Retailers attending the annual NRF Big Show, Jan. 17-20, 2016 in New York City will have hundreds of technology brands to evaluate. One way to cut down the chaos is to drop by Direct Source Booth 2829 to get an unbiased take on the year’s best hardware, devices and tools.

Direct Source takes a consultative approach to uncovering the right technology solutions for retailers, using their goals and objectives, future strategy, pain points and retail initiatives as a guide. With more than 20 years in retail, Direct Source provides unbiased and in-depth product knowledge and reviews for retail technologies, such as POS/payment systems, mobile devices, custom enclosures, scanners, smart and interactive displays, and more.

The company helps retailers create the optimal in-store experience – bridging the gap between the experience of the physical store, and the personalization and customization elements of the digital shopping experience.

“We see a lot of focus in 2016 on multipurpose technology tools within the store. For example, the new larger format Apple iPad Pro is functional and familiar, and can be used to support smart dressing rooms or in-aisle payments,” said Brad Fick, president, Direct Source. “These technologies can improve the interaction with shoppers in the store and provide a personalized experience similar to the online experience.”

Brands showcasing products in the Direct Source booth this year include:

The most flexible mPOS: Honeywell Sensing and Productivity Solutions manufactures enterprise-ready mobile computers with integrated productivity tools like scanners. By pairing Honeywell’s device sleds with mobile payment terminals like the Verifone e355 or Ingenico iCMP, retailers can deploy highly flexible mPOS solutions that meet the needs of every OS, payment type, device type and style, and more.

Apple iPad Pro: Aila Technologies’ associate handhelds and interactive displays with scanning use patent-pending imaging technology to deliver smaller packaging and highly ergonomic designs for deployments like smart dressing rooms. Aila will introduce its new Apple iPad Pro Interactive Kiosk and new Apple iPod Touch Mobile Imager.

Geo-Personalized Web Fronts: Cloud Engage leverages hyperlocal geo-fencing and local weather data to provide retailers the ability to serve up personal, localized content, including localized brand messaging, text, images, video and event promotions.

Custom Digital Tools: BestFit Mobile, an SPI Company, helps retailers build and launch mobile solutions to interact with shoppers and drive business forward. Its ProxDK beacon engagement platform enables retailers to leverage an in-store digital platform to engage customers, arm associates with the ability to personalize the shopping experience and measure the store environment. Vokal specializes in mobile apps, responsive websites, user experience design and branding to help retailers create customized, mobile-engagement tools that enhance the consumer-in-store experience.

Custom Enclosures: Bouncepad's products enhance customer experiences, maximize sales and improve operational efficiency in retail and hospitality environments. Bouncepad will feature its latest product, Luna, a secure dock-and-charge system that transforms tablets into multitasking service companions to support interchangeable use between mobile assisted sales tools, fixed self-service points, digital signage, or as part of a POS system.

POS Systems: Retailers looking for new, cost-effective ways to help employees check inventory levels, create orders for customers to combat “out-of-stocks,” scan bar codes, print receipts, and securely process mobile payments can leverage new POS and mPOS technologies from companies like Verifone, Intel and ELO that use commercial formats like the iPad, iPod touch and iPhone, and Windows- or Android-based devices.

Services: Retailers can tap into Direct Source for equipment leasing, maintenance and management services. As one of the only depots in North America, Direct Source can offer fast equipment replacement (often on the same day) so in-store teams can focus on the customer experience instead of device maintenance.

About Direct Source

Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn., Direct Source (www.directsource.com) is a nationwide consultant and technology solutions provider for tier-one retail, travel and lodging industries, with a network of more than 2,500 installation specialists. Direct Source’s hardware procurement, software development and deployment services are designed to help maintain a competitive edge and improve site productivity and customer service. Always vendor-neutral, the company draws upon its innovative and industry-encompassing experience to recommend technologies that help clients operate faster, smarter and more profitably. For more information on Direct Source, please visit www.directsource.com.

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