CASIO POCKET PCS ENABLE EFFECTIVE QUEUE BUSTING WITHIN WHSMITH
Handheld solution means WHSmith cuts queue waiting time
According to WHSmith business systems manager Mark Bramwell, this solution is already helping to cut waiting time dramatically: Feedback so far from staff and customers has been enthusiastic and we are reducing customers time at the till by about half. Our market and customer research has shown that in the past shoppers have perceived queuing as a barrier to either coming into the store in the first place or to buying anything once they are there. It is one of our strategic goals to change this perception.
Casio rugged Pocket PCs are being used in an initiative by WHSmith to cut queues in 25 of its most successful stores. The solution, which was developed in only seven weeks so that it could be implemented in time for Christmas shoppers, has cut average transaction time at the check-outs by 50 per cent. The application has been particularly wellreceived by staff who find the Casio handheld technology easy to use and are now suggesting spin-off benefits based on their experience. They have found that they can also use the Pocket PCs to check price enquiries and product files and there are plans to extend its functionality to include checking and monitoring stock levels and suggesting alternatives when certain products are out of stock. The solution also provides up-sell opportunities. For example, whenever greetings cards are sold, staff are prompted to remind customers to purchase a stamp. In this instance, stamp sales were up by 10%. On the strength of such positive results from the trial, Bramwell is confident that WHSmith will continue the deployment of Microsoft mobile devices: "The response to this has been overwhelming. Our aim is to increase the number of devices to many other stores. There are also plans to include checking and monitoring stock levels to the solution so that staff can suggest alternatives when certain products are out of stock. Full wireless mobile payment is also an option to explore in the near future."
"Research showed that 1% of WHSmith customers leave instore queues after joining them, and a further 2% of customers opt never to join a queue. Above all, we wanted to reduce the average transaction time of 2 minutes and 10 seconds."
The Cassiopeia IT-700 features a rugged design and is drop resistant to a height of 0.75 metres and water resistant. It has two CompactFlash slots, which can be used for RF networking, a barcode scanner or extra memory. The WHSmith application utilises the bar code scanner to capture product data, and a Zebra Cameo printer to print the receipt.

The IT-700

The challenge:
As part of an initiative to improve customer service measures, WHSmith wanted to drastically reduce instore queuing times. During peak periods, queue lengths vary drastically, as the pass-through rate of 'quick purchase' customers is very high. WHSmith therefore needed a solution which could be implemented quickly in order to allow store assistants to support the busy checkout staff and also to discourage people from leaving the stores in frustration.

WHSmith is one of the UK's leading retail groups incorporating market leading companies in retail, publishing and news distribution. The Group has 1,464 stores world-wide, 30,747 employees in 12 countries and sales of some 2.9bn.

The solution:

Running the NSB queue busting application, the Casio IT-700 is a wireless barcode scanning Pocket PC with colour touch screen and numeric keypad. This is linked with a portable 2D barcode receipt printer from Zebra Technologies, worn on the belt. The IT-700 was ideal for the solution as the Microsoft Pocket PC software was easily customisable and the device is also rugged making it suitable for heavy use. While the customer is queuing, the products can be scanned from their shopping basket and bagged, thus removing this part of the process from the point-of-sale. The customer is issued with a ticket, which is then handed over at the point-of-sale for speedier payment transaction. The ticket is scanned once by the till operator and the payment is made. The queue busting solution was implemented in record time and offers WHSmith greater flexibility to deal with busy periods.
The queue busting technology is currently being used at WHSmith stores at Brent Cross, Birmingham, Liverpool, Croydon, Meadowhall, Kingston-upon-Thames, Cribbs Causeway, Watford, Bluewater Park, Exeter, Reading, Thurrock, Cheltenham, Guildford, Chester, Trafford Park, Gateshead Metro, Newcastle, Bath Union Street, Nottingham, Solihull, Romford, Southampton, Sheffield and Portsmouth.

The benefits:

The flexibility of the solution reduces queue times, increases customer satisfaction More information is available at point of purchase Secure transactions are made across wireless LAN, scalable to future IT infrastructures Saves sales transaction time by 50% As much as 12% more customers processed giving up to 1% sales uplift Off-the-shelf application allows for faster implementation Intuitive, easy-to-use interface means staff training time on the solution is under two hours, which is especially important with the high number of part-time staff employed over busy periods For customers, the prospect of standing in a long queue in a shop is incredibly frustrating, particularly when making a small purchase. As part of its customer satisfaction processes, UK retailer WHSmith regularly monitors queue dynamics in its high street outlets. Each store sells a large number of quick-purchase products such as newspapers, magazines, and stationery, as well as more considered products such as books, CDs and videos. WHSmith found that during busy periods, customers who were put off by the length of the queues at the till would often leave the store without buying anything.
Mobile EPOS is just one type of application already in use on the Cassiopeia range of Pocket PCs. Casio along with selected partners, can offer a wide range of hardware and software solutions including bar-code scanning and data capture, field force automation, sales force automation and transportation applications.

