"Advertisement published: 2024-04-24 08:00
"Artificial intelligence (AI), the king of technology today,
has entered the real world and is having a huge impact on many business
sectors. Also for the trade sector. The possibility of speeding up processes,
reducing the number of errors, solving the problem of lack of human resources -
such advantages are offered by AI to the trade sector. As hard as it is to
resist such improvements, AI is slowly penetrating commerce.
In Europe, there is now widespread talk about the
possibilities of automatic product recognition - an AI platform that can work
in self-service checkouts, scales, regular cash registers. There are already
attempts to implement this solution in self-service scanning devices that the
customer carries around the store and scans and loads the goods themselves.
When implementing an automatic product recognition solution,
retail companies do not need additional servers or additional cloud
architecture. Since this AI solution is integrated into existing devices -
traditional and self-service cash registers, scales - there is no need for new
additional equipment. After implementing this AI model, in-store checkouts
learn by themselves and improve with each purchase.
"This is an
attractive solution, as the merchant does not need to commit to major
technological revolutions. This AI model is simple enough that the developers
say it shouldn't scare even those who aren't too familiar with AI in general.
The biggest advantages are that AI is almost 100 percent accurately recognizes
products not marked with barcodes: fruits, vegetables, bakery products, etc.
Due to such abilities, almost 75 percent checkout time is reduced – shoppers or
cashiers don't have to search for an item on their list. In addition, costs and
losses due to incorrect product selection and billing errors are reduced. The
security aspect is also important - data from cash registers is not sent to the
cloud, so it is better protected", notes Rimantas Mažulis, head of the
trade technology company "StrongPoint" for the Baltic countries and
Finland.
What kind of tomato or apple?
The accuracy of the automatic recognition system surpasses
that of a human: it is often difficult for the buyer to find the right type out
of ten types of tomatoes, and AI determines it in a few moments. One bag can
contain different types of apples, pears, carrots - AI will separate and
recognize each of these products according to various characteristics - size,
shape, color. This AI model allows you to contribute to environmental
protection - there is no need to pack each product in separate bags.
There are no stores in Lithuania that have implemented this
solution yet, but the interest of traders is felt, especially those for whom
the solution would make life the most easier - those who have self-service
checkouts and a larger amount of weighed products. It is true that there have
been attempts. It's only a matter of time before it becomes more widespread.
Faster for the buyer, more efficient for the merchant
"AI ensures faster shopping - faster both for the
customer, because he spends less time weighing goods, and for the merchant,
because a faster process means less queues and higher throughput of checkouts.
Losses due to mistakes, which can be both conscious and not, are reduced.
Sometimes malicious fraudsters choose a cheaper product at self-service
checkouts, but it is not always easy for an honest buyer to distinguish the
exact type of product. Accuracy means both convenience for the buyer, who no
longer needs to puzzle over, and reduces the probability of losses for the
seller, when, for example, due to wrong choices, the product balances do not
match", says R. Mažulis.
StrongPoint is already implementing automatic product
recognition solutions in stores. An interesting example is in the Norwegian
retail chain "REMA 1000", where AI is already working on self-service
scales: the customer only needs to place the product on the scale, and the
right choice is immediately offered - all that remains is to print the barcode
The AI platform is constantly learning and, unlike other
technologies, it improves over time. This means higher store performance, as
recognition accuracy is close to 100% from the start.
In addition, AI in this
case not only learns on each device individually, but also collectively with
other devices - for example, a self-service cash register shares what it has
learned with other cash registers or scales. Unlike many other digital
solutions, this AI model does not require updates as its learning process is
continuous.
AI improvements lead to greater productivity and efficiency
for merchants, and a more enjoyable shopping journey for on-the-go shoppers who
want to purchase an item at the click of a button.
Traders are sometimes cautious
However, the
developers of the automatic recognition platform admit that despite all the
benefits provided by AI, the relatively inert and cautious trade industry does
not implement AI solutions very quickly. What makes traders hesitate?
There are fears that needed are additional skills to be
filled, time or costs for continuous training of trade facilities. This is not
entirely untrue - if new products are added to the store, the devices have to
relearn. Merchants assume that in this case, introducing each new product into
the system will be a waste of time and resources.
But in the case of the model in question, the AI works for
the merchant as the learning and development happens automatically at the
actual cash register.
When a new product appears in the store, the platform knows
about its appearance from the information entered by the cashier or customer at
the checkout. As soon as a new product is scanned just a couple of times, the
trading systems will recognize it almost 100%. accuracy.
The model is also unique in that the AI, which has already
learned innovations at one cash register, shares its knowledge with other cash
registers (or scales), the exchange of AI knowledge also takes place between
other stores where this platform is installed.
Thus, according to the developers of the platform,
technicians will not really need to go to the location every time new items
appear in the store, and the accuracy will remain close to 100%. regardless of
how many and when items change."
Android Apps by StrongPoint on Google Play
"StrongPoint Pick & Collect software eliminates human
errors in picking and ensures fast and efficient pick in store and
darkstore/warehouse. An indispensable solution for any retailer with an
E-Commerce offering that wants to increase efficiency and speed up delivery
times. Combined with StrongPoints flexible last mile options you have a
full-fledged solution from order picking to the hands of your customer."
StringPoint website is:
https://www.strongpoint.com/
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