Hewlett Packard Enterprise has officially announced, at NRF 2025, the launch of several new solutions that will bring connectivity and high-performance edge computing required to modernize a typical retail environment.
According to certain reports, the showcase had HPE demonstrating how reliable and secure connectivity is a critical component of retail modernization, right from the back office and warehouse to the front of the store and curbside.
Talk about these solutions on a slightly deeper level, they begin from HPE Aruba Networking 100 Series Cellular Bridge, which boasts seamless primary or backup WAN access to provide connectivity when fiber or broadband WAN circuits are unavailable or experience failure. More on that would reveal how this innovation empowers customers to access greater resiliency for mission critical services, such as credit card processing.
Furthermore, the technology can be used for quick deployment of new or temporary locations, like kiosks or pop-up locations, when delays or costs of cabling a broadband WAN connection are not considered viable.
Next up; we have HPE Aruba Networking CX 8325H. This one happens to be a new store-friendly, half-width 18-port switch that fits into compact spaces, presenting lower power and cooling requirements. It also connects with the HPE ProLiant DL145 Gen11 server for edge computing.
Then, there is in play an assortment of HPE Aruba Networking 750 Series wireless access points that tread up a long distance to secure, process, and deliver IoT data in real-time, all for the purpose of powering AI retail applications. You see, HPE Aruba Networking access points are designed to provide a secure connectivity platform for the increase in IoT devices, such as cameras, shelf labels, RFID labels, energy sensor, and motion detectors etc.
Joining that would be HPE Aruba Networking Central AI Insights that optimize retail curbside operations by increasing performance of Wi-Fi networks when deployed outdoors. On top of that, these insights can also come in handy to detect unusual IoT behavior which might indicate a potential security breach.
To understand the significance of such a development, we must take into account how like many other industries, the retail sector also suffers from IT resource constraints. For instance, organizations with geographically distributed retail locations such as stores, warehouses, and back offices are often required to manage an increasingly complex network, if they are to decrease the number and duration of IT visits. Fortunately enough, HPE’s latest brainchild simplifies that very process.
“Retailers facing challenges in warehousing, inventory control, and omnichannel fulfillment need comprehensive and secure connectivity to enable digital modernization and enhance customer experiences,” said Stuart Strickland, wireless chief technology officer, HPE Aruba Networking. “HPE’s networking solutions bring real-time IoT data processing and AI inferencing closer to the source of data generation to fuel omnichannel shopping strategies that increase revenue.”
HPE also took this opportunity to expand its HPE Aruba Networking Central IoT Operations dashboard, which allows retailers to take advantage of pre-built third-party applications, from HPE retail partners, to enhance capabilities of the access points and improve visibility into IoT applications at the edge.
In respect to that, the company would showcase its new and existing partners, as well as the wide range of retail applications that they have built, including real-time video for fraud detection, inventory management and promotion, location analytics, and pricing optimization.
Taking a closer look at HPE’s partner lineup, it includes Hanshow, who has developed highly interactive electronic shelf labels (ESL) to facilitate store management. Moving on to Simbe, it is best known for its IoT platform that features the world’s first autonomous item-scanning robot. Leveraging this technology, the platform is able to track product location, stock levels, and pricing accuracy.
Then, there is SOLUM, a company which offers digital shelf labels, electronic signage, and smart facility solutions. Hold on, we are not yet, considering we haven’t touched upon another HPE partner in VusionGroup, who provides solutions for computer vision AI, IoT asset management, electronic shelf labels, and digital displays.
Rounding up highlights would Zebra Technologies, a company that delivers hardware, software, and services to support omnichannel retailing including wearable devices, RFID scanners, barcode printers, environmental sensors, and intelligent cabinets.
