by Brianna Crandall — November 16, 2016 — Staples Business Advantage recently announced an Interactive app to help customers better visualize what facility enhancements can do for their workplace, as well as the next phase of its Staples Easy System pilot program, unveiling a new cognitive-enabled office supply reordering system.
BluPrint interactive app helps visualize facility enhancements
The new BluPrint is an interactive app and virtual experience that Staples uses to help customers better visualize what facility enhancements can do for their workplace, while also helping them cut waste, save money, increase efficiency and be more productive.
The Web-based application showcases before-and-after comparisons of how the customer’s space is currently being used and the potential benefits they will gain by implementing suggested changes — like switching from folded paper towels to touchless dispensers.
Leveraging the proven worth of interactive technologies, BluPrint helps Staples Business Advantage sales associates identify areas for improvement and recommend the best possible solutions to solve customer workplace issues. By applying new techniques and investigating new products, Staples Business Advantage will help facilities managers (FMs) save time so they can focus on business-critical tasks, such as keeping buildings well maintained.
In fact, according to the 2016 Staples Business Advantage Workplace Index, 92 percent of FMs report they work more than 40 hours per week at least some of the time. Saving time is a key driver to their happiness in the workplace, and the BluPrint interactive app aims to help make that possible by creating a visual set of suggestions for customers and providing clear direction on how to turn suggestions into a reality.
To learn more (see video) or to schedule a site assessment, visit the Staples Business Advantage BluPrint Web page.
Staples’ “Easy Button” comes to life with IBM Watson
Reaching the next phase of its Staples Easy System pilot program, Staples also unveiled 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. The Staples Easy System brings the “on-demand” world to businesses, allowing customers to order anytime, anywhere, from any device they prefer.
Staples’ cognitive-enabled “Easy Button” office supply reordering system integrates IBM’s Watson technology, 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 is via Staples’ proprietary next-generation Easy Button, through the app, text, e-mail, 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 business’s preferences over time, including their preferred products and quantities, says the company. Eventually, the system will even be able to make product and services recommendations based on the customer’s current needs.
New features and services include:
- 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; and
- 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 e-mail to the customer to alert them before the next time they try to order.
The Easy Button is being rolled out via Alpha Test to select customers in the Austin, Texas, market. This will be followed by a broader Beta Test rollout to over 100 additional customers in Austin and New York before the year’s 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 is low on toner.
Businesses interested in learning more about the Easy System, including how to sign up to be a Beta customer, can visit the Easy Button Web page.