About Casio Electronics Co Ltd:
Casio Electronics Co Ltd is the UK subsidiary of Casio Computer Co Ltd and is a major manufacturer of industrial handheld computers and other corporate and consumer electronics products. The Mobile Technology Division is dedicated to the provision of business-changing solutions, offering a range of products suited to applications for a wide range of industries such as transport and retail. Visit www.casio.co.uk/mobility for more information.

About Zebra:

Zebra Technologies delivers innovative and reliable on-demand printing solutions to businesses and governments the world over. Zebra is one of the leading global providers of thermal bar code label and receipt printers, card printers, RFID smart label printer/encoders, supplies, label design/integration software, and the widest range of thermal printer connectivity and networking solutions. Visit www.zebra.com for more information.

About The NSB Group:

The NSB Group offers enterprise-wide software solutions for multichannel retailers. In Europe, the company operates as NSB Retail Systems, with regional offices located in Birmingham, Theale (Reading), and Watford. The NSB Group operates in North America under the name STS, an NSB Company, and is headquartered in Montreal, Canada, with satellite offices in Atlanta, Columbus, Indianapolis, New York, San Diego, and Whippany (New Jersey). Today, the NSB Group boasts more than 350 client installations across North America and Europe. Visit www.nsbgroup.com for more information.

Press Contact:

Spark Communications Kewal Varia Tel: 8612 Email: kewal@sparkcomms.co.uk

Casio Electronics Co Ltd

Mobile Technology Division Unit 6, 1000 North Circular Road London NW2 7JD Tel: 9131 Email: enterprise@casio.co.uk

SPECIFICATIONS

IT Series
Display Size Display FSTN liquid crystal, 4-scale monochrome, touch panel display

IT-70LS

IT-700LS

IT-70LSRF

240 x 320

IT-700LSRF

Hyper Amorphous Silicon TFT colour liquid crystal, 65, 536 colours, touch panel display
FSTN liquid crystal, 4-scale monochrome, touch panel display
A Revolutionary Range of Ruggedised Pocket PC Terminals for Industry
Operating System CPU Memory-RAM Memory FROM Laser Serial Port Infrared Port Card Slot Power Supply Battery Life Standard (1,550mAH): approx 10 hours, High capacity: (3, 100mAH) Approx 20 hours
Microsoft Windows CE v3.0 Pocket PC VR4122 (150MHz) 32MB 16MB (mostly available for storage and application programmes) 100 scans per second (visible Laser Diode) RS232C IrDA 1.1 CompactFlash card Type I/II Lithium-Ion Battery (2 types) Standard (1,550mAH): approx 5 hours, High capacity: (3, 100mAH) Approx 10 hours Standard (1,550mAH): approx 5 hours, High capacity: (3, 100mAH) Approx 10 hours Standard (1,550mAH): approx 3.5 hours, High capacity: (3, 100mAH) Approx 7 hours
Combining Microsofts powerful Pocket PC Operating System with practical rugged design, the IT scanning products are also available with R.F. Functionality (Radio).
Familiar Microsoft Pocket PC OS - an open platform High resolution 65,536 colour screen ideal for graphics (mono also available) Ruggedised design - water and shock resistant Fast Bar code laser scanning - 100 scans per second RF LAN/wireless ready integrated Spread Spectrum RF Long life battery enables longer shifts Encryption features for total security of data Takes CompactFlash Type II - for memory and hardware expansion Various levels available with/without RF and Laser Typical applications include inventory control, merchandising and proof of delivery
Operating Temperature Shock Resistance Water Resistance Size (mm) Weight (g) Approx 350 Approx metre drop 0.75 metre drop
-5C to 50C 1 metre drop IPX(W) x 165 (L) x 28 (H) Approx 360 Approx 370 0.75 metre drop

Radio Frequency

Network Data Rate Antenna Range Frequency Type n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a IEEE-802.11b standard 11Mbps Internal embedded Up to 300m 2.4GHz Spread Spectrum
RF models can be used with any compatible RF network access points. Casio recommends the Cisco Aironet 340 series of access points. Full details can be found at http://www.aironet.com/products/in_building
MOBILE TECHNOLOGY DIVISION
Casio Electronics Co. Ltd,
Unit 6, 1000 North Circular Road, London NW2 7JD email: enterprise@casio.co.uk www.casio.co.uk

Making Technology Mobile

WHY USE A CASSIOPEIA IT TERMINAL?
Designed specifically for the exacting demands of the corporate market place, the Cassiopeia IT Range adds bar code scanning, wireless LAN connectivity and ruggedised portability to the Pocket PC. One of a family of Casio products based around the Microsoft Pocket PC operating system, companies can develop their own mobile applications taking advantage of the familiarity and support of the Microsoft Windows operating system. The IT series allows internet or network access as well as multimedia via a powerful 65,536 colour screen. Cassiopeia allows the mobile worker to be fully empowered with up to date company information and data as never before, at the point of activity.
HIGH RESOLUTION COLOUR SCREEN
The use of a 65,000 full colour display on the IT-700, IT-700LS and IT-700LS RF greatly extends the range of , corporate applications. For example, in a car production line, quality control engineers can monitor the assembly process at each stage by reference to a colour picture on the IT-700. Merchandisers and instore planners can similarly check the layout of a special promotion by seeing how it should be done accessing a colour picture on the IT-700's screen.

screen models.

