Global businesses have started investing in artificial intelligence (AI) and local Edge servers to adapt to the changing retail landscape. Retailers are constantly looking to reinvent the customer experience in store to increase their resilience and cement themselves in the industry.
Edge computing is quickly becoming essential for retailers when it comes to accelerating their digital transformation – the benefits of Edge computing are proven to transform the customer experience. By bringing computing power closer to the data source, there will be minimized latency and reduced risk in operations. With consumer demands constantly changing, a customer-centric approach will be needed to drive personalized interactions across their stores that their customers won’t forget.
Schneider Electric envisioned the future of retail, along with the industry trends that supported Edge technologies. The global specialist in energy management and automation has developed an Edge solution to improve the customer experience in brick-and-mortar stores and increase the shopping channels available to its customers. By adopting edge technologies, retailers can expand their customer base through online channels and focus on their customer’s digital experience.
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“The retail industry faces complex challenges ahead and our Edge technologies aim to drive operational efficiency by understanding that space is at a premium,” said Abraham Lim, director of Secure Power at Schneider Electric Philippines. “Spaces must be designed optimally because it affects the way customers behave in stores along with how they interact with their products.”
EcoStruxure microdata center
The EcoStruxure Micro Data Center 6U Wall Mount ensures that large Edge servers and networking equipment are strategically placed in non-IT environments such as retail spaces to support critical business operations. Schneider Electric’s Micro Data Center R-Series also has additional features such as active cooling, enhanced filtration and security for data centers in harsher environments. There is nothing worse than losing a customer due to a network failure in Point of Sale systems and this data center ensures that in-store systems are always up and running.
Retailers must constantly innovate and leverage in-store technologies to offer high levels of customer service. AI and machine learning allow it to address customer concerns by giving store owners access to up-to-date data. Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure IT leverages industry benchmarks and analytics to deliver high-quality service quickly. A simplified IT infrastructure that matches the aesthetic of the store allows retailers to sell an immersive brand experience. They can remotely monitor the edge software while increasing their operational savings because they do not have to acquire maintenance or repair services. This Edge computing solution presents several ways that technologies can be used to provide tailored recommendations and effective products that add to the store’s rapid response capability.
Industrial automation
Schneider Electric has also partnered with AVEVA, a global leader in industrial automation software, and other leading brands to simplify the deployment of Edge technologies. With the expertise of their partners, Schneider Electric has reduced field engineering and maintenance costs with their preconfigured designs.
Schneider Electric also created a Local Edge Configurator to give system integrators access to tools that provide theoretically validated solutions.
Schneider Electric Exchange provides technology resources through APIs and datasets. Users can search for experts in different fields to solve specific customer problems within the platform. This exchange also connects users to the right partners to scale their business through the forum for questions and advice.
“Organizations can benefit greatly from building a data culture. Schneider Electric has leveraged IT equipment and operational data from our business systems to meet customer requirements in various industries,” said Lim.
Schneider Electric understands the investments and infrastructure needed to achieve a competitive advantage in the retail sector. Achieving operational efficiency requires real-time insights that are derived from AI technologies, algorithms and sensors. With many industries moving to Edge computing, Schneider Electric is committed to helping lead these industries into the future. Through its strategic partnerships, Schneider Electric has developed Edge solutions that will accommodate the specific nature of one’s business, as well as allow businesses to optimize costs and create sustainable infrastructures.
