BizLab connects with Telia IoT to revolutionize retail
BizLab connects physical retail using Telia Managed IoT Gateway. The platform delivers data and insights about visitors to retail and grocery stores. Telia's plug-and-play approach to secure, stable, and scalable connectivity makes it all possible. A revolution with enormous potential, says Alf Persson, CTO at BizLab.
How digital is retail really? According to the Swedish Trade Federation, physical stores still account for around 80% of retail sales. In grocery retail specifically, 96% of purchases happen in physical stores. E-commerce sites know everything about their visitors, but physical retailers are often left guessing who's walking through their doors. BizLab wants to change that.
The largest volume is still in physical retail. But there's often no data about visitors – not just those who actually make a purchase. Without insights, it's difficult to tailor in-store messaging or create advertising that guarantees you're reaching the right audience. That's where our connected technology makes a difference.
Digital screens generate insights using AI
BizLab has developed an AI-driven technology that measures and analyzes foot traffic in physical environments. Using digital screens, the system can count visitors, analyze demographics like gender and age, register reactions to on-screen content, and collect relevant visitor data. Retailers – whether in a museum, airport, or other location – can then use these insights to adapt their messaging in real time. And it's completely anonymous.
Everything is GDPR-compliant. Data collection happens in real time and no images are stored. People near the screens are just numbers in anonymous aggregate data. You get information about the demographic profile – gender, age, and how long someone viewed an ad.
Security and coverage in the IoT infrastructure must meet the highest standards
BizLab's digital screens need internet connectivity both to transmit data without interruption across Europe and to enable remote management. The IoT infrastructure is delivered by Telia through their Managed IoT Gateway service. Stability, security, and coverage must meet the highest possible standards to deliver at the right level.
Connectivity is business-critical for us. Telia has the best coverage, and it extends beyond the Nordics. We'll need to scale up quickly, and with Telia we can.
With Telia, we get a stable provider for the entire IoT infrastructure and unified support. Swapping SIM cards in thousands of IoT devices across multiple countries wouldn't be practical, says Alf Persson. We receive pre-configured IoT devices with pre-installed SIM cards that can be shipped directly to the end customer. We can then manage the devices remotely via a digital platform. It's plug and play – fast and simple.
A plug-and-play service with both connectivity and hardware
Our business is built on the application. We need fast, stable connectivity and can't depend on the customer's wifi coverage or get stuck in their firewalls, says Alf Persson. Our delivery can involve up to several thousand devices per new customer. With IoT Managed Gateway, we get a plug-and-play service with both connectivity and hardware. The packaged, fast, and stable approach becomes especially important when you're growing like we are – with as few vendors as possible, which also simplifies logistics.
We want a provider that helps us manage this efficiently, and that's what we get through Telia's team. With their technology, we can just plug in the cable and go. Time is money.
BizLab's innovation and Telia's IT infrastructure flip a common narrative on its head – the one that says digital technology makes physical locations irrelevant. On the contrary, technology makes physical locations more valuable, more data-driven, and more competitive. The revolution isn't about abandoning the physical world. It's about finally understanding it.
Four key benefits
Plug and play Pre-provisioned SIM cards and user-friendly self-service portal.
Fast and scalable Packaged to quickly scale up to thousands of devices.
Unified support Hardware, connectivity, and support from a single provider.
Extensive and reliable coverage Stable and secure mobile network that extends beyond the Nordics.