Cisco presents software platform for omni-channel retail in germany

Frankfurt am Main, Germany - July 6, 2016 – Cisco introduced ePOS (“electronic Point of Sale”), a standardized omni-channel solution for the traditional retail. The software platform was developed based on the experience Cisco made together with its project partners: shop fitting specialist Vitra and communications agency Serviceplan. The solution can be seen in “WeShop”, a demo shop that resides within the Cisco office in Eschborn near Frankfurt.

“Innovative solutions like ePOS turn shopping into a real experience for customers. Boundaries between physical and virtual points of sale disappear and retail is becoming competitive again,” said Oliver Tuszik, general manager Cisco Germany.

Online shopping continues to grow nonstop, driven among others by the popularity of mobile shopping. A recent Cisco study conducted for German retail showed that more than a quarter of all Germans already use independent shopping apps. More than a third use retailer-specific mobile applications. Traditional retailers need to react to these changes and interlink their online and offline activities. By closing the gap between purchases with smartphones, web or in-store, solutions such as WeShop will help drive the digitization of German retail.

From the consumer’s perspective, WeShop spans a broad range of touchpoints including mobile apps; consulting over phone, video or online; digital signage; Beacon technology; CRM; content management; payment solutions and logistics. As a result, it creates a seamless, cross-channel customer journey.

With WeShop, consumers can transition from the mobile app to phone support to the store. There, they can touch and try things, then pay and start the delivery process. Cisco also initiated the development of the ePOS standard that connects the systems of various manufacturers with inventory systems and that merges product and customer data.

The project is part of Cisco’s “Deutschland Digital” initiative through which Cisco is investing $500 million to help accelerate digitization in Germany.