SML Group, a provider of end-to-end radio frequency identification (RFID) technologies, has announced a partnership with Elo, a global supplier of interactive touchscreen solutions. By combining RFID with Elo’s interactive touchscreen solutions, the companies report, the partnership will allow retailers to foster customer engagement and the overall user experience. SML provides item-level RFID solutions to the retail supply chain, with 5,500 stores around the world operating its cloud-based Clarity item-level enterprise RFID software suite to boost inventory accuracy and enhance store operations.
Elo invented the touchscreen more than half a century ago, and it has since carried out more than 25 million installations worldwide. Its product portfolio is widely adopted by retailers for such interactive applications as point-of-sale, digital signage, price checkers and in-store e-commerce. The partnership with SML for joint end-user engagement and experience enhancement projects is intended to allow retailers to deploy an interactive hardware solution integrating a range of products on the same platform.
“SML’s item-level RFID technology has been a game-changer for a number of its partners,” said Maarten Bais, Elo’s general manager and VP for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, in a prepared statement, “and we are already reaping the benefits of joining forces to provide complete technology solutions to our customers. An example is Swedish retailer MQ [Marget], which deployed the new solution in their fitting rooms.”
Dean Frew, SML Group’s CTO and senior VP of RFID solutions, added: “Elo provides a host of leading customer experience products. Integrating our RFID technology in Elo products will allow us to further streamline in-store operations for Elo customers. We have been collaborating closely with the Elo team to ensure SML can provide optimal value to its customer experience solutions, and we are looking forward to strengthening our relationship and developing a long-term partnership.”
MQ has deployed the solution at its stores in Sweden. “The development of our store concept, combined with new technology like the fitting room solution from SML, facilitates and creates more opportunities for an even better customer experience,” said Mattias Liljenberg, MQ’s CIO, in the statement. “Changing consumer behaviors in retail mean that shopping is also seen as a natural meeting place, combined with experiences and entertainment. We see exciting opportunities in being part of the transformation of the new era of retailing, where digital enhances the personal encounter.”