Saturday, 24 May 2008
Woolworths missed opportunity
 Today I decided to try the newly installed self-serve check-outs at Woolworth's for my fortnightly shop. I had great experiences at the self-serve at Big W, so was optimistic the Woolworths system would be be as simple to use. Big disappointment! You first need a human to key you into the system (sort of defeats the purpose) at our supermarket. If you use your own green bags you totally confuse the machine, so every bag you add and remove means another human visit to swipe their card in and key your green bag into the system. I gather their is a tiny button on the first screen to use your own bags that will reduce this hassle, as our friendly assistant told us when we were half way through scanning. The technology is slower than returning library books - beep - wait - wait - wait - put it in your bag. If you move something from one bag to another in packing you need a human to recalibrate the system, if the item is too heavy for the scales under the bag (think of cans of soft drink or dog food) another visit from the human. If you move too fast - another visit from the human. If you take the bag off the scales a second before you get your three green lights as ready to move (another few seconds delay) and another human visit. They have built in so many layers to reduce shoplifting that the system is slow and cumbersome. The only place to put filled bags is on the floor for everyone to trip over unless you are in the know and bring your own empty trolley with you to fill. Ever had the idea that it would actually be faster and easier just going through the checkouts with humans on them? As someone who embraces their inner nerd and detests grocery shopping I was really hopeful that this would save time. Not with this round of software Woolies. Reading all the media releases suggests Woolies only really wants people with one or two items to use the self-serve and those with bigger shops to go through the ones with personnel on them. They have achieved their goal. I am going back to the old fashioned method until they bring out V2 of the software. That of course is until I can find a company where I can do my full shop on-line at a good price which means I can avoid supermarkets all together (ah bliss!). Ingrid Cliff Heart Harmony Putting your business into words Labels: technology trends |
Sunday, 18 May 2008
Intelligent whiteboards
On 14 May this year Bill Gates unveiled the future of whiteboards. Most people who have been to my office know I can't function without a whiteboard as I love the interactivity and immediacy of a whiteboard. It is one of the best tools we can use to help sort out precise word flow for someone looking for a tag line or vision statement - as people can get intimately involved in the process. This advance is quite an exciting step forward. It reflects the trend of blending technology with the human touch factor - making technology easier to use. You don't need to push buttons or use special tools - just use your fingers. It is still at prototype phase and a few years off production - but Bill, my order is waiting for when it is released on the market! For your products - how can you increase the human touch factor? How can you build ways for people to physically interact with your product rather than just observe? exuberantly yours Ingrid Heart Harmony We put your business into words Labels: small business ideas, small business trends, technology trends |