” A UK-based research group predicts there will be 430,000 retail self-checkout terminals (self-checkouts) in use globally by 2014, four times the current number, and North America will account for more than half of the units.
The forecast is based on a study by Retail Banking Research, which said there were 92,600 self-service checkouts in use globally by the end of 2008, about 25 percent more than were in service at the end of 2007. The study focused only on self-checkouts used in supermarkets and other retail establishments.” Read the full story.
Andrea says: The self-checkout era has crept up on us all, whether you are pro or anti, it’s here to stay. You can find smart retail counter and checkout solutions in a plethora of industries now including retail (the big one), healthcare, airlines, hotels, libraries, businesses, government agencies and private service organisations. Not everyone likes the experience, especially when the kiosk or check-out is busy, but people are certainly becoming more confident and have the expectation that the service will be faster, and sometimes more favourable, than the alternative human being experience. Adoption of this technology in low labour cost areas of the world will be much slower due simply to the slower ROI. It’s not just about the cost of the equipment though, the implementation of this technology also requires a consultative element due to factors such as security, cash collection and replenishment, space and ergonomics, enhanced payment options, integrated electronic article surveillance, multiple language options and much more.
” Pennsylvania is preparing to test an unusual grocery store-based wine-selling kiosk, one that demands a photo driver’s license to establish age and then uses facial recognition to try and match the customer to that license image. The system also requires that the customer breathe into the kiosk and it will not complete the sale if it detects that the customer is already drunk.
The state’s Liquor Control Board has pledged that the kiosks will be watched through video cameras and will have the remote ability to prevent a sale if something looks suspicious. But Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell has ordered the plan halted, saying that he supports the idea but wants to investigate to see if the kiosks actually work. (This is why he’s governor and not a retail CIO. Cool technology should never have to pass the “does it actually work test” until after it’s been fully deployed. Silly politician.)” Read the full story.
Andrea says: So here we have a kiosk that can not only ‘read’, and probably speak, but it can ’smell’ as well! But that’s not sufficient, there is a surveillance camera watching over you and the kiosk as well with remote capabilities to prevent a sale if it suspects something is a little dodgy. If you’ve had a little too much to drink you can’t buy any more because a machine tells you so. It does seem like the big brother of self-service checkouts has just arrived.
Posted by andrea 21st August 2009 at 11:20am
