GENERAL QUESTIONS AND INFORMATION
We are compiling a comprehensive FAQ page to help answer commonly asked questions about LERPnet2.0.  If you do not see an answer to your question – please click here to submit your question to LERPnet2.0.  We will continue to add new questions and modify answers as needed. 

Q:        What is LERPnet2.0 and what need does it serve?

A:        LERPnet is a secure national database for the reporting of retail theft and serious incidents which allows retailers to share information with each other and with law enforcement. In response to an alarming rise in organized retail crime, the retail industry and the FBI teamed up to launch LERPnet.  LERPnet2.0 is the evolution of the underlying technology to take this very important industry initiative to the next level. With LERPnet2.0, retailers and law enforcement will be able to fight back against illegal activity including organized retail crime, burglaries, robberies, counterfeiting, and online auction fraud with easy data entry, comprehensive reporting, timely alerts, dynamic link analysis and advanced data analytics.

Q:        How is LERPnet2.0 different from the original LERPnet?

A:         LERPnet2.0 completely changes the technology platform behind the LERPnet brand by providing the next generation of reporting and analytics to enable retailers to better utilize the data for both reactive and proactive measures to protect their brands.

Our goal is to make the data useful for retailers, enabling them in:

• Utilizing reports and statistics to make better business decisions and properly allocate resources
• Identifying patterns in incident / criminal activity
• Analyzing trends and security countermeasure effectiveness
• Enhancing communication with law enforcement
• Better preparedness and enhanced training for staff

Q:        What are the benefits of the LERPnet2.0 system for my company?

A:   LERPnet2.0 enables retailers to share information amongst themselves and with law enforcement to help combat common issues, threats and crimes both collectively as an industry and as individual companies.  With LERPnet2.0, retailers can utilize the aggregate collection and analysis of critical incident data for enhanced reactive and proactive response:

• React to incidents that have occurred in a timely and effective manner
• Proactively prepare for and / or prevent future events by knowing what is happening around your retail locations
• Track incidents regardless of location / jurisdiction
• Benchmark against the industry
• Enhance your security / LP strategy
• Better allocate and budget for resources to help prevent loss
• Prepare and train staff to prevent events or for better response when events occur
• Prevent injury and loss of life
• Protect profitability
• Reduce overall liability

And bottom line, Protect the brand image.

Q:        Who is ISO Crime Analytics and what benefit do they bring to this initiative?

A:         ISO Crime Analytics is a unit of Verisk Analytics, a global leader in risk assessment and data analytics.  The ISO Crime Analytics business unit leads and manages several successful data share initiatives in the retail and banking industries, in the US and in other countries, and brings a proven technology platform to the LERPnet2.0 initiative for retailers.  ISO Crime Analytics brings extensive retail background and experience, as well as tight integration and professional relationships with law enforcement that combined, will greatly enhance the success of this system.   

Q:        How will LERPnet2.0 be managed?

A:         LERPnet2.0 will be managed by an Advisory Board consisting mainly of representatives from a variety of retail companies and will also have several members from supporting retail associations as well as law enforcement.  The Advisory Board will help guide this initiative for the retail industry and guide system enhancements and future development.

Q:        What are the features of the LERPnet2.0 system?

A:         Features of LERPnet2.0 include:

• Easy Data Entry and Import from Case Management
• Comprehensive Search Tools  (full text search, related terms, etc)
• Dynamic Link Analysis surfacing related records, possibly related records and other patterns and trends in the data and geographically
• Communication and Collaboration Tools allowing retailers to work together and work with law enforcement
• Dynamic Report Display and Geo-Spatial Mapping Capabilities
• LERPnet Alerts and Notifications providing for notice of critical incidents, new activity on records you are working on, trends in your area, and more
• Online Training and Support to help get you started and for ongoing training needs

Q:        How do I become a Subscriber to LERPnet2.0?

A:        AS A RETAILER:  Click here to complete a subscriber request form and we will contact you for Subscriber information and forward a Subscriber Agreement.
                       
AS LAW ENFORCEMENT:  You will be provided access to the system through the LEO.gov portal later in 2011.  Click here to complete a subscriber request if you would like to be notified of alternate access opportunities in the interim.

Q:        I am an individual – how do I get access to LERPnet?

A:        At this time, only retailers may access LERPnet2.0.  This requires a corporate subscription agreement to be executed and be in good standing.  If you would like more information regarding subscription to LERPnet, please click here!

Q:        Do previous LERPnet subscribers need to subscribe to LERPnet 2.0 in order to be included in the system?

A:         YES – there is a new Subscriber Agreement that needs to be executed…but before you cringe with the thought of additional legal review, you will be happy to know the new agreement is modeled after the original LERPnet Subscriber Agreement.

Q:        Will my data which was previously submitted to LERPnet be automatically uploaded into LERPnet 2.0?

A:         This is conditional on your subscription to LERPnet2.0.  To both protect and respect Subscriber Rights, we will not move or otherwise accept your data from the original LERPnet system without an executed agreement and we will then only import data as directed by the Subscriber. 

