Bay Shore, N.Y., February 22, 2012 –
Tensator, (Booth #3818) the world leader in queue management solutions, today announced it will unveil the latest features of its next generation digital signage solution, the Tensator Virtual Assistant at
GlobalShop 2012. The world’s largest annual event for retail design and shopper marketing, GlobalShop is being held February 29-March 2 at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. GlobalShop selected the Tensator Virtual Assistant to the official show greeter for its 20th Anniversary event. Tensator will also provide its leading queue management solutions for the event’s registration area for the fourth consecutive year.
The
Tensator Virtual Assistant communicates important messages using the very latest in projected imaging and audio-visual technology to create the illusion of a real person.
Key new features to be unveiled include:
Bluetooth communication – the Virtual Assistant now delivers targeted messages quickly and easily to mobile devices for immediate access to special offers and promotions.
Remote media management and systems diagnostics – messaging can be managed and scheduled remotely using LAN or WAN connections. A full range of messages can be scheduled to play at various times and locations. System diagnostics can be run remotely.
Directional speakers – The Virtual Assistant has been enhanced with a directional sound system that delivers targeted audio messaging. Audio messages are delivered to the person standing immediately in front of the Virtual Assistant without disturbing people in the surrounding environment, further personalizing the message.
Proximity on/off sensor – a proximity sensor recognizes when the Virtual Assistant has an audience and can be set to only play messages when a person is adjacent to it, capturing attention and increasing the personalization effect.
As the official greeter for GlobalShop 2012, the Tensator Virtual Assistant will provide relevant information about show registration and deliver custom tailored messages for each day of the show about the Design Inspiration Showcase, the Best of GlobalShop Showcase, and the Retail Roundtable.
Guiding attendees for the fourth consecutive year, Tensator’s branded
Tensabarriers® and
SLQ3000 split screen call forward media platform will speed registrants through lines, maximizing efficiency while providing information and entertainment.
“Tensator’s Virtual Assistant and queue management solutions are a great benefit to us and our attendees as they really help us manage our on-site registration process,” said Tim Fearney, GlobalShop Show Director. “We’re delighted to once again work with Tensator to provide their solutions for this very critical aspect of the show. It’s a great opportunity for our attendees to see real world examples of their queue management solutions in action.”
“Now more than ever, as the retail sector continues its modest recovery, it is critical to enhance the in-store experience,” said Bill Vetter, Sr. Vice President & General Manager for Tensator. “With price campaigning no longer the in-store draw for the discerning consumer, creating a unique customer environment that speaks specifically to guest interest is. The Virtual Assistant offers a consistent and precise message from the retailer that will increase conversions and improve their average transaction value.”
Retailers will be able to experience firsthand Tensator’s Virtual Assistant and the company’s other leading queue management solutions at registration as well as in Tensator’s Booth #3818. To schedule a meeting at the show and see why companies like Harrods, New Look, Duane Reade, JCPenney, Kohl’s and UNIQLO have selected Lawrence/Tensator to be their queue management company of choice, click
here.
To arrange a media or analyst briefing at GlobalShop 2012 please contact
ilona@penvine.com.
New York , N.Y. – NRF 2012¬ – January 11, 2012 –
Tensator, (Booth #3317) the world leader in queue management solutions, today announced that NRF has selected the Tensator Virtual Assistant to be the official greeter at ‘Retail’s BIG Show,’ being held January 15-17, 2012 at the Jacob Javits Center in Manhattan, New York.
The
Tensator Virtual Assistant is a next-generation digital signage solution that uses the very latest in projected imaging and audio-visual technology to create the illusion of a real person. As the official greeter at NRF 2012, the Tensator Virtual Assistant will provide directional guidance, event and party information as well as ‘need to know’ show information to over 22,000 show attendees with custom tailored messages for each day of the show.
