Symbol Technologies And Partners Orchestrate The Future At Retail Solutions 2001

Symbol Technologies has united with its business partners to showcase a broad range of wireless and mobile solutions at Retail Solutions 2001 this year. Highlights include the introduction of a small enough to hang on a keying; and a demonstration of a new that services customers on the retail sales floor and simultaneously wirelessly controls inventory behind the scenes.

New Products

Portable Shopping System™

Much more than just a self-checkout system, the latest version of Symbol's ™ uses Symbol's IEEE-802.11 standards-based technology to seamlessly link shopkeeper and shopper. For the first time, it is possible to interact with customers and influence their purchase behaviour while they are still in the aisles through offers and discounts, via the scanner at the point of decision.

PCI Card

Based on the IEEE 802.11b open standard for wireless local area networking, the Spectrum24® High Rate (HR) is a wireless network interface card for PC and PC-compatible devices with a PCI interface. The plugs into desktop computers and cash registers, providing high-throughput, Ethernet speed connectivity to vital network resources, including price and promotional files for retailers and office applications such as email and Internet/Intranet access. It also eliminates the need for costly rewiring when your IT requirements change, delivering enhanced flexibility for kiosks in airports, museums and other environments.

CB 1000 Client Bridge

Symbol's 802.11 and 802.11b (WiFi™) wireless standards-based client bridge for and wireless LAN infrastructures are at the Show. The , when installed with Spectrum24 wireless LAN adapters, extends wireless connectivity to normally wired equipment, such as POS systems, printers, scales and manufacturing machinery, through industry-standard Ethernet or serial port connections.

CS 1504 Consumer Memory Scanner

This tiny scanner attaches to a keyring and enables customers to capture bar codes on retail merchandise, create a shopping list, purchase an item or link to the web for more product information. When used with an Internet/intranet store kiosk, the doubles as an in store mobile shopping tool.

New 360º scanners

The Magellan® SL™ SlimLine Scanner/Scale is part of Symbol's new family of full 360-degree scanners. Compact, versatile and reliable for high volume PoS environments, it sets a new standard for supermarkets, hypermarkets and mass merchandisers.

On-the-Spot Customer Service with Symbol's MicroKiosk™ MK 1000

The MK 1000 is the latest advance in interactive, automated customer self-service terminals from Symbol. The new device is designed to enable shoppers to obtain up-to-date prices, product description, frequent shopper and special promotional price information simply by scanning the item's bar code.

The MK 1000 is designed to be mounted on a shelf or pole for convenient consumer access. The device can also be used as 'billboard' to feature text messages and graphics promoting seasonal sales and forthcoming events.

The Tough VRC 7900 Makes Its First Appearance

Also making its UK debut during Retail Solutions is Symbol's series of Vehicle Radio Computers, specifically engineered for maximum durability and designed for use in the demanding environments of the distribution centres and factory floors.

The new terminal enables operators to capture data on the factory or warehouse floor and wirelessly download it in real time to a host computer. Fast two-way communications enable work instructions and information updates to be exchanged quickly, speeding up processes and bringing productivity gains.

Partners

Underlining its commitment to offering solutions through 'best of breed' collaboration, Symbol has devoted the majority of its stand to a 'Partner Village'. In the Partner Village, Symbol associates demonstrate their areas of special expertise. Partners represented include: Ingenico, Jade Communications, KTP, Peak Technologies, Texas Instruments, Torex Retail, Unipower, Versatile Mobile Systems and Zetes-Blackbird.

Jade Communications and Ingenico (Mobile PoS)

Demonstrating mobile PoS applications, Jade Communications and Ingenico will be demonstrating a unique restaurant ordering device that will lighten the load for waiting staff and enhance customer service.

Called , the handheld computer with integrated payment facility has been developed by two of the UK's leading technology companies. It will provide a secure, quick service for customers while simultaneously ensuring a more cost effective and efficient turnover of 'covers' for restaurateurs. combines high security payment software from Ingenico, Europe's leading manufacturers of payment terminal systems, cutting edge mobile computing technology from Symbol Technologies and will be distributed through systems integration company Jade Communications.

KTP (RFID - Radio Frequency Identification)

KTP is a systems integrator with particular expertise in bar coding and RFID (radio frequency identification), systems integration, bar coding and labelling and printing. At Retail Solutions, KTP will be demonstrating its in-store, portable bar code labelling solution for pricing goods as used by a major high-street fashion retailer.

Peak Technologies (Stock Audit)

Peak Technologies, a Moore Company, provides supply chain execution solutions and service support to customers across the globe helping them to significantly increase revenues and reduce costs.

Peak's solutions include Warehouse Management Systems, Wireless Data Capture, ERP Integration Software and Services and Bar-code Printing Solutions all of which allow customers to collect and act on information about their manufacturing, warehousing and distribution operations as it relates to the supply chain. To support these solutions Peak is able to offer and support innovative hardware and software products through close partnerships with leading technology companies.

Texas Instruments

Texas Instruments RFID Systems is a leading developer and manufacturer of field-proven radio frequency identification (RFID) solutions used in a broad range of applications worldwide. TI RFID became the first multi-national semiconductor company to market RFID Systems in 1991.

Torex Retail

Torex Retail is a leading UK provider of IT solutions and system integration services to retailers, leisure and hospitality operators and distribution businesses.

Torex Retail delivers proven systems for EPoS, in-store, back office, head office and warehouse management, as well as performance management, customer counting, e-commerce, hospitality, merchandising and knowledge management solutions. At the Show, Torex Retail demonstrated Visual Store mobile PoS.

Unipower (e-Commerce)

Unipower Solutions invents and delivers innovative and compelling technology solutions to retailers.

Unipower will be demonstrating its leading-edge, internet-enabled retail solutions (including its gift-registry solution) running on the latest Symbol handheld devices and Retail 5, Unipower's powerful and scalable out-of-the-box e-Commerce solution.

Versatile Mobile Systems (Mobile Commerce Solutions)

Versatile Mobile Systems provides mobile commerce solutions that enable multi-national organisations to manage wireless data, allowing integration of sales, marketing and logistics processes to drive revenue and improve operational efficiency. Versatile's customers benefit from reduced costs, improved productivity, control of key individual & business metrics and standardised business processes.

At Retail Solutions, Versatile Mobile Systems will demonstrate its "Delivery Director" application for managing and tracking customer deliveries; and its "Sales Supervisor" Java-based application.

Zetes-Blackbird (Supply Chain Solutions)

Zetes-Blackbird will demonstrate a range of solutions on the Symbol Partner Village at Retail Solutions based on the wireless and mobile computing technologies. The applications being demonstrated deliver inventory and ordering solutions for the whole retail business, from the distribution centre to the Point of Sale, building on the benefits that the latest technologies can deliver.

The Show sees the launch of the NiFTy product tracking system, which maximises the accuracy of barcode label scanning and usage of data produced to deliver enhanced visibility of goods moving through the supply chain.

Zetes-Blackbird will also be running a Hospitality Ordering system and Quality Assurance demonstration; a application developed with linking to a Sales Order Processing system; and linking to the stand of one of its business partners to communicate wirelessly with a supply chain, store and e-commerce system for large retail store chains, mid-size and independent retailers.