From manual tally counters to camera-based people-counting methods — visitor counters have evolved significantly. One constant factor is how these systems have helped businesses boost their success.
Our guide will track the history of people counting technologies and explore the latest innovations. Learn about the advancements in people counting and how they assist in monitoring foot traffic for improved business growth.
People counting technologies vary in their technical complexity. Here’s an overview of the most popular devices over the ages.
One of the early people-counting methods involves a tally system, dating back to 45,000 years ago. Archeologists unearthed a baboon fibula near today’s South Africa and observed 29 distinct tally marks caved into the bone.
In later years, we’ve swapped animal bones for pens and paper to record tallies. While an effective method for retail outlets that experience lower foot traffic, there is a greater potential for errors — especially when many people enter a building at once. You also have to compensate the person keeping the tally, contributing to higher staffing costs.
A manual tally counter is a handheld device requiring a person to push a button to count individuals. The window typically displays four-digit numbers, with the highest figure being 9,999.
Manual counters are still popular today due to their affordability. However, as they need someone to operate the device, there is a higher chance of human error impacting the total accuracy.
An electronic counter uses electronic senses to count, store and display the number of people walking through an entrance. These devices work by converting incoming signals into units for real-time counting.
Electronic sensors are a popular people counter for busy areas, as they can count many people simultaneously. However, if businesses require more advanced data — such as the specific time a person entered a building — they will need to employ more advanced methods.
People counters that support image processing capabilities are determining human targets by head and shoulder combinations, as well as height. Most of these systems are typically mounted overhead and don’t look at faces or any other identifying characteristics.
As the name suggests, Wi-Fi tracking relies on a strong Wi-Fi connection. It provides real-time updates of people walking through your doors, provided they have registered on your Wi-Fi network.
Once you have installed the Wi-Fi tracking system, maintaining it is relatively cost-effective. However, as it relies on the person having a mobile device that connects to the building’s Wi-Fi, it is not always the most reliable method.
You can easily install Bluetooth beacons on ceilings, walls, and door frames. As they require no wiring, they are a discreet system in your building. Businesses often use them to track workers’ movements or to signal safety alerts and routine reminders.
Like Wi-Fi tracking systems, Bluetooth beacons require the person to have a mobile phone and additionally have Bluetooth enabled. You will need to ensure most visitors and personnel have the appropriate technology before implementing this system.
Infrared (IR) sensors — also referred to as break-beam sensors — consist of an IR emitter and receiver. Business owners generally install them in doorways, as they track counts each time someone breaks the infrared beam.
Sensor-based people counting is much more advanced than early counting technology and can track people from a distance of up to 16 feet across. It’s also often a more affordable option that offers the following benefits:
The biggest disadvantage to IR sensors is limited accuracy—if two people come in at the same time, side by side, they may only be counted as one person.
As technology evolves, innovations in occupancy counting have, too. 3D stereoscopic counters use 3D imaging to offer near-perfect accuracy, making them the most reliable way to obtain foot traffic data. Some core benefits of this new technology include:
As staff will often exit a store for bathroom breaks or to get something for lunch, there is a high potential for skewed results. A final benefit of 3D stereoscopic counters is that they can incorporate additional technology that can distinguish employees. This allows you to feel more confident in the validity of your data.
The evolution of people counting means businesses across industries experience greater benefits. Here are five reasons you should partner with a company that specializes in people counting technology development:
People counting systems have come a long way since basic paper-and-pencil tallies. With each new invention, business owners have gained greater insights into their foot traffic. The data they acquire empowers them to optimize floor space, track campaigns, and make smarter decisions.
Traf-Sys combines the most up-to-date people-counting software developments with superior customer support. This results in us helping over 50,000 locations track their foot traffic effectively. Our extensive range of solutions is primed for businesses across industries, such as education centers, retail outlets and public spaces. Contact our professional team today for a free quote — let’s discover how your foot traffic equates to increased success!
Chris Wadsworth, president at Traf-Sys Inc., has over 20 years’ experience in the people counting industry. He holds the accomplishment of pioneering the use of wireless technology into people counting systems. He also worked extensively with the Nielsen company on the nationwide “PRSM” project to quantify and measure in-store shopping metrics. He led the development of the first complete web-based people counting software system platform.
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