It is no exaggeration to say that one of the most hit industries is the retail industry as the pandemic continues.We talked to the management of the AWS retail industry partner company and asked about the leadership and innovation to overcome this confusion.Please enjoy this blog serialization.
This time, we talked to NEC Corporation (NEC) Smart Retail Headquarters Smart Retail Service Group Manager Yuji Tahara about the current retail industry.
AWS: Please tell us about the NEC business in the retail industry and the fields that are focused.
NEC: NEC has been providing store solutions to many retail customers for over 40 years.。In recent years, in order to realize more practical solution planning and development with the theme of "improving purchasing experiences" and "work efficiency", we will co -create with customers and co -create with customers.We have been making many efforts, such as creating a store.In addition, we have also operated "Regessless stores".Among them, we are dealing with various products and solutions, such as payment technology utilizing face authentication and image authentication, human flow, and behavior, but the most important thing in order to realize these initiatives is video solution.We are developing these technologies every day so that you can use them more easily.
AWS: The new Corona has never experienced the uncertainty, and I think one of the largest industries is the retail and service industry.What are the biggest issues for NEC customers?
NEC: Before Corona, retailers were an industry that had to respond to changes to consumer needs.With the occurrence of Corona, it was necessary to understand not only the existing store data such as POS information, but also the situation and actual situation of the site.Among them, the video is a focus area, and it is expected to be used for store operations and customer experiences.The usage of conventional cameras in stores was limited to crime prevention, and it was not used for business.The possibility that various data can be extracted from images has expanded due to the recent progress of AI.I want to make use of these and contribute to the retail industry.
AWS: The use of images has already been expected as a major part of the so -called SMART Store for several years, but in fact, the management and utilization of huge video data may have been recognized as a hurdle.How does NEC propose data management and utilization for customers with such hurdles?The use of images has already been expected to be a major part of the so -called SMART STORE, but in fact, the management and utilization of vast video data may have been recognized as a hurdle.How does NEC propose data management and utilization for customers with such hurdles?
NEC: In order to use videos in store operations, you need to make a proposal that matches cost -effectiveness.For that reason, NEC offers the following two points.
- シンプル構成とハイブリッド型：カメラをクラウド型化したいお客様にとってハードルとなるのが設置機器の増加・維持管理と、クラウド費用の増加。NECでは現地にエッジ端末を置かずカメラのみでクラウド化出来る構成を実現し、導入・維持管理における費用・工数を最大限にシンプル化。また映像データは必要な箇所のみクラウドに転送するハイブリッド方式で、クラウド費用低減も実現。
- すぐ使える検知機能：人数カウント機能を実装済み。開発・構築費用無しで即時にご利用開始できる。そのほか欠品検知、商品検知、車両検知機能等を今後順次追加予定。
AWS: I see.In addition, please explain a little more about the contents of the specific services and the use case.
NEC: Yes, specifically, we are considering the following functions.
AWS: I think technology will continue to evolve and use data more active, but what kind of innovation does NEC do to respond to changes?
NEC: NEC has launched a brand message called "Smart Retail CX" as a future image of retail, and as a theme to work on, it proposes "50%decrease in business", "twice attractive", and "unauthorized/zero cash".increase.In order to achieve these themes, various products and services draw a roadmap for expanding functions using data.Especially in the world of camera technology, not only human movements, but also product shelves, missing detections, cashier fraudulent detection, employee work, etc. can contribute to the visualization, efficiency, and optimization of the retail industry.We are promoting planning and development.In order to realize those projects, we are building a service base using the various PaaS / IaaS provided by AWS.In addition to reducing operation and management costs, speedy construction and function implementation are now possible.In the future, when updating the base and expanding various functions, we believe that it is possible to respond flexibly without being caught in the cost and speed as before.In addition, the construction of a cloud base requires specialized know -how, but the AWS and NEC strategic partnerships are enhanced and fluid of SE resources, making it easier for company assets to be used.
AWS: What do you expect to use technology for the future of the retail industry?
NEC: The core vision of the above-mentioned Smart Retail CX is "Consumer-Centric Retailing" = consumer-led retail model.As you can see from these words, it is necessary to emphasize the convenience, experience, and excitement of consumers in the future, and the retail business will review all work according to the needs of each consumer.I need it.In order to provide a shopping experience that makes consumers really happy, you need an environment where you can understand consumers and focus on valuable work.The key to the answer is flowing in real time in the camera data, so I would like to contribute so that it can be used full and retail.
AWS: Thank you very much for telling me today.
Yuji Tahara
NEC
Smart Retail Headquarters Smart Retail Service Group Manager Yuji Tahara
NEC business development manager.After the launch of an unmanned convenience store in 2018, it is currently being developed mainly on video AI services for retail business.
About the author of this blog
KEANU NAHM
Keanu is mainly in charge of the retail and logistics industry as an AWS senior business development manager.He is a graduate of Warton MBA, USA University of Michigan.Strategy planning for B2C and B2B marketing, business development, and brand management in US, UK and Korean consumers and IT companies.Since 2016, he has led DX, including new corporate culture, organizational change, and digital advertising product development in US IT companies for retail and consumer companies.Incumbent from the end of 2020.