NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–NRF 2023 — VMware, Inc. (NYSE: VMW) today introduced a new solution to help global merchants modernize their point of sale (POS) and unlock greater financial value from their POS systems. Developed in collaboration with Stratodesk, a VMware retail ISV partner, the new VMware Retail POS modernization solution extends the lifecycle of current POS systems to deliver tangible ROI, reduce security risks, increase store uptime and improve customer experience. With the VMware Retail POS Modernization Solution, store operators, large and small, can modernize customer-facing POS systems while minimizing their technology debt.
Retailers have the opportunity to accelerate digital transformation through advances in cutting-edge technology that help them evolve to an agile cloud and software-defined architecture. In this way, key retail IT and POS challenges related to implementation, management, security and continuous updates in large numbers can be solved. The VMware Retail POS modernization solution combines VMware’s enterprise-class virtual desktop infrastructure and unified endpoint management software with Stratodesk’s endpoint operating system to enable a more agile, modern and secure point-of-sale service.
“Retail is one of the most expensive and complex environments in which to do business. Changing market dynamics have created a new opportunity for POS systems to become a hub of innovation, a driver of retail business priorities and a driver of improved financial performance for retailers of all sizes,” said Deborah Weinswig, CEO, Coresight Research. “Virtualizing existing POS systems and adding multi-cloud support enables retailers to deliver more modern and flexible environments, while helping to eliminate the large capital expenditure required to upgrade POS terminals.”
Driving results for key stakeholders across the retail organization
With the VMware Retail POS modernization solution, operations, IT, marketing and security teams are positioned to gain greater agility and responsiveness to drive key business, customer and IT outcomes. These targeted outcomes include:
- Extend the life cycle of hardware: decoupling POS hardware and software with VMware virtualization software and Stratodesk’s NoTouch OS can extend the lifecycle of POS devices beyond the typical 3-5 year period and drive significantly better ROI.
- Maximize uptime / continuous operations: retailers can patch and update critical systems such as payment controllers as they would any other software-defined workload, enabling uninterrupted operations that positively impact both the bottom line and customer experience.
- Better security POS environments: security organizations can automate the deployment of patches and security updates to more quickly mitigate overall security risk. Moving to a software thin client on POS devices further reduces the organization’s threat.
- Brand extension and services: Retailers can create a “Store-In-A-Box” scenario where hardware and software systems can be pre-configured, delivered to stores and up and running within hours, in line with the rest of the organization. Marketing teams can leverage new technology-enabled service offerings to engage customers and more quickly implement and update store analytics solutions to drive better understanding of customer behavior through advanced metrics.
- Mobile POS and Pop-up stores: moving workloads to a retail edge platform or to the cloud of choice allows retailers to dynamically expand their footprint and leverage mobile kiosks and hand-held devices for “line shooting” without retraining staff to use unfamiliar software solutions.
- Simplified IT management and operation: Retail IT can use the orchestration and analytics tools they have the expertise to use in their data centers to manage previously isolated systems. Application updates are managed centrally and automated by VMware Retail POS solutions through the cloud of the user’s choice.
“The point of sale is no longer just the last point of customer engagement; it is the driver of business processes. Retailers cannot afford to be constrained by legacy POS systems that hinder the execution of retail strategies,” said Ed Durbin, senior director of retail industry solutions at VMware. “The VMware Retail POS Modernization Solution enables global retailers to implement and support a system that leverages current investments in retail POS technology to enable a modern customer experience aligned with business strategy.”
“The VMware Retail POS modernization solution with embedded Stratodesk NoTouch software enables retailers around the world to embrace modernization initiatives and improve customer experience,” said Emanuel Pirker, Founder and CEO of Stratodesk. “Regardless of the kiosk, high street or store, businesses can create the same modern retail experience through the Stratodesk endpoint suite and deploy and repurpose standardized terminals using the hardware of their choice.”
Built on proven VMware and Ecosystem Partner Technologies
The VMware Retail POS modernization solution leverages VMware’s proven end-user computing and cloud technologies and VMware partner solutions that retail IT teams already use across the business. The solution includes:
- VMware Horizon: connects the POS terminal to the virtualized desktop and application desktop and more securely reconnects the peripherals that are physically connected to the POS terminal. These include receipt printers, barcode scanners, cash drawers and credit card pin pads.
- VMware Workspace ONE: cloud device management that improves security hygiene and enables automated application management and delivery to POS systems;
- Stratodesk NoTouch OS and management software: enables POS terminals to run a more secure and well-maintained OS that is centrally managed and easily updated;
- Multicloud and Edge Compute: VMware Edge Compute Stack or any public cloud provides compute and management services for workloads that increase security and agility.
New research from Coresight reveals the key drivers of retail technology investment
New research by Coresight and commissioned by VMware reveals that retailers can realize business gains through technology solutions, such as moving to the cloud, which allows them to turn fixed costs into variable costs, access nearly unlimited computing power, and develop new products faster. function and easy. However, the cloud is sometimes not enough—retailers also need to deploy computing power closer to physical stores, also known as edge technology, to improve security and provide faster response in time-sensitive functions such as image recognition. Ultimately, retailers need a software platform that determines which actions should be performed in the cloud and which actions are best performed locally. Read the full report here: “Retail Challenges Driving Technology Investments.”1
Additional funds
About VMware
VMware is a leading provider of multi-cloud services for all applications, enabling digital innovation with enterprise control. As a trusted foundation for accelerating innovation, VMware software gives businesses the flexibility and choice they need to build the future. Headquartered in Palo Alto, California, VMware is committed to building a better future through the company’s 2030 Agenda. For more information, visit www.vmware.com/company.
1-“Retail Challenges Boost Edge Technology Investment,” Coresight Research, January 2023.
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