Five Technologies That Make Dynamic Retail Customer Engagement and Automated Operations a Reality

Five Technologies That Make Dynamic Retail Customer Engagement and Automated Operations a Reality

This IDC Perspective takes a closer look at IoT devices such as RFID, computer vision cameras, sensors, beacons, and Wi-Fi that are opening a new world of merchandizing and operational possibilities. The retail segment has exploded with new uses for technology that sits on top of edge computing platforms. At the core, devices — in conjunction with AI and machine learning — collect information in new ways and make use of that information in real time, connecting multiple data points about store conditions and customer preferences that were previously invisible and impossible to track manually. Retailers can use these technologies to prevent loss, manage inventory, bring about touch-free payment and self-checkout solutions, deliver location-based experiences and promotion, and optimize task management among employees. "Retailers now have the opportunity to take previously invisible data and make it actionable, in real time. We are only scratching the surface of how RFID, computer vision, beacons, sensors, and Wi-Fi will automate and optimize customer engagement and omni-channel operations. The power of seeing what can't be seen via RFID, sensors, Wi-Fi, beacons, and video technology will be a fundamental component of insight-driven omni-channel retail going forward," says Leslie Hand, group vice president, IDC Retail and Financial Insights.

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