Next-Generation Self-Checkout Debuted by NCR

NCR Corporation, a global technology company, today announced a next-generation self-checkout solution which will provide consumers with a smoother self-service experience and will further enhance the convenience of self-checkout to other retail environments.

Headquartered in Dayton, Ohio, NCR Corporation assists in how the world connects, interacts and transacts with business. NCR's assisted and self-service solutions and comprehensive support services answer the needs of retail, financial, travel, healthcare, hospitality, gaming, and public sector organizations in more than 100 countries.

 

"Since self-checkout was first deployed more than a decade ago, the way consumers prefer to shop has changed drastically," said Richard Arnold, vice president of retail industry marketing for NCR.

 

"Now, more than ever, consumers are demanding self-service as a way to save valuable time and gain convenience. In fact, NCR estimates that 2.5 billion consumer transactions were performed via NCR FastLane self-checkout in 2007, with strong transaction growth expected for 2008 as more retailers install NCR FastLane and as more consumers use self-checkout when they shop,” Arnold added.

NCR FastLane now features an improved, compact design that allows the device to be deployed beyond high-volume retail and grocery environments into other formats, such as department stores, convenience stores, pharmacies and more. Costumers are able to scan, bag, and pay for goods by themselves using cash, debit or credit, including the increasingly popular contact-less payment cards.

The newest design is also easier to use for consumers, which cash inputs and outputs being arranged side by side to allow for user-friendly payment transactions. Also, "follow-me" lighting blinks at various points on the device to guide consumers through each step of the checkout process.

 

In addition, NCR FastLane is now equipped with the NCR RealScan 78OFX bi-optic scanner and scale, which helps make self-checkout scanning quicker and more accessible for consumers. The eye-catching LED Scan Advisor on the top of the scanner provides intuitive visual feedback to the user, and is particularly helpful for hearing-impaired individuals.

The solution's enhanced design also provides operational efficiencies for retailers. NCR FastLane now supports standard integrated coin recycling, as well as the option for integrated bill recycling. Recycling allows the cash and coins consumers insert during a purchase to later be issued as change. This function enables retailers to invest fewer resources in cash management and requires less currency at the beginning of daily operation. It also provides consumers with the convenience of receiving cash back at the self-checkout without any additional cash replenishment burden for the retailer.

Finally, NCR FastLane includes a variety of features that support retailers' commitment to the environment. NCR Two-Sided Thermal Receipt Printing is now a standard feature in each unit, which allows for simultaneous printing on both sides of a thermal paper receipt, reducing paper consumption by up to 40 percent. This can result in less energy being consumed during paper production and distribution, as well as reduce waste, air emissions and wastewater.

 

In addition, NCR's self-checkout application supports reusable "green" bags by allowing shoppers to place their own bags in the bagging area without alerts. NCR FastLane also utilizes low-energy compact fluorescent bulbs in the lane lights.

The next-generation NCR FastLane will debut in the United States, United Kingdom and European countries, and will extend to approximately 20 additional countries will through 2009.

NCR FastLane is supported by a complete suite of services designed to achieve a faster return on investment and increased customer satisfaction. Successful self-service implementations begin with proper installation followed by ongoing lifecycle support leveraging maintenance and help desk services that maximize system availability.