“Retailers travel from all around the world to learn about the latest developments in retail technology at Retail’s BIG Show,” said Susan Newman, Senior Vice President, Conferences, National Retail Federation. “The Tensator Virtual Assistant is exemplary of the kind of innovation our attendees expect to see. The projected imaging grabs your attention and the surround sound speaker system ensures you hear the messages above the show noise. Welcoming, always on and never tired, the Virtual Assistant communicates consistent, precise and essential show info to a multitude of people at the same time continuously.”
Located in the registration area of NRF 2012, the Tensator Virtual Assistant provides over a dozen scripted messages tailored specifically to each day’s events.
“With so much activity going on at ‘Retail’s BIG Show’ , the Tensator Virtual Assistant provides the industry’s most advanced solution to delivering mass information in the most compelling, attention-getting manner,” said Bill Vetter, General Manager, Tensator . “Fully customized, we worked closely together with NRF to deliver a Show Greeter that ensures attendees are both informed while being impressed with her technology.”
Retailers will be able to experience firsthand Tensator’s Virtual Assistant and the company’s other leading queue management solutions at registration as well as in Tensator’s Booth #3317. To schedule a meeting at the show and see why companies like Harrods, New Look, Duane Reade, JCPenney, Kohl’s and UNIQLO have selected Lawrence/Tensator to be their queue management company of choice, click
here.
To arrange a media or analyst briefing at NRF 2012 please contact
ilona@penvine.com
Bay Shore, N.Y. – January 9, 2012 – Lawrence, a Tensator Group Company and the US headquarters for its parent company, today announced it will officially rebrand as Tensator, in a move that strengthens the company’s global identity.
With major retailers, international airport terminals, banks and hospitality providers including; Duane Reade, Harrods, JCPenney, Kohl’s, Macy’s, New Look, Target, UNIQLO, London Heathrow, London Luton, Edinburgh, Dubai, Fraport Airports, Southwest Airlines, Barclays Bank, Post Office, and The Empire State Building as valued customers, Tensator has become a trusted name in queue management and customer journey solutions around the world.n a move that strengthens the company’s global identity.
“2011 has been a strong year for us in terms of innovation and growth,” said Bill Vetter, General Manager, Tensator. “We’ve launched ground-breaking solutions including our innovative next-generation digital signage solution, the
Tensator Virtual Assistant, and the
SLQ-3000 split-screen electronic call forward system. By rebranding as Tensator, we are able to leverage the strength of the company’s technological innovations and impeccable reputation on a global platform.”
“This is a very exciting time for us,” said Alan McPherson, Tensator Group CEO. “Lawrence has been part of the Tensator group since 2006, and prior to this was Tensator’s US distribution partner for over 30 years. The name change finally completes our integration of this important part of our company and points to the direction of our future growth and product development plans in North America. Our customers can expect the same commitment to quality products and outstanding customer service for which Lawrence is renowned. The continued enhancements and roll out of Tensator’s innovative solution products will further enhance our overall product offering to the North American market.”
Tensator employs over 180 employees and has six offices spanning Milton Keynes, UK; Bay Shore New York, USA; Frankfurt, Germany; Wroclaw, Poland; Paris, France, & Dubai, UAE. Direct or via its extensive distribution base, Tensator supplies its products, from ropes and posts to point of sales display units, to over 170 countries around the world.
Along with the rebranding effort, which will take effect January 16, the company has changed its website to
www.tensator.com and will be issuing a new range of literature and product catalogues.
Tensator and The Riverside Company have completed the acquisition of Portuguese-based customer journey management specialist, Newvision. Newvision offers a range of products including dispersed queue management systems, self-service and multimedia information kiosks, and digital displays.
Newvision develops integrated products through five product lines that provide virtual queue management, people counting, self-service, multimedia kiosks and corporate television. Since 2008, Newvision has achieved 20% growth per annum in revenues and has more than 3,000 installed solutions serving more than 400 customers; mainly in Europe, but also in Africa, the Middle East and Latin America. Customer sectors include postal, retail and public administration, healthcare, telecoms, banking and utilities, among others.
