What is ses-imagotag? It is the global leader in digital solutions for physical retail. The company’s core technology centers on electronic shelf labels. Each ESL Price Tag replaces a traditional paper label with advanced digital displays. This system creates a powerful IoT network for stores.
This innovation drives store automation. It unlocks a new level of operational efficiency. The ESL Gateway AP and connected tags fundamentally transform the Esl Retail environment.
What is SES-imagotag and Its Core Technology?
So, what is ses-imagotag? It is a company pioneering the future of physical retail through its advanced core technology: electronic shelf labeling. This system replaces static paper price tags with a dynamic, connected network of digital price labels. The technology forms a powerful Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem within the store, enabling automation and data-driven operations.
Defining Electronic Shelf Labels (ESLs)
Electronic shelf labels are the foundational hardware of this digital transformation. They are far more than simple replacements for paper; they are intelligent endpoints in a store-wide communication network.
Smart Digital Displays for Shelves
At their core, ESLs are smart digital displays designed for the shelf edge. Each label is a sophisticated piece of hardware with key components working in unison.
- Hardware: The physical tag features a crisp e-ink (or e-paper) screen. This technology provides a high-contrast, paper-like appearance that is easy to read from any angle. The durable casing protects the device in a busy retail environment.
- Software: Powerful software manages the content on the digital displays. It synchronizes data from a central server, executing price changes, displaying promotions, and managing product information across thousands of labels simultaneously.
Centralized Price and Data Management
The true power of electronic shelf labels comes from centralized control. A store manager can update prices and product data across an entire store from a single computer or mobile device. This eliminates the slow, error-prone process of printing and replacing paper tags by hand. The functional differences are significant.
| Feature | Electronic Shelf Labels (ESLs) | Traditional Paper Price Tags |
|---|---|---|
| Price Updates | Automated, real-time, and wireless from a central system | Manual printing and physical replacement |
| Efficiency | Instant updates, major labor savings, reduced errors | Slow, labor-intensive, and prone to human error |
| Integration | Seamless with POS, inventory, and other digital systems | No integration with digital systems |
| Product Details | Displays promotions, stock levels, QR codes, and more | Limited to basic price and product name |
How ESLs Function in a Retail Environment
An ESL system operates as a cohesive IoT network. It connects the physical shelf edge to the retailer’s digital strategy, enabling a new level of agility and accuracy.
The Wireless Communication Infrastructure
The system relies on a robust wireless communication infrastructure to function. SES-imagotag utilizes a proprietary radio frequency (RF) protocol operating on the 2.4 GHz band. This ensures reliable, high-speed communication between the central server and every tag in the store.
Tech Note: The VUSION platform also integrates modern, standardized technologies like Bluetooth® LE and Near-Field Communication (NFC). This open approach allows for seamless integration and future-proofs the investment for any retail business.
Real-Time, Store-Wide Updates
When a price is changed in the central system, the update is broadcast wirelessly. The signal travels through access points installed throughout the store, reaching the designated labels in seconds. This capability for real-time updates allows retailers to implement dynamic pricing strategies, react instantly to competitor price changes, or launch flash promotions with perfect accuracy.
Low-Power Operation and Battery Longevity
A common question is, “what is ses-imagotag doing about battery life?” The e-ink technology used in the digital displays is a key part of the answer. These screens only consume power when the image is changing. Once an update is complete, the display holds the image indefinitely with zero energy usage. This ultra-low-power operation gives the labels a battery life of several years, making them a sustainable and low-maintenance solution.
The VUSION Platform: An IoT Hub for Retail
The VUSION platform elevates electronic shelf labeling from a simple pricing tool to a comprehensive IoT hub for physical retail. It transforms the store into a connected, data-rich environment. This ecosystem extends far beyond the digital price labels on the shelf, creating a central nervous system for store operations.
More Than Just a Digital Tag
VUSION is not just about the hardware; it is a complete software and hardware solution. It provides retailers with the tools to manage their stores with unprecedented intelligence and agility.
Cloud-Based Retail Management
The VusionCloud platform functions as the core of this retail IoT ecosystem. It enables retailers to manage and monitor all their connected devices from a single, centralized interface. The platform’s capabilities include:
- Tracking and managing IoT assets, like electronic shelf labels, throughout their lifecycle.
