Ocucon named most innovative global company at US retail tech awards

A surveillance technology start-up has been named the most innovative global retail technology company by US retail chiefs.

Newcastle-based Ocucon picked up first prize in the (R)Tech Asset Protection (AP) Innovation Awards.

The world’s first Video Surveillance as a Service (VSaaS) system, Ocucon was the only UK company to be shortlisted in the highly-competitive awards, which are organised by The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA).

The awards recognise game-changing technologies from around the globe that are helping to transform retail loss prevention efforts.

Stephen Purvis, Ocucon chief technology officer, competed alongside other award finalists to pitch Ocucon’s technology to judges and attendees at this year’s RILA Retail Asset Protection Conference. The event, which took place last week in Denver, Colorado, brought together top executives from retailers.

Stephen said: “It’s a tremendous accolade and one that is testament to the work of our highly-talented team and industry partners.

“We are so grateful to all of the retail leaders who, over the last 18 months, have given their time to help us shape the product, encourage us and share their vision of the future of tech in retail.”

During the awards presentation, judges were impressed with demonstrations of Ocucon’s cloud-based storage and retrieval platform, as well as its intelligent video analytics platform.

Ocucon’s awards presentation also had the backing of two key figures in the US retail industry, featuring powerful endorsements from both Brand Elverston, former director of asset protection at Walmart Inc, and and Jeff Powers, former vice-president at Sensormatic and Verint.

Commenting on the awards finalists, Lisa LaBruno, executive vice-president, retail operations and innovation, Retail Industry Leaders Association, said: “These awards are such a special opportunity for RILA and the entire retail asset protection community to witness first-hand the future of our industry.

“In front of hundreds of retail asset protection practitioners, these companies dramatically showcased why their technology is considered game-changing, and we’re honoured to be able to recognize them.”

Ocucon’s technology offers unlimited cloud-based storage as a service. Combining intelligent data analytics with the facility to store, analyse and retrieve unlimited amounts of HD video surveillance footage from within the Ocucon portal, it revolutionises the way in which retailers defend against crime and combat fraudulent insurance claims.