“Having access to Newvision’s excellent dispersed queuing technology is critical to our continued success in becoming the definitive global leader in the management of the customer journey,” said Tensator CEO, Alan McPherson. “Now, with Newvision and Tensator under the same Riverside umbrella, we can provide an even more diverse range of revenue and margin enhancement, labour savings and customer experience solutions.”
Tensator has pioneered custom space management solutions that accelerate queues, reduce wait times, generate marketing value and improve sales. Its product line includes in-queue impulse purchase merchandising systems, signage and advertising accessories, and electronic queuing – an electronic call forwarding system that provides queue management statistical reporting and digital media. While Tensator has deep experience in linear queuing systems, including the ubiquitous Tensabarrier®, which is sold in over 150 countries around the world, the acquisition of Newvision provides an excellent platform for entering the faster growing non-linear or dispersed queuing market with a proven suite of products.
“The combined offering of Tensator and Newvision will have a major positive impact on both businesses,” said Riverside Partner, Karsten Langer. “There is an excellent fit between both strategies, which opens the door to significant synergies and cross‐selling opportunities. Newvision’s renowned technologies in dispersed queuing, combined with a strong management team that will remain in place, are a great complement to Tensator’s world-famous brand and global presence.”
The transaction should greatly benefit both companies, said Miguel Ferreira, Newvision Chairman of the Board. “Combining the complementary geographic footprint of both companies makes a potent suite of products available to a very wide variety of customers across the world. It’s a great platform for mutual growth.” he said.
The markets in which Newvision and Tensator operate – queue management and interaction management, have an estimated annual value of $2.3 billion globally (2010).
Bay Shore, N.Y. – December 19, 2011 –
Lawrence, a Tensator Group Company (Booth #3317) and world leader in queue management solutions, today announced it has been selected as the queue management provider to handle attendee registration at this year’s
NRF 2012 being held January 15-17 in Manhattan.
Lawrence/Tensator has worked with NRF directly to design the optimal ’customer’ flow queue management system, leveraging the company’s next-gen SLQ 3000 call-forward media platform, which utilizes split screen technology so that when show attendees are called forward via one screen, the other screen continues to play informational media. Proven to reduce both wait times by up to 30% and customer walk-aways by up to 96% in retail settings, the SLQ 3000 system will help move over 22,000 attendees at ’Retail’s BIG Show’ easily and efficiently while providing show information.
“We designed the queue management program for the NRF 2012 registration area knowing that the audience is here to learn about the latest trends in retail technology,” said Bill Vetter, Sr. Vice President and General Manager at Lawrence, a Tensator Group Company. “Our queue management system at the NRF conference will emulate what the in store customer journey represents – increased efficiency while providing branding, merchandising information and entertainment opportunities. Waiting in line is expected – but wait time can be optimized for customers and retailers alike.”
Retailers will be able to experience firsthand Lawrence/Tensator’s queue management solutions at registration as well as in Lawrence/Tensator’s Booth #3317. To schedule a meeting at the show and see why companies like Harrods, New Look, Duane Reade, JCPenney, Kohl’s and UNIQLO have selected Lawrence/Tensator to be their queue management company of choice, click
here.
Lawrence/Tensator is a Bronze Sponsor of NRF 2012.
Bay Shore, N.Y. – November 17, 2011 – Supporting the recent release of the National Retail Federation’s (NRF) Crowd Management Guidelines for 2011, Lawrence, a Tensator Group Company – and world leader in queue management solutions, announced its Top 5 Key Retail Considerations for Black Friday crowd management this holiday season. By bearing these considerations in mind and implementing simple queue management solutions, customers will be able to safely and efficiently move through checkout lines and retailers can rescue sales that would have been otherwise abandoned, eliminating walk-aways and maximizing holiday transactions during this critical spending period.
One Week to Go
With a week to Black Friday, retailers need to keep the following in mind as they gear up:
- Safety first - allocate enough queue space to accommodate everyone looking to enter the store or the checkout lines
- A necessity - have extra barriers on-hand in case the need arises to better define spaces around hot selling items or to establish additional queuing spaces.
