Roundy’s, Balance Innovations Win IBM Retail Innovation Award

Roundy’s Supermarkets, Inc. and vendor-partner Balance Innovations have received the IBM Retail User Group’s 2010 Retail Innovation Award for the grocer’s successful implementation of Balance Innovations’ vbScout self-checkout management solution.

Roundy’s installed vbScout to improve the balancing and monitoring of self-checkout units at 90 of its stores. The system uses real-time monitoring to provide the status of a self-checkout unit, allowing bookkeepers to save time by balancing the units less frequently and save money by stocking them with appropriate cash levels.

“vbScout has improved our front end operations tremendously, and it is great to see the project recognized by the IBM Retail User Group,” said Brian Goedland, business solutions director for retail at Roundy’s, who accepted the award on behalf of the Milwaukee-based company.

The Retail Innovation Award honors a technology solution that enhances the consumer experience, reduces the cost of doing business, speeds up processes and provides a competitive advantage. The winner of the award is selected by the retail members of the IBM Retail User Group at its annual conference, held late last month in San Antonio.

This marks the second time that Lenexa, Kan.-based Balance Innovations has won the award since the honor’s inception in 2007. The company won the award in that year for its VeriBalance solution.

Roundy’s operates 154 retail grocery stores and 88 pharmacies under the Pick 'n Save, Copps, Rainbow and Metro Market banners in Wisconsin and Minnesota.