Daniel Eran DilgerApple began using EasyPay mobile retail terminals in its own stores back in 2005, originally using Windows CE devices running off the shelf Point Of Sale software. The program was deemed a success, even as employees characterized the devices as "are huge old ugly pieces of junk" that were frustrating to use.
Last year however, the company transitioned its retail staff to more reliable and easier to use iPod touch units, fit into a sled that provided a bar code scanner and credit card reader and running a custom iOS app.
This holiday season, Apple is working with the Gap to roll out the same units in its Old Navy apparel stores, according to a report. The site said a Gap spokesperson confirmed that it "was piloting Apple's iPod-based POS system at a few of our Old Navy stores."
Apple's iOS-based EasyPay package is reportedly being branded "ZipCheck," and is designed to print receipts wirelessly to retail store printers at fixed locations in the store, or to belt-mounted mini printers that retail employees can wear.
Apple's use of EasyPay-equipped retail staff has enabled the company to handle large volumes of customers in its retail outlets efficiently and flexibly without long lines queuing up behind fixed registers. If the handheld devices take off for other retailers, it has the potential to change how retail stores are laid out and staffed and improve how well stores can manage spikes in demand related to holidays and other special events.
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26 Comments
Very Cool
I wonder how big the market is...
I work at Best Buy in Pittsburgh, PA. We are testing the "Connected Store", and any employee can carry(but doesnt have to, its the employees choice) a mobile POS, which happens to be those iPod Touch's with Barcode scanner and card swiper. We also have iPads without any POS software, just for searching SKU's for prices and inventory and such.
'Zipcheck' very interesting idea and totally doable. Seems like it will benefit everyone from the store to the customer and make a better shopping experience.
Naturally, security will be the key to this launch. However I would think that Apple has this down pat before testing.
Apple brick & mortar stores are one of my least favorite shopping experiences. I think it's hilarious how they have shop assistants standing under a "genius" sign. What's next, waiters getting the Nobel Prize?
Very Cool
I wonder how big the market is...
The size of the potential market is huge. This sort of device could be useful in pretty much any retail store. The only question is whether the cost of deployment is worth the benifit. For a more service oriented retailer like Apple it almost certainly is. For a bulk retailer like Wal-Mart it probably isn't.