IBM Corp. has announced a new self-checkout system that allows customers to check out from just about anywhere in a retail environment. This new self-checkout solution, dubbed the IBM AnyPlace Checkout system, gives retailers built-in flexibility, improved customer service and a new tool for building customer advocacy for their brands.
Designed for small businesses and large enterprise departments, the kiosk combines the compact footprint of the IBM AnyPlace kiosk with the capabilities of IBM self-checkout software.
Small to midsized retailers now can offer a fast, convenient check-out system for small orders, including those in specialty, drug and convenience store environments. Large retail operations can complement front-end self-checkout with stand-alone placement of these units within grocery areas such as deli, floral or prepared foods, as well as departments of large stores and hospitality retailers.
IBM designed this technology in an effort to find additional meaningful ways to interact with consumers, said Fredrik Carlegren, IBM's self-service marketing manager.
"We want to ensure we work with retailers to provide a shopping experience that customers are looking for," Carlegren said.
Many times customers go into a store looking for one or two items. These smaller self-checkout units placed throughout the store will allow those customers to get in and out more efficiently, he said.
A completely new self-checkout design, the IBM AnyPlace Checkout system offers retailers new features and enhanced flexibility, making it easy for consumers to scan and pay for their items quickly. This new self-checkout unit offers a variety of hardware and software enhancements that include:
- Small Footprint: Designed with the IBM AnyPlace kiosk at its core, this unit offers one of the smallest self-checkout footprints available, making it attractive for grocers and other businesses that have limited floor space.
- Customized Enclosures: Offers flexibility to utilize a variety of enclosures including customized designs by IBM Global Technology Services or third party vendors that match a retailer's "look and feel."
- Cashless: These units offer credit/debit payment options only, which speed transactions by eliminating the time it takes to accept and dispense bills and coins, as well as lower the chance of shoppers forgetting their change.
- Manageability: A component of IBM Store Integration Framework, the Remote Management Agent enables retailers to achieve end-to-end store systems management of retail devices and applications alongside traditional IT deployment. Across the enterprise, retailers can configure and monitor the system remotely, distribute software, track assets and determine and diagnose problems.
The IBM AnyPlace Checkout will be available May 23 and is approximately half the price of a traditional self-checkout system.
IBM also announced a new release of software to help speed the self-checkout process and a new state-of-the-art entry-level kiosk. The entry-level AnyPlace Kiosk that can be used for a variety of kiosk applications or as a compact point-of-sale. This entry-level kiosk unit comes with an energy-efficient processor and built-in power management capabilities that allow clients to reduce power consumption and run essential applications quickly and reliably. It is geared toward specialty, food service, gas and convenience retail businesses and is tailored for use across multiple industries such as travel and transportation, hospitality and health care. IBM also announced that approximately 100 business partners have joined its Self-Service Alliance Program. Since its introduction last September in conjunction with the IBM Consumer Services Initiative, business partners representing 11 industries, 18 solution areas and 17 countries have signed up to help develop, market and distribute IBM self-service solutions worldwide, helping extend IBM leadership in self-service across multiple industries. In just eight months, the IBM Self-Service Alliance program has grown into one of the largest business partner ecosystems focused on self-service for multiple industries, including pharmacy, banking, government and manufacturing. The program represents nine new countries, including Israel, Malaysia, Romania and Guatemala.
