Enhanced store efficiency achieved in South African retail outlets through the incorporation of Azoteq's SmartSense technology by Usave.
Usave Supermarkets Implement Advanced Loss Prevention System with SmartSense™ Technology
Usave, a discount store chain owned by the Shoprite Group, has introduced a new technology system called SmartSense™ in its supermarkets. This innovative technology is designed to enhance energy management, loss prevention, and operational efficiency.
Developed in partnership with South African tech company Azoteq, SmartSense™ tracks power consumption and facilitates rotational switching of store equipment during power outages. This feature is particularly crucial for rural and peri-urban stores with erratic electricity supply.
The implementation of this system is in response to rising energy prices. Dewaldo Diedericks, General Manager of Usave, stated that this technology helps prevent unnecessary waste and reduce shrinkage-related costs. Usave plans to equip all its stores with SmartSense™ technology, gradually replacing older uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems.
SmartSense™ monitors temperatures in critical areas like cold storage, freezer rooms, and the sales floor, alerting when thresholds are exceeded. This real-time monitoring ensures improved food quality and prevents costly equipment failures. The system also optimizes cooling operations based on actual usage patterns and conditions, reducing unnecessary energy consumption and lowering operational costs.
In addition to energy management, SmartSense™ provides loss prevention by early detection of environmental anomalies that could spoil inventory. Usave supermarkets simulate power outages on time-of-use (ToU) tariff structures, switching to battery during peak times to save costs. This feature has saved the business over 80,000 hours' worth of costly services and fossil fuel consumption.
The system also tracks generator runtime and fuel levels for efficient servicing and refueling schedules. As part of its sustainability efforts, Usave is gradually incorporating solar energy into its operational strategy at its compatible hybrid system stores.
The data from the system is delivered through a user-friendly dashboard, providing real-time insights for management. This empowers decision-making, ensuring improved food quality, and preventing costly equipment failures. To date, the system has achieved a 0% rate of stock loss across all stores where it has been implemented.
In conclusion, Usave’s SmartSense™ technology delivers loss prevention, energy management, improved operational decision-making, and enhanced food safety and product freshness. This advanced system is a significant step towards sustainable operations for the discount store chain.
- Usave's implementation of SmartSense™ technology, in partnership with Azoteq, not only helps manage energy and prevent loss but also provides insights for business decision-making by delivering data through a user-friendly dashboard.
- The SmartSense™ system, by monitoring temperatures in critical areas and optimizing cooling operations, ensures improved food quality, prevents costly equipment failures, and reduces unnecessary energy consumption, thereby significantly contributing to the discount store chain's sustainability efforts.
- The integration of SmartSense™ technology in Usave's supermarkets, which includes features like simulating power outages on time-of-use tariff structures and tracking generator runtime and fuel levels, has led to substantial savings in costly services and fossil fuel consumption, amounting to over 80,000 hours.