Q:        What incidents will be entered into LERPnet2.0?
A:         This system is designed for the collection, reporting and analysis of theft and loss in and around retail locations, to include distribution centers.  Initially, the Incident Types will  include: 

• organized retail crime (ORC)
• robbery
• burglary
• counterfeit product/intellectual property infringement
• credit card fraud
• gift card/merchant credit fraud
• cargo theft
• suspicious online/auction activity, and
• suspicious returns

However, we expect to expand on these incident types and plan to include other criminal activity, as well as other shrink and loss details.

Q:        How do I enter/import incidents into LERPnet2.0?

A:         Data may be entered manually directly into the system forms or may be exported from your existing case management system to populate LERPnet2.0 records.  Our support specialists will provide you with the necessary file format for automated imports of data.

Q:        Do I have to use a particular case management system to connect to LERPnet2.0?

A:        No.  You can enter data directly into the system or we can provide you with the specific file structure to give to your case management provider or in-house IT support to export the data to the LERPnet2.0 system.

Q:        Can my case management system link into LERPnet2.0?

A:         LERPnet2.0 provides a file format for subscribers to share with their case management providers to help create the export necessary to feed into LERPnet2.0.  Our Support Specialists will assist with this process in accepting the data and testing the process, to ensure data integrity and a smooth connection.

Q:        Who owns the information entered into LERPnet2.0?

A:         Data received from the Subscriber is referred to as Subscriber Data andthe Subscriber owns their data.  Once it becomes part of LERPnet2.0, as part of the collection of data, we refer to it as Aggregate Data, and it is owned by ISO Crime Analytics, the providers of LERPnet2.0.   If a Subscriber leaves the system, their specific incident details are destroyed and reference to the Subscriber is removed from the system. However, the aggregate summary details will remain with the system in order to ensure proper historical reporting and trend analysis.

Q:        Is my data visible to other system users?

A:         Yes, as a subscriber you will contribute data to the system and be able to share information with other retailers and with law enforcement.  The system does have the capability to mask certain information that should only be shared with law enforcement if a Subscriber prefers to contribute, but not share certain details.  The select fields to be contributed to the system and shared is driven by the LERPnet2.0 Advisory Board, consisting of retailers, law enforcement and retail association representatives.

Q:        What details from my incidents can be entered into LERPnet2.0?

A:         The selection of the specific fields to be contributed to the system to be shared is driven by the LERPnet2.0 Advisory Board, consisting of retailers, law enforcement and retail association representatives.  The system will initially launch with the fields from the original system, but it is expected to change based on the direction of the Advisory Board.

Q:        Can stores outside of the United States participate in the LERPnet2.0 community?

A:         Currently, the LERPnet2.0 initiative is a US based project for US states and US territories. We do, however, or otherwise support, similar retail data shares in other countries, including the RCC LP DataShare in Canada, and the CRIISP DataShare in the UK.

Q:        Can law enforcement officers enter incidents?

A:         Currently, no.  However this may change based on direction of the LERPnet2.0 Advisory Board.  Law Enforcement is able to access information, review reports and search for loss details.

Q:        Can Mall Management/Security enter incidents?

A:         Currently, no.  However, this may change based on direction of the LERPnet2.0 Advisory Board. 

Q:        I’m a non-subscriber but I want to provide data to LERPnet2.0. How do I go about doing that? 

A:         Subject to approval by the Advisory Board, we do have the ability to accept reports from non-members, where data may be accepted to the application, however cannot be accessed or otherwise reviewed once submitted.  The submission process includes an acknowledgement that all data submitted becomes the property of ISO Crime Analytics.  This will be reviewed and this function will be updated on the FAQ page if / when this changes.

Q:        Is LERPnet2.0 supported by any of the Retail Trade Associations?

A:        Yes.  LERPnet2.0 is supported today by the National Retail Federation (NRF), the Retail Industry Leader’s Association (RILA) and the Food Marketing Institute (FMI)

Q:        Do I have to be a member of a retail trade association to join LERPnet2.0?

A:         Although we do highly recommend membership with our association partners, it is not a requirement in order to join LERPnet2.0.

System Use Questions:

Q:        Who enters data into LERPnet2.0?

A:         Data is submitted to LERPnet2.0 by retail subscribers.

Q:        How do I know that the data is current and reliable?

A:         We do rely on the retail subscribers to ensure accuracy in their submission of data.  Incident information does include data and time of the event(s).

 
Q:        Is training provided for new subscribers to LERPnet2.0?

A:         Yes!  We offer webinars as well as online e-learning resources for initial and ongoing training and support. The LERPnet2.0 Learning Center will launch with the new LERPnet2.0 site in June 2011.

Q:        Is there a log file accessible to the company to view who may have edited a record in the database? 

A:         Yes.  There is actually a log of every time a record is viewed as well as edited.

Q:        Can users be set up with view access only, not having the ability to enter or edit information? 

A:         Yes.  Users may be set up with either view capability or edit capability or both.

 
Q.        Who can access LERPnet2.0? / Which LERPnet2.0 users can see incident data?

A:         Access to LERPnet2.0 is limited to Retail Subscribers, Law Enforcement and select members of the retail associations. 

Q:        How can law enforcement access LERPnet2.0 data?

A:         LERPnet2.0 will be made available later this year via the LEO.gov web portal.  Law Enforcement will need to be vetted through LEO and will then have access to this system.