Messcalino innovates the point of sale

CETEMMSA IMPLEMENTS A LOW-COST RFID SOLUTION

The ground-breaking project in Spain combines RFID with ADT security hardware.

June, 11 2009 – The Spanish apparel retailer Messcalino has implemented a low-cost solution in its new shop in Figueres (Girona). The solution combines RFID technology with the Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) security standard for the first time in Spain, transforming expenditure on consumables into investment in reusable material.

The project, commissioned to the CETEMMSA technology centre, includes a smart fitting room and Point-of-Sale (POS) terminal management with RFID.

For the manufacturer, the solution improves the management of inventories, stock and logistics, marketing and sales processes. For the retailer, the solution evaluates the performance of clothing to be assessed and for sales, returns and refunds to be effectively managed.

The intelligent fitting room solution informs sales staff of the number of times an item has been tried on, how many of the items have been sold and how many have been dismissed. Furthermore, an interactive touch screen shows the sales staff any accessories and alternatives to the apparel item chosen.

The solution implemented
The Messcalino project provides a complete solution for retail shops. Until now, the company managed products solely using barcode labels. With RFID, each item has a unique code that makes it unrepeatable; therefore there is no room for errors or duplication in barcode readings. If the item is registered in the retail shop, it will be physically present at the store.

CETEMMSA has developed the solution using the innovative dual EAS/RFID technology by ADT. “Being able to restock from fitting rooms, optimize sales and inventory operations and improve customer service quality are values that have direct impact on the business’s income. Thanks to RFID technology, Messcalino is cutting the time spent on sales operations by 50% and will provide added value to sales support or customer service from the fitting room,” indicates Virginia García, the head of the CETEMMSA RFID Solutions department.

In terms of the clothing, this unique concept combines RFID technology with Ultra•Max® EAS technology. The solution provides exceptional levels of anti-theft protection within the shop, store-level RFID technology offers greater product availability, precise restocking and an effective calculation of the inventory cycle in the shop.

“Stock availability is one of the main problems for any retailer. The designed solution reduces this problem, as it provides greater visibility, efficiency and flexibility with regard to the inventory, as well as preventing items from leaving the shop without having been paid for,” confirms Ricardo Arroyo, Managing Director of ADT Spain.

This solution uses the advantages of RFID technology without the need for a specific investment in consumables. CETEMMSA was also assisted by ICG Software, which specializes in retail solutions (POS terminals).

The project focus considered the integration of RFID technology in addition to the barcode that will remain in place in Messcalino as redundant product identification.

More specifically, the software implemented is Smart POS and Smart Fitting Room.

The advantages of the Smart POS solution include:

• The dual EAS/RFID tag is also used for sales. When the security tag is removed, the item of clothing is automatically identified and, therefore, the sale is completed. This saves on barcode readings for each sale made.
• Dual tag coding associated to the product code when it is registered in the shop.
• Any exchanges between shops, customer reservations or returns to the central offices are also automatic on removing the alarm from the item of clothing.

• For the manufacturer, the software allows for clothing to be registered as it enters the fitting room, thus providing an assessment as to consumer behaviour and performance of the product displayed in the shop.
• For the sales staff, the RFID software in the fitting room can be used as a virtual assistant to show consumers any alternatives or accessories for the clothing being tried on.

The companies: Messcalino - Cetemmsa - ADT
Messcalino has been designing, producing and distributing contemporary collections for modern, active women since 1988. With a clear international calling, it is present in the main European and Asian markets. At present, Messcalino is expanding through its own shops and in the best in the El Corte Inglés department store.

CETEMMSA is a service and R&D centre for different sectors, with over 15 years of significant experience. Certified and approved by the local authorities, it seeks to improve the competitiveness of companies and assist them in terms of product and process innovation. It focuses its activity on the area of research and development of Smart Materials and Smart Objects with the capacity to provide new uses to a wide range of economic sectors.

ADT Security Services, a unit of Tyco International, is the world’s largest provider of electronic security services to more than seven million commercial, government and residential customers worldwide. One of the brands it installs is Sensormatic. The company designs, produces, installs and provides maintenance for electronic security systems for shops, businesses and governmental institutions. In the household sector, it installs anti-intrusion systems for the home.

ADT products include alarm systems and integrated security software. These systems are linked with access controls, closed circuit TV and EAS electronic article surveillance systems. Thanks to its experience in source tagging, ADT has also developed RFID solutions to improve supply chain management.

Contact:
Karen Bomber
Sensormatic
kbomber@tycoint.com
(561) 912-6758