Home          Research          Data Services          Advisory Services          Clients          About IHL          Contact Us Your Cart                    My IHL    +1.615.591.2955         
Search Our Site:
Research Studies
  • Store Automation
  • IT by Retail Segment
Data Services
  • Sophia - Wisdom for Retail
  • Mailing Lists
RAPID Project Toolkits
  • Store Level Systems
  • Supply Chain Systems
  • Retail Enterprise
IT Sizing Data
  • Retail
  • Consumer Package Goods
Advisory Services
  • Strategic Consulting
  • Contract Negotiations
  • Speaker's Bureau
  • Ask the Analyst
About IHL
  • Company History
  • Press Releases
  • IHL in the News
  • Analyst Corner
  • Analysts
  • Business Philosophy
Testimonials
Event Management
EyeRIS Newsletter
Download Price List
Sophia's Secret Search
The Eye on Retail Information Systems
May 15, 2008
Volume 16 Issue 9





Innnovations from point-of-sale vendors--from kiosks, to self-checkouts to mobile devices--are making life easier for shoppers and busier for solution providers.Innovations in point-of-sale technology used to be about as exciting as, well, the unveiling of a new cash register from NCR or IBM.



IBM today announced first-of-a-kind self-checkout technology that allows consumers to shop for and check out purchases practically anywhere in a store. This new self checkout solution raises the bar for consumer self service options, giving retailers built-in flexibility, improved customer service and a new tool for building customer advocacy for their brands.



With the nation's largest casino town as its backdrop, IBM and NCR gambled that the ho-hum growth in self-checkout can become a winner if the systems are moved away from the front-of-the-store checkout lanes and moved back toward the deli, bakery and even in the middle of the cereal aisle. All in all, I'd rather take my chances at rolling a 10 the hard way.



The Loss Prevention Research Council, in conjunction with The Retail Equation, recently announced the results of this year's "Customer Returns in the Retail Industry" survey. The survey, which The Retail Equation began conducting in 2003, is designed to provide information to retailers to improve their consumer returns business processes and provide an estimate of the amount of return fraud experienced within the retail market.



Self-checkout vendors IBM and NCR are betting that a change of scenery will give consumers new reasons to use the technology to get them out of stores. According to a report on the Storefront Backtalk website, the vendors introduced smaller self-checkout systems intended to be deployed away from the front-end of stores. Do you see greater opportunities in stores that have not typically used self-checkout before or in departments such as deli, bakery, etc. in locations that deploy the technology at the front-end?



Radiant Systems, Inc. announces today an agreement with Martin & Bayley, Inc. to deploy Radiant Point of Sale (POS) and related technology to 110 Huck's branded convenience retail locations across Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri and Tennessee.



Precidia Technologies Inc. announced today that E-Z Mart Stores, Inc. has chosen its iPocket232 serial IP adapter to connect Ruby terminals and fuel tank monitoring devices to a broadband MPLS network from Cybera. This move has resulted in faster, more cost effective transaction processing for E-Z Mart as well as simplified fuel inventory management.



Radiant Systems, Inc. announces today that Heartland Food Corp. has selected the company to implement Aloha QuickService point of sale and MenuLink back office software in all its locations.



Postilion today announced that Loves Travel Stops & Country Stores will deploy Postilion solutions to enable the company to centralize fleet card authorization and transaction capture.



Wouldn't it be nice to be able to determine the volume and types of crime to expect at a certain location before you open a store or, even better, before you purchase the property or commit to a lease?



Viewings of a video that documents different ways that grocery employees steal is an important part of new associate orientation at Brookshire Grocery Co. "I've had a number of people ask me why we're teaching them how to steal," said Ed Van Fleet, vice president of corporate asset protection for the chain, while addressing FMI Show attendees here yesterday.



With a privacy invasion trial about to begin, Best Buy's IT department will be conducting more frequent remote audits of the chain's Geek Squad tech support department.



