Qmatic and HintTech deliver in-store digital media that improves the customer experience, helps consumer purchasing decisions and increases sales
Bedfordshire – 5 September 2011 – Homebase has launched ‘Create the Look’, an interactive digital media solution provided by Qmatic, the world leader and innovator in customer flow management (CFM) and underpinned by HintTech, a specialist in the development and integration of digital media software solutions.
Customers arriving at the Aylesford branch of Homebase in Kent are able to upload a photo of their lounge, kitchen, bedroom or bathroom to a 32” digital interactive touch screen to ‘personalise that room’. Alternatively, they can ‘Create the Look’ of their choice, using a template room to visualise their dreams from the right flooring, paint or wallpaper designs – all of which are available to purchase or order in-store.
“We know that technology plays a key role in allowing customers to visualise how they can transform their homes. The Qmatic-HintTech solution fits with our vision to be the First for Decorating,” said Jon Hamilton, Customer Service Development Manager for Homebase.
To make Homebase’s vision a reality, Qmatic provided the new media technology including all the design work to use real images of flooring, paint or wallpaper in addition to the 32” digital interactive touch screen. The technically advanced system uses real images of both the wallpaper and flooring, keeps the light and shadow, and also works out the perspective of both the wallpaper and flooring. The final ‘Create Your Look’ image looks very realistic compared to the cartoon images some shoppers have used at other stores.
HintTech provided Homebase with the software development and technical system implementation. Written from scratch and deployed in under three months, the system was designed to scale for wider store roll-out as well as to be available online while being supported locally in-store or remotely. Derick Price, Sales Director at HintTech said, “Providing a software and technical system behind ‘Create the Look’ able to scale to Homebase’s business requirements, whether on-line or throughout its stores, was essential to the businesses’ vision. We were able to quickly deploy such a solution that provides a great example on how to take digital media direct to the consumer while delivering measurable revenues for Homebase.”
Stuart Batt, Head of Digital Media at Qmatic said, “Customers are amazed at the level of help and service available from this product and are impressed with how easy it is to upload your own photo. Digital media provides an opportunity for stores like Homebase to provide a service that helps customers make decisions while presenting opportunities to increase customer purchases.”
Stuart continued, “During this period of economic turmoil, impressing customers that take the time to visit a physical store is essential to growth and success. Providing an extraordinary in-store experience helps to ensure that every new customer becomes a repeat customer. Qmatic plays a key role in improving the customer’s in-store experience; revolutionising how businesses utilise in-store marketing material with innovative technology solutions that are tailored to the customer’s needs.”
Homebase launched ‘Create the Look’ at the new store opening. In the first month, 1,605 interactions occurred and 428 room designs were printed. 98.5% of customers using the screens have found it useful; highlighting that they would use the screens again to help them create the right look at home. The pilot in Aylesford has been so successful that Homebase expects to roll-out to more stores.
About Homebase
Homebase is the UK’s largest home enhancement retailer and is recognised for choice, style and customer service. It has more than 340 large, out-of-town stores throughout the UK and Republic of Ireland. In the last financial year, Homebase sales were £1.6 billion and it employed some 19,000 people across the business.
Homebase sells over 38,000 products across its home enhancement ranges, and has a growing Internet offering at www.homebase.co.uk. Homebase serves over 65 million customers per year through its stores and offers customers the convenience of home delivery for bulky, high-value items.
Homebase was the first UK DIY retailer to achieve Forest Stewardship Council Chain of Custody certification and the first national DIY retailer to be recognised with a Government TrustMark Award, achieved for its kitchen installation service.
Homebase is part of Home Retail Group, the UK’s leading home and general merchandise retailer.
About Qmatic
Qmatic is the world leader and innovator in Customer Flow Management (CFM) solutions that are designed to increase sales and productivity while reducing costs for organisations in the retail, retail finance, public, healthcare and travel sectors. Its software, hardware and consultancy helps organisations such as , HSBC, Barclays, DVLA, Homebase , Boots , Marks & Spencer, Post Office and UK Border Authority to value time within the physical customer experience and derive real-time management information (MI) that powers meaningful business decisions. This MI can drive important considerations such as in-store/branch/location skills-routing, store layout and design, employee training and job satisfaction, customer loyalty and retention, brand equity, opportunity sales, real-time feedback and problem resolution as well as efficiency and cost control. Qmatic’s services range from barriers, through to both independent and networked virtual and linear queue management systems, to mobile phone applications, kiosk systems and new media.
About HintTech
HintTech is a specialist in e-business technology (DotNet, Java platform, Tridion) and IT projects (development, testing, implementation, application management and quality assurance). The company was started in 1997 and works with innovative and proven technologies and methods. HintTech provides qualitative custom solutions for its clients. For Tridion, Microsoft, Sun J2EE and IBM WebSphere, HintTech is an advisor as well as partner. HintTech counts Shell, Nuon, Fortis, ING and KLM as clients. It currently employs 113 people and has offices in Delft (Netherlands), San Francisco (US) and Novi Sad (Serbia). For more information: www.hinttech.com.
Contact Information
Natalie Sutton/Danielle Cook
Qmatic@proudpr.com
07768 026197 / 07900 521 525