News

CradlePoint demos cloud-based 'connected retail experience' at NRF BIG Show

January 14, 2013

CradlePoint, a provider of 3G/4G wireless networking for the distributed enterprise, today announced its participation at the 2013 National Retail Federation BIG Show, showcasing solutions that include digital signage and interactive kiosks.

CradlePoint will be showcasing wireless network solutions, an interactive VE Connect vending machine powered by CradlePoint, and a live demonstration of WiPipe Central, a cloud-enabled network management and application platform.

"Mobile commerce and wireless convergence have given rise to a 'connected retail experience' that consumers have come to expect and that retail IT managers are working hard to accommodate," said CradlePoint CEO George Mulhern in the announcement. "Whether it's a diverse array of operational or transactional applications like digital signage, interactive kiosks, surveillance or pop-up stores, CradlePoint's 3G/4G network solutions and WiPipe Central have attracted national retailers who realize the need for constant uptime, enhanced network intelligence and mobile app enablement through public Wi-Fi to fulfill the promise of the connected shopping experience."

To show CradlePoint's role in powering the connected retail experience, Vendors Exchange will demonstrate the VE Connect interactive vending platform in CradlePoint's booth. The VE Connect — which features digital signage, games, dynamic advertising, video and nutritional information — requires constant Internet connectivity for uninterrupted operations and an optimal customer experience. "Shy of unplugging the device, CradlePoint routers pretty much run all the time," said Chris Goumas, senior vice president of business development and user experiences. "That's been something I haven't had to worry about."

The centerpiece of CradlePoint's booth at NRF will be a demonstration of WiPipe Central, a highly scalable, enterprise-class cloud platform that supports multiple applications for the deployment, management and enhanced intelligence of retail networks, the company said. WiPipe Central applications allow retailers to centrally manage, monitor, configure and upgrade geographically-dispersed systems to maximize uptime, maintain PCI compliance and avoid the use of costly on-site technical resources. WiPipe Central's location services application allows IT managers to see devices on Google Maps with the ability to tag status data and receive GPS or cell tower location updates.

"As cloud-enabled software with an application-oriented architecture, WiPipe Central is rapidly evolving to create simplified management, superior security and enhanced intelligence for retail networks," Mulhern said. "In the coming year, WiPipe Central will offer faster updates, new retail network management applications, smarter analytics and a more intuitive API system."

Read more about cloud-based digital signage.