Advanced Self-checkout Systems Offer Improved Flexibility, Scalability and Reliability; Ripe for Expanded Use in Non-Grocery Formats.

Fujitsu Transaction Solutions Inc. announced the U-Scan Genesis™ family of advanced self-checkout systems.

U-Scan Genesis offers a wide portfolio of hardware and software technology advances including:

Small Footprint – redesigned to offer the one of the smallest self-checkout footprints available, making it attractive for retail formats that have limited floor space.

Retail-hardened Fujitsu TeamPoS 3000 terminals – designed to withstand the rigors of high-volume checkout environments with easy serviceability.

Two-handed scanning – enables shoppers to scan items one after the other and then place in the bag to further accelerate the check-out process. Shoppers do not have to scan and bag one item before scanning and bagging another.

“Above scanner” bill and coin accepting and dispensing units located together – speeds the transaction process and reduces the chance of customers leaving money behind.

ATM-style “follow me” LED lighting – guides users through the checkout process.

More intuitive customer interfaces support up to 12 languages - makes the checkout process more efficient.

Fujitsu’s new F53 bill dispensing unit – improves dispensing rates while reducing bill jams – the most common self-checkout service and maintenance issue.

Coin hopper or coin canister dispensing units – allows retailer to choose the option that’s best for their environment.

Metrologic scanner/scale – offers accurate first-pass scan rates with 6-sided, 360° scanning.

Read this entire news story here.

NCR Corporation today introduced the NCR RealPOS 80XRT point-of-sale (POS) workstation, designed to extend POS capabilities without slowing mission-critical transaction processing. Featuring next-generation architecture with support for advanced Intel vPro technology, the NCR RealPOS 80XRT delivers industry-leading power, scalability and systems management capabilities to the point of service.

The NCR RealPOS 80XRT delivers industry-leading power and scalability through a range of single-core and dual-core processors, including the new Intel Core™2 Duo processor. In addition, the NCR RealPOS 80XRT features enhanced systems management capabilities using Intel vPro technology to increase uptime and help drive down retailer’s total cost of ownership.

Extreme retail technology extends POS capabilities without slowing mission-critical transaction processing using Intel® vPro™ technology.

Read this entire article here.

Find out more about the NCR RealPOS 80xrt.

New Chip Label Technology Available for Independent Grocers

StoreNext Retail Technologies Pricer® next-generation electronic shelf labels (ESLs) for independent grocers. ESLs includes technologies and capabilities that offer investment protection, better profit potential and ROI for grocers and expanded information available to the consumer.

The infrared technology of the Pricer C² Electronic Shelf Label System eliminates virtually all physical activity associated with changing prices. Using an existing back office system linked to the Pricer system, independent grocers can instantly modify and validate prices by unit, department, or even storewide. The large, easy-to-read high-contrast labels are a convenient, attractive way to get shoppers’ attention on sales or other promotions at the grocery shelf, end of aisle displays and the produce section.

With the Pricer C² system, grocers have the flexibility to implement price changes on literally hundreds or even thousands of items per day, depending on the amount of items in the store. The new system also can be used to display and track information such as stock levels, last order dates, shipment quantities and more. With the click on the new infrared key in the direction of the ESL, the grocer can conveniently access planogram information such as facings – right at the shelf edge.

See full text of StoreNext article here

Independent Grocer enhances shopper service with belted and bagged self-checkout systems

Sorbara’s Shop n’ Save, an independent grocery chain with five stores in the Pittsburgh area, has deployed Fujitsu U-Scan self-checkout systems from StoreNext Retail Technologies LLC.

“Having a combination of bagged and belted self-checkouts made perfect sense for us,” said Jim Sorbara, owner of Sorbara’s Shop n’ Save. “It gives our customers a choice of using self-checkout for large-volume orders, or the ability to get in and out quickly when they only need a few items. We can also have four self-checkout lanes open with just one cashier during high-traffic hours, enabling more employees to assist customers with their needs throughout the store.”

Each installation includes two of the recently-released belted self-checkout units plus two five-bag U-Scan stations. All of these shopper stations are integrated with StoreNext’s ScanMaster™ point-of-sale (POS) software at Sorbara’s.

Visit StoreNext web site here for the full scoop.

On-the-go consumers prefer to handle an increasing number of transactions themselves through self-service devices, and are more likely to do business with companies that make it easier to for them to do so, according to a major new study conducted by BuzzBack Market Research for NCR Corporation

More than three out of four (77 percent) of the 633 U.S. and Canadian consumers polled said they are more likely to do business with organizations that offer self-service, and 92 percent value combining mobile devices - like mobile phones or PDAs - with the Internet and self-service kiosks or ATMs to improve their overall service experience.

“People want more control of their interaction with your business,” said NCR President and Chief Executive Officer Bill Nuti. “Why wait for assistance with transactions they can more quickly and easily do themselves at guaranteed quality? Consumers increasingly expect to be served where and when they choose, and are putting pressure on businesses and government agencies to deliver seamless service through the integration of self-serve devices, including the Internet, mobile devices and multipurpose kiosks.”

The top-three locations where respondents would like to see this type of convenience are in airports (70 percent); malls (65 percent); and grocery stores (55 percent).

