• 2/20: Big news as Scan and Go deployed to Colorado Walmarts.
• 3/10: Marketplace Amazon declared by Walmart to be number one weapon [Bloomberg]
• 3/18: Michael Dell and Bart Foster shaking hands as Kaiser writes up the Solohealth in Walmart
• 3/19: Walmart announces Fulfillment Centers for next gen network [RIS]
• 3/26: Bloomberg drops bombshell articles on Fewer Employees really means Growth?
• 3/26: Reuters announces Walmart stores will become internet delivery stations (Update 4)
• 3/27: Walmart Lockers: Not as Dumb as they Seem [InvestorPlace]
• (nice background acticle on 7 Things to Know About Amazon Lockers from InvestorPlace).
• 3/27 Wal-Mart revamping again Threatened by Amazon
• 3/29: Forbes article on "About to Get Interesting..."
• Flurry of articles/writers all trying to boil down to fewest number of relevant points.
• I take a photo tour of store in Arkansas to see just what self-service iterations they have.

So I take my shot at arranging all the ducks, plus I am trying out a new social editing tool which organizes (or storifies) those posts and links. (See the end of this blog post.)

Bear in mind too that a long time I lived in Minnesota and I worked for Target and their Bridal and Baby Registry programs. Back when "multi-generational marketing" was in a heyday along with multi-channel marketing. 

The photo walkthrough is from a store in Arkansas (I was back home for a recent visit) and I wanted to capture any and all technology being used.  I didn't take any pictures of the POS behind the counter but it was older generation for sure.  There isn't very much in the stores when you get down to it but I always see lots of employees walking around.  The MinuteKey units from Randy Fagundo stood out as perfect in all respects (not that I use keys all that much).  It was surprising to see how much is still "hooks on a wall". 

I'm not sure how they plan on handling minors and the purchase of alcohol.

And I was a victim of the "not in stock" syndrom [see latest update from Bloomberg March 2 [link] when I went to buy some common batteries and there were none to be found despite checking multiple battery centers at the store.

I also went thru the Scan and Go app here in Colorado at a new location in technology area north of Denver.  Unfortunately I only have a Galaxy S3 Android but the signage didn't warn me. And the greeter was more interested in me explaining to them how it works since they didn't know.  When I checked out from the new bullpen style NCR POS I had my usual "intervention" item and when the attendant came over I asked how many S&Gs they had seen. She said none so far.

The test data based off iPhones in a store which prides itself on the lowest prices gives me pause.  Why not cater to those with the cheapest phones? That's a discussion for another time.

Meanwhile with lockers being the big news this week I would be remiss if I didn't point out that my company is one which manufactures secure lockers of all types (www.kiosk.com if I may be so bold).  Checking the internet traffic (which I do all the time) we may need to up our bandwidth if this keeps up.

My bottom line:

Thinking you are well-defended and well-prepared (aka Maginot Line in WW1) don't always prove out as true in reality. The telescoping channels are not linear but logarithmic, like Richter scale and earthquakes.  Might be a good time for Walmart to set up a big campus in San Jose?

Or better yet -- work out a deal with Google.  I'm guessing Scmidt and Bezos aren't exchanging christmas cards every year. And what about Apple?

PS: And you've probably received a survey request from the DSA. Please fill it out for us on the Kiosk Council.  With the growing importance of regulatory compliance such as ADA and PCI, we are doing our best to inform you all as objectively as possible.

From Colorado -- this is Craig Keefner of the Kiosk Industry Group, the Kiosk Council of Digital Screenmedia Association, and the Westminster Mens Golf League signing off...