Built with Simplicity In Mind

By Christina Zarrello
New technologies making their debut in early 2010 are designed with simplicity in mind and help retailers more effectively and efficiently monitor and manage their business processes. For instance, Quantum recently announced the Agile Customer Experience implementation methodology for its merchandise optimization suite, Q, which provides easy user adoption.

Another system focused on simplifying the user experience is The Microsoft Dynamics AX for Retail which helps retailers gain better insight and control of their business process. The system connects the retail experiences of the consumer with the store, enterprise and e-commerce and helps retailers gather insight into customer behavior.

Beyond securing payment processes, retailers are installing video recognition software from StopLift to detect sweethearting and combat fraud at checkout. Retailers also can now promote their brand image and message outdoors with the debut of sunlight-readable high-definition LCD monitors from CyberResearch.

Accelerated Implementation

Quantum Retail unveils the Agile Customer Experience (ACE) implementation methodology for its merchandise optimization suite, Q, a repeatable implementation process which provides easy user adoption. Q continues to provide assortment and range planning, forecasting and order planning, and replenishment and allocation. In addition, each module learns from consumer and item behavior in every store and retail format at a global and local level. www.quantumretail.com

Detect Sweethearting

System integrators are now able to install technology that enables retailers to catch "sweethearting" theft at checkout. StopLift Checkout Vision Systems' Scan-It-All technology detects "sweethearting," when cashiers pretend to scan merchandise but deliberately bypass the scanner, thus not charging the customer for the merchandise.  Supermarket chains including Safeway, Hannaford and Big Y have installed the video recognition software for monitoring existing security cameras. www.stoplift.com

Connecting the Enterprise

The Microsoft Dynamics AX for Retail solution helps simplify the user experience and provides retailers with better insight and control over business process. The system connects the consumer with the stores, enterprise and e-commerce and helps retailers gather insight into customer behavior at all touch points. The system then applies this information to optimise the entire chain of operations -- from sales to supply creating a 'Connected Retail Experience.' www.microsoft.com

Promotes Ads On-Demand

A sunlight-readable high-definitions LCD monitor from CyberResearch is especially designed for outdoor retail environments. The CyRAQ 1000 includes a 40" high-definition monitor and helps enhance the brand image outdoors as well as indoors. These monitors offer the visual impact of motion and supports multiple-languages. Additionally, retailers can easily stop advertising items that are out-of-stock, promote the sale of excess and high-margin inventory, and can vary promotions by time of day, local weather, or local events. www.cyberresearch.com