NEW YORK — Jan. 17, 2012 — This week at the National Retail Federation Annual Conference and EXPO (NRF), intelligent systems for retail were demonstrated by Microsoft partners across a range of solutions, from point-of-sale interactions to back-office analytics. These solutions illustrate the opportunity for retailers to respond nimbly to changes in the market, drive greater efficiencies in their processes, and provide customers with a shopping experience that is personal, seamless and differentiated from those offered by competitors.

Microsoft partners including Intel, Motorola, Fujitsu and NEC demonstrated retail solutions that show the opportunities offered by intelligent systems solutions that are customized to meet the specific needs of retailers. Many of the solutions on display are actually in place in retail stores; others are in the pilot stage or will be deployed in the coming months. All of them are evidence that the future of retail is here today.

Intelligent Systems at NRF

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Cosmetics Retailing Gets a Makeover with Intel and Macy’s

Intel and Macy’s are changing the cosmetics buying experience with Macy’s Beauty Spot, a touch-screen kiosk built on Windows Embedded Standard 7 that displays products, specific looks and how to create them, and detailed purchasing information. The technology is in four stores already and rolling out to a total of 10 pilot sites. New York, Jan. 17, 2012.

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Shoes Race Out the Shop Door with Intel and Adidas

At Adidas Oxford Street in London, Adidas and Intel deployed a touch screen built on Windows Embedded Standard 7 showing features of the AdiZero TRX shoe and the miCoach SPEED_CELL technology. During pre-order the display tracked shoes as they sold out. In two weeks, the London store sold as many shoes as three other stores did in six weeks. New York, Jan. 17, 2012

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Empowering the Supermarket Cashier with Fujitsu

Fujitsu is raising the bar for supermarket point of sale with the GlobalSTORE POS Solution. The kiosk running Windows Embedded POSReady 7 shows cart contents and streamlines payment. The cashier terminal enables scanning or category search. A help feature lets retailers customize scripts to lead cashiers through checkout and customer service. New York, Jan. 17, 2012

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Saving Space and Energy with NEC Flat-Panel Displays

The NEC X551S 55-inch flat-panel display uses LED illumination for a thinner, mercury-free display using less power than other LCD screens. It can run 24x7, ideal for use in settings such as airports. NEC’s analytics for digital signage used with the Windows Embedded platform and Kinect for Windows were a hit at the Microsoft CES booth last week. New York, Jan. 17, 2012

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Customers Get Out of Line with Motorola Handheld Devices

Motorola’s handheld devices running Windows Embedded Handheld enable retailers to go mobile, powering ordering, purchase authorization, payment and receipt printing anywhere in the store. Sales associates can perform age verification at bars and restaurants and help customers complete their purchases without making them wait in long lines. New York, Jan. 17, 2012

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Trying on the Virtual Dressing Room with FaceCake

FaceCake demonstrates a virtual dressing room using Windows Embedded with Kinect for Windows to show how clothes look on a customer without the hassle of undressing or searching for other sizes. Customers can use the Kinect interface to browse through product categories, select items to try on, and share the look with friends for a second opinion. New York, Jan. 17, 2012

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Previewing Products with Samsung SUR-40 for Microsoft Surface

The Samsung SUR-40 for Microsoft Surface offers multitouch exploration of products through PixelSense technology, which lets the LCD panels see without the use of cameras. Customers can compare products, dive deep into features and manipulate images. The 80-pound screen can be installed in custom furniture or wall-mounted to fit the retailer’s needs. New York, Jan. 17, 2012

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Future of Retail Is Here with Microsoft Intelligent Systems

Microsoft retail solutions built on Windows Embedded enable retailers to deploy end-to-end technology solutions that showcase their products, streamline the purchasing experience for shoppers, and build customer loyalty and engagement. New York, Jan. 17, 2012

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