automatic data capture
point of sale
The right moves IT Resellerspoke with Nick Kerridge, managing director of Ergonomic Solutions
(Western Europe) Ltd., and the companyʼs lead ergonomist, Melanie Swann, about the services and solutions the company provides, as well as opportunities for VAR partners.
E
rgonomic Solutions is a manufacturer and supplier of EPoS and in-store technology mounting solutions for the global retail markets. The
company comprises four regional sales and support companies, based in Denmark, France, Germany and the UK with authorised distributorships and technology partners world-wide. Ergonomic Solutions’ products are ergonomically designed to allow movement flexibility with rotation, tilting, elbow arm and height adjustable capabilities.
Some of the specific solutions supplied by Ergonomic Solutions include: SpacePole Light: Composite based payment mounting solution; SpacePole ClickSafe technology mounting and physical security; iPad SafeGuard mounting solution; Visidec monitor and laptop mounts; and Telehook AV mounts. Ergonomic Solutions also offers clients an ergonomics consultancy service to evaluate a work area being designed or upgraded. The company’s ergonomists
can provide advice and recommendations to help enable customers to create an ergonomic workspace that optimises accessibility, usability, safety and comfort for their staff and customers.
Best position As the company’s lead ergonomist, Melanie Swann explains that her role is all about looking to ensure that people such as checkout cash desk operators within the retail space are put at the centre of the workstation in order for them to reduce repetitive movement. “One of the things we do is look to ensure the scanning device is in the best position,” she explained. “This can, for example, mean positioning the scanner slightly more on the goods outwards side of the checkout you can help ensure a faster and more streamlined process. This gives the operator a little more time to pack up the item, manipulate it and scan it before presenting it at the scanner. This saves time and makes the whole operation faster.”
Swann also pointed out that such simple but effective design aspects can also reduce repetitive motion on the part of the operator. “This can make people more comfortable and feel happier during their daily shift. In terms of the checkout systems themselves, Swann believes that these should be as intuitive as possible in terms of how they are used for daily repetitive order processing functions. However, she stresses that they should also be highly intuitive when used to check information such as stock levels.
Nick Kerridge: Strong partner support. 22 IT RESELLER – NOVEMBER 2011
Routes to market In terms of routes to market, Nick Kerridge explained that most of Ergonomic Solutions’ business it done
Melanie Swann: Dual benefits of greater business efficiency and higher levels of user comfort.
through third parties. He added that there are two main drivers for the business; new technology on existing furniture, or new furniture on existing technology. “If either of these two areas change we tend to be the glue in the middle,” he said. “Our channels of distribution tend either to go with technology providers – be they major technology brands or integrators – and on the other side of the coin are shop fitters, furniture manufacturers and checkout manufacturers. So we will often be directed by the retailer who might say this is an IT budget or this is a furniture budget.”
On the theme of Ergonomic Solutions’ channel partners, Kerridge concluded: “We always set out to support our partners on a level playing field. We are technology neutral and will provide an equal level of support for all our partners and never favour one over the other because it's not down to us to make recommendations on technology. Because of this, we have been able to establish good level of trust over the years with all our partners.
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INTERVIEW
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