As a leading global supplier of interactive solutions, Elo is everywhere. Every 21 seconds, a new Elo touchscreen is installed worldwide, with over 25 million installations worldwide since 1971. Elo deploys solutions with some of the largest brands around the globe, including deployments in convenience stores. Elo’s partnership with TechQuidation to support the convenience store industry with self-service solutions, POS deployments, and shelf talkers brings together the experience and knowledge necessary to create truly innovative solutions. Together, Elo and TechQuidation are the go-to partners for convenience store solutions that lighten your tech debt with the support and longevity needed for a growing industry.

Here are the top five reasons c-store brands cite for choosing Elo:

1. Elo is modular by design, offering components that can deliver any solution
2. Elo is scalable across thousands of locations and administered in one central location
3. Elo is software agnostic with the ability to run any platform on our hardware stack
4. The collaboration between the TechQuidation Solutions Development team and the Elo support team
5. Elo supports Android, Windows, Linux, and no OS option

As the convenience store industry responds to consumer demand for shorter wait times and self-service preferences by modernizing its technology infrastructure, the entire industry is on the precipice of virtualization. This push for innovation comes after years of tech neglect, patch repairs, and hardware replacement only out of necessity. Many big brand convenience store chains are looking to replace their traditional POS and supporting solutions with virtualization solutions, with some of the top global brands already initiating this process. Visit some of the premier locations of the top c-store brands, and you will see some new innovative, modernized tech solutions with smaller footprints, sleek designs, and no wait times.

The virtualization of many top POS software systems has enabled brands to look outside traditional hardware options. Now it is more important than ever to select a hardware-agnostic platform. Virtualization also means more integrated systems are working in concert with each other and having a platform that all of them can run on will reduce in-store and above-store support efforts and costs.

Support matters. No one wants to purchase hardware that is about to go end of life or from an unknown manufacturer who might not be around to support the hardware. As virtualization has led to many more mobile-based operating systems, many consumer-based devices are disguising themselves as commercial equipment. Elo is purpose-built, with all of our offerings catering to commercial applications. This has proved to increase our lifetimes and give you that consistency you need for the future. Just as importantly, the unified architecture of Elo gives partners like TechQuidatioin the ability to support your entire hardware infrastructure, streamlining your support efforts even more.

C-Store Benefits of Virtualization

Virtualization enables faster c-store acquisition, organic growth, and remotely operated systems from one location. Prioritizing software allows the stores to create a single-store software application and deploy it across new stores remotely with minimal intervention. New store deployment is much faster with the virtualization of applications.

There is less downtime for maintenance as virtualization allows for remote IT support. Integrating these new software applications allows your team to spend less time troubleshooting on-site, allowing for a more flexible workforce that supports your store. System failures are also easier to identify and repair with remote monitoring. By eliminating store visits, virtualization reduces repair costs and enables large chains to control all software from one centralized location.

These innovations reduce hardware replacement as the software and hardware are decoupled. Therefore, only hardware failures need to be replaced, reducing the overall hardware cost. Updating your operating system and applications to a virtualized server eliminates device-level hardware OS compatibility issues with software update releases and increases performance simultaneously. This brings significant value to your bottom line regarding your hardware budget. The initial costs of moving to virtualized servers pay you back for years to come.

Staff productivity also increases along with virtualization. By enabling one device to access many applications, your mobile POS used for line busting may also be used for inventory management. Docking your mobile POS enables robust reporting and back-office access across all stores. These applications are easily accessible, process transactions faster with edge computing, and allow employees to remain in one location with one device.

Preparing for Virtualization

As you approach this project, remember your top priorities and goals. Typically, these involve customer experience, employee experience, and technology management and costs. Keep these goals at the forefront of your planning process to guide your decisions. Once you define your best-case scenario for each of these goals and develop an RFP, be sure your hardware and software needs are separate, as this is precisely what you are doing by decoupling your legacy systems. Defining your service support and customizations are very important in your RFP and will help ensure that you end up with a system custom-made for your needs.

Working with Elo & TechQuidation

Elo and TechQuidation provide a dedicated support team that designs your solution to spec with your in-house development team. Elo focuses on hardware, enabling you to collaborate with any software partner or your in-house application development team. Elo also partners with world-class software organizations, facilitating a referral for your specific needs, if applicable.

TechQuidation develops technology solutions for users of retail, mobile, and labeling technologies. TechQuidation supports equipment rollouts through sourcing and supply chain management, warehousing, and staging equipment for installation. For almost 20 years, the top convenience store chains have relied on TechQuidation for new equipment, refurbished equipment, service parts, and equipment repairs.

Working with Elo, TechQuidation will assist you in scoping the best devices for your applications. TechQuidation will also manage the supply chain to ensure your Elo devices are available to meet your project schedules. When you are ready to partner with the best-in-class convenience store hardware solutions partner, fill out the form below and start your virtualization journey today.