findbox: Do not seek. Find!

According to a recent survey by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), more than 40 percent of respondents would like better-quality face-to-face advice when shopping in bricks-and-mortar stores. But if staff is to have the time needed for personal guidance, they must be relieved of other routine tasks. And they can be – by findbox, a digital solution developed by the company of the same name – findbox, a T-Systems partner.

When it comes to small, low-priced items such as printer cartridges, vacuum cleaner bags, screws and lightbulbs, stores often have a very large range of goods on display. That means they stock all the items a potential customer might need. But the shopper has to find the right one. findbox supports in-store navigation, enabling consumers to quickly identify the right location on the shelf. It leaves shop staff with more time for in-depth advice and assistance. And it provides customers with valuable additional information on their chosen product via their smartphones. Moreover, equipped with the corresponding app, in-store personnel at info counters or out on the floor have findbox at their fingertips – and can point customers in the right direction even when the terminal is unavailable.

But how does it work? The first step is to scan the barcode on the product or packaging brought in by the customer, or to manually enter a description. findbox processes this information and compares it with the contents of its cloud-based product database. Then findbox suggests an item available in-store on a picklist. Once the customer has confirmed the selection, the electronic shelf label begins to flash (activated by the LightGuide system) – and they see immediately where the object of their desire is to be found.

findbox software and product database are provisioned from a high-security, certified cloud data center operated by T-Systems in Germany. The store is connected to this unique facility by means of an encrypted, secure VPN (virtual private network). This guarantees compliance with strict German and European data protection standards, and prevents access by unauthorized third parties.

T-Systems guides retailers throughout their entire findbox project – from initial consulting, to installation in any or all outlets, to operation and support after go-live. A designated help desk contact ensures this powerful digital solution is seamlessly integrated into the physical retail environment – and into the customer journey.