March 03, 2016

ALS UK has entered an agreement to become the HybridCheckout United Kingdom partner

ALS UK has been established as a HybridCheckout partner.

ALS UK (ALS) has acquired all rights to manufacturing, licensing to further partners/resellers and sales for the markets of England, Scotland and Ireland through a all-rights transfer agreement entered by PeoplePos Ltd UK and ALS.


ALS are a leading independent fit out, refurbishment and installation service, managing and delivering projects and rollouts across a variety of sectors.

We offer our partners and clients the flexibility and choice to use any or all of the services that ALS can offer. These services include Construction, Fit Out, IT & Data, Mechanical & Electrical and Facilities Management.

ALS UK website: http://www.alsuk.com

HybridCheckout Trio

New HybridCheckout Trio checkout counter
The new HybridCheckout Trio checkout counter further expands the unique advantages and superior checkout speed achieved from the HybridCheckout concept and current HybridCheckout Duo series of checkout counter systems.

While the HybridCheckout Duo series allows for an increased checkout speed/volume of 62-82%, the new HybridCheckout Trio series is expected to increase the checkout speed/volume per cashier with an amazing 120-150% (compared with a conventional checkout), allowing for improved customer support and a very substantial checkout area cost reduction.

HybridCheckout Trio
In short a HybridCheckout Trio counter is a combination of two conventional cashier operated counters placed back-to-back with two simplified self-checkout stations that allows two customers to self-scan at the same time. The cashier and the two customers are simultaneously scanning and registering items into two separate sales.

The HybridCheckout Trio counter differs from a traditional dual counter configuration as it has only a single cashier handling two checkout lines at the same time. The cashier has a scale and a scanner that allows for the quick registration of special articles automatically into each of the two ongoing sales. Even if only one side of the HybridCheckout Trio is kept open, the efficiency is improved compared to conventional checkouts through the shared registration process.

Patent pending technology ensures the actual and correct self-scanning by the customers and also the cashier may scan/weigh articles and amend these into the correct customer sale automatically.

Busting checkout area cost
For stores handling customers with a typical shopping basket or trolley with more than a few items in average, a single cashier HybridCheckout Trio may replace 2-3 standard single cashier checkout counters or 1-2 dual cashier back-to-back checkouts or 8-12 self-service stations allowing more than 2500 articles per hour (incl. payments) to be processed hassle-free in a single checkout!

Customer satisfaction
HybridCheckout is preferred by the customers due to the impressive speed and because the cashier is still present to acknowledge the customer feedback. In addition the customers are made masters of self-service through the very easy to use HybridCheckout shared registration concept. Due to the unique checkout process HybridCheckout Trio is a formidable queue buster that the shoppers will appreciate and re-visit with pleasure.

As the patent pending HybridCheckout Trio ensures the presence of the cashier, the risk of self-scan problems as found in self-service checkouts is eliminated, while HybridCheckout Trio still allows the customers to process barcoded items through self-scanning.

Risk and customer retention
The technology and business risk involved with HybridCheckout is moderate compared with for example Self-Service checkout systems. This is because HybridCheckout eliminates or greatly alleviates self-service checkout issues like theft, handling of restricted items, scanning problems, and dealing with coupons, assistant availability shortages and such in the checkout area. This is possible because the cashier is always present in a HybridCheckout. In a HybridCheckout the cashier presence allows the all-important customer experience to be perceived and feedback to be acknowledged.

Human relationships are maintained or may even be improved from the co-operative registration process performed in a HybridCheckout, thereby increasing the important customer loyalty.
Successful retailers understand that their business is about people and loyalty. HybridCheckout is about focusing on people and an efficient process.

February 05, 2015

New partner: HybridCheckout Nordic AS (Ltd)

HybridCheckout Nordic AS has been established as a new HybridCheckout partner on the 6th of February 2015.

