Box unveils the new retail tablet

Information technology specialist, Box Technologies, has launched the cielo mobile tablet, which it claims is the 'ideal tablet for retail' - enabling retailers to provide mobile point of sale services.

The company introduced the device to retailers at its new In-Store Technology Centre launch on 5th December. The cielo tablet was officially released this month at the New York NRF exhibition and early adopter programs will be launched within the next two to three months.

Box's head of mobile solutions, Raj Parmar, comments: "Large numbers of retailers have piloted tablet technology over the last three years, but we have worked hard to develop the cielo mobile tablet, which we believe is perfect for the store environment. Unlike a lot of other products on the market, the device is thin, light, waterproof and easy to handle. It has also undergone rigorous drop testing to ensure it is rugged and able to withstand the demands of a busy shop floor.

"We have also created a device with an 8.3" screen tablet with a long battery life, and ensured it will work both from a WiFi or 3G/4G connection, so it can be taken to concessions or trade fairs."

The cielo mobile tablet will run on Microsoft's Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry platform, which makes integration within a Windows environment a straightforward exercise and provides a high degree of cross-platform compatibility. As an additional benefit, the device also has an attached Chip and PIN facility to ensure continuity of service during an assisted sales process.

"Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry is Microsoft's solution for industry tablets that are used for line of business purposes," said David Wurster, group product marketing manager, Windows Embedded at Microsoft.

"Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry provides all the capabilities of Windows 8.1, plus additional functionality to deliver the defined user experience retailers are asking for on their industry tablets."

Parmar adds: "The tablet is designed to assist the retailer in providing real-time product information on the shop floor, and will help to create mobility for the store assistant by serving customers and taking payments away from the fixed till point.

"We were proud to launch the new cielo mobile tablet, and know there is a demand for such a product, following customer feedback. The device received a lot of interest, and we look forward to making new customer announcements in the New Year.

"Our aim is to provide leading-edge solutions that will help our clients remain competitive and exciting, and help them to create an engaging mobile customer experience."

In addition, Box has recently launched its In-Store Technology Centre in Thame, which brings together customer engagement, technology across areas including: tablet computing, mobile payment, footfall analysis, digital signage, networked content management and pioneering PoS concepts. Box invited over 60 retailers and partners to launch the 100 square metre technology centre.

www.boxtechnologies.co.uk