Bass Pro plans point-of-sale overhaul

IBM’s Store Integration Framework and PCMS’ Java-based BeanStore software will be in Bass Pro’s 34 stores, each of which has between 10 and 50 point-of-sale terminals.

The new technology is designed to integrate the various elements of a sale, from checkout lanes to customized item purchases to navigation of Bass Pro’s online store. At each checkout point, technology can include credit-card scanners, display screens and printers.

“The real benefit to that is the technology is more open, so that when you’re using different types of technology, they’re going to work together much easier than if you’re using some kind of proprietary hardware or software,” said Roy Miller, PCMS spokesman.

The end result is a quicker, easier and, hopefully, more enjoyable purchasing experience for customers, Miller said. But it also means more efficiency for Bass Pro employees, both on the sales floor and at the company’s corporate headquarters in Springfield, he said.

Bass Pro officials declined to comment on its plans for new point-of-sale technology.

PCMS also will provide training services for Bass Pro employees. The software rollout should be complete in 2007.

The trend

Bass Pro is a part of a growing trend of retailers that are upping their spending on point-of-sale technology.

Retailers spent nearly $6 billion on point-of-sale terminals in 2005, according to a study by Franklin, Tenn.-based IHL Consulting Group. Shipments of point-of-sale equipment increased 5 percent last year.

Stores are implementing more open operating systems such as Linux or Microsoft Windows, and many are experimenting with liquid-crystal-display, or LCD, screens.

“Any kind of self-service, whether it be a kiosk or self-checkout, those kinds of things are emerging trends,” Miller said.[[In-content Ad]]