HybridCheckout Nordic AS (HCN) has acquired all rights to manufacturing, licensing to further partners/resellers and sales for the Norwegian, Swedish, Danish and Finland markets through the all-rights transfer agreement entered by PeoplePos Ltd UK and HCN.

The HCN management team represents many decades of manufacturing, sales, innovation and management experience:
  • Kay Seljeseth, 54 years (CEO)
  • Øystein Rem, 48 years (VP Sales)
  • Helge Johansen, 64 years (VP Manufacturing)

The manufacturing of the first series of the new HybridCheckout Model 7UC model has started and initial customer installations are planned to be completed in mid-March 2015 by HCN. The first customer's main focus is the HybridCheckout unique cost-saving and fast checkout features.

The new HybridCheckout Model 7UC is 428 cm long and 118 cm wide (cash recycler width not included). The size of the Model 7UC makes it a perfect direct replacement for many mid/large sized groceries and smaller supermarkets.

For the larger groceries and mid-sized supermarket demands the Model 7C with an length of 458 cm and a width of 128 cm is a viable alternative.

The lead time for Model 7C and Model 7UC deliveries are currently 5-8 weeks depending on quantity ordered and options chosen.

Several colors, materials and accessory options are available. Further sizes and models may be supplied as required - please contact us for details.

August 29, 2014

HybridCheckout Proof of Concept Testing is Complete

We’ve completed proof of concept testing on our HybridCheckout counter. The results are in, and we passed with flying colors!

The HybridCheckout commercialization process has been underway for more than two years. We’ve completed concept development and design, prototype testing, performance evaluation by retail experts and process refinements. Proof of concept testing is an important intermediate step in the process of making the counter a bona fide product.

We engaged in PoC testing In Oslo, Norway this last June. The test setup, resources and process were designed to closely mimic a standard retail grocery environment.

Test Results

The PoC test results confirm the design advantages and benefits to retailers and customers described in an earlier series of HybridCheckout white papers. Test results include test and survey data.

Throughput data: Throughout the PoC tests, HybridCheckout throughput was measured at 1,700 to 1,900 items registered per hour. These results reflected a test volunteer working in the role of a customer working side by side with an experienced retail cashier.

A test subject working with an experienced cashier registered 62 to 82-percent more items per hour than a cashier would working alone.

Other test findings

In addition to two test passes to measure throughput, test organizers used additional passes to observe cashier and customer behavior. Results from these passes showed that:

  • First-time customers had no difficulty using the counter. Simple hand gestures from the cashier and watching others ahead of them in line gave first-timers enough guidance to get through the checkout process with little or no delay.
  • Testers quickly learned how to deal with hard-to-scan items. After the first pass, customers learned some scanning tricks and were able to improve their performance and scan more items without the initial delays from the occasional hard-to-read barcodes.
  • Situations requiring cashier assistance posed no lengthy delays. Adding fruit or other items that required cashier assistance to customer baskets posed only minor delays. In these situations, customers intuitively understood and requested help from the cashiers. By the end of the second test pass, all testers went through the process with no difficulty.
  • Testers and cashiers quickly learned how to co-operate. Throughput test results show that the cashier could pay attention to the test customers’ needs and scan items at a close-to-standard rate. Only about 2 percent of the items scanned by the testers required cashier attention. And, it appeared to be easy  for the cashier to shift attention to the tester when it was needed.



Post-test Questionnaire

After the testing passes, participants responded to a questionnaire written in Norwegian (the test participants’ native language). Survey results included:
  • Testers “got it.” Behavior during testing indicated that customers generally understood the checkout process and what they were supposed to do.
  • The checkout process is very customer-friendly. Testers indicated a solid preference to use HybridCheckout over cashier-only and self-service checkout options.
  • Counters were easy to use. Survey responses strongly show that the customers found HybridCheckout very easy to use and given the choice, participants would like to use it again.
  • Mixed opinion on weighing tasks. About half of the customers surveyed thought it acceptable to do this task themselves. The other half wanted the cashier to process these items.
  • Customer choice and cashier presence are important. About 70 per cent of the customers surveyed indicate that it’s important for them to be able to choose to scan items. And, all customers strongly agreed that the cashier presence is very important for any assistance during checkout.
  • HybridCheckout is #1 option. When asked to give their preferred checkout method (cashier-only, HybridCheckout and self-service) in priority order, customers chose the HybridCheckout option for both small and large purchases.
For a full description of PoC testing methods and results, check out the test report at: http://www.hybridcheckout.com/Article/Evaluate/Proof-of-Concept



