Dell has announced Cloud Client Computing for Retail, its first end-to-end cloud solution specifically designed to enable retailers to seamlessly move to an in-store cloud environment.
The offering addresses endpoint devices, networking, security, virtualization, infrastructure, management tools, and services to help retailers realize cloud-related benefits such as increased efficiency and cost savings in a Dell-designed Cloud Client Computing solution that is customizable to each retailer’s unique environment and needs.
The solution enables retailers to simplify store system hardware by hosting and managing point-of-sale (POS) and inventory systems centrally in the store or in the cloud. Dell can handle every aspect of the transition, eliminating the time-consuming and often costly process of piecing together products and services from various vendors, as many retailers do currently.
“Until now, most retailers have had to cobble together products and services from multiple vendors in order to address cloud solutions and virtualization in their store environment,” said Mike Adams, retail industry practice lead at Dell. “As a result of our recent acquisitions that include Wyse, SonicWALL, and Quest, Dell is able to provide an end-to-end solution that has been tested and optimized for retail’s unique environment,” says Mike Adams, retail industry practice lead at Dell. “Cloud Client Computing for Retail delivers a reliable, cost-effective, end-to-end solution that can allow access to any application from any device.”
The solution, says Dell, addresses retailers’ needs to make their IT operations as efficient, agile and seamless as possible to remain competitive. Dell’s own Retail Customer Advisory Council has emphasized that retailers are scrambling for ways to keep up with the changing retail environment. With smartphones in hand, connected consumers have instant access to pricing and product information, are able to tap their social networks for recommendations and purchase from competitors on the sales floor. Consumers expect a seamless experience across channels, to be recognized and rewarded and to engage with store personnel that are knowledgeable about products and offers.
Dell’s cloud client computing solution can:
- Allow retailers to access any application or content from any device
- Increase device reliability while decreasing cost
- Eliminate the risky need to store data on endpoint devices, greatly increasing security
- Support a test-once-deploy-to-many-devices model
- Allow retailers to seamlessly repurpose endpoint devices for POS, kiosks, customer service or the back office
- Allow for the quick replacement of endpoints without the need for imaging or staging
The new offering is made up of three modules:
- Thin and mobile endpoints with and without POS peripherals
- On premise desktop virtualization infrastructure
- Cloud based desktop virtualization infrastructure
The reference architecture provides sizing guidance and configuration recommendations based on rigorously tested and optimized:
- Dell PowerEdge servers
- Dell PowerVault storage
- Dell PowerConnect networking
- Dell Wyse cloud clients, OptiPlex desktops and Latitude tablets
- Dell SonicWALL network security
- Support for virtualization software from Citrix, Microsoft, VMware and Dell
The solution is also tested and validated to work with the leading retail POS applications and best-of-breed POS peripherals.
Dell’s Cloud Client Computing portfolio includes the broadest end-to-end Desktop Virtualization Solutions including on or off-premise infrastructure, thin clients, software and services that enable organizations to provide any user with access to any application from any device, securely and efficiently. The portfolio offers all the components from the datacenter to the desktop, with both on-premise and hosted infrastructure solutions, services and software as well as device management services from the cloud.
Dell Retail is currently accepting proof-of-concept requests for the Cloud Client Computing for Retail solution.
The full solution will be released in three phases:
- March 4, 2013: POS, kiosk, and back office systems to be supported with on-premises or retailer-hosted cloud infrastructure
- Summer 2013: Additional store systems to be supported including digital signage and surveillance hardware
- Fall 2013: Option available for store systems to be supported by Dell-hosted cloud infrastructure
