SES-imagotag, a well-known name in Electronic Shelf Labels, has officially rebranded to VusionGroup. This change clarifies the difference between the company and its technology. The VUSION platform drives modern Esl Retail, connecting hardware like the ESL Price Tag and the ESL Gateway AP.
The Core Relationship: VusionGroup is the company, while VUSION is the main technology brand it provides.
VusionGroup: The Company Behind the Tech
The name SES-imagotag represented a specific era of retail technology. The new name, VusionGroup, signals a strategic evolution. It positions the company not just as a label provider but as a comprehensive partner for the digital transformation of physical commerce. This change aligns the corporate identity with its forward-thinking mission.
A New Name for a Global Leader
VusionGroup is the new corporate identity for the global leader in retail digitalization. The company officially announced this name change on January 10, 2024. This decision followed a resolution approved by shareholders during the Annual General Meeting on June 23, 2023. The move was a deliberate step to better represent the company’s expanded scope and technological advancements beyond its original focus. Despite the corporate name change, the company’s stock ticker on the Euronext™ Paris exchange remains SESL.
From SES-imagotag to VusionGroup
The transition from SES-imagotag to VusionGroup reflects the company’s growth beyond its foundational product. The organization developed a much broader portfolio of solutions to solve major challenges in physical retail. The original name became too narrow to encompass its full range of capabilities.
The new name, VusionGroup, embodies the various product lines and solutions that have enhanced the Group’s offer over the years. The name SES-imagotag now specifically refers to its world-leading electronic shelf labels (ESL) division.
VusionGroup serves as the parent entity for a diverse ecosystem of brands and technologies, including:
- VusionCloud: The scalable cloud platform managing the entire ecosystem.
- Captana: A computer vision and AI platform for shelf monitoring.
- Memory: Advanced data analytics for retail insights.
- Engage: A retail media solution for in-store advertising on ESLs.
- PDidigital: Solutions tailored for logistics and industrial applications.
This rebranding clarifies that the company provides a complete suite of interconnected IoT solutions, with ESLs being one crucial component of the larger VUSION platform.
VUSION: The Platform and Product Brand
While VusionGroup is the corporate entity, VUSION is the name of its powerful, interconnected Retail IoT platform. This platform is the engine that drives the digital transformation in physical stores. It represents the technology, the software, and the hardware working together to create intelligent and efficient retail environments.
More Than Just a Digital Price Tag
The VUSION platform extends far beyond simple price automation. It serves as a comprehensive solution for modern retail challenges. Leading retailers like Ace Hardware and SPAR Austria have adopted VUSION technologies to enhance store efficiency and elevate the customer experience. The platform empowers store associates and creates a more dynamic shopping journey.
For example, Carrefour successfully used VUSION’s Smartdetection technology to reduce date control time by 80%, effectively eliminating expired products from its shelves. This showcases how the platform directly improves operational excellence and reduces waste.
These applications demonstrate that VUSION is a strategic tool for optimizing every aspect of the store, from the shelf edge to the back office.
What the VUSION Platform Includes
The VUSION platform is a modular ecosystem designed to solve specific retail problems. Its extensive APIs allow it to integrate seamlessly into a retailer’s existing systems, adding value without requiring a complete overhaul. The platform delivers a wide range of solutions, including:
- Store Operational Excellence
- Food Waste Management
- Local eCommerce Fulfillment
- In-Store Digital Media
- Shopper Services and Analytics
This ecosystem is built on several core software and hardware components. Key modules include VusionCloud for scalable device management, Memory for AI-powered data analytics, and Captana for real-time shelf monitoring using computer vision. Another solution, Engage, transforms electronic shelf labels into an in-store advertising network. Together, these elements create a unified system that gives retailers unprecedented visibility and control over their operations.
The Key Difference Between VusionGroup and VUSION
Understanding the distinction between VusionGroup and VUSION is simple once you see them as two sides of the same coin: the corporation and its technology. VusionGroup is the parent company driving the overall strategy. VUSION is the flagship technology platform that executes this strategy in retail stores. The fundamental difference between the two is their role and scope.
An Analogy to Make It Clear
Think of the relationship between Microsoft and its Windows operating system.
- VusionGroup is like Microsoft. It is the corporate entity, the public company with a broad mission, a leadership team, and a diverse portfolio of business units.
- VUSION is like Windows. It is the company’s most famous and central product—an operating platform that enables a vast ecosystem of applications and hardware to function.
VusionGroup, the corporation, has a wide-ranging mission.
Vusiongroup’s mission centers on enabling retailers to achieve strong growth, maximize sales, and improve financial performance through innovative digitalization solutions.
This corporate mission is supported by a formal structure. The company has a dedicated leadership team and a diverse ownership base, with retail and institutional investors holding significant shares.
| Manager | Title |
|---|---|
| Thierry Gadou | Chief Executive Officer |
| Pascale Dubreuil | Director of Finance/CFO |
| Thierry Lemaître | Director of Finance/CFO |
| Andreas Rößl | Chief Tech/Sci/R&D Officer |
| Pierre Demoures | Chief Operating Officer |
In contrast, the VUSION platform has a more product-focused mission. Its goal is to deliver tangible outcomes for retailers using specific technologies. This includes:
- Using advanced data & AI to enhance operations.
- Developing sustainable commerce solutions to reduce waste.
- Turning physical stores into intelligent, data-driven assets.
- Improving the shopping experience for consumers.
This clear difference between a corporate vision and a product mission is the key to telling them apart.
Why the Original Confusion Existed
The confusion between the company and its product brand grew organically over several years. The former company name, SES-imagotag, became less prominent as its own technology brand, VUSION, gained global recognition.
SES-imagotag first introduced the VUSION platform in 2018. The company invested heavily in marketing the platform, and it quickly became an award-winning technology. For example, VUSION won awards for being the “Most popular electronic shelf labels brand” in key markets, recognizing its outstanding technological developments.
Furthermore, the company centered its entire corporate strategy around the product brand. Strategic plans like “VUSION ‘23″ and the current “VUSION ‘27” explicitly aimed to make VUSION the world’s number one retail IoT platform. This powerful marketing focus meant that many people knew the name VUSION but were less familiar with the parent company, SES-imagotag. The rebranding to VusionGroup was a logical step to resolve this ambiguity and align the corporate name with its most successful and forward-looking brand. It clarifies the difference between the innovative technology (VUSION) and the global group behind it (VusionGroup).
The Evolution: From SES and Imagotag to VusionGroup
The journey to VusionGroup is a story of strategic mergers and forward-thinking evolution. The company’s identity has adapted over time to reflect its expanding technological capabilities. Understanding this history clarifies why the 2024 rebrand was a necessary and logical step.
The Original Merger
The foundation of the company known for decades as SES-imagotag was built on a significant merger. In 2012, the French company Store Electronic Systems (SES) acquired its Austrian competitor, imagotag GmbH. This union brought together two pioneers in the electronic shelf label industry. The combined entity, renamed SES-imagotag, became the undisputed global leader in the ESL market. This name represented the powerful combination of two market leaders and their core product focus for over a decade.
The 2024 Rebrand Explained
The 2024 rebrand to VusionGroup marks the company’s transformation from an ESL specialist into a comprehensive retail technology provider. The name SES-imagotag no longer captured the full scope of its business. The company had evolved significantly to address the broader challenges of modern commerce.
Thierry Gadou, Chairman and CEO of VusionGroup, noted that the company grew from an ESL pioneer into a diversified group. He explained that the new name organically embodies this new direction, reflecting expansion into high-potential markets like computer vision, data, and AI.
This strategic shift is evident in the company’s diverse portfolio of solutions. VusionGroup now offers a suite of technologies that harness the power of IoT, Cloud, and AI to modernize physical retail. These solutions include:
- VusionCloud: The core Retail IoT Cloud platform.
- Captana: A computer vision and AI platform for shelf monitoring.
- Memory: Advanced data analytics for deep retail insights.
- Engage: An in-store retail media and advertising solution.
- PDidigital: Specialized solutions for logistics and industrial sectors.
Ultimately, the new name aligns the corporate identity with its mission. VusionGroup uses its technology to help retailers transform their stores into intelligent, connected, and data-driven assets.
Key Features of the VUSION Platform
The VUSION platform combines sophisticated hardware, a cloud-native operating system, and powerful data analytics to create a comprehensive Retail IoT ecosystem. These components work together to digitize physical stores and unlock new levels of efficiency.
Advanced Hardware Capabilities
VUSION hardware provides the physical foundation for in-store digitalization. The company offers a diverse range of electronic shelf labels designed for every retail environment. These labels are not only dynamic but also incredibly durable.
VUSION’s electronic shelf labels, such as the V-Tag and V300 BWR Series, are engineered for longevity, offering a remarkable battery lifespan of up to 15 years.
This long life minimizes maintenance and ensures a reliable, long-term return on investment. The hardware lineup includes specialized models to meet specific needs:
- V300 Series – BWRY: Standard labels with black, white, red, and yellow displays.
- V300 Waterproof & Freezer Series: Models built to withstand challenging conditions.
- V700 Series – Full color: High-impact labels with vibrant, full-color screens.
- VSway Series: Unique formats for specialized use cases.
The V:OS Cloud-Native Operating System
VusionOX, the platform’s operating system, serves as the central nervous system for all connected devices. It integrates Bluetooth-LE standards at its core, a design choice that enables massive scalability and simple upgradability. This technology allows a vast number of devices to connect seamlessly within a single store. VusionOX enhances the standard Bluetooth-LE protocol with proprietary features, ensuring plug-and-play connectivity to both local network infrastructure and the VusionCloud.
Data Analytics and Retail IoT
The VUSION platform excels at turning raw data into actionable retail intelligence. It uses IoT sensors and AI to give retailers unprecedented visibility into their operations. For example, the EdgeSense™ solution connects shelf and inventory data to effectively resolve product availability issues. The platform offers several specialized analytics solutions:
| Solution | Data Analytics Focus |
|---|---|
| Memory | Provides AI-driven retail intelligence to optimize pricing and reduce waste. |
| Engage | Optimizes in-store campaigns using real-time customer behavior data. |
| Captana | Delivers real-time shelf visibility and planogram compliance data. |
| VusionCloud | Enables remote monitoring and management of all IoT devices. |
| EdgeSense™ | Turns stores into sensing hotspots with in-store geolocation capabilities. |
Together, these features empower retailers to automate processes, reduce waste, and create a more intelligent, data-driven store environment.
The journey from SES-imagotag to VusionGroup clarifies a key distinction in the retail tech world. The fundamental difference between the two names is now simple to remember. You can now confidently identify the corporate entity and its flagship technology.
The Simple Takeaway:
- VusionGroup is the new name for the company formerly known as SES-imagotag.
- VUSION remains the brand name for its industry-leading retail IoT platform and smart labels.
This knowledge helps you understand the structure of a global leader in retail digitalization.
FAQ
What is VusionGroup?
VusionGroup is the new corporate name for the company formerly known as SES-imagotag. The company is a global leader in retail digitalization solutions. It serves as the parent entity for technology brands like VUSION, Captana, and Memory.
What is VUSION?
VUSION is the company’s flagship Retail IoT platform. This technology brand includes the software, hardware, and data analytics solutions that digitize physical stores. It represents the product and technology, not the corporate entity.
What is the main difference between VusionGroup and VUSION?
The main difference between the two is their function. VusionGroup is the corporate entity that owns the technology. VUSION is the technology platform itself, which includes electronic shelf labels and cloud software that retailers use in their stores.
Is SES-imagotag still a brand?
Yes. The name SES-imagotag now specifically refers to the company’s world-leading electronic shelf label (ESL) product division. VusionGroup is the parent company overseeing all divisions, including the SES-imagotag ESL line.