June 16, 2014

HybridCheckout Stations: Space Savings and More Flexible Operations

A few days ago, a customer, who heard the first HybridCheckout presentation said something really insightful. He realized that installing HybridCheckout stations could save up to 40 percent of floor space compared to conventional checkout counters. He said; “OK, I can replace five standard counters with three HybridCheckout units and get six checkout lanes and more throughput!”

He was absolutely right. Each of the three HybridCheckout stations has a manned lane that enables very efficient checkout. But, each of these stations also has a self-checkout lane. These are also effective and very easy for the customer to use.

This customer is evaluating a store format that would enable him to replace two or three standard checkout counters with one or two HybridCheckout stations. The extra (self-service) lanes would make it possible to process the same throughput and use the saved space for in-store postal services—without performing a major store rebuild. In addition, the cashiers could supervise customer self-checkout, assist other customers with postal services or complete sales as a cashier from the same location and in a very flexible way.

Retailers with in-town locations typically use another store format, where floor space is very limited. In this situation, retailers can save about 13 square meters (140 square feet) per store. This space savings provides a substantial increase in space for shelves or a specialty product section. Retailers can increase sales by 8 to 12 percent and make small-format stores more competitive.  Replacing two standard checkout counters with one HybridCheckout station can give smaller stores a competitive edge over nearby kiosks and other small stores from the increased selection of items and increased checkout speed and checkout service options.

Our white paper, “Current Retail Checkout Technology, Part III: Comparing Checkout Station Costs and Performance” explains why retailers can save 40 percent of floor space compared with standard checkout counters. The paper also shows that HybridCheckout stations may process up to 12 items square foot per hour, compared to 5 items of conventional self-service stations.


Link: http://www.hybridcheckout.com/Article/Evaluate/White-Papers

May 12, 2014

A quiet revolution at the HybridCheckout counter

Shopping in modern supermarkets or grocery stores has become a standard experience for billions of people. Cashier-centered and self-service checkout procedures have become part of that standardized experience.

Many people, who have accepted and adapted to these procedures, might be reluctant to try an unfamiliar checkout technology or process. But, recent studies show that there’s enough customer dissatisfaction with self-service checkout methods that many customers might want to try and adapt to alternative checkout methods.

Speed and self-help at grocery checkout counters

Developed by Peoplepos Ltd., a United Kingdom company, new technology using its HybridCheckout approach entered the European market earlier this week.

The HybridCheckout Model 7C supports the DIY ethic for customers who want to help themselves and combines it with the rapid transactions that only experienced cashiers can deliver. HybridCheckout keeps familiar self-checkout functionality but adds capabilities that enable cashiers to step in and perform annoying or time-consuming tasks when needed.

Studies show that many customers prefer some human contact during checkout. For others, speedy completion of checkout tasks is most important. Experienced cashiers scan items more than four times quickly than the fastest self-service customer. So, the hybrid approach delivers faster completion and the human touch that most customers crave.


A flexible approach with the human touch

The HybridCheckout approach is based on customers and cashiers working side by side at the same checkout counter in three different scenarios:

Split scanning: no cashier help is required. Cashier and customer register items on their own sides of the counter. Nothing requires cashier attention, so the customer completes the registration process without the cashier getting involved.  Notice that the separator arms keep the flow of items on the cashier and customer sides of the counter moving into the correct packing areas.



