Retail Shopping Made Easy; Capgemini, Intel and Micro Industries Bring Digital Experience to...

NEW YORK -- Capgemini U.S. LLC, Intel and Micro Industries unveiled today Retail Media Networks (RMN), a joint initiative that is significantly changing the retail shopping experience. RMNs are being showcased at the National Retail Federation Annual Convention, January 16-17, 2006 in New York.

RMNs provide consumers with product information, directions for finding products in the store, product news, complementary promotions and services, as well as paid advertising--all of which can be customized in real-time based on shoppers interactions with products in a store.

Currently in use by several large global retailers, RMNs offer consumers on-demand, interactive, rich-media information that can make shopping easier, faster and more fun. Customers can experience everything from tablets on shopping carts that can track purchases and ring up sales in real-time, to kiosks with touchscreen displays that offer shoppers products and services not available in the store, and even interactive high-definition digital screens throughout the store that offer customized information based on the time of day, demographics or seasonal promotions. RMNs can also help improve store operations and employee productivity by providing staff with information about new products or promotions that can be accessed during off hours when RMNs aren't in use by shoppers.

"Research has shown us that consumers are looking for an innovative, digital shopping experience," said Robert Ferguson, Retail Industry Strategy and Solutions Manager for Intel. "Retail Media Networks combine standards-based information technologies to help retailers and consumer products manufacturers deliver the content their customers are looking for which can help them to gain business advantage through increased sales and deeper customer relationships."

RMN-based advertising is adaptable to changing consumer behavior. It can be tailored to an individual store brand, specific store locations, or even single operational events. An RMN can also be adjusted quickly to respond to consumer reaction, and can even be tailored to an individual shopper by coordination with a store loyalty program. All of these adjustments can be made in real-time, allowing manufacturers and retailers to make subtle changes, either automated or directed, on the fly to maximize sales and profits as conditions change.

"Retail Media Networks also give both the retailer and the consumer product manufacturer the opportunity to influence buying decisions in a way never before seen," said Brian Girouard, Global Consumer Products and Retail Sector Leader for Capgemini. This solution reaches the consumer while they are in the store and in the act of deciding what to buy."

RMNs are based on an integrated set of media and display solutions, powered by Intel(R) platforms including Intel Xeon(R) processor-based servers that power the back office applications delivering rich content to the store and analyzing customer behavior data as well as cell phones and PDAs based on Intel Mobile Media Technology and laptops based on Intel Centrino(R) mobile technology that deliver content virtually any time, any where. Based on an open standards, 'best-in-class" approach to hardware, software, peripheral and service selection, retailers can develop the solution that addresses their requirements and are not limited to a specific vendor's suite of compatible products and approved service providers.

"Retail Media Networks use proven technology that is available today," said Michael Curran, CEO of Micro Industries. "It's not a promise about the future. Current deployments indicate our customers are benefiting from the strategic advantage of this technology now."

Micro Industries offers advanced complete solutions to retailers to provide dynamic, media-rich, self-service applications that entice, engage and enhance the customer's experience. From interactive self-service systems to large-screen format dynamic digital marketing, Micro Industries provides comprehensive and affordable open-standards based solutions. Micro Industries' hardware and software solutions are being used to transform direct-to-consumer marketing and sales at the most respected retailers and consumer goods companies.

Capgemini provides strategy, integration, and implementation experience to retailers and consumer products manufacturers who want to transform their businesses. By combining what companies do best with what the consultants do best, Capgemini's Collaborative Business Experience helps retailers and consumer products manufacturers gain the benefits of new enabling technologies such as Retail Media Networks.

About Intel

Intel, the world leader in silicon innovation, develops technologies, products and initiatives to continually advance how people work and live. Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com/pressroom.

About Micro Industries

Micro Industries and its affiliates, mCosm LLC and Micro Industries UK Ltd., have teamed to provide a total solution for in-store Retail Media Networks. Our integrated approach to delivering direct-to-consumer marketing and sales provides retailers with a single point of contact for all their interactive point-of-purchase requirements. Retail-hardened Touch&Go Computers, content development, network infrastructure, remote-system management, and hosted services make Micro Industries the ideal partner for any interactive retail application. An Affiliate Member of the Intel(R) Communications Alliance, Micro Industries manufactures its Touch&Go Computers in the United States. For more about the company, visit www.microindustries.com.

About the Capgemini Group

Capgemini, one of the world's foremost providers of Consulting, Technology, and Outsourcing services, has a unique way of working with its clients, which it calls the Collaborative Business Experience. Through commitment of mutual success and the achievement of tangible value, the company helps businesses implement growth strategies, leverage technology and thrive through the power of collaboration. Capgemini employs approximately 60,000 worldwide and reported 2004 global revenues of 6.3 billion euros. More information about individual service lines, offices and research is available at www.capgemini.com.