Fujitsu unveils U-Scan self checkout at RBT 2003
Announcement posted by Fujitsu Australia Limited 13 Aug 2003
Australian retailers got their first chance to see the latest in U-Scan technology the most popular self-checkout systems in the world at Retail Business Technology (RBT) 2003.
Designed as an alternative to express checkouts, U-Scan offers self-scanning, self payment and even cash out for shoppers in a hurry, said Marcus May, General Manager Retail, at Fujitsu Australia.
With over 9,000 systems installed in North America alone, U-Scan has the largest installed base in self-scanning checkout technology. Its customer list reads like a Whos Who of retailing, and includes such names as Wal-Mart, Kroger and Safeway.
Research from the IHL Consulting Group predicts that by 2005, 95 per cent of all North American grocery chains in will be using some form of self checkout, and the system is likely to be trialled soon in Australia.
We expect to see over two thousand self-scan lanes in Australia within a couple of years, said May.
The EFT-only U-Scan terminal allows customers to self-operate all normal checkout operations, including cash-out, but reduces footprint by restricting payment to credit and debit cards only. With over 70 per cent of retail payments in Australia currently tendered via EFT this compact, cash-less terminal is slated to attract strong interest.
The system is intelligent enough to learn about new product sizes, weights and other factors, such that cheating the system is very difficult. The U-scan stations also incorporate built-in video cameras to enable a central operator to oversee multiple checkouts to provide customer service or security support.
Further, the U-Scan solution incorporates software specially designed overcome the difficulties of dealing with items that are off a stores item master file. This includes unique smart integration programming to minimise the time and cost of integrating U-Scan units with existing point-of-sale software.
Not only does the U-Scan system take up less space in the store (approximately half that required for a conventional checkout) it enables retailers to re-deploy operators and increase customer satisfaction by letting them check-out at their own pace.
U-Scan is the ideal solution for customers wanting to avoid queues. Surveys indicate that 80 per cent of customers using self-scanning like the service, said May. We also see it as an ideal solution for service stations and convenience stores.
Notes to Editors
Fujitsu Australia Limited
Fujitsu is a global leader in information and communications technology solutions. Throughout Australia and New Zealand Fujitsu is recognised as a leading systems integrator and services provider. We deliver complex infrastructure systems and services, and business and telecommunications solutions, as well as offering access to a wide network of partners. From the desktop to the data centre; multi-vendor procurement to prime contracting; consulting to systems integration, Fujitsu has earned a reputation as the single supplier of choice for leading corporate and government organisations. Visit au.fujitsu.com for further information
Fujitsu Australia Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fujitsu Limited of Japan.
About Fujitsu Limited
Fujitsu is a leading provider of customer-focused IT and communications solutions for the global marketplace. Pace-setting technologies, highly reliable computing and telecommunications platforms, and a worldwide corps of systems and services experts uniquely position Fujitsu to deliver comprehensive solutions that open up infinite possibilities for its customers success. Headquartered in Tokyo, Fujitsu Limited (TSE:6702) reported consolidated revenues of 4.6 trillion yen (US$38 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2003. For more information, please see www.fujitsu.com.
Designed as an alternative to express checkouts, U-Scan offers self-scanning, self payment and even cash out for shoppers in a hurry, said Marcus May, General Manager Retail, at Fujitsu Australia.
With over 9,000 systems installed in North America alone, U-Scan has the largest installed base in self-scanning checkout technology. Its customer list reads like a Whos Who of retailing, and includes such names as Wal-Mart, Kroger and Safeway.
Research from the IHL Consulting Group predicts that by 2005, 95 per cent of all North American grocery chains in will be using some form of self checkout, and the system is likely to be trialled soon in Australia.
We expect to see over two thousand self-scan lanes in Australia within a couple of years, said May.
The EFT-only U-Scan terminal allows customers to self-operate all normal checkout operations, including cash-out, but reduces footprint by restricting payment to credit and debit cards only. With over 70 per cent of retail payments in Australia currently tendered via EFT this compact, cash-less terminal is slated to attract strong interest.
The system is intelligent enough to learn about new product sizes, weights and other factors, such that cheating the system is very difficult. The U-scan stations also incorporate built-in video cameras to enable a central operator to oversee multiple checkouts to provide customer service or security support.
Further, the U-Scan solution incorporates software specially designed overcome the difficulties of dealing with items that are off a stores item master file. This includes unique smart integration programming to minimise the time and cost of integrating U-Scan units with existing point-of-sale software.
Not only does the U-Scan system take up less space in the store (approximately half that required for a conventional checkout) it enables retailers to re-deploy operators and increase customer satisfaction by letting them check-out at their own pace.
U-Scan is the ideal solution for customers wanting to avoid queues. Surveys indicate that 80 per cent of customers using self-scanning like the service, said May. We also see it as an ideal solution for service stations and convenience stores.
Notes to Editors
Fujitsu Australia Limited
Fujitsu is a global leader in information and communications technology solutions. Throughout Australia and New Zealand Fujitsu is recognised as a leading systems integrator and services provider. We deliver complex infrastructure systems and services, and business and telecommunications solutions, as well as offering access to a wide network of partners. From the desktop to the data centre; multi-vendor procurement to prime contracting; consulting to systems integration, Fujitsu has earned a reputation as the single supplier of choice for leading corporate and government organisations. Visit au.fujitsu.com for further information
Fujitsu Australia Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fujitsu Limited of Japan.
About Fujitsu Limited
Fujitsu is a leading provider of customer-focused IT and communications solutions for the global marketplace. Pace-setting technologies, highly reliable computing and telecommunications platforms, and a worldwide corps of systems and services experts uniquely position Fujitsu to deliver comprehensive solutions that open up infinite possibilities for its customers success. Headquartered in Tokyo, Fujitsu Limited (TSE:6702) reported consolidated revenues of 4.6 trillion yen (US$38 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2003. For more information, please see www.fujitsu.com.