One world-renowned firm was quoted as saying,"Without the Chinese market, the company is not a true multinational." And with this, the direct sales company began to establish a presence in China. In 1995, the company began opening branches, and has been continually expanding its base throughout the country. By 2012, the scale of the company has grown to over 280 stores with the highest membership base in Asia.
Breaking Time and Space Constraints with Digital Signage
Advantech Intelligent Services, Sales Engineer, Qianyuan Dong, who is responsible for the client, said that the company set up several stores to sell its products in China. Management of information was initially easy to control and deliver, but with rapid expansion, such a traditional information model had become largely inadequate. In order to overcome time and space constraints, the company intended to use advanced IT technology to build a completely new digital system.
Qianyuan Dong said, "We have had some brilliant results in the retail sector over the past few years." Indeed, after a detailed search and analysis, the company in China selected Advantech over other options. In 2009, Advantech provided the first digital signage system to the company to be used as a message announcement system targeted at staff in the stores.
The company seldom has an opportunity to gather staff together, due to the locations being widely spread throughout the country. In the past, when there was a need to release a message company-wide, announcements such as an executive speech or educational training video would be recorded at the headquarters office on DVD and distributed to each shop.
Although delivering the message via video is more effective than a telephone conversation or a meeting, one limitation to this approach is the lack of timeliness. Secondly, a DVD is a one-way message delivery mechanism, and there is no way for headquarters to know for sure if a particular store has watched the presentation or not.
Advantech's digital signage solution quickly solved the company's problems. Qianyuan Dong pointed out that Advantech provided its DSA-3010 controller together with a partner's software to create a total solution comprised of a digital signage station and a back-end management system.
Through the network, dynamic updates and feedback can be delivered in real-time. And, the announcement status can be controlled for each shop by the head office. Currently, more than half of the stores have already installed the Advantech system, and more stores are coming online each day.
Advantech's System Makes Work Easier
In addition to the message announcement system, another system which is targeted to members can display customer rewards and other information. Prior to the new system, the company set up award showcases in each shop, but was unable to display all the rewards due to limited store space and multiple categories. Also, keeping the reward system up-to-date and posted in the store was inefficient and time consuming, which increased workload and caused headaches for staff. Advantech designed the new system with 2 or 3 LCD screens, depending on store size. A large monitor was used to display current promotional programs via a carousel slideshow, and a smaller monitor was used to show customer prizes and exchange information about the award program. The store manager could immediately change content as needed. Furthermore, Advantech's signage system helped improve staff efficiency throughout the 280 store chain.
Higher Stability and Perfect Services Win Customer Trust
Advantech's digital signage systems have become important tools for the company's operation. The systems are stable and Advantech provides a 3-year warranty to the company via local branch and dealer offices to ensure follow-up maintenance, services and component replacement is quick and complete.
Qianyuan Dong said that a benefit to the customer is that sales staff can effectively support new product introductions to the stores using a combination of image and text. At the same time, administration is more efficient, and e-services enhance the company's corporate image.
The customer's evaluation of Advantech's digital signage solution received high marks. Based on its successful implementation and the customer's favorable comment. Advantech will continue to provide this world-class, direct-sales company with the best in services and solid support.
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