SIQ is the most advanced system of its kind, with some unique capabilities not found in other print production solutions.
Design Architecture and Advanced Features
- As a J2EE compliant technology, SIQ interacts with users via a browser interface, (IE and Firefox), at all levels of participation; whether headquarters or store..
- Permissions managed, based on user “roles”. Execution functions are exposed to users in accordance with user permissions.
- Concurrently develops and manages both print production and ESL outputs.
- Includes the optional store deployment mix of both browser based thin client execution and software installed thick client. This option relates only to store execution, with both thin and thick client execution being identical in their ability to produce the required print production. The optional thick client is included to accommodate those retailers where the communications network speeds are not adequate to support browser based UI at the store level, or in franchise situations, where the stores connect only to download print production files. In this latter case, there is often the added complexity of localized POS solutions. In such disconnected store environments the SIQ component can directly connect with the local POS.
- Print output in mono or color, entirely determined by the printer specification.
- ESL output in both mono and color, depending upon the ESL technology selected by the retailer.
- Fully internationalized selection for print and ESL output font and image sizes as determined by the retailer and accommodated within SIQ’s template design component. The dependency is determined by the ESL and/or printer capability to manage the output and the sizes nominated.
- Full internationalized for print stock sizes, currencies and languages, including those language structures requiring double byte character capacity.
Reduce Operational Costs
- Progressively migrate to the use of printed shelf tags to permanent ESL communications in accordance with the retailer schedules and product categories appropriate to ESL deployment.
- Use ESL technology to eliminate personnel resource involvement in the deployment of printed shelf tags.
- Use SIQ to deliver day-part merchandising communications via ESL technology.
- Create ESL images that are as content rich as any printed tag while using the same development environment for ESL and print.
- Minimize printed shelf tag deployment time and personnel resources by embedding SIQ in mobile solutions for scan, print and deployment, such as in-store ad-hoc tag print carts.
- Use SIQ’s dynamic template capabilities to react to changing campaign content so the retailer can create, trial, and execute new campaigns, content or themes in hours rather than days or weeks. Respond instantly to changes in market conditions, opportunities and competitive activity. This applies to both ESL and print production.
- Reduce production, transportation and delivery costs by distributing any quantity of signs and labels electronically to stores.
- Reduce personnel costs associated with the manual sorting of shelf tags and signs by ensuring they are printed in compliance with store and aisle plan-o-grams; thereby enabling deployment with a single, one direction, pass down the aisle.
Increase Same Store Sales and Profits
- Embed SIQ in Kiosk solutions to provide all print production requirements in reaction to the customer interactions with the kiosk. This will include vendor promotion coupons, recipes, suggestive selling guidance, loyalty discount coupons for store targeted products associated with the customer purchase preferences.
- Use SIQ to deliver “reactive” messaging to customers using scanners or cell phones for self-checkout. These devices provide the retailer with a “personalized” capability for communicating with customers while they shop, and in response/reaction to actual item purchases. Customer preferences, buying history and registered profiles are employed by MIQ intelligence in the store, and are applied in reaction to item purchases. Where health and wellness profiles exist, MIQ can examine the attributes of the item purchased and match these against the profile of the customer. Allergens, dietary, and general alerts may be applied to guide the customer to the products in compliance with the specified profile. Personalized cross and up sell guidance may be applied based on history of purchases and registered preferences; thereby making the scanner and/or cell phone display a truly personalized device, capable of even personalized pricing. The combination of SIQ rendering of MIQ derived intelligence delivers an Amazon like experience for the customer, while enabling the retailer to influence buying behavior.
- Take advantage of MIQ’s ability to automate the availability of the affinity analyses to ensure cross and up sell content is deployed to SIQ shelf tag production; whether print or ESL.
- Create displays and signs that can expose multiple products without compromising corporate and marketing standards
Consistent visual branding and content
- Ensure visual branding remains consistent throughout the retailer’s customer touch points, regardless of whether in-store, on-line, or printed.
- Determine and control informational content that can be modified by store-personnel and ensure all communications meet corporate display standards.
Monitor your in-store advertising
- Head office can monitor the execution of content changes and ensure store compliance of promotional campaigns.
Advanced Store Execution Options
- Browser based thin client user interface for all execution
– Suitable where high-speed communications network exists
– All software executes on server
– Server side rendering of PDF output for in-store printing
– Low TCO
- Optional client software deployed to store where:
– Communication network speeds too slow
– Need for local POS connectivity, (franchise POS independence)
– Structured (compressed) data feed for in-store rendering and printing