- Utilize unproductive space – turn wait time into additional browsing/shopping time by using in-queue merchandising solutions. Keeping customers engaged and entertained will make wait time more pleasurable and smart retailers can expect to benefit from additional revenue generation by offering impulse products.
- Communication is key with large crowds – make sure all store signage is clear, visible and effective
- Bottom line – make customer service and satisfaction the top priority. Train your staff to be alert, attentive, know the safety rules and be service oriented.
Be Prepared
“With customers more conscious than ever of getting good deals and social media, location based and proximity advertising playing a much larger role in attracting crowds, retailers are facing a whole new set of challenges,” said Bill Vetter, General Manager, Lawrence, a Tensator Group Company. “This year, it is more important than ever before to ensure retailers have proper event, logistic and merchandising placement planning in place and to be prepared to handle waves of retail volume. Now’s the time for retailers to double check their crowd management plans and make sure they are adequately prepared.”
Retailers wanting a review of their existing communications plans including adequacy of signage, stanchions, customer call forward and ticket distribution, in-store merchandising and general management regarding customer traffic flow can contact Lawrence/Tensator customer guidance and queue management experts immediately here. Read more about NRF’s newly released guidelines and special offers to help manage crowds, maximize customer service and revenue generation.
Custom designed Sleek, Stainless Steel Customer Guidance Echoes Ultra Chic Store Design While Ensuring Service Efficiency
Manhattan, N.Y. – November 8, 2011 – UNIQLO, the global clothing retailer has implemented customer guidance systems from Lawrence, a Tensator Group Company, a world leader in queue management solutions, at both its newest locations, UNIQLO New York Fifth Avenue Global Flagship and UNIQLO New York 34th Street Flagship. The custom designed sleek, stainless steel Tensabarrier® guidance system is specifically designed to echo the ultra chic store interior while helping guide customers easily through the checkout process and increase efficiencies in customer flow.
The design concept of the store is a model for future UNIQLO flagships globally. UNIQLO brought together a world-class team of creative minds to realize the best customer experience possible from store design to product layout to visual technology to efficient customer service.
“The entire store is designed with customer service in mind,” said Shin Odake, UNIQLO USA CEO. “The custom Tensabarriers allow our associates to check out customers in a quick and efficient manner. We don’t like to have long lines in our stores as it’s just not in the best interest of our customers.”
Both new Manhattan locations have three floors with separate cash register banks. UNIQLO leverages the fixed custom designed stainless steel Tensabarrier post and oval beams to help guide and speed customers to the next available register attendant.
“We are proud to be a part of UNIQLO’s flagship stores in New York City,” said Bill Vetter, General Manager, Lawrence, a Tensator Group Company. “UNIQLO’s attention to detail – especially towards customers’ wait time is exemplary. By leveraging the custom Tensabarriers, UNIQLO ensures customer service excellence.”
To learn more about UNIQLO and the new store openings visit UNIQLO NYC NOW: www.uniqlo.com/nyc/now
To learn more about UNIQLO visit: www.uniqlo.com
Next Gen Customizable Digital Signage Tensator Virtual Assistant Solution Wows Customers.
Manhattan, N.Y. – July 6, 2011 –
Duane Reade, New York City’s largest drug store chain in partnership with
Lawrence, a Tensator Group Company – and world leader in queue management solutions, today unveiled at the company’s grand opening of its Wall Street megastore, the industry’s first
Virtual Assistant. A next-generation digital signage solution, the Tensator Virtual Assistant provides Duane Reade and its customers with an exciting information, brand and promotional messaging medium using the very latest in holographic imaging and audio-visual technology to create the illusion of a real person.
The completely customized Virtual Assistant greets New Yorkers to the newest Duane Reade store, immediately engaging customers and providing guidance on everything store related -- instructions on seeing the “Doctor on Premise,” getting a virtual makeover, hours of operation, checkout information and even makes suggestions and recommendations on leading brand foods, drinks, cosmetics, hair and pharmaceutical choices available to customers.
