Transforming Retail Security: Tesco’s Success with Entel DN495 Radios

As a leading multinational retailer, with more than 330,000 colleagues, Tesco aim to serve customers every day with affordable, healthy and sustainable food – to help them enjoy a better quality of life and an easier way of living.

As part of this Transformation, Tesco has invested in a communication solution that allows Security Officers and Colleagues in Tesco stores to communicate with Mobile Security Officers in the event of an incident or for any Security support. Beginning in 2021, Tesco engaged with CSE Crosscom to deploy two-way radios that operate securely over cellular data networks such as 3G and 4G. Two-way radio provides the simplicity and power of instant, push-to-talk communication to a whole group of radio users at once, meaning Security Officers and Store Colleagues can request support at the push of a button. Entel DN495 cellular radios operate anywhere there is 3G or 4G on any of the UK’s major phone networks, so there is practically no limitation in range – allowing personnel to communicate across cities, counties or the whole country. As well as communicating with their Mobile Security Officers, the Entel DN495 radios can be used to inform other nearby Tesco stores of abusive customers, shoplifters and local intelligence.

Key Benefits of the Entel DN495 system:

Improving Communication: The DN495 radios empower Tesco security officers and staff to communicate instantly with mobile security teams. This capability allows personnel to alert nearby stores about abusive customers, shoplifters, and share vital local intelligence, resulting in faster incident response times.

Comprehensive Coverage: Tesco UK is organised into various regions, necessitating that the radios facilitate communication within each region, with mobile security teams, control rooms, and the national store network. Entel’s control room dispatchers enhance this setup by providing multi-channel monitoring, emergency call oversight, user location mapping, and geofencing. The nationwide coverage of the DN495 radios has eradicated communication dead zones, ensuring seamless connectivity across all Tesco locations.

Emergency Response: The DN495 enables store security personnel to quickly notify mobile security teams and control rooms of any emergencies, ensuring a swift response and prompt assistance. This direct communication line has greatly improved safety for both staff and customers.

Advanced features of the Entel DN495 system:

• The system features an emergency button, lone worker protection, man-down alerts, full-duplex emergency call monitoring, and GPS location tracking. These functionalities add crucial layers of safety for Tesco’s security personnel, particularly those working alone or in high-risk environments.

• With virtually unlimited range, channels, and the capability for multiple simultaneous calls, the DN495 system effectively meets Tesco’s current needs. Its built-in scalability ensures it can adapt to the company’s rapidly evolving and significant security demands.

• Featuring a unique 4 UK network with multi-profile cellular connectivity, this system provides exceptional network redundancy and coverage, eliminating any single point of failure. This cutting-edge technology significantly reduces the risk of downtime, rivals the resilience of traditional radio systems, and ensures reliable communication, even during cellular network outages.