New store IT infrastructure technologies

Some experiments in Store IT infrastructure

As part of my assignment with a leading hypermarket chain in India, we are exploring ways of using some innovative technologies in the stores to help the business in differentiating the store experience.

One of the areas which we are working on is the ability to connect the various devices in the store – POS, Scales, Kiosks using a network at the least possible cost to reduce the store CAPEX. As part of this initiative I am evaluating couple of technologies – wireless and one new innovative way of networking – running data over power cables. Running data over power cable  is not exactly new but I am using a patented technology by a Bangalore based startup – Unifiedgateways. Unifiedgateways has made this technology truly affordable and very easy to use. Imagine running all your data needs over your electrical cabling all over the store!

We have implemented this technology to network – POS machines, Scales and even streaming video in one of my client stores. In fact in the new store of that particular client this would be the predominant way of networking all the devices all over the store. This has helped us in reaching all parts of the store at the least possible cost. Imagine moving the scales to any part of the store and still being connected to the network or running streaming video on a kiosk anywhere in the store without having a network CAT 5/6 wire for the same. Connecting your security camera’s to the power line and getting connected… This is very useful especially in a store that is large. In this case my client’s has the hypermarket which is a 85,000 sq ft store. 

For the wireless I am working with the leader in wireless networking ARUBA networks. We have one concept 60,000 sq ft store already wireless in India. ARUBA has a robust proven PCI DSS compliant wireless network infrastructure. POS machines and scales are being evaluated on the wireless technology. Having the wireless network in place gives tremendous flexibility to relocate POS machines, Scales, Security, Kiosks in any part of the store. The same infrastructure can also be used for RFID enabled asset tracking.

Currently both these technologies are being evaluated in a concept store. The data over power cable is already stated to be rolled out as a secondary network option in the new 85,000 sq ft hypermarket coming up soon. Based on the production feedback the client would decide to incorporate this permanently in the new stores to come.