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Installation Planning Manual
1. About this Document
This document serves as a comprehensive guide for the planning and execution of Electronic Shelf Label (ESL) installation in brand new stores. It is designed to ensure successful installations in environments that are still under construction or preparation and guarantees a smooth process from start to finish.
2. Target Audience
This manual is intended for project managers, installation leads, and any stakeholders responsible for overseeing and executing ESL installations at client sites.
3. Purpose of Site Installation
The primary goal of site installation for new stores is to implement ESLs prior to the store opening. Since the store is still under construction or being set up, conducting a Site Survey is often not feasible. Therefore, alternative planning methods are necessary to ensure that the ESLs and ESL fixtures are correctly installed and functional from day one.
4. Contact Information
For inquiries or feedback regarding this manual, please contact:
installation@smartlabelsolutions.com.
5. Glossary
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| AP | Access Point. Device for ESL communication with the server. |
| AP Map | The diagram to show the locations of AP installed / to be installed in the store. |
| ESL | Electronic Shelf Labels |
| ESL Fixture | Hardware required for attaching ESL, including rails, adapters, and mounting equipment. For a complete list of ESL fixtures, refer to the ESL Fixture Book or visit ESLFixtures.com |
| eTag | Equivalent to ESL |
| Nebular | The name of an ESL series. |
| Nebular Pro | The name of an ESL series. |
| PDA | Handheld devices for product association. |
| Product Association | The process of binding ESL with products. Sometimes simply referred to as “Association”. |
| Special Cut | Cutting rails for measurements other than the standard sizes (1200mm, 890mm and 590mm). |
6. Pre-Requisites for Site Installation
The ESL and ESL fixtures to be installed in new stores depend on various aspects of the store layout and equipment setup. The following documents are critical for proper installation planning:
- Floor Plan: A detailed and accurate store layout, including measurements for all equipment and areas where ESL installation is required. Sections not intended for ESL installation should be clearly marked.
- Equipment List: Provides specific details about the store’s fixtures (e.g., shelving, freezers), including model numbers, measurements and materials. This is critical for selecting the correct ESL fixtures, such as rails or metal stands, or freezer-compatible ESLs.
- Promotion Strategy: Identifies key product display areas, guiding decisions on where larger ESLs (4.2” and above) or pole stands should be installed for promotional purposes.
- Installation Standards: If the client has established standards from previous installations, these should be referenced to ensure consistency and accuracy. If no standards exist, this project will serve as a template for future installations.
- Network Infrastructure: A robust network setup is essential, as Access Points (AP) rely on strong connectivity. AP locations must be confirmed and network readiness ensured prior to installation.
7. Floor Plan and Equipment Analysis
The Project Team will collaborate with the client to conduct an in-depth analysis of the floor plan, equipment layout, and ESL fixture requirements. The goal is to match ESLs and ESL fixtures to specific needs of the store. As the new store may face other challenges during setup, it is recommended to start the Floor Plan and Equipment Analysis as soon as the floor plan is finalized.
Key factors to consider for the Analysis:
Standardization: Align ESL installation with the client’s established standards, ensuring consistency with other stores.
ESL Size Optimization:
Standard ESL sizes for general areas.
Larger ESL for promotional items.
Smaller ESL for densely shelved areas.
Freezer ESL for cold storage areas where temperature drop below 0°C.
Sections that require specific ESL sizes for uniformity across certain equipment types.
ESL fixture requirements:
Rail types for gondola shelves, freezers, coolers, display cases, and other relevant equipment.
Areas or locations for installing clips and stands.
Use of magnetic adapters and stands.
Areas to apply rail end caps, angle blocks and reverse adapters.
Rail measurements:
- Verify the required rail sizes for each location, based on the floor plan and equipment list and identify areas requiring special cuts. For equipment not covered by the Installation Standards, sample ESL fixtures should be tested to ensure optimal fit.
Spare ESL and ESL fixtures:
- The quantity of ESL units and ESL fixtures required for potential replenishment should be carefully considered. Since new stores may experience last-minute adjustments to their layout or equipment, it is advisable to allocate additional ESL units and ESL fixtures to accommodate any unexpected changes.
Upon completing the analysis, the Project Team will provide the client with a comprehensive report detailing the required ESLs and ESL fixtures in each of the locations. With client approval, all necessary materials will be prepared for shipment.
