[Editor's Note: This is the second of two roundup reports focusing on the annual NACStech technology event. See Related Content below to read Part 1.] NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Predicting the future is more about setting a fixed point on the horizon and aiming towards it, said a former New York Times columnist and closing speaker at last week's NACStech conference and trade show.
"You may not get there directly," said Michael Rogers, a New York City-based technology author and futurist. "But it's somewhere to shoot for."
Before about 600 attendees at the closing session of the three-day conference last week, he said five trends are developing: Consumer devices appearing "everywhere," wireless becoming ubiquitous, intelligence in "the cloud," digital standards and digital "personalities."
With all types of devices, wireless connectivity and standards accelerating the adoption of technology use, he predicted change will happen quickly. One of the examples he spoke of were futuristic eyeglasses (joking of the future "iGlasses") that when worn would overlay digital information before the eyes of users. He envisions people with these glasses walking along with their hands in front of them, manipulating the digital options before them.
He also spoke of super computers housing enormous amounts of data, with one experiment in particular involving medical information. In that test, a virtual physician in a corner drug store could conduct an initial diagnosis for a walk-in customer.
From 3-D glasses to 3-D television where viewers won't need special glasses, the conference and trade show provided much insight into retailer demand and upcoming trends:
- A three-dimensional TV shown at the KickBack Rewards System, Twin Falls, Ind., booth on the trade-show floor lengthened the viewing time of the average customer from five seconds to up to 90 seconds, said company officials. Displayed images showed rotating bottles of beer and cartoon airplanes seemingly floating in front of the TV screen.
- Integration between devices--such as point-of-sale (POS) registers and display signs--and advancing technologies for mobile payment and cashier upselling will continue, said James Hervey of VeriFone Systems Inc., Clearwater, Fla.
- Data movement and access to it has become a priority for retailers, said Aaron McHugh, division director of PriceAdvantage from Skyline Products, Colorado Springs, Colo. He said compliance to data-security mandates has brought the industry to a place where data manipulation from a variety of devices, including price signs and POS will be standard.
- Developing the ability to accept mobile payment is critical for retailers, said a spokesperson for Isis, the New York City-based mobile-wallet alternative. Isis was exhibiting in the Gilbarco Veeder-Root booth, with the two companies promoting a partnership. Through Isis and other technological modifications, the Greensboro, N.C.-based Gilbarco will be able to accept mobile payment (see video link below). The exhibitor also demonstrated its tie to loyalty provider KickBack.
- A "stacker bag" for safes was a feature for Tidel Engineering, Carrollton, Texas, which stacks notes into a plastic deposit bag. A heat-sealing mechanism packages the money, creating a cost savings for retailers, according to Ed Grondahl, executive vice president of global sales. A new removable door in that model allows access to validator heads, helping employees clear jams and cutting down on service calls.
- So-called "managed networks" or services that build and monitor electronic networks are gaining in popularity now that costs and bandwidth are aligning favorably, said Dirk Heinen, CEO, Acumera Inc., Austin, Texas. With more and more companies competing for retailer business, he said that customer service can be a differentiator.
- Some networking companies are evolving. Dan Glennon, senior vice president of marketing and strategy, Cybera, Franklin, Tenn., said his company is focusing on network security, providing solutions via the cloud.
- Movement to item-level tracking is helping retailers create efficiencies and get a more on-hands feel for what customers want, said Melissa Fox Hadley, retail solutions manager for The Pinnacle Corp., Arlington, Texas. "The big thing is to get people within the [retail] chain on board," she said. "Discipline is needed to track item-level movement."
- Retailers are focused on controlling costs in a very competitive environment, said Bruce Bates of PDI, Temple, Texas. Along with other exhibitors on the trade-show floor he suggested retailers take a very hard look at item-level inventory. "The sessions offered at NACStech pertaining to this topic were well attended," he said. "PDI is well positioned to offer its customers the technology base to support this … way to [better] manage the store environment."
Retailers today stand at the cusp of a commercial revolution, Rogers said. He told the story of Russian author Leo Tolstoy, who at an old age was able to view an early silent film. Rogers said Tolstoy felt regret that he was unable to take advantage of this new way of storytelling. Referring to today's technology, Rogers said, "This is our challenge; It's happening on our watch."
Click here to view a brief video of trends and highlights from NACStech, and click here to view a slideshow of photos from the tradeshow floor.
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