Empty shelf
Uses the shelf’s full state as a reference; measures the fill rate as products run low and notifies the team.
Empty shelf analytics stores a reference image of the full shelf when the scenario is saved. ProVife divides the shelf into small cells and compares the texture formed by products in each cell with the reference. As products are taken, more cells empty out, and the shelf’s fill rate is calculated as a percentage. An event is created when the empty share reaches your threshold and persists for the dwell time; no further notification is sent for the same shelf until it is restocked. Customers passing in front are filtered out by the dwell time. It speeds up restocking in supermarkets, pharmacies, warehouses and product display areas.
How it works
While the shelf is full, grab the image with Capture frame and draw the shelf section to monitor.
Save the scenario; ProVife stores the reference image of the full shelf.
Enter the empty threshold; an event is created when this share of the shelf is empty.
Set the dwell time; customers passing in front are filtered out by this period.
When the shelf is restocked, the event status resets; the next time it empties is a new event.
Settings
| Area | The shelf section to monitor. |
|---|---|
| Reference image | The full state of the shelf; captured when the scenario is saved. |
| Empty threshold | The share of the shelf that must be empty to trigger an event. |
| Dwell | How long the empty space must persist to count as an event. |
| Analytics hours | For example, running only while the store is open. |
What it produces
- Empty shelf detection event (analytics.shelf.empty): fill and empty ratios.
- Live fill rate of the shelf on the smart panel.
- Event image with the shelf zone marked.
- How long the shelf has been empty.
What you can do with the event
- A WhatsApp message with the shelf name to the aisle attendant.
- A restock call with a pop-up window on the warehouse screen.
- Forwarding events via MQTT to inventory management software.
- Reviewing how often shelves run empty with a PDF report.
Where it is used
Supermarkets
Empty shelves for fast-selling products are reported instantly to the aisle attendant.
Pharmacies
Products running low on display and behind-the-counter shelves are tracked.
Warehousing
Empty picking shelves are reported to the replenishment team.
Cafeterias
Products running low at self-service counters are reported to the kitchen team.
Camera placement
- Position the camera across the aisle so it sees the shelf from the front and at its full height.
- Use a separate scenario and area for each shelf section.
- Make sure shelf lighting is constant; if the light changes, refresh the reference.
- Take the reference while the shelf is completely full.