Click here to read the full Business Wire article.

The new IBM Anyplace Kiosk 17″ models are designed to enable business innovation in a bigger, bolder way. They can now be used in more ways to heighten the customer experience and expand the usage of self service kiosk solutions across a variety of industries, including retail, travel and transportation, entertainment, and healthcare.

Highlights of the new models include:

At 17 inches, models offer a big screen in an
ultra-compact all-in-one unit
1280 x 1024 resolution offers better clarity and more
detail than smaller IBM models
The bigger touch screen makes it easier for several
people to view at once.
“Clients around the world have asked for a larger kiosk screen and we’ve responded,” said Christopher Wong, Director of Marketing and Strategy for IBM Retail Store Solutions. “I believe you will see these ultra compact kiosks in more and more environments as people use and seek out self service in a variety of consumer-facing environments.”

The IBM Anyplace Kiosk 17″ model is part of IBM’s comprehensive kiosk offerings, which now include three touch screen sizes: 17″, 15″ and 12″. The IBM Anyplace Kiosk combines a 1.3GHz processor, advanced infrared (IR) touch screen display and optional peripherals in a slim, tapered design, offering a cost-effective opportunity to install an informational kiosk virtually “anyplace.” With the capability to show full-screen video as well as high quality sound, the kiosks can deliver a variety of applications including product information, self-ordering in restaurants, unattended check-in for hotel guests, healthcare screening statistics and much more across a variety of segments including retail, travel / tourism, communications, financial, government, transportation, entertainment, healthcare and other sectors.

More info IBM Anyplace Kiosk

World’s Greatest Hamburgers” maker Fuddruckers will improve efficiency of meal preparation and food order delivery with IBM technology, becoming one of the first known restaurant chains to use interactive kiosks in its kitchens.

With a unique use of technology, Fuddruckers’ proprietary recipes and food preparation methods are distributed to 125 secure, ultra-compact IBM Anyplace Kiosks in all of its corporate-owned restaurants’ kitchens from the company’s headquarters in Austin, Texas. This replaces paper-based procedure and recipe manuals and allows the restaurant chain to provide accurate and up-to-date food preparation instructions and recipes quickly and easily at a single source.

Fuddruckers will provide its general managers and cooks with easy access to recipes, via touch screen panels and Recipeviewer software from Custom Business Solutions, Inc., to better ensure consistent preparation methods across all locations, reduce training time and deliver guests’ orders more efficiently.

The restaurant chain also is using 125 new IBM SurePOS 500 systems to record customer orders quickly and accurately. The new systems are small and robust enough to run the entire POSitouch suite that includes software applications for point of sale, enterprise reporting, employee scheduling, inventory, food costing and forecasting.

“For the past 25-plus years, we’ve distinguished ourselves through the quality and freshness of our outstanding menu items, yet we’re equally as committed to the technologies that will allow us to further distinguish ourselves in the industry,” said Matt Pannek, Chief Financial Officer for Fuddruckers. “This investment in IBM technology will help us protect our own recipes, while further enhancing the overall experience of our associates and customers.”

“With this technology, Fuddruckers has become even more nimble, able to quickly react to its competitors and overall marketplace,” said Steve Ladwig, general manager, IBM Retail Store Solutions. “In minutes, Fuddruckers can alter its menu and ingredients by simply distributing uniformed changes through its new kiosk network.”

The IBM Anyplace Kiosk, which is the size of a flat-panel monitor, offers retailers a cost-effective opportunity to install an informational kiosk “anyplace” in the store, whether in the aisle, on the wall, beside a demo or on a store end cap. With the capability to show full-screen video as well as high quality sound, the kiosks can deliver a variety of applications, also including production information, self-ordering in restaurants and unattended check-in for hotel guests.

Click Here For information on IBM Anyplace Kiosk

Click Here For information on POSitouch software

North Atlantic Petroleum, a major fuel and convenience store business located throughout Newfoundland has awarded AM/PM Service a contract to install new POS systems. Currently North Atlantic Petroleum operates 40+sites, located across Newfoundland.

AM/PM Service will provide the SMS Point of Sale system with Fuel Pump control and NCR and IBM hardware components. North Atlantic will also be using the SMS Loyalty Application as well as IP based integrated Debit and Credit.

Complete installation of all stores is expected by early 2007.

A very informative article on Gas and C-store enviornment. The article indicates that the small independant is having a hard time making it against the, newer, higher volume stores.

How much longer can the independant store owner remain competitive and profitable?

Let us know what you think.

To download the report click on the link below. Then select the 2006 gas report towards the middle of the page, and a PDF file will open for you.

ConvenienceCentral.ca - This Month In YCM

The labor shortage in Alberta has reached a critcal mass. This is an interesting article about the effect the shortages are having on growth and expansion plans for major retailers.

As a POS company we are suggesting new alternatives such as self check out and self service kiosks to help with the labor crunch.

A self service kiosk or check out never calls in sick or takes time off, requires no benefits and will work over time with out complaining.

Slow to catch on in Canada, we are starting to see more and more of them at places like Walmart and home depot.

Click here to read the Business Edge article.
Business Edge News Magazine - businessedge.ca - Ontario Edition - Labour shortage stalls retail expansion