PORTABILITY
The IT series' lightweight design and robustness truly provides the means to extend a company's traditional computing network out of the office and into the hands of the mobile worker. With all models weighing around 300g (including battery and integrated RF models) these terminals can be carried and handled for very long operational shifts without fatigue. Their compact design allows them to fit comfortably in a pocket, carry case or holster. Furthermore the slimline width of each model (the casing width is only 85mm) means that they can fit easily and comfortable into the palm of each user.
Both IT-70 and IT-700 can be easily upgraded to bar code laser scanning using Casio's original CompactFlash laser card and protective cover. This provides the perfect solution to those companies who do not have current requirements to track and trace but wish to expand their system to keep up with their changing future needs. Typical applications comprise inventory control, merchandising and proof of delivery.

RF WIRELESS LAN

IT-70LS RF IT-700LS RF IT-70RF and IT-700RF are all supplied , , with a completely integrated 2.4GHz spread spectrum radio frequency (RF) transceiver. This is compliant to the IEEE802.11b open standard. Consequently, both models are wireless-ready out of the box for wide area network (WAN) connectivity. So both models can be seamlessly integrated into any IEEE802.11 network. Rapid response times are assured with a transmission speed of up to 11Mbps. A host of Pocket PC terminal emulation software developed by third party software houses provide a fast, reliable and low-risk method to extend the use of portables into warehouses which were previously the preserve of immobile mainframe terminals. These wireless-ready models are particularly appropriate for warehouse, logistics quality control and production control applications.
RUGGEDISED DESIGN FOR DURABILITY
The IT range can withstand outdoor usage and is water resistant. Each model has been tested to the demanding Industrial Protection level 2 designed to simulate exposure to driving rain conditions. Every main orientation has also been extensively tested by multiple dropping from a height of up to 1metre. This allows heavy duty use for point-of-activity data collection by field service engineers and field sales forces.

OPEN ARCHITECTUREPOWERED BY WINDOWS
Microsofts Pocket PC is supported worldwide by a vast network of software developers. To corporate users who plan to install mobile terminals into their workforce for the first time, the standard Microsoft Windows APIs and ease of data synchronisation and interfacing to their PC network and back office systems will be welcomed. Developers can fully utilise their existing knowledge of Visual basic and Visual C++ along with the Win32 application programming interface, ActiveX Data Objects, Extensible Markup Language (XML), Extensible Stylesheet Language (XSL) and Microsoft Message Queue Server. Third party tools are also readily available to create applications using the most appropriate architecture, client/server, thin-client or Web-based. An abundance of off-the-shelf corporate solutions software is already available. Additionally, some of the largest independent software vendors (ISVs) have already extended their solutions to target Pocket PCs.

SUPERB CONNECTIVITY

A range of accessories allows the IT series to be easily integrated into a network and to be used with a host of peripheral devices. An integrated IrDA interface enables wireless GSM connection supporting full Web browsing and e-mail. The same IrDA interface supports wireless printing via a host of third party portable belt printers. An optional cradle is also available which can be permanently connected and networked to a PC or host system. The user simply drops IT into the cradle to activate charging of the battery and initiate upload/download data communications.
STORAGE AND DATA PROTECTION
All batch models feature at least one type II CompactFlash slot. With CompactFlash cards becoming available with storage capabilities of up to 1GB, the mobile worker can carry large amounts of data should they need to. Casios own Multi-Dimensional Space Rotation (MDSR) encryption technology option protects confidential data. It enables such data to be transmitted and received securely. This robust technology ensures that should a CompactFlash card be lost, its contents can only be retrieved by a registered user of the IT series.

BAR CODE LASER SCANNING

IT-70LS and IT-700LS feature a 100 scan per second laser. This is one of the fastest on the market and ensures first time readability on poor quality and badly printed bar codes. Retail standard codes (such as UPC/EAN) together with industrial standard codes (such as Code 128, ITF Code 39 and Code 39) , are all fully supported.

CHOICE OF BATTERY SIZE

In addition to the standard rechargeable battery, a long-life rechargeable battery is also available, offering twice the operational usage time. This 3100mAh lithium ion battery ensures full shift operation even when using RF and the colour

EASY OPERATION

Touch panel input improves data entry speeds, as the user can be guided through the operation using graphical user interfaces (GUIs) or simple menu options selected by touch. Two side triggers allow convenient triggering of the bar code scanner if