Split scanning: cashier help is required. The transaction starts without cashier assistance. When the cashier notices items that require her attention, she communicates directly with the customer, switches her screen settings and uses her screen and input devices to register or approve the selected items that require assistance. These would be items without a proper barcode or special items like fruit, meat and vegetables.
  • When the cashier is done helping with the more complex tasks, she switches her screen settings back to her original customer and completes that transaction. Payment proceeds as in other traditional checkout methods. 
Shared scanning: cashier help is required. In this transaction, the cashier sees items that require his help. For example, he might need to approve a bottle of wine, weigh produce or check the price of a specific item.


  • The division of labor begins from the start of the transaction. The cashier switches his input screen to share the registration tasks with the customer on the other side of the counter. And, he sets the separator arms to allow items to flow to the customer or himself.
  • The customer registers the bar-coded items, and the cashier helps with the more complex tasks. All items registered on both sides of the counter are assigned to the customer’s transaction and are moved to the loading area of the counter.
  • Sometimes, after cashier help is complete, only a few items remain for shared scanning. In this case, if the next customer’s items are ready for checkout, the cashier may choose to continue helping the shared scanning customer or start scanning the next customer’s items.

The result: a quiet revolution in the retail and grocery industries that increases efficiency and improves the overall customer shopping experience.

Please visit our website www.hybridcheckout.com for further information.

PeoplePos HybridCheckout Model 7C is now available

PeoplePos, Ltd and PSI Systems AS have released their HybridCheckout Model 7C grocery and retail counter on May 10, 2014

The new checkout counter was developed for supermarkets, groceries and other retail outlets. It’s designed to appeal to self-service customers, who value speedy checkout, and more traditional customers, who want to keep the human element part of their retail experience.


First true hybrid checkout technology is based on speed and cooperation

The Model 7C enables simultaneous, same-sale scanning of items by both the cashier and customer. HybridCheckout gives customers the choice of performing self-service or getting immediate help from an adjacent cashier.


http://www.hybridcheckout.com/hco/Unit3D.pdf

Click here to open a 3D interactive model in a separate window (14 MB)
(Use mouse: drag to rotate, ctrl-drag to move and scroll-wheel to zoom)
(Some browsers may require the target file to be saved and then opened directly in Acrobat Reader)

The counter’s patent-pending, parallel-scanning support is unique to the HybridCheckout system. Its design—and the speed of experienced cashiers—ensure that checkout can be completed more quickly than with other checkout methods.

How the HybridCheckout counter can improve retail businesses

There are (at least) four ways that the Model 7C improve retail business from owner, employee and customer points of view:

  • Faster checkouts, more throughput. Time tests of checkout transactions using the Model 7C show increases of up to 100% in checkout throughput.
  • Smaller footprint. HybridCheckout counters are a floor space saver. Counter footprints are up to 40% smaller than standard checkout counters.
  • Improved work environment. By substantially reducing the amount of lifting cashiers must do, the Model 7C’s ergonomic design reduces the physical strain on store staff members.
  • Improved customer satisfaction. The Model 7C’s design delivers what surveys tell us customer want in their retail experience—speedy checkouts and the human touch. It’s a sure formula for customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Check out this interactive demonstration of the HybridCheckout counter (prototype).

For more details about the Model 7C, its operation or feature set, contact Mr. Kay Seljeseth at: kay (at) peoplepos.com. Or call us at: +47 9829 8090 (Timezone: Central European Time).


About PSI Systems and Peoplepos


PSI Systems AS

As a part of PSI Group ASA, PSI Systems AS is a leading system integrator of technology solutions to the retail sector in Scandinavia. PSI Group is also a global provider of closed and secure cash handling solutions and automated technology through partners CashGuard AB, Vensafe AS and SQS Security Qube System AB. PSI Group has more than 300 employees and 2012 revenue of NOK 596 million in 2012. The company is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange.  


PeoplePos, Ltd.

PeoplePos Ltd. is a London registered company that holds the rights to HybridCheckout.