COVID-19 has caused dispensaries to reimagine everything—including onsite security.
The outbreak of COVID-19 has led to a renewed focus on the responsibility of retailers to curb the spread of infectious diseases within their stores. While cannabis dispensaries have been deemed essential businesses in many locations, that does not shield them from this scrutiny. Thankfully, many dispensaries have already taken note and implemented safety measures including temperature checks, social distancing, and curbside pickup. However, security is often an overlooked priority.
When used correctly, the right security systems can be a helpful tool in reducing the spread of infectious diseases within your dispensary. These systems include features like auto-open and two-way access that can eliminate touch points and multi-person contact surfaces, promoting better health and wellness among both employees and customers. Consider these solutions your jumping-off point—and for more information or a customized demo, contact Senseon.
Create Fewer Overall Touch Points
Your dispensary is filled with surfaces. From display cases to countertops to cabinets, germs can live on both dry and wet surfaces, promoting disease spread—including COVID-19 and MRSA—with a quick touch.
That said, it’s almost impossible to eliminate surface engagement from the dispensary experience. Customers need to browse and employees need to access products, at minimum. Basic disinfecting can help mitigate risk, but disinfecting does not reduce the overall amount of touchpoints within your dispensary.
A highly effective solution is to integrate smart access control into your cabinets and display cases in order to lessen direct contact. As opposed to the traditional lock and key, these systems utilize RFID-enabled devices to grant access with a simple swipe. Issued to each individual employee, there is no need to share keys. Instead, dispensary employees can swipe their device and instantly access products.
Senseon offers auto-open to further reduce touch points within your cabinets and display cases.
Creating fewer touch points lessens the chance of spreading germs and diseases. Additionally, managers can use tools like Senseon Plus to monitor access and create audit trails to better understand how cabinets are being accessed throughout the day.
Reduce Cleaning Time with Touch-Less Solutions
RFID-enabled locks also reduce the need to decontaminate your security mechanisms. Because these locking solutions are mounted inside a drawer or cabinet, they are not exposed to handling by employees who need to access the contents within.
With Senseon, all RFID cards are water-resistant and can be easily wiped down in seconds. If employees no longer need to wash keys, scrub locks, or disinfect as many door handles or cabinet shelves, they can clean an area more rapidly, streamlining your dispensary operations.
Use Two-Way Cabinets to Limit Exposure
When customizing your smart access control system, consider adding two-way sliding drawers to your dispensary cabinets and displays cases. Paired with RFID locking mechanisms, these drawers limit direct contact between dispensary employees and customers without hindering operations.
Two-way drawers can limit exposure by keeping employees and customers physically distant.
From their side of the display, employees can communicate with customers and utilize the sliding drawer to complete transactions, while remaining physically distanced.
These simple, smart solutions will help your dispensary curb in-store risks to employees and customers, while keeping your products safe and secure. Between the rise in shoplifting and the spread of COVID-19, these integrations are mission-critical to keeping your dispensary moving forward.
