Green light for ‘wonderful’ customer counting system

An award-winning Cavan company has developed a simple system for businesses to efficiently manage numbers and occupancy rates in store. U-Count, a customer count system developed by Ualto, also gives customers information and confidence about social distancing measures in the current Coronavirus crisis.

It is the latest innovation from Ualto, one of Ireland’s leading equipment and plant automation specialists. The firm says it is suitable for pubs, hotels, offices, banks, restaurants, retail stores, building sites or any service or facility that receives people on-site and requires accurate people counting data.

U-Count accurately measures footfall using bi-directional sensors fitted to the entrance/exit doors. It relays the information in real-time to a Green-light/Red-light display visible to customers waiting outside to enter the premises.

“The software is developed on an algorithm that accurately captures the number of visitors entering and leaving whilst processing this data in real-time to the traffic lights and/or visual displays,” explains Clinton Pratt, owner and CEO of Ualto.

U-Count is also 100% compliant with the latest data protection regulations as no personal data is recorded.

“The system is also fitted with an alarm that will sound if the maximum occupancy has been breached and can easily be linked to large indoor or outdoor display screens,” adds Mr Pratt.

The U-Count system puts business owners/managers in full control of setting their occupancy limits, replacing the need for door personnel, and giving additional assurances to the public that they too are entering a safe environment.

Additional benefits include reports on footfall through the store.

U-Count was last week installed for the first time at the Mr Price store at the Cavan Retail Park.

Property director with Mr Price, Emma Pillion, welcomed the hi-tech addition.

“The most important thing for Mr Price is both staff and customer confidence,” says Ms Pillion, who reports that up to this point stores within the group have had a member of staff stationed at the doorways to individual stores.

She sees a number of key efficiencies through utilising the new U-Count technology.

“This technology is as accurate as you’re going to get. It also frees up staff to put stock on shelves, or facilitate staff even in assisting customers shopping.

“Obviously operating costs for businesses are a lot higher now than they were pre COVID-19. When it’s so clear on a screen too, in the way that U-Count displays it - there are so many customers and staff in the shop and this is our limit - I think people are more willing to accept the measures.”

Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys, lauded the local company’s innovative breakthrough.

“Ireland is known for its innovative companies and here we are experiencing the best of Irish innovation from Ualto, so congratulations and well done to Clinton Pratt and all the team. It may be a straight-forward concept but a huge amount of work went on behind the scenes to deliver this new system.

“It’s a wonderful solution for businesses and consumers alike. It not only brings comfort to business-owners and their staff, it also creates a safe and reassuring environment for customers as the economy gradually reopens,” said Minister Humphreys.

The Minister, who was present at the U-Count demonstration launch at Mr Price at the weekend, added: “I wish the team every success in the coming weeks as they roll out the product and would like to once again commend them for stepping up the mark in Ireland’s battle against COVID-19.”

Ualto are meanwhile in the final stages of testing a complimentary stand-alone system to be launched in the coming weeks.

This new system combines an automatic sanitiser with the U-Count customer count system displayed on a large digital screen that can further accommodate a business’s individual branding or advertising.

“It’s been nearly 10 weeks since the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the Covid-19 outbreak a global pandemic and this has changed business across all industries. As stores and offices begin to slowly reopen, there is growing acceptance that changes in how we conduct our daily lives will become a new normal,” notes Mr Pratt.

“This will likely include the need for continued social distancing and companies, in turn, will need to adapt as patrons look for spaces where they feel safe and are assured that public health guidelines on physical distancing are being enforced.”

Established by Mr Pratt in 2007, Ualto provides complete turnkey solutions to clients, from design and manufacture to installation and commissioning.

The company’s key clients are in the food and beverage and pharmaceutical sector, and they currently count internationally recognised firms such as Kepak, Aldi, Dawn Group, Aurivo, Breedon and Gem Oils among their client base.

Contact Ualto for more details on U-Count, email info@ualto.com or call 049-4327558.