Visiting public businesses can reveal how small inefficiencies affect both customers and staff. During visits to SM Supermarket, Mang Inasal, and Mercury Drug, several common issues became clear: long queues, slow service, and disorganized workflows. These problems may seem minor, but they can create frustration, waste time, and reduce overall customer satisfaction.
Even in well-known businesses, traditional processes can slow down operations, especially during busy periods like weekends or holidays. Simple, practical technological solutions have the potential to improve efficiency, streamline operations, and enhance the overall experience for customers and staff alike. This blog explores the observations from each industry, suggests innovative technologies to address the problems, and highlights the benefits these solutions can bring to everyday business operations.
SM Supermarket
Proposed Innovation: AI Camera-Based Checkout System
During my visit to SM Supermarket, I observed several operational issues that directly affect customer experience, especially during peak hours. I went to the supermarket with my sister, who is pregnant, so she lined up in the priority lane. However, the lines were extremely long, which made the purpose of priority lanes ineffective. Customers still had to wait for a long time before being assisted.
Another observation was cashier efficiency. Some cashiers were chatting with coworkers while customers waited. Although casual interaction is normal in a busy workplace, it contributed to slower service and customer dissatisfaction—particularly for customers who are tired, in a hurry, or shopping after work or school. Personally, I was sleep-deprived that day and eager to go home, which made the waiting even more frustrating.
The main reason for these delays is the traditional barcode-based checkout system. Each item must be scanned individually, and sometimes barcodes cannot be read due to damage, poor printing, or incorrect positioning. When this happens, the cashier must manually type the product code, further increasing transaction time and line length.
Description of the AI Camera-Based Checkout System
To address these issues, I propose an AI camera-based checkout system. This system uses cameras and artificial intelligence to recognize products automatically without barcode scanning. When an item is placed under the camera, the system identifies it by shape, packaging, and visual features. The item’s name and price appear immediately on the screen.
Unlike traditional scanners, this system does not require multiple attempts to scan an item. The camera only needs to “see” the product to recognize it, greatly reducing transaction time and interruptions caused by unreadable barcodes.
Benefits to Business Operations
Implementing this system can significantly enhance efficiency. First, it speeds up checkout, allowing more customers to be served in less time, especially on weekends, holidays, or peak shopping days. Second, long queues are reduced, which improves overall customer satisfaction. Priority lanes function properly, allowing pregnant women, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities to receive faster service. Third, cashier workload decreases, reducing stress and errors in pricing or billing. This AI camera-based checkout system can also be applied to other grocery stores that still rely on manual barcode scanning, helping them reduce long lines and speed up customer transactions.
Impact on Customer Experience
From the customer’s perspective, the AI camera-based checkout system offers a smoother, faster, and more convenient shopping experience. Customers spend less time waiting, which is especially helpful for those who are tired or in a hurry. Additionally, seeing modern technology in use creates a positive impression of the supermarket, showing that the company values their customers’ time and comfort.
Mang Inasal
Proposed Innovation: Smart Table Availability Kiosk
During my visit to Mang Inasal for dinner, I noticed that many customers were waiting for available tables. The restaurant was crowded at the entrance, and all the Mang Inasal branches I have visited do not have kiosks, unlike other fast-food chains like Jollibee or McDonald’s. Without a system to manage table availability, customers spend a lot of time standing and waiting, and staff find it difficult to organize seating efficiently.
Description of the Smart Table Availability Kiosk
I propose a Smart Table Availability Kiosk, a touchscreen system located at the restaurant entrance. It shows a real-time map of available tables and seating areas. Customers can choose a preferred table or area, and the kiosk prints a ticket with the table number. Customers then proceed to the counter to place their food order, knowing a table is already reserved. This system works even for those without smartphones or internet access.
Benefits to Business Operations
The kiosk can reduce waiting times, making the dining experience more organized and enjoyable. Staff can manage seating efficiently, minimizing congestion during busy periods like weekends or holidays. It also helps ensure smoother workflow, preventing confusion and frustration for both customers and employees.
Impact on Customer Experience
For customers, the Smart Table Availability Kiosk provides a stress-free dining experience. They can immediately know which tables are available without waiting in line or standing at the entrance. The system improves convenience and customer satisfaction while creating a modern and organized environment inside the restaurant.
Mercury Drug
Proposed Innovation: PharmaCheck Counter System
During my visit to Mercury Drug, I noticed that pharmacists often leave the counter to check if an item is available. I experienced this myself: when my number was called, the item I wanted was already unavailable. This wastes customers’ time and slows down pharmacy operations, especially during busy hours. Without an organized system, customers may wait unnecessarily, leading to frustration and inefficiency.
Description of the PharmaCheck Counter System
To solve this, I propose a PharmaCheck Counter System, a physical offline device at the pharmacy counter. Customers can check product availability using a touchscreen or button catalog, showing whether items are in stock, low in stock, or unavailable. The system can also indicate the aisle or shelf location. If pharmacist assistance is required, it prints a numbered ticket, so customers don’t wait blindly. Pharmacists can update inventory easily without leaving the counter repeatedly.
Benefits to Business Operations
The PharmaCheck system saves time for customers by showing product availability instantly. It allows pharmacists to serve more efficiently without constantly leaving the counter. It also reduces frustration for customers, organizes workflow, and ensures a more structured system for managing stock and queues, even offline.
Impact on Customer Experience
For customers, the PharmaCheck Counter System provides certainty and convenience. They no longer have to wait at the counter only to find that the product is unavailable. This improves satisfaction and creates a more professional and organized environment.
Final Thoughts
From my visits to SM Supermarket, Mang Inasal, and Mercury Drug, I observed that operational inefficiencies such as long queues, unorganized seating, and unavailable products slow down service and frustrate customers. The proposed solutions—AI Camera-Based Checkout, Smart Table Availability Kiosk, and PharmaCheck Counter System—are practical technological innovations that can enhance efficiency, reduce waiting time, and improve customer satisfaction.
These solutions are simple, cost-effective, and can be implemented without major infrastructure changes. Technopreneurship is not just about advanced technology—it’s about identifying real problems and solving them with smart, practical solutions. Even small innovations can make a significant impact on business operations, staff efficiency, and customer experience.
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