Curbside Pickup
Analysts say this new channel is here to stay because of the convenience and safety it offers. Technologies that make curbside work well include:
NETWORK REQUIREMENTS:
Seamless cloud access, an SD-WAN network and robust Wi-Fi are critical to ensure a fast, frictionless experience.
Mobile devices for associates, and
Outdoor displays for customer communication.
•
•
BOPIS / BORIS
Buy Online-Pickup in Store and Buy Online-Return in Store are critical to delivering omnichannel convenience, but they must be efficient. Technologies such as:
Digital display for customer communication streamline the process.
Fast and seamless connectivity to order info improves the customer experience.
•
•
BOPIS Locker
Automated lockers allow for fast, unattended order pickup for retailers and their strategic partners, speeding customers on their way.
Automated lockers for self-serve order pickup
•
Grab & Go Tech
Customers can run in to pickup a meal, a phone charger or other high-demand necessities and skip the checkout line with digital payment, using technologies such as:
Smart vending, sensors
NFC payments
•
•
Seamless Cloud Access
SD-WAN Network
Robust Wi-Fi
NETWORK REQUIREMENTS: Robust Wi-Fi enables use of portable associate tablets and flexible digital signage, while consistent app performance and seamless cloud access ensures quick customer transactions. An SD-WAN ensures consistent performance across connection types.
Seamless Cloud Access
SD-WAN Network
Robust Wi-Fi
Consistent App Performance
NETWORK REQUIREMENTS: Simplified management allows for easier integration of new technologies and straightforward ongoing operation. Seamless cloud access and SD-WAN ensures customers can always lookup online orders via kiosks or smartphones to open locker doors.
NETWORK REQUIREMENTS: Orchestrating the complexities of a fast, unattended sale requires seamless cloud access, SD-WAN, world-class security and simplified management.
Self-Serve Lanes
Consumers’ growing appetites for fast transactions is driving more retail formats to adopt technologies that get them out the door quickly, using technologies such as:
Self-scan systems
Self-payment and loyalty systems
•
•
NETWORK REQUIREMENTS:
In addition to seamless cloud
and an SD-WAN, self-checkout demands consistent app performance to support successful customer interactions.
Frictionless Checkout
The “just walk out,” unattended retail model epitomized by Amazon Go appeals to consumers dissuaded by checkout queues. This model requires:
No-contact NFC, voice-based or QR payment Sensors, analytics, computer vision
•
•
NETWORK REQUIREMENTS: Frictionless checkout is highly demanding on the network, requiring strong security, consistent app performance, and simplified management in addition to seamless cloud access and a high-performance SD-WAN to achieve a fast, seamless customer experience.
Robotics
Retailers are turning to robots to bring consistency, lower labor costs and novelty to a range of functions, from inventory management to cleaning to customer service. This requires:
Stationary or mobile robotic platforms
Computer vision, voice computing, and sensors
•
•
NETWORK REQUIREMENTS: Operating robots requires an always-on connection via Wi-Fi, seamless cloud access and an SD-WAN to work properly across all store areas.
Seamless Cloud Access
SD-WAN Network
Simplified Management
Seamless Cloud Access
SD-WAN Network
Strong Security
Simplified Management
Seamless Cloud Access
SD-WAN Network
Consistent App Performance
Seamless Cloud Access
SD-WAN Network
Robust Wi-Fi
Seamless Cloud Access
SD-WAN Network
Strong Security
Simplified Management
Consistent App Performance
RFID
Retailers are increasingly using RFID for instant, accurate inventory tracking and item location on the floor and in the backroom, particularly in apparel and footwear. RIFD use involves:
RFID readers and transponders
•
NETWORK REQUIREMENTS: RFID requires Wi-Fi and simplified management to connect the RFID reader devices and transmit location data to monitoring systems.
Simplified Management
Consistent App Performance
Associate Mobile
Consumers express a strong preference for associates using mobile devices so they can provide a better customer experience. Applications range from customer service to clienteling to mobile POS to operations tasks. Technologies include:
Smartphones and tablets
•
NETWORK REQUIREMENTS: Supporting mobile workers means ensuring robust Wi-Fi, an SD-WAN and app performance to prioritize essential traffic wherever their jobs take them.
SD-WAN Network
Robust Wi-Fi
Consistent App Performance
Smart Mirrors
Smart mirrors and virtual fitting rooms bring customization, personalization and a gee-whiz experience to trying on clothes. Retailers drive additional sales by offering endless aisle inventory and accessories. Technologies include:
Smart/magic mirrors
•
NETWORK REQUIREMENTS: This technology requires robust Wi-Fi, seamless cloud access, and consistent app performance to connect the mirrors, access new data for viewers, and create a vibrant customer experience.
Consistent App Performance
Seamless Cloud Access
Robust Wi-Fi
In-Store Customer Apps
Smartphones are increasingly part of the in-store shopping experience, enabling customers to navigate to the items they want, receive personalized offers, view content, transact payment and more. This involves:
Customer identification systems
Integrated loyalty systems
Geo location
•
•
•
NETWORK REQUIREMENTS: Ensuring a positive customer experience with smartphones inside the walls of the store requires robust Wi-Fi, an SD-WAN network, consistent app performance and seamless cloud access to respond to customer needs in real time.
Seamless Cloud Access
SD-WAN Network
Robust Wi-Fi
Consistent App Performance
Interactive Displays
Kiosks and other interactive displays enable retailers to provide a wide range of content to enhance the customer experience, from promotions to endless aisle to loyalty enrollment to rich media about products. The addition of sensors, microphones and cameras and analytics enable even richer uses. This requires:
Digital signage
•
NETWORK REQUIREMENTS:
To perform properly, interactive displays demand robust Wi-Fi, seamless cloud access and consistent app performance.
Consistent App Performance
Seamless Cloud Access
Robust Wi-Fi
Real-Time Store Monitoring / Shopper Tracking
Real-time store monitoring helps retailers detect traffic patterns for marketing and operations execution, so they can provide a more responsive customer experience.
Overhead sensors
Computer vision
Geo location
•
•
•
NETWORK REQUIREMENTS:
To gain visibility to the store floor, real-time store monitoring solutions make use of robust Wi-Fi, consistent app performance and an
SD-WAN network.
SD-WAN Network
Simplified Management
Robust Wi-Fi
Ensuring You Have the Infrastructure for Innovation
An experienced, well-qualified Managed Services Partner like Hughes delivers the efficient, reliable and flexible enterprise digital infrastructure retailers need to support tech-enabled shopping in 2020 and beyond, so retailers can focus on their customers and their business.
Curbside Pickup
BOPIS / BORIS
BOPIS Lockers
Grab & Go Tech
Self-Serve Lanes
Frictionless Checkout
Robotics
RFID
Associate Mobile
In-Store Customer Apps
Interactive Displays
Real-Time Store Monitoring / Shopper Tracking
Smart
Mirror
TOP
