Solution Provider News: November 2016
InContext, Intel Team on VR Retail Solutions
InContext Solutions, Chicago, is working with Intel to develop virtual reality (VR) solutions that meet the changing needs of the retail ecosystem. Combining Intel’s technologies with ShopperMX, InContext’s proprietary enterprise software-as-a-service VR platform, the companies will collaborate to develop innovative VR hardware and software for retail. “We have long been a leader in web-based VR, but with Intel’s world-class technology expertise we can push the boundaries of our product portfolio,” said Mark Hardy, CEO of InContext Solutions, in a media release. “With this collaboration, we will be able to design our VR platform to include new features and functionality for the latest technology coming out across all devices.”
MaxPoint Offers New In-Store Solution: MaxPoint, Morrisville, North Carolina, recently rolled out PathPoint wireless activity-sensing devices, the company’s first solution for in-store consumer pathing and insights. PathPoint devices gather privacy-friendly data on shoppers’ in-store activity and feed near-real-time analytics back to retailers. The devices sense shoppers’ in-store activity, including their locations, dwell times and areas of high visitation. This data can help retailers see, understand and address friction points such as long checkout lines, areas with excessive customer wait times and spaces that have high dwell times but low conversion. “E-commerce retailers track consumer actions and use that data to improve the online shopper experience and accelerate sales,” said Joe Epperson, CEO of MaxPoint, in a media release. “PathPoint enables the customer experience teams at retailers to be competitive with their e-commerce counterparts by providing that same level of customer pathing intelligence but in the store.”
Higi Shares Health Study: Health challenges with social influence, financial incentives and motivational messaging can help drive sustainable behavioral changes associated with lowering blood pressure, according to a study by Chicago-based Higi. The study centers on the impact of a 17-week “LowerMyBP” challenge the company conducted in 2015 with mHealthCoach. Challenge participants who checked their blood pressure were able to enter a weekly drawing for a $25 gift card and a grand-prize drawing at the end of the study for $100. Participants received customized emails weekly encouraging healthy physical activity and biometric screening at a Higi health station at their local retailer. Participants could also see how they ranked compared to other members in the challenge. The study found that joining the challenge not only correlated with lowering people’s blood pressure, but the positive behavior of monitoring blood pressure regularly continued for at least four months after the financial incentives were removed.
OSI Creative Opens New Jersey Facility: Irvine, California-based OSI Creative has opened a new facility in Totowa, New Jersey. Two representatives will be based in the new location to provide on-site, responsive service to East Coast customers.