The commercial and operations teams of a professional NBA team faced a significant challenge when launching their new stadium, which includes nine stores and two warehouses. For the first time, the team decided to manage direct and online sales operations in-house, having previously outsourced this service. This transition required not only the implementation of advanced technology but also a complete overhaul of existing processes and the corresponding training for its retail and warehouse personnel. Our task was to integrate an item-level RFID system into their newly established retail environment and seamlessly connect it to their existing Microsoft Dynamics ERP platform. The added complexity came from incorporating a smart vision system that enabled self-checkout through face recognition and RFID, removing the need to scan items directly.

Solution: Implementing a Cutting-Edge RFID System with Vision Integration
To address this dual challenge, our team designed and implemented a comprehensive item-level RFID system tailored to the stadium’s needs. The solution involved specifying the different tags for all the types of merchandise and tagging it all with RFID, setting up readers throughout the stores and warehouses, and integrating everything with their Microsoft Dynamics ERP. In parallel, a smart vision-based self-checkout system was deployed, allowing fans to make purchases without manually scanning items, integrating face ID and RFID technologies for secure and seamless transactions. Our cloud-based platform managed all data in real time, providing inventory updates, sales analytics, and secure payment processing, ensuring the entire operation was smooth, efficient, and fully integrated.

Results: Elevating the Fan Experience and Boosting Operational Efficiency
The project was a resounding success, creating a self-sufficient and first-of-its-kind retail operation for a sports arena. Fans now enjoy an elevated shopping experience without missing their game, effortlessly purchasing merchandise in a matter of seconds with confidence in the security of their transactions and privacy of their personal data. On the operational side, inventory counts that could have taken hours are now completed in minutes with 99% accuracy. The system also enabled effective omnichannel sales with rapid replenishment of merchandise, ensuring the stores were always well-stocked. This transformation not only enhanced fan engagement but also set a new standard for retail operations within the sports industry.