Everything you need to know about VoCoVo and smart integration

UK stores are among the most technologically advanced in the world. From virtual fitting rooms to smart shelving, technology has become an integral part of the British shopping experience:

• 62% of UK stores use mobile technology to geolocate their customers.
• 41% of UK companies utilise IoT (Internet of Things) technology.
• 77% of UK retailers employ artificial intelligence in customer service.

We recognise that VoCoVo is just one piece of this puzzle. Our goal is to complement existing technologies, not replace them. Our products are designed to integrate seamlessly with as many smart devices as possible. By enhancing your store’s existing technology with the power of communication, we can revolutionise the way you work.

Here are just a few examples:

REMEMBER IMPORTANT TASKS

When the shop floor is busy, it’s easy for colleagues to overlook certain tasks. These mistakes can be costly—leaving a fridge door open or forgetting to set the alarms at closing time can have serious consequences.

Our products use an API (Application Programming Interface) to connect with smart fridges and security doors, allowing these devices to ‘communicate’ with colleagues via their headsets. If a task has been missed, the device will send a reminder directly to the relevant colleague’s headset. This improves efficiency and provides peace of mind, ensuring colleagues can finish their shift knowing nothing has been overlooked.

Crack down on shoplifting

Shoplifting is a costly issue for many retailers. Customer theft has risen by nearly 50% over the past 20 years, costing retailers £770 million annually. Unfortunately, the pandemic has only worsened the situation—face masks and social distancing have made it harder than ever for security teams to catch shoplifters. Fortunately, we have a solution.

By integrating with smart devices, we enable stores to take a two-pronged approach to tackling crime:

• VoCoVo can be linked to smart shelving, helping you identify suspicious stock depletion patterns. We recently partnered with machine intelligence experts SHELFIE to refine this system. SHELFIE uses a combination of computer vision and machine learning to detect discrepancies. Any unusual activity triggers an instant alert to all nearby headsets, allowing security colleagues to step in immediately. Find out more about our work with SHELFIE:
• Headsets can be integrated with smart CCTV cameras to help catch shoplifters in the act. As soon as a camera detects suspicious behaviour, an automated alert is sent directly to security colleagues. This is far more discreet than a tannoy announcement, giving you a much better chance of apprehending criminals before they leave the store.

Speed up the Checkout Process

Self-checkouts have been steadily growing in popularity over the past few years. 98% of customers have used the technology, and it is now the preferred checkout method for almost three-quarters of shoppers.

Self-checkout is convenient for customers, but it’s not always the case for colleagues. The need for manual overrides often means that colleagues spend their whole day rushing between machines. By integrating with self-checkouts, we can make this process much simpler:

• Colleagues can authorise self-checkout purchases from anywhere within sight of the checkout. When authorisation is required, an audio alert is sent to all nearby headsets. An authorisation number is displayed above the checkout, and colleagues can use this to authorise the purchase with a voice command.
• This system means a single colleague can monitor all self-checkouts at once, freeing up other colleagues to work elsewhere in the store. It also helps prevent theft by allowing the supervising colleague to oversee the entire checkout area.

These are just a few ways that VoCoVo can integrate with smart devices in your store. As new technology emerges, so too will new opportunities for collaboration. Give us a call to find out more.