Fast Check

The Home Depot Inc. (Atlanta) has partnered with automated teller machine manufacturer NCR Corp. (Dayton, Ohio) and software giant Microsoft Corp. (Redmond, Wash.) to launch an upgraded technology check-out system.

Called FAST (front-end accuracy and service transformation), the technology features the first self-check-out stations in a major home improvement retail store. “Out FASTLANE self-check-outs offer another option for customer to complete their shopping quickly,” says Troy Rice, senior vp of operations. “Surveys show customer acceptance of self-check out is growing rapidly in other retail chains and our own tests indicate customer preference for this process will be very strong in home improvement, as well.”

The home improvement specialty retailer will roll out the new FAST strategy over the next 12 months. Installation of the self-check-out stations will mark the first phase of the initiative, with 300 high-volume U.S. stores projected to receive four stations each this year, followed by 500 stores next year.

The FAST initiative is the third in the last four months by the retailer. In September, the company announced a partnership with IBM to develop a new data warehouse to improve forecasting and planning. In October, the company followed with an announcement that it had partnered with Hewlett Packard to provide more than 40,000 desktop computers for improved customer service.

Home Depot operates 1487 stores in 49 states, Puerto Rico, seven Canadian provinces and Mexico. In November, the company reported a 20.8 percent profit increase for its third quarter, while acknowledging sales at its older stores had slipped.