- Integrating seamlessly with a retailer’s existing systems through a wide range of APIs.
- Providing real-time access to store activity and asset status via web and mobile dashboards.
- Automating essential tasks such as price updates and promotional campaigns.
Capturing Data for Actionable Insights
VUSION turns every shelf into a source of valuable data. Using a combination of sensors, cameras, and shopper interactions, the platform captures critical information directly from the sales floor. This includes on-shelf availability, stockout detection, and even shopper behavior like product touches. This data provides a clear view of inventory status and customer engagement, empowering managers to make informed decisions.
Key Features of the VUSION Ecosystem
The VUSION IoT platform unlocks powerful new capabilities that streamline operations and enhance the store environment. These features work together to create a more efficient and responsive retail space.
By connecting the physical shelf to digital analytics, VUSION gives retailers a powerful advantage. It enables them to optimize inventory, improve staff productivity, and react instantly to market changes.
Dynamic Pricing and Promotions
The platform gives retailers complete control over pricing. They can deploy store-wide price changes, launch flash sales, or test strategic pricing models in seconds. This agility ensures price consistency and maximizes revenue opportunities.
Automated Stock Monitoring and Alerts
VUSION helps eliminate empty shelves. Using AI-powered analytics and wireless mini-cameras, the system constantly monitors on-shelf availability. It automatically detects out-of-stock products and sends alerts to staff, ensuring shelves are replenished quickly and sales are not lost.
Geolocation for Product Finding
The system can pinpoint the exact location of any product in the store. This feature helps both customers and staff find items quickly, improving the shopping experience and operational efficiency.
Guiding Staff with Pick-to-Light
For retailers fulfilling online orders from the store, the Pick-to-Light feature is a game-changer. The LED on a specific product’s label flashes, visually guiding employees to the correct item. This simple but effective tool dramatically increases picking productivity by up to 30%, improves order accuracy, and reduces the labor costs associated with order fulfillment and restocking.
Revolutionizing Daily Retail Operations
The VUSION platform fundamentally changes how daily tasks are managed in a retail environment. It moves stores away from slow, manual processes toward a future of digital precision and efficiency. This transformation delivers powerful benefits in pricing strategy and staff productivity.
Achieving Unmatched Pricing Agility
Pricing agility is crucial for survival in the modern retail landscape. SES-imagotag provides the tools for retailers to react instantly to market demands, ensuring both accuracy and consistency across all channels.
Eliminating Manual Pricing Errors
Manual price changes are a significant source of operational errors. These mistakes lead to customer frustration, checkout discrepancies, and lost revenue. The automation of ESLs directly solves this problem.
- Price inaccuracies with paper labels can range from 10% to 15%.
- Electronic Shelf Labels reduce these inaccuracies to less than 1%.
- Manual audits often fail, identifying only one out of every ten pricing errors.
By digitizing the shelf edge, retailers virtually eliminate the financial and reputational damage caused by human error. Every price displayed is guaranteed to match the central system.
Ensuring Omni-Channel Price Consistency
Today’s customers shop both online and in-store, and they expect consistent pricing. The VUSION platform creates a unified ecosystem that synchronizes prices across all sales channels. For example, Walmart Canada implemented the platform to ensure its customers see the same price whether they shop online or in person. This is achieved through real-time communication between the cloud, the store’s database, and the IoT-enabled shelf labels, creating a seamless “phygital” experience.
Boosting Store Associate Productivity
A store’s greatest asset is its people. By automating low-value tasks, SES-imagotag empowers employees to focus on what truly matters: serving customers and improving store operations.
Automating Repetitive Labeling Tasks
The endless cycle of printing, cutting, and replacing paper labels consumes thousands of staff hours each year. The VUSION platform’s core automation completely removes this burden. Price updates that once took days of manual labor are now executed store-wide in minutes, with no physical intervention required from staff.
Freeing Up Staff for Customer-Facing Roles
This newfound efficiency frees employees from the stockroom and places them on the sales floor. Staff can dedicate their time to higher-value activities, such as assisting shoppers, managing inventory, and ensuring a positive customer experience. This shift directly enhances service quality and store performance.
