Hosted from January 11 – 14 at New York, the 98th National Retail Federation Convention (NRF) and EXPO saw Intel’s concept kiosk designed by Frog Design, a San Francisco-based global innovation firm.
Showcasing the latest in digital signage and point-of-sale technology, the kiosk demonstration includes features such as suggestive selling real-time inventory access, showing promotions, product details and customer reviews to match the perks of Internet shopping.
Company sources revealed that based on the energy-efficient 45 nanometer Intel Core 2 Duo mobile processor, the POS demo can enable more than a 70% percent reduction in required power use. The proof-of-concept platform, featuring Intel vPro technology with Intel Active Management Technology, allows administrators to manage systems remotely, leading to energy savings and a reduction in the need for technicians to go on-site for system maintenance. It results in decreased carbon emissions and lower operational expenses for retailers.
Retailers can remain in sync with the latest technology advancements with easy upgrade facility of the system to next-generation CPU platforms. With a removable PC board and individual modules, the POS demo is customizable to meet evolving business needs.
The kiosk, featuring a tall screen at eye level and another screen embedded in the counter, will recognize a customer when they flash a card. Identifying the customer, the software will show a record of what they have bought in the past, point out bargains and even let them try out virtual clothing, hair colors and cosmetics onscreen.
Joe Jensen, general manager of the embedded-computing division of Intel in Arizona, says that inspired by the prototypes, a number of manufacturers are building kiosks. He also adds that Intel does not plan to make the kiosks itself.
IBM and its business partner EZface has created the Virtual Mirror kiosk that has a camera to capture the shopper’s image and a scanner to record the product the shopper wants to try. Norma Wolcott, manager of IBM’s retail self-service business in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, said that the kiosks would be tried out in stores in 60 days.
Tim Gruver, director of technology and strategy for Microsoft worldwide distribution and services, confirmed that Microsoft is also working on kiosks. With customers building prototypes, including one for a 103 inches wall screen that will run with Microsoft’s Windows 7, users will have an option of manipulating images on the screen, adds Gruver.
