emmasbox and its system partner NetModule present a sophisticated system according to the 'Click&Collect'-principle for a variety of goods as well as fresh products. The use of the boxes is very easy, for example in a supermarket with online service: When ordering online, delivery service customers place the items in the virtual shopping cart as usual and simply select the address of a pick-up station instead of home delivery. Lockers at railway stations, such as those already operated by Deutsche Bahn, function according to the same principle and just as easily: Here too, the booking is made online and therefore contactless.
Behind this lays a complete package consisting of hardware, software and support: the Munich-based company emmasbox provides the system as a pick-up station, locker system, transfer or storage station. To do this, it must be stable, secure and highly scalable, maximising the positive customer experience and enabling uncomplicated operation of the stations.
NetModule, a communications specialist with broad expertise in networking and roll-out of vending machines, comes into play as system partner. The NB1601 Series routers enable smooth and secure data exchange. For this purpose, the robust devices are equipped with LTE and WLAN, Bluetooth and COM/IO interfaces. WLAN enables connectivity via 2.4GHz and 5GHz to the market's own networks and ensures that the station is always online. Via COM/IO interface the locking relays can be controlled by the emmasbox software installed on the router to activate the customer-specific opening of the individual boxes. By providing additional network access, the LTE connection serves as a backup link for communication with the market's own sales software and the central host of emmasbox for controlling the boxes. A malfunction is automatically reported and in the majority of cases it can be remedied remotely.
As a further important requirement, the routers used must be able to integrate into proprietary VPN networks and provide secure communication via VPN tunnel. For example, store applications (e.g. connectivity to the cash register system), emmasbox application for controlling the pick-up station and router control can run logically separated from each other. In addition, there are high demands on stability and availability, so the IoT routers 7/24/365 must be fully available. Even heat and cold cannot harm the router thanks to its robust metal housing (-40°C to +70°C).
About emmasbox
Since 2013 emmasbox has been developing Click & Collect solutions, pick-up stations and locker systems as a suitable response to increasingly flexible and spontaneous daily routines. As a full-service solutions provider, the company supplies international retailers such as the EDEKA or MIGROS Group as well as local transport companies such as Deutsche Bahn with the necessary hardware, provides a comprehensive software package and takes care of the maintenance and operation of the stations. The products of emmasbox are classic Internet-of-Things solutions ("IoT"), which bring together decentralised data at central points by means of connectivity in order to evaluate them and use them for operational purposes.