Automated 24/7 stores
Automated self-service stores with 24/7 opening hours are the trend of today. Hybrid stores are also increasingly found in Europe. In such stores, retail staff is present during normal business hours and after these hours the store switches to night mode, where customers make their purchases independently at self-service checkouts. This concept allows owners to reduce labour costs while extending opening hours.
How does it actually work?
Customers enter the store using a bank identity paired with a mobile app, which generates a QR entry code. In principle, it is also possible to enter the store in another way - for example, with a customer or payment card. The customer then shops as usual, pays at the self-service checkout and then leaves the store.
The core and control system of the entire store is the B.O.S.S. Enterprise ERP system, which is primarily designed for the management of the entire retail chain due to its wide functionality. The subsystems necessary for the operation of the automated stores are a direct part of the system. Thus, our customers can manage standard, hybrid or fully automated stores with one system.
The automated store becomes part of the entire retail network and thus benefits from the full functionality of our centrally managed ERP system, including all online functions and additional modules such as the Data Warehouse System and BI.
One partner for everything
P.V.A. systems is a supplier of complete solutions for 24/7 automated stores. We offer all the components and services required for the efficient operation of self-service stores:
- Point of Sale (POS) and centrally managed ERP system B.O.S.S. Enterprise
- Self-service checkouts with night mode
- Electronic price labels (ESL) for automatic pricing
- Module for automatic door opening and closing based on personal authentication
- Camera system with evaluation of the situation in the store
- Monitoring centre for continuous remote guarding
- Intelligent IoT sensors for remote monitoring of store status (interior temperature, electricity meter, ...)
- Automation of goods ordering for fully autonomous stores
- Support of operation also in night mode according to the service contract
The transformation of a regular store into an automated store is often associated with a store refurbishment. If you are interested in a store modernisation, we also offer the store remodelling including the subsequent implementation by our partner companies.
P.V.A. systems as a supplier of a complete solution, covering all the necessary software, hardware and services, brings a number of advantages to the customer. One of them is a centralised customer support that clarifies everything with the customer - from broken printer to the optimization of internal processes in the store.
Or just reliable software?
We are aware of our customers' wishes and understand the situation where an owner wants to handle certain subsystems in his store himself - with his partners and on his own. That is why we offer both options. Either we set up automated stores on a turnkey basis and deliver a complete solution, or we complete the already designed stores with our system and knowledge so that they can be reliably operated in automated mode.
Turning a regular store into an automated store does not have to be a costly affair. We also offer an affordable solution for existing stores to achieve profitability.
Advantages of automated stores
One of the main ideas behind 24/7 automated stores is to reduce costs and maintain sustainability. The profitability of village shops is often out of reach due to ever-increasing labour costs and limited availability. This situation is changing rapidly with the introduction of automated stores without on-site retail staff. They offer consumers the convenience of unlimited opening hours while reducing costs.
At the same time, our modern systems open up new possibilities for managing the retail chain in the form of dynamic pricing. One possible scenario may be scheduled changes in sales prices during the day. During normal business hours, the store adopts centrally set sales prices, and at night in self-service mode, prices for certain goods can be changed automatically as required.
Our vision
The development on the European market clearly shows that the automation of all processes is on the rise. Reducing operating costs, increasing availability and improving all processes in the store at the same time is a precondition for achieving sustainability.
We are dealing with current trends in the automation of goods ordering for fully autonomous stores, with image recognition for the identification of goods, not only at self-service checkouts, or with motion recognition for intelligent situation assessment and behaviour prediction. We actively follow these topics and see their importance. Times are changing dynamically and so are the expectations of our customers.
