TOKYO — March 9, 2012 — In the Shinjuku ward of Tokyo, tourists and commuters pour through the world’s busiest train station and spill out onto skyscraper-lined streets that pulsate with vivid neon and electronic signs — making New York’s Times Square look sedate in comparison. A short train ride away, RetailTech Japan, Japan’s biggest retail trade show, offered a similarly dazzling display this week as thousands of visitors converged on the Tokyo Big Sight International Exhibition Center to view the latest technology solutions for the retail industry, including intelligent systems offered by Microsoft and a range of partners.
Intelligent Systems at RetailTech Japan
| 17 |  |  |
Pioneer on Surface SUR40
Offering trailblazing new retail experiences, Pioneer Electronics’ offerings are being shown on the Samsung Surface SUR40 solution makes it easy for consumers to shop and compare products on a convenient touch screen.
Show Floor at RetailTech Japan
At RetailTech Japan, which took place March 6–9 at the Tokyo Big Sight International Exhibition Center, thousands of visitors viewed displays and demonstrations of the latest retail technology solutions in the Asia Pacific region. More than 200,000 visitors were expected to attend the four-day event. Tokyo, March 6, 2012
Sharp RZF302C
Microsoft associate Sharp showed off the versatility of its RZF302C handheld device, including solutions for gift wrapping, menu and stock display. The RZF302C is powered by Windows Embedded Compact 7. Tokyo, March 6, 2012
Panasonic JT-H320HT
Panasonic’s brand new JT-H320HT is a ruggedized yet lightweight handheld device ideal for retail scenarios, enabling scanning and purchasing without being tied to a cash register or sales desk.
NEC Digital Sign
Powered by Windows Embedded Standard, NEC’s cutting-edge digital signage makes it possible for retailers to customize displays based on the audience demographic.
Fujitsu Store
Fujitsu’s store technology solutions include retail-proven hardware products designed for retailing environments. Fujitsu’s line of retail point-of-sale products drives down costs and increases productivity to help retailers gain a competitive edge.
Intel Vending Machine
Intel’s high-tech vending machine, powered by Windows Embedded technology, has a 65-inch high-definition (HD) display that remains transparent to clearly display products to buyers. The scaled-up touch screen functions with the familiarity of a smartphone, minus the distracting graphics. In their place, subtle animations such as flying birds add beauty while maintaining the transparency of the touch-manipulated window.
As retailers seek to provide more personalized service to customers and realize greater value from their businesses, intelligent systems offer a way to gather real-time customer data and transform it into insight and action. Through networks of specialized devices, back-end servers and powerful software, companies can gain a better understanding of customer behavior and nimbly respond to new demands and opportunities. According to IDC,* more than a third of the worldwide revenue growth in intelligent systems by 2015 will come from Asia Pacific — projected to be the fastest-growing region for the intelligent systems market — and the region will account for more than one-fourth of the embedded systems volume in the region and 70 percent of the revenue.
The RetailTech Japan exhibit floor was focused on devices — not surprising in light of the region’s dominance in manufacturing. Touch screens, tablets, scanners and point-of-sale kiosks placed product and purchase information in the hands of consumers and sales staff, while Microsoft Surface units enabled the exchange and capture of data from a range of Windows Phones and enterprise handheld devices. Microsoft partners demonstrated a range of solutions built on Windows Embedded and other Microsoft technologies, all designed to help retailers respond to changes in the market and create a distinctive, personalized shopping experience for their customers.
* Worldwide Intelligent Systems 2011-2015 Forecast: The Next Big Opportunity, September 2011