Sydney, July 20, 2005
For the first time in Australia, retailers will see a live demonstration of wireless shopping technology set to eliminate supermarket checkout queues and change retailer customer service at the Retail Business Technology Expo from 20-22 July.
At the Expo, held at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Fujitsu Australia will recreate a supermarket aisle demonstrating its new U-Scan Shopper, an 'intelligent' shopping trolley that lets customers scan their own products, download personalised shopping lists, pre-order special items such as delicatessen food from inside the store, and receive discounts based on their loyalty program status with the retailer. All managed from a simple touch-screen on their trolley.
Integrating shopping technology
The new wireless shopping technology is the latest development in Fujitsu's range of U-Scan self-service products which demonstrate Fujitsu's integrated approach to reaching customers in stores. U-Scan is the world's most widely used self-checkout system.
"Self-service technologies such as kiosks, self-scanning and electronic shelf labels are well established in Australia," says Marcus May, National Retail Industry Director at Fujitsu Australia and New Zealand. "However, there is very little integration between the systems. Running these systems in isolation creates a lot of issues with data replication.
"It could take large retailers up to 10 days to change prices across all their stores in every device. With our integrated approach, prices can be changed nationwide within a day."
Digital media networks content now in 3D
The Retail Business Technology Expo will also host the Australian launch of Fujitsu's new 3D design technology for use with its locally-developed digital media networks product TELentice. Using 3D technology originally developed for the US military, marketers and retailers will be able to develop dramatic interactive 3D product and information messages and send these to devices on their digital media network - such as large store screens, kiosks and trolleys to reach customers in a new and engaging way. Fujitsu will demonstrate the 3D technology at the Expo with product messages projected from a 3D-capable LCD screen.
Integrated shopping on show
As part of the live supermarket demonstration area on Fujitsu's stand, Fujitsu will also display:
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OnePoS - a software application for in-store grocery, liquor, fuel and general merchandise channels
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Retail Directions - a point-of-sale and retail merchandising management software application for specialty retailers
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Corema - a suite of products that helps retailers to create, deliver and track loyalty programs and targeted offers and promotions
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Loss Prevention - a Fujitsu innovation that uses artificial intelligence to combat shoplifting and fraud
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Electronic shelf-labelling - an Australian-developed technology that allows retailers to display product prices on shelves electronically, with on-the-spot discounts beamed down from fluorescent lamps
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TeamPOS - a Windows-based hardware platform providing one of the most reliable and cost-effective point-of-sale solutions available
Fujitsu will also deliver two keynote addresses at the Expo: Vernon Slack, Director of Marketing, Mobile Solutions Division at Fujitsu USA, will discuss how retailers can integrate technologies such as smart shopping trolleys, self-checkouts and mobile devices with customer relationship management applications, and Howard Witherspoon, CEO TGI, will discuss the explosive growth in Digital Media Networks in retail stores, commercial environments and public space.
Over 200 exhibitors and more than 6000 visitors are expected to attend the 2005 Retail Business Technology Expo.