“Our Virtual Greeter is an essential part of the “wow factor” we have built into our newest store and serves as ambassador of the new Duane Reade customer experience,” said Paul Tiberio, Senior Vice President of Merchandising & Chief Marketing Officer for Duane Reade. “The virtual aspect captures shoppers’ attention from the moment they enter the store – engaging their visual and auditory senses. And because the Virtual Assistant is so compelling, shoppers are receptive to the wealth of information she provides, enabling them to get the big picture of everything the store has to offer in a very personal and exciting way. We are delighted to work with Lawrence and proud to be the first drug store chain to welcome, inform, educate and guide its shoppers with our Virtual Greeter.”
“Duane Reade immediately recognized the incredible benefits the Tensator Virtual Assistant provides to their newest location,” said Bill Vetter, General Manager, Lawrence, a Tensator Group Company. “With the multitude of offerings in this premiere store and 24/7 operations, Tensator’s Virtual Assistant provides the industry’s most advanced solution to deliver a consistent store and brand message with customizable content in real time helping Duane Reade communicate with their customers, empowering them to make the most of this incredible New York shopping experience.”
Lawrence is also enhancing the customer journey and increasing revenues within the Duane Reade store by installing an
In-Queue Merchandising system (IQM). This system transforms unused space in the queue into a valuable retail area, enabling Duane Reade to boost impulse sales among queuing customers by up to 400 per cent.
Already in place in the UK at London Luton and Birmingham Airports, Tensator Virtual Assistants are generating interest across the world, and across every vertical sector. Some of the next-stage developments for the Tensator Virtual Assistant include interactivity, location awareness and virtual helpdesks.
Company unveils Split Screen Call Forward Media Platform
Bay Shore, N.Y. – March 3, 2011 – Lawrence, a Tensator Group Company – (Booth #4138) and world leader in queue management solutions, has been selected for the third consecutive year as the queue management provider for the GlobalShop Registration Area.
Lawrence worked with GlobalShop to custom design this year’s registration area for an optimum “retail customer” wait time experience. Attendees will experience the next gen in customer line management systems that speed “customers” through registration, and maximize efficiency while providing information and entertainment -- exemplary of what leading retailers can implement immediately to enhance their customers’ in-store journey.
Lawrence will illustrate its new SLQ3000 call-forward media platform which combines split screen technology so that when customers are called forward the media continues to play. The system is proven to reduce both wait times by up to 30% and customer walk-aways by up to 96%.
“This is an advancement for organizations that wish to increase brand presence within the queue. As it’s integral to the call forward system it eliminates the requirement for installing additional and costly media platforms. The major benefit for retailers and brand owners is that customers waiting in line are, of course, a captive audience,” said Bill Vetter, General Manager for Lawrence.
In addition to showcasing its technology at GlobalShop’s registration area, attendees will be able to experience Lawrence’s complete retail solutions at Lawrence’s Booth #4138. These include, TensamediaTM an exciting range of media platforms that increase impulse purchase and margins. Dispersed Queue Ticketing ticket controlled systems for multiple transactions and maximum efficiency and In-Queue Merchandising turning customer flow into cash flow.
To arrange a meeting at GlobalShop 2011 please contact Lisa De Marco, Marketing Manager on 631 404-5628.
For a complete virtual tour of Lawrence’s Smart Customer Queue Management Solutions please visit: http://www.lawrencemetal.com/sectors/retail-animated-walkthrough.aspx
As part of a series of initiatives aimed at simplifying the security process and improving the experience for passengers, London Luton Airport has today become the first airport in the world to introduce holographic announcers. These will be employed to communicate important security messages as passengers pass from check-in to the departure lounge.
Custom designed for London Luton Airport by Tensator, global leaders in queue management and digital signage solutions, the holograms, in both male and female versions, are technically referred to as Tensator Virtual Assistants, but have been affectionately dubbed “Holly” and “Graham” by London Luton Airport Staff.