Simplifying Planogram and Shelf Compliance
Maintaining a correct shelf layout, or planogram, is essential for sales and inventory management. VUSION’s geolocation and Pick-to-Light features simplify this process. The flashing LEDs on the labels guide staff during restocking and shelf resets, ensuring products are always in the right place. This improves picking efficiency and makes compliance checks faster and more accurate.
Building the Business Case for ESLs
An investment in new technology requires a clear and compelling business case. For retailers considering electronic shelf labels, the return on investment (ROI) is not just theoretical; it is proven, measurable, and multifaceted. The VUSION platform delivers substantial financial returns by cutting operational costs and creating new avenues for revenue growth. This section breaks down the key financial arguments for adopting this technology, demonstrating how it pays for itself and drives long-term profitability.
Driving Tangible Financial Benefits
The most immediate impact of adopting ESLs comes from direct cost reductions. These savings are realized by automating manual tasks and eliminating the recurring expenses associated with traditional pricing methods.
Significant Labor Cost Reductions
Labor is one of the largest operational expenses in retail. The manual process of changing paper price tags consumes thousands of employee hours annually. By automating this task, retailers can reallocate staff from tedious back-office work to high-value, customer-facing activities on the sales floor. This shift not only improves the customer experience but also translates directly into significant labor cost savings, allowing for a more efficient and productive workforce.
Eliminating Paper and Printing Expenses
The costs of paper-based labeling extend far beyond the paper itself. The VUSION system completely removes these ongoing operational expenses.
- It eliminates the need to purchase paper stock, ink cartridges, and toner.
- It removes the maintenance and replacement costs for office printers.
- It cuts out the hidden costs associated with printer jams, waste, and disposal.
A pilot program by Walmart across 500 stores in North America demonstrated annual savings of $43,000 per store. This figure includes savings from materials, labor, and the reduction of costly pricing errors, showcasing a powerful financial return.
Increasing Sales and Profit Margins
Beyond cost savings, the VUSION platform actively drives top-line growth. It empowers retailers to implement sophisticated pricing and promotional strategies that increase sales, protect margins, and respond instantly to market dynamics.
Implementing Strategic Pricing Models
Dynamic pricing allows a retail business to adjust prices based on demand, competitor pricing, or inventory levels. McKinsey reports that effective dynamic pricing strategies can increase revenue by 5–15%. The VUSION platform makes this possible.
- GreenMart implemented AI-powered ESLs and saw a 15% increase in sales within six months.
- The same system helped GreenMart achieve a 20% improvement in profit margins through smarter pricing decisions.
This level of agility transforms pricing from a static operational task into a strategic lever for growth.
Reducing Revenue Loss from Inaccuracies
Pricing errors are a silent drain on profitability. They lead to customer dissatisfaction at checkout, regulatory fines, and direct revenue loss. The scale of this problem is staggering.
- U.S. retailers are projected to lose an average of 5.5% of their revenue due to store-level inefficiencies by 2025.
- This translates to an estimated $162.7 billion in lost sales.
- Nearly 37% of retailers identify product pricing errors as a major operational challenge.
By ensuring 100% accuracy between the shelf and the point-of-sale system, ESLs eliminate this source of revenue leakage entirely, protecting both profits and customer trust.
Enabling Rapid Promotional Changes
The ability to launch and end promotions instantly creates significant commercial advantages. Retailers can run limited-time “flash sales” to drive traffic or implement strategic markdowns to clear slow-moving products. For example, Hema Fresh used ESLs for real-time markdowns on perishable goods, leading to a 15% increase in sales and a reduction in waste. This capability allows stores to optimize sales and manage inventory with precision.
Enhancing the Modern In-Store Customer Experience
The VUSION platform transforms the in-store environment from a simple transactional space into an engaging, trustworthy, and interactive experience. By leveraging its powerful IoT capabilities, retailers can build stronger customer relationships and foster brand loyalty directly at the shelf edge.
Building Shopper Trust and Confidence
Trust is the cornerstone of customer loyalty. The VUSION platform provides the tools to build this trust through transparency and reliability.
Guaranteed Pricing Accuracy at the Shelf
Pricing errors are a major source of customer frustration. Manual price changes often lead to mistakes that can cost stores 3–5% of their yearly profits and drive shoppers to competitors. The VUSION system eliminates this issue.
While 55% of consumers will switch brands for a better price, nearly nine out of ten shoppers are willing to pay more for products from brands they trust. Guaranteed pricing accuracy is a fundamental step in building that trust. This IoT solution ensures every price on the shelf perfectly matches the checkout system, removing discrepancies and building shopper confidence.
Access to Detailed Product Information
Modern consumers demand transparency. They want to know more about the products they buy. VUSION labels serve as a gateway to rich product data. Shoppers can access a wide range of information, including:
- Comprehensive nutritional facts and critical allergen warnings
- Detailed ingredient lists and manufacturing practices
- Promotional offers and digital coupons
This level of detail empowers customers to make informed purchasing decisions right at the point of decision.
Creating an Interactive and Engaging Journey
The VUSION platform turns the physical shelf into a dynamic and interactive touchpoint, merging the digital and physical worlds for a richer shopping journey.
NFC and QR Code Integration for Mobile
VUSION labels with integrated NFC and QR codes transform the shelf into an interactive portal. A simple tap or scan with a smartphone can unlock a wealth of content. This IoT technology allows customers to access recipes, brand stories, or complementary product suggestions instantly. This engagement strategy converts a standard retail trip into an immersive experience, boosting customer satisfaction.
Displaying Customer Reviews and Ratings
Social proof is a powerful influencer in purchasing decisions. The VUSION platform enables retailers to display customer reviews and star ratings directly on the electronic labels. For example, the Italian retailer il Viaggiator Goloso used VUSION labels to publish over 80,000 customer reviews at the shelf. This initiative positively influenced shopper decisions and provided valuable real-time feedback.
Delivering Personalized Shelf-Edge Promotions
The platform’s connectivity allows for the delivery of targeted promotions. By integrating with loyalty programs, the IoT system can trigger personalized offers on the labels as a specific customer walks down an aisle. This capability makes the shopping experience more relevant and rewarding, driving impulse purchases and strengthening the connection between the shopper and the retail brand.
Why VUSION Sets the Future Standard
The VUSION platform is not just an incremental upgrade; it represents a fundamental shift in retail technology. Its architecture is designed for longevity, interoperability, and scalability, establishing a new benchmark for the connected store of the future.
Built on Open, Standardized Technology
VUSION’s strength lies in its commitment to open, industry-standard technologies. This approach avoids proprietary lock-in and ensures that a retailer’s investment remains relevant and adaptable as technology evolves.
The Power of Bluetooth Connectivity
The platform’s native integration of Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) expands the possibilities of the in-store iot ecosystem. This is not standard consumer Bluetooth; it is an enterprise-grade solution engineered for demanding environments.
- Smart Coexistence: It operates seamlessly alongside existing Wi-Fi and other networks, minimizing interference.
- Proven Scalability: The system is proven to support over 120,000 iot devices in a single store, ensuring it can handle the most complex deployments.
- Secure Transmissions: It provides a robust security layer essential for the safe exchange of pricing and operational data.
Seamless Integration with Existing Systems
A new platform is only as good as its ability to work with existing infrastructure. VUSION excels at this, offering flexible and powerful data integration from a variety of sources. The platform integrates smoothly with a store’s core systems, such as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Point of Sale (POS) software. This is commonly achieved through a documented REST API, with additional support for JSON API and Flat File (CSV/XML) methods to ensure a smooth connection.
Scalability for Any Retail Footprint
SES-imagotag provides tailored solutions that fit the unique needs of any retail business, from a local independent shop to a global hypermarket chain. This ensures that every store can access the benefits of digital transformation.
Solutions for Small Shops to Hypermarkets
The company offers distinct solutions based on store size and complexity. This allows businesses to choose the system that best matches their operational scale and budget.
| Shop Type | Recommended Solution | Typical SKU Count |
|---|---|---|
| Small, independent shops | Tagr by SES-imagotag | Less than 1,000 SKUs |
| Large hypermarket chains | Vusion by SES-imagotag | More than 1,000 SKUs |
Tagr offers a simple, self-installable system that connects directly with popular POS systems, while Vusion provides a comprehensive iot platform for large-scale operations.
A Secure and Future-Proof Investment
Choosing VUSION is a strategic decision that prepares a business for the future. The platform’s use of standardized technology like Bluetooth ensures ongoing compatibility and development. Its proven scalability means it can grow with the business, from a single pilot store to a full-chain rollout. This combination of open architecture, robust security, and scalability makes it a secure and future-proof investment.
A Commitment to Retail Sustainability
Modern businesses recognize that long-term success requires a strong commitment to sustainability. The VUSION platform provides a powerful pathway for the retail industry to achieve its environmental goals. It transforms store operations to be not only more efficient but also fundamentally more sustainable. This focus on sustainability is a core pillar of the technology’s value proposition.
Reducing Environmental Impact
The VUSION system delivers immediate and measurable environmental benefits by targeting key sources of waste and emissions in traditional store operations. This helps businesses improve their sustainability metrics.
Eliminating Paper Waste Entirely
Electronic shelf labels directly replace the endless cycle of paper price tags. This transition has a significant positive impact on sustainability.
- It stops the consumption of paper, ink, and toner.
- It removes the need for printers, reducing electronic waste over time.
- It eliminates the physical waste generated from discarded labels and packaging.
This single change marks a major step forward in a company’s journey toward corporate sustainability.
Lowering the Carbon Footprint
The benefits of going paperless extend to the entire supply chain. A business reduces its carbon footprint by ending its reliance on the manufacturing and transportation of paper goods. This operational shift improves key sustainability metrics and demonstrates a tangible commitment to environmental stewardship. The platform’s contribution to sustainability is clear and direct.
Promoting Efficient Resource Management
True sustainability involves managing all resources wisely. The VUSION platform provides the tools and sustainability intelligence needed to optimize operations, conserve energy, and minimize waste. This approach enhances overall sustainability performance.
Ultra-Low-Power Consumption Labels
VUSION labels are engineered for exceptional energy efficiency, a key aspect of their sustainability design. The system’s color e-paper technology displays information with minimal energy consumption. Power is only used when the content on the screen changes. SES-imagotag’s research and development efforts heavily prioritize low-energy systems. Over 40% of the company’s patents relate specifically to energy savings, underscoring its dedication to sustainability.
Optimizing Logistics and Reducing Waste
The platform offers advanced sustainability intelligence by turning operational information into actionable insights. Features like automated stock monitoring help prevent overstocking and reduce spoilage, particularly for perishable goods. This generates valuable sustainability data that allows managers to make smarter inventory decisions. By optimizing logistics and minimizing product waste, the system promotes a circular approach to resource management, reinforcing the company’s commitment to sustainability.
What is ses-imagotag? It is a company that transforms the static retail environment into a dynamic, data-driven ecosystem. The VUSION platform’s automation delivers unprecedented efficiency and accuracy. This shift toward electronic shelf labels also drives sustainability. This commitment to sustainability is key. This technology empowers stores to compete in the digital age, enhancing the customer experience and future-proofing operations with a focus on sustainability.
So, what is ses-imagotag? It represents a strategic imperative for intelligent operations, with sustainability at its core. The focus on sustainability ensures long-term viability and improved sustainability performance.
FAQ
What is the primary benefit of ESLs?
Electronic shelf labels automate pricing to eliminate manual errors and reduce labor costs. The system guarantees price accuracy between the shelf and checkout. This automation frees up store associates for customer-facing tasks, improving store efficiency and service.
How long do the batteries in the labels last?
VUSION labels feature an ultra-low-power design. The e-paper screens only consume energy during content updates. This efficiency gives the batteries a lifespan of several years, minimizing maintenance requirements for the retail business.
Can VUSION work with my existing store software?
Yes. The VUSION platform offers flexible integration capabilities. It uses a documented REST API and other methods to connect seamlessly with a store’s existing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Point of Sale (POS) systems.
Is this technology suitable for small stores?
Absolutely. SES-imagotag provides solutions for every retail footprint.
- Tagr: This system is designed for small, independent shops.
- Vusion: This comprehensive platform serves large-scale hypermarket chains.
Each solution allows businesses to access the benefits of digital transformation.
How do the labels communicate with the central system?
The system uses a robust wireless infrastructure. Access points installed in the store relay information from a central server to each label. This communication typically uses a proprietary radio frequency protocol or enterprise-grade Bluetooth for secure, real-time updates.
What makes the VUSION platform sustainable?
The platform promotes sustainability in two key ways. First, it completely eliminates paper waste from traditional labeling. Second, the ultra-low-power e-paper displays minimize energy consumption, helping retailers reduce their overall environmental footprint.
