Clarity Consulting Unveils New Point of Sale (POS) 'Innovation Lane' at National...

Clarity Consulting Unveils New Point of Sale (POS) 'Innovation Lane' at
National Retail Federation Convention

Concept system features Windows Embedded POSReady 2009 and Unified
Communications Technologies

NEW YORK, Jan. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- To help retailers differentiate their brands
and reduce costs in what analysts expect to be another economically
challenging year ahead, Clarity Consulting today presented the "Innovation
Lane" -- a new POS technology concept system featuring Windows Embedded
POSReady 2009 and unified communications technologies.

On display in Microsoft Corp.'s Booth No. 637 at the National Retail
Federation's Annual Expo (Retail's BIG Show) in New York City, Jan. 12 - 13,
the Innovation Lane demonstrates how retailers can increase efficiency and
store management -- shaving more than 10 seconds off each transaction, which
can result in millions of dollars saved annually -- while improving the
consumer experience for big-box to mid-size retailers nationwide.

Using Microsoft's new Windows Embedded POSReady 2009 platform, the Innovation
Lane showcases a combination of hardware and software that can be easily
integrated into a retailer's existing POS infrastructure, thereby limiting
start-up and installation costs. In addition, the Microsoft software-based
platform enables communications at a fraction of the cost of traditional
hardware-based telephony solutions -- creating savings today and throughout
the life of the system. Key features include:

-- A redesigned check-out lane that puts everything within arms' reach
for cashiers, making it faster and more ergonomically efficient to
handle transactions
-- An advanced user interface featuring simpler prompts, easier to use
features and a more visually-engaging screen, designed to improve
efficiency and reduce training costs
-- Advanced security features like biometric log-on that use finger print
data to access information
-- Smartphone-enabled loyalty programs which allow consumers to download
loyalty cards to their phones then scan them at check out
-- NFC (near field communication)-enabled payment processing which lets
consumers "wave and go" (pass a payment card in front of
reader to complete payment)
-- Enhanced fraud prevention including image validation, to reduce theft
and product shrink

The concept lane also boasts innovation in the form of a fully integrated
Microsoft-based unified communications suite of software. Unified
communications bridges the gap between telephony and computing to deliver
real-time messaging, voice, e-mail and presence capabilities -- ensuring the
lane and its operator are "connected" to the rest of the store.

For example, employees working the Innovation Lane can conduct price checks,
customer inquiries and more using a voice call, image or text message. Sales
associates on the store floor are armed with tablet PCs programmed with
"presence" -- a feature that shows whether they are available or busy. If
available, a picture, call or message pops up with the checkout request.
Additional tablet PC features include:

-- Product Lookup: Find key items, pricing information and images --
using
the SKU or a bar code scan -- from the retailer's product catalog
or database. Monitor start of day (SOD) inventory status in-store and
at participating stores on-network.
-- Checkout: Complete sales on-the-spot. The tablet PC displays a simple
tender screen with payment type and details -- the customer can
complete
the transaction and take the receipt or fill in his/her email address
and have it emailed to them.
-- Customer Callback Request: Answer customer inquiries real-time.
Receive
a request notification -- along with details about the transaction
including a copy of the receipt -- on the tablet PC then initiate a
callback to the customer immediately. (Note: the customer's phone
number is embedded vs. displayed, thereby protecting privacy).

For shoppers, this means near-instant access to information, personalized
service, a more efficient shopping experience and, ultimately, a higher level
of satisfaction. The Innovation Lane features a 15-inch touch screen facing
the customer that shows images of everything scanned and purchased and
provides streaming audio and video of complementary items along with
additional information about warranties and special offers the retailer can
provide. The system also utilizes this customer facing screen to encourage the
customer to complete the tendering portion of the transaction while the
associate rings the sale, saving valuable time at checkout.

"As retailers face continued, increased pressure to differentiate, cut costs
and increase efficiency, software can not only help them survive, it can help
them thrive," said Gary Gilmer, Principal, Clarity Consulting. "At Clarity,
we're dedicated to helping retailers get the most from their software
investment today while preparing them for the opportunities ahead. We're at
the tip of the iceberg for retail and software-based communications and we
hope software-based solutions like our new Innovation Lane with unified
communications illustrate how much innovation is available today -- and what's
possible tomorrow."

The Innovation Lane was built with the latest Microsoft technologies,
including Windows Embedded POSReady 2009, Office Communications Server 2007,
Windows Presentation Foundation, the Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 and was
developed using Microsoft Expression design tools and Visual Studio 2008.

All product and company names herein may be trademarks of their registered
owners.

About Clarity Consulting Inc.
Clarity Consulting Inc. develops, customizes and implements software solutions
to help clients achieve their unique visions and drive business results.
Clarity's versatile and talented consultants specialize in application
development, business intelligence, legacy integration and e-commerce websites
for a range of clients, from retail and manufacturing industries to financial
institutions. Clarity Consulting Inc. is based in Chicago, Illinois, USA.
For more information about our company, our people, and our solutions, please
visit www.claritycon.com.

SOURCE Clarity Consulting

Sharen Santoski of Signal Rock Communications, +1-847-312-0806,
Sharen@Signalrockcomm.com, for Clarity Consulting