HP (NYSE:HPQ) today introduced a touch-enabled point-of-sale (POS) system for retailers seeking to cost-effectively manage their businesses.

Easy to use, the HP ap5000 All-in-One POS System features a self-contained combination of products that removes the guesswork for retailers wanting to create a comprehensive POS hardware solution. The compact system maximizes work space and includes a central processing unit, touch-enabled display, magnetic stripe reader and either a two-line customer display or a 10.4-inch LCD customer display to enhance promotional activities.

The high-performance HP ap5000 is built to handle the rigorous demands of retail environments. Its space-saving design requires only one power outlet, reducing cable clutter and making it ideal for retailers requiring a sleek design for customer-facing areas, such as hospitality and specialty retail environments.

“Addressing customer preferences, HP has expanded its retail store portfolio with an all-in-one solution that provides increased flexibility and results for a variety of business market segments,” said Ray Carlin, vice president, Retail Store Solutions Global Business Unit, HP. “As the retail market recovers from economic hard times, HP has developed a broad retail product portfolio to best meet changing customer needs.”

HP TouchSmart hardware powers new kiosk solution

HP also announced its TouchSmart hardware is powering independent software vendor partner Escalate Retail’s new Interactive Store Kiosk. The kiosk at Escalate allows multiple points of touch contact simultaneously and allows shoppers to “grab” digital information with their hands and interact with on-screen content through touch and gesture. Kiosk customers can:

• access Escalate’s entire product catalog, known as the “endless aisle”;
• browse video content that is relevant to their shopping choices;
• view Escalate’s latest social networking stream; and
• read customer reviews.

“Joining our retail expertise and software with HP’s innovative TouchSmart hardware allows us to expand the reach of our store kiosks to retailers,” said Mike Julson, chief technology officer, Escalate Retail. “Together, HP and Escalate are creating an immersive user experience that allows shoppers to get all the information they need to make a well-informed purchase while still in the store, which ultimately benefits retailers.”

HP at the National Retail Federation Convention and Expo

HP will be showcasing its latest technology addressing this important market at the National Retail Federation Convention and Expo at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York. Conference attendees can experience HP’s entire portfolio of retail-focused products and services – including the new HP ap5000 All-in-One POS System, professional-quality visual collaboration from HP SkyRoom and high-resolution digital signage displays – at booth 528.

“HP, a major force in enterprise computing in retail, continues to expand its influence into the store,” said Nikki Baird, managing partner of analyst firm Retail Systems Research. “Given that RSR’s research has found that retailers are still highly focused on store investments to support the customer experience and employee productivity, HP will be one to watch going forward.”

Pricing and availability

Pricing for the HP ap5000 All-in-One POS System is available through HP partners; the solution is expected to be available worldwide in late March.

Additional information on the HP ap5000 is available at www.hp.com/go/ap5000. More information about the products, including product specifications and images, is available at www.hp.com/personal.

About HP

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