QDigital has launched its new headset for the retail market. Until now, headsets have been used in conjunction with a belt pack which housed the battery and software, but the new QDigital Retail Headset is the first model in the retail sector to have done away with the belt pack making for an even smaller, more comfortable product for the wearer. New features include hands free, talk-lock and push-to-talk functions.

In addition to the headset, which is typically worn by supervisors (in a supermarket environment, by a sales team in a retail warehouse or shop for example), the new system incorporates 12-button multiple keypads for checkout and kiosk staff which provide instant messaging to alert supervisors to requests or problems which need assistance.

The Quail Digital system uses DECT technology on the 1.88-1.92 GHz band, approved for use in over 150 countries which include all of Europe, Middle East, North America, South America and most of Asia. This system allows direct, instant and interference free communication, with excellent audio quality and operates licence free. The QDigital Retail Headset also features intelligent battery management, private paging channel and interfacing with ethernet and other hard wired networks.

The QDigital system has been shown to improve customer service by saving time at tills and checkouts. A 15-checkout store can have up to 1000 occasions a week when assistance is needed. Detailed analysis by Quail Digital customers in their own outlets has shown that using a keypad and headset allows problems to be understood and resolved faster, saving at least 60 seconds of downtime for each transaction.

Tom Downes CEO of Quail Digital said "Every time a till operator requests assistance, scanning stops and the queue builds, leading to delays and frustration. Analysis from one of our retail chain customers showed response times to customer queries were reduced by 75% after installation of the Quail Digital system."

In addition, retailers report use of the QDigital Retail Headset system has enhanced in-store security; headsets are a visible deterrent and allow staff to communicate fast and discreetly. The system also improves staff satisfaction and retailer brand image.

Downes said "Supermarkets with four or more checkouts find that staff operate more efficiently when equipped with wireless headsets and request button keypads located at the till and help-points around the store. Headsets improve customer perception of the retailer because they resolve queries quicker by communicating more effectively."

February 2010