Increasing Demand for Multifunctional Architecture to Seamlessly Integrate Into the Retail Value Chain

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India , 2006-07-27

As the retail market becomes increasingly competitive, there is rising pressure on retailers to differentiate themselves from the competition. With reducing profit margins, retailers are increasingly relying on information technology (IT) to deliver profitable differentiation. Retailers are likely to remain focused on replacing legacy systems with convergence, and remain vigilant about the key technologies in retail; point-of-sale (POS), handheld terminals (HHT), mobile data computers and Tablet PCs.

Frost & Sullivan (www.it.frost.com), World Quarterly Retail Systems Outlook on POS Systems, Handheld Terminals and Tablet PC Markets – 2Q 2005, reveals that revenue in this industry (POS Systems) totaled $3.20 billion in 2005 can reach $4 billion in 2008.

If you are interested in a virtual brochure, which provides manufacturers, end users and other industry participants an overview of the latest analysis of the retail POS systems, handheld terminals and tablet PC markets, then send an email to Shwetha Thomas and Surbhi Dedhia - Corporate Communications at [email protected] / [email protected] with your full name, company name, title, telephone number, city, state, country and email. Upon receipt of the above information, an overview will be sent to you by e-mail.

“In today's hyper-competitive retail environment, bottom line growth is increasingly dependent on retailers’ ability to leverage technology for managing complexities in customer demand, profitability and operational challenges,” explains Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Shyam Krishnan. “POS replenishment in developed economies is driven by next-gen systems capable of forward and backward integration.”

Self-checkout is likely to form a part of the POS replenishment budget. In developing economies, POS systems continue to provide growth opportunities. The edge of the retail enterprise, the store, has become the focal point of technology convergence, which is driving the need for synchronous response retail enterprise.

Although collaboration of solution vendors is likely to drive the market, this has also led to increased competition among retail technology vendors, with new entrants and pure-play vendors broadening their portfolio to offer end-to-end solutions. The evolution of the HHT from supply chain form factor to the real time enabled MPOS, consumer, associate and manager productivity form factors is driving its uptake with innovative retailers.

“Despite factors such as streamlining the supply chain, improving employee productivity, and customer facing applications that drive Tablet PC adoption, in the in-store space, its uptake is likely to be slow due to cost issues and lack of clarity in item level radio frequency identification (RFID) adoption,” explains Krishnan. “With rapidly increasing technology spending, retailers are seeking vendors who are willing to partner their risks as well as rewards – and equipping themselves to match the retailers’ requirements is a challenge for the vendors.”

Technology vendors in the POS, HHT, and Tablet PC space are focusing on providing multifunctional device architectures capable of forward and backward integration into the retail value chain. By leveraging on newer RFID, smart card, and wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) technologies, these vendors collaborate with retailers to address complexities in customer demand, profitability and operational challenges. This approach of partnership between retailers and solution vendors will provide the much needed growth driver over the long term.

World Quarterly Retail Systems Outlook on POS Systems, Handheld Terminals and Tablet PC Markets – 2Q 2005 is part of the Kiosks & Retail Systems subscription and it evaluates the quarterly forecasts provided for POS, HHT and Tablet PC market. This study also analyzes the emerging technology trends. Interviews with the press are available.

Frost & Sullivan, a global growth consulting company, has been partnering with clients to support the development of innovative strategies for more than 40 years. The company's industry expertise integrates growth consulting, growth partnership services, and corporate management training to identify and develop opportunities. Frost & Sullivan serves an extensive clientele that includes Global 1000 companies, emerging companies, and the investment community by providing comprehensive industry coverage that reflects a unique global perspective and combines ongoing analysis of markets, technologies, econometrics, and demographics. For more information, visit www.frost.com.

World Quarterly Retail Systems Outlook on POS Systems, Handheld Terminals and Tablet PC Markets – 2Q 2005
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Contact

Shwetha Thomas, Frost & Sullivan, + 91 (022) 4001 3429
[email protected]