Cellfire Inc. today announced the expansion of its mobile discount offers with Taco Bueno. Following a successful mobile coupon test with 80 stores in Dallas, Cellfire mobile coupons will now be accepted at all participating Taco Bueno locations throughout their full system.



Retalix announced today that The Pantry Inc. has begun rolling out Retalix StorePoint, Retalix Fuel, and Retalix HQ-Convenience software. The Pantry selected Retalix and IBM to provide a unified, best-in-class operating platform at more than 1,600 retail locations.



Sainsbury's is to start a contactless payments trial as part of a multimillion-pound revenue protection programme. The retailer is selecting a vendor for the in-store reading equipment and will begin testing the devices in the coming weeks.



RedPrairie Corporation announced today that leading hospitality and entertainment company, Gaylord Entertainment, has implemented RedPrairie's Workforce Management and Performance Management solutions. Workforce Management will provide state-of-the-art scheduling technology to help manage Gaylord's 10,000-plus employees spread across multiple properties. The Performance Management solution provides analytical monitoring and reporting tools for fast, actionable decision making. Both solutions provide information to corporate personnel and to individual property managers.



Between grandkids and traveling, Patty McGinnis snaps lots of photos with her digital camera. But she doesn't just get photos printed at her Meijer supermarket. Often, she settles in at an order station -- a chair paired with touch-screen computer -- to sort out and edit the images.



Squash is back on the menu, general managers have taken back twenty minutes of their lives each week, and knowledge is on the rise. Things are looking good at Austin, Texas-based Magic Restaurants, better known as Fuddruckers, the self-proclaimed home of the "World's Greatest Hamburger."



With the pace at which technology changes and improves today, it's quite possible consumers could replace newly bought electronics by returning them before the warranty expires and upgrading to the newest models, thereby never having to pay the full price again. In fact, many people do. But that's just one of the problems Tony Sciarrotta, Philips' director of returns management, was looking to grapple with eight years ago. Millions of Philips SKUs that consumers returned to the manufacturer never should have been accepted by the retailer, either because the warranty or return period expired, the item wasn't originally purchased at that store, or the item in the box being returned wasn't the item that was in the box when it was sold.



Only a small minority of retailers says that they are getting much value from their security investments.



V2K International, Inc. announced today that its wholly owned subsidiary, V2K Window Fashions, launched its kiosk marketing program with a major big box retailer with recent installations at sites in Tampa, Florida and Denver, Colorado. This is a landmark event for V2K as they debut the commercialization of their kiosk concept. The roll out with this particular retailer is expected to continue during the spring and summer, with an additional 25 kiosks to be installed at various locations throughout the United States. The retailer has approximately 580 locations.



Ready Credit Corp. here has partnered with CheckFreePay to add a new bill pay feature to its self-service ReadyStation Cash Service Center, allowing consumers to pay over 11,000 bills using cash.



Retail technology vendors IBM and StoreNext Retail Technologies LLC are joining forces to market pre-packaged retail solutions powered by IBM point-of-sale systems for independent and regional chain grocers.



Gilbarco's FlexPay Encrypting PIN Pad enables retailers to process Triple Data Encryption Standard debit transactions at the pump with only a PIN pad replacement. Payment Card Industry standards require retailers who accept debit to have encrypting PIN pads installed at the pump by July 2010 to avoid costly penalties. Gilbarco's modular approach saves the average retailer with five dispensers an estimated $15,000 per site compared to CRIND replacement, an approach that retailers have no reason to undertake.



afterBOT today announced the successful completion of its integration efforts to the Retailix ISS 45 POS System. The first implementation was completed on April 28th at Green Hills Market in Syracuse, NY.



Fujitsu Transaction Solutions Inc. today announced the addition of a universal bag and scale design for its U-Scan Genesis self-checkout family, which will be demonstrated at the Food Marketing Institute's FMI Show + Marketechnics 2008 in Las Vegas, May 4-7, 2008.



