VMware showcased its cutting-edge Private Mobile Network solution at VMware Explore Las Vegas 2023, unveiling a groundbreaking vision for transforming the shopping experience through efficient shelf inventory management. This demonstration highlighted the transformative potential of VMware Private Mobile Network by seamlessly correlating data originating from shoppers’ mobility within the store’s aisles and the constant stream of data generated by shelf item transactions. Leveraging the power of 4G and 5G technologies, VMware Private Mobile Network solution promises to redefine retail analytics and usher in a new era of data-driven retail management.
Watch the demo from the VMware Explore show floor, then read on to see how attendees liked it. (They liked it a lot!)
What is VMware Private Mobile Network?
VMware Private Mobile Network for enterprises is an exclusive, localized wireless communication infrastructure that harnesses the capabilities of 5G and 4G technologies to deliver high-speed, low-latency, and secure connectivity exclusively within an organization’s premises. Tailored to address the diverse and critical requirements of contemporary businesses, government agencies, and expansive industrial campuses, VMware Private Mobile Network represents a leap forward in wireless communication technology.
This innovative solution operates on a dedicated Band 48 spectrum, ensuring a robust network with minimal interference—a distinct advantage over traditional enterprise wireless LAN setups.
Advantages of Private Mobile Network for retail with partner Chooch
A multitude of data sources exists within the realm of retail, each offering a potential treasure trove of insights and value for retail owners, retail staff, suppliers, and shoppers alike. These sources encompass a rich tapestry of information, including data on shoppers’ demographics, shoppers’ behaviors on the retail floor, retail point-of-sale (PoS) data, shoppers’ foot traffic patterns, retail shelves inventory levels, e-commerce transactions, and operational transactions by retail staff, among others.
To truly unlock the transformative potential of this data, it’s imperative to not only rely on AI/ML-based applications but also to establish a disruptive connectivity infrastructure capable of extracting meaningful insights, making informed predictions, optimizing operational processes, and ultimately boosting revenues. Recognizing this need, VMware has forged a strategic partnership with Chooch, a leading retail analytics application provider. Together, we aim to revolutionize the retail landscape by seamlessly integrating data-driven insights with cutting-edge PMN technology.
Popular and ingenious retail demo at VMware Explore
VMware Explore-2023 event in Las Vegas served as a prominent stage for VMware Private Mobile Network, spotlighting the significant challenges that retailers grapple with when they rely on traditional networking solutions. These conventional networks contend with a multitude of hurdles, as they juggle the demands of hundreds of user devices, dozens of WLAN spectrums, and scores of active Bluetooth channels concurrently. This cacophony of signals inevitably makes them susceptible to interference, resulting in unreliable, unsecured, and sluggish connectivity. As the number of devices in any given area escalates, network degradation becomes even more pronounced, particularly within the sprawling confines of large retail establishments.
VMware Private Mobile Network, in conjunction with a retail analytics application, ingeniously addressed these issues by deploying surveillance cameras connected through 4G. These cameras were strategically positioned to meticulously capture the foot traffic of shoppers on the Explore event floor, subsequently funneling this data into the Chooch dashboard. This dashboard, powered by Chooch’s technology, offered a rich array of value-added metrics, including shopper counts, frequency of shopping, heatmap visualizations of aisle traffic, and insightful demographic breakdowns of shoppers’ behavior.
In the simulated retail shop environment on the Explore innovation floor, complete with wall shelves and a diverse array of over 15 typical store products, the surveillance cameras diligently observed visitors’ interactions. They recorded the nuanced behaviors of customers as they perused and selected items from the shelves. Notably, the Chooch retail analytics application demonstrated its exceptional proficiency in swiftly identifying empty spaces on the shelves – a crucial piece of information for any vigilant store manager keen on maintaining inventory levels and ensuring a seamless shopping experience.
Introducing VMware Private Mobile Network Orchestrator
Efficient operation of data-intensive retail applications demands speed, high throughput, and unwavering connectivity. VMware Private Mobile Network seamlessly delivered these essential performance attributes to empower retail applications. However, enterprises often grapple with significant hurdles when considering the adoption of PMN solutions. These challenges revolve around the ease of onboarding end-to-end infrastructure, achieving complete visibility into the stack’s status, and promptly identifying and addressing any issues that may arise. To tackle these concerns head-on, VMware introduced Private Mobile Network Orchestrator, a versatile, user-friendly, and cloud-based application.
VMware Private Mobile Network Orchestrator plays a pivotal role in simplifying the onboarding process for new customers and their infrastructure. This powerful tool streamlines PMN application configurations, enhances monitoring capabilities, and automates essential maintenance tasks. By doing so, the Orchestrator empowers enterprises to harness the full potential of VMware Private Mobile Network, ensuring a seamless and efficient deployment experience.
Explore attendees recognized the value and innovation of private mobile networks
At VMware Explore, attendees unanimously recognized the formidable strength and immense value that VMware Private Mobile Network brings to the table. These solutions have proven instrumental in elevating enterprises’ productivity, optimizing operations, and enhancing overall experiences across a diverse array of industry verticals. Notably, sectors including manufacturing, utilities, the public sector, aviation, mining, and retail have all benefited substantially from implementing VMware Private Mobile Network technology.
Attendees who visited the booth had overwhelmingly positive feedback. They recognized the exceptional design of the Orchestrator, which not only simplifies the process of onboarding PMN infrastructure but also significantly enhances visibility within the PMN network.
Notably, an attendee contrasted the traditional wireless LAN experience with the seamless connectivity offered by VMware Private Mobile Network. They pointed out that, in certain areas of the event floor, the traditional wireless LAN connection had been unreliable and inconsistent. In stark contrast, VMware Private Mobile Network provided a highly dependable and robust wireless connectivity experience.
Additionally, a South American attendee had an eye-opening revelation about the efficiency gains that could be achieved through the VMware Private Mobile Network in port operations. They realized that this solution could streamline and optimize port operations, ultimately reducing the time required to place containers in docking areas. Moreover, the solution has the potential to increase the utilization of valuable real estate in these areas, contributing to cost savings and operational efficiency.
These customer testimonials underscore the transformative impact of the VMware Private Mobile Network and Orchestrator, making it clear that this technology is not only enhancing connectivity but also revolutionizing operations across various industries.
The opportunity awaits enterprises keen on exploring the transformative potential of VMware Private Mobile Network. VMware encourages enterprises to engage in a Proof of Concept (PoC) phase, allowing enterprises to validate the solution’s efficacy through critical use cases. This hands-on experience serves as a testament to the practicality and real-world impact of VMware Private Mobile Network solution, ultimately paving the way for its successful implementation across various industries.
