Fujitsu and Samsung Showcase New Retail Software for Wearables at NRF 2017

NEW YORK, Jan. 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Fujitsu today launched an innovative software solution that creates a two-way, secure and collaborative digital communication platform between Fujitsu U-Scan® Self-Checkout (SCO) or Fujitsu Fresco™ Point-of-Sale (POS) touch-screen systems and Samsung wearable devices¹. Promoting an unmatched level of staff responsiveness and overall store efficiency in grocery, convenience and retail environments, the patent-pending software is being demonstrated on Samsung Gear Smartwatches, alongside the portfolio of industry-leading Fujitsu retail solutions. Booth #3905 at the National Retail Federation's (NRF) Big Show at New York City's Jacob K. Javits Center from January 15-17.

"So many communication systems in retail rely on outdated technology, and they're ready for digital disruption," said Marc Janssens, head of the Retail business at Fujitsu America, Inc. "We're confident that our wearable alerts platform and collaboration with Samsung are going to transform corporate communications from the front-end to the warehouse. We're already seeing significant interest from retailers who want to be the first to offer exceptional customer experiences through automation and hyper-connected staff."

"We have long seen retail as one of the top industries that can benefit from wearables integration into its workflow. For many retail operations, wearables create the perfect link from back-office efficiency—operations oversight, workforce management and business intelligence—to front-office productivity and customer satisfaction, including easy access to actionable data and hands-free technology," said Eric McCarty, vice president, product marketing, Mobile B2B, Samsung Electronics America.

Boosts Staff Responsiveness
The innovative software allows retail staff – from cashiers to managers to stock clerks or other employees – to handle their core duties, while also having hands-free access to important alerts and messages that ensure the entire store is operating smoothly. The software pushes alerts, either automatically or manually, from SCO and POS units to Samsung Gear Smartwatches for a variety of scenarios such as when a price check or override is needed; when sensitive items – propane to power tools – are purchased and need to be retrieved from a locked case; or to verify age for purchasing alcohol or tobacco products.

The alerts sent to the Samsung Gear generate a haptic, hard-to-ignore notification with action-oriented details, which are prioritized to ensure the staff member addresses the most pressing issues first. Actions that require physical input today, such as manager overrides or age verification needs, can now be remedied directly on the wearable. In addition, if personal customer assistance is needed, the staff member can send a notification to the customer or cashier letting them know that help is on the way. To further streamline communication, these notifications can be sent based on role, whether that is just to a manager, a stock clerk or back office personnel.

Digitizing Communication
The new software also eliminates the need for antiquated intercom systems, which are notoriously unsecure. Leveraging Fujitsu's wearable alerts systems, staff members can be discreetly notified to handle sensitive tasks, like replenishing a register with cash or restocking items that are kept in locked environments. In addition, the software utilizes QR barcodes, which allows employees to access secured management functions within an application like the Fujitsu Fresco or U-Scan application.

All two-way communication and the Samsung Gear Smartwatches are secured² by Samsung Knox™, a leading mobile security solution that provides a secure environment for corporate data and apps for Samsung Galaxy devices.

Notes to editors
¹Compatible with select devices using Android 4.4 and later with at least 1.5GB RAM. Supported devices may vary by carrier and device. Some features may be limited on some non-Samsung Android devices. For a list of compatible smartphones, please visit: samsung.com/gearS2.

²Two-way communication: Samsung Gear connected to Fujitsu systems via in-store encrypted Wi-Fi. Data on Gear secured by Samsung Knox Tizen Wearables. (Samsung Knox Tizen Wearables secures work data by offering real-time kernel protection, HW Root of Trust, Trusted Boot, and SE for Tizen).

Online resources

• More information about Fujitsu Retail Solutions: http://www.fujitsu.com/us/solutions/industry/retail/
• Read the Fujitsu blog: http://blog.ts.fujitsu.com
• Follow Fujitsu on Twitter: https://twitter.com/FujitsuAmerica
• Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fujitsu-america
• Find Fujitsu on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fujitsu/
• Fujitsu pictures and media server: http://mediaportal.ts.fujitsu.com/pages/portal.php
• For regular news updates, bookmark the Fujitsu newsroom: http://ts.fujitsu.com/ps2/nr/index.aspx
• More information about Samsung Business solutions for Retail: http://www.samsung.com/us/business/by-industry/retail/
• Read more in-depth Samsung Business coverage at https://insights.samsung.com/industries/retail/

Media contacts
Fujitsu America, Inc.
Bryan Hollar
408-746-6412
Bryan.Hollar@us.fujitsu.com

Finn Partners
Andrew Corcione
415-249-6775
andrew.corcione@finnpartners.com

About Fujitsu
Fujitsu is the leading Japanese information and communication technology (ICT) company, offering a full range of technology products, solutions, and services. Approximately 156,000 Fujitsu people support customers in more than 100 countries. We use our experience and the power of ICT to shape the future of society with our customers. Fujitsu Limited (TSE: 6702) reported consolidated revenues of 4.7 trillion yen (US$41 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016. For more information, please see http://www.fujitsu.com.

About Fujitsu Americas
Fujitsu America, Inc. is the parent and/or management company of a group of Fujitsu-owned companies operating in North, Central and South America dedicated to delivering the full range of Fujitsu products, solutions and services in ICT to our customers in the Western Hemisphere. These companies are collectively referred to as Fujitsu Americas. Fujitsu enables clients to meet their business objectives through integrated offerings and solutions, including consulting, systems integration, managed services, outsourcing and cloud services for infrastructure, platforms and applications; data center and field services; and server, storage, software and mobile/tablet technologies. For more information, please visit: http://solutions.us.fujitsu.com/ and http://twitter.com/fujitsuamerica

Fujitsu and the Fujitsu logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Fujitsu Limited in the United States and other countries. U-Scan is a trademark or registered trademark of Fujitsu Frontech North America Inc. in the United States and other countries. Fujitsu Fresco is a trademark or registered trademark of Fujitsu America, Inc. in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks referenced herein are the property of their respective owners. Information provided in this press release is accurate at time of publication and is subject to change without advance notice.

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SOURCE Fujitsu America, Inc.