IBM launches AnyPlace kiosk model for small retailers

10 June 2008

Global IT giant IBM has rolled out a new IBM AnyPlace kiosk model in India. This would enable IBM clients to provide an increased number of self-service options to their customers. Rahul Bindal, Vice-president, Systems & Technology Group, IBM India said that the new platform will be an ideal solution for small independent retailers and departments of large enterprises to use for a variety of entry-level kiosk applications.

The AnyPlace kiosk will give access to small retailers to benefit from affordable and advanced technology, which previously, was limited to large enterprises. The kiosk will be equipped to use in various verticals such as food-service, gas and convenience retail businesses, travel, transportation, hospitality and healthcare.

The Anyplace Kiosk is designed with an energy-efficient VIA processor and chipset and built-in power management capabilities to help clients reduce power consumption and run essential applications without delay. IBM has also incorporated other key elements in the system such as Remote management agent, Windows embedded point-of-service and AnyPlace POS Hub.Presently, around 50 retailers across the world are using the IBM store integration framework.

The new AnyPlace kiosk is first-of-a-kind self-checkout technology that allows consumers to shop for and check out purchases practically anywhere in a store. This new self checkout solution raises the bar for consumer self service options, giving retailers built-in flexibility, improved customer service and a new tool for building customer advocacy for their brands. Small to midsized retailers can, using the IBM Anyplace Kiosk,  now offer a fast, convenient checkout 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.

The IBM AnyPlace Checkout system expands the proven and successful IBM Self-Checkout family by extending the capability of when and where retailers can offer self-service transactions. This first-of-its-kind unit is the second major offering in an aggressive IBM consumer services campaign, and joins a growing portfolio of IBM and Business Partner self service offerings that span multiple industries, including retail, hospitality, travel and transportation.