Ekahau Enables Mobile Shopper Location for Metro AG Future Stores

Metro AG to use Ekahau Positioning Engine to locate shoppers in its first Future Store

Saratoga, CA (PRWEB) May 21, 2003 -- Ekahau, Inc. and Multichannel Retail Ltd. (MCRL) have successfully launched the first European customer trials of MCRLs Personal Shopping Assistant (PSA) using Ekahaus Positioning Engine to provide accurate shopper location information in the Metro Future Store.

Among the many innovations present in the Future Store, the Personal Shopping Assistant, PSA, is one of the more interactive. The PSA is a trolley-mounted touch-screen device that the customer takes from the charging rack and clips on their trolley as they enter the store. The system tracks the shoppers movement and the screen displays location-specific relevant promotional items, coupons, and special offers. The PSA then helps guide the shopper through the store based on their shopping list and favorites. In addition, the PSA can allow delicatessen and other prepared items to be pre-ordered directly from the device. It also offers reminders for infrequently purchased items and suggests complementary items to accompany customer purchases. The PSA can present recipe and menu planners, with lists of ingredients and nutritional advice. Finally, the device can be used to self-scan items for quick checkout, and to track current total balance.

Critical to the value of the PSA is accurate positioning information. Knowing an individual shoppers exact position allows the PSA to deliver exactly the right information and targeted promotions to the shopper which relate to the products they are actually in front of on the shelf. James Pemberton, MCRL managing director, commented: We evaluated several methods of location-tracking and concluded that Ekahaus solution was best suited to the needs of the PSA". Jarmo Ikonen, Ekahau sales director, added: Our software-based Wi-Fi location platform, Ekahau Positioning Engine, is an ideal solution for application partners like MCRL. It does not need any additional hardware installation to work -- the standard Wi-Fi data network is enough."

At the ECR Congress in Barcelona in April 2002, METRO AG, Intel and SAP first announced the Future Store Initiative (FSI), a strategic cooperation to develop future-oriented application technologies for retailing. The goal is to offer the customer the best possible service and an enhanced shopping experience. As the central element of the initiative, METRO Group opened a totally refitted 3200m2 Extra supermarket as the first Future Store, in Rheinberg, Germany, on 28th April 2003.

About Ekahau, Inc.
Ekahau, Inc. is the industry leader in location-enabling Wi-Fi networks. The Ekahau Positioning Engine software features average positioning accuracy of up to 1 meter (3½ ft). The high accuracy combined with low latency and fast refresh rate enables the reliable tracking of people and assets in demanding applications. Tracked devices can be PDAs, laptops and other 802.11 enabled wireless devices. A free evaluation version of the Ekahau Positioning Engine is available at http://www.ekahau.com/forum/application.html. Ekahau's customers are wireless software developers, leading system integrators, and international OEM partners, who develop and market the next generation of location-based applications. Ekahau has offices in Saratoga, CA, and in Helsinki, Finland. For more information about Ekahau, please visit www.ekahau.com

About Multichannel Retail Ltd (MCRL)
MCRL is a specialist provider of multi-channel software, services and consultancy dedicated to retail. A range of "Template" solutions are available, which can be tailored to fit an individual retailer's objectives and budget/timescales. For more information: www.multichannelretail.com

Public Relations Contacts:

Ekahau, Inc.               
Ms. Nina Mattsson, Marketing & PR      
Tel: +358-424-533 304         
E-mail: nina.mattsson@ekahau.com      

MCRL Ltd.
Mr. James Pemberton
Tel: +44 (0) 1727 830 610
E-mail: james.pemberton@multichannelretail.com