Next-generation cognitive-enabled solution
enters Alpha and Beta testing for Staples Business Advantage
customers
Staples (NASDAQ: SPLS) announced today that it has reached the
next phase of its Staples Easy System pilot program, unveiling the
new cognitive-enabled “Easy Button” office supply reordering system
which integrates IBM’s Watson technology to simplify office supply
management for Staples Business Advantage Customers.
This Smart News Release features multimedia.
View the full release here:
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161025006273/en/
Staples has reached the next phase of its
Staples Easy System pilot program, unveiling the new
cognitive-enabled “Easy Button” office supply reordering system
which integrates IBM’s Watson technology to simplify office supply
management for Staples Business Advantage Customers. (Photo:
Business Wire)
The Staples Easy System brings the “on-demand” world to
businesses, allowing customers to order anytime, anywhere, from any
device they prefer. By tapping into IBM’s Watson Conversation
service, Staples now offers a seamless ordering interface for
customers across the Staples Easy System ecosystem – whether it’s
via Staples’ proprietary next-generation Easy Button, through the
app, text, email, over Facebook Messenger or with a Slackbot. The
Watson-enabled interface simplifies the customers’ shopping
experience, allowing them to quickly reorder supplies, track
shipments or chat about customer service needs.
In addition to facilitating simpler interactions with customers,
cognitive capabilities built into the system and powered by a
combination of Watson Knowledge Studio and Staples’ own internal
personalization APIs will help the Staples Easy System learn more
about each businesses’ preferences over time, including their
preferred products and quantities. Eventually, the system will even
be able to make product and services recommendations based on the
customer’s current needs.
“Staples and IBM have combined the power of Watson technology
with Staples’ expertise in helping small and medium businesses to
transform how companies shop for everything they need for their
office,” said Faisal Masud, executive vice president, eCommerce and
customer experience, Staples. “With the Easy System, administrators
will have greater overall management of their organizations’
procurement processes, ultimately saving them time they can instead
spend on running their office. It’s the assistant’s assistant.”
Since announcing the Staples Easy System solution earlier this
year, Staples’ Applied Innovation, e-Commerce and IT teams have
been working on adding features and services to benefit business
customers, including:
- Speech-to-text capability, translating
the inbound audio stream from the customer to Staples, which then
allows for recognition of what they want to order or ask the Easy
System.
- The ability to view and playback all
requests received from the customer’s Easy Button, allowing both
the customer and Staples to listen to captured audio, review
submissions from any of their devices and verify the requested
items.
- Strengthening the customer service chat
feature with IBM’s Watson Conversation service, allowing the system
to quickly respond to common requests, like checking on product
availability.
- Self-monitoring status updates through
an API that sends a request to the Easy System from the Easy Button
to check if button is online or not. If the Easy System detects
that button is not online then it will send an email to the
customer to alert them before the next time they try and make an
order.
“A critical component of Watson’s technology is engagement,
facilitating better interactions between brands and consumers,
deepening connections and enhancing how people engage,” said Steve
Abrams, distinguished engineer and vice president of developer
advocacy, IBM Watson. “Our collaboration with Staples puts
cognitive in the palm of the consumer’s hand, streamlining business
operations and creating a frictionless customer experience.”
The Easy Button is being rolled out via Alpha Test to a small
subset of Staples Business Advantage customers in the Austin, TX
market. This will be followed by a broader Beta Test rollout to
over 100 additional customers in Austin and New York before the
year-end.
Staples is continuing to investigate other applications for the
Easy System technology, including integrating additional
Watson-related APIs in the future that could help with other tasks
like booking a flight, ordering flowers or even making dinner
reservations. Other future applications could come from the Easy
Button’s “Internet of Things” capabilities, allowing it to connect
to, and communicate with, other smart devices, like a printer that
tells the button when it’s low on toner.
Businesses interested in learning more about the Easy System,
including how to sign up to be a Beta customer, can visit
www.staples.com/easy.
The Alpha and Beta tests of the Easy Button are part of a larger
initiative from Staples to make easier shopping happen, which also
includes the recently announced “Scan My List” functionality for
Staples’ iOS mobile app, which lets a customer scan their shopping
list or even take a picture of their breakroom to generate a
Staples.com order.
About Staples, Inc.
Staples retail stores and Staples.com help small business
customers make more happen by providing a broad assortment of
products, expanded business services and easy ways to shop, all
backed with a lowest price guarantee. Staples offers businesses the
convenience to shop and buy how and when they want - in store,
online, via mobile or though social apps. Staples.com customers can
either buy online and pick-up in store or ship for free from
Staples.com with Staples Rewards minimum purchase. Expanded
services also make it easy for businesses to succeed with in-store
Business Centers featuring shipping services and products, copying,
scanning, faxing and computer work stations, Tech Services,
full-service Print & Marketing Services, Staples Merchant
Services, small business lending and credit services.
Staples Business Advantage, the business-to-business division of
Staples, Inc., helps mid-market, commercial and enterprise-sized
customers make more happen by offering a curated assortment of
products and services combined with deep expertise, best-in-class
customer service, competitive pricing and state-of-the
art-ecommerce site. Staples Business Advantage is the one-source
solution for all things businesses need to succeed, including
office supplies, facilities cleaning and maintenance, breakroom
snacks and beverages, technology, furniture, interior design and
Print & Marketing Services. Headquartered outside of Boston,
Staples, Inc. operates throughout North and South America, Europe,
Asia, Australia and New Zealand. More information about Staples
(NASDAQ: SPLS) is available at www.staples.com.
View source
version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161025006273/en/
Staples, Inc.Mark Cautela,
508-253-3832Mark.Cautela@Staples.com
Staples, Inc. (NASDAQ:SPLS)
Historical Stock Chart
From Feb 2024 to Mar 2024
Staples, Inc. (NASDAQ:SPLS)
Historical Stock Chart
From Mar 2023 to Mar 2024