Tech Viewpoint: SPECS 2019: Three ways IT does ‘more with less’ in physical retail
Technology permeated the sessions at the SPECS Show 2019 physical retail conference.
Earlier this week, Chain Store Age hosted the 55th annual SPECS Show for retailers involved in the planning, design, construction and maintenance of stores and restaurants. Sessions throughout the conference included a heavy focus on technology.
In particular, SPECS expert speakers focused on how advanced technology solutions can help harried retail professionals in areas like facilities management, maintenance, and construction “do more with less.” As physical retail executives are presented with shrinking budgets and growing responsibilities, technology enables them to stay on project and within costs.
Here are three specific areas of physical retail where IT provides the tools to achieve more goals while cutting and/or avoiding costs.
Drone is where the heart (of site evaluation) is
Site evaluation is a traditionally time- and cost-intensive, but necessary, part if facilities management. Retailers need to assess the physical condition of structures, roofs, HVAC system, parking lots, and other infrastructure for reasons ranging from routine maintenance to due diligence of potential acquisitions.
Automated, unmanned drones can help retailers avoid considerable labor hours and wages by flying over physical sites and performing detailed aerial imagery from a variety of angles, perspectives, and heights. Thermal imaging cameras can help assess how well heating systems are working. Drones do not eliminate the need for trained human observers to carefully inspect physical infrastructure, but can significantly lighten the workload.
Getting smart about trash
The dumpster is not traditionally a hotbed of technical innovation. However, in today’s tech-driven world, even dumpsters are becoming smart devices.
With the costs and regulations of municipal waste disposal continually increasing, along with volumes of waste being produced, it is critical that retailers know exactly what they are disposing of, and in what quantity. Dumpsters are now coming equipped with a variety of cameras and sensors that help retailers keep continuing track of their waste streams.
For example, some dumpsters feature cameras that provide retailers with an accurate, real-time view of what materials are in their dumpster, and how close waste is to the fill level. In the not too distant future, artificial intelligence (AI)-equipped cameras and sensors will help tip off retailers of any materials that may be contaminated or pose other disposal issues.
Maintenance improvements are in store
AI-based cameras and sensors are not just for the dumpster. They can also help retailers streamline the process of physically maintaining stores. If a light is out, or a spill occurs, or some other maintenance-related issue or hazard occurs, smart sensors can automatically detect it and instantly place a work order to have it remediated.
As a result, fewer maintenance personnel can effectively cover more store issues, or existing maintenance workers can be made more efficient in how they do their jobs. Either way, the store environment will function in a safer, more aesthetically pleasing manner.
Earlier this week, Chain Store Age hosted the 55th annual SPECS Show for retailers involved in the planning, design, construction and maintenance of stores and restaurants. Sessions throughout the conference included a heavy focus on technology.
In particular, SPECS expert speakers focused on how advanced technology solutions can help harried retail professionals in areas like facilities management, maintenance, and construction “do more with less.” As physical retail executives are presented with shrinking budgets and growing responsibilities, technology enables them to stay on project and within costs.
Here are three specific areas of physical retail where IT provides the tools to achieve more goals while cutting and/or avoiding costs.
Drone is where the heart (of site evaluation) is
Site evaluation is a traditionally time- and cost-intensive, but necessary, part if facilities management. Retailers need to assess the physical condition of structures, roofs, HVAC system, parking lots, and other infrastructure for reasons ranging from routine maintenance to due diligence of potential acquisitions.
Automated, unmanned drones can help retailers avoid considerable labor hours and wages by flying over physical sites and performing detailed aerial imagery from a variety of angles, perspectives, and heights. Thermal imaging cameras can help assess how well heating systems are working. Drones do not eliminate the need for trained human observers to carefully inspect physical infrastructure, but can significantly lighten the workload.
Getting smart about trash
The dumpster is not traditionally a hotbed of technical innovation. However, in today’s tech-driven world, even dumpsters are becoming smart devices.
With the costs and regulations of municipal waste disposal continually increasing, along with volumes of waste being produced, it is critical that retailers know exactly what they are disposing of, and in what quantity. Dumpsters are now coming equipped with a variety of cameras and sensors that help retailers keep continuing track of their waste streams.
For example, some dumpsters feature cameras that provide retailers with an accurate, real-time view of what materials are in their dumpster, and how close waste is to the fill level. In the not too distant future, artificial intelligence (AI)-equipped cameras and sensors will help tip off retailers of any materials that may be contaminated or pose other disposal issues.
Maintenance improvements are in store
AI-based cameras and sensors are not just for the dumpster. They can also help retailers streamline the process of physically maintaining stores. If a light is out, or a spill occurs, or some other maintenance-related issue or hazard occurs, smart sensors can automatically detect it and instantly place a work order to have it remediated.
As a result, fewer maintenance personnel can effectively cover more store issues, or existing maintenance workers can be made more efficient in how they do their jobs. Either way, the store environment will function in a safer, more aesthetically pleasing manner.