Early 2012, Casio released their new VX-100 EPOS terminal, which operates on the well-known Android™ smart-phone platform. At the time of launch, retail trade experts hailed this as an industry first to revolutionise high street retailing, and transform the EPOS terminal into a versatile and sophisticated sales and business management tool.
Since its launch many retailers have taken delivery of the VX-100 with impressive results. The Milkbar in London took delivery this summer. Eric Hiakita explains “One of the great benefits of deploying the Casio VX-100 system is the ability to have more product detail available – breaking a menu item into its individual constituents. It also means that via just-in-time ordering, which used to be done manually at the end of each day, we can monitor perishable stock levels accurately and ensure that our customers have only the freshest items available“.
The VX-100 is a compact EPOS terminal equipped with a colour main display with full-touch screen operation, a sub-display that is great for showing information to customers, and a built-in thermal printer to generate receipts. The VX-100 is designed for use in SME retailing stores, and works as both a standalone system and as part of a fully networked system.
The government recently published research on the state of the British high street, showing that a third of high streets are ‘degenerating or failing’. The same report predicts that by 2014, less than 40% of retail spending will be on the high street, losing out to out-of-town retail locations and the internet. Casio shows just how important effective marketing of any retail business is today with another new user of the Casio VX-100, Hammant from Courtesans, keen to expand use of the VX-100 EPoS solution for email and SMS marketing to existing and new customers. Hammant explains that “marketing has changed dramatically in the past few years. We used to rely on walk-bys to attract new customers, now with the power of the Internet and platforms such as Android, we literally have the power at our fingertips to create and manage a community of customers and offer them promotions. The advances are literally revolutionary.”
The Casio VX-100 hardware platform features a large 10.4 inch SVGA colour LCD with a rugged splash proof touch panel. The viewing angle of this LCD has an electronic adjustment, allowing the perfect position to be set by the operator. An integrated pop-up monochrome LCD shows clear customer information, and can be used for advertising messages, the running receipt total and payment confirmation. An additional benefit to the user is a built-in 80mm receipt printer, with easy to use drop-in paper loading. The Android™ platform results in a boot-up time faster than PC based EPOS solutions available today. First-time system configuration is also much easier and faster to set-up for a new operator.
Since its launch earlier this year, The Casio VX-100 has been installed within a wide range of retailers, each using bespoke software designed for each retail vertical. This includes food retailing, family bakeries, clothing and more recently jewellery shops. All with very impressive results.
One customer using Fashion Master software from Casio ISV partner DGCS explains “our customers love the way we can tell them that they bought last time they were in the shop and what items would complement them. For a boutique independent retailer, this facility is invaluable”.
A further addition in summer 2012 was the launch of their new cloud services Casio Business Portal and the V-T500 Tablet, their first Android™ platform tablet computer. The cloud services portal can be accessed through www.casiobp.co.uk The Casio Business Portal offers retailers limitless opportunities to take advantage of Android’s application-based platform. The business portal will provide retailers with on-demand, low-cost Apps and services, as well as the opportunity to trial applications and to roll-out on with a phased programme.
Current app developments include mobile phone receipts instead of paper receipts, electronic discount vouchers and SMS marketing direct from the local EPoS device. Remote management of the VX-100 point-of-sale terminal can be achieved from anywhere in the world using automated email access. Signing up to the Casio Business Portal allows a retailer to consider a packaged hardware and software solution, which is tailored specifically to their retail store requirements. Combining this with direct access to a wide choice of software integrators will provide a very versatile solution that can develop and grow with the retail business. Benefits of the new business portal from Casio include
• Providing retailers with more, on-demand, low-cost apps and services
• A versatile solution with mobile hardware taking the POS to the consumer
• Minimal initial investment with a low Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)
• Retailers can add new applications when required, and as budget is available
• Special customer promotions for upselling and attachment sales
• Promotes customer loyalty and sales growth
• It decreases operating costs and increases bottom-line profits
Casio has made some great new product innovation in 2012.
Casio
Email: bsd@casio.co.uk
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