News

HP debuts mobile POS solution

November 2, 2011

HP has launched a mobile point-of-sale solution for retailers. The HP Retail Mobile Point-of-Sale Case attaches to the HP Slate 2 Tablet PC, adding an integrated magnetic stripe reader (MSR) and a barcode scanner, according to a company press release.

Salespeople are able to complete customer transactions anywhere in the store, reducing long lines at fixed checkouts and boosting sales and productivity.

Retailers also can use the HP Slate 2's integrated Wi-Fi or Bluetooth wireless technology to check product availability, find alternate colors and styles, track orders and email customer receipts. The 8.9-inch screen also allows employees to share videos or inventory selections with customers.

"Providing customers with memorable, differentiated shopping experiences is a key to building loyalty and driving repeat purchases," said Ray Carlin, general manager and vice president of HP's retail solutions. "The HP Slate mobile POS solution achieves these goals by increasing the efficiency of the checkout process, engaging customers and offering better, more personalized services."

Coupled with the HP Slate 2, the HP Retail Mobile POS Case offers retailers:

• Bidirectional, three-track magnetic stripe reader that allows processing of credit, loyalty or gift cards.
• Advanced security in the MSR that can be used in encrypted or unencrypted mode and supports Triple DES encryption and DUKPT key management.
• 1-D and 2-D omni-directional barcode scanner that scans merchandise, coupons or ads.
• A choice of familiar Microsoft Windows 7 operating systems, including Windows 7 Premium and Windows 7 Embedded editions, making it easy for retailers to integrate the HP Slate 2 into their existing application and hardware infrastructure.
• A single, flexible platform that also can be used behind the scenes for gathering inventory, running reports and transmitting data wirelessly.

"The purchase of tablets for store employees is the biggest trend we are seeing in retail since the stores added Internet as retailers look for ways to help associates engage customers at a deeper level in the store," said Greg Buzek, president, IHL Group, a leading research firm for the retail industry. "An advantage of a Windows-based tablet, such as the HP Slate 2, is that it could provide a smoother integration with retailers' existing software infrastructure and applications, thus lowering their cost of adoption."

The HP Retail Mobile Point-of-Sale Case will be available in December in the United States and Canada.

Read more about self-service solutions.