified units are known as “C-Version” units. This is clearly indicated on the NVR label and on the box by the serial number.

The only difference between the “C-Version” and “non-C-Version” is the firmware. The firmware is not interchangeable:

  • The C-Version NVRs must use firmware version v4.30.216 or higher.
  • The non-C-Version (Q series) NVRs must use firmware version v3.4.104 or older.

Please do not be alarmed if a “Firmware Mismatch” message pops up on the screen during the firmware upgrade. This simply means that the firmware does not match the NVR’s hardware. Simply download the correct firmware and the upgrade will go through without any issue.

By downloading and using software and other materials available via this website, you agree to be legally bound by HIKVISION General Terms of Use . If you don’t agree to these terms, you may not download or use any of those materials.

If you are agreeing on behalf of your company, you represent and warrant that you have legal authority to bind your company to the General Terms of Use above. Also you represent and warrant that you are of the legal age of majority in the jurisdiction in which you reside (at least 18 years of age in many countries).