Global RFID solutions provider SML has launched its Retail Ideation Space in Plano, Texas, aimed at allowing retailers to learn about and test some of the latest developments that are at the convergence of operations, inventory and customer service.
The Plano facility houses the headquarters for SML’s RFID software solutions development and will also be the primary location for RFID solutions development. In addition, the centre will host solution ‘Academy’ workshops to help retailers and brand owners work through the tailoring of technologies, processes, and integrations.
Meanwhile, the Plano Retail Ideation Space includes a number of item-level inventory management and customer experience technologies including SML’s range of RFID-enabled Inspire tags and its enterprise-grade Clarity software solutions. The centre will have thousands of tagged items for testing across a wide spectrum of distribution centre and store use-cases. It also includes a Packaging and Trim Ideation Studio to support direct hands-on collaboration around the design options and tradeoffs of innovative packaging and trim offerings.
“By deploying software solutions to thousands of retail stores and delivering billions of encoded RFID tags to retailers, we have learned that if we can assist in an agile engagement process with these retailers we can help them achieve ROIs faster and with less risk,” said Dean Frew, chief technology officer and senior vice president of RFID Solutions at SML. “In the RIS retailers will experience complete immersion in various technologies, directly aiding their digital transformation and will be able to accurately assess how adopting these technologies can be simply applied to their business.”
The Ideation Space will include technology from SML’s partner ecosystem including Microsoft, Bluebird, Impinj, NXP, Zebra and others.
“Our team has worked closely with some of the largest most innovative retailers in the world to develop and deploy solutions that support remarkable ROIs. We are always innovating and will highlight and demonstrate our latest developments and test them with retailers across a spectrum of use cases in the RIS,” added Frew.
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By GlobalDataSML plans to open two additional ideation spaces this year in the UK and in China to further support retail customers around the globe.
