How a High-End Department Store Chain Streamlined Hardware and Elevated In-Store Experience

Introduction

A high-end department store chain partnered with Kitestring Technical Services to address the growing complexity of its retail hardware environment. Fragmented devices, redundant peripherals, and rising operational costs were impacting efficiency and the associate experience. Kitestring deployed its lab-driven, hands-on methodology to help the client consolidate, simplify, and align technology across store zones.

Problem Statement

The retailer faced a complex and inefficient hardware ecosystem, with different devices serving the front-of-store, back-of-store, and peripheral areas. This patchwork approach resulted in inconsistent application support, unnecessary device sprawl, and increasing support costs. Additionally, redundant peripherals like receipt printers and cash drawers cluttered the workspace and introduced operational complexity. The client needed a cohesive strategy to streamline the hardware footprint while tailoring technology to specific store zones.

Key Challenges

• Device proliferation across multiple store areas
• Redundant peripherals causing inefficiencies
• Application inconsistencies between device types
• High support overhead and operational complexity
• Misalignment between device capabilities and store zone requirements
• Lack of a centralized testing and executive review environment

Solution

Kitestring implemented a comprehensive and collaborative approach to hardware consolidation:

• Store Experience Lab: Created a real-world simulation environment replicating front and back-of-store zones to test device performance and functionality.
• Vendor Collaboration: Partnered with leading vendors including ELO, HP, Zebra, Epson, and NCR to bring a diverse mix of high-function devices into the lab.
• Application Validation: Loaded the client’s core applications onto each device and tested compatibility in varied scenarios.
• Shared Peripheral Testing: Demonstrated successful use of shared peripherals, including receipt printers and cash drawers, reducing redundancy and space usage.
• Hands-On Stakeholder Engagement: Facilitated interactive sessions for IT, operations, and store teams to evaluate and align on ideal hardware setups.
• Device Strategy Development: Delivered a right-sized hardware plan that reduced device types while ensuring each store area had purpose-built, efficient technology.

Methodology

Kitestring’s process was grounded in real-use testing and cross-functional collaboration. By simulating retail environments, validating applications, and ensuring hardware-peripheral synergy, the team enabled informed, data-backed decisions that resonated across technical and operational stakeholders.

Results & Impact

Our engagement delivered measurable improvements in both operational efficiency and hardware strategy clarity. By aligning devices to store needs and validating shared peripheral use, the client was able to confidently move forward with a streamlined, future-ready hardware plan.

• Hardware alignment across IT, store operations, and business leaders
• Validated compatibility between POS software and modern hardware platforms
• Cross-functional cohesion through shared evaluation and decision-making
• Confident roadmap balancing functional needs with cost-effective solutions
• Hardware cost savings and simplified strategy with broader device enablement
• Sleek, clean checkout environments that improved both visual appeal and associate ease-of-use

Conclusion

Kitestring’s strategic, lab-based methodology empowered the department store chain to transform its in-store hardware environment from fragmented to streamlined. Through deep collaboration, real-world validation, and thoughtful planning, the client now operates with a clearer, leaner, and more effective hardware roadmap that is scalable, efficient, and future-ready.