The main challenges related to the implementation of a people counter

Published on April 15, 2025

Choosing the Right Counting Technology

The first element to consider is the choice of technology. Since a people counter is often used for operational management, whether to analyze performance ratios or, in the case of public buildings, to ensure efficient occupancy management, the quality and accuracy of the counter remain essential.

Today, several technologies coexist on the market:

Security Cameras

Some companies propose low-cost solutions by reusing existing security cameras to count traffic. However, 2D technology, which does not provide three-dimensional vision, struggles to distinguish an object from a customer or two customers walking side by side. In addition, these cameras are often not installed in optimal positions for counting, which greatly reduces accuracy, particularly in critical areas. Furthermore, when security cameras are used, video footage must be recorded and analyzed on a server, raising significant challenges in terms of data security and privacy protection.

Infrared Beams

Infrared beam counters, widely used in the 1980s and 1990s, no longer meet today’s standards for accuracy and performance. They are often battery-powered to avoid installation costs, which creates additional maintenance challenges. These wireless detectors lack consistency and reliability, especially during high-traffic periods such as weekends, promotions, and holiday seasons. These limitations make it difficult to obtain reliable performance or occupancy analysis.

Intelligent 3D Vision

The most advanced and accurate technology currently on the market is the 3D camera-based counter, offered by globally recognized companies specializing in people counting solutions. Installed overhead, these sensors analyze space in three dimensions and effectively distinguish:

• customers from objects (boxes, strollers, etc.)
• children from adults (children are generally excluded from performance ratios)
• staff from customers, ensuring clean and reliable data

This technology provides consistent accuracy and, beyond simple counting, delivers a wealth of additional insights without recording video:

• male/female ratio
• age estimation
• detection of couples, families, or groups shopping together
• measurement of dwell time in specific zones
• heat maps showing hot and cold areas of the store, and more

A Profitable Investment

The cost of a 3D vision system generally ranges between USD 1,200 and USD 2,000 installed. At Axper, it is even possible to access this technology through an affordable monthly rental plan, allowing businesses to integrate a cutting-edge counting solution without heavy upfront costs.

Analytics Software

The choice of the people counter is crucial, but the software that analyzes the collected data is just as important. The software must meet your specific needs, whether through a secure API connection to integrate data directly into your systems, or via a comprehensive platform capable of interpreting the collected information and presenting it as intuitive, actionable analytics.

The chosen company must also invest continuously in innovation to provide a product that is both high-performing and secure. This is exactly what Axper offers with its dedicated R&D team, which constantly develops new features and integrates artificial intelligence, while adhering to the highest security standards with ISO 27001 certification.

Installation and Configuration

Another major challenge often lies in the deployment and installation of a counting system. While a traffic counter is relatively easy to implement in most environments, some situations can prove more complex: very high ceilings, buildings with unique architectural designs, or walls that make cabling difficult.

This is where experience makes all the difference. For over 45 years, Axper has built a vast network of qualified installers worldwide, ensuring high-quality installations and guaranteeing that every counting system achieves maximum accuracy.

Security of Counting Systems

One of today’s biggest challenges is security. In a world where cyberattacks, data breaches, and technological intrusions are becoming more frequent, businesses must rely on robust and reliable solutions. People counting systems are no exception. They collect and process strategic data related to foot traffic, in-store behavior, and occupancy management. If not properly protected, this information can pose risks to confidentiality, operational integrity, and customer trust.

At Axper, security is built into every solution. All of our systems are designed with secure communication protocols, including data encryption both in transit and at rest, to prevent unauthorized interception. Our secure APIs ensure seamless integration with your internal systems while complying with the industry’s strictest standards.

In addition, Axper is ISO 27001 certified, the international benchmark for information security management. This certification demonstrates our commitment to protecting your data, applying rigorous management processes, and ensuring high levels of compliance and resilience against current threats.

Our R&D team continually invests in enhancing security features with regular updates, proactive monitoring, and integration of cybersecurity best practices. This means our clients can rely on a counting system that is not only precise and high-performing but also fully aligned with today’s security requirements.

By choosing Axper, you are choosing a cutting-edge technological solution, designed to deliver reliable, secure, and actionable data with complete peace of mind.