Initially Holly and Graham will be deployed for a trial period within the Central Search Area, where passengers are searched and their hand luggage is checked. They will be used to brief passengers on the preparations they need to make before undergoing the Security search. The trial will take 4-8 weeks and will measure a variety of indicators including the amount of time spent by passengers in the Central Search.
Should the trial prove successful, passengers can look forward to seeing Holly and Graham throughout the Airport, in operational roles, offering passenger information and for use by retail outlets within the terminal building.
Glyn Jones, Managing Director of London Luton Airport, said: “London Luton Airport is proud to be the first Airport in the world to introduce this holographic technology in a commercial, operational environment, so I am delighted to welcome Holly and Graham to the team. We are confident that our two new staff members will help improve the experience for our passengers by communicating key security messages in a way which is both consistent and compelling. This should help our passengers pass safely and swiftly through the airport.”
Alan McPherson, CEO of Tensator said:
‘We’re extremely excited that our first commercial installation of the Virtual Assistant is with London Luton Airport. The Virtual Assistant is a state-of-the-art unique communication tool, designed to increase operational efficiencies, improve customer flow and enhance passenger satisfaction. It delivers a consistent and informative message and will certainly enhance the passenger journey.”
NRF 2011 – New York, N.Y. – January 10, 2010 – Lawrence, a Tensator Group Company and world leader in customer queue management solutions, today announced the launch of a complimentary ROI Calculator that enables retailers to immediately predict their revenue losses due to customer walk-aways.
Based on Lawrence’s proprietary data generated by the ROI Calculator, across the Top 5 largest retailers in the U.S., stores experience on average a 1.6 % walk-away rate annually which translates into billions of dollars retailers needlessly lose annually. The ROI Calculator, being showcased alongside Lawrence’s end-to-end merchandising and queue management solutions at this year’s NRF Show, enables retailers to find and stop “revenue leaks” from walkaways and provides critical data enabling them to "squeeze more out of what they have" while increasing impulse buys by up to 400%.
Empowering retailers to recapture revenue
Using real-world data from retail customers, Lawrence has developed a proven formulaic approach for retailers to increase revenue and margins, reduce costs without rebranding or massive advertising by maximizing opportunity -- every square inch of same-store real estate -- by leveraging underutilized retail space wherever people queue.
“From checkout, customer service to returns and pickup, anywhere you have customers in a line, retailers now can take advantage of that "low hanging fruit opportunity" to drive additional revenue in 2011 without having to attract one new customer into their store,” said Bill Vetter, General Manager and Senior Vice President at Lawrence. “We designed the ROI Calculator so retailers know exactly how much revenue is at stake and by implementing smart customer queue management, retailers can now take control and ideally manage the customer journey from the moment they enter the store.”
By implementing smart customer queue management solutions, retailers can easily and cost effectively convert their existing customer wait time into extended shopping time, boost impulse sales, improve retail efficiencies and eliminate customer frustration and employee stress to enrich the overall customer experience and ultimately drive incremental sales and boost margins.
Retailers can take advantage of Lawrence’s free ROI Calculator immediately at this year’s NRF 2011 by visiting Lawrence’s Booth #2636 where the company will be showcasing its end to end customer queue management solutions:
- eQ, Electronic Queuing – Single Line Queueing (SLQ) call forward system reduces walk-aways by up to 96%, speeds queue flow and improves service times by 30%.
- IQM, In Queue Merchandising – From brand communication to space division, display and signage to retail merchandising, IQM increases margins up to 30%.
- SLQ3000 Queue Management System -- Next generation call forward system incorporates digital media, as well as manages a database of reporting information and advertising media to create additional revenue streams through customer promotional campaigns and enables saleable advertising and media space to third parties, such as brand owners.
- DLQ, Dispersed Line Queue -- Ticket controlled dispersed queue management system allows staff to be matched to customer requirements enabling a positive 'first come first served’ customer experience.
- TensaMedia™ – Digital signage tools that capture attention, build brands, improve customer experience and drive sales. TensaMedia enables interactive, interchangeable digital imagery that can be scheduled according to target audiences for a greater impression on viewers.