IBM launches updated range of green retail technologies

IBM is seeking to tap into high street stores' burgeoning appetite for green initiatives and products with the launch of a revamped portfolio of retail technologies that it promises will deliver significant energy savings.

Central to the expanded portfolio is its recently launched point of sale system, IBM SurePOS 700, which the company claims use processors that cut energy use by at least 36 per cent compared to older models.

IBM said research from IT industry analyst IDC concluded that a large retailer replacing 5,000 till points with the technology could expect to save almost $1m in energy costs over the seven-year life of the machine.

Steve Ladwig, general manager for IBM Retail Store Solutions, said that the technology could help augment retailers green initiatives and attract " consumers [who] are increasingly showing preference for retailers who are environmentally responsible".

The SurePOS 700 systems form the central component of a revamped portfolio of servers, back office IT management systems and consultancy services, which IBM claims can also be utilised to help retailers enhance the energy efficiency of their IT infrastructure.