Fujitsu Transaction Solutions Inc. will unveil a U-Scan Genesis self-checkout system that features MEI's Cashflow Bank Note Recycler at the Food Marketing Institute's FMI Show + Marketechnics 2008 in Las Vegas, May 4-7, 2008.



More than three-fourths (79 percent) of retailers say their companies have been victimized by organized retail crime, according to the 2007 Organized Retail Crime Survey conducted by the National Retail Federation.



Citizen Systems America's CT-S300, CT-S310, CT-S2000 and CMP-10 POS printers have been certified compatible with Aldelo Systems state-of-the-art payment processing technologies. Aldelo's restaurant POS solutions are in service worldwide at over 30,000 locations. This sought after certification ensures that customers can count on consistent and reliable operation when these listed Citizen Systems printers are used in conjunction with Aldelo technology.



afterBOT today announced the implementation of their TransAccess solution suite at Green Hills market in Syracuse, NY. The system is fully integrated with the Retailix ISS 45 POS environment, the first such installation of its kind for afterBOT.



As the grocery industry focuses on navigating through a challenging economy, leading food retailers are using workforce management as a key operational strategy. Advanced workforce management is increasingly being recognized as an effective means of enhancing the customer experience in stores to improve store productivity and drive both top- and bottom-line results.



OKI Data Americas announced the Real-Time In-Store Sign System allowing retailers to eliminate signage waste and increase reaction time by adjusting local pricing and promotions quickly and efficiently. As the first solution in the market to print, track and extensively report all in-house sign printing, businesses, such as beverage distributors, supermarkets and consumer packaged goods manufacturers, can immediately react to the market's needs while profitably managing point-of-sale merchandising.



Retalix Ltd. announced today a worldwide partnership with IBM to deliver combined software, hardware and services solutions to petroleum and convenience store retailers of all sizes. The partnership was announced at NACStech, the National Association of Convenience Stores' technology show, held in Dallas.



Fujitsu Transaction Solutions Inc. announced today that it will combine Metrologic's VoyagerBT Bluetooth handheld scanning technology with Fujitsu's U-Scan GenesisTM self-checkout family to enable simplified large-item scanning at the self-checkout. The solution will be demonstrated at booth #2467 at the FMI Show + Marketechnics 2008 in Las Vegas, May 4-7, 2008.



A next-generation self-checkout solution from NCR Corporation provides consumers with an even more streamlined self-service experience and expands the convenience of self-checkout to other retail environments.



Multi-channel retailers today are finding that their in-store point-of-sale systems can help them do a lot more than complete transactions, according to a recent report by Aberdeen Group Inc.



Epson has announced the rollout of its TM-T88IV ReStick thermal label printer with repositionable liner-free labeling for quick-serve and casual-dining restaurants. The new TM-T88IV ReStick label printer is an enhanced version of Epson's original TM-T88IV thermal label and receipt printer, with more than four million units installed worldwide.



ECRS today at FMI Marketechnics announced a new feature of its Catapult POS system that helps retailers facing Internal Revenue Service regulations for acceptance of Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRA) and other health benefit plan cards. In 2009, IRS mandates will require that independent pharmacy retailers and other non-healthcare merchants who wish to accept FSA/HRA cards and operate a POS system support an Inventory Information Approval System (IIAS) as prescribed by IRS laws.ECRS is providing IIAS compliance through an upgrade within the Catapult software system. This upgrade will provide compliance by summer 2008, well before the 2009 IRS deadline.



Although contactless payment has tremendous potential to advance payments and set the stage for mobile commerce, it's suffering from benign neglect from both retailers and the card brands' and banks, too. That according to a new contactless payment report from analyst firm Javelin Strategy & Research.



One of the most annoying parts of many a casual restaurant outing is at the end, when you just want to say Check, please and all wait staff seem to sense this and decide instead to join the Waitress Relocation Program.



Fujitsu Transaction Solutions Inc. today announced that its GlobalSTORE point-of-sale software is now available to North American grocers, and has been modified to include advanced features that were previously unavailable in the marketplace.



Already selling through mobile phones as well as online and in stores, outdoor gear retailer Moosejaw Mountaineering launched two initiatives this week aimed at further blurring the lines between its selling channels. Customers can now use the digital payment service PayPal to pay in Moosejaws seven stores and the retailer has placed a kiosk in its Birmingham, MI, store so customers can read online customer reviews.



Mobile application developer Charge Anywhere unveiled its Secure Mobile Payment software that it said can be used with smartphone and pocket PCs that are compatible with Windows Mobile 5.0 and Research In Motion 4.1 devices.



Darren Sitter could offer one piece of advice on passing a compliance audit for the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), it would be simply this: start sooner. His organization, a Level 1 retailer, started getting in line more than six months ahead of the Oct. 31 deadline. But when the company had to replace its certified assessor mid-process because it couldn't make that deadline, things got crazy. Ultimately, his company passed PCI DSS certification after getting a three-month extension, but it was a hand-wringing experience that earned the entire IT staff a three-day reward trip to Mesquite, Nev.



VeriFone Holdings, Inc. today announced that it is extending its VeriShield Protect credit and debit card encryption technology to Secure PumpPay, its PCI-approved solution for upgrading fuel dispensers to accept electronic payments securely.



Fujitsu Transaction Solutions Inc. today announced that it will work with partner TELentice Global Inc. to market Fujitsu's new, comprehensive Digital Media Solutions (DMS) to retailers.



Tired of waiting? Well you're not alone. Guests hate to wait, and while they're standing in line, the risk of their "bolting" is as high as their frustration levels. Restaurants, hotels, corporate and campus food service operations as well as entertainment venues such as casinos, theme parks and stadiums are anxious to reduce wait times, boost customer satisfaction and increase the bottom line.



Datalogic Mobile announces the availability of Windows Mobile 6.0 and GSM/GPRS/EDGE communications for the Datalogic Pegaso rugged PDA mobile computer. The addition of E-GPRS, a technology that uses cell phone networks to provide a truly mobile broadband connection, and Windows Mobile enhance Pegaso in applications where users need to access their enterprise network when outside the four walls. Applications in mobile POS, route sales, direct store delivery, and parcel delivery will be among the first to use E-GPRS and Windows Mobile.



In response to demand from smaller retailers, Wasp Barcode Technologies has updated its complete family of Wasp QuickStore point of sale (POS) solutions. Upgraded Wasp QuickStore POS retail software now offers specialty retailers new opportunities for improved operations, customer service and profitability, while the new Wasp POS hardware system is now USB-based and has been made compliant with OPOS standards.



Aftersoft Network N.A., Inc. today announced that it has received an endorsement from the Independent Tire Dealers Group (ITDG) for Aftersoft's VAST point-of-sale (POS) software.



Fujitsu Transaction Solutions Inc, has partnered with software company TELentice Global Inc, for their new Digital Media Solutions (DMS) retailer package.



QSR Automations will feature its newest product innovations at the 2008 National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show (NRA), held May 17 to 20 at McCormick Place, Chicago. The exhibit will include new online capabilities within QSR's ConnectSmart Hospitality Automation Solution, including ConnectSmart WebAhead for online call ahead capabilities and ConnectSmart WebReserve for online reservations. Also on display within QSR's connected solution sets will be the latest enhancements to QSR's revolutionary ConnectSmart Hostess seating and wait list management software, as well as QSR's sophisticated kitchen automation hardware and software, including the new AccuPrep View within the ConnectSmart Kitchen (CSK) graphical software.





Handling electronic purchase orders via electronic data interchange is standard procedure for most suppliers these days, according to Marty Stewart, manager of EDI for Circuit City. Advance ship notices can get a little trickier due to the complexity of the information, she says. And then there are the order forecasts.



Information Resources, Inc. and The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company announce the expanded use of the IRI Loyalty Analytics Assortment Planner solution for Stop & Shop's assortment planning efforts. IRI's Assortment Planner allows Stop & Shop to create customer-centric assortments in Stop & Shop and Giant Food stores using store clusters based on Stop & Shop's customer loyalty data. This partnership helps Stop & Shop align its product mix to customer demand in each of its stores.



IBM today unveiled a new version of its Informix Dynamic Server software designed to help companies better manage and utilize the deluge of data generated from global operations while increasing effectiveness and reducing data management costs by one-third.



Epicor Software Corporation today announced leading specialty retailer Boot Barn has selected the Epicor Retail Software as a Service (SaaS) solution to streamline its retail operations and support its long-term growth plans. Boot Barn was one of four Retail SaaS deals Epicor signed during the first quarter of 2008.



A group of 109 McDonald's restaurants in the Salt Lake City region are doing a mobile commerce trial, with participating consumers getting free iced coffee. Although those 109 stores are barely one coffee bean's worth, given the $22.8 billion chain's 31,377-store network, the trial is interesting both for its capabilities and for how much data-control McDonald's was willing to give up.





Next Inc. today announced that it has signed a new merchandising agreement with GSI Commerce.



In a move praised by state and national blindness organizations, Rite Aid today announced it has undertaken a nationwide initiative that will benefit Rite Aid customers with visual impairments and other disabilities. As part of the program, Rite Aid has made enhancements to its Web site and has begun installing new point of sale equipment with tactile keypads to protect the privacy and security of all shoppers who have difficulty entering numbers on a flat screen.



Giant Food Stores has increased monthly consumer website visits by 400% over the past year. The website utilizes many aspects of Grocery Shopping Network's proprietary software. Erik Keptner, Senior Vice President, Marketing & Advertising at Giant stated, Partnering with Grocery Shopping Network has allowed us to help our customers maximize their trip to the grocery store by doing their planning from the comfort of their own homes. A personalized shopping list, on-line recipes, easy access to weekly specials, and meal planning solutions take the guesswork out of grocery shopping by offering another convenient way to save time and money.



Stampede Technologies, Inc. today announced that the Navy Exchange Service Command has selected and will soon begin deploying Stampedes Application Acceleration Series WAN Optimization solutions at its 344 retail stores located at 105 U.S. Navy installations worldwide.



Reebok is rolling out a global online shopping portal showcasing its range of sport and lifestyle products to consumers in more than 30 countries.



Heather Kaminetsky, director of Internet marketing for Barneys New York, has been asked more than once how she knew a particular person would like to receive more information about a particular product.



Any retailer whose online conversion rate is double the industry average of 2-3 percent must be doing something right. Even so, Noah Maffitt, director of global e-commerce for Office Depot, wasn't satisfied.



Pizza Hut is taking the "other people who bought also liked" approach mastered by Amazon.com and is trying to apply it to pizza and breadsticks and their own Web site.



ServiceBench announced today that Sharp Electronics Corp., U.S. subsidiary of Sharp Corp., has implemented its service management solution to enhance service quality and efficiency for Sharp's customer support program. The ServiceBench solution will help Sharp manage its warranty program and automate its service dispatching, allowing for quicker resolution to customer service requests. The Web-based software solution is equipped with service-call analytics and customer satisfaction surveys, providing Sharp with valuable service intelligence which allows the company to monitor and improve service quality.



MarketLive, Inc. today announced Vanity has selected MarketLive FastTrack 2008 to launch its new, robust eCommerce site in time for the company's two peak selling seasons -- back to school and holiday 2008.



ONOSYS Online Ordering announced today that Cousins Subs has selected to implement its online ordering system.