The days of human cashiers and manned check out stations within retail establishments is on the decline with recent pilot deployments of wireless "cash register" devices one supermarket chain is deploying to shoppers. Giant Food Stores and Agilysys, IBM, Symbol Technologies and Clair Interactive Communications have collaborated on a point of sale system that lets shoppers use wireless handhelds to scan food items as they put them in their baskets. Not only do customers have a running tab of food costs and verification of item price before checkout, the retail store is saving big bucks on the staffing side of business. Not only does the technology empower customers, it makes shopping more convenient for all involved. The key to making the system work was ensuring the store's POS system worked well with the device operating systems.

For more on using wireless to boost customer service:
- read this article at CRN