Johannesburg, 25 Oct 2019
JSE-listed Altron’s subsidiary, Altron Bytes Managed Solutions (Altron BMS), has become the only South African company accredited to provide NCR self-checkout solutions to retailers.
NCR FastLane Self-Checkout (SCO) is a retail offering that allows customers to scan their items at self-service tills, and then pay via a speed point, reducing checkout waiting times by up to 40%. Self-checkout has become the norm in European and US retail markets, introduced to customers more than two decades ago.
Altron BMS is now accredited to install the terminal, which features a user-friendly interface that intelligently guides the consumer through the checkout process using animated demonstrations.
Chad Baker, managing director of Altron BMS, said: “The benefit of being able to offer this to our clients is not only in being able to improve their efficiencies and to free staff up to provide more customer service value-adds, but also in aiding them grow their business and free up floor space. Research shows that consumers are more likely to do repeat business with a retailer that provides self-checkout technology.”
Self-checkout also provides retailers with the opportunity to upskill and redeploy their employees from front-end checkout duties to provide services elsewhere within the store, from answering in-aisle questions to replacing inventory.
Altron BMS's chief technology officer, Vaughn Naidoo, said: “With self-checkout, the entire customer experience can be redefined and enhanced to help increase customer satisfaction and encourage customer loyalty. We’re talking a total shift in service philosophy and transforming the end-to-end shopping experience.”
NCR’s SCO has a market share of more than 60% and the solution is installed in more than 125 000 checkout lanes globally.
“We are pleased to have been able to build on our longstanding partnership with BMS through aiding the company in achieving this critical certification level,” said NCR’s Avi Ramdhani. “We look forward to continuing to work with them as we continue to roll out technological enhancements.”
To qualify for the accreditation, BMS’s technical team had to show that they were proficient in C++ or C#, Java or COM and XML, as well as in industry-standard artificial intelligence messaging, among other database, coding and networking skills.
Earlier this year, at an award ceremony held in the United States, Altron BMS was the proud recipient of NCR’s Service Partner Award and recognised primarily as Service Provider of the Year.
“We aim to build on this legacy while continuing to deliver innovative solutions to our clients,” concluded Baker.
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Allied Electronics Corporation Limited
South African listed Allied Electronics Corporation Limited (Altron) is invested in telecommunications and information technology, offering ICT services in the areas of cybersecurity, software security solutions, business process outsourcing, skills development, secure transactional solutions, systems integration, cloud computing, managed services, IT infrastructure, electronic component distribution, fleet management, telematics, data analytics, converged and broadband communication services and networks, and the resale of Microsoft software.
The group’s primary focus is in providing innovative solutions in the fintech, healthtech, safety & security, and learning and development verticals that have a meaningful impact on society by addressing challenges facing communities in South Africa, the continent and beyond, while delivering shared value for all its stakeholders.
Founded in 1965, Altron has a direct presence in South Africa, the rest of Africa, the UK and Australia through its various businesses. In addition, the group’s strategic partnerships with leading international technology companies gives it access to leading technology capabilities and products from across the world, including Asia, Europe and North America. The majority of the groups revenue and headcount are derived from the local market in South Africa where the group is headquartered. The Altron group employs more than 8 500 employees globally.