Pass Through Window Security: How to Pick Package Receivers & Passers

One of the challenges of ballistic reinforcement is how to handle transactions. Passing items and paperwork back and forth can create a security vulnerability, but fast and efficient transactions are essential to businesses across all industries. Finding the sweet spot of security and efficiency is where TSS shines.

We’ve become the industry leader in supplying package receivers and passers. Over the course of tens of thousands of installations, we’ve got the expertise to help you find the right package passer for your business. In fact, we’ve found that people often underestimate the space needed to pass items through their ballistic barrier, which means we can provide valuable direction on how to get this right the first time.

This quick guide will help you avoid last-minute changes, later renovations, or years of frustration at your front desk.

The Four Types of Pass-Through Window Package Receivers

Generally speaking, there are four types of package receivers:

1. Currency Trays
2. Countertop Receivers
3. Through-Wall Receivers
4. Lazy Susan Receivers

Each of these excels in certain applications—and Total Security Solutions can engineer and custom fabricate any of them to suit your facility and operational needs.

Big Differences in Pass-Thru Window Systems

While the table above is helpful, we’d like to highlight some differences between the products to help you understand when you may need to size up or consider a different product.

• Currency Trays: These come in a variety of styles, work well on almost any counter, and are extremely efficient. The concern is that they are specifically limited to small amounts of paperwork and cash. For even a thick stack of papers, you may need a different product.
• Countertop Package Passers: These are double-door cubes equipped with interlocking hardware so that only one door can open at a time. Due to the interlocking mechanism, it may prove slow in extremely high-throughput settings. They can be a great option for larger-sized packages, but for speed, you’ll want to consider a rotating package passer.
• Rotating Package Passers: Lazy-Susan style compartments are efficient for high-throughput transactions like pharmacies or convenience stores but may be more limited in item size.
• Through-Wall Package Passers: These are opaque and designed to be mounted through an interior or exterior wall. These types of passers can save on counter space if that is a concern. This is an excellent drive-thru or extended-hour option.
• Mix and Match: To maximize both efficiency and item size, you might consider a combo of pass-thru systems. For example, many financial institutions install a currency tray at every teller window and a countertop receiver at one window to handle any larger item transactions.

How to Pick the Right Pass-Through Window Package Receiver

Picking the right passer really comes down to asking the right people the right questions. Talk to anyone who regularly handles packages through a secure barrier. In some facilities, this can include both front office (reception, clerk, etc.) and back-office (inventory or office manager, etc.) staff.

Ask them five questions:

1. What type of transactions do you complete most frequently? If the majority of the transactions are simply payments, like cash or credit card, then you should consider a currency tray. Since they are low profile and cost-efficient, it’s easy to install a currency tray alongside another package passer.
2. How often are you passing a “large flat”? Most deal trays can accommodate a large manila envelope—around 9”x12”—but if it’s thicker than 1/2” or rigid, this can become a challenge.
3. How often are you passing items? If you are passing one or two items steadily all day, a countertop receiver should be sufficient. If you experience periods of high activity like a lunchtime rush or if you have transactions that involve a large number of items, a large rotary passer is the best way to maximize the workflow.
4. What’s the biggest item you need to transfer? This is usually the toughest question. People will do their best to estimate the size, but most off-the-cuff estimates are wildly inaccurate. One thing you could do is try to keep track of items for a month or so and note the largest dimensions of any transaction items. If you have the space, it never hurts to size up your package passer.
5. If an item does not fit in your package passer, what are your options for completing the transaction? This is important, as it almost invariably means compromising security or safety. If you have to circumvent your package passer on a regular basis, you should consider replacing it with a larger package passer.

At TSS, we know that one-size-fits-all is a myth when it comes to package passers. We’ve worked with organizations in all kinds of industries to find custom solutions to keep their business flowing smoothly. For example, we teamed up with a municipal organization to create a custom baffle window with enough spacing to pass rolled-up blueprints, saving them the counter space and expense of a pass-thru box. 

If you don’t see a product that fits your transaction size, functionality, or safety, let us know. Our team of designers loves a good challenge, and we’re happy to put our skills to work. We’ll collaborate with you to develop a clever, modern solution to keep your transactions secure and efficient.

Total Security Solutions: 20 Years of Physical Security Experience

TSS is an industry leader in ballistic barriers, with decades of experience in adding high-quality physical security businesses just like yours. We take safety very seriously, which means our team of experts will consider every angle of your ballistic barrier. We can help you uncover weak points you didn’t know existed and develop custom solutions to help you protect what matters most.

If you would like to learn more about the best practices for transaction security for your industry, please give us a call. We’ll help you find the best solution for your needs, based on our in-depth knowledge and experience. Not only that, but our team can handle the installation so that you are assured the job is done right.

To get started, contact us here and let us know how we can help.