16 October 2017

HP's ElitePOS designed for retail 2.0

HP Inc. is reimagining the retail industry with a versatile all-in-one point-of-sale (POS) system, the HP ElitePOS. The company is transforming the in-store experience by enabling the right balance of technology to help increase sales while streamlining processes.

HP research has found that 69% of shoppers would be more likely to buy in-store if given access to digital self-help tools like interactive displays and kiosks1, for example.

The HP ElitePOS.
The HP ElitePOS.

“As retailers seek new ways to interact with customers and reinvent in-store experiences, technology must empower sales associates and engage customers in a way that feels like a natural extension of the brand,” said Daren Ng, Director of Mobility Solutions, Asia Pacific and Japan, HP Inc. “The new HP ElitePOS solution is built for versatility with a sleek and stunning design that can adapt to multiple retail and hospitality environments, while still offering the security, performance and long-term durability that our customers expect from HP.”

The ElitePOS features a modular design with modern lines, unlike the familiar large, boxy POS terminals commonly used in retail environments. Its design is also functional, supporting use cases beyond checkout: interactive signage, employee attendance, and self-service applications like a customer check-in and access to additional product offerings in the “endless aisle”.

For retailers who want a clean and clutter-free counter space, or who need greater versatility in the placement of their point-of-sale terminal, the display can be separated from the input/output (I/O) base for maximum placement versatility.

Accessories add further customisation options. An optional receipt printer that integrates into the column stand, and an optional magnetic stripe reader built into the display, create a cleaner counter space for retail environments. The optional barcode scanner and optional standalone printer offer a consistent design aesthetic across peripherals.

The ElitePOS is built to be retail-durable. It is MIL-STD tested2, will handle minor spills by channelling liquid out the device, and provide efficient cooling with side venting for improved
reliability.

"Line-busting" - disrupting queues by serving people who are mid-queue - is easier with Windows 10, fast DDR4 memory, and 7th generation Intel Core products and services.

“As the retail and hospitality industries undergo a revolutionary shift, the point-of-service device will be a critical hub in delivering the in-store experience for customers,” said Leslie Hand, VP, Retail Insights, IDC.

“But with this rapid transformation in digital business also comes increased threats, in the form of targeted attacks and malware. Retail POS systems, including the new HP ElitePOS, must be able to balance the growing needs of the customer and the brand while also acting as a guardian of the sensitive information that passes through the device on a daily basis.”

With point-of-sale devices increasingly targeted by hackers, security continues to be top of mind for the retail industry. According to Verizon, 64% of breaches in the retail industry that contained data loss were caused by point-of-sale intrusions3. This has led HP to expand its security solutions to the ElitePOS with both hardware and integrated software security features, including:

• BIOS-level device security to provide protection in the event of a malware attack with HP Sure Start Gen3, a self-healing BIOS, and HP BIOSphere Gen3 firmware ecosystems.

• User authentication technology, including an optional fingerprint reader for secure login; Credential Guard4 for secure user authentication and password protection, and Device Guard5, which lets IT managers create rules to run only signed, trusted, and approved applications on the POS system to help protect against walk-up and low-level attacks through USB ports.

• Physical security of the device itself with an optional bolt-to-counter configuration, VESA mounting K-Lock features and external fingerprint reader for secure login through Windows Hello6.

1 2016 Reality of Retail Report, InReality.

2 MIL STD 810G testing is pending and is not intended to demonstrate fitness for US Department of Defense contract requirements or for military use. Test results are not a guarantee of future performance under these test conditions. Accidental damage requires an optional HP Accidental Damage Protection Care Pack.

3 2016 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR).

4 Requires Windows 10 Enterprise Edition.

5 Windows 10 Enterprise and Device Guard are only available for installation through HP Custom Integration Services to enterprise customers with a volume license to use Windows 10 Enterprise. Device Guard is not available with Windows 10 Pro.

6 Mounting hardware, lock cable and biometric fingerprint reader sold separately.