Tuesday, 23 February 2016
Friday, 19 February 2016
Interactivity in retail
Interactive
kiosks and point-of-sale (POS) systems are forever changing the way we as
consumers shop. I remember as a child, if I needed something, I would
physically have to go to the high street, pick what I wanted, take it myself to
the till, pay and then carry it home myself.
Then
in the early 2000’s internet shopping was introduced. A form of shopping which
allowed people to look through all of their favourite retail, food and
electronic shops from the comfort of their home. Although this style of
shopping saved people from joining the hustle and bustle of busy shopping malls
at peak times, the physical element was lost, and novelties such as trying out
goods, using changing rooms and getting to touch and feel a particular product
were lost.
This
is where retail systems come in. Bridging the gap between the old style of
shopping and doing it online. Retail systems are bringing online shopping into
physical stores in exciting and innovative ways. Shoppers are now almost all
familiar with some form of interactive service, for example self-service
checkouts in local supermarkets. With the implementation of new systems and
technologies, businesses are continuing to meet and exceed customer
expectations.
There
are a wide range of interactive retail solutions available including digital
catalogue systems, customer information points which include web access to the
retailer’s website as well as in store advertising. Interactive POS systems
allow shoppers to spend less time finding the right product, opening up the
opportunity to search for other similar items that aren’t at that moment
available in the store and to order other pieces from a range or select a
different size/colour etc.
However,
POS systems are not only advantageous for the customer, but also the shop
owner. They have been proven to open up new revenue streams and gain potential
cost savings. These systems can reduce the number of lost sales during peak
periods due to less queuing time. They can also automate up-selling, provide
in-store supplier advertising and gain customers contact details even when a
sale is not made. All these advances add up to an increase in revenue flow.
Over
the past few years I have been involved with some really interesting bespoke
kiosks, offering users an experience that 50 years ago people couldn’t have
even imagined. Some retail shops are
beginning to introduce interactive systems that not only enable users to search
ranges of clothes and order them in store they actually act as an interactive
mirror, allowing people to ‘virtually’ try on clothes using a gesture based
interface.
Another
example of this type of extreme innovation is in a children’s toy store.
Consumers can take a box from the shelf, hold it in front of a camera, and see
real-time 3d graphics showing what can be constructed from the pieces within.
High
quality kit is key when it comes to bespoke interactive systems. Multi-touch
technology and panels that can display full HD images and videos are important.
Zero bezel touch monitors are becoming more popular, often incorporating an
Infrared (IR) or Protected Capacitive (PCAP) touch screen overlay, due the
ability these technologies have to detect almost any input even from a gloved
hand. These systems also need to be able to withstand rugged environments in
terms of weather elements, from desert temperatures in Dubai, to outside a
train station on a winter day in Scotland, as well cope with dirt, dust and
even vandalism.
We at
Display Solutions are seeing an increasing demand for these types of
applications, and are lucky to have our own in house range of digital signage
solutions, DisplayTouch, to be able to follow this trend. Our most recent
project was to provide multiple panels with an IR multi-touch overlay for a
number of applications to be placed in a sports retail shop. This project was
really exciting for us, and we were pleased to receive such positive results,
which has already been followed with a larger order to extend the project
across Europe.
Being
ahead of the trend with new technologies is a must for digital signage experts
and system integrators. Companies are continuing to request more and more
innovative ideas, and we have the technology capable of fulfilling these needs.
Personally, I find this new idea of the future of retail really interesting,
and I’m excited to see the solutions and limits pushed even further over the
next few years.
Brendan O'Reilly, Commercial Manager, Display Solutions
For more information on the range of products we have available or to find out more about the projects we've worked on, call us on +44 (0) 1480 411600 or visit www.displaysolutions.co.uk
Tuesday, 16 February 2016
Projects from 2015
In 2015 we worked on a variety of projects with our partners ranging from point of sale applications and interactive kiosks through to video walls.
Here's an overview of three of our favourite projects from the year.
Reflect; a versatile and modular kiosk family
Evoke specialises in providing bespoke kiosk systems to a number of customers across the retail, commercial and public sectors. When there was a requirement to develop a feature rich interactive multifunctional kiosk, Evoke turned to long and trusted partner Display Solutions for their digital signage expertise.
The project was to create Reflect; a versatile and modular kiosk family enabling Evoke to approach their existing clients with a unique product across multiple market sectors. Within the retail environment the Reflect kiosk would be a unique interactive point-of-sale (POS) system that would improve the customer experience while enabling the retailer to open up new revenue streams and gain potential cost savings. One of the primary requirements was that shoppers would be able to use the interactive display as a mirror and would replace existing mirrors in the stores.
Find out more about the project here.
A unique communication and presentation video wall for the RAC
With high demands on its breakdown rescue service, the RAC has upgraded its two control centres with the introduction of a unique digital signage solution, a video wall dashboard consisting of 38 LCD screens and two video walls.
Measuring 2.9 x
3.01m in size, the first video wall uses 15 46” full HD ultra-thin bezel
backlit LCD display screens whilst the second is made up of 3 55” displays
covering 1.2m x 2.0m.
Find out more about
the project here.
Interactive
kiosks for Great St. Mary's Church, Cambridge
For more information on the range of products we have available or to find out more about the projects we've worked on, call us on +44 (0) 1480 411600 or visit www.displaysolutions.co.uk
Tuesday, 2 February 2016
Brendan O’Reilly appointed Commercial Manager of Display Solutions
Display Solutions is pleased to announce the appointment of Brendan O'Reilly to the newly created position of Commercial Manager.
In his new role, Brendan will play a key role in the supply chain and management of existing suppliers as well as introducing new suppliers to enhance the Company's product range. Brendan will continue with his Account Management role as well as managing and developing the internal sales and technical support team.
Commenting on the appointment, Managing Director Cheng Yoe said: “Brendan joined the Company in 2003 and has made a valuable contribution in the direction and growth of the business in the last decade. I'm sure you will join me in wishing him every success in this new and challenging role.”
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