Casio expands Android EPoS line-up with retail-ready ruggedised Android tablets

This article is brought to you by Retail Technology Review: Casio expands Android EPoS line-up with retail-ready ruggedised Android tablets.

Casio Electronics has announced a new range of Android tablets - the V-T500-GE, V-T500-E, V-N500-GE and V-N500-E. The business tablets are designed to improve customer experience and business operations in retail environments. Designed to integrate seamlessly with Casio's Android-powered EPoS terminals, the tablets will also benefit from the retail-focused Android apps available from the new cloud-based Casio Business Portal.

 
Combining the ease-of-use of Android 4.0 with Casio's expertise in developing devices for the retail environment, the new V-series tablets address the retail sector's growing demand for versatile mobile technology. Ideal for use in almost every area of retail from the stock room to the shop floor the new devices will allow retailers to improve in-store customer service by giving sales assistants easier access to information and powerful applications, marrying the in-store retail experience with the best features of online shopping.
 
The V-T500-GE, V-T500-E, V-N500-GE and V-N500-E tablets are claimed to be able to withstand a drop of up to one metre, as well as being dust-proof and splash resistant to comply with IP54 standards. The unit is powered by a high-capacity interchangeable battery with a life of up to 12 hours, making it ideal for prolonged use in busy environments.

 
Other features include an OMAP4460 1.5GHz dual core CPU, front- and rear-facing 5 mega-pixel cameras, a high-quality 10.1-inch screen offering excellent readability and capacitive touch panel, and a digitiser pen for added input options. The new tablets also provide robust security options and are equipped with an NFC Reader/Writer that can authenticate user login using a non-contact smart card, and also a Secure Access Module (SAM) slot for applications requiring a higher level of security control.
 
Guy Boxall, senior product marketing manager, Casio Business Systems, said: "The new V-T/N500 series tablet will help retailers improve their customer experience by deploying a mobile terminal and speeding up functions such as stock retrieval. It also offers a mobile point of sale option to make shopping a more fluid experience. With this technology, sales assistants can queue-bust and close purchases before walk-outs during busy periods. As the Android platform matures, we are seeing an ever-increasing level of sophistication in terms of both software and hardware. The new hardware provides potentially endless possibilities for the retailer, and is tough enough to survive the rigours of the retail business environment. With the number of retail apps growing all the time, the face of shopping as we know it is changing for the better."
 
Casio adds that the ease of developing for the Android platform means retailers can design bespoke applications at a fraction of the cost associated with traditional EPoS system development.