8. AP Locations and Map
Refer to ESL Controller HS_C09959 Installation Manual for how to plan and install the Access Points at the store. AP locations must clearly be documented in the AP Map to provide accurate reference for future system maintenance or expansion.
9. Installation Planning
The Project Team will coordinate with the client to develop a detailed plan for installing ESLs and ESL fixtures, factoring in the following criteria:
Store Opening Date: ESL installation will align with the client’s store opening timeline, ensuring that all systems are fully operational by the opening date.
PriSmart Setup: Ensure the product pricing information and ESL templates are configured in the PriSmart system, following company-wide standards for uniformity.
AP Installation Plan: APs must be installed and tested prior to the ESL deployment.
PDA Preparation: Ensure sufficient PDAs are configured and ready for use during installation.
Section Readiness: ESL installation will proceed section by section, ensuring that each area’s equipment is fully in place before the ESLs are deployed.
Resource Allocation: Adequate personnel and equipment will be allocated to ensure a smooth and efficient installation process. Installers can typically handle up to 500 ESLs per 8-hour shift per person.
Dry Run/Testing: A full system test will be conducted to ensure that all APs and ESLs are functioning as intended.
The Installation Plan will provide detailed information on the schedule, specifying the number of ESL units and ESL fixtures to be installed in each section, along with the required workforce for each task.
Once the Installation Plan is approved, the Project Team will finalize logistics and prepare the necessary workforce and tools to execute the installation efficiently.
10. Site Installation
Installation will be carried out according to the approved plan. The Project Team will follow the procedures outlined in the Site Installation Manual to ensure that the installation is done with high quality and meets client’s expectation.
11. Appendices
11.1 Sample SOP for New Store Installation
The following is a sample SOP for ESL rollout in a new store. However, please note that each new store may present unique requirements and challenges during the setup phase. As a result, timelines and tasks may need to be adjusted accordingly. This SOP is intended for reference purposes only.
| Time | Task # | Task Type | Major Tasks | Responsible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T – 12 week | S0 | Preparation before implementation | Share documents for Floor Plan and Equipment Analysis | OPS |
| T – 11 week | S1 | Preparation before implementation | Floor Plan and Equipment Analysis | SLS, OPS, IT, Support |
| S2 | Preparation before implementation | Sample rails and non-rail fixtures for testing (if necessary) | SLS | |
| T – 10 week | S3 | Preparation before implementation | Confirm Floor Plan and Equipment Analysis Report | OPS |
| T – 9 week | S4 | Purchase of ESL equipment | Prepare and issue PO for ESL, AP and ESL fixtures | Support, SLS |
| S5 | Preparation before implementation | Installation Planning | SLS, OPS, IT, Support | |
| T – 8 week | S5 | Preparation before implementation | Installation Planning | SLS, OPS, IT, Support |
| T – 7 week | S6 | Preparation before implementation | Finalize and ready Installation Plan | SLS, OPS, IT |
| S7 | Preparation before implementation | PriSmart Setup | Support | |
| S8 | Preparation before implementation | AP Installation | IT | |
| S9 | Preparation before implementation | A71 device ready with Handy Link app installed and store network setting for IT to use | Support | |
| S10 | Preparation before implementation | Assign and create Handy Link role and users | Support, IT | |
| S11 | Preparation before implementation | Network setting ready | Support | |
| T – 6 week | S12 | Preparation before implementation | WiFi coverage checking and testing | IT, SLS, Support |
| S13 | Preparation before implementation | AP location fine tuning | IT, SLS, Support | |
| S14 | Preparation before implementation | Check and finetune AP channel (only if necessary) | IT, SLS, Support | |
| S15 | Preparation before implementation | Checkpoint: Readiness of AP coverage | IT | |
| T – 5 week | S16 | Preparation before implementation | Equipment installation and shelving (2-3 weeks) | OPS, Support |
| T – 4 week | S17 | Preparation before implementation | ESL units and ESL fixtures delivery | SLS |
| S18 | Installation and implementation | Roll out ESL and ESL fixtures in sections ready for installation (1-2 weeks) | SLS, OPS, IT | |
| T – 3 week | Installation and implementation | Count number of ESL implemented | SLS, IT | |
| T – 2 week | S19 | Installation and implementation | Dry run / Test | SLS, OPS, IT |
| T – 1 week | S20 | Installation and implementation | Final finetuning and adjustment | SLS, OPS, IT |
| T | S21 | Store Opening | ||
| T + 1 week | S22 | Post-implementation | Follow up with OPS | SLS, OPS, IT |