Time for an Upgrade? Discover the Benefits of Switching to the New Zebra PS30
The retail market is constantly changing, and so are the possibilities with self-scanning! When Zebra announced their new PS30 series earlier this year, many retailers were excited to enter the next stage of self-service retail. However, does this mean that older self-scanning units are obsolete? Moreover, which benefits does Zebra PS30 provide compared to its predecessor? Learn more here!
Zebra PS30, which will rollout in 2024, comes with a range of features.
The new Zebra PS30 was announced at the beginning of 2024, offering the latest technology for an enhanced self-scanning shopping experience. This device includes many improvements, both in design and technology, unlocking a variety of opportunities for retailers and shoppers.
However, its predecessor, the Zebra PS20, is still going strong. Having been a staple in the self-scanning market for half a decade, the PS20 devices are well-known for their power and durability. But how much longer will the PS20 remain a suitable option for retailers and their customers?
By looking into what the new PS30 can offer, and to gain insights into what it takes to upgrade old self-scanning devices to a newer model, one can better assess when it is time for the next step.
What can the new Zebra PS30 offer?
The new Zebra PS30 comes with a variety of features and improvements (check out this article for a comprehensible overview) that can improve the experience for both retailers and shoppers. Here are some of the most prominent enhancements with Zebra PS30:
New design
The new Zebra PS30 features an improved design, consisting of a well-balanced handle and a larger screen than its predecessor. With an intuitive scan button and enhanced screen brightness, the PS30 is designed with the user in mind. Despite its elegant design, the device is durable and built to withstand inevitable drops – truly a device built to last.
The road to a seamless shopping experience
The many opportunities that came with digitalization have transformed physical retail forever. The ability to integrate various features and functionalities in the new PS30 is a game-changer: shoppers can access shopping lists, coupons, and other digital assets directly on the device. By using a smart self-scanning software such as EasyShop, the retailers can integrate plenty of features that adds value for the shopper.
Digital insights – and possibilities
Access to digital insights is better than ever – thanks to the PS30, retailers can gain advanced insights into shopping behavior, product preferences, and other valuable information. With improved location tracking, it is also possible to provide shoppers with real-time, location-based coupons and offers, depending on where they are in the store.
Upgrading to Zebra PS30
When to upgrade?
How can retailers know it is time to upgrade the self-scanning hardware? This decision is based upon several factors, such as:
Cost and return on investment (ROI)
Depending on the costs that are required, and the budget available for such investment, the retailer might be willing to invest immediately, or set up a plan in a foreseeable future. The long term ROI should also be taken into account, as well as the economic benefits from upgrading versus keeping the existing hardware.
Advancements in technology
Technology advancements can creative a significant incentive for retailers to invest in new retail technology, especially if there are benefits for both retailers and shoppers. It is however important to make sure that the new investments are compatible with existing systems and hardware.
Customers expectation and experience
The customers are a major driving force for changes in retail – so also with new retail investments. Modern shoppers expect fast, seamless, and personalized experiences. Retailers may invest in new hardware to meet these expectations, and to gain a competitive edge.
Operational Efficiency
Can the new hardware help streamline operations, or reduce staff workload? The operational efficiency should not be ignored when making the decision. For example, with the enhanced locationing the PS30 could guide shoppers in the right direction at the store, something that could save time and resources for the in-store staff.
Software and compatibility
An important factor to consider when deciding whether to upgrade self-scanning hardware is the associated software and its compatibility with other integrations.
As new versions of integrations and supporting systems are rolled out, the demands on hardware typically increase. Retailers using older hardware risk missing out on critical security updates, which could pose a cybersecurity risk in the future.
If deciding to keep existing hardware for a while, the PS20 or other self-scanning units, make sure that the devices and its associated software is well-protected and up-to-date.
Is an upgrade to PS30 necessary?
Some retailers have recently invested in Zebra PS20 devices, which are expected to last for several years ahead. Is there a need for additional upgrades already? The shorts answer to that question is ‘Not right now’ – the PS20 remains a capable and user-friendly self-scanning device. Both the PS20 and PS30 will make the shopping experience enjoyable for the shoppers.
“Retailers with fairly new PS20 devices should not be worried – the Zebra PS20 is still a great device for shoppers to use. However, as the life cycle of the PS20 comes to an end, the PS30 will be a great enhancement for both retailers and their customers.” – Fredrik Englund, Managing Director at Datema Retail.
With a smart self-scanning software, many of the features that are promoted with the new PS30, can also be utilised with a Zebra PS20 – reach out to your device provider to learn more about this.
The Zebra PS20 has been the go-to self-scanning device for half a decade! And while its successor is being rolled out later this year, the PS20 is still a capable and powerful device for self-scanning.
Upgrade in stages
When making the choice to upgrade from the PS20 to the PS30, retailers might assume that it is necessary to update all hardware at once, even associated accessories, something that could be very costly depending on the number of units needed.
However, the new PS30 is actually backwards compatible with Zebra's Personal Shopper charging infrastructure, including the cradles! This allows retailers to preserve their existing infrastructure, enabling the devices to be upgraded in stages.
This compatibility will make a big difference for retailers with many self-scanning devices and will extend the life cycle of those devices that are not yet worn out. Moreover, the required upfront investment will be smaller.
To summarize, only the retailer knows when it is time to upgrade their self-scanning hardware, and it can be for a variety of reasons. What is sure is that the Zebra PS30 offers plenty of exciting features – and when retailers find themselves in need of new self-scanning hardware, this device will meet the expectations of both retailers and shoppers.
Are you curious about the new Zebra PS30, or a suitable self-scanning software to go with